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The objective of this study was to evaluate boron tolerance of wheat genotypes using mature embryo culture. The analysis involved 79 recombinant inbred lines of the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) population and three Serbian varieties with known boron (B) tolerance (Pobeda – sensitive S, Balerina -medium tolerant MT, and Nevesinjka – tolerant T). The evaluation was performed on a modified MS medium to which 15 mM of boric acid was added. The control medium contained no excess B. Callus fresh weight (CFW) and reduction of fresh callus weight (RFCW) were determined after one month of cultivation. ANOVA has shown highly significant effect of genotype, the media, and their interaction to callus tissue growth and also significant genotypic effect on RFCW. Majority of genotypes (39) had sensitive reaction to excess boron, twenty-three were medium tolerant, while four of them were tolerant. The obtained results can be potentially used for mapping QTLs associated with tolerance to excess B in wheat breeding program. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se proceni tolerantnost genotipova pšenice na suvišak bora primenom kulture zrelog embriona. Analizom je obuhvaćeno 79 rekombinantnih inbred linija ITMI mapirajuće populacije i 3 sorte poznate tolerantnosti na bor (Pobeda – osetljiva, Balerina – srednje tolerantna i Nevesinjka – tolerantna) poreklom iz Srbije. Procena tolerantnosti je rađena na modifikovanoj MS hranljivoj podlozi u koju je dodato 15 mM borne kiseline. Kontrolna podloga nije sadržala suvišak bora. Sveža masa kalusa i redukcija sveže mase kalusa, određene su nakon mesec dana gajenja. ANOVA je pokazala veoma značajan efekat genotipa, hranljive podloge i njihove interakcije na rast kalusa, kao i značajan genotipski efekat na redukciju sveže mase kalusa. Većina genotipova (39) je imala osetljivu reakciju na suvišak bora, 23 su bila srednje tolerantna dok su 4 genotipa bila tolerantna. Dobijeni rezultati se potencijalno mogu koristiti za mapiranje gena i QTL-ova povezanih sa tolerancijom na suvišak B u oplemenjivanju pšenice.

Tomato is one of the most important species belonging to the Solanaceae family. Focusing on the importance of tomato in human nutrition and the problem of narrowed genetic variability, the aim of the study was to assess morphological and chemical diversity in IFVCNS germplasm collection. Twenty genotypes were analysed for the morphological and chemical fruit traits: average mass (g), length (cm), diameter (cm), pericarp thickness (mm), locules number, moisture content (%), total soluble solids (°Brix), ash content (%), total acidity (%) and pH value. Selected plant material for analysis included: landraces, traditional varieties, breeding lines and commercial varieties. Differences among tomato genotypes in all fruit traits were determined. Fruit mass and locules number had the highest coefficient of variation. The least differences between genotypes were observed in the fruit moisture content. Four principal components accounted for 90.6% of total variance or 36.5%, 24.2%, 19.8% and 10.1%, respectively. Along the axis of the first main component, genotypes were classified into three groups. The first component was defined by fruit length, diameter and mass. The second component was correlated with pericarp thickness and locules number, and the third with moisture content, ash content and total soluble solids. Based on the cluster analysis, genotypes were classified into three groups which were in agreement with the PCA groups. Hybridization between genotypes from different groups was proposed in order to create new hybrids and varieties and to increase tomato germplasm diversity. By crossing those genotypes, improved recombinations in morphological and chemical traits can be expected., This research was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, grant number: 451-03-68/2022-14/200032 and 451-03-68/2022-14/200222.

Plant height and heading time are important agronomic traits that significantly contributed to the improvement of wheat adaptability and yield. The aim of this study was to analyse genetic diversity of a collection of wheat species, originating from 20 countries, based on the microsatellite loci associated with the previously mapped quantitative trait loci of plant height and heading time, to estimate potential of microsatellites to detect polymorphism in different wheat species and reveal allelic patterns in relation to the geographical origin and to evaluate the level of phenotypic diversity. The principal coordinate analysis distinguished wheat genotypes by their origin and ploidy level. Wheat varieties from America, South and Southeast Europe, and West and Central Europe had the highest molecular diversity, as was evidenced by higher number of alleles, number of group-specific alleles, Shannon's information index and gene diversity. The Nei’s genetic identity indicated genetic similarity of geographically distinct groups, such as South and Southeast Europe and Russian (0.901) and South and Southeast Europe and American genotypes (0.638). The significant differences in plant height and heading time among different wheat groups were observed, while the differences in means among three different growing seasons and the group by season interactions were significant only for heading time. The evaluated collection with high observed level of both molecular and phenotypic diversity for plant height and heading time may be a valuable source of variation for wheat breeders to fine adjust these traits in order to achieve better agronomic performance in certain local environments. Visina i vreme klasanja su važne agromonske osobine koje značajno doprinose poboljšanju sposobnosti pšenice da se prilagodi na uslove spoljašnje sredine i povećanju prinosa. Cilj ovog rada je da se oceni nivo fenotipske varijabilnosti ove dve osobine u kolekciji pšenica koje potiču iz 20 zemalja sveta, da se oceni njen molekularni diverzitet pomoću mikrosatelitskih markera povezanih sa prethodno mapiranim lokusima za kvantitativne osobine, i da se proceni potencijal mikrosatelita da utvrde polimorfizam različitih vrsta pšenice i alelne kombinacije u vezi sa geografskim poreklom. Značajne razlike između grupa pšenice utvrđene su za visinu biljke i vreme klasanja, dok su razlike između tri vegetacione sezone ustanovljene samo za vreme klasanja. Analizom glavnih kordinata razdvojeni su genotipovi pšenice prema poreklu i ploidnosti. Najveće vrednosti pokazatelja molekularnog diverziteta utvrđene su kod tri grupe pšenice: iz Amerike, južne i jugoistočne Evrope, i zapadne i centralne Evrope. Indeks genetičkog identiteta prema Nei-u ukazao je na genetičku sličnost između geografski udaljenih grupa pšenice južne i jugoistočne Evrope i Rusije (0.901) i grupa južne i jugoistočne Evrope i Amerike (0.638). Visok stepen diverziteta visine i vremena klasanja u ocenjenoj kolekciji pšenice predstavlja vredan izvor varijabilnosti za fino podešavanje ovih osobina u oplemenjivanju pšenice u cilju postizanja boljih prinosa u određenim agroekonomskim uslovima.

The Pannonian Plain, as the most productive region of Southeast Europe, has a long tradition of agronomic production as well as agronomic research and plant breeding. Many research institutions from the agri-food sector of this region have a significant impact on agriculture. Their well-developed and fruitful breeding programmes resulted in productive crop varieties highly adapted to the specific regional environmental conditions. Rapid climatic changes that occurred during the last decades led to even more investigations of complex interactions between plants and their environments and the creation of climate-smart and resilient crops. Plant phenotyping is an essential part of botanical, biological, agronomic, physiological, biochemical, genetic, and other omics approaches. Phenotyping tools and applied methods differ among these disciplines, but all of them are used to evaluate and measure complex traits related to growth, yield, quality, and adaptation to different environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). During almost a century-long period of plant breeding in the Pannonian region, plant phenotyping methods have changed, from simple measurements in the field to modern plant phenotyping and high-throughput non-invasive and digital technologies. In this review, we present a short historical background and the most recent developments in the field of plant phenotyping, as well as the results accomplished so far in Croatia, Hungary, and Serbia. Current status and perspectives for further simultaneous regional development and modernization of plant phenotyping are also discussed.

Photoperiod response (Ppd) genes are very important for adaptation of wheat to different agro-climatic conditions, but also have influence on crop yield. The aim of this study was to compare agronomic traits of 10 Serbian wheat cultivars and 54 NILs of cv. Paragon with single, double and triple doses of Ppd-1 alleles. The results showed that the NILs with introgressed single early Ppd-1 alleles (Set 2), as well as the NILs with introgressed Ppd-1 null alleles, knock-outs and late alleles (Set 4) had significantly longer stems and spikes then Serbian cultivars (Set 1). The lines with introgressed double early Ppd-1 alleles (Set 3) were very similar to the Serbian cultivars. Some promising lines with good potential for breeding programs were identified

Due to climate change, multiple heat events are expected to be an additional limiting factor that will adversely affect wheat production. The study aimed to analyze the physiological response to heat stress in four winter wheat cultivars at different physiological stages under greenhouse conditions during 2019. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll index, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II, fructose, glucose and sucrose content, grain yield per plant, grain weight and number of grains per plant were analyzed in wheat cultivars under short periods of heat stress at anthesis and mid-grain filling, and combined stress at anthesis and mid-grain filling. The results of the study indicated that heat stress modified the photosynthesis-related and grain yield–related traits. Moreover, heat stress caused a decrease of sucrose content, while fructose and glucose content increased. Heat stress had more pronounced effects on the photosynthetic parameters and grain yield during grain filling than during anthesis. A significant variation observed among cultivar responses to the negative impact of heat stress highlighted the fact that cultivars Pobeda and Gladius were more tolerant than Renesansa and Simonida. Different cultivar reactions to heat stress during anthesis and grain filling indicated the need to conduct further studies with wheat cultivars of different origin in order to identify additional sources of tolerance. This accepted peer-reviewed version of the published article [http://fiver.ifvcns.rs/handle/123456789/2274] will be available after 12 August 2022.

Estimation of the level of durum wheat germplasm genetic diversity is important for its classification and efficient use in breeding programmes. The aim of this study was to assess genetic diversity of durum wheat genotypes developed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, Serbia, with 26 morphological characteristics based on the International Union for Protection of New Varieties of Plants guidelines. The Shannon diversity index was used as an indicator of morphological diversity and it ranged from 0.283 for glaucosity of lower side of the flag leaf blade and density of hairiness of uppermost node of the culm, to 0.950 for the ear colour, with the mean value of 0.616, indicating a medium to high level of morphological diversity. On average, the diversity was higher for traits relating to generative organs than for those associated with vegetative plant organs. The 21 morphological characteristics were sufficient to distinguish unique profiles of all durum wheat genotypes. The estimation of varietal diversity and identification of morphological characteristics with the highest discriminative power were done by multiple correspondence analysis. The traits that contributed the most to the distinction of genotypes were the ear colouration, length of beak of the lower glume, lower glume shape, ear length of awns at tip relative to ear length and colour of awns. Morphological characterization using the traits with the highest discriminative power could be a useful complementary method for durum wheat germplasm classification and diversity analysis. Ocena genetičke raznolikosti germplazme tvrde pšenice je važna za njenu klasifikaciju i efikasno korišćenje u oplemenjivačkim programma. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se proceni genetička raznolikost genotipova tvrde pšenice stvorenih u Institutu za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo u Novom Sadu, sa 26 morfoloških osobina prema uputstvu Međunarodne unije za zaštitu novih biljnih sorti (UPOV). Šenonov indeks diverziteta je korišćen kao indikator morfološke raznolikosti i kretao se od 0,283 za prevlaku na rukavcu zastavičara i dlakavosti vršne internodije, do 0,950 za boju klasa. Prosečna vrednost Šenonovog indeksa od 0,616 ukazuje na srednje visok nivo morfološke raznolikosti. U proseku, raznovrsnost je bila veća za osobine koje se odnose na generativne biljne organe nego za vegetativne. Utvrđeno je da je 21 morfološka osobina bila dovoljna za razlikovanje jedinstvenih profila svih genotipova tvrde pšenice. Procena sortne raznolikosti i identifikacija morfoloških osobina sa najvećim diskriminativnim vrednostima je urađena pomoću višestruke korespodentne analize. Osobine koje su najviše doprinele razlikovanju genotipova su bile: boja klasa, dužina zadnje strane glume, oblik donje glume, odnos dužine osja i klasa, kao i boja osja. Morfološka karakterizacija pomoću osobina sa najvećim diskriminativnim vrednostima može biti korisna dopunska metoda za klasifikaciju i analizu diverziteta germplazme tvrde pšenice.

High grain yield potential and good baking properties are the two primary traits that plant producers consider when selecting new winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.). NS Igra is a modern winter wheat cultivar developed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad and released in 2016. Cultivar NS Igra was selected from a cross between the French cultivar Aquila and the line Sav/Ren 162 developed from the mapping population between Savannah (Great Britain) and Renesansa (Serbia). The objective of this cross was to develop a modern winter wheat cultivar with the adaptation to the adverse production conditions. NS Igra is an F6 - derived line with the experimental number NS 33-14-3. Commission for the registration of varieties of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia conducted trial at multiple locations in two years, and it was found that NS Igra is a distinct, uniform and stable cultivar, and has higher grain yield than average of three check cultivars, and good technological quality. NS Igra is a mid-late maturity, a stay-green cultivar that should improve the stability of grain yield production and overall end-use quality of the winter wheat crop in the southern Pannonian Plain. Visok potencijal za prinos i dobar tehnološki kvalitet su dve ključne osobine na koje poljoprivredni proizvođači najviše obraćaju pažnju prilikom odabira novih sorti ozime pšenice (Triticum aestivum L.). NS Igra, priznata 2016. godine, je moderna sorta ozime pšenice stvorena u Institutu za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo u Novom Sadu. Nastala je kao rezultat ukrštanja francuske sorte Aquila i linije Sav/Ren 162 razvijene iz mapirajuće populacije stvorene od sorti Savannah (Velika Britanija) i Renesansa (Srbija). Cilj ovog ukrštanja je bio stvaranje sorte adaptirane na različite uslove proizvodnje. NS Igra je odabrana iz F6 generacije i obeležena eksperimentalnim brojem NS 33-14-3. U dvogodišnjim ogledima Komisije za priznavanje sorti je utvrđeno da je NS Igra različita, uniformna i stabilna sorta koje je u proseku za sve lokalitete i godine ispitivanja ostvarila prinos zrna koji je značajno veći u odnosu na prosek tri sorte standarda, a dobrog je tehnološkog kvaliteta. NS Igra je srednje kasna sorta sa dugim trajanjem fotosintetski aktivne površine koja joj obezbeđuje stabilnost prinosa i dobar tehnološki kvalitet u uslovima južnog dela Panonske nizije.

The permanent need for efficient plant breeding comes from the increment of human population, which is projected to reach 9.7 million by 2050. Novel approaches could be used to reach these goals more rapidly, raising the question of efficiency, as well. Spike length is one of the important components of grain yield formation in wheat. The influence of individual plan traits is getting more important to grain yield formation per area unit in stressful growing conditions, which are increasingly present due to global climate changes. The objectives of the present research were three-fold: (i) to determine the influence of a genotype, environment and their interaction on spike length and to evaluate stability of the trait; (ii) to present cause-causing links on a graphical example; (iii) to transform a number of possibly correlated variables into a smaller number of uncorrelated variables called principal components. Samples were obtained from 96 winter wheat cultivars grown in 2011/12 and 2012/13 on two locations. The wheat genotype population was profiled with 28 microsatellites. The ANOVA of the total phenotypic variation of the experiment shows that genotypes took the largest portion, followed by the influence of the GE interaction. Additional analysis of the GE interaction using the PCA analysis shows a statistical significance of the first two main components. In the conducted research, the dispersion of the points represents two subpopulations, but the geographical origin could not explain the grouping of genotypes within the same, so the division into two groups was done on the basis of their lines of descent.

Association analysis or linkage disequilibrium mapping is a method for identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in a panel of divergent unrelated individuals based on historical recombinations during a crop’s domestication and selection. It should account for the population structure, which can be the result of adaptation to local conditions or selection, to reduce the possibility of declaring false-positive associations. The aim of this study was to determine potentially significant and consistent associations between markers and agronomic important maize (Zea mays L.) traits using association analysis in a diverse breeding material that can be ultimately implemented in maize selection. To this end, 96 maize inbred lines were evaluated in field trials at three locations in Serbia for eleven agronomic traits and analysed with microsatellite markers. Twenty five microsatellites were used to assess the population structure using Bayesian model-based clustering method and to test the significance of associations between the markers and the traits with general (GLM) and mixed linear (MLM) models. The cluster analysis divided maize inbred lines in four subpopulations, corresponding to the BSSS (Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic), LSC (Lancaster Sure Crop), Iodent heterotic groups and exotic and independent germplasm. The models identified associations between twenty five microsatellite markers and eleven agronomic traits, resulting in 133 and 71 associations across the environments for GLM and MLM, respectively. Some of the identified marker-trait associations were significant and consistent in several environments. The associations stable in several environments were identified between the markers bnlg1067 and two flowering traits; nc005 and bnlg434 and plant height, bnlg434 and ear height; bnlg1643 and umc1127 and leaf number, bnlg1360 and ear diameter; umc1019 and umc1506 and number of rows per ear; bnlg2305 and bnlg1451 and ear length, and between bnlg1175 and thousand-kernel weight. The results of this study indicate that these microsatellites could be used in marker-assisted selection of inbred lines, after validation of the marker-trait associations and testing combining abilities of the inbreds during hybrid development. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR-31073]

Creation of new higher yield cultivars, adaptation of existing germplasm to a global climate change, increasing resistance to diseases in new genotypes are some of the tasks that breeding have in front of it. The objectives of this research were to assess GE interaction in two different environments across two vegetation seasons and to do association analysis based on the results of the phenotypic and molecular evaluation. Grain samples were obtained from 96 winter wheat cultivars grown in 2011/12 and 2012/13 at two locations in the South Pannonia Basin region and population was profiled with 28 microsatellites. The share of genotype is high and amounts 24.84%, while the share of environments was 21.06%, when yield was evaluated. The GE interaction was also statistically significant and amounts 51.58% of the total variance. Microsatellites that exhibited a relation with yield by GLM and MLM model were: gwm357, gwm339, cfa2114, gwm631, gwm495, gwm190, barc1121 and gwm437. Markers that have demonstrated the stability of the relationship with yield in different environments can be recommended as potentially useful in wheat breeding.

Plant genetic resources are a link between agriculture, environment and trade, so their conservation requires cooperation from different sectors. The existing diversity in genetic resources is the foundation in breeding for new challenges or new markets in the future. The number of crop genetic resources in Serbia is obscure because there is no national inventory. It is thought that there are about 15,000 seed accessions and 3500 accessions of fruit trees and grape in collections of different national institutes and stakeholders. In the National Plant Gene Bank, there are more than 4000 accessions of nearly 250 plant species. Crops kept in ex situ collections are used in breeding programs and interspecific crosses, for selection and introduction of desired traits through pre-breeding programs. Serbia as a state participates in all national and international efforts for preservation, management and use of plant genetic resources. Additionally, Serbia has also established a set of national regulations related to plant genetic resources and their use in breeding. Since Serbia is one of Europe’s most important crop producers, especially in maize (11% of EU-27 production), soya (35%), sunflowers (6%) and sugar beet (2.5%), this paper discusses certain issues and achievements in the use of plant genetic resources in cereal and oil crops improvement in Serbia, as well as national and international regulations affecting their exploitation.

The objective of this study was to compare grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and stay-green traits in winter barley under low and high nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments. Field trials were conducted during two growing seasons in a southern Pannonian location (Novi Sad, Serbia) with fifteen six-rowed barley cultivars released between 1972 and 2013. The rate of genetic gain in grain yield was higher under high N level, indicating that modern barley cultivars use the applied N fertilizer more efficiently than older cultivars. The improvement in NUE and N uptake efficiency were positively related with year of cultivar release under both fertilization levels, while association between N utilization efficiency and year of cultivar release was significant at high N fertilization. Modern cultivars had higher normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values at the anthesis, start and mid senescence. Moreover, time to mid senescence was prolonged in modern cultivars, indicating slower N remobilization during early grain filling period. Values of NDVI at different senescence stages were more related to N uptake efficiency, while timing of senescence stages were in association with N utilization. Close association between NDVI values at different senescence stages and N uptake indicate that application of NDVI sensors could be used for identification of cultivars with improved N productivity.

The aim of this study was to analyze traits of leaf appearance and phenological development related to grain yield gain in winter barley cultivars released over the past 50 years. Field trials with 15 six-rowed winter barley cultivars were conducted during two growing seasons. The main leaf appearance and developmental traits were studied. The duration of the emergence-anthesis and emergence-physiological maturity phases decreased by 2.35 and 2.16 GDD yr-1, respectively. The duration of the stem elongation-anthesis phase was 10% longer in modern cultivars. The results showed no clear trend of improvement in final leaf number and phyllochron. The duration of the stem elongation-anthesis phase was positively related with grain number and yield. Constant improvements in grain number and grain weight by fine manipulation of the crop developmental phases could represent an essential strategy for further increases in barley grain yield potential.

Knowledge about genetic structure and allelic diversity of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) collections is a key to developing modem wheat cultivars, able to cope with various abiotic and biotic stress factors, through purposeful selection of parents. Further, information about population structure of a material is the first prerequisite of association mapping, which prevents declaring of spurious marker-trait associations. The aim of this study was to assess genetic diversity and presence of population structure within the panel of wheat accessions chosen for association mapping of yield and yield related traits in wheat. The material consisting of 282 wheat accessions, highly variable for 10 agronomically important traits, was evaluated using microsatellite markers that were distributed all over three wheat genomes. The 397 alleles were detected at 31 SSR markers, with an average number of 12.4. The highest diversity was detected at microsatellite loci from B genome, while the lowest number of alleles was observed for D genome. Structure analysis indicated the existence of three subpopulations, where genotypes were grouped according to their origin as well as pedigree data. In each subpopulation, private alleles were detected, indicating informativeness of analysed microsatellite loci for the elucidation of population structure. Statistically significant differences among groups were observed for 8 out of 10 wheat agronomically important traits, while PCA did not show a clear separation of genotypes. The analysed wheat accessions demonstrated a sufficiently high level of genetic diversity, considering both molecular and phenotypic data, which makes them suitable for the association study of breeding traits in wheat.

2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) is a secondary metabolite in plants that renders defense against phytopatogenic bacteria, fungi, insects and other pest organisms. The biosynthesis of DIMBOA is controlled by nine genes, the first bx1 gene governs the transcription of a key enzyme in DIMBOA biosynthesis. The aim of this study was to genotype maize inbred lines used in breeding programmes for the presence of resistant allele in order to identify the source of biotic stress resistance. The variability of bx1 gene was assessed in a set of 96 diverse inbred lines with a functional microsatellite marker umc1022 located in bx1 gene. Two marker alleles, the length of 91 and 97 bp, were found in the majority of inbred lines, the former being predominant among Lancaster inbred lines and the latter in the BSSS heterotic group. By comparing previous findings on the inbred lines with high level of DIMBOA and resistance with the pedigree information of the maize inbred lines analyzed in this study, we postulated that the allele 91 bp could be associate with DIMBOA accumulation and pest resistance. The DIMBOA quantification and evaluation of pest infestations in field trials are needed to verify our results. 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) je sekundarni metabolit koji omogućava biljkama zaštitu od fitopatogenih bakterija, gljiva, insekata i drugih štetnih organizama. Biosintezu DIMBOA-e regulišu devet gena, od kojih prvi bx1 upravlja transkripcijom ključnog enzima u biosintezi DIMBOA-e. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se među inbred linijama kukuruza iz oplemenjivačkog programa utvrdi prisustvo otpornog alela bx1 gena kako bi se identifikovali izvori otpornosti na biotički stres. Varijabilnost gena bx1 je ocenjena kod 96 genetički divergentnih inbred linija pomoću funkcionalnog mikrosatelitskog markera umc1022 koji se nalazi u genu bx1. Dva alela markera, dužine 91 bp i 97 bp, ustanovljeni su kod većine inbred linija, prvi alel je bio zastupljeniji među Lancaster linijama, dok je drugi alel bio frekventniji u BSSS heterotičnoj grupi. U inbred linijama kod kojih je utvrđen alel 91 bp (Mo17, B97 i H99) u prethodnih istraživanjima je određen visok nivo DIMBOA-e i otpornost prema štetočinama. Shodno tome, pretpostavljamo da je alel 91 bp u vezi sa nakupljanjem DIMBOA-e i sa otpornošću prema biotičkom stresu. Kvantifikacija DIMBOA-e i ocena štete od insekata u poljskim ogledima potrebna je da bi se potvrdili izneti rezultati.

This study analysed polymorphism of 15 microsatellite loci in the col­lection comprising of 40 genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 32 genotypes belonging to other species within Triticum genus and 3 genotypes from Aegilops genus. The results showed significant differences in the variability of the tested loci in bread wheat and related species. In the collection of bread wheat genotypes, 119 alleles were detected with the average number of 7.9 alleles per locus. In wild and cultivated related species 157 alleles were identified, with the average of 10.5 alleles per locus. All analysed parameters of microsatellite loci variability (PIC value, gene diversity, heterozygosity, etc.) indicated higher level of polymorphism in wild relatives than in the cultivated bread wheat. Analyses of individ­ual genomes indicated that in the bread wheat genetic diversity of the B and D genomes was significantly reduced in relation to the A genome, while the differences in polymorphism between genomes in the wild relatives were significantly lower. The results showed that wild related species can be used as sources for new variability in wheat breeding. U radu je ispitana polimorfnost 15 mikrosatelitskih lokusa u kolekciji koju čine 40 genotipova gajene pšenice (Triticum aestivum L.), 32 genotipa koji pripadaju drugim vrstama roda Triticum i tri genotipa iz roda Aegilops. Rezultati su pokazali da postoji značajna razlika u varijabilnosti ispitivanih lokusa kod gajene pšenice i njenih srodnika. U kolekciji genotipova gajene pšenice detektovano je ukupno 119 alela, sa prosekom od 7,9 alela po lokusu. Kod divljih i gajenih srodnika identifikovano je ukupno 157 alela, sa prosekom od 10,5 alela po lokusu. Svi izračunati pokazatelji varijabilnosti mikrosatelitskih lokusa (PIC vrednost, divergentnost gena, heterozigotnost, itd.) ukazuju na veću polimorfnost divljih srodnika u odnosu na gajenu pšenicu. Analiza pojedinačnih genoma takođe je pokazala da je kod gajene pšenice divergentnost B i D genoma značajno umanjena u odnosu na A genom, dok su kod divljih srodnika razlike u polimorfnosti pojedinačnih genoma značajno manje. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju na to da se divlji srodnici mogu koristiti kao izvori nove varijabilnosti u oplemenjivanju pšenice.

The microsatellites, as one of the most robust markers for identification of wheat varieties, were used for assessment of genetic diversity and population structure to promote effective use of genetic resources. In this study, the set of 284 wheat varieties were genotyped using 30 microsatellite markers. The chosen SSR markers were located among almost all linkage groups and covered all three genomes. The genotypes used originate from 24 different breeding centers worldwide and are included in an extensive core collection of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, Serbia. The total number of detected alleles was 349 at all analyzed loci. The average number of detected allelic variant per locus was 11.5. The mean value of polymorphic information content was 0.68. According to the probability of data obtained by program Structure, the results have shown presence of 6 subpopulations within the studied set of genotypes. The population structure positively correlated to some extent with geographic origin. The available pedigree data were included for additional explanation of population structure. The results of this study should provide valuable information for future association studies using the diverse wheat breeding material.

Climate significantly affects cropping systems across Europe. Knowledge of the variability in grain number per unit area and grain weight across different growing seasons and its association with grain yield is important for further improving small grain crop production. The main aim of this study was to compare grain yield and its numerical components among triticale, wheat, two-rowed and six-rowed barley cultivars across different growing seasons in a typical Pannonian location (south-eastern part of Central Europe). Trials with twelve winter cereal genotypes (three two-rowed barley, three six-rowed barley, three wheat and three triticale genotypes) were carried out in four successive seasons in Novi Sad, Serbia. Results of this study showed that growing season, species, cultivar, and species × growing season interaction significantly (p

Knowledge about the comparative development and grain filling of winter cereals under different environmental conditions is important for stable and high yielding crop production. The objective of this work was to compare patterns of grain filling in bread wheat, barley and triticale grown in the Pannonian region, as well as to investigate relationships among grain filling parameters, time to anthesis and grain yield. The trials with 12 winter cereal genotypes were carried out in four successive seasons at the location Novi Sad, Serbia. Results of this study showed that all studied grain filling parameters were significantly influenced by species, cultivar, growing season, and species by growing season interaction. Longer duration of grain filling period and period to maximum grain filling were observed in triticale and wheat cultivars compared with six and two-rowed barley. Two-rowed barley cultivars had a higher grain filling rate than other cultivars. Furthermore, a negative association between time to anthesis and grain yield indicates that cultivars with the long pre-anthesis period are not recommended for the agro-ecological conditions of the Pannonian plain. Generally, medium early cultivars of small grain cereals had the highest grain weight within species and spike type, suggesting that medium early cultivars have a balanced ratio of pre-anthesis and grain filling period. High values of final grain weight in different growing seasons indicate that weather conditions in the Pannonian plain are mainly suitable for grain growth.

Microsatellite markers (SSR) were used to study wheat genetic diversity. A set of 87 wheat genotypes was analysed with four SSR markers. Primers used for the amplification of adequate microsatellite loci (Xgwm) are according to RODER et al. (2002). Results were obtained using Applied Biosystems 3130 genetic analyser. Total of 28 alleles were determined, i.e. average of 7 alleles per marker. Number of alleles for individual markers ranged from six (Xgwm3) to eight (Xgwm18). The presence of two null alleles for Xgwm18 and Xgwm155 was found. There were five rare alleles (frequency

Maize (Zea mays L.) displays large genetic diversity created during the history of introduction from its Mexican centre of origin to other parts of the world and adaptation to a range of diverse environments. Despite such diversity, maize breeders use only a small portion of the available maize germplasm to develop modern hybrids. Broadening diversity of breeding collections by the introduction of new germplasm, as a source of favourable traits, requires its characterisation and classification of new germplasm into heterotic groups. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic diversity of maize breeding material from the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Serbia, including previously uncharacterised inbred lines, elite lines with known pedigrees and historically important inbred lines. Microsatellite-based cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis separated 96 inbred lines into six clusters, Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS), Lancaster Sure Crop (LSC), Iodent (IDT) heterotic group, a cluster with unrelated independent inbreds and two clusters of miscellaneous germplasm crossed with inbreds of BSSS and Lancaster background. The microsatellites umc1035, bnlg666, dupssr23, umc1083 and dupssr10 contributed most to the differentiation between the groups. The largest values of molecular diversity parameters were detected in the BSSS group, following by the Lancaster and then the other groups. An analysis of variance showed that almost all traits significantly varied among the groups and between the years. The investigated lines demonstrated sufficient variation in most of the analysed phenotypic traits, proving suitable for further genetic studies. A principal component analysis based on agronomic traits differentiated inbred lines from the BSSS and Lancaster pools, but failed to separate the other groups. The characterisation and classification of genetic resources using microsatellite markers may assist hybrid breeding by efficient exploitation of heterotic patterns.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of applying molecular markers-microsatellites in breeding boron tolerant wheat. The study comprised the investigation of allelic variability of sixty bread wheat accessions in two microsatellite loci (Xgwm46-7B and Xgwm577-7B) for which was assumed that are placed near the 7B chromosome locus involved in the expression of boron tolerance in wheat. Phenotypic variability concerning boron tolerance was assessed via root length reduction of wheat seedlings grown in the presence of high external boron, applied as boric acid solution (concentrations 50, 100 and 150 mg/l, boron treatments B50, B100 and B150). The indication of marker-trait associations was determined by comparing the allelic variability in the two microsatellite loci with the phenotypic variability in boron tolerance. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used for the comparisons. The indication of marker-trait association was found for both Xgwm46-7B and Xgwm577-7B; on B150 and B50 treatments, respectively. Allelic forms identified in Xgwm577-7B locus may be related to tolerance, medium tolerance and sensitivity to high boron. This was not the case for Xgwm46-7B, where the identified alleles were related only to boron tolerance and sensitivity. Therefore, Xgwm577-7B may be preferred over Xgwm46-7B when studying boron tolerance in wheat. However, a considerable portion of boron tolerant accessions carried different alleles in the investigated loci, implying boron tolerance as a quantitative trait with more than one chromosomal region involved in its expression. Therefore, the allelic variability of more than the analyzed two loci should be investigated. Cilj ovog rada je bilo ispitivanje mogućnosti primene molekularnih markera-mikrosatelita u oplemenjivanju pšenice tolerantne na bor. Ispitana je alelna varijabilnost kod šezdeset genotipova hlebne pšenice u dva mikrosatelitna lokusa (Xgwm46-7B i Xgwm577-7B) za koje se pretpostavlja da su pozicionirani u blizini lokusa na 7B hromozomu koji utiče na ekspresiju ovog svojstva. Fenotipska varijabilnost u pogledu tolerantnosti na bor je utvrđena na osnovu redukcije dužine korenčića klijanaca pšenice gajenih u uslovima suviška bora (rastvor borne kiseline koncentracija 50, 100 i 150 mg/l, tretmani B50, B100, B150). Indikacija veze marker-svojstvo je utvrđivana na osnovu poređenja alelne varijabilnosti mikrosatelitnih lokusa i fenotipske varijabilnosti u pogledu tolerantnosti na bor. Za poređenja je korišćen neparametarski Kruskal-Wallis test. Indikacija veze marker-svojstvo je konstatovana za Xgwm46-7B na tretmanu B150, a za Xgwm577-7B na tretmanu B50. Alelne forme identifikovane u lokusu Xgwm577-7B se mogu dovesti u vezu sa tolerantnošću, srednjom tolerantnošću i osetljivošću na bor. Ovo nije bio slučaj kod Xgwm46-7B, gde su identifikovani aleli dovedeni u vezu samo sa tolerantnošću i osetljivošću na bor. Prema tome, za dalji rad se preporučuje Xgwm577-7B. Međutim, kod značajnog dela tolerantnih genotipova su identifikovani različiti aleli u proučavanim lokusima, što upućuje na zaključak da je u pitanju kvantitativno svojstvo u čiju ekspresiju je uključeno više od jednog hromozomskog regiona. Potrebno je ispitati alelnu varijabilnost više od dva mikrosatelitna lokusa.

Association analysis is a relatively novel approach in quantitative traits studies that allows high resolution mapping and time efficient and direct application on breeding material. Since the markers, which are close to the quantitative trait loci stable across environments and genetic BACKGROUND: s, may be valuable for marker assisted selection, we chose microsatellite markers previously linked to traits of interest in various mapping studies. A set of 36 microsatellite markers positioned near important maize (Zea mays L.) agronomic loci was used to evaluate genetic diversity and determine population structure. To verify the associations between the markers and traits, a panel of diverse maize inbred lines was genotyped with microsatellites and phenotyped for flowering time, yield and yield components. A relatively high level of polymorphism detected in number of alleles per locus (8.2), average polymorphic information content value (0.64), and average gene diversity (0.684) lines showed the analyzed panel of maize inbred contained significant genetic diversity and was suitable for association mapping. The population structure estimated by model-based clustering method grouped maize inbred lines into three clusters. The association analysis using the general linear and mixed linear models determined significant correlations between several agronomic traits and three microsatellites on chromosomes 3, 5, and 8, namely umc1025, bnlg1237, and bnlg162 consistent across the environments, explaining from 4.7% to 18.2% of total phenotypic variations. The results suggest that the chromosome regions containing quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with multiple yield-related traits consistently across environments are potentially important targets for selection.

Doubled haploid (DH) mapping populations are suitable material for genetic analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL). In order to detect loci associated with heading and flowering time in our agro-climate region, 177 lines of DH population Savana/Renesansa were analysed with five microsatellite markers (GWM18, GWM194, GWM261, PSP3071 and PSP3200). These lines were also evaluated for heading and flowering at the experimental field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. The experiment was conducted from 2003 to 2008. According to Single Marker Regression analysis, the marker GWM261 was associated with QTL which explained from 20.2% to 30.7% of the total variance for heading and from 13.6% to 28.8% of the total variance for flowering time in all analysed years. Dihaploidne mapirajuće populacije predstavljaju pogodan materijal za genetičku analizu lokusa koji utiču na ekspresiju kvantitativnih svojstava (QTL - Quantitative Trait Loci). U cilju detekcije lokusa koji su u vezi sa vremenom klasanja i cvetanja u našem agro-klimatskom regionu, u radu je analizirana alelna varijabilnost pet mikrosatelitskih lokusa (Xgwm18 Xgwm194, Xgwm261, Xpsp3071 i Xpsp3200) kod 177 linija dihaploidne populacije Savana/Renesansa. Pored toga, na oglednim poljima Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo u Novom Sadu u periodu 2003-2008. rađena je fenotipska evaluacija ove mapirajuće populacije za navedene osobine. Metodom pojedinačne marker regresije detektovan je QTL u blizini lokusa Xgwm261, pomoću kog se moglo objasniti od 20,2% do 30,7% fenotipske varijabilnosti za vreme klasanja i 13,6% do 28,8% za vreme cvetanja, u svim analiziranim godinama.