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A method of genetic analysis is proposed for determination of the mode of inheritance of environmentally and ontogenetically stable isoenzyme phenotypes as expressed in angiospermous forest trees. This method also applies to higher plant and animal species characterized by multiple matings of single female parents. The modes of inheritance considered are codominance in the absence and the presence of a (recessive) null allele. The analyzed material coRsists of zymograms of single maternal trees and their progenies (as seeds or seedlings) from open pollination. Such data is more easily obtained than controlled crosses and can represent the total variation in the population. The genetic analysis requires only the basic assumptions of classical Mendelian analysis, which make use only of the elementary mechanisms of meiosis and fertilization. Additional assumptions on the mating system, such as those required by the mixed mating model, are not needed. The results confirm the need for explicit genetic analysis of zymograms.

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) is a tetraploid European hardwood tree species. The reproduction system of the insect‐pollinated trees and patterns of genetic variation are largely unknown. We isolated and characterized eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for Acer pseudoplatanus L. The high degree of polymorphism observed at these markers makes them useful to observe genetic variation patterns at various spatial scales and to analyse gene flow and the mating system. Primers developed for the amplification of microsatellites in A. pseudoplatanus were tested for 21 different species of genus Acer. Amplification products of the expected size were obtained in most cases.

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We describe alloenzyme variation in A. angustifolia populations of three separate geographical areas in southern Brazil. The genetic structure of populations was examined in seedtrees, embryos and effective pollen. Seven out of 24 enzyme loci were polymorphic. The average number of alleles per locus (24 loci) was 1.54, with 2.44 alleles per polymorphic locus. Mean expected and observed heterozygosities at the polymorphic loci were H e = 0.128 and H o = 0.132 for seed-trees, and H e = 0.142 and H o = 0.161 for embryos. All measures of genetic variability were highest in the most northern populations. Differences among localities explained 84.14 % and 92.06 % of the total genetic diversity in embryos and seed trees, respectively. Sex ratio was 1:1 in almost all populations. Female and male gene pools differed in allele frequencies, most significantly at loci 6-Pgdh-B and Skdh-B. This explains the excess of heterozygotes detected among embryos. No inbreeding or excess of heterozygotes was detected among adult seed trees. Genetic variation in A. angustifolia revealed a latitudinal gradient.