Biomarkers allow an integrated risk assessment of heavy metal pollution effects in living organisms. In this study, the biochemical effects of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn pollution in agricultural soil and ...their accumulation in Alium cepa L. (onion) were evaluated with ALA-D enzyme response as a biomarker, along with δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and total chlorophyll contents in leaves of this plant. Soil samples were randomly selected from agricultural areas in two regions, Mitrovica and Obiliqi, which are considered the most industrially polluted regions in Kosovo. Results show that Pb and Zn concentrations in soil samples from Mitrovica (1953-2576 mg kg
−1
) and Obiliqi regions (138-179 mg kg
−1
) and their bioaccumulation levels in onion were significantly higher in comparison with the control group. There was an adverse negative correlation between Pb or Zn concentration and ALA-D activity and total chlorophyll content, and a positive correlation with ALA content. This study indicates that ALA-D activity can be used as a very sensitive biomarker for evaluation of heavy metal pollution. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals from soil polluted areas poses a threat for food contamination and public health.
The aim of this study was to examine and describe genetic structure on autochthonous maize germplasm (flint types) from different localities in Kosovo using Hbr markers. The genetic characterization ...of 6-8 individual seedlings per each of 20 landraces was conducted by Hbr display calculated per selective base, the most efficient genetic diversity estimator to distinguish between landraces was primer combination Hbr-Int5-F/MseI+T. The strongest genetic relatedness (r = 55.57) had landrace ACC4 having orange colored seeds, showing the highest genetic uniformity when compared to other accessions. Clustering analysis using the Bayesian approach generated two genetic clusters for observed landraces. As a measure of population structure influenced by genetic drift and migration, Fst values for each genetic cluster were obtained. Higher Fst (0.4027) was calculated within the first genetic group comparing to the second one (0.2001), reflecting a higher levels of out-crossing and conservation between landraces from the first genetic cluster. A similar distribution of genetic linkages was observed from dendrogram, constructed using Dice coefficient and neighbour-joining (NJ) algorithm with minor deviations for landraces ACC6 and ACC28. Genotypes of ACCmk landrace reveal the highest genetic distinction compared to other genotypes, reflecting the highest number of bands (241) and the highest number of private bands (10) as the number of bands unique to a single population, respectively.
The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of selenium (Se) on the biomass production and the contents of photosynthetically active pigments. The pot experiment included two maize ...genotypes: hybrid 408BC originating from Croatia and a local maize population from Kosovo. The doses of Se applied were 0, 1.30, 6.57, 13, and 26 mg kg
. The lowest Se dose (1.30 mg Se kg
) had a positive effect on shoot and root biomass production as well as on the contents of chlorophyll
(
), total chlorophyll, and carotenoids (just for the hybrid). Chlorophyll
(
) was reduced with increasing Se doses, whereas chlorophyll
(
) and total chlorophyll further increased with medium Se doses. The highest Se dose strongly reduced biomass and the contents of photosynthetically active pigments.
and carotenoids positively correlated with shoot (for both genotypes) and root (for the hybrid) biomass, whereas no correlation was observed between
and biomass. Low amounts of Se application are favorable for biomass production and chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, whereas high amounts of Se application negatively affect both.
Tulipa scardica and T. kosovarica are rare, endemic and endangered plants in Kosovo. This research was carried out to study the dormancy breaking treatment in Tulipa scardica and T. kosovarica seeds ...by pre-chilling and various concentration of potassium nitrate (KNO3), gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin, thiourea and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The experiment was conducted with untreated seeds (without stratification) and with stratified seeds (8 weeks) and treated with different concentration of some chemicals and plant growth regulators. Results showed that the final germination percentage (FGP) of seeds without stratification at both Tulipa plant species was zero, while germination was enhanced by pre-chilling (stratification) especially after treatment of these seeds by above mentioned treatments. Both Tulipa species showed an increase in mean germination time (MGT), an indication of slower germination, as different chemicals or plant growth regulators increased. Depending on treatments, germination was ranging from 80 % to 90 %, the maximum germination was detected in seeds treated with KNO3, GA3, and their combination, while the minimum germination in seeds without treatments and treated with thiourea. The conservation of these plants in botanic gardens by cultivation or propagation for commercial use as ornamental plants could give an effective contribution to the conservation of these plants.Abbreviations: KNO3 – potassium nitrate; GA3 - gibberellic acid; H2SO4 – sulfuric acid; FGP – final germination percentage; MGT – mean germination time
The objective of this work was to investigate the levels of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT, peroxidase POX, ascorbate peroxidase APX, ...glutathione reductase GR, and MDA), total glutathione (GSH), total ascorbate (AsA), and lipid peroxidation of two spinach cultivars (Clipper and Matador) sampled in different locations in Kosovo (Prizren, Ferizaj, and Obiliq). The photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll
and
as well as carotenoids, were extracted by 80% acetone, and concentrations were calculated based on the absorbance values at 663, 645, and 480 nm. There was a significant difference in SOD, APX, and GR activities between varieties at each location. The MDA and AsA contents in Obiliq were the highest, compared to other locations. From the increase in lipid peroxidation level, it can be assumed that the degradation in pigment content was caused by the decrease in total AsA content and APX and GR enzyme activities, which are the main enzymes of the AsA–GSH cycle in chloroplasts.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity stress on seed germination and chlorophyll content in maize. In the study, two maize hybrids were included (Bc 678 and Bc 408) ...originating from the Bc Institute at Rugvica near Zagreb (Croatia) and two maize populations (LMP-1 and LMP-2) originating from Kosovo. The experiment was conducted in four replicates of 100 seeds, which were germinated on top of double-layered papers, each with 10 ml of salt solution of NaCl and CaCl2 in Petri dishes. Germinated seeds were counted every 24 h for 15 days. The photosynthetic pigments, chlorophylls ‘a’ and ‘b’ as well as carotenoids were extracted with 80 % acetone. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were calculated using absorbance values at 662, 644 and 440 nm. The effects of the NaCl and CaCl2 concentrations accounted for a high proportion of the variance in all analyses. The results showed that both germination percentage and germination index decreased significantly in all cultivars at the highest salt concentrations. The significant differences between different concentrations of salinity were also found in all cultivars for the content of chlorophyll ‘a’ and ‘b’ and for the content of carotenoids.
Seven local pepper populations (Capsicum annuum L.) from different geographical regions of Kosovo, were evaluated for morphological traits, chemical composition, and antioxidant contents using ...standard analytical techniques. All local peppers populations were characterized for different morphological traits from seedling emergence to crop maturity. The total genetic variation for plant height (PH) was 11.72 cm or expressed in relative values was 27.94 %. Average of leaf area (LA) per plant was 2308.38 cm2, while the lowest value for LA was 1136 cm2. Yield per plant ranged from 265 to 691 g plant-1. The acidity level was ranging from 1.44 to 1.61 %, carbohydrates varied greatly from 4.21 to 6.07 %. Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) content in fresh fruit ranged from 65.544 to 520.51 mg 100g-1 of fresh mass. Minerals were of reasonable levels with Fe (15.31 mg kg-1), Ca (216.71 mg kg-1), Na (406.01 mg kg-1), K (1851 mg kg-1), and Zn (5.74 mg kg-1).
Three perennial legumes (alfalfa, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil) and four cool-season perennial grasses (orchardgrass, tall fescue, Italian ryegrass and red fescue) were grown in legume-grass ...combinations and in pure stands of individual species, at three locations in the West Balkan region (Novi Sad, Banja Luka and Pristina) in the period from 2012 to 2015. The study evaluated dry matter yield, legume-grass-weed proportion and forage quality. High annual forage yield of legume-grass mixtures can be obtained with proper selection of species and an appropriate legume-grass ratio. However, high and stable yield, particularly in the case of grasses, depends on the amount and schedule of precipitation as well as the cutting time. The mixtures and legume pure stands achieved better forage production both per cutting and on the annual basis and had better forage quality than grass pure stands.
Twelve local maize populations were evaluated at the experimental farm, University of Prishtina, Kosovo. The study was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic variation in local maize ...populations for different morphological-physiological and chemical composition under field and laboratory conditions. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used for laying out the experiment. The results showed that there were significant differences for most morphological and physiological traits under study. The mean grain yield of all populations was 102.96 g plant-1. The protein and oil contents ranged between 11.53 to 9.43% and 4.23 to 4.87% respectively. The cellulose content varied from 6.03 to 6.37%. There were also big differences regarding phenotypic correlations. The present study revealed considerable amount of diversity among the local maize populations which could be manipulated for further improvement in maize breeding.
The aim of the presented investigation was to estimate the genetic diversity, and correlation analysis among yield and quality traits in twenty local maize populations. The experiment was based on ...randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In the study we compared grain yield, and quality traits such as protein, oil and starch content in grain. The results showed that there were significant differences among populations. The overall mean grain yield was 79.33 g plant-1 with the highest grain yield in population GBK-7 (105.13 g plant-1). The protein and oil contents ranged between 11.02 to 13.02% and 2.56 to 5.57%, respectively. The starch content varied from 68.58 to 70.92%. The first two canonical discriminant functions were significant at p < 0.01. It is important to point out the great relevance of the first two discriminant functions justifying 95.80% of the variability among populations. There were also big differences regarding phenotypic correlations. The study suggests that the quality traits are phenotypically and genotypically highly variable and therefore very useful for breeding process.
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