INVESTIGATIONS ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF GENETIC-FACTORS ON DAMAGE TO SILVER FIR

Objective of the investigation was to determine if genetic factors play a role in forest decline of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). For this purpose the genetic structures of 957 silver fir trees, growing on. 27 forest decline observation plots in Baden-Wurttemberg (South-West Germany), were determined at ten polmorphic gene loci (IDH-A, IDH-B, 6-PGDH-A, Dia-A, LAP-A, AAP-A, MDH-B, GOT-A, GOT-B, GOT-C). The possibility of genetic effects on the phenotype was analysed by comparison of genetic structures among groups of trees with different degrees of damage. In order to assure random association of genotypes and environments, samples were analyzed on a structural basis. The procedure is discussed in detail. The variation in the degree of damage for silver fir appears to be correlated with genetic factors. Especially the GOT-C-locus appears to have a controlling influence on the tolerance of environmental stress.