Matjaž Hladnik

Characterization and defining of a core set of novel microsatellite markers for use in genotyping and diversity study of Adriatic fig (Ficus carica L.) germplasm

To support studies of the genetic diversity and population structure of Ficus carica L., 16 additional microsatellite markers were developed from genomic libraries enriched for GA/TC and GT/AC motifs. A total of 87 alleles were amplified in 83 analyzed fig samples. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to eight, with a mean value of 5.44 alleles per locus. Mean values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.575 and 0.626, respectively. Calculated PIC values varied among loci in a range from 0.369 to 0.761. All markers were successfully cross-amplified in five closely related species belonging to the Moraceae family: Ficus (F. barteri Sprague, F. rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent., F. benjamina L.) and Morus (M. alba L. and M. nigra L.). These novel microsatellite markers represent a new valuable tool for further genome investigation, population studies, and management of genetic resources of wild, feral, and domesticated Ficus carica L. samples and other related species of Moraceae family, distributed mostly in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world.

The Iranian vole Microtus irani occurs in Lebanon (Mammalia: Rodentia)

We studied 1140 bp cytochrome b sequences of social voles from three localities in Lebanon. The results were compared with published sequences representing seven species of social voles. New sequences from Lebanon clustered with reference samples of two species: M. guentheri and M. irani. While M. guentheri was already reported for Lebanon, M. irani is a new addition to the fauna of Lebanon, and the third known record for the species. Animals were collected in two localities above Tripolis at 855 m and 1430 m a.s.l., respectively.

Population Fluctuation of Adult Males of the Olive Fruit Fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) Analysis in Olive Orchards in Relation to Abiotic Factors

ABSTRACT Very few publications have documented the effects of climatic conditions on population fluctuation of Bactrocera oleae in the northeast part of the Mediterranean Basin. A field study (2005-2009) was carried out to analyze the population dynamics of B. oleae in the northern Balkans and to determine the potential correlation of population fluctuations of S. oleae and fruit infestation with abiotic parameters. The results of this study showed that despite the fact that climatic conditions had little direct influence on the population dynamics of adult males of B. oleae, minimum temperatures and precipitation have a significant effect on fruit infestation by B. oleae in the northern Balkans. The results further indicate that the annual population dynamic of the B. oleae in the northern Balkans is triple-peaked and is different from those observed in the southern Balkans. Better knowledge of seasonal population fluctuations of B. oleae in the northern Balkans could optimize the timing of insecticide applications in integrated control and thus reduce control costs and the risk of non-target effects and environmental contamination.

DNA profiling of figs ( Ficus carica L.) from Slovenia and Californian USDA collection revealed the uniqueness of some North Adriatic varieties

A set of 23 local varieties from Slovenia and 218 fig accessions from Californian fig germplasm collection were compared to determine the identity of genotypes and their possible genetic relationships. Figs were genotyped using twelve microsatellite loci. One hundred alleles were identified over all microsatellite loci with an average of 8.33 alleles per locus and a polymorphic information content of 0.557 per locus. DNA genotyping demonstrated a relatively high level of genetic diversity between analysed figs. Comparison of fig genotypes from Slovenia and California demonstrated that only six Slovenian varieties shared identical DNA profiles with figs from the Californian collection, while the other 17 Slovenian varieties were unique and characteristic to the North Adriatic region. The information obtained will contribute to a better management of fig genetic resources.

Impact of weather conditions and drought stress on primary and secondary metabolites of olives from Slovenian Istra

Sugars, the primary metabolites of plants, play an important role in the process of olive ripening, as they provide energy for metabolic changes and serve as a source for the biosynthesis of fatty acids. Phenolic compounds, which are secondary metabolites, can be synthesized in plants as a reflection of stressful situations such as tissue damage and UV irradiation. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of different irrigation treatments (0, 15, 33, 40, and 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc)) on primary metabolites (sugars, sugar alcohols) and secondary metabolites (phenolic compounds). In different phenological periods, the levels of oleuropein, sugars and sugar alcohols were determined in olives and leaf samples in the crop years 2014, 2015, and 2016. The levels of oleuropein in olive fruits and leaves were highest under the irrigation treatment of 40% ETc and decreased noticeably under the irrigation treatment of 100% ETc. The median levels of glucose were higher compared with the mannitol and fructose levels in olive fruits. Total determined sugars in olive fruits during maturation decreased. While significant correlations were found in olive fruits between determined sugars and sugar alcohols and different irrigation treatments, we did not observe any correlation between determined sugars and sugar alcohols in olive leaves and irrigation treatments. Our research confirmed the complexity of the content of oleuropein and sugars or sugar alcohols in the leaves and fruits of olive trees from Slovenian Istra, which depend on various factors, not just drought stress. Weaker and less obvious correlations between the studied compounds and drought stress might be a consequence of unusual rainfall in the studied crop years.

Genetic, Biochemical, Nutritional and Antimicrobial Characteristics of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Grown in Istria

This study characterises the genetic variability of local pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) germplasm from the Slovenian and Croatian areas of Istria. The bioactive components and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of ethanol and water extracts of different parts of pomegranate fruit were also determined, along with their preliminary nutritional characterisation. Twenty-six different genotypes identified with microsatellite analysis indicate the great diversity of pomegranate in Istria. The pomegranate fruit ethanol extracts represent rich sources of phenolic compounds (mean value of the mass fraction in exocarp and mesocarp expressed as gallic acid is 23 and 16 mg/g, respectively). The ethanol extracts of pomegranate exocarp and mesocarp showed the greatest antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Exophiala dermatitidis and Staphylococcus aureus, and the same water extracts against S. aureus and Escherichia coli. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of the characterisation of pomegranate genetic resources from Istria at different levels, including the molecular, chemical, antimicrobial and nutritional properties.