Šumarski list, Vol. 144 No. 11-12, 2020.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.144.11-12.6
Variations in fruit traits of wild cherry (Prunus aviumL.) provenances in Serbia
Vladan Popović
; Institut za šumarstvo, Beograd, Srbija
Aleksandar Lučić
; Institut za šumarstvo, Beograd, Srbija
Ivona Kerkez Janković
; PhD student Univerzitet u Beogradu, Šumarski fakultet, Beograd, Srbija
Ljubinko Rakonjac
; Institut za šumarstvo, Beograd, Srbija
Saša Bogdan
; Šumarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Sažetak
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 <0.01; α = 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.
Ključne riječi
morphology; seed; phenotypic traits; provenance differentiation; ecocline
Hrčak ID:
248753
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.12.2020.
Posjeta: 1.085 *