*Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, 5563141231, Ardabil, Iran
**Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, 2341536622, Tehran, Iran
***Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, 5518779842, Maragheh, Iran
e-mail: sabaghnia@yahoo.com; sabaghnia@maragheh.ac.ir

Abstract: Sorrels (Rumex spp.) from Polygonaceae have been utilized as medicinal plants or vegetable crops and inhabit in some areas of America, Asia and Europe as native or introduced plants. The target of the current investigation was to evaluate the genetic variation of 54 accessions of various species, including R. alpinus, R. kerneri, R. obtusifolius, R. patientia, R. pseudonatronatus, R. pulcher, R. rugosus, R. scutatus and Rumex spp. The plant materials from German IPK's gene bank (44 accessions) or various geographical areas of Iran (10 accessions), were evaluated in two separate trials, and 24 morphologic quantitative and qualitative characteristics were recorded. The coefficient of variation was very high for all measured traits across both trials whereas fresh and dry weight of leaves ranged from 20.3 to 210.1 g and from 2.7 to about 15.0 g, respectively. The factor analysis revealed four factors; leaf size, leaf number, leaf weight and the petiole length in the first trial while it identified leaf size, leaf weight blade width and the petiole length as important factors in the second trial, thus the importance of leaf size, leaf weight and the petiole length was confirmed at both trials. Also, the factor analysis of qualitative traits indicated five factors; anthocyanin blade and vein, leaf appearance, blade and the petiole properties, anthocyanin of the petiole and the midrib of the petiole. These consistent patterns affirm the reliability of trait-based factor analysis and underscore the potential of identified traits for use in genetic improvement and breeding programs. The study highlights the significant morphological diversity within sorrel germplasm, offering valuable insights for cultivar development and conservation strategies.

Key words: factor analysis, eigen values, genetic diversity, morphologic traits

*Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, 331896921, Ardabil, Iran
**Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, 5518779842, Maragheh, Iran
e-mail: mohebodini@uma.ac.ir; sabaghnia@maragheh.ac.ir

Abstract: Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.), a member of the Lamiaceae family, is an important vegetable crop and medicinal plant, widely used both as food and as an herbal remedy. In the present study, the phenotypic diversity of 29 Iranian landraces was evaluated based on plant height, stem length, root length, internode length, number of leaflets per main stem, leaf area of leaves on the main stem and lateral branches, fresh weight of stem, root and whole plant, dry weight of stem, root and whole plant, and essential oil content. Factor analysis revealed that 89% of the observed variation could be explained by the first five factors, which were characterized based on varimax-rotated scores as biomass, dwarfism and leaflet traits, leaf area, low essential oil content, and reduced root length. A plot of the first two factors, accounting for 62% of the total variation, distinguished five genotypic groups. Notably, Group C genotypes - G6 (Sistan), G15 (Hamadan), G23 (Arak), and G27 (Tonkabon-A) - exhibited high biomass and essential oil content, making them promising candidates for cultivar development and future breeding programs. To classify the traits, a two-dimensional plot based on the first two factors was generated. This analysis showed that internode length, plant height, stem length, and the leaf area were grouped together. Similarly, root length, number of leaflets per main stem, and essential oil content were clustered together, while the remaining traits constituted a separate cluster. Overall, this study revealed considerable genetic diversity among Iranian summer savory landraces based on morphological traits, providing valuable information for germplasm conservation and efficient selection in breeding programs.

Key words: phenotypic diversity, plant dry weight, selection, varimax rotation

*Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, 37 Gh. Marinescu St., RO-400337, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
**Electron Microscopy Center, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7 St, RO-400006, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
***Electron Microscopy Integrated Lab., Nat.Inst. for R&D of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donah St., RO-400293, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
****Institute of Biological Research Cluj, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
*****"Transilvania"University, 29 Eroilor Blvd., RO-500036, Brasov, Romania
******Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, 12 I. Creanga St., RO-400010, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
email: ana.coste@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: The leaf surfaces of two Tanacetum balsamita forms: Chrysanthemum balsamita f. balsamita and C. balsamita f. tanacetoides were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to identify similarities and differences. The two infraspecific taxa show differences in the morphology and structure of their inflorescences, chromosome number, and the chemical profiles of their essential oils synthesized and accumulated in the secretory structures of the epidermis. SEM images revealed that the two C. balsamita forms share similar epidermal structures in both non-glandular and glandular hairs, yet differ in the density of glandular secretory hairs between forms and between the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. The highest mean density of glandular secretory hairs was observed in Tanacetum balsamita f. balsamita, on the abaxial leaf surface.

Key words: Tanacetum balsamita, costmary, SEM, infraspecific taxa

National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research Cluj-Napoca, Republicii Street 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: gheorghe.coldea@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: We re-evaluate and clarify the syntaxonomic position of the fir-beech and spruce-fir mixed forests in Romania. The syntaxa described from the South-Eastern Carpathians are well differentiated both floristically and ecologically along gradients of soil fertility and elevation. For the first time, the floristic composition of fir-beech and spruce-fir mixed forests from the studied area are presented in a unified, comparative framework. The mixed fir forest communities, characterized by the presence of Rubus hirtus and Galium rotundifolium and developed on slightly acidic soils in the hilly-submontane belt, are assigned to a new syntaxon in accordance with the current Carpathian coenotaxonomic system. This new syntaxon (Rubo hirti-Abietetum albae ass. nova hoc loco) is exclusively distributed in the Romanian Carpathians.

Key words: bioclimatic belts, floristic composition, Rubo hirti-Abietetum, mixed fir forests, Romanian Carpathians, soil fertility, syntaxonomy

National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research Cluj-Napoca, Republicii Street 48, RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: liviu.filipas@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: We report, for the first time, the presence in Romania of scrub communities dominated by Rubus praecox and R. radula, which are assignable to the alliance Pruno-Rubion radulae. By comparing the identified phytoceonoses with those described in central Europe, we point out that the scrub communities from north-western Romania host a lower species richness and are characterised by a scarce number of (sub)oceanic species.

Key words: bioclimate, floristic composition, phytocoenological relevés, distribution range, Rubus praecox, Rubus radula, scrub, sub(oceanic) species

*Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, 5518779842, Maragheh, Iran
**Moghan College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, 1136756199, Iran
***Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
e-mail: mjanmohammadi@maragheh.ac.ir

Abstract: Climatic shifts, the occurrence of dry and low-precipitation spells, and inappropriate fertilizer management in semi-arid areas are the main reasons for low safflower yield. Current experiment aimed to evaluate the different irrigation regimes (I1: rainfed or no-irrigated condition, I2: one-time irrigation after seeds planting, I3: supplementary irrigation in the flowering stage, I4: supplementary irrigation in the flowering and seed set stages, I5: well-irrigated conditions) and the use of different fertilizers (C: control or non-use of fertilizers, NPK: chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, FYM: 20 t ha-1 animal manure) in the high and semi-arid region of Hashtroud. The results showed that the highest amounts of chlorophyll a (39.33 mg ml-1) and chlorophyll b (18.3 mg ml-1) were recorded under I5+ NPK conditions and the lowest was related to plants grown under I1+ C conditions. The highest xanthophylls was recorded for plants grown under I2+FYM (0.79 mg ml-1), and I3+NPK (0.72 mg ml-1) conditions, and the lowest amount was related to I5+NPK conditions (0.17 mg ml-1). The tallest plants (160.78 cm), the largest canopy span (68.66 cm), the largest head diameter (33 mm), and the largest number of heads per plant (26.2) were recorded under I5+ NPK conditions. The highest 1000-seeds were observed under I3+C conditions (27.66 g) and the lightest seeds (25.16 g) were obtained from plants grown under I4+NPK conditions. The use of one supplementary irrigation during seed planting and flowering, and twice irrigation during flowering and seed set stage increased the yield by 3%, 14%, and 48%, respectively, compared to rainfed conditions. Taken together, the results indicated that to achieve a reasonable economic performance in the studied area, at least two supplementary irrigations are needed in safflower production systems.

Key words: carotenes, chemical fertilizer, chlorophyll, critical period of irrigation, xanthophylls

*National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological Research, Department of Experimental Biology, 48 Republicii St., RO-400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
**Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 1 Kogalniceanu St., RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
***Center for Systematic Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources - 3B, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Kogalniceanu St., RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
****Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Kogalniceanu St.,RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
e-mail: dana.suteu@icbcluj.ro

Abstract: The transferability of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers among closely related species is a common strategy in population genetics; however, cross-genus transferability is less frequent. We evaluated cross-genus SSR amplification in Gentianaceae by testing 30 heterologous primer pairs developed for Gentiana across two Swertia taxa, S. punctata and S. perennis. Consistent, single-locus marker amplification was obtained for 11/30 (36.7%) primer pairs; the remainder yielded multiple, non-specific bands. Owing to limited polymorphism and low reproducibility, six SSR loci were retained for downstream characterization of the Swertia populations. Across these loci, eight alleles were detected in total (each SSR primer pair amplifying 1-2 alleles). Among the retained markers, LAW12 and LAW25 exhibited heterozygous profiles, whereas the remaining four loci were effectively homozygous in the analyzed material. The resulting data matrix was used to infer a Neighbor-Joining tree and to perform PCoA; both analyses recovered a clear separation between the two Swertia species, supported by bootstrap values. Despite the low polymorphism of the six SSRs, the markers were sufficient to distinguish the analyzed populations along taxonomic lines. Further work, ideally the development of Swertia-specific SSRs or genome-wide SNP assays, would provide higher resolution and broader transferability across the genus.

Key words: conservation genetics, endemic species, genetic diversity, glacial relict, polymorphism, South-Eastern Carpathians