GENETIC-RESOURCES IN RIBES L IN NORWAY

Seven Norwegian and one Danish population of Ribes L. with 5 to 23 genotypes in each were grown at As (60-degrees-N). Phenological and morphological data were compared with 'Red Dutch' and analyzed for differences between and within populations. Phenological differences were observed mainly between populations, morphological variation was found mainly between genotypes. Garden types in a northern population (Misvaer, 67-degrees-N) had lost some of the typical characters of the wild population from Misvaer. A random selection of genotypes from six Norwegian and the Danish populations were planted at As (60-degrees-N), Kvithamar (64-degrees-N) and Ervik (68-degrees-N) and compared with 'Red Dutch'. For phenological data the order of populations was the same in all locations, following a latitudinal/altitudinal cline. For morphological data the range of populations changed with location. The need for conservation of gene resources and a strategy are discussed.