In order to carry out activities aimed at conservation and rational use of forest resources; it is necessary to study the main forest-forming plant species in detail. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L., Pinaceae) is mainly found in the boreal forests of Eurasia and is not so often encountered in the east of the East European Plain. The aim of the study was to study the genetic diversity, structure and differentiation of Scots pine populations in the east of the East European Plain. We studied ten populations of P. sylvestris using the Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR)-based DNA polymorphism detection method. Natural populations are demonstrated by relatively high rates of genetic diversity (He = 0.167; ne = 1.279; I = 0.253). At the same time, there is a tendency for a decrease in the genetic diversity of the studied populations of P. sylvestris from west to east. Analysis of the genetic structure shows that the studied populations are highly differentiated (GST = 0.439), the intrapopulation component accounts for about 56% of the genetic diversity. Using various algorithms for determining the spatial genetic structure, it is found that the studied populations form two groups of populations in accordance with geographic location. With the help of a genetic originality coefficient, populations with specific and typical gene pools are identified. They are recommended as sources of genetic diversity and reserves for the conservation of genetic resources of the species.

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Based on the analysis of the polymorphism of two types of microsatellite markers (ISSR and SSR), the state of gene pools of the fifteen of Siberian larch populations from three regions of the Urals: Northern, Middle and Southern was estimated. The parameters of genetic diversity were revealed, its structure was established at the intrapopulation level. To assess the uniqueness of the gene pool, we used the coefficient of genetic originality (KGO), the analysis of which revealed populations with typical and region-specific gene pools. It was established that the studied samples are generally characterized by a high level of genetic diversity. It was found that the gene pools of samples from the South Urals are characterized by the greatest specificity, the lowest values of KGO, i. e. more typical gene pools, are noted in the North Urals samples of L. sibirica, the average values of KGO are from the samples of the Middle Urals. Also, 3 unique alleles were found in the ZIL, BND, and KCH samples, in the rest, no unique markers were detected. For a comprehensive assessment of the state of the gene pools of populations, all established indicators of genetic diversity have been transferred to the scale for assessing the status of gene pools developed on the example of the studied L. sibirica populations. Based on data on genetic diversity obtained using two types of molecular markers, it was found that the gene pools of ten studied L. sibirica populations are in satisfactory condition, and five have signs of gene pool degradation. Based on the results of the study, recommendations are made on the conservation of L. sibirica genetic resources in the Urals.

The sustainable use and conservation of forest resources must be carried out with a detailed study of the main forest-forming plant species. Coniferous forests form the basis of boreal forest ecosystems and are of great economic importance. Representatives of forest-forming boreal coniferous species are species of the genus Pinus, including Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which are valuable and widely used woody plant species. The purpose of this research was to conduct an extended study of genetic diversity, genetic structure, and differentiation of P. sibirica and P. sylvestris populations under the conditions of their habitat in the Middle and Northern Urals. We studied twelve populations of two Pinus species using the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-based DNA polymorphism detection PCR method. Populations are characterized by relatively high levels of genetic diversity (P. sylvestris: He = 0.163; ne = 1.270; I = 0.249; P. sibirica: He = 0.148; ne = 1.248; I = 0.225). Analysis of the intrapopulation genetic structure reveals that the studied populations are highly differentiated (P. sylvestris: GST = 0.362; P. sibirica: GST = 0.460). The interpopulation component comprised 36% and 46% of the total genetic diversity for P. sylvestris and P. sibirica, respectively. Using various algorithms to determine the spatial genetic structure, it was determined that P. sylvestris populations form two groups according to their location at a certain altitude above sea level. P. sibirica populations form two clusters, with an additional subdivision of the two populations into subclusters identified. The data obtained during the study may be useful for further research as well as for conservation management planning and related forestry practices aimed at preserving the genetic resources of valuable forest plant species.