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Blue-berried honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) as a fruit crop is relatively rare in Lithuania and neighboring countries. Since 1975, the Vilnius University Botanical Garden has collected and investigated blue-berried honeysuckle cultivars. We studied cultivars, genetic lines, and representatives of some populations using molecular marker techniques (RAPD, ISSR, cpDNA). We evaluated the genetic variability and relationships of the studied accessions. Molecular studies indicate that L. caerulea retains high genetic diversity at the intraspecific level.

Genus Batrachium (DC.) Gray is evolutionary young but very important group of aquatic plants. It is very essential component in the river for its ability to affect flow dynamics, silt deposition and provide refuge for ecologically important macroinvertebrate and fish populations and can be considered as the indicator of the sustainability of riverine ecosystem. Communities with Batrachium species are regarded as significant for European Union and listed in Apendix 1 of Habitat Directive (code 3260). Plants of this genus are important not only from the scientific point, but also and in terms of plant conservation. By reason of this, studies of morphological features of Batrachium species are very relevant. Our study is an introduction to further detail research of Batrachium species. It was performed in 16 river catchments. During this studies 185 Batrachium individuals were collected and measured. The morphological features such as the presence of floating leaves, number of capillary leaves furcations, length of terminal leaf segments, length of petiole, hairiness of stipules, length and number of petals, and hairiness of receptacle, were used in this analysis. The species level taxonomic identification of the individuals was performed using keys after Cook (1966), Webster (1988), Dahlgren, Jonsell (2001), Bobrov (2003), Webster, Rich (1998). Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare morphological features. Mann-Whitney U test was used to identify differences between specific populations. The analysis showed that not all analysed features were uniformly important in Batrachium species identification. Acording to some morfological features all samples were grouped in two groups. Individuals from the first group distinguished glabrous or sparse hairy receptacle, had 5-8 petals (length ranged from 0.4 to 1.1 cm), had only capillary leaves, length of secondary leave ranged from 4 to 9 cm, and length of the sixth leave ranged from 6 to 12 cm. While specimens from another group had densely pubescent receptacle, five petals (length ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 cm), length of secondary capillary leaves ranged from 3 to 7 cm and length of the sixth leave ranged from 5 to 8 cm. Some individuals from Skroblus, Ūla and Merkys populations had intermediate leaves. We suppose, that individuals from first group can be described as Batrachium fluitans, whereas plants from second group – as Batrachium penicillatum s.l. or Batrachium trichophyllum.

Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. (Asteraceae) is native species to eastern North America, but has been introduced to Europe and many other temperate regions of the world. In order to assess the impact of spreading history and settlement time on the genetic diversity of invasive populations of E. annuus, individual plants were sampled from 16 populations located in Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia along the south-northern expansion direction of this species in Europe. One population was collected in native range (New Brunswick, Canada). The analysis of ISSR polymorphism in 253 plants revealed 161 polymorphic bands. The highest genotype variation and genetic diversity parameters were revealed in the populations from Switzerland and Poland, the least – in Latvian populations. All 37 plants from Latvia were clones of the same genotype. The comparison of genetic diversity parameters of populations from different countries showed the decrease of genetic diversity on the south-north direction.

The aim of this study was to examine genetic diversity of the Lonicera L. collection of the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University, carry out intra-specific and inter-specific phylogenetic analysis through methods of molecular markers, and compare sequencing results with homologous cpDNA sequences registered in databases. Investigations on genetic diversity and intra-specific taxonomy of the blue-berried honeysuckle (L. caerulea L.) for the first time were conducted using DNA marker methods (RAPD and sequencing of cpDNA non-coding regions). L. caerulea representatives were found to have high level of DNA polymorphism. A species-specific RAPD marker was identified and sequenced for this polymorphic complex species. Genetic lines of the blue-berried honeysuckle derived in the Vilnius University distinguish by unique genetic properties and can be used in breeding to increase genetic diversity of new cultivars. The sequencing of six cpDNA non-coding regions of twelve taxa samples of genus Lonicera L. was done. Phylogenetic trees based on RAPD markers and cpDNA sequencing data were similar. Phylogenetic analysis showed that subspecies of the blue-berried honeysuckle described in scientific literature do not form one claster, but group with other taxa of disputable status and form with them a monophyletic group.

The aim of this study was to examine genetic diversity of the Lonicera L. collection of the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University, carry out intra-specific and inter-specific phylogenetic analysis through methods of molecular markers, and compare sequencing results with homologous cpDNA sequences registered in databases. Investigations on genetic diversity and intra-specific taxonomy of the blue-berried honeysuckle (L. caerulea L.) for the first time were conducted using DNA marker methods (RAPD and sequencing of cpDNA non-coding regions). L. caerulea representatives were found to have high level of DNA polymorphism. A species-specific RAPD marker was identified and sequenced for this polymorphic complex species. Genetic lines of the blue-berried honeysuckle derived in the Vilnius University distinguish by unique genetic properties and can be used in breeding to increase genetic diversity of new cultivars. The sequencing of six cpDNA non-coding regions of twelve taxa samples of genus Lonicera L. was done. Phylogenetic trees based on RAPD markers and cpDNA sequencing data were similar. Phylogenetic analysis showed that subspecies of the blue-berried honeysuckle described in scientific literature do not form one claster, but group with other taxa of disputable status and form with them a monophyletic group.

We used RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNAs) to analyze genetic diversity in the arctic-alpine yellow marsh Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus L.) which is considered to be a glacial relict. Five populations from different regions of Lithuania were studied. A total of 76 individuals were examined in this research. By RAPD analysis 93 loci were detected, of them 71% were polymorphic. All the plants showed different RAPD phenotypes. The percentage of polymorphic bands within populations correlated with population size. UPGMA and PCO analyses showed the genetic specificity of the populations. The genetic distance among individuals in different populations ranged from 0.225 (Juodlė population) to 0.29 (Merkinė population). Some populationspecific minor loci were identified in the Merkinė and Juodlė populations. RAPD metodu buvo tirta pelkinės uolaskėlės (Saxifraga hirculus L.) genetinė įvairovė. Ištirtos penkios populiacijos iš skirtingų Lietuvos rajonų. Šiuo metodu išaiškinti 93 lokusai, iš kurių 71% buvo polimorfiškas. Nustatytas ryšys tarp tirtų individų skaičiaus ir DNR polimorfizmo populiacijoje. Didžiausias DNR polimorfizmas rastas Merkinės (86,4%), o mažiausias – Juodlės populiacijoje (71,2%). UPGMA ir PCO metodai išryškino tirtų populiacijų genetinį savitumą. Genetinis atstumas tarp individų populiacijose svyravo nuo 0,225 (Juodlės populiacija) iki 0,29 (Merkinės populiacija). Merkinės ir Juodlės populiacijose buvo nustatyta keletas populiacijoms specifinių lokusų.

In 2003–2006 researchers of the Pomology Department of Vilnius University Botanical Garden studied 34 blue-berried honeysuckle lines and 9 cultivar-standards. Half of investigated lines (17 of 34) have berries of more than 0.70 g weight: ‘2E’, ‘2S’, ‘32’, ‘22T12’, ‘1B43’, ‘1E’, ‘96-3’, ‘2-1’, ‘96-4’, ‘639-8’, ‘1L’, ‘2R’, ‘2C’, ‘3–5’, ‘Kairėnai’, ‘L-69-3’, ‘3U’. The dry matter of berries varied from 12.21 (‘2C’) to 21.03 (‘1P’), concentration of sugar – from 5.02 (‘1L’) to 9.22 (L. caerulea), acidity – from 1.03 (‘Baktcharskaja’) to 2.45 (‘2C’). There were 171 samples from infected plants collected and 9 fungal disease agents were identified. Plants of L. caerulea, L. caerulea subsp. kamtschatika, 14 lines (‘1L’, ‘1M’, ‘1P’, ‘10’, ‘32’, ‘2C’, ‘2K’, ‘2R’, ‘2S’, ‘3-5’, ‘3R’, ‘3U’, ‘96-4’, ‘L69-3’) and 7 cultivars (‘Goluboje vereteno’, ‘Morena’, ‘Narymskaja’, ‘Tomichka’, ‘Vasjuganskaja’, ‘Viola’, ‘Zoluschka’) were resistant to the impact of fungal disease agents. There are 6 lines, which include both (large berries and resistance to disease) features: ‘1L’, ‘2C’, ‘3U’, ‘3-5’, ‘32’, ‘96-4’. Genetic variation and relationships among 9 blue-berries honeysuckle lines and cultivars based on RAPD analysis was determined. Cultivar ‘Morena’ and line ‘L-69-3’ are genetically distinct from the other investigated lines and cultivars. 2003-2006 metais VU Botanikos sodo melsvauogių sausmedžių kolekcijoje tirta 34 linijos ir 9 veislės-standartai. Iš 34 tirtų linijų daugiau negu 0,70 g sveriančias uogas turėjo pusė – 17 linijų (‘2E’, ‘2S’, ‘32’, ‘22T12’, ‘1B43’, ‘1E’, ‘96-3’, ‘2-1’, ‘96-4’, ‘639-8’, ‘1L’, ‘2R’, ‘2C’, ‘3-5’, ‘Kairėnai’, ‘L69-3’, ‘3U’). Sausų medžiagų kiekis uogose svyravo nuo 12,21 (‘2C’) iki 21,03  (‘1P’), cukraus – nuo 5,02 (‘1L’) iki 9,22 (L. caerulea), rūgštingumas – nuo 1,03 (‘Baktcharskaja’) iki 2,45  (‘2C’). Kolekcijoje buvo surinktas 171 ligų pažeistas augalo antžeminės dalies pavyzdys, identifikuoti 9 grybinių ligų sukėlėjai. Nustatytos atspariausios linijos ir veislės: L. caerulea, L. caerulea subsp. kamtschatika, 14 linijų (‘1L’, ‘1M’, ‘1P’, ‘10’, ‘32’, ‘2C’, ‘2K’, ‘2R’, ‘2S’, ‘3-5’, ‘3R’, ‘3U’, ‘96-4’, ‘L69-3’) ir 7 veislės (‘Goluboje vereteno’, ‘Morena’, ‘Narymskaja’, ‘Tomichka’, ‘Vasjuganskaja’, ‘Viola’, ‘Zoluschka’). Šešiose linijose (‘1L’, ‘2C’, ‘3U’, ‘3-5’, ‘32’, ‘96-4’) dera abu požymiai: uogų stambumas ir atsparumas grybinėms ligoms. Kai kurių pavyzdžių genotipavimas RAPD metodu parodė, kad visos devynios tirtos linijos ir veislės yra savitos, bet labiausiai nuo daugumos skiriasi veislės ‘Morena’ ir linijos ‘L69-3’ augalai.

Donatas Naugžemys Genetinės įvairovės tyrimas pelkinės uolaskėlės (Saxifraga hirculus L.) populiacijose SANTRAUKA RAPD metodu buvo tirta pelkinės uolaskėlės (Saxifraga hirculus L.) genetinė įvairovė. Ištirtos penkios populiacijos iš skirtingų Lietuvos rajonų. Šiuo metodu gauti 93 lokusai, iš kurių 71% buvo polimorfiški. Nustatytas ryšys tarp Nei genų įvairovės ir tirtų populiacijų dydžio. Didžiausias DNR polimorfizmas nustatytas Merkinės (86,36%), o mažiausias – Juodlės populiacijoje (71,21%). UPGMA ir PCO metodai išryškino tirtų populiacijų genetinį savitumą. AMOVA parodė gana aukštą diferenciacijos lygį tarp tirtų S. hirculus populiacijų, kuris buvo lygus 27%. Genetinis atstumas tarp populiacijų svyravo nuo 0,168 iki 0,258. Merkinės ir Juodlės populiacojose buvo identifikuota keletas populiacijoms specifinių lokusų. Koreliacijos tarp tirtų populiacijų genetinių ir geografinių atstumų neaptikta. Kadangi visi tirti 76 augalai buvo genetiškai skirtingi, galima manyti, kad S. hirculus populiacijos atsinaujina iš sėklų sudygusiais augalais. Donatas Naugžemys Analysis of genetic diversity in yellow marsh Saxifrage (SAXIFRAGA HIRCULUS L.) populations SUMMARY We used RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNAs) to analyse genetic diversity in the arctic – alpine yellow marsh Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus L.) that is considered as glacial relict. Five populations from different regions of Lithuania were studied. A total of 76 individuals were included in this research. In the RAPD analysis 93 loci we detected, of which 71 were polymorphic. All studied plants showed different RAPD phenotypes. The percentage of polymorphic bands and Nei’s gene diversity within populations correlated with population size. UPGMA and PCO analyses showed genetic specificity of studied populations. AMOVA revealed rather high level of differentiation among studied populations of S. hirculus. The interpopulation variance component accounted for 27%. The genetic distance between populations ranged from 0.168 to 0.258. Some population specific minor loci were identified in Merkinė and Juodlė populations. There was no correlation found between genetic and geographic distance of studied populations. Our results suggest that sexual reproduction plays a significant role in the establishment of genetic structure of S. hirculus populations.