Genetska variabilnost in ohranjanje genskih virov lesnike (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) v Sloveniji

V raziskavi smo proučevali genetske in morfološke značilnosti lesnike (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) na območju Slovenije in Hrvaške. Analizirali smo 14 morfoloških znakov na listih, genetska analiza pa je bila opravljena na 10 lokusih z mikrosatelitskimi markerji. Analiza populacij lesnike je pokazala zelo visoko stopnjo genetske variabilnosti lesnike (HT = 0,77) in nizko vrednost fiksacijskega indeksa (FIS = 0,08). Ti rezultati skupaj z visoko stopnjo genetske diferenciacije (FST = 0,18) nakazujejo na veliko genetsko distanco med populacijami in nizko stopnjo razmnoževanja v sorodstvu, kar so značilnosti populacij v ledenodobnih zatočiščih. Analizirana drevesa so bila na podlagi morfometrijske analize razvrščena v skupine lesnik (56,52 %), križancev (39,12 %) in žlahtnih jablan (4,35 %), na podlagi genetske analize pa se deleži dreves po posameznih genetsko določenih skupinah razlikujejo: lesnika (73,91%), križanci (19,57 %) in žlahtne jablane (6,52 %). Le 52 % botanično določenih lesnik se je izkazalo za lesnike tudi na podlagi genetskih raziskav, kar potrjuje dejstvo, da je lesniko na podlagi posameznih morfološih znakov botanično težko povsem zanesljivo določiti. Ugotavljamo, da obstajata dva ločena genska sklada lesnike in žlahtne jablane s številnimi drevesi, ki nosijo mešanico genov obeh vrst. Edini semenski objekt lesnike v Sloveniji ni primeren za uporabo v gozdarstvu, saj niti semenska drevesa niti sadike niso genetsko ustrezne. Podajamo smernice za ohranjanje genskih virov lesnike v prihodnje in priporočamo načine gospodarjenja z gozdom, ki bi lesniki omogočili dolgoročni obstoj in čim večjo gensko pestrost. Genetic and morphological characteristics of European crab apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) in the territory of Slovenia and Croatia were studied. We analysed 14 morphological characteristics on the leaves. Genetic analysis was performed using 10 microsatellite markers. The analysis of the population of European crab apple tree population has revealed a very high degree of genetic variability among European crab apple trees (HT = 0.77). The low fixation index (FIS = 0.08) combined with a high degree of differentiation (FST = 0.18) indicates a significant genetic distance between populations and a low rate of kin reproduction, typical of populations in glacial refugia. Based on morphological analysis, the studied trees were classified as European crab apple (56.52%), hybrids (39.12%) and domesticated apple (4.35%), based on genetic analysis, the classification differs: European crab apple (73.91%), hybrids (19.57%), domestocated apple (6.52%). Only 52 % of botanically identified European crab apples were identified as European crab apple based on genetic data, and we confirm that individual morphological characters are not completely reliable for species identification. There are two separate gene pools of European crab apple trees and domesticated apple with a number of trees with a genetic mixture of the two species. The only seed object for European crab apple in Slovenia is not suitable for forestry use. Niether the seed trees nor the seedlings are genetically unsuitable. We have prepared guidelines for the conservation of the European crab apple genetic stock and proposed appropriate silvicultural measures that could enable long-term existence and high genetic diversity.