Serbian spruce (Picea omorica/Panc./Purkyne) variability in the artificial populations in Serbia

Abstract

Isajev V., Lavadinović V., Lučić A., Rakonjac L.J.: Serbian spruce (Picea omorca /Panc./ Purky ne) variability in the artificial populations in Serbia. Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 32, No. 3, p. 277-282, 2013. A great part of the genetic variation and the potentials of Serbian spruce natural populations have been incorporated in several plantations in the Western Serbia at the site Quercetum fraineto-cerris s.l., Salicetum fragillis s.l and Pinetum nigre s.l. and in other similar occurrences In this way, it becomes much more available for the research and future utilization. The intensive research of the plantations started by the classification of trees into phenogroups which were considered to be significant for forestry and horticulture. The differences between flowering years, plantations and individual trees in the regularity and abundance of micro-and macro-strobiles are major indicators f genetic variability in the reproductive cycle of Serbian spruce. The interaction of environmental characteristics and genotypes of extreme and average trees illustrate the reproductive ability of Serbian spruce on different sites and indicates that this species achieves the coenological and not the ecological optimum at its natural sites. Application of genetic/selection programmes can lead to the production of planting stock of desired and defined properties, which could survive the stress environmental factors, thanks to its morphological and physiological properties.

Exploring the role of humans and climate over the Balkan landscape: 500 years of vegetational history of Serbia

“…In the case of Serbia, reforestation is believed to have started as early as the 19th century CE but coniferization of broadleaved forests became a common practice only post World War II (Rakonjac and Nevenic, 2012). From thereon, Austrian pine (Pinus nigra L.) is reported to have been favored for both the submontane-montane beech sites in beech coppice forests as well as unforested areas that are characterized by xerothermic conditions and degraded soils (Isajev et al, 2009); Pinus nigra L. is present in the vegetation surrounding the study site. Hence, significant growth of Pinus in the late LIA period might have both natural (availability of moisture in the montane region) and human intervention as causal factors.…”

Characteristics of the seeds and cones of Serbian spruce - indicators of species endangerment

“…The ndings underscored that genetic variability was far greater than what could be inferred from mere observations of morphological variability in parent trees. Isajev (1987) analyzed the individual variability of several trees from three planted forests of Serbian spruce in Serbia. Morphometric analysis of 1.000 cones harvested in 1981 and 1983 showed the existence of spontaneous individual variability between trees for length, width, and number of grains per cone, while the shape of the cone was signi cantly less variable.…”

“…The range of variability for the length of cones was, on average, from 20 to 70 mm, for widths from 10 to 23 mm, while the mean number of grains varied from 20 to 113 per cone. The size of the cone in the same tree varied within 5% between different harvest years, which indicates strong genetic control of this trait (Isajev 1987). The obtained results showed that the Serbian spruce seeds from all three planted forests are characterized by very good quality (average germination rate was 90%).…”

Challenges and risks of Serbian spruce (Picea omorika [pančić] purk.) in the time of climate change – a literature review

“…Schwerin (1929in Vidaković 1991 described two varieties of Picea omorika: the variety serbica Schwer., with short branches and a narrow pyramidal crown growing in its native range, and the cultivated variety P. omorika borealis, with a broader crown occurring outside the range of its original distribution. Isajev (1987) and Milovanović (2007) described these and four other varieties of Picea omorika. Vidaković (1991) considers these varieties, except the serbica variety, as horticultural forms or cultivars.…”