Assessment of genetic diversity in Swietenia macrophylla species stands and their progeny populations.

Genetic diversity is essential to the long-term survival of tree species. The information about genetic diversity is required for the conserving of Swietenia macrophylla (L.) Jacq species. The field activity was done by collecting leaf samples at the genetic resource area of Sulawesi BPTH, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Genetic molecular analysis was conducted at Biotechnology and Tree Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia. Microsatellite markers investigated the genetic diversity for 100 adult trees and 66 seedling mahogany, and the Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) was performed for assessing molecular variance within and between the populations using GenAlEx software and DarWin 6.5. The seedling population had more alleles than the tree population. The number of private alleles was also higher in the seedling population. The most significant variation was found among the individuals (97%). Variation among the population and within individuals were 3% and 0%, respectively. The present study results will be useful to identify the promising genotype and develop conservation strategies for the mahogany species in the genetic resources area, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]