Morphological traits, microsatellite fingerprinting and genetic relatedness of a stand of elite oaks (Q-robur L.) at Tullynally, Ireland

• Published in: Silvae genetica Vol. 47; no. 5-6
• Main Authors: Lefort, F, Lally, M, Thompson, D, Douglas, G.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: ACQUIRED CHARACTERS; ADN; CARACTERE ACQUIS; CARACTERES ADQUIRIDOS; DNA; GENETICA; GENETICS; GENETIQUE; HETEROCIGOTOS; HETEROZYGOTE; HETEROZYGOTES; IRELAND; IRLANDA; IRLANDE; LOCI; LOCUS; POLIMORFISMO; POLYMORPHISM; POLYMORPHISME; QUERCUS ROBUR
• ISSN: 0037-5349; 2509-8934

A morphological and molecular characterisation of phenotypically elite oaks (Quercus robur L.) which were estimated as 220 years old was undertaken to test the utility of molecular tools to examine the genetic origin of the stand.The 11 trees shared many excellent characteristics in tree form. Quantitatively, DBH ranged from 104 cm to 126.5 cm and stem height from 10 m to 25.5 m. The molecular analysis using microsatellites for nine genetic loci was on five trees. It concluded that the trees were not closely related. This small sample showed many polymorphisms and much heterozygosity. Loci AG16 and AG 9 showed 9 and 8 different alleles respectively while :Loci AG1/2 and Ag15 displayed 3 and 5 alleles among the five trees. At least two trees had a three-band profile for some loci indicating potential triploidy. The historical records of the estate refers to one elite tree in 1837 and the detail of its description suggests it may correspond to one extant today. It also suggests an active silvicultural management and the practise of coppicing with standards. Such management may have resulted in this excellent stand by conversion of a natural woodland in stages starting with coppice, leading to coppice with standards, then to high forest and ultimately to a parkland stand.