BOTANICA SERBICA
Volume 34
Issue 2
2010

Contribution to the knowledge of serpentine fl ora in Kosovo’s part of the Ibar river valley
PRODANOVIC D, KRIVOŠEJ Z, LAZARAVIC P & AMIDŽIC L.
Pages 81-86

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ABSTRACT:  During fi eld fl oristic investigations of serpentines in the middle part of the Ibar river valley (Kosovo’s part of the river) 915 taxa were found in the period from 2002 – 2005. Investigated area, about 50 km long, is located in the territory north of Kosovska Mitrovica all the way to the administrative border with Serbia (close to the village Donje Jarinje). Aft er this period, several new species for this area are found, during the years 2008 and 2009. Some of them are new and rare for the fl ora of Kosovo and Metohija and, at the same time, represent new localities of these species for the fl ora of Serbia. Some of the most interesting newly found species in the investigated area are: Nuphar lutea, Thymelaea passerina, Waldsteinia geoides, Trigonella gladiata and Tremastelma palestinum.

KEY WORDS: vascular fl ora, distribution, new chorological data, the Ibar river valley, Kosovo and Metohija, Serbia

Microscopic algae from karst lakes of Dumre region (Central Albania)
KUPE L, POÇI A, MIHO A & HÜBENER T.
Pages 87-98

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ABSTRACT:  More than 90 karst lakes, oft en smaller than 1ha, and shallower than 10m, can be found sparse over limestone or gypsum in Albanian territory. The most famous are the lakes of Dumre, a zone that extends between Shkumbini and Devolli valleys (Elbasani district). These lakes do not have nor infl ows or outfl ows, and are oft en fi lled by the rainfall; therefore, their water level oscillates drastically during the year. Sporadic samples of peryphyton or phytoplankton were collected in some of Dumre lakes (Belshi, Merhoja, Mulleza, Cepi). Moreover, one sediment core (ca. 38cm) was taken in Belshi lake, in June 2005; based on Pb210 and Cs137, the sediments were the well laminated, dating only to the last 20 years (between 2005-1984), where alternated yellow and black layers might belong to one year. The calculated sedimentation rate was 1.76 cm/yr, considered relatively high, due to the strong erosion form the surrounding watershed.
The diversity of diatoms found in Dumre lakes can be considered high, despite the limited number of samples examined. About 220 taxa of microscopic algae, diatoms (Bacillariophyta), were found in all the collected samples, represented mainly from the genera Navicula (28 species), Nitzschia (23) and Cyclotella (17). More than 170 species were found in the littoral samples of diff erent lakes, where the sample from Cepi, a shallow eutrophic pond was the richest with diatoms, more than 90 species. About 140 species were found in the core sample from Belshi lake, represented mainly from Achnnathes minutissima, Cyclotella ocellata, C. stelligera, Gyrosigma acuminatum, Cymbella affi nis, Gomphonema olivaceum or Hantzschia amphioxys. Centric diatoms Cyclotella ocellata and C. stelligera, and the pennate Achnanthes minutissima were found also relatively abundant in the population community of each sediment layer. The calculated Trophic Index of Diatoms (TIDIA) in each sediment layer oscillated from 1.2 (oligotroph) to 3.4 (polytroph), showing a moderate pollution with nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen). Saprobic index seems to be more stable, oscillating from 1.5 (oligosaprob) to 2 (beta-mesosaprob), corresponding to scarcely polluted (I-II class) to moderately polluted water quality (II class). From the rare and interesting species of the karst lakes here were mentionioned Caloneis cf. aerophila, Gomphonema augur, Neidium bisulcatum var. subampliatum, Nitzschia geitleri, N. lorenziana, Placoneis elginensis, P. clementioides, Sellaphora levissima, Surirella venusta, Surirella cf. tenera. Caloneis sp. and Surirella sp. represent interesting or new species.
The terrigenous hilly relief, the typical Mediterranean climate characteristics combined also with poor land use activities (land denuding), can be the principal causes of the relatively high rate of sedimentation observed in Belshi lake. The decentralized management of wastewater is recommended to prevent the eutrophication processes, and protect the water quality of the lakes. Moreover, forestation activities especially in denuded area would restore the vegetation cover and decrease the erosion.

KEY WORDS: Albanian karst lakes; Belshi lake; sediment core sampling; Albanian diatoms

Costal vegetation of the Lalzi bay (Albania)
IMERI A, MULLAJ A, DODONA E & KUPE L.
Pages 99-106

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ABSTRACT:  The paper presents results of a vegetation survey of Lalzi bay, a specifi c Albanian costal habitat. Lalzi Bay, due to the geographic position, geology and hidrology, specifi c clime, off ers a very rich vegetation. This is reflected in the big number of sintaxa. Plants assosiations are classifi ed based on principless of Zurich–Montpellier school that made the base of classifi cation in Europe sites. In this study, there 19 associations were analyzed, included in 16 alliances, that belong to 10 orders and 9 classes, with high plant diversity

KEY WORDS:  sandy dunes, phytosociology, vegetation dynamics

Contribution to the Bryophyte flora of the Vršacke Planine Mts., Serbia
PAPP B & SABOVLJEVIC M.
Pages 107-110

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ABSTRACT:  The study provides an insight into the bryophyte fl ora of the Vršacke Planine Mts. This “island highland” in the eastern part of Vojvodina host 69 bryophytes species of which there are only three hepatics. It is the habitat for 8 species exclusively recorded here in the whole province of Vojvodina (N. Serbia).

KEY WORDS:  bryophytes, Vršacke Planine Mts., flora, Serbia

Typha domingensis (Typhaceae) new to Serbia
UOTILA P, RAUS T, TOMOVIC G & NIKETIC M.
Pages 111-114

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ABSTRACT:Typha domingensis (Pers.) Steud. was discovered as a species new to Serbia during the post-congress excursion of the 5th Balkan Botanical Congress (Belgrade), on the shore of Lake Oblacinsko in September 2009. A short morphological description and the general distribution and habitat traits of the species in Serbia are given.

KEY WORDS:  Typha domingensis, Typhaceae, new record, flora of Serbia

Cytogenetic eff ects induced by Manganese and Lead microelements on germination at Allium cepa
DOROFTEI E, ANTOFIE MM, SAVA D & ARCUS M.
Pages 115-122

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ABSTRACT:  The study gives insight into the effects of manganese and lead microelements treatment on germination of Allium cepa L. The cytogenetic effects were studied by the calculation of the mitotic index, by the study of the interphase and chromosomal aberrations on the mitotic cells. We used MnSO4 and Pb(NO3)2 solutions with different concentrations: 0.0003, 0.003, and 0.03%. Th e Allium bulbs were preliminary imbued in water, and then they were treated for 12, 24 and respectively 72 hours in these solutions. Th e control group was treated with water. We prepared fi ve cytological slides, for each slide we have studied 10 microscopic fi elds with good density of cells for the mitotic index and another 10 diff erent microscopic fi elds for abnormal interphases and chromosomal aberrations. In the analyzed meristematic cells we observed an almost totally inhibition of cell division and the mitotic index was smaller in comparison with the control variant. The study of the frequency of the cells in diff erent phases of the mitotic division showed that the highest percent was registered by prophases, followed at distance by telophases. Th e radicles formed in MnSO4 solutions were characterized by the presence of disorganized nuclei, with an unusual structure of the chromatin fi ber and metaphases with expulsed chromosomes. In Pb(NO3)2 solutions there are observed anaphases with small bridge and telophases with small bridge and one micronucleus. We can conclude that the heavy metals Mn and Pb have a signifi cant mutagenic activity in vivo upon the radicles of A. cepa

KEY WORDS: cytogenetic eff ects, Allium cepa L., manganese, lead, chromosomal aberrations

Evaluation of antioxidant activity in some Geraniacean species
NIKOLOVA M, TSVETKOVA R & IVANCHEVA S.
Pages 123-126

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ABSTRACT:  Methanol extracts of nine species of Geraniaceae, namely G. sylvaticum L., G. sanguineum L., G. columbinum L., G. caeruleum Schur, G. pyrenaicum Burn.fi ll, G. lucidum L., G. marcorrhizum L., G. robertianum L. and Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér. were studied for their antioxidant properties. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical assay was used. Th e all examined extracts exhibited considerable free radical scavenging activity and their IC50 values were below 50 µg/mL. Th e tested species were poor studied, with the exception of G. sanguineum and G. macrorrhizum. Th e antioxidant potential of newly studied species is commensurable with G. sanguineum, well known and widely used in herbal medicine. Th e obtained results indicated that Geraniacean species extracts are potential source of antioxidant activity.

KEY WORDS:  antioxidant, DPPH, Geraniaceae

On the taxonomical identity of Abies alba ssp. borisii-regis (Mattf.)Koz. et Andr.– morphometry, flavonoids and chorology in Bulgaria
DELCHEVA M, PEEV D & NIKOLOVA M.
Pages 127-132

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ABSTRACT: Th irty four samples of Abies alba ssp. borisii-regis (Mattf.) Koz. et Andr, Abies alba Miller. and Abies cephalonica Loudon collected from Rila, Pirin, Western Rhodopes, Slavyanka, Black Sea coast and Greece have been subjected to variation and cluster analyses. Abies alba ssp. borisii-regis is mentioned in Bulgarian Red list under LC category. In the same time this species is a major species to the endemic habitat 9270 Hellenic beech forests with Abies borisii-regis distributed in Southern Bulgarian mountains and some other mountains of Balkan peninsula. Th e obtained results support the idea about intermediate character of Abies alba ssp. borisii-regis (between A. alba and A. cephalonica) and corresponding species rank - Abies borisii-regis.

KEY WORDS:  cluster analysis, Abies alba ssp. borisii-regis, Abies alba, Abies cephalonica, variation coeffi cient, flavonoids.

Comparative study of total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of conventionally and organically grown herbs
TRENDAFILOVA A, TODOROVA M, VASSILEVA E & IVANOVA D.
Pages 133-136

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ABSTRACT:  Th e aim of the present study was to measure the relative phenolic content in commonly available conventionally and organically grown herbs and to evaluate their antioxidant capacity. Sage (Salvia offi cinalis), lemon balm (Melissa offi cinalis) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) leaves, corriander (Corriandrum sativum) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds were used in the present investigation. Total phenolic content (TPhC), measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method, and radical scavenging activity (RSA), using DPPH method were determined in infusions prepared from above mentioned herbs. TPhC ranged from 75.9 to 1126.5 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) mg/l infusion and RSA - from 7.03 to 91.65%. Th e obtained data also showed that infusions prepared from organically grown sage, peppermint and lemon balm were slightly higher than those obtained from conventionally grown herbs.

KEY WORDS:  organically and conventionally grown herbs; total phenolic content; DPPH radical scavenging activity

Biology, life-strategy and invasiveness of Amaranthus retrofl exus L. (Amaranthaceae)in central Italy: preliminary remarks
IAMONICO D.
Pages 137-146

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ABSTRACT:  A review of biological, ecological and chorological information is provided for Amaranthus retrofl exus L. (Amaranthaceae). Th e species is a noxious weed introduced in Italy from North America. It exhibits a high phenotypic plasticity and easily adapts to a multitude of agricultural and ruderal habitats. A. retrofl exus has variable degrees of dormancy and germination rates as a result of environmental factors. Growth is rapid and plants produce a large number of viable seeds. Th e species has developed resistance to several herbicides and other chemicals. It is alternate host to nematodes, viruses, bacteria and fungi that usually aff ect cultivated plants.

KEY WORDS:  Alien species, Amaranthus, biology, invasiveness, life-strategies

Pollen Morphology of Iranian Celtis (Celtidaceae -Ulmaceae)
ZARAFSHAR M, AKBARINIA M, SATTARIAN A & VAN DER MAESEN LJG.
Pages 147-153

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ABSTRACT:  Pollen morphology of all Iranian Celtis species was examined and compared with some African Celtis, using light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains are triporate or tetraporate and the main shapes are prolate and subprolate. Most of the Iranian Celtis grains are bigger than those of African species. Sculptural density of pollen is lower than in African Celtis.

KEY WORDS:  Pollen, Celtis, Iran, Africa.

In vitro propagation of Dianthus ciliatus ssp. dalmaticus and D. giganteus ssp. croaticus (Caryophyllaceae) from stem segment cultures
RADOJEVIC LJ, CALIC-DRAGOSAVAC D, ŠPIRIC J, STEVANOVIC B & STEVANOVIC V.
Pages 153-162

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ABSTRACT:  Plant regeneration of carnation species Dianthus ciliatus ssp. dalmaticus and Dianthus giganteus ssp. croaticus was achieved through micropropagation from apical and nodal segments culture on MS2. Shoots multiplication was successful on the same medium via axillary buds. Th ere were diff erences between multiplication index (MI) of shoots originating from apical and nodal basal stem segments. Nodal segment shoots had a better MI (D. ciliatus ssp. dalmaticus = 7.86; D. giganteus ssp. croaticus = 0.68) than apical ones (D. ciliatus ssp. dalmaticus = 6.94; D. giganteus ssp. croaticus = 0.50). Shoots of both species were rooted on MS0 without hormones, MS3 and MS4. Adventitious buds (AB) and somatic embryo like structures (ES) were formed aft er the transfer of green-yellow callus from MS5 to MS6. Further development and multiplication of AB and ES were achieved on medium MS7. Plants formation was brought about by micropropagation of shoots, organogenesis and/or somatic embryogenesis. In vitro plantlets of both carnation species were planted in rocky garden of the Belgrade Botanical Garden ‘’Jevremovac’’ where they bloomed. Subsequently, these in vitro plantlets will be reintroduced in natural environment.

KEY WORDS:  Dianthus ciliatus ssp. dalmaticus, Dianthus giganteus ssp. croaticus, adventitious buds, somatic embriogenesis, somatic embryo like structure, micropropagation, organogenesis, stem segment culture

New records for the Albanian flora
MULLAJ A, SHEHU J, TAN K & IMERAJ A.
Pages 163-167

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ABSTRACT:  Based on fi eld work and herbarium studies, several new plant records from Albania are presented. Anthemis tomentosa, Malcolmia graeca subsp. bicolor, Orobanche rechingeri, Polypogon maritimus, Quercus calliprinos and Scirpus setaceus are reported as new for the Albanian fl ora. Th ey are not included in the relevant volume of Flora of Albania and not mentioned in Flora Europaea or queried there as doubtful (indicated by ?Al). Full specimen citations, comments concerning previous known distributions, and taxonomic notes are presented for the species. Extensions to the known distribution of Arbutus andrachne and Viola raunsiensis are also provided.

KEY WORDS:  Albania, flora, new records, plant distribution