摘要：Gul J, Saeed S, Ahmed A, Leghari SK, Basit A, Rehman A, Khan MZ2021Genetic diversity and morphological variation of Pinus gerardiana along the environmental gradient from Zhob, Balochistan, PakistanNusantara Bioscience 13: 121-128Pinus gerardiana, an evergreen gymnosperm, is an economically- and ecologically valuable tree found in the Takhte Suleman Mountain Range, Zhob northeastern edge of the Balochistan, PakistanThe present study is based on the assessment of the impact of environmental gradients with special reference to altitudinal gradient and soil variables on morphological, phytochemicals and genetic variation of PgerardianaA total of 27 genotypes of Pgerardiana were collected from the three elevation zones ranging from 2000 - 3500 m above sea levelThe genetic diversity was assessed by combined markers, the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and the Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR)Polymorphic bands analyzed the data to generate a dendrogram, based on the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA)Morphological characters assessed the morphological charactersPhytochemicals were investigated; the total phenolic content and total flavonoid contents were estimated and compared amongst all accessionsOur results revealed variations along altitudinal gradients and related to soil characteristicsThe populations at the Middle altitude zone have greater diversity than populations at lower and higher altitudesThe resulting altitudinal variation can be attributed to various geographical and environmental conditionsThese results can help in conservation and cultivation of this economically important tree.
