Genetic and physiological basis of the adaptive variation of forest trees as the basis for the regulation of forest reproductive material

The project is oriented on adaptive genetic variation of tree species. The research will focus on phenotypic traits with adaptive significance related to fitness and identification of their physiological and genetic basis.
Common beech and partly Norway spruce will be the main model species for adaptive variation studies. The project will utilize the provenance experiment with beech BFH 1998. The study will focus on vegetative phenology and growth traits, concerning their physiological basis we will deal with photosynthesis-related parameters (chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics, CO2 assimilation) and water balance. Adaptive genetic variation will be assessed using known candidate genes and/or development of new markers using qRT-PCR. A pilot study of eventual epigenetic variation will also be accomplished. The project will also identify geographical links of neutral and adaptive variation. Ultimately, recommendations of FRM transfer and use will be made.