GENETIC VARIATION IN ISOZYME ANALYSIS OF ACACIA CRASSICARPA

Abstract

The pattern of genetic variation of Acacia crassicarpa among eight provenances (four from Papua New Guinea, one from Irian Jaya and three from Queensland) was assayed using the technique of starch gel electrophoresis. Twelve enzyme systems used in the analysis were coded by 23 loci, producing heterozygosity values ranging from 0.064 to 0.100. The proportion of polymorphic loci was found to vary from 56.5 to 60.9% with an average of two alleles per locus. Factors such as the historical and ecological background, selection and reproductive biology were suggested to explain the polymorphism and heterozygosity paradox. Genetic identity of the species varied from 0.9770 between Jardine River and Olive River of Queensland to 0.9955 between Limal-Malam and Samlleberr, both from Papua New Guinea. Clustering by altitude was also observed. High values of genetic similarity showed that the provenances were closely related to each other in spite of coming from different regions.