Genetic variability in Prosopis flexuosa DC, a native tree of the Monte phytogeographic province, Argentina

Prosopis flexuosa is an arboreal leguminosae that grows in arid and semiarid temperate zones of Argentina. A programme of improvement and conservation of this species is being developed at IADIZA in Mendoza. This paper reports the results of a 3 year progeny-provenance trial. The high genetic variability found at provenance level as well as family level within provenances in all growing traits assessed, the high values of heritability at individual level for height and thorniness, and the high positive genetic and phenotypic correlation found between height and basal diameter, pose an interesting starting point for a programme of genetic improvement with this species for the reafforestation of Argentinian arid and semiarid lands.