Genetic diversity and morphological-pomological variability of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina

 Project coordinator: prof. dr Milan Mataruga

Project suported by Ministry of Science and Technology of Republic of Srpska

Realisation period: 2010-2012.

            The primary goal of research on this project is a genetic, morphological and pomological characterization of the gene pool of the indigenous chestnut. In the network of field plots it was conducted the test of 6 populations of chestnut in natural range in B&H. The sites include northwestern, northeastern, southern and western part of the range of chestnut in Bosnia-Herzegovina (Banja Luka, Prijedor, Kostajnica, Bužim, Bratunac, Konjic).

              For each of the six selected sites, using the method of individual selection, it was selected 15 test trees, as well as representatives of the population. The selection was done according to the phenotypic appearance of trees.

              Researches, the level of initial population, were made the following analysis:

• Analysis of site conditions (physical and chemical properties of soils, geological substrate, climate characteristics, elevation, aspect, slope);

• Analysis of forest communities;

• Dendrometrics analysis of the tested trees;

• An analysis of variability of morphometric properties of fruit and leaves (morphological markers);

• Analysis of the nutritional value of fruits and

• Analysis of fruit quality.

              This project involves solving specific tasks and some of them, determining agronomic important pomological characteristics of genotypes, as well as determining the existence and significance of correlation between morphological parameters and environmental factors.

              Based on the research it is possible to make proposals for the application of certain management procedures or the conservation of individual populations or individuals with in-situ and ex-situ protection.

               All the results are of importance for the conventional and biotechnological breeding programs chestnut.

Implemented Projects

• First Phase of Establishing Arboretum in National Park Kozara
• The Evaluation and Genetic Characterization of Autochthonous Types of Fruit Tress and Vines in the Republic of Srpska
• ABCDE Posavina
• Genotype Characterization of Male Sterility of Blatina Cultivar
• Towards the Preservation of Autochthonous Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Varietis in WBC (Vitis-WBC), SEE-ERA.NET Plus
• Embryological Aspects of Genotype Characterization of Triticale Reproductive Potential
• Biomass as Renewable Energy Source
• Genotype Characterists of Hazel (Corylus avelana L.) Fertilization in the Ecological Conditions of the Banja Luka Region
• Genotype Characterization of Nematode at Lijevče field
• Genotype Characteristics of Biochemical – Physiological Parameters of Pear Fruits Depending on Position of Fruit on Tree
• The Data Collection on Autochthonous Cultivars of Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) as Support for Management of National Grapevine Collections
• Dynamics of Differentiation of Female Gametophyte Pears Depending on Flowering Position in Inflorescence
• Volatile Interaction Between Undamaged Corn Plants and Beans Plants and its Impact on the Lice
• Program of conservation forest genetic resources in Republic of Srpska
• Content of heavy metals in forest soils on ultrabasic parent material - vegetation as a phytoremediators
• Evaluation and genetic caracterization grape gene pool in Herzegovina
• Genetic characterization of spruce (Picea abies Karst) in the Republic of Srpska
• Genetic diversity and morphological-pomological variability of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Characterization of germplasm of fruit trees - ALFGEN
• Development of protocols for in vitro conservation of plant genetic resources
• Microsporogenesis, microgametogenesis and pollen germination of Castanea sativa Mill. in associations of Fago castanetum and Querco castanetum in Potkozarje region
• SMARTLEG project
• Characterization of germplasm of fruits (Alfgen)
• The health status of urban green structures in Banja Luka and Podgorica
• The introduction of sanitation procedures and certification of planting material of autochthonous fruit varieties
• Control of hazel fertility (Corylus avellana L.) in the production conditions of the Republic of Srpska
• The influence of physiological and histological characteristics of the leaves on the biochemical constitution and storability of pear fruits