Key message: This genomic dataset provides highly variable SNP markers from georeferenced natural Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. populations collected in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo* and Albania. These SNP loci can be used to assess genetic diversity, differentiation, and population structure, and can also be used to detect signatures of selection and local adaptation. The dataset can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3908963/ (Tóth et al.2020). Associated metadata available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/b6fee4fa-01e9-44d0-92f5-ad19379f9693.

A precondition necessary for creation and selection of genotypes tolerant of stress conditions is a study of physiological, biochemical and molecular bases of their adaptive reaction to stress. The study includes 40 lines of free pollination originating from 5 provenances: Sutjeska, Visegrad, Tara, Teslic and Durmitor (B&H, Serbia and Montenegro). Two populations were selected from each provenance, i.e.: 5 lines of free pollination represent the population growing on the cliffs and 3 lines of free pollination represent the population growing at the best site of Austrian pine. Specific characteristics of the studied provenances, populations, and free pollination lines were confirmed by the analyses in the salt-soluble proteins. The identical protein composition was proved in a small number of cases in the replicates of the same free pollination line, which indicates a high intra-line variability, which can be the result of the effect of father, as well as of heterozygosity of mother trees. The analyses of protein composition of seed showed considerable differences at provenance level. Inter-line, population and provenance differences, and also, the interaction between the origin and drought factor, were recorded for 9-day-old seedlings germinated in induced drought conditions and in normal conditions.

U radu je istraživana morfološka varijabilnost plodova šest prirodnih populacija pitomog kestena (Castanea sativa Mill.) na području Bosne i Hercegovine (Bužim, Kostajnica, Prijedor, Banja Luka, Bratunac i Konjic). Na osnovi šest morfoloških svojstava ploda i šest izvedenih vrijednosti te boje ploda, ispitana je unutarpopulacijska i međupopulacijska varijabilnost. Utvrđeno je da su istraživana morfološka svojstva vrlo varijabilna i da se vrijednosti koeficijenta varijabilnosti, na razini svih populacija, kreću od 10,80% (kod širine ploda) do 34,54 % (kod mase ploda). Za izvedena svojstva koeficijent varijabilnosti kretao se od 9,62 % (za odnos visine ploda i širine ploda) do 20,46 % (kod odnosa širine i dužine ožiljka). U populacijama pitomog kestena Bosne i Hercegovine zastupljene su sve boje ploda (perikarpa), s time da preovladava tipična smeđa kestenjasta boja ploda. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na visoku varijabilnost istraživanih populacija, te se populacije međusobno statistički značajno razlikuju za sva istraživana svojstva. Prema klasterskoj analizi populacije su grupirane u tri klastera. Međutim, kanonička diskriminacijska analiza nije ukazala na jasno razdvajanje ispitivanih populacija u više grupa. Daljnja istraživanja trebala bi uključiti i druga svojstva, a posebno molekularne biljege.

The paper presents the results of the genetic diversity analysis of Sessile oak populations from the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) "Avala" which were obtained using SSR markers. Genomic DNA was isolated from leaf tissue of 50 test trees from two populations. Genotyping was performed using microsatellite markers QpZAG110, QpZAG15, QpZAG1/2, QpZAG3/64, QpZAG36, QpZAG1/5, and QrZAG108. All loci were polymorphic with the high mean value of PIC (0.934). The total number of alleles determined in the studied population was 127. The range of alleles varies from 15 (QpZAG1/5, QpZAG1/2) to 23 (QpZAG110) with an average of 18.14 alleles per locus. The number of effective alleles ranges from 8.273 (QpZAG1/5) to 13.830 (QrZAG108). The mean value of the gene flow (Nm) was 8.522 with a range from 5.548 to 14.876. Overall genetic diversity was high (He = 0.909) and ranged from 0.879 to 0.928. Due to the excess of homozygotes observed at most loci, a significant inbreeding coefficient was detected (Fis = 0.796). The Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) confirmed that genetic diversity was more pronounced within populations (77.5%) than between them (1.6%). The average allele frequency (Q) of the studied populations shows that the individuals originate from two or more populations. The obtained results can be used for the adoption of appropriate plans for the management of protected natural resources and the management of this ecologically and economically important tree species. Also, the obtained results enable the adoption of the necessary measures for the conservation of sessile oak genetic resources by in-situ and ex-situ methods. Based on the research results, the use of this important species can be recommended for its reintroduction in optimal microclimatic conditions, as well as in the selection of the best individuals for the reintroduction.

Although nanotechnology is increasingly applied in plant tissue culture in many parts of Europe, its use in the Balkans remains limited, revealing a regional gap with untapped potential for advancing in vitro propagation and preservation of woody plant species. Building upon a recently published regional review covering 2001–2024, which analyzed in vitro biotechnology progress in nine Balkan countries, this paper introduces the concept of a “nano gap”, referring to the limited connection between existing nanotechnology research potential and its use in in vitro woody plant biotechnology. In Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Albania, significant progress has been made in optimizing micropropagation and in vitro conservation strategies by introducing temporary immersion systems, synthetic seed technology, adapting genotype-specific sterilization and multiplication protocols, and modifying established cryopreservation methods for regional woody species. However, the integration of nanotechnology into these systems remains largely unexplored. To date, there are no published results or validated applications for nano-enhanced media or nanoscale delivery systems for micropropagation and in vitro conservation of woody species. The limited integration of nanotechnology may be due to insufficient funding, lack of specialized infrastructure, and limited interdisciplinary expertise. Nevertheless, many Balkan countries possess growing capacities in nano-applications within agriculture and environmental sciences and are ready to advance toward interdisciplinary research and innovation. By mapping both scientific readiness and structural barriers, this review provides a strategic framework for bridging the “nano gap” and offers a novel regional perspective with broader implications for European research policy, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity preservation, and green innovation.

Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most important forest trees in Bosnia and Herzegovina in both economic and environmental terms. The total area of forest in which beech is present is approx. 1,652,400 ha. There is a proportionate need to plant new forests and produce genetically high quality seed and saplings. Biochemical analysis of the genetic structure of eight populations of beech using ten enzyme systems from 16 isoenzyme gene loci revealed significant differences between the populations analyzed. Variance levels were high in some gene loci, while in some populations monomorphism was recorded only for individual gene loci. The average number of alleles per locus ranged from 2.1875 to 2.5625, and the average number of genotypes per locus varied from 2.6875 to 3.2500. The multilocus genetic diversity at the population level ranged from 63.276 to 162.001, and the genofund diversity varied from 1.2708 to 1.3416.The average differentiation value obtained for all populations was fairly low (Dj=5.81), indicating a percentage of overall variance of about 94.194%.