GENETIC DIVERSITY IN HIPPOPHAE-L AND ITS USE IN PLANT-BREEDING

In the last decade, Hippophae species, particularly H. rhamnoides L., has received special attention in several countries for its multiple uses. The plant produces edible fruit with high nutrient and medicinal values and is characterized by its nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. It is widely distributed on the Eurasian continent (27 degrees-69 degrees N). Wide genetic variation is the basis of its distribution and provides good opportunities for selection and breeding. Hippophae is extremely variable in height, from a small bush less than 50 cm to a tree more than 20 m high. Phenological observations have shown a clear gradient of growth rhythm and plant size corresponding to the geographical distribution from north to south in H. rhamnoides. Studies on vitamin C concentration in the fruit have revealed significant differences between and within natural populations. The fruit size varies from 4 to 60 g/100 berries, the fruit color, from yellow, orange to red, and the shape, from flat, round, oval to cylindrical. Isozyme studies have shown that the mean number of alleles per locus per population is 2.1 and the percentage of polymorphic loci was 40.3% (at 0.95 standard). There is large genetic diversity residing within and between subspecies and species in the genus Hippophae.