ABSTRACT. Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), a deciduous conifer, is the northernmost tree, native to eastern Siberia and nearby regions of China. We used growth traits and molecular markers to assess genetic variation in different L. gmelinii growing regions; 105 individual samples were collected from seven regions of the Qingshan Forestry Centre, Heilongjiang Province, China. The greatest genetic regional variation was seen in the Youhao area, based on coefficients of variation for tree height, diameter and volume (14.73, 28.25, and 55.27%, respectively). Analysis using molecular markers showed rich genetic diversity. The RAPD and ISSR methods both indicated that most variation came from within populations. The seven regions were divided into two groups (Daxing'an and Xiaoxing'an Mountain ranges) by RAPD cluster analysis: Tianchi, Xiaojiuya, Yuanjiang, and Taiping regions were placed in the first group at a genetic distance of 0.08; while the other regions were in the second group. The correlation : 196-207 (2013) Genetic diversity of Larix gmelinii between RAPD markers and geographical distance was significant, with a correlation coefficient of 0.752.

ABSTRACT. The conifer Larix olgensis has been analyzed to delineate physiological and proteomic changes that occur under drought stress. Studies of the deleterious effects of drought in the larch families have mainly focused on photosynthesis. In the present study, when the intensity of drought was increased, plant height was inhibited as both POD and MDA levels increased, which indicates oxidative stress. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis detected 23 significantly differentially expressed proteins, of which 18 were analyzed by peptide mass fingerprinting by using MALDI-TOF/TOF. Eight spots were found to be up-regulated, while the other 10 spots were down-regulated during drought stress. The proteins that were induced by drought treatment have been implicated in the physiological changes that occurred. These results could provide additional information that could lead to a better understanding of the molecular basis of drought-sensitivity in larch plants.