Genetic differentiation in functional traits among wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) half-sib lines

Abstract Understanding intra-specific variation in leaf functional traits is one of the key requirements for evaluation species adaptive capacity to ongoing climate change, as well designing long-term breeding and conservation strategies. Hence, data 19 describing plant physiology, antioxidant properties, anatomy morphology were determined on 1-year-old seedlings wild cherry ( Prunus avium L.) half-sib lines. The variability within among lines, estimation multi-trait association, examined using analysis variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference test multivariate analyses: principal component (PCA), canonical discriminant (CDA) stepwise (SDA). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used evaluate linear between study parameters. results ANOVA showed presence statistically differences P < 0.01) lines all traits. observed through contribution sources total (%), had higher impact majority PCA strong relationships gas exchange plants size stomatal density, biomass accumulation, intercellular CO 2 concentration parameters related plants. Likewise, SDA indicate that transpiration conductance contributed largest extent, discrimination In addition, CDA separation along first variable with regards humidity their original sites. Multiple high potential adapt rapidly change. existence substantial genetic highlights resources reforestation purposes programmes.