Isozymes and the genetic resources of forest trees

Abstract

Genetic data are an essential prerequisite for analysing the genetic structure of tree populations. The isozyme technique is the best currently available method for obtaining such data. Despite several shortcomings, isozyme data directly evaluate the genetic resources of forest trees, and can thus be used to monitor and manipulate these resources. For example, preliminary isozyme data indicate that domestication of cultivated species has generally reduced variation within populations. Geographic differences among natural populations are less evident in trees than in herbaceous plants, but need to be considered in sampling and conservation strategies. In dealing with remnant population size (Nr) and distribution, management programs should recognize that the half-life of heterozygosity is about 1.4 Nr generations, whereas the number of trees required to retain half the current alleles after a bottleneck is about the square root of the original population size.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the symposium on isozymes of North American forest trees and forest insects; July 27, 1979; Berkeley, California

Citation

Brown, A. H. D.; Moran, G. F. 1981. Isozymes and the genetic resources of forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-48. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Exp. Stn, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: p. 1-10