Genotyping of Quercus robur L. ecotypes of the bayrachny oak forest of the Ergeninsky upland based on polymorphism of ISSR markers

Introduction. The Volgograd Region is a sparsely wooded region, forests on its territory occupy 4.3% of the total territory, therefore, afforestation and combating various types of erosion are especially important here. The Chapurnikovskaya gully, adjacent to the Ergeninskaya upland, is home to the largest natural oak forest in the south of the Volgograd agglomeration. The study of the genetic and physiological-biochomic features of the unique oaks growing in it, some of which have reached the age of 200 years, will help identify ecotypes and individuals resistant to various types of stress and use them for afforestation in extreme forest conditions. The purpose of this study was the molecular genetics and physiological-biochemical analysis of the upland, slope and tall oak ecotypes from the Chapurnikovskaya gully. Materials and methods. ISSR markers and ITS marker were used for molecular genetic analysis of three ecotypes of Quercus robur L. of the bayrachny oak grove of the Ergeninsky upland. The physiological and biochemical analysis of pigments and phenolic compounds was carried out by spectrophotometry. Results and discussion. As a result of the molecular genetic analysis, a set of DNA fragments was obtained, the number and size of which (polymorphism) were different for different oak genotypes. The highest percentage of polymorphism of ISSR markers was established using primers UBC 811, UBC 826, UBC 835 and UBC 841. These primers with ITS primer were also used for the molecular genetic identification of ecotypes, the calculated polymorphism was 43.84% for the upland ecotype, 37% for the slope, and 56.16% for the tallow. The ratio of chlorophylls a and b significantly differed in the three ecotypes, being the highest for the tallow. The ratio (Cla+Clb)/Car was highest in the slope ecotype (42.09±22.31), exceeding by 50% the corresponding ratio for the tallow and by 39% for the upland ecotypes. The leaves of the upland ecotype contain the largest amount of phenols (26.69±5.79 mg/g), which are important protective barriers against adverse environmental factors. Conclusions. The upland oak ecotype, which grows on the upper slopes of the beam, is most resistant to arid conditions and can be recommended for fixing and terracing mountain slopes, creating forest belts on hilly terrain in arid conditions. Samples of the talvezhny oak ecotype with a higher level of polymorphism can be proposed for afforestation in temperate conditions on alluvial soils and for urban landscaping.