THE USE OF RAPD MARKERS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF SITKA SPRUCE (PICEA-SITCHENSIS) CLONES

DNA from 57 superior clones was amplified using arbitrary primers in the polymerase chain reaction, in order to assess the genetic variation within Sitka spruce and to investigate if individual clones could be identified. Six out of 30 primers gave reproducible banding patterns. Twenty-four polymorphic bands were scored for the 57 clones studied and all the clones could be identified using a combination of four or more primers. Nei's estimate of similarity was calculated and cluster analysis was used to generate a dendrogram showing considerable variation among the superior trees. Clonally produced material (ramets) could be recognized and mislabelled ramets were identified.