Variability of the chloroplast dna of sessile oak (Quercus petraea agg. Ehrendorfer, 1967) in Serbia

Genetic variability of sessile oak (Quercus petraea agg. Ehrendorfer, 1967) in Serbia is estimated applying cpDNA universal primer pairs that were characterized by a high informative level for chloroplast genome variability assessment in previous investigations. Five different haplotypes were detected in the analyzed sample material from populations in Serbia

Comparative analysis of the anatomical structure of heartwood and sapwood selected Gymnocladus canadensis Lam. trees in Srpska Crnja

This paper shows the results obtained from the study of the macroscopic-microscopic structure (capillary system) in the growth stem of Gymnocladus canadensis Lam. originating from North America, which grows in 'Muzljanski rit' in the area of Srpska Crnja. Gymnocladus canadensis Lam. falls under the ring-porous species according to its porosity, with large tracheas in its early zone. The early zone trachea lumens, contained in the sapwood, reach dimensions of up to 160 μm, while early zone trachea lumens in the growth stem rings of the sapwood reach dimensions of up to 120 μm. Examination of the microscopic structure of this tree show good properties of the tree.Projekat ministarstva br. 3104

Concentrations of manganese and iron in some woody and herbs plants

Heavy metals are the substances that indicate environmental pollution. The plants polluted with heavy metals may endanger natural environment and cause health problems in humans. In our multidisciplinary research of the concentrations of pollutants in forest ecosystems and natural environment in Belgrade, we examined the contents of heavy metals essential for plants but harmful in greater concentrations on a long-term basis. The fact that heavy metals manganese and iron are accumulated in plants to the greatest extent focused our work on determination of the level of concentrations of Mn and Fe in the vegetative parts of 8 plant types on three locations on the Avala Mountain and one location in the centre of the city of Belgrade. The analyses of heavy metals contents in plants were performed by the method of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The examination of the existence of important differences between the average values was performed by implementation of Duncan’s test for the level of significance of 95%. The current contents of heavy metals in plants in the area of the protected natural resource Avala do not represent danger that would presently cause notable damage to forests but show the tendency of the increase of concentrations. Therefore, this issue should be constantly monitored

Variability of Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Clones Produced by Grafting

European beech is renowned due to its ornamental cultivars, such as purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’), but its production in Serbia is represented in small number of nurseries. The aim of this paper was to analyze the success of hetero-vegetative propagation of purple beech and variability of different characteristics, in order to improve the production of nursery stocks for widespread use. The splice and wedge grafting were applied, using scions collected from five Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ adult trees, and two different rootstocks: five-year-old seedlings directly produced in nursery beds and one-year-old containerized seedlings. Analysis of grafting success rates, survival percentage, as well as quantitative (height and root collar diameter) and qualitative (leaf color) characteristics of produced grafts in four successive years, were investigated. Grafting performed using the containerized rootstocks showed the high success rate (50-80%), but the survival percentage at the end of fourth year was lower (30-47%). The survival percentage of grafts produced directly on rootstocks in nursery beds was 22-78% at the end of first year, and constantly kept those values in the next three years. The highest mean values of quantitative characteristics were found in clone number 5 and 1, while the smallest were recorded in clone 3. Leaf color was intensive reddish-purple in most grafts, while in some grafts about 20% reddish-green leaves was recorded. Based on the obtained results, it can be stated that purple beech trees in Belgrade area could be used as mother plants and starting material for the improvement of its production

Comparative analysis of the anatomical structure of heartwood and sapwood selected Gymnocladus canadensis Lam. trees in Srpska Crnja

This paper shows the results obtained from the study of the macroscopic-microscopic structure (capillary system) in the growth stem of Gymnocladus canadensis Lam. originating from North America, which grows in 'Muzljanski rit' in the area of Srpska Crnja. Gymnocladus canadensis Lam. falls under the ring-porous species according to its porosity, with large tracheas in its early zone. The early zone trachea lumens, contained in the sapwood, reach dimensions of up to 160 μm, while early zone trachea lumens in the growth stem rings of the sapwood reach dimensions of up to 120 μm. Examination of the microscopic structure of this tree show good properties of the tree.Projekat ministarstva br. 3104

GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE QUERCUS ROBUR L. POPULATION FROM THE PROTECTED AREA „KOŠUTNJAK FOREST” (BELGRADE, SERBIA) ASSESSED BY NUCLEAR MICROSATELLITES

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) is one of the economically and ecologically most important deciduous forest tree species in Europe. In recent decades, there has been an evident decline of pedunculate oak forests, caused by various factors, such as climate change, site conditions, over-exploitation, or insufficient and inadequate regeneration. In Serbia, this species usually occurs in the valleys of major rivers (Danube, Sava, and Morava), and the most valuable pedunculate oak forests grow along the river Sava in the area of Srem, where there are individual specimens aged hundreds of years. The protected area „Košutnjak Forest“ (Belgrade, Serbia), occupies 267 ha, with numerous forest tree species, among which are five native oak species, including the pedunculate oak. Oaks can be categorized as „at-risk” species in „Kosutnjak Forest”, since their populations are mostly represented by very old trees, with a poor possibility of natural rejuvenation. This research aimed to determine the genetic variability of the pedunculate oak population in the „Košutnjak Forest” using nuclear microsatellites. DNA extraction was performed from young leaves, collected from 56 adult trees, using a commercial peqGOLD Plant DNA Mini Kit (PEQLAB). In total 13 nuclear microsatellites were used, and values of standard genetic diversity parameters were calculated using GenAlEx 6.5 software. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 (MSQ13 and PIE239) to 39 (QrZAG90), with an average of 17.538. The number of effective alleles per locus was in the range from 2,498 (QrZAG108) to 23.668 (QrZAG90), with an average of 8.360. The average value of the observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.705, and the average unbiased expected heterozygosity (uHe) was 0.818. A statistically significant deviation of the expected heterozygosity from the observed heterozygosity occurs at 5 loci (MAQ4, PIE239, QpZAG104, QrZAG108, and MSQ13). The average values of the fixation index were positive and statistically significant, indicating an excess of homozygotes. According to the assessment of the genetic status, determining the level of genetic variability of pedunculate oak served as a basis for defining in situ conservation measures for the available gene pool in „Kosutnjak Forest”

In Vitro Callus Induction from Adult Tissues of Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees and Two Cherry Rootstocks

Several in vitro biotechnological techniques have been developed, all of which require a reliable protocol to produce a responsive callus mass. One of these techniques is callus fusion in vitro, which is reliable for the early detection of (in)-compatibility of scions and rootstocks. In this paper, the possibility to obtain friable callus tissues was explored by callus induction of adult tissues of Japanese flowering cherry trees from the group Sato zakura (Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’, ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’) and two domestic cherry rootstocks – Prunus avium and Prunus ‘Colt’. The explants used in the research were: leaf petiole, leaf base with a part of a petiole, part of lamina with a midvein and a stem with an axillary bud. Among three plant growth media (MS, SH and WP) that were used in this study, the MS proved to be the most favourable for the majority of taxa during the callus induction process. For the sweet cherry tree and the cultivars ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Colt’, the SH plant growth medium was also acceptable. The best results in callogenesis were obtained for the majority of taxons with auxin at the concentration 2 mgL-1 NAA and cytokinin BAP 0.5 mgL-1. It is also possible to use 2.4-D at the same concentration as a substitute for the genotypes Prunus avium, Prunus ‘Colt’ and Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’, whereas IBA proved to be an inappropriate auxin for callus induction. The protocol described herein is proved to be efficient callus induction in a range of taxa of genus Prunus

Comparative analysis of students’ attitudes toward implementation of genetically modified trees in Serbia

Genetically-modified (GM) trees represent a new frontier in biotechnology, though many environmental concerns associated to the commercial use of GM trees and their products have been recently raised. In general, GM trees involve no safety issues related to human health, therefore public attitudes toward their commercial use should depend on environmental concerns or personal philosophical viewpoints, but also on educational level and background. To assess the relevance of the educational level and background on attitudes toward acceptance of commercial GM tree cultivation, a survey was conducted in January 2014 among 400 students from the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Belgrade and from the Faculty of Applied Ecology “Futura” at the University Singidunum (Belgrade). The aim was to determine whether different educational profiles and educational level significantly affect students’ attitudes toward GM trees. Results showed no significant differences in the responses among students from both faculties. All students showed a good know­ledge of GM trees and agreed that different genetic modifications of forest trees would be very important for their country. Also, more than a half of students from both faculties would agree with commercial planting of GM trees and would purchase their final products. However, 70 to 90% of students from both faculties considered the hazards associated with the commercial use of GM trees as “serious hazard” or “slight hazard”. The implication of the above results are discussed

Genetic diversity and forest reproductive material - from seed source selection to planting

How much of genetic diversity is desirable in mass production of forest reproductive material? How mass production of forest reproductive material reduces genetic diversity? Relation between genetic diversity and mass production of forest reproductive material is discussed in a holistic manner. In industrial forest plantations, narrow genetic diversity is desirable and reproductive material is produced at clone level. On the other hand, in conservation forestry a wide genetic diversity is imperative. Beside management goals, a desirable level of genetic diversity is related to rotation cycle and ontogeny of tree species. Risks of failure are lower in short rotations of fast growing species. In production of slow growing species, managed in long rotations, the reduction of genetic diversity increases the risk of failure due to causes unknown or unexpected at the time of planting. This risk is additionally increased in cases of seed transfer and in conditions of climate change. Every step in production of forest reproductive material, from collection to nursery production, has an effect on genetic diversity mainly by directional selection and should be considered. This review revealed no consistent decrease of genetic diversity during forest reproductive material production and planting