Variability of Morphological Traits of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Seedlings in Serbia

The results of interpopulation variability of morphometric parameters of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings originating from eight populations from the part of natural distribution area in Serbia are presented in this paper. The studied populations of Dubašnica, Jastrebac, Boranja, Fruška Gora, Mali Pek, Goč, Beljanica, and Javor have various ecological and vegetational characteristics. The results of this paper refer to root collar diameter and height of seedlings at the age of 1+0 and 2+0. Analysis of variance showed a statistically significant difference between the populations in terms of the studied morphological traits of seedlings (p<0.01; α=0.05). Geographical differentiation of the studied populations has not been determined by applying cluster analysis, but the populations are grouped randomly and they indicate the ecotypic nature of beech genetic variation. The results of this research may serve in beech breeding and the available gene pool conservation. Based on the obtained results it can be recommended that in terms of transfer and use of the beech forest reproductive material greater attention should be paid to the ecological conditions of the parent stands and habitats where afforestation has been performed

Variability of Morphological Traits of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Seedlings in Serbia

The results of interpopulation variability of morphometric parameters of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings originating from eight populations from the part of natural distribution area in Serbia are presented in this paper. The studied populations of Dubašnica, Jastrebac, Boranja, Fruška Gora, Mali Pek, Goč, Beljanica, and Javor have various ecological and vegetational characteristics. The results of this paper refer to root collar diameter and height of seedlings at the age of 1+0 and 2+0. Analysis of variance showed a statistically significant difference between the populations in terms of the studied morphological traits of seedlings (p<0.01; α=0.05). Geographical differentiation of the studied populations has not been determined by applying cluster analysis, but the populations are grouped randomly and they indicate the ecotypic nature of beech genetic variation. The results of this research may serve in beech breeding and the available gene pool conservation. Based on the obtained results it can be recommended that in terms of transfer and use of the beech forest reproductive material greater attention should be paid to the ecological conditions of the parent stands and habitats where afforestation has been performed

Gene pool conservation and tree improvement in Serbia

This paper presents the concepts applied in the gene pool conservation and tree improvement in Serbia. Gene pool conservation of tree species in Serbia includes a series of activities aiming at the sustainability and protection of genetic and species variability. This implies the investigation of genetic resources and their identification through the research of the genetic structure and the breeding system of individual species. Paper also includes the study of intra- and inter-population variability in experiments - provenance tests, progeny tests, half- and full-sib lines, etc. The increased use of the genetic potential in tree improvement in Serbia should be intensified by the following activities: improvement of production of normal forest seed, application of the concept of new selections directed primarily to the improvement of only one character, because in that case the result would be certain, establishment and management of seed orchards as specialized plantations for long-term production of genetically good-quality forest seeds, and the shortening of the improvement process by introducing new techniques and methods (molecular markers, somaclonal variation, genetic engineering, protoplast fusion, micropropagation, etc.)

Prostorna varijabilnost morfoloških obilježja iglica populacija jele (Abies alba Mill.) na Balkanskom poluotoku u odnosu na klimatske čimbenike

Interpopulation and intrapopulation variability of three morphological needle traits (length, width and thickness) was investigated in 16 natural silver fir populations in the Balkan Peninsula. The populations represent refugial areas of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the influence of climatic factors (mean annual temperature, number of days with temperatures &lt; 0, &gt; 5, &lt; 18, &gt; 18oC, Hargreaves climatic moisture deficit and De Martonne aridity index, on the pattern of morphological needle traits within each population. Populations showed variation in the analyzed morphological needle traits, which could not be clearly defined by any of the analyzed climatic factors. The De Martonne aridity index and Hargreaves climatic moisture deficit had the greatest impact on the trait values, whereas the mean annual precipitation had the lowest. Evolutionary ecology research of the silver fir needle morphology is a valuable contribution to the comprehention of the present genetic variability as a prerequisite for adaptation to the rapid climate change and conservation of the species area in the Balkan Peninsula region.Interpopulacijska i intrapopulacijska varijabilnost triju morfoloških osobina iglica (dužina, širina i debljina) istraživana je u 16 prirodnih populacija jele na Balkanskom poluotoku. Populacije predstavljaju refugijalna područja jele (Abies alba Mill.). Ovaj rad ima za cilj pružiti opsežnu analizu utjecaja klimatskih čimbenika (srednja godišnja temperatura, broj dana s temperaturama &lt; 0, &gt; 5, &lt; 18, &gt; 18°C, Hargreavesov klimatski deficit vlage i De Martonneov indeks aridnosti) na obrazac morfoloških obilježja iglica unutar svake populacije. Populacije su pokazale varijacije u analiziranim morfološkim obilježjima iglica koje se nisu mogle jasno definirati niti jednim od analiziranih klimatskih čimbenika. Najveći utjecaj na vrijednosti obilježja imao je klimatski deficit vlage po Hargreavesu, a zatim najniže vrijednosti srednje godišnje količine oborina. Evolucijska ekološka istraživanja morfologije iglica jele vrijedan su doprinos razumijevanju sadašnje genetske varijabilnosti kao preduvjeta za prilagodbu na brze klimatske promjene i očuvanje vrste na području Balkanskog poluotoka

Primena molekularnih markera u oplemenjivanju četinara

The paper reviews the study results of the use of molecular markers in coniferous tree species improvement. The results are based on presentation of the experience in the application of biochemical and molecular analyses at the level of the selected populations and individuals from different provenances of coniferous tree species. Many studies performed during the last years demonstrated the usefulness of neutral molecular markers in the field of conservation and population genetics of conifers, in particular to understand the importance of migration patterns in shaping current genetic and geographic diversity and to measure important parameters such as effective population size, past bottlenecks and gene flow. This is relevant to design conservation strategies but is of little value to understand the adaptability patterns. In the specific field of the conservation genetics, molecular markers can be extremely useful in both ex situ and in situ gene pool conservation of coniferous trees.U radu je dat pregled rezultata primene molekularnih markera pri oplemenjivanju četinarskih vrsta drveća. Prezentovani rezultati su dobijeni primenom biohemijskih i molekularnih markera u analizama koje su sprovedene na nivou odabranih populacija i individua različitih provenijencija četinarskih vrsta drveća. Brojna istraživanja sprovedena poslednjih godina potvrdila su opravdanost primene molekularnih markera u konzervacionoj i populacionoj genetici četinara, posebno pri tumačenju značaja pravaca rekolonizacije u formiranju genetskog i geografskog diverzitata, kao i za utvrđivanje značaja uticaja veličine populacije na fluktaciju gena. Dobijeni rezultati su od značaja za izradu strategije konzervacije, ali su nedovoljni za potpuno razumevanje modela adaptacije. Na polju konzervacione genetike molekularni markeri imaju poseban značaja u aktivnostima pri ex situ i in situ zaštiti i očuvanju genofonda vrsta četinara

POLLUTION INDICES OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOILS OF PČINJA AND JABLANICA DISTRICTS

Soil samples collected from two districts of southern Serbia, Pčinja and Jablanica, were analyzed in order to determine the content of eleven heavy metals and metalloids (As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn). The concentration of the elements was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in 152 samples collected from agricultural land. The main goal was to assess the environmental and health risk of eleven heavy metals and metalloids tested in the soil. To determine the degree of soil contamination, measured concentrations were compared with limits and remediation values given in the Serbian Rulebook. It was determined that the average content of tested elements in mg/kg was: As (12.76), B (113.73), Cd (1.10), Cr (58.01), Cu (29.62), Hg (0.33), Mn (1067.89), Mo (0.21), Ni (34.85), Pb (233.38), Zn (64.49). The average content of all examined trace elements in soil did not exceed the remediation values. However, the average content of Cd, Hg, Pb exceeded the limit values. Five pollution indices were used to assess environmental risk: enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and potential environmental risk index (RI). Based on EF and Igeo, it was concluded that the biggest problem was As, Hg and Pb. More than half of the samples are moderately contaminated with Pb, over 30% of samples are heavily contaminated with Hg, while some samples were highly polluted with As. Contamination factor, as well as PLI and RI, showed moderate contamination of the soil with Hg and Cd. The health risk assessment was estimated by hazard index (HI) and the carcinogenic risk index (CR), which determine the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects that heavy metals can cause in the human body, throught ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact with contaminated soil. This study showed that there was no non-carcinogenic risk as adults-hazard index (HI) calculated for each sample was less than one. On the other hand, there was a higher risk for children's health since over 85% of soil samples had HI values greater than one. Combine carcinogenic risk of all elements was estimated with lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR). There is no risk of developing cancer in both groups because more than 90% of the samples had acceptable carcinogenic risk values between 1,0*10-6 i 1,0*10-4, while a small number had concern LCR values grater than 1,0*10-4

Interpopulation genetic-ecological variation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Serbia

The genetic-ecological variation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Serbia was studied in the populations at five localities in western and south-western Serbia. Three groups of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations were differentiated based on genetic research (seed protein analysis) and plant community research. The first group consists of Scots pine populations on Šargan (FMU “Šargan“) and on Tara (FMU “Kaluderske Bare”), where the forests belong to the community of Scots pine and Austrian pine (Pinetum sylvestris-nigrae Pavlovic 1951). The second group covers the localities Stolovi (FMU “Radocelo-Crepuljnik“) and Zlatar (FMU “Zlatar I“), where the forests belong to the community of Scots pine and spruce (Piceo abietis-Pinetum sylvestris Stefanovic 1960). The third group comprises the Scots pine population on Pešter (FMU “Dubocica-Bare“) which belongs to the community of Scots pine with erica (Erico-Pinetum sylvestris Stefanovic 1963). Cluster analysis was performed on the basis of seed protein data and showed that there are three groups of Scots pine populations. The three populations coincide with plant communities. The community of Scots pine with erica (Erico-Pinetum sylvestris Stefanovic 1963) recorded on Pešter at the locality “Dubocica- Bare“ in the area of FE “Golija“ Ivanjica, is a special Scots pine population displayed at the greatest distance from all other populations in the cluster analysis dendrogram

Novačenje i prehrana mlađi cipla dugaša, Liza saliens (Risso, 1810) u području estuarija rijeke Neretve, jugoistočni Jadran, Hrvatska

The recruitment of leaping grey mullet, Liza saliens juveniles in the Neretva River estuary (middle eastern Adriatic Sea, Croatia) started in July, was highest in August, decreased in September, and was unobserved later. The juveniles firstly occupied mouths of rivers and channels and then started migrating to more freshwater habitats. By feeding investigation, the harpacticoid copepods were the dominant prey in the stomachs of L. saliens juveniles during the period from August to December and nematodes replaced those as the dominant prey from January to April. Plant material in the stomachs started to appear at 24 mm of standard length, and was common prey in fish larger than 26 mm. In comparison with other Adriatic mullet’s species, the leaping grey mullet juveniles first started to recruit during July and August, while other grey mullet species appeared later (in September) in the Neretva River estuary. Such intraspecies spawning and recruitment segregation together with the optimal quantity and quality of available and preferable prey could provide an explanation for the recent success and propagation of this species in this area.Novačenje mlađi cipla dugaša, Liza saliens na području estuarija rijeke Neretve počinje u srpnju, najveće je u kolovozu, smanjuje se u rujnu, nakon čega nije zabilježeno. Mlađ se najprije pojavljuje na ušćima rijeka i kanala, a zatim počinje migrirati prema vodama niže slanosti. U prehrani mlađi cipla dugaša od kolovoza do prosinca su dominirali harpatikoidni kopepodi, a od siječnja do travnja oblići. Biljni materijal se počinje pojavljivati u probavilima jedinki najmanje ukupne dužine 24 mm, a uobičajen je u probavilima riba većih od 26 mm. Uspoređujući s ostalim vrstama cipala u području estuarija rijeke Neretve koje se mrijeste u ljetno-jesenskom razdoblju, dugaš se počinje novačiti prvi, tijekom srpnja i kolovoza, dok se ostale vrste pojavljuju u rujnu. Ovo ranije mriještenje i novačenje mlađi bez nazočnosti drugih vrsta cipala, tijekom razdoblja optimalnog sastava i brojnosti hrane, može biti jedan od razloga recentne propagacije cipla dugaša na području estuarija Neretve

Novačenje i prehrana mlađi cipla dugaša, Liza saliens (Risso, 1810) u području estuarija rijeke Neretve, jugoistočni Jadran, Hrvatska

The recruitment of leaping grey mullet, Liza saliens juveniles in the Neretva River estuary (middle eastern Adriatic Sea, Croatia) started in July, was highest in August, decreased in September, and was unobserved later. The juveniles firstly occupied mouths of rivers and channels and then started migrating to more freshwater habitats. By feeding investigation, the harpacticoid copepods were the dominant prey in the stomachs of L. saliens juveniles during the period from August to December and nematodes replaced those as the dominant prey from January to April. Plant material in the stomachs started to appear at 24 mm of standard length, and was common prey in fish larger than 26 mm. In comparison with other Adriatic mullet’s species, the leaping grey mullet juveniles first started to recruit during July and August, while other grey mullet species appeared later (in September) in the Neretva River estuary. Such intraspecies spawning and recruitment segregation together with the optimal quantity and quality of available and preferable prey could provide an explanation for the recent success and propagation of this species in this area.Novačenje mlađi cipla dugaša, Liza saliens na području estuarija rijeke Neretve počinje u srpnju, najveće je u kolovozu, smanjuje se u rujnu, nakon čega nije zabilježeno. Mlađ se najprije pojavljuje na ušćima rijeka i kanala, a zatim počinje migrirati prema vodama niže slanosti. U prehrani mlađi cipla dugaša od kolovoza do prosinca su dominirali harpatikoidni kopepodi, a od siječnja do travnja oblići. Biljni materijal se počinje pojavljivati u probavilima jedinki najmanje ukupne dužine 24 mm, a uobičajen je u probavilima riba većih od 26 mm. Uspoređujući s ostalim vrstama cipala u području estuarija rijeke Neretve koje se mrijeste u ljetno-jesenskom razdoblju, dugaš se počinje novačiti prvi, tijekom srpnja i kolovoza, dok se ostale vrste pojavljuju u rujnu. Ovo ranije mriještenje i novačenje mlađi bez nazočnosti drugih vrsta cipala, tijekom razdoblja optimalnog sastava i brojnosti hrane, može biti jedan od razloga recentne propagacije cipla dugaša na području estuarija Neretve

Variations in fruit traits of wild cherry (Prunus aviumL.) provenances in Serbia

Prirodne populacije divlje trešnje u Srbiji nalaze se blizu južne granice areala ove značajne šumske vrste. Opstanak rubnih provenijencija, u Srbiji i široj regiji jugoistoka Europe, ugrožen je uslijed promjene klime, male veličine populacija, niske kompetitivnosti vrste i dr. Zbog toga se preporučuje umjetno potpomaganje obnove populacija uz proširivanje njihove genske raznolikosti. Iako je poznavanje razine i strukture genetske raznolikosti preduvjet njene učinkovite konzervacije i korištenja, istraživanja ove tematike na divljoj trešnji u regiji su rijetka. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi razinu i obrazac fenotipske varijabilnosti za morfološka svojstva plodova, a raspravljena je i mogućnost povezanosti obrasca fenotipske varijabilnosti s genetskom diferencijacijom provenijencija.Plodovi su prikupljeni u devet prirodnih populacija. Analizirano je deset morfoloških svojstava plodova i utrđena je prosječna klijavost provenijencija. Najmanje varijabilnim pokazalo se svojstvo širina ploda (CV = 6.2%), dok je najvarijabilnije svojstvo bila debljina peteljke (CV = 29.4%). Analizom varijance utvrđeno je da su se provenijencije međusobno statistički značajno razlikovale po svim istraživanim morfološkim svojstvima plodova (p&lt;0.01; &#945; = 0.05), izuzev po svojstvu debljina peteljke (p = 0.92). Iako je varijabilnost između provenijencija bila statistički značajna, razina unutarpopulacijske varijabilnosti bila je znatno veća (41.2-52.1%) od međupopulacijske diferencijacije (5.3-15.2%). Obrazac diferencijacije između provenijencija utvrđen je korelacijskom analizom prosječnih vrijednosti svojstava s klimatsko-geografskim varijablama provenijencija, pri čemu su se debljina ploda i duljina peteljke pokazali kao korisna dijagnostička svojstva. Prosječna debljina ploda bila je signifikantno pozitivno korelirana s nadmorskom visinom (R = 0.69; p = 0.04), prosječnom godišnjom količinom snježne oborine (R = 0.80; p = 0.01) i prosječnim godišnjim brojem stupanj-dana ispod 0°C (R = 0.70; p = 0.04). Prosječna duljina peteljke bila je signifikantno negativno korelirana s prosječnom godišnjom količinom snježne oborine (R = -0.69; p = 0.04), a pozitivno s omjerom godišnje temperature i količine oborina (R = 0.71; p = 0.03). Rezultati su pokazali ekoklinalni obrazac fenotipske diferencijacije provenijencija s obzirom na nadmorsku visinu staništa i s njom koreliranim ekološkim varijablama.Iako su istraživanja obuhvatila fenotipsku varijabilnost plodova iz prirodnih populacija, ovakvi rezultati ukazuju na vjerojatnost genetske diferencijacije provenijencija s obzirom na nadmorsku visinu. To daje temelj preporuci vertikalne sjemenske zonacije areala divlje trešnje u Srbiji, kao i sukladnog korištenja njenog reprodukcijskog materijala u potpomognutoj obnovi. Radi potvrde rezultata ovog istraživanja odnosno preciznije determinacije genetske strukture prirodnih populacija, neophodno je primijeniti metode analiza raznovrsnih fenotipskih svojstava u posebno dizajniranim pokusnim nasadima (npr. testovima provenijencija) kao i analiza prikladnih DNA markera.Natural wild cherry populations in Serbia are a part of the southern border of this valuable forest tree species distribution range. The survival of these marginal provenances in Serbia as well as in the wider region is threatened by climate change, small population sizes, low competitiveness, etc. Therefore, it is recommended to artificially assist population regeneration while increasing their genetic diversity. Although knowledge of the amount and pattern of the specie’s genetic diversity is a prerequisite for its effective conservation and use, related research in the region is scarce. The main goal of this study was to determine the amount and pattern of phenotypic variability of natural wild cherry populations in Serbia. Possible link between revealed pattern of phenotypic variability and genetic differentiation of the provenances was discussed.Fruits were collected in nine natural populations. Ten morphological traits of the fruits were measured, and average germination rate of the provenances was assessed. The least variable trait was the fruit width (CV = 6.2%), while the most variable trait was the petiole thickness (CV = 29.4%). Analysis of variance revealed significant among-provenance variation for investigated fruit characteristics (p &lt;0.01; &#945; = 0.05), except for the petiole thickness (p = 0.92). Although variability among provenances was significant, the level of within-population variability was much higher (41.2-52.1%) than among-provenance differentiation (5.3-15.2%). The pattern of among-provenance variation was determined by a correlation analysis between provenance mean values and their climatic-geographical variables, whereby fruit thickness and petiole length proved to be useful diagnostic traits. Mean fruit thickness was significantly and positively correlated with altitude (R = 0.69; p = 0.04), annual precipitation as snow (R = 0.80; p = 0.01), and annual degree-days below 0 °C (R = 0.70); p = 0.04). The average petiole length was significantly and negatively correlated with the annual precipitation as snow (R = -0.69; p = 0.04), while it was positively correlated with annual heat to moisture index (R = 0.71; p = 0.03). The results revealed an ecoclinal pattern of phenotypic differentiation among the provenances due to their habitat’s altitude and other ecological variables closely related to altitude.Although this study basically dealt with phenotypic variability of wild cherry fruits originating from natural populations, the results indicate likelihood for genetic differentiation of the provenances due to altitude. This likelihood provides the basis for recommending vertical seed zonation, as well as congruent use of reproductive material for assisted restoration of wild cherry populations in Serbia. However, to confirm this presumption of ecoclinal pattern of genetic differentiation, it is necessary to conduct analyses of various phenotypic traits in common garden experiments (e.g. provenance trials) as well as analyses of appropriate DNA markers