The paper presents the results of the genetic diversity analysis of Sessile
oak populations from the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) "Avala"
which were obtained using SSR markers. Genomic DNA was isolated from leaf
tissue of 50 test trees from two populations. Genotyping was performed using
microsatellite markers QpZAG110, QpZAG15, QpZAG1/2, QpZAG3/64, QpZAG36,
QpZAG1/5, and QrZAG108. All loci were polymorphic with the high mean value
of PIC (0.934). The total number of alleles determined in the studied
population was 127. The range of alleles varies from 15 (QpZAG1/5, QpZAG1/2)
to 23 (QpZAG110) with an average of 18.14 alleles per locus. The number of
effective alleles ranges from 8.273 (QpZAG1/5) to 13.830 (QrZAG108). The
mean value of the gene flow (Nm) was 8.522 with a range from 5.548 to
14.876. Overall genetic diversity was high (He = 0.909) and ranged from
0.879 to 0.928. Due to the excess of homozygotes observed at most loci, a
significant inbreeding coefficient was detected (Fis = 0.796). The Analysis
of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) confirmed that genetic diversity was more
pronounced within populations (77.5%) than between them (1.6%). The average
allele frequency (Q) of the studied populations shows that the individuals
originate from two or more populations. The obtained results can be used for
the adoption of appropriate plans for the management of protected natural
resources and the management of this ecologically and economically important
tree species. Also, the obtained results enable the adoption of the
necessary measures for the conservation of sessile oak genetic resources by
in-situ and ex-situ methods. Based on the research results, the use of this
important species can be recommended for its reintroduction in optimal
microclimatic conditions, as well as in the selection of the best
individuals for the reintroduction.