Data from 'Tracability of Forest Reproductive Material with the quality label 'Plant van Hier': A DNA database with genetic profiles of native autochthonous tree and shrub species of Flanders, Belgium'

Indigenous trees and shrubs play an important role in multifunctional forest management. They form a significant part of the biodiversity in our forests. Forest reproductive material (FRM) of autochthonous Flemish origin is sold under the quality label ‘Plant van Hier’, a certification mark of the Agency for Nature and Forests. To ensure the provenance of the seedlings, we developed a DNA-database of genetic profiles of potential parent trees, using species-specific genetic markers. This database enables the traceability of FRM of the ‘Plant van Hier’ label throughout the entire production chain; from seed harvesting and cultivation to planting by the end user.

This database contains the genetic profiles of almost all possible parent trees present within 27 Flemish autochthonous seed orchards of eight ecologically important tree and shrub species: Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Frangula alnus, Populus tremula, Sorbus aucuparia, Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos, and Ulmus laevis. The profiles were established using microsatellite markers (11 to 24 markers per species). New genetic markers were developed for Carpinus betulus and Ulmus laevis. PCR products were run on an ABI 3500 Genetic Analyser (Thermo Fisher Scientific).