GBAS - Picea abies

Effective conservation and management of Picea abies (Norway spruce) require high-resolution, scalable genotyping tools capable of capturing both neutral and functional genetic variation across complex genomes. In this study, we developed and applied a Genotyping by Amplicon Sequencing (GBAS) approach tailored for Norway spruce, incorporating 124 markers, including novel microsatellite-based loci derived from anonymous genomic regions and the first EPIC (Exon-Primed Intron-Crossing) markers designed for the species. Applied to populations across Austria, the markers revealed clear genetic differentiation and variable clustering patterns across marker types. While genomic SSRs resolved broad-scale population structure, EPIC markers highlighted potential signals of adaptive variation in altitude-separated populations. This study demonstrates the utility of GBAS as a scalable, cost-effective tool for population genetic studies and long-term monitoring in conifers with complex genomes.