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Genetic Polymorphisms in Populations of Aesculus hippocastanum across Europe

Genetic diversity in Aesculus hippocastanum (Hippocastanaceae) across European naturalised populations

This project is one of a series in the theme of Genetics and Chemical Traits.

Aesculus hippocastanum has been described as a recalcitrant species by several groups. However, more recently the level of seed desiccation tolerance in this species, as well as a few other parameters, was described as depending on the geographical origin. It was concluded that the heat sum was of major influence on the seed development time and, indirectly, on the desiccation behaviour which is maturation dependent, i.e. that phenotypic effects were at play. However, a presumption in this study was an identical genetic background in all sample populations. A. hippocastanum trees are thought to originate from the Balkans, and to have dispersed as an ornamental tree throughout Europe in recent history dating back no further than c. 400 years. This corresponds to c. 10 generations, and genetic similarity is therefore a reasonable presumption.

To investigate if genetic drift occurs in A. hippocastanum trees throughout Europe, genetic diversity studies were conducted on seeds from Greece, Poland, Norway and the UK. AFLPs were used to characterise genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is compared to seed physiological polymorphisms described previously. The null hypothesis is adopted that differences in genetic diversity are present between these populations that correlate with the observed differences in seed physiology. Differences in genetic variation were indeed found, and correlated with variation in the phenotypic behaviour.

The objective of this project is to evaluate the use of AFLPs in differentiating among populations of A. hippocastanum. The purpose is to better understand how genetic diversity between populations contributes to differences in seed physiology.

Duration: 2004-2006.

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