USE OF DIAGNOSTIC SSR MARKERS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF <e1>LARIX LYALLII</e1> AND <e1>L. OCCIDENTALIS</e1> (<e1>PINACEAE</e1>)

Two species-specific microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (<e1>UAKLly10a</e1> and <e1>UAKLla1</e1>) were used to distinguish <e1>Larix lyallii</e1> Parl. (subalpine larch) from <e1>L. occidentalis</e1> Nutt. (western larch) (<e1>Pinaceae</e1>). These markers can easily be used for rapid identification of the two species at any stage in the sporophyte phase of the life cycle. In the future, they should prove to be an invaluable tool for determining the possible occurrence and magnitude of introgressive hybridization in overlap zones between the two species. They are also expected to be useful in validating controlled crosses between <e1>L. lyallii</e1> and <e1>L. occidentalis</e1> and for certification purposes in reforestation and tree improvement programmes aimed at producing genetically improved hybrid stock.