The distribution of pedunculate oak in Bosnia and Herzegovina is important in connecting the southern and eastern provenances of the Balkan Peninsula with provenances from Central Europe. However, ...due to over-exploitation, pedunculate oak is almost extinct in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This research aims to determine the heredity and production potential of the pedunculate oak from 28 provenances in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian provenance test through the genetic gain of thickness and height growth. The results will be used in selection of best provenances in terms of genetic gain. For this research, height and root collar diameter of pedunculate oak plants in Bosnian-Herzegovinian provenance tests were measured in 2012, 2016 and 2020. The provenance test was established in 2009. It contains 28 provenances from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Heredity and selection differential were assessed using analysis of variance. Possible genetic gain if using five best and one best provenance were determined. The results of the genetic gain for height obtained using data from 2012 and 2020 were low. The results obtained for 2016 indicate that the genetic gain for height, using five best provenances would be 7.62%, and using the best provenance 9.98%. Results of the genetic gain for root collar diameter obtained for 2016 and 2020 were low. For 2012, the genetic improvement using five best provenances would be 4.28%, and using the best provenance 6.32%. The results indicate that by selecting the best provenances of pedunculate oak and their propagation, we can achieve a significant increase in plant height and thickness, i.e., the yield of wood mass. As research concerns juvenile material, it is necessary to continue systematic monitoring, to determine the actual heredity and genetic age, when the trees reach their physiological maturity, and when the annual value oscillations become uniform.
Pedunculate oak is an economically and ecologically very valuable species at the European level and for Bosnia and Hercegovina, and research into variation of this species is very important. In 2007, ...pedunculate oak leaf material was collected in 27 populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina along with seeds, which were used to establish a provenance trial. In the trial, leaves were collected in 2021, and 14 morphological traits were measured in both types of material. Analysis of variance showed generally non-significant differences between generations, but significant variation among populations and population-by-generation interactions. However, the correlations between generations were non-significant for most traits, and neither were the correlations with climatic parameters. The results indicate both genetic and environmental effects on leaf morphology. The utility of leaf morphology for gene conservation is shortly discussed.
Gymnosperms are a very old and small group of plants compared to angiosperms. Contemporary science recognizes about 650 extant conifers worldwide. This review focuses on species of the Pinaceae ...family found in Europe. There are 23 species from the genera Abies, Larix, Picea, and Pinus. Some of them are widespread in Europe, but others have fragmented and limited distribution and are classified as relic, endemic, or endangered. The aim of this review is providing cumulative information about the variability of needle morpho-anatomy, terpenes, and n-alkanes, as well as the genetics of the Pinaceae species, native to Europe. The first morpho-anatomical examinations of needles were conducted in the 19th century. A lot of species have been investigated up to now, but the population variability of many conifer species is still not known. The composition and abundance of terpenes differ between genera and families but also within the same genus, pointing to their taxonomic importance. n-Alkanes on the needle wax surfaces of conifers are sometimes very useful markers of species and population variability. The most abundant n-alkanes in Abies species are nonacosane (C29), hentriacontane (C31), or heptacosane (C27), whereas in Larix decidua and the majority of Picea species, C31 is predominant. C31 and C29 are the dominant n-alkanes in the genus Pinus. The most extensive population-genetic studies of European representatives of the Pinaceae family have focused on Abies alba, Picea abies, Pinus nigra, and Pinus sylvestris, but also examined endemic species such as Abies borisii-regis, A. cephalonica, A. nebrodensis, and Picea omorika. These studies hold significant practical value in assessing species’ evolutionary potential, devising strategies for long-term species conservation, identifying centers of diversity, detecting relict and ancestral populations, unveiling cryptic species and hybrids, and elucidating the taxonomic significance of species. These investigations are of great value not only on the biodiversity level, but also on the levels of ecology, physiology, taxonomy, and evolution.
Phenological research of plant species is of great importance in the context of adaptation to climate change and changing environmental factors, especially in dynamic urban environments, such as the ...area of Sarajevo. This research aims to determine trends in the phenological pattern of hybrid plane trees in the area of Sarajevo so that recommendations can be made for the use of plane trees in greening urban and suburban areas since they largely depend on microclimatic conditions. In this paper, the authors researched the variability of leafing phenology of maple (Platanus × acerifolia (Ait) (Wild)) at six different localities in the area of Sarajevo. Observations were made in the spring of 2009, 2014, 2016, and 2020. Six phenological phases in the spring aspect of leaf development were monitored (0 - dormant buds, 1 - beginning of bud opening, 2 - open buds, 3 - leaf opening, 4 - young leaves, 5 - fully developed leaves). The results showed differences in the beginning and end of phenological phases by years and localities. Analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in the duration of leaf development phases caused by the year of observation, locality, and the interaction of locality and year, which indicates the influence of seasonal climatic elements and micro-location conditions, as well as their interaction on the occurrence of phenophases. The results of this research can be used to recommend the use of plane trees in selected locations, with the selection of appropriate provenances and respect for phenological characteristics. Research needs to be continued and extended to leaf rejection research, which is particularly significant given the frequent heavy snowfall during the winter months in the investigated area.
This research aims to determine the interaction of the effects of provenance and habitat conditions on provenance tests on the growth of Scots pine on two experimental plots in Bosnia and ...Herzegovina. Provenance tests are located on plots with different ecological conditions and altitudes: Romanija Glasinac, 1000 m, and Gostović Zavidovići, 480 m. Both tests include 11 provenances and two clonal seed plantations with 10 families in each, and five repetitions. Tree heights and diameters at breast height were measured at the age of 21 years. Interactions were determined using multivariate analysis for measured traits. The highest average heights on the provenance test Glasinac had provenances Bugojno, Romanija Glasinac, and Šipovo (8.8 m), and on the Gostović provenance Rogatica (11.0 m). The highest average diameter at breast height on the Glasinac test had Šipovo provenance (13.9 cm) and on the Gostović test Bosanski Petrovac provenance (12.3 cm). Variance analysis showed statistically significant differences among provenances in terms of diameter at breast height and height values. Multivariate analysis showed the presence of interactions of effects of provenances and habitat conditions on provenance tests. For provenances that did not show interaction, it is recommended to use provenances that performed better in the given ecological conditions, and for those that showed interaction, it is necessary to choose those provenances which are expected to show better results in given conditions later in life. The obtained results are very important for the conservation activities of this species.
Aim of study: This research aims to determine if there are statistically significant differences among provenances of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) as one of the most important tree species in Bosnia ...and Herzegovina, to choose a provenance with the best productivity for further silvicultural activities of silver fir in the country.
Material and methods: The height and diameter at breast height were measured, and the basal area and volume of silver fir trees were calculated in the silver fir provenance test. The test contains nine provenances from Bosnia and Hezegovina and was launched in 1991, with 5-year-old seedlings (3+2). The data were collected in 2013.
Main results: Variance analysis for all traits showed statistically significant differences among provenances. Average breast height diameter in 27-year-old plants for all provenances amounted to 11.0 cm, average height 8.4 m, average basal area 0.010342 m2, and average volume 0.070845 m3
Highlights: The research results confirmed the existence of variability among silver fir provenances in Bosnia and Herzegovina, considering the morphological indicators. Provenance Bosanski Petrovac showed the highest values of all traits, which implies it is the best provenance for the further activities on seed collecting and producing planting material for afforestation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) is a widespread forest tree species in Central and Northern Europe but with a scattered distribution. In the debate on climate change driven changes in species ...selection in the forest, Norway maple has recently received raised interest because of its comparatively high drought resistance (higher than in sycamore maple). Therefore, it is an interesting species for sites high in carbonates and where other native tree species have become devastated by pathogens (e.g., elm, ash). In Austria, the demand on saplings is currently rising, while there is only very little domestic reproductive material available (on average more than 95% of saplings are imported from neighboring countries). This study was undertaken to identify genetic diversity and population structure of Norway maple in Austria to lay the foundation for the establishment of respective in situ and ex situ conservation measures. In addition, samples from planted stands and imported reproductive material from other countries were included to study the anthropogenic influence on the species in managed forests. We used 11 novel microsatellites to genotype 756 samples from 27 putatively natural Austrian populations, and 186 samples derived from two planted stands and five lots of forest reproductive material; in addition, 106 samples from other European populations were also genotyped. Cross species amplification of the new markers was tested in 19 Acer species from around the world. Population clustering by STRUCTURE analysis revealed a distinct pattern of population structure in Austria and Europe, but overall moderate differentiation. Sibship analysis identifies several populations with severe founding effects, highlighting the need for proper selection of seed sources of sufficient genetic diversity in the species.