Ecotypical characterization of genetic variation of beech provenances from south-eastern Europe based on the morphometric characteristics of leaves

The research was conducted on a provenance test of beech established in the Educational-research centre „Majdanpečka domena” - Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the morphometric characteristics of leaves, at the level of 10 provenances in the juvenile developmental stage, originating from South-Eastern Europe. Herbaria material was used to measure the following parameters: leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, leaf base width at 1 cm (from petiole base), the number of veins -on the left, the number of veins - on the right, and distance between the 3rd and 4th vein - on the left. Based on research results, it can be concluded that the obtained differences between the mean values of all measured foliar characteristics of the analyzed provenances are statistically significant, and that there is significant correlation between the length and width of leaves and the Ellenberg’s quotient (EQ). The relationship between the adaptive traits of beech from different provenances and ecological parameters of their seed source stands indicates genetic differentiation of beech, as a consequence of the population adaptation to local environmental conditions. Therefore, in the future, ecological criteria must be a priority in the selection of seed sources and planting materials, with special consideration of the global climate change. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007: Istraživanje klimatskih promena na životnu sredinu - praćenje uticaja, adaptacija i ublažavanje