Genetic characterization of Nothofagus obliqua populations (Mirb.et Oerst.) and Nothofagus alpina (Poepp.et Endl.) Oerst. (=N.nervosa (Phil.) Dim. et Mil.) by molecular and isoenzymatic markers

The genetic variability of Chilean and Argentinean oak and raulí was evaluated using molecular and isoenzymatic markers to establish criteria for conservation, genetic improvement, reforestation and forest management. Genetic origins of N. nervosa and N. obliqua were identified; levels and direction of introgression in natural hybrids were determined; genetic information was associated with the geographical distribution of the species; seeds from half-siblings were obtained for future progeny trials; a seed bank of the Argentine populations of both species was established. Seeds were collected from sites with information on climatic and genecological variation.

As for new technologies, a set of SSRs for Nothofagus was developed at INRA, France, where new primers and the transferability of the SSRs developed for Quercus (European and American), a related genus, were tested. This marker has future application in gene flow studies to understand the genetic structure of Argentine populations of both species which show a high differentiation between spatially close populations.

Genetic diversity showed different patterns of variation for both species according to geographical location, latitudinal for both species in Argentina and longitudinal in Chile. The analysis of the markers allowed the identification of priority areas for conservation and forestry management.