Genetic and phenotypic variation of Fagus orientalis Lipsky. populations at different elevations of Masal forests, Guilan province, Iran

Genetic variation among populations has a key role in breeding improved varieties and plant adaptation. Recent studies have shown that genetic variation among populations of species are related to ecological effects. In this study, quantitative genetic variation in populations of eastern beech was investigated for leaf characteristics at three altitudes in Masal forests, Guilan province, Iran. For this purpose, three altitudes of 700, 1200 and 1700 m above sea level were selected. At each elevation, 20 individual trees were randomly selected. Then from each tree, a number of leaves were taken from the southern and northern parts of healthy crown and mature trees. Measurements were made for leaf index, petiole index, leaf area, leaf specific area, leaf specific dry weight, leaf relative water content and leaf dry weight. Data were analyzed using nested ANOVA method. The results showed significant differences between altitudes population for most of traits. The means of leaf area, leaf specific area and relative water content at mid elevation were higher than the other two elevations. The highest heritabilities were observed for leaf area, leaf specific area, leaf dry weight, petiole index and leaf specific dry weight in mid-altitude populations. For leaf index and relative water content, the highest heritability value was observed in high altitude populations. The results showed that the correlation between most of traits was higher value and significant in the middle altitude (1200 m) than the first (700 m) and the third (1700 m) altitude populations.