Genetic structure and identification of Populus deltoides clones based on allozymes

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Abstract
The allelic constitution of 30 Populus deltoides Marsh, clones selected in Canada and United States was determined for 37 allozyme loci coding for 12 enzyme systems in root tips. The enzymes were assayed by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. One common allele was found at each locus in all clones. The interclonal allozyme variability was controlled by 12 loci. The average proportion of heterozygous loci per clone was 4.7%. There were 23 unique multilocus genotypes among 30 clones. On average, unique genotypes differed from each other at 4.33 loci. Principal-component analysis of clonal genotypes at 12 polymorphic loci indicated 8 loci to be the most differentiating for the clones. The first three principal components accounted for 47.6% of the total variation in 12 polymorphic loci. The ordination and grouping of the clones on principal components 1, 2, and 3 portrayed clonal relationships. Clones from the same small nautral population at Cherry Beach, Ont., and five clones of P. deltoides var. occidentalis were in the same group. There was no separation of clones of two varieties, P. deltoides var. deltoides and P. deltoides var. occidentalis. These results and their usefulness were discussed with reference to identification, certification, registration, and relationships of clones.Key words: Populus deltoides Marsh., allozymes, multilocus genotypes, clone characterization, clonal relationships, poplars.