Study on the Diversity in Leaf and Fruit Morphological Characteristics of Quercus castaneifolia in Five Natural Habitats at Mazandaran Forests

Quercus castaneifolia is one of the most important industrial trees in northern forests of Iran. Its habitats have been damaged because of severe utilization. Leaf and fruits morphology was assessed in five Oak stands located in Mazandaran forests, north of Iran. The populations distribute from 100 to 1100 meter altitude above see level in two region named Neka and Nour, with 200 kilometer interval. The pattern of leaf and fruit morphological variation was evaluated for evidence of genetic variation in these five populations. Principal component analysis was applied to data set of leaf and fruit characters from five populations to describe between and within genetic variation of Oak population. The results showed that difference between five populations was significant in more leaf and in fruit traits. According to principal component analysis, among the 31 fruits and leaf traits, leaf area, maximum width of leaf laminate, number of teeth on the right, pair of main nervure, petiole length, leaf maximum total length, dry and wet weight of fruit, large diameter of fruit, special shaped seed, diameter and height of corn have had the most important role in defining and creating the main components of variance, and were found also the lowest plasticity. Results of morphological characters showed that the variation between individuals of population located in 400 to 600 meter altitude above see level was higher than the variation of individuals in lower altitude populations. Those of two mentioned population were located near the some villages.