USE OF ISOZYME ANALYSIS IN A PROPOSED <em>ACACIA</em> <em>MANGIUM</em> x <em>ACACIA</em> <em>AURICULIFORMIS</em> HYBRID SEED PRODUCTION ORCHARD

Abstract

Isozyme analysis of Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis from different provenances showed that A. mangium has a 22 genotype at Gdh-1 whereas A. auriculiformis has an 11 genotype. A. mangium x A. auriculiformis hybrids were identified as broad fuzzy banded 12 genotype at this locus, indicating the probable hexameric molecular structure of glutamate dehydrogenase in acacias. The gene for Gdh-1 was expressed in callus tissues, seed leaves, juvenile bipinnate leaves and mature phyllodes. This isozyme marker would prove to be useful for early identification of hybrid seedlings from open-pollinating hybridising orchards of the two species.