Zoran Jovovic

Genetic Diversity and Redundancy Among Potato Accessions in the Montenegrin Collection as Revealed by Microsatellite Markers

Potato was introduced in Montenegro in the middle of the eighteenth century. Since then it has become the most important crop in plant production. During the period between 2008 and 2010 a total of 52 potato accessions was collected across Montenegro and stored in a national gene bank. In the study reported here 23 accessions from the collection were examined using microsatellite (also known as simple sequence repeats or SSRs) molecular markers with the aim to explore genetic diversity and redundancy within the germplasm. The accessions were selected on the basis of preliminary characterization of all 52 accessions for 11 lightsprout traits. Molecular characterization of 23 accessions by 12 SSR markers was carried out at SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) that manages a database of more than 3000 genetic profiles of potato from Europe and abroad. Comparison of SSR genetic profiles of Montenegrin collection against the existing SASA database allowed us to test the authenticity of the Montenegrin accessions. Out of the 23 accessions examined, 13 showed distinct genetic profiles of which seven showed perfect matching with known cultivars, two profiles showed strong similarity to another two cultivars, and four profiles were found unique with regards to the SASA database. Application of microsatellite markers in this study provided valuable information on the extent of genetic diversity residing within Montenegrin potato germplasm; it gave clear indications of the scale of redundancy within the collection; and helped clarify the identity of the accessions. Four accessions within the collection might incorporate unique variation and will be subjected to further agronomical examinations to assess their potential for breeding purposes.ResumenLa papa se introdujo a Montenegro a mediados del siglo 18. Desde entonces, se ha convertido en el cultivo más importante en la producción vegetal. Durante el período comprendido entre 2008 y 2010, se colectó un total de 52 accesiones a lo largo de Montenegro y se almacenó en un banco nacional de germoplasma. En nuestro estudio aquí reportado, se examinaron 23 accesiones de la colección usando los marcadores moleculares microsatélites (también conocidos como repeticiones de secuencias simples o SSRs), con el propósito de explorar la diversidad genética y redundancia dentro del germoplasma. Se seleccionaron las accesiones con base en caracterización preliminar de las 52 colectas para 11 características sobresalientes. La caracterización molecular de las 23 accesiones con 12 marcadores SSR se desarrolló en SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), que maneja una base de datos de más de 3000 perfiles genéticos de papa de Europa y otros lugares. La comparación de los perfiles genéticos SSR de la colección Montenegrina contra la base de datos existente de SASA nos permitió probar la autenticidad de las accesiones de Montenegro. De las 23 colectas examinadas, 13 mostraron perfiles genéticos distintos, de los cuales siete mostraron coincidencia perfecta con variedades conocidas, dos perfiles mostraron fuerte similitud a otras dos variedades, y cuatro perfiles fueron únicos en relación a la base de datos de SASA. La aplicación de los marcadores microsatélites en este estudio contribuyó con información valiosa en cuanto a la diversidad genética residente en el germoplasma Montenegrino de papa; dio indicaciones claras de la escala de redundancia dentro de la colección, y ayudó a clarificar la identidad de las accesiones. Cuatro de éstas pudieran incorporar variación única y será sujeta a análisis agronómicos posteriores para evaluar su potencial con propósitos de mejoramiento.

Global Strategies for Sustainable Use of Agricultural Genetic and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge

Mankind is becoming more aware that all life on Earth is significantly threatened and has begun to accept this threat. Thus, we seek to restore damaged natural resources and preserve those still existing. The survival of humans on our planet is directly related to genetic resources, and thus the rational exploitation of genetic resources is necessary to continually raise public awareness on their manyfold importance. From the aspect of feeding the growing human population, plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are invaluable, making them increasingly important for world food security. Therefore, plant genetics are significant in the implementation of many strategies designed for recovery of degraded ecosystems and natural habitats and for the conservation and protection of endangered plant and animal species. Sustainable use of agricultural genetic resources is not limited only to counteracting the loss of germplasm but also to maintaining the traditional knowledge related to agricultural plants. In searching for the concept of sustainable development, humans realized long ago that the thousands of years of knowledge and experience of indigenous people contributed significantly to solving the many challenges created by natural phenomena and human activities. More active participation of local communities in biodiversity conservation programs would contribute to more efficient and cost-effective conservation and biodiversity management. There is no doubt that indigenous knowledge is more important today than ever before, and in this sense, its preservation may be considered as necessary to modern society.

Efficacy of Chemical Weed Control in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

In this paper the results of efficiency of combined application of six herbicides in weed control in potato were presented. The study was done during 2007 and 2008 in Kolasin, on acid brown soil, at an altitude of about 900 m. In the experiment the following herbicides were examined: S-metalachlor, Bentazone, Acetohlor, Flurochloridone, Metribuzin and Dimetenamid-P. The study was conducted in the Kennebec variety crop. All applied herbicides had satisfactory effect in decreasing number and biomass of weeds. As the most effective variants in two-year average, Sencor 70 WP and Genius were expressed (95 and 94% for the number and 92 and 88.8% for weed biomass) and the weakest effect had combination of Dual Gold 960 EC + Basagran (82.3; 69.4, respectively). In all investigated combinations of herbicides significantly higher tuber yield was achieved comparing to the control. The highest yield of tubers was measured in variant where Acenit 800 EC was applied - 33 t ha -1 , while the lowest yield had the control variant - 18.4 t ha -1 .

The Productivity Analysis of Five Leading Potato Varieties in the Agroecological Conditions of a Mountainous Region in Montenegro

An analysis of genetic productivity potential of five leading varieties in Montenegro (Kennebec, Agria, Aladdin, Tresor and Riviera) was conducted during 2010 and 2011 in the municipalities of Žabljak region, on mountainous black soil at 1,500 meters of altitude. The highest number of tubers was found in a parcel planted with Tresor and Aladdin- 8.5, while the lowest number of tubers was found in Kennebec- 6.8 tubers per plant. Comparing to other tested varieties, Kennebec had a significantly lower number of tubers. On average, Kennebec and Tresor had the largest tubers (96 and 91 g), and differences found were statistically very significant. The biggest tuber yield was measured in Tresor – 32.5 t/ha, while the lowest tuber yield was in Agria and Riviera (24.0 and 25.2 t/ha). Tresor had significantly higher tuber production comparing to other varieties.