Variability of Leaf Characteristics in Seedlings of Pubescent Oak of Kırıkkale, Turkey

Abstract

In the present study, the variability of leaf characteristics in seedlings of six populations of pubescent oak was studied at Kırıkkale, Turkey. For this purpose, 3 years old pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd) seedlings were used and about 30 leaves of completely developed and matured were taken from each population for collecting data. Data were analyzed by using univariate, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Hierarchical cluster analysis. A high variability was revealed by petiole length, total leaf length and width. There is no differentiation among populations in terms of number of intercalary veins and number of lobes. Groups of Duncan test conformed to those of hierarchical cluster analysis. For example, the northern populations were in another group while the southern populations replaced in one homogeny group. Future studies on all Turkish populations of Pubescent oak will help to find centers of genetic diversity and populations with specific adaptations to drought and frost.