ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN EVOLUTIONARY LINEAGES AND ACORN MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF PEDUNCULATE OAK (QUERCUS ROBUR L.)

Abstract

To preserve and restore pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) stands in Lithuania and their autochthonous gene pool, comprehensive studies are needed on the association of haplotype (maternal) origins with morphometric traits. The aim of this research is to study differences in the morphometric traits of acorns from pedunculate oak natural heritage objects trees based on cpDNA markers. For the study, acorns were collected from 39 different oak clones in the Josvainiai oak natural heritage objects clone collection (n = 1560). 3 cpDNA microsatellite loci were used for haplotype analysis. The results showed that the morphometric traits of oak acorns differ significantly depending on the cpDNA haplotype (maternal) origin. Acorns of Italian haplotype origin (H6_H1_IT) are significantly different in length and size. It was also found that the morphometric characteristics of acorns differ significantly depending on the natural forest region of Lithuania. The northeastern highlands region of Lithuania is significantly different in terms of acorn length and width. Acorns from this region are the longest and narrowest. This indicates that morphometric traits can preserve the genetic origin of the maternal line and its characteristic traits, and that these traits are influenced by the growing environment, while the acorns retain the adaptive traits typical to the region.