Genetic profile of the oldest Picea abies (L.) Karst. trees in the Białowieza Primeval Forest

Abstract

The aim of this study was to: 1) describe the genetic structure of the population of old Picea abies trees in the Białowieża Primeval Forest and 2) design the genetic database for every examined tree in scope of 26 isoenzymatic loci containing: the genotype pattern, the number of stated alleles and the level of individual heterozygosity. We found that 101 out of 117 trees are characterized by a unique genotype pattern and 20 ones are completely homozygous individuals. The oldest Norway spruces in the Białowieża Primeval Forest are characterized by rather low level of genetic variation and their homozygous genotypes that are well adapted to their environment let them live to a ripe old age