Das Projekt "Die Dynamik der introgressiven Hybridisierung von natürlichen und angesiedelten polyploiden Pflanzen in landwirtschaftlich genutzten Flächen und Uferlandschaften: Eine Evaluierung von molekulargenetischen Werkzeugen an Weide (Salix sp.) (DYNAMO)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Department für Angewandte Pflanzenwissenschaften und Pflanzenbiotechnologie, Institut für Angewandte Genetik und Zellbiologie durchgeführt. The main objective of this research project is to use and further develop molecular tools to determine the genetic identity of polyploid and introgressed populations. The use of different complementary approaches on the same carefully sampled material will enable accurate a ppraisal of the usefulness of the different techniques in (i) genotyping polyploid individuals; (ii) revealing hybrid identity; and (iii) estimating the extent of introgression in natural populations, all of which are very important issues in conservation genetics. The molecular tools that will be included in this study are: 1) a selection of RAPDs and AFLPs (manual) (partner 01), 2) enzyme consensus primers (partner 01), 3) nuclear SSRs (partner 02), 4) cpDNA and mtDNA sequence analysis (partner 03), 5) cp SSRs (partner 04). In this project the Salix alba - Salix fragilis complex will be used first as a model to verify whether genetic analysis of the same samples with different techniques do indeed give consistent results concerning the extent of introgression. Full-sib progeny of controlled inter- and intraspecific crosses shall form the basis of molecular marker selections. Thereafter, carefully chosen populations, originating from particular stretches of European river margins, will be analysed (e.g. River Rhine, Rhône, Schelde, Po, Donau). The evaluation of the ability of these techniques in hybridization-related research will allow end-users such as breeders and foresters to apply this knowledge in their particular fields of interest. Opportunities for dissemination of results and exploitation by potential end-users will be maximized through close association with the Biotechnology for Biodiversity Platform (BBP).