The impact of geological substrate on the metal content in plants

Geološka podloga i na njoj nastala zemljišta, kao skup ekoloških faktora utiču na divergenciju biljnih oblika i vegetacijskih jedinica. Pored hemijskog sastava geološke podloge, na vegetaciju koja se na njoj razvija, značajan uticaj imaju fizička struktura i kvantitativan odnos pojedinih elemenata i njihovih soli u podlozi, što se naročito lepo može videti pri komparaciji vegetacija nastalim na različitim geološkim podlogama i zemljištima, kao i komparativnim upoređivanjem hemijskog sadržaja njihovih predstavnika. Biološki monitoring podrazumeva primenu živih organizama kao bioindikatora promena u životnoj sredini u prostoru i vremenu. Biljke su dobri indikatori, obzirom da su prilagođene na specifična svojstva zemljišta i geološke podloge svojim morfo-fiziološkom adaptacijama, i mogu da posluže za utvrđivanje hemijskog statusa određenog mesta ili oblasti. Ova doktorska disertacija se bavi problematikom uticaja geološke podloge i zemljišta koja su se formirala na određenom tipu podloge na sadržaj metala u biljkama. Ciljevi ove disertacije fokusirani su na pitanja sadržaja ispitivanih elemenata u zemljištu i biljkama koje rastu na različitim geološkim podlogama, kao i na ukazivanje koje biljne vrste, rodove i familije možemo koristiti kao dobre indikatore i hiperakumulatore prisustva određenih metala, kao i mogućnosti bioremedijacije zemljišta opterećenih povećanim koncentracijama određenih, naročito teških metala, što doprinosi praktičnoj primeni dobijenih naučnih rezultata. Istraživano područje obuhvata lokalitete koji se nalaze na različitim geološkim podlogama serpentinitu, krečnjaku, andezitu i pesku, i to pet lokaliteta sa serpentinskom geološkom podlogom (jedan od lokaliteta je na jalovištu azbesta), i po jedan sa krečnjačkom, andezitnom i peskom kao geološkom podlogom. Nastanak i formiranje zemljišta na ovim geološkim podlogama je različito i specifično, tako da uslovljava pojavu osobene flore i vegetacije. Prikupljeno je 40 različitih biljnih vrsta u okviru 100 uzoraka biljaka, obzirom da su neke vrste uzorkovane sa više od jednog lokaliteta. Određivane su koncentracije jedanaest metala (kalcijum, magnezijum, gvožđe, mangan, bakar, cink, nikl, olovo, kadmijum, kobalt i hrom) u zemljištu i uzorcima pripremljenim od celih biljaka. Sadržaji ispitivanih metala u zemljištu varirali su u zavisnosti od vrste metala i prirode geološke podloge na kome je zemljište nastalo, a srednje vrednosti sadržaja ispitivanih elemenata u zemljištu imale su poredak: Mg>Fe>Ca>Ni>Mn>Cr>Co>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd. Serpentinska zemljišta, kao i zemljište nastalo na krečnjačkoj geološkoj podlozi sadržala su Ni i Cr iznad granične vrednosti, vrednosti koju propisuje Evropska unija i maksimalno dozvoljenih koncentracija propisanih za zemljišta. Zemljišta nastala na serpentinskoj geološkoj podlozi sadrže Ni i Cr iznad remedijacione vrednosti. Takođe, na svim serpentinskim lokalitetima, kao i na krečnjačkom lokalitetu utvrđene su koncentracije Co i Cd u zemljištu više od propisane granične vrednosti, a koncentracije Co su više i od njegove srednje vrednosti utvrđene za zemljišta širom sveta. Sadržaj ispitivanih elemenata u biljkama bio je promenljiv, i zavisio je od biljne vrste, vrste metala i prirode geološke podloge sa koje su biljke uzorkovane, a srednja vrednost sadržaja ispitivanih elemenata u biljkama imala je poredak: Ca>Mg>Fe>Ni>Mn>Cr>Zn>Cu>Co>Pb>Cd. Hemijska analiza i utvrđivanje hemijskog statusa biljaka jedna je od metoda kojom se analiziraju hemijska svojstva i promene u biosferi. Reakcija biljaka na hemijski stres koji uzrokuje disbalans elemenata (bilo nedostatak ili suvišak elementa), ne može se jasno definisati zato što biljke razvijaju tokom njihove evolucije, ontogenetskog i filogenetskog života nekoliko biohemijskih mehanizama koji rezultiraju u adaptaciji i toleranciji biljaka na potpuno novu ili životnu sredinu u kojoj postoji hemijski disbalans. Biljke pokazuju promenljivost i nekada specifičnu sposobnost da absorbuju elemente iz zemljišta, a mera usvajanja elemenata od strane biljaka zavisi od njihove pojedinačne sposobnosti, tako da su utvrđene velike razlike u sposobnosti usvajanja metala između različitih vrsta i genotipova biljaka. Od 40 biljnih vrsta koje su bile uključene u istraživanje, kod 32 vrste su utvrđeni biološki apsorpcioni koeficijenti veći od jedinice za 7 različitih elemenata. Biološki apsorpcioni koeficijent veći od jedinice za Cu pokazale su 22 biljne vrste; 21 vrsta za Zn; 7 za Ni; 5 za Mn; 2 za Cr i po jedna za Pb i Mg. Vrste Alyssum markgrafii i Alyssum murale su hiperakumulatori Ni (na serpentinskom lokalitetu selo Kamenica vrsta Alyssum murale je akumulirala skoro 4 puta više Ni, a endemična hiperakumulatorska vrsta Alyssum markgrafii na serpentinskom lokalitetu Kamenjar je akumulirala 3 puta više Ni od referentne hiperakumulatorske vrednosti). Istraživanja ove disertacije su pokušala sa razjasne pitanja uticaja geološke podloge na sadržaj nekih elemenata u biljkama, ulogu i značaj biljaka u njihovoj akumulaciji, kao i da sugeriše koje su biljne vrste dobri indikatori, hiperakumulatori i test vrste koje se mogu koristiti u bioremedijaciji, sve u cilju praćenja, zaštite i restauracije proučavanih ekosistema.Geological background and lands that it generated, as a set of environmental factors affect the divergence of plant forms and vegetation units. In addition to the chemical composition of the geological substrate, physical structures and quantitative relationship of individual elements and their salts in the substrate have a significant impact on vegetations that develop on that substrate, which is particularly well be seen when comparing the vegetation generated on different bedrocks and soils, as well as by comparative comparison of the chemical content of their representatives. Biological monitoring involves the use of living organisms as bio-indicators of environmental change, in space and time. Plants are good indicators, as they are adapted to the specific characteristics of soil and geological substrate by their morpho-physiological adaptations, and can be used to determine the chemical status of a particular place or region. This dissertation deals with issues of the impact of geological substrates and soils, which are formed on a specific type of substrate to the metal content in plants. The aims of this dissertation focused on the question of the content of analyzed elements in soil and plants that grow on different geological substrates, as well as to highlight which plant species, genera and families can be used as good indicators and hyperaccumulators of the presence of certain metals, as well as the possibility of bioremediation of land burdened by increased concentrations of certain, particularly heavy metals, which contributes to the practical application of the scientific results obtained. The studied area includes sites that are located on different geological substrates, serpentinite, limestone, andesite and sand, where five sites was with serpentine geological substrate (one of the sites is on the asbestos tailings), and other ones with limestone (1), andesite (1) and sand (1) as the geological background. The genesis and soil formation on these geological substrates is different and specific, so that it leads to appearance of distinctive flora and vegetation. It was collected 40 different plant species in the scope of 100 samples of plants, with the respect that some species were sampled on more than one site. The concentrations of eleven metals (calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, lead, cadmium, cobalt and chromium) in the soil samples and samples prepared from whole plants were determined. In the soil, concentrations of metals analyzed varied depending on the type of metal mean values of element content in the soil had the next order: Mg>Fe>Ca>Ni>Mn>Cr>Co>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd. Serpentine soils, as well as the soil developed on limestone bedrock contained Ni and Cr above the limit value, the value set by the European Community, and the maximum allowed levels prescribed for the land. Soils formed on serpentine substrate contain Ni and Cr above remediation value. Also, at all serpentine sites, as well as at limestone location, the concentrations of Co and Cd in the soil were more than the prescribed limits, and Co concentrations were higher than its mean value determined for the land around the World. Content of elements investigated in plants was variable and depended on the plant species, type of metal and the nature of the geological substrate from which plants were sampled, and the mean value of the element content in plants had the order: Ca>Mg>Fe>Ni>Mn>Cr>Zn>Cu>Co>Pb>Cd. Chemical analysis and determination of the chemical status of plants is one of the methods used to analyze the chemical properties and changes in the biosphere. The reaction of plants on the chemical stress, which imbalance of elements causes (either deficiency or excess of elements) can not be clearly defined because the plants develop several biochemical mechanisms during their evolution, ontogenetic and phylogenetic lives that result in adaptation and tolerance of plants to a whole new environment or environment where a chemical imbalance exists. Plants show variability and sometimes specific ability to absorb elements from the soil, and measure of that adoption of the elements depends on their individual ability, so the great differences in the ability of metal assimilation among different species and genotypes of plants were determined. Of the 40 plant species that were included in the study, at 32 species biological absorption coefficient were greater than one for 7 different elements. Biological absorption coefficient greater than one for Cu 22 species showed; 21 species for Zn, 7 for Ni, 5 for Mn, 2 for Cr and one for Pb and Mg, too. Species Alyssum markgrafii and Alyssum murale are hyperaccumulators of Ni (at the serpentine locality Kamenica village species Alyssum murale accumulated Ni nearly 4 times more, and endemic hyperaccumulator species Alyssum markgrafii on the serpentine locality accumulated Ni 3 times more than the reference hyperaccumulator value). The researches included in this dissertation attempted to clarify the influence of geologic substrate on the content of some elements in plants, the role and importance of plants in their accumulation, as well as to recommend the plants, which are good indicators, hyperaccumulators and test species that can be used in bioremediation for the purpose of monitoring, protection and restoration of ecosystems examined

Phytoaccumulation of metals in three plants species of the Asteraceae family sampled along a highway

The aim of this study was to determine the ability of roots and above-ground parts of three plant species of the Asteraceae family (Matricaria inodora L., Achillea millefolium L., Crepis setosa Haller fill.) for bioaccumulation and translocation of eight metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr). Those plants were sampled directly along the lanes of the highway at the entrance into the City of Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. The investigated metals are emitted into the air from road traffic and are deposited in the surrounding soil. Many of them are toxic to the living organism, and it is, therefore, necessary to apply effective, economical, sustainable methods for their removal from the environment. An example of such a method is as phytoremediation, based on the use of metal hyperaccumulator plants. The results of this research showed the species studied differ in the absorption, translocation and accumulation of investigated metals. They also showed that species M. inodora and A. millefolium (leaves) can be used for the phytoextraction of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Cr, species C. setosa (leaves) for Ca, Mg and Cu species M. inodora (stem) for Cr. The results further indicate that all three species absorb Zn from the soil and translocate it to the stems and leaves. All three of the studied species are suitable for phytostabilization of soils loaded with Zn, but only the species M. inodora and C. setosa can be applied in phytoremediation of this metal.&nbsp

Immortelle (Xeranthemum annum L.) as a natural source of biologically active substances

Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, total phenolic content and flavonoid concentrations of methanolic, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts from Xeranthemum annuum L. were investigated in this study. The total phenolic content was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and ranged between 101.33 to 159.48 mg GA/g. The concentration of flavonoids in various X. annuum extracts was determined using spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride and the results varied from 22.25 to 62.42 mg RU/g. Antioxidant activity was monitored spectrophotometrically using DPPH reagent and expressed in terms of IC50 (μg/ml), and it ranged from 59.25 to 956.81 μg/ml. The highest phenolic content and capacity to neutralize DPPH radicals were found in the acetone extract. In vitro antimicrobial activity was determined by microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) have been determined. Testing was conducted against 24 microorganisms, including 15 strains of bacteria (standard and clinical strains) and 9 species of fungi. Statistically significant difference in activity between the extracts of X. annuum L. was observed and the acetone extract was found most active. The activity of acetone extract was in accordance with total phenol content and flavonoid concentration measured in this extract. The tested extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against G+ bacteria and weak to moderate activity against other microorganisms. Based on the obtained results, X. annuum can be considered as a rich natural source of polyphenolic compounds with very good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity

The impact of geological substrate on the metal content in plants

Geološka podloga i na njoj nastala zemljišta, kao skup ekoloških faktora utiču na divergenciju biljnih oblika i vegetacijskih jedinica. Pored hemijskog sastava geološke podloge, na vegetaciju koja se na njoj razvija, značajan uticaj imaju fizička struktura i kvantitativan odnos pojedinih elemenata i njihovih soli u podlozi, što se naročito lepo može videti pri komparaciji vegetacija nastalim na različitim geološkim podlogama i zemljištima, kao i komparativnim upoređivanjem hemijskog sadržaja njihovih predstavnika. Biološki monitoring podrazumeva primenu živih organizama kao bioindikatora promena u životnoj sredini u prostoru i vremenu. Biljke su dobri indikatori, obzirom da su prilagođene na specifična svojstva zemljišta i geološke podloge svojim morfo-fiziološkom adaptacijama, i mogu da posluže za utvrđivanje hemijskog statusa određenog mesta ili oblasti. Ova doktorska disertacija se bavi problematikom uticaja geološke podloge i zemljišta koja su se formirala na određenom tipu podloge na sadržaj metala u biljkama. Ciljevi ove disertacije fokusirani su na pitanja sadržaja ispitivanih elemenata u zemljištu i biljkama koje rastu na različitim geološkim podlogama, kao i na ukazivanje koje biljne vrste, rodove i familije možemo koristiti kao dobre indikatore i hiperakumulatore prisustva određenih metala, kao i mogućnosti bioremedijacije zemljišta opterećenih povećanim koncentracijama određenih, naročito teških metala, što doprinosi praktičnoj primeni dobijenih naučnih rezultata. Istraživano područje obuhvata lokalitete koji se nalaze na različitim geološkim podlogama serpentinitu, krečnjaku, andezitu i pesku, i to pet lokaliteta sa serpentinskom geološkom podlogom (jedan od lokaliteta je na jalovištu azbesta), i po jedan sa krečnjačkom, andezitnom i peskom kao geološkom podlogom. Nastanak i formiranje zemljišta na ovim geološkim podlogama je različito i specifično, tako da uslovljava pojavu osobene flore i vegetacije. Prikupljeno je 40 različitih biljnih vrsta u okviru 100 uzoraka biljaka, obzirom da su neke vrste uzorkovane sa više od jednog lokaliteta. Određivane su koncentracije jedanaest metala (kalcijum, magnezijum, gvožđe, mangan, bakar, cink, nikl, olovo, kadmijum, kobalt i hrom) u zemljištu i uzorcima pripremljenim od celih biljaka. Sadržaji ispitivanih metala u zemljištu varirali su u zavisnosti od vrste metala i prirode geološke podloge na kome je zemljište nastalo, a srednje vrednosti sadržaja ispitivanih elemenata u zemljištu imale su poredak: Mg>Fe>Ca>Ni>Mn>Cr>Co>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd. Serpentinska zemljišta, kao i zemljište nastalo na krečnjačkoj geološkoj podlozi sadržala su Ni i Cr iznad granične vrednosti, vrednosti koju propisuje Evropska unija i maksimalno dozvoljenih koncentracija propisanih za zemljišta. Zemljišta nastala na serpentinskoj geološkoj podlozi sadrže Ni i Cr iznad remedijacione vrednosti. Takođe, na svim serpentinskim lokalitetima, kao i na krečnjačkom lokalitetu utvrđene su koncentracije Co i Cd u zemljištu više od propisane granične vrednosti, a koncentracije Co su više i od njegove srednje vrednosti utvrđene za zemljišta širom sveta. Sadržaj ispitivanih elemenata u biljkama bio je promenljiv, i zavisio je od biljne vrste, vrste metala i prirode geološke podloge sa koje su biljke uzorkovane, a srednja vrednost sadržaja ispitivanih elemenata u biljkama imala je poredak: Ca>Mg>Fe>Ni>Mn>Cr>Zn>Cu>Co>Pb>Cd. Hemijska analiza i utvrđivanje hemijskog statusa biljaka jedna je od metoda kojom se analiziraju hemijska svojstva i promene u biosferi. Reakcija biljaka na hemijski stres koji uzrokuje disbalans elemenata (bilo nedostatak ili suvišak elementa), ne može se jasno definisati zato što biljke razvijaju tokom njihove evolucije, ontogenetskog i filogenetskog života nekoliko biohemijskih mehanizama koji rezultiraju u adaptaciji i toleranciji biljaka na potpuno novu ili životnu sredinu u kojoj postoji hemijski disbalans. Biljke pokazuju promenljivost i nekada specifičnu sposobnost da absorbuju elemente iz zemljišta, a mera usvajanja elemenata od strane biljaka zavisi od njihove pojedinačne sposobnosti, tako da su utvrđene velike razlike u sposobnosti usvajanja metala između različitih vrsta i genotipova biljaka. Od 40 biljnih vrsta koje su bile uključene u istraživanje, kod 32 vrste su utvrđeni biološki apsorpcioni koeficijenti veći od jedinice za 7 različitih elemenata. Biološki apsorpcioni koeficijent veći od jedinice za Cu pokazale su 22 biljne vrste; 21 vrsta za Zn; 7 za Ni; 5 za Mn; 2 za Cr i po jedna za Pb i Mg. Vrste Alyssum markgrafii i Alyssum murale su hiperakumulatori Ni (na serpentinskom lokalitetu selo Kamenica vrsta Alyssum murale je akumulirala skoro 4 puta više Ni, a endemična hiperakumulatorska vrsta Alyssum markgrafii na serpentinskom lokalitetu Kamenjar je akumulirala 3 puta više Ni od referentne hiperakumulatorske vrednosti). Istraživanja ove disertacije su pokušala sa razjasne pitanja uticaja geološke podloge na sadržaj nekih elemenata u biljkama, ulogu i značaj biljaka u njihovoj akumulaciji, kao i da sugeriše koje su biljne vrste dobri indikatori, hiperakumulatori i test vrste koje se mogu koristiti u bioremedijaciji, sve u cilju praćenja, zaštite i restauracije proučavanih ekosistema.Geological background and lands that it generated, as a set of environmental factors affect the divergence of plant forms and vegetation units. In addition to the chemical composition of the geological substrate, physical structures and quantitative relationship of individual elements and their salts in the substrate have a significant impact on vegetations that develop on that substrate, which is particularly well be seen when comparing the vegetation generated on different bedrocks and soils, as well as by comparative comparison of the chemical content of their representatives. Biological monitoring involves the use of living organisms as bio-indicators of environmental change, in space and time. Plants are good indicators, as they are adapted to the specific characteristics of soil and geological substrate by their morpho-physiological adaptations, and can be used to determine the chemical status of a particular place or region. This dissertation deals with issues of the impact of geological substrates and soils, which are formed on a specific type of substrate to the metal content in plants. The aims of this dissertation focused on the question of the content of analyzed elements in soil and plants that grow on different geological substrates, as well as to highlight which plant species, genera and families can be used as good indicators and hyperaccumulators of the presence of certain metals, as well as the possibility of bioremediation of land burdened by increased concentrations of certain, particularly heavy metals, which contributes to the practical application of the scientific results obtained. The studied area includes sites that are located on different geological substrates, serpentinite, limestone, andesite and sand, where five sites was with serpentine geological substrate (one of the sites is on the asbestos tailings), and other ones with limestone (1), andesite (1) and sand (1) as the geological background. The genesis and soil formation on these geological substrates is different and specific, so that it leads to appearance of distinctive flora and vegetation. It was collected 40 different plant species in the scope of 100 samples of plants, with the respect that some species were sampled on more than one site. The concentrations of eleven metals (calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, lead, cadmium, cobalt and chromium) in the soil samples and samples prepared from whole plants were determined. In the soil, concentrations of metals analyzed varied depending on the type of metal mean values of element content in the soil had the next order: Mg>Fe>Ca>Ni>Mn>Cr>Co>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd. Serpentine soils, as well as the soil developed on limestone bedrock contained Ni and Cr above the limit value, the value set by the European Community, and the maximum allowed levels prescribed for the land. Soils formed on serpentine substrate contain Ni and Cr above remediation value. Also, at all serpentine sites, as well as at limestone location, the concentrations of Co and Cd in the soil were more than the prescribed limits, and Co concentrations were higher than its mean value determined for the land around the World. Content of elements investigated in plants was variable and depended on the plant species, type of metal and the nature of the geological substrate from which plants were sampled, and the mean value of the element content in plants had the order: Ca>Mg>Fe>Ni>Mn>Cr>Zn>Cu>Co>Pb>Cd. Chemical analysis and determination of the chemical status of plants is one of the methods used to analyze the chemical properties and changes in the biosphere. The reaction of plants on the chemical stress, which imbalance of elements causes (either deficiency or excess of elements) can not be clearly defined because the plants develop several biochemical mechanisms during their evolution, ontogenetic and phylogenetic lives that result in adaptation and tolerance of plants to a whole new environment or environment where a chemical imbalance exists. Plants show variability and sometimes specific ability to absorb elements from the soil, and measure of that adoption of the elements depends on their individual ability, so the great differences in the ability of metal assimilation among different species and genotypes of plants were determined. Of the 40 plant species that were included in the study, at 32 species biological absorption coefficient were greater than one for 7 different elements. Biological absorption coefficient greater than one for Cu 22 species showed; 21 species for Zn, 7 for Ni, 5 for Mn, 2 for Cr and one for Pb and Mg, too. Species Alyssum markgrafii and Alyssum murale are hyperaccumulators of Ni (at the serpentine locality Kamenica village species Alyssum murale accumulated Ni nearly 4 times more, and endemic hyperaccumulator species Alyssum markgrafii on the serpentine locality accumulated Ni 3 times more than the reference hyperaccumulator value). The researches included in this dissertation attempted to clarify the influence of geologic substrate on the content of some elements in plants, the role and importance of plants in their accumulation, as well as to recommend the plants, which are good indicators, hyperaccumulators and test species that can be used in bioremediation for the purpose of monitoring, protection and restoration of ecosystems examined

Metal accumulation and tolerance of selected plants of asbestos tailings (Stragari)

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of 11 metals in the soil of asbestos tailings in Stragari, Serbia, and in the selected plant species that grow on it, to determine the ability of the plant species in accumulation and tolerance of researched metals. Concentrations of elements researched in the soil had this order: Mg> Fe> Ca> Ni> Cr> Mn> Co> Zn> Pb> Cu> Cd. Concentrations of the metals in plants was variable, dependent on the plant species and types of metals, and graded in the order: Mg> Ca> Fe> Ni> Mn> Cr> Zn> Co> Pb> Cu> Cd. The concentrations of Ni and Cr in the investigated soil were above remediation values, as well as the maximum allowable concentration of substances in the soil according to regulation of Republic of Serbia, and the concentration of Cd and Co were above limit values for a given metals in the soil. The metal uptake does not necessarily correlate with metal content in the soil. Metal uptake by plants depends on the bioavailability of the metal in soils, which in turn depends on the retention time of the metal, as well as the interaction with other elements and substances. However, the most Mg, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, Co and Cr were found in species Sanguisorba minor, Ca and Cu in Eryngium serbicum, Ni in Alyssum murale, and Zn in Euphorbia cyparissias. In the Euphorbia cyparissias, it were determined the biological absorption coefficients greater than 1 for Zn and Cu, and in the species Eryngium serbicum and Sanguisorba minor greater than 2 for Cu. The results of this study emphasize the tolerance of several metal by species Sanguisorba minor, present the ability of Euphorbia cyparissias in accumulation of Zn and Cu, as well as of Eryngium serbicum and Sanguisorba minor in accumulation of Cu. Obtained results present the momentary picture of investigated locality, open a lot of questions connected with relationships soil/plant, contents of elements in both systems, their interactions and influences and represented the base for further research

Effect of recombination in the maize breeding population with exotic germplasm on the yield stability

A little knowledge exists about the probability that recombination in the parental maize populations will enhance the chances to select more stable genotypes. The synthetic parent maize population ((1601/5 x ZPL913)F-2 = R-0) with 25% of exotic germplasm was used to assess: (i) genotype x environment interaction and estimate stability of genotypes using nonparametric statistics; (ii) the effect of three (R-3) and five (R-5) gene recombination cycles on yield stability of genotypes; (iii) relationship among different nonparametric stability measures. The increase of mean grain yield was significant ( lt 0.01) in the R-3 and R-5 in comparison to the R-0, while it was not significant between R-3 and R-5. Analysis of variance showed significant ( lt 0.01) effects of environments, families per set, environment x set interaction, family x environment interaction per set on grain yield. The non-significant noncrossover and significant crossover ( lt 0.01) G x (E) interactions were found according to Bredenkamp procedures and van der Laan-de Kroon test, respectively. The significant ( lt 0.01) differences in stability were observed between R-0-set 3 and R-5-set 3 determined by , R-3-set 1 and R-5-set 1 determined by ( lt 0.05), and R-0-set 3 and R-5-set 3 determined by ( lt 0.05). The significant parameters were those which take into account yield and stability so the differences could be due to differences in yield rather than stability. Findings can help breeders to assume the most optimum number of supplementary gene recombination to achieve satisfactory yield mean and yield stability of maize genotypes originating from breeding populations