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Floodplain forests as one of the most endangered ecosystems in Europe have recently been impacted by fungal pathogens Phytophtora sp. and Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (chalara). Grey poplar (Populus × canescens Aiton Sm.) can be used as one of well adapted tree species for the reforestation of withering stands of ash (Fraxinus sp.). A unique population of grey poplar (Populus × canescens Aiton Sm.) characterized by desirable phenotypic traits was used for this purpose. The gender distribution was asymmetric; out of 155 individuals, 113 were female. Out of 33 different genotypes determined in the population, 15 were used as a source of approved forest reproductive material. Vegetative reproduction methods (ex situ clonal reproduction by micropropagation and cuttings) were developed and used, to rapidly initiate the recovery of forest stands of grey poplar. In total, 940 explants were successfully micropropagated and adapted to natural conditions, to ensure a genetically diverse source of viable plants used for reforestation. Moreover, we used methodological procedures of micropropagation for setting up cryopreservation technique. With respect to long-term storage of valuable grey poplar genotypes, modulation of gene expression by cold hardening during cryopreservation revealed significant changes in a few candidate genes involved in plant cellular processes.

Th e aim of the study was to determine the possibility of using SSR markers for assessing clonal identity of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) trees in seed orchards and determine the suitability of markers for the analysis of genetic diversity in populations of European larch in the Czech Republic. Total genomic DNA was extracted by DNA Plant Mini Kit (QIAGEN) from young needles taken from 218 sampled trees of two seed orchards. Samples were screened using thirteen selected polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers. Measuring of the size of amplification products was carried out using Applied Biosystems 3500 genetic analyser. Th e obtained data was analysed by statistical programs CERVUS and GenAlEx 6.503. 155 different alleles were detected at 13 loci of the 218 larch individuals from two seed orchards. By applying the 13 suitable markers to the 90 clones from model seed orchards we obtained multilocus genotypes (MLG). Th e obtained results illustrate the utility of the microsatellite loci for assessing spatial patterns of genetic diversity and for individual genotypes identification. 98.24% of the sampled trees could be assigned to the clones represented in the Bílovice seed orchard. Th e tested genetic loci were verified as highly polymorphic and could be further used for clonal identification and genetic diversity evaluation of European larch trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]