Abstract: This paper studies the genetic diversity in different geographical conditions can help to understand geographic variation pattern of black locust in China，which can be a reference for the cultivation. Contrast experimental forests were built in Baoding，Hebei with black locust seeds collected from 19 provenances，and the growth traits were investigated. Analysis of SSR markers of 19 populations of total 570 samples are done. Investigation of 5-year-old experimental forest showed that different groups in survival rate，height and diameter at breast height（DBH）had significant differences，that survival rate ranged 53.33%–83.33%，height changed in 5.65–6.61 m，DBH distributed in 4.28–5.48 cm. There was a significant differences in growth traits among populations of different origins，that the performance of the experimental forests planting area as the center radiates outside. The population which farther away from the test site，has a lower survival rate and growth，that indicates the black locust have formed geographical variations in growth traits，with abundant genetic diversity. SSR analysis showed that the total genetic diversity（HT）changes in amplitude of 0.5154–0.7569，and coefficient of genetic differentiation（GST）has an average of 0.0128. The variation among populations only 1.28% shows that the most variation within populations. The number of effective alleles，expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity of 19 black locust populations show increasing from north to south. Correlation analysis of growth traits and genetic parameters showed significant negative correlations. The black locust from different origins have an abundant genetic diversity，that has initially formed a geographical variation. The results show that the farther away from the test site，the populations have the lower survival rate and growth；affected by latitude and the annual mean temperature，number of effective allele，expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity both showed trend of increasing from north to south.

Key words: black locust, Robinia pserdoacacia, genetic diversity, adaptability