Relationships between leaf traits and morphological attributes in one-year bareroot Fraxinus anguslifolia Vahl. seedlings

Leaf traits were investigated as morphological attributes for quality estimation of one-year-old bareroot seedlings of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. Leaf traits (number of simple - NSL and compound leaves - NCL, leaf average - ALA and total area - TLA and leaf area ratio - LAR) show similar relations to morphological attributes, the strongest to shoot growth (height - HT, root collar diameter - DIA and shoot dry weight - SDW). Increases of seedling morphological attributes are strongly related to increases of ALA. Given to strong positive correlations with other morphological attributes, ALA (R = 0.68-0.88) and TLA (R = 0.46-0.92) are suitable for seedlings quality testing. TLA explained a larger proportion of the variation of SDW (R-2 = 0.85) and ALA explained a large proportion of the variation of DIA (R-2 = 0.81). Leaf traits can be considered as valuable morphological attributes of seedling quality, in addition to strong correlation with other morphological attributes

The potential of different lime tree (tilia spp) genotypes for phytoextraction of heavy metals

The research of heavy metals contents (Pb, Mn, Zn, Ni, Fe) in soil in the area of the National Park, Fruska gora", along the highway M21 shows lower values for manganese, zinc and iron than the maximum allowed quantity prescribed by law. For nickel and lead it shows higher values than maximum allowed quantity. The heavy metals contents in leaves of lime tree in 12 analyzed genotypes are far below average values in accordance with ECCE with all genotypes except genotype 7 for lead and genotypes 7 and 8 for iron. The results of analysis of variance components show that out of four components (locality, genotype, locality x genotype and error) only the interaction between locality and genotype does not contribute to variance. The contents of Pb, Mn, Fe and Zn in leaves is primarily influenced by genotype while Ni contents may be considered a consequence of locality. The selection of genotypes which is able to uptake greater quantities of heavy metals than other genotypes may serve as a solid basis for phytoextraction of heavy metals as a technology by which heavy metals, metalloids and radionuclides are extracted from environment through usage of suitable species and plant genotypes able to uptake and accumulate the given pollutants in parts of plant tissue

Restoring oak forests through direct seeding or planting: Protocol for a continental-scale experiment

The choice of revegetating via direct seeding or planting nursery-grown seedlings influences the potential stresses suffered by seedlings such as herbivory and drought. The outcome of the balance between both revegetation methods may ultimately depend on how species identity and traits such as seed and seedling size interact with environmental conditions. To test this, we will conduct a continental-scale experiment consisting of one mini-experiment replicated by multiple participants across Europe. Each participant will establish a site with seeded and planted individuals of one or more native, locally growing oak (Quercus) species; the selection of this genus aims to favour continental-scale participation and to allow testing the response of a widely distributed genus of broad ecological and economic relevance. At each site, participants will follow the present protocol for seed collection, seeding in the field, nursery cultivation, outplanting, protection against herbivores, site maintenance, and measurement of seedling performance and environmental variables. Each measurement on each species at each site will produce one effect size; the data will be analysed through mixed-effects meta-analysis. With this approach we will assess the main effect of revegetation method, species, plant functional traits, and the potential effect of site-specific effect moderators. Overall, we will provide a continental-scale estimate on the seeding vs. planting dilemma and analyse to what extent the differences in environmental conditions across sites, seed size, functional traits, and the phylogenetic relatedness of species can account for the differences in the effect of revegetation method on seedling performance across study sites and species

Relationship between morphological and physiological attributes of hop hornbeam seedlings

Most commonly used morphological attributes were correlated with nutrient concentration in order to standardize quality assessment of two-year-old hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) seedlings. Diameter has proven to be the best single morphological indicator of seedling quality given its strong positive correlation with all other observed morphological attributes. Seedling dry mass (shoot and root dry mass) and Dickson Quality Index can be considered the most comprehensive indicators of hop hornbeam seedling quality. However, the measuring of mass is destructive and requires a certain amount of time. The absence of strong correlations between physiological and morphological attributes of two-year old seedlings of hop hornbeam suggests the need for further research. The only significant correlation between physiological and morphological attributes (weak and positive) was recorded between the potassium concentration in root and root collar diameter after the second growing season. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007: Studying climate change and its influence on the environment: impacts, adaptation and mitigation

The concentration of Zn, Mn and Fe in leaves of ulmus laevis pall. At veliko ratno ostrvo island (Belgrade, Serbia)

Considering the importance of environment quality, especially in protected natural areas, we are conducted research of heavy metals contents (Zn, Mn and Fe) in plants and soil at protected natural area "Veliko ratno ostrvo" in Belgrade (Serbia). European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.) is native on the Veliko ratno Ostrvo Island and research were conducted in the aim to confirm possibility for using as bioindicator. The Veliko ratno ostrvo island represent unpolluted area, only two samples (total of 5 soil samples) show slightly exceed the value of Zn concentration (site 5 - 288.37 mg.kg(-1) and site 2 - 263.75 mg.kg(-1)) in soil, while concentrations of Mn and Fe are in normal range. Concentration of heavy metals in plant tissue is in the normal range, except Fe where there are concentrations over optimal range at 10 trees (up to 415.14 mg.kg(-1)) from total 13 tested trees. There are oscillations between different trees i.e. genotypes, which confirmed differences into absorption of heavy metals within species

Potential of different European white elm (ulmus laevis pall.) Genotypes for phytoextraction of heavy metals

This research present the content of lead and nickel in the soil and plants from the area of Protected natural resource "Veliko ratno ostrvo". The concentration of heavy metals Pb and Ni was investigated in the vegetative parts European white elm - Ulmus laevis Pall.. The research objective of this paper is focused on the evaluation of the potential of different European white elm genotypes to the uptake of heavy metals and their accumulation in the leaves of plants, also as determine potential ability of European white elm for phytoextraction. The concentration of heavy metals in leaves of European white elm shows a statistically significant difference between the trees, and different genotypes, having as good batteries are specifically allocated tree 19, 21 and 35

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