MOSCOW, November 8. SFU scientists, as part of an international team, have developed a method for determining the place of origin of fir using DNA markers. According to them, the technology of linking trees and timber to the region of growth can be used for fundamental population research, as well as for applied purposes: for reforestation and detection of illegal logging of trees. The results are presented in Plant Genetic Resources.
Siberian fir is the most common type of fir in Russia, the trunks of which are used for the production of furniture, ship masts and decks, young branches for the production of camphor and ascorbic acid, resin for the release of turpentine, and resin for gluing elements of optical systems, they said. Siberian Federal University (SFU).
These trees are widely used in decorating parks, gardens and plots. Fir forests play an important role in maintaining ecosystems. But their illegal logging and unscrupulous restoration are still widespread, experts noted.
Siberian Federal University researchers, together with colleagues from Russia and Germany, proposed a method for identifying relationships between subspecies, groups and individual fir trees using genetic markers – microsatellite DNA loci.
Microsatellite loci are short tandem repeats in DNA, consisting of sequentially repeated fragments ranging in length from two to nine nucleotides. The total length of such repeats is usually 100–200 nucleotides. Microsatellite loci are variable and today are actively used by geneticists for individual identification, research of genetic diversity and population structure of species.
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"The article presents the results of a search for microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), using de novo assembly of the Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) genome. We have developed polymorphic markers that can be easily genotyped in any genetic laboratory using simple gel electrophoresis. The 10 most promising polymorphic loci were identified in eight natural populations of Siberian fir. In addition, we proposed a multiplex panel of 14 microsatellites for use in the study of genetic variability of European fir (Abies alba Mill.),” said Natalya Oreshkova, co-author of the publication, senior researcher at the Laboratory of Forest Genomics of Siberian Federal University. /p>
Scientists believe that their development can help not only in identifying illegally felled fir trees, but also in restoring the forests of Siberia.
Siberian Federal University is a participant in the Russian state program for supporting universities «Priority 2030″ of the national project » Science and universities».
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