Abstract: In this study, we analyzed the phenotypic variation of Acer ginnala natural populations at different altitude in Qiliyu, investigated the level of phenotypic diversity by using ANOVA analysis, correlation analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed that there were significant differences in phenotypic variation among and within populations. Coefficient of variation (CV) varied from 705% to 3812%. High phonotypic diversity (1.9253) occurred within A.ginnala populations, the mean phenotypic diversity index of populations ranged from 1.9022 to 1.9837. Phenotypic differentiation coefficient (VST) among populations (13.79%) was less than that of within populations (86.21%). The variation withinpopulations comprised a majority of total phenotypic variation. A significant relation had occurred between phenotypic traits and soil factors. Phenotypic diversity index had a very significant correlation with soil total nitrogen (P<0.05), no significant relation with altitude. Five populations gathered into two groups by cluster analysis, which consistent with the geographic distribution of Aginnala in Qiliyu. The traits variations of natural populations at different altitude were affected mainly by micro-environmental heterogeneity of different Aginnala populations. Utilizing of variation within and among populations is important significance for genetic improvement of A.ginnala.

Key words: Acer ginnala