The growth of one-year-old narrow-leaved ash seedlings is strongly related to the leaf area parameters

The leaf area of plant leave scan be considered as an indicator of the plant growth conditions, and its variability is usually associated with adaptation and response to the changing environment. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation of the leaf area parameters on growth of the narrow-leaved ash 1+0 seedlings from the nursery trial and determining variability between the 18 half-sib lines. The seedlings were obtained from seeds collected from 18 maternal trees found in the area of the special nature reserve Upper Danube Region. Ten randomly selected 1+0 seedlings per half-sib line were selected for further study, and all leaves per seedling were collected, herbarized and scanned. The leaf area of each leaf (LACL) was measured using an open-source image processing program – ImageJ, and the total leaf area per seedling (TLA) was calculated. Also, the number of leaves per plant (NCL) as well as the number of leaflets within each imparipinnate compound leaf (NLCL) were counted. The results showed that differences between studied attributes were statistically significant among 18 selected half-sib lines (p < 0.05). The most variable parameter was the total leaf area per seedling (TLA; CV=68.98%), which is strongly correlated to the leaf area per each leaf (LACL; r=0.95) and the number of leaflets (NLCL; r=0.94). In this study, we confirmed that leaf parameters were highly correlated to the growth of one-year-old Fraxinus angustifolia seedlings

Leaf morphometric characteristics variability of different beech provenances in juvenile development stage

The taxonomic status of beech from the Balkan Peninsula is not yet clearly defined. There is no agreement among different authors about the morphological characteristics discriminating between the Balkan and European and/or Eastern beech. For most characteristics, the mean values are different but the ranges of variation overlap considerably. Provenance trial of beech established in Serbia, at the locality Debeli Lug, has provided an opportunity for research of interprovenance variability at the level of leaf morphometric characteristics in juvenile development stage. Research included 10 provenances originating from the Western Balkans (Serbian provenance 36 and 38; Croatian provenance 24 and 25; Bosnian provenance 30 and 32) and from Central Europe (German provenance 47 and 49; Austrian provenance 56 and Hungarian provenance 42), where following morphometric characteristics were analyzed: leaf length (Ll), leaf width (Lw), petiole lenght (Pl), leaf base width on 1 cm (Blw), number of veins - left (Vl), number of veins - right (Vr), distance between 3rd and 4th vein - left (Dv 3-4). The results of this research show existence of clear differentiation among provenances from the Western Balkan and from Central Europe, from the point of leaf dimensions, number of veins and leaf base width. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31041: Establishment of Wood Plantations Intended for Afforestation of Serbia i br. 43007: Studying climate change and its influence on the environment: impacts, adaptation and mitigation

The effect of half-sib lines on morphological attributes of one-year old Fraxinus angustifolia seedlings

Aiming to produce forest reproductive material at the family level, we tested quality of twenty Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl half-sib lines in the nursery experiment. We measured height (HT) and root collar diameter (DIA) of one-year old seedlings, and we monitored germination rate and mortality during the first growing season. Seeds of 20 half-sib lines originating from Sombor area (north Serbia) were sown in seedbed on autumn 2016. The seed dormancy was not broken in all seeds equally, resulting with un-uniform germination over a two months period. All measured attributes shows a statistically significant differences, indicating a strong effect of genetic control. The highest average and DIA were measured in half-sib line 7 (22.62 cm; 5.79 mm, respectively). The lowest average DIA was measured in half-sib lines 18 (2.85 mm) and 19 (2.94 mm), which can be result of growing density effect (104 seedlings m-2 for line 18 and 126 seedlings m-2 for line 19, compared to 40 seedlings m-2 for line 7). The correlation between DIA and HT is strong and positive (R=0.90). Due to its morphological superiority, half-sib line 7 could be recommended for mass production of Fraxinus angustifolia seedlings at the family level. Keywords: Height; Root Collar Diameter; Seedlings Quality; Narrow leaved as

VARIJABILNOST MORFOLOŠKIH KARAKTERISTIKA LISTOVA DIVLJE KRUŠKE (Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd.) NA PODRUČJU PIO „KOSMAJ“

Divlja kruška je na prostoru Srbije autohtona vrsta drveća koja je svrstana u kategoriju vrsta „pod rizikom“. Hibridizacija sa kultivarima koji se uzgajaju za proizvodnju voća je veoma česta, što otežava identifikaciju čistih divljih voćkarica i predstavlja jedan od ugrožavajućih faktora koji dovode do genetičke erozije autohtonog genofonda. Cilj rada je utvrđivanje unutarpopulacione varijabilnosti selekcionisanih test stabala divlje kruške na području Predela izuzetnih odlika „Kosmaj“, kao osnove za konzervaciju raspoloživog genofonda. Listovi su sakupljeni sa 16 test stabala selekcionisanih na području Kosmaja (100 listova po stablu), na kojima su analizirani sledeći kvantitativni i kvalitativni parametri: dužina lisne ploče, maksimalna širina lista, dužina lisne ploče od osnove lista do dela na kome je merena maksimalna širina, dužina peteljke, ugao vrha lista, ugao osnove lista, površina lisne ploče, obim lisne ploče, odnosno oblik lista, oblik osnove lista, oblik vrha lista, obod lista. Sakupljeni listovi (ukupno 1600) su herbarizovani, skenirani i izmereni pomoću softvera ImageJ, dok je statistička obrada podataka urađena pomoću softvera Statgraphics Centurion XVII i Statistica 6.0. Materinsko stablo 35 se izdavaja u odnosu na druga na osnovu dobijenih prosečnih vrednosti kvantitativnih parametara, dok se materinsko stablo 27 izdvaja na osnovu kvalitativnih parameter. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da su sve dobijene vrednosti statistički značajne (p < 0,05), što ukazuje na postojanje zadovoljavajućeg stepena genetičke varijabilnosti između ispitivanih stabala, koji predstavlja dobru osnovu za očuvanje i usmereno korišćenje genofonda ove vrste

The Effects of Soil Type, Exposure and Elevation on Leaf Size and Shape in Quercus cerris L.

One of the main environmental factors that influence plant species and community diversity are soil types, exposure and elevation. This study aimed to evaluate differences in leaf size and shape of Quercus cerris L. along environmental gradients in the Šumadija region in Serbia by using geometric morphometrics methods. The results showed significant differences between Q. cerris individuals inhabiting sites with different soil types, exposures and elevations. Individuals growing on nutrient deficient soils had smaller leaf size, elongated petiole, wide leaf blade, and higher values of fluctuating asymmetry compared to individuals growing on nutrient-rich soils whose leaf size was larger, more variable in shape and had lower values of fluctuating asymmetry. Additionally, individuals inhabiting higher elevations had elongated and narrow leaves and short petioles. Leaf size was also greater in individuals from lower elevations and north-exposed sites. The results of this study suggest that leaf morphological traits are affected by habitat differences and exhibit considerable plasticity in response to environmental demands

The Effects of Soil Type, Exposure and Elevation on Leaf Size and Shape in Quercus cerris L.

One of the main environmental factors that influence plant species and community diversity are soil types, exposure and elevation. This study aimed to evaluate differences in leaf size and shape of Quercus cerris L. along environmental gradients in the Šumadija region in Serbia by using geometric morphometrics methods. The results showed significant differences between Q. cerris individuals inhabiting sites with different soil types, exposures and elevations. Individuals growing on nutrient deficient soils had smaller leaf size, elongated petiole, wide leaf blade, and higher values of fluctuating asymmetry compared to individuals growing on nutrient-rich soils whose leaf size was larger, more variable in shape and had lower values of fluctuating asymmetry. Additionally, individuals inhabiting higher elevations had elongated and narrow leaves and short petioles. Leaf size was also greater in individuals from lower elevations and north-exposed sites. The results of this study suggest that leaf morphological traits are affected by habitat differences and exhibit considerable plasticity in response to environmental demands

In situ conservation of forest genetic resources at the locality „Duboka” in the National Park „Kopaonik” – Serbia

In situ conservation in Serbia is mainly presented in protected areas, such as national parks. National Park „Kopaonik” is one of five national parks in Serbia, which covers a total area of 11,969.04 ha, including 13 localities with a protection regime of the first degree. Forest genetic resources in the National Park „Kopaonik“ are affected by various biotic and abiotic threats which lead to their genetic erosion. This research aimed to identify rare, endangered, relict, endemic, and vulnerable forest trees at the locality „Duboka”, to assess their degree of endangerment and propose conservation measures. The locality „Duboka” covers an area of 144.03 ha, at an altitude of between 1020 and 1780 m. By terrain reconnaissance, a total of 18 forest tree species, and 27 species in the shrub layer were identified, which indicates a significant biodiversity of this locality. Nine forest tree species belong to the categories of rare (rowan and wych elm), rare-endangered (silver birch), relict (European hop-hornbeam), endemic (Balkan maple), and vulnerable species (aspen, wild cherry, wild pear, and whitebeam) in Serbia. Among those species, it is very important to conserve the available gene pool of European hop-hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.), which is a very rare, relict species that occurs only in the locality „Duboka” in the entire area of Kopaonik, and the Balkan maple (Acer heldreichii Orph. ex Boiss.), an endemic species whose range is drastically decreasing on the entire Balkan peninsula. The measures of conservation and monitoring of individual genotypes or groups of trees have been defined, and an assessment of the variability of gene pool using genetic markers was proposed. In situ conservation units will include sites where all nine rare, endangered, relict, endemic, and vulnerable forest tree species were selected and georeferenced. The implementation of the proposed measures is expected in the following period

Identification of the field elm gene pool in the protected natural area KOSMAJ (Serbia) as a basis for its conservation and sustainable use

The field elm (Ulmus minor Mill.) is an autochthonous tree species in Serbia that occurs as a secondary species in oak forests. In the forest fund of Serbia, this species is rare/endangered due to the genetic erosion and disappearance of elms from natural populations, mainly as a result of Dutch elm disease. In the protected natural area „Kosmaj“ the field elm was identified as one of the target species from the aspect of conservation. This research aimed to identify and assess the state of available field elm genepool in the protected natural area „Kosmaj“, as a basis for its conservation and sustainable use. By terrain reconnaissance a field elm gene pool was identified, representing almost 100 trees: 47 individuals and 8 groups of trees, on an area of 652.99 ha. All trees were georeferenced and mapped. The average height of the trees is 10.34 m, the diameter at breast height is 15.68 cm, the perimeter is 51.09 cm, while the average crown span is 3.95 m. Dry tops or dry side branches of trees, absence of yield for a long period, and weak natural rejuvenation were recorded. The selected trees will be included inconservation units, which were proposed to conserve the available gene pool in situ. To conserve the available genepool ex situ, the cuttings from selected mother trees were collected and the clonal test was established in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade. This clonal test could be a basis for the establishment of a field gene bank in the future. It is planned to determine the variability of the selected trees, using morphological and molecular markers. The initiated activities should contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the field elm gene pool in the protected natural area „Kosmaj“ and further breeding of the species

European white elm: potential for wetlands reforestation

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.) for wetland reforestation across the Europe. For this purpose, seed was collected from 13 maternal European white elm trees on Veliko ratno ostrvo island near Belgrade, Serbia. Seeds were used to produce bareroot seedlings (1+2) that were planted at Veliko ratno ostrvo (20˚25ʹ40ʹʹ E; 44˚50ʹ18ʹʹ N) on fall (689 seedlings) and at Manid-Bostanište (20˚25ʹ02ʹʹ E; 44˚30ʹ54ʹʹ N) on spring (260 seedlings). After the first growing season in the field, seedlings survival was estimated and seedling growth was measured. Survival was relatively similar and high on both sites (~90%). Wildlife was the most common reason for seedling mortality and damage (100% of dead seedlings at Manid-Bostanište). Seedling growth was strongly influenced by time of planting and site conditions. Seedlings planted on autumn at Veliko ratno ostrvo island showed approximately double growth compared to seedlings planted at spring at ManidBostanište. The highest value of diameter increment (24 mm), total diameter (39 mm), height increment (252 cm) and total height (432 cm) were recorded on the site Veliko ratno ostrvo, while the lowest values of total diameter (9,29 mm) and total height (65 cm) were recorded at Manid-Bostanište, also as the absence of growth in some plants. Due to high survival rate and large growth at both sites, European white elm can be considered a species with high potential for reforestation of wetlands for conservation and productive purposes