Branislav Kovacevic

• PhD
• Senior Researcher at University of Novi Sad

In this study, five poplar clones (Populus deltoides cl. PE19/66, cl. S1-8, cl. 135/81, and Populus × euramericana cl. I-214, cl. Pannonia) and two white willow clones (Salix alba cl. 380, cl. 107/65-9) were tested in pot trials. The aim was to evaluate their potential for phytoextraction of nine heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in...

Variability and relationship between phenological traits and leaf, acorn, and tree size morphometric traits were examined in early and late bud-flushing groups of the pedunculate oak population in the vicinity of Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia. According to the obtained three-year results, there were no significant differences in tree size and leaf morp...

Abstract: Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum Raf. Shinn.) is a valued plant known for its diverse flower colors and long vase life. Despite considerable research on the physiological roles of osmolytes, polyamines, and phenolic compounds, there is a lack of understanding regarding their specific accumulation patterns across various lisianthus cultiva...

Dieback and decline of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) tree stands on Mtn. Kopaonik are caused by a combination of abiotic and biotic factors. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi have stabilizing effects on forest trees that are under environmental stress. The aim of our study was to analyze the differences between ECM fungal communities, the numbe...

The paper shows the properties of deposol soil and the effect of growing different clones of soft-leaved trees on this type of soil. During 2023 an experiment was set up in controlled conditions with different poplar and willow clones on two types of deposol soil, while natural alluvial soil characteristic for the cultivation of these species, addi...

Shrubs are a significant component of urban vegetation found in parks, but they experience various influences from biotic and abiotic agents, among which aphids play an important role. In this work, the effects of aphid colonisation on three shrub species in urban environments were examined. Fourteen parameters were analysed, describing the photosy...

Cyclocybe aegerita (poplar mushroom) is an edible fungus, widely cultivated around the world. It can degrade lignin and cause white rot of broadleaf trees, especially Populus spp. In recent years, storms have increased in frequency and intensity in Southern Europe, including Serbia. Consequently, during the last supercell storm many broadleaf trees...

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the immunostimulant Mycobacterium Cell Wall Fraction (MCWF) on the treatment of S. aureus SCM by intravenous application. The study included 45 HF dairy cows in 2nd and 3rd month after parturition divided into three groups (n = 15 per group): the MC + group – cows with S. aureus SCM treated with...

Since the introduction of poplar (Populus spp.) hybrids in Serbia in the 1960s, Populus euramericana cl. I-214 and cv. “Robusta” have been widely planted in Novi Sad, which is the capital of the Vojvodina Province. Apart from sporadic infections of Plagiostoma populinum (syn. Dothichiza populea) on P. euramericana, the poplars planted in this city...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in the leaves and 1-year-old branches of three common tree species growing in a middle-sized city located in a moderate climate zone were estimated. For this purpose, PAH phytoaccumulation in Platanus × acerifolia, Celtis australis, and Tilia grandifolia species from highly urbanized, traffic con...

Populus x euramericana is the most widely grown and an economically important woody crop cultivated in short rotation coppices in Europe. Since 2019, tree and branch cankers have been observed in plantations of P. x euramericana in the lowlands of Serbia, South Eastern Europe. An initial disease symptom is characterized by longitudinal strips in th...

Poplars and willows have been cultivated for their environmental benefits for millennia. In the present study, physiological responses were examined in three poplar and three willow clones grown in soil from the landfills near Novi Sad and Belgrade, Serbia. The experiment, conducted under controlled conditions in pots with soil directly from the la...

Shrubs are a significant component of urban vegetation residing in parks, but they experience various influences of biotic and abiotic agents, among which aphids play an important role. In this work, the effect of aphid colonization on three shrub species in urban environment was examined. Fourteen parameters have been analyzed, describing photosyn...

In regenerated oak forests, weeds are present throughout the year, with the ones appearing in early spring representing a major problem. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine herbicides for early spring broadleaved weed control in regenerated oak forests while the seedlings are in a dormant stage. During 2019 and 2020, two experiments were se...

Introduction In light of upcoming climate change, there is an urgent requirement for tree improvement regarding adaptability to drought-caused stress and the development of quick and reliable screening methodologies for genotypes’ drought tolerance. White poplar is, despite its high adaptability, considered to be an endangered tree species in Serbi...

Oak lace bug Corythucha arcuata represents a new pest of oaks in Europe, introduced from North America in year 2000. Damage is caused by adults and larvae that feed on the underside of leaves. The paper presents the results of investigation of impact of Corythucha arcuata on pedunculate oak growth. The two variant experiment was established in 2019...

In regenerated oak forests, weeds are present throughout the year, the ones appearing in early spring representing a major problem. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine herbicides for early spring broadleaved weed control in the regenerated oak forests while the seedlings are in a dormant stage. During 2019 and 2020 two experiments were set...

Wild cherry ( Prunus avium L.) is a multi-purpose tree species with great ecological and economic importance for European forestry. Evaluating this species phenotypic diversity and quantitative traits characterization is of great importance to define its genetic resources conservation and breeding strategies. In this work, variations of physiologic...

As part of efforts for protection and restoration of variability of Juglans regia in Đerdap gorge, Serbia, where it grows as autochthonous relict species, the variability of ten measured and nine derived leaf morphometric parameters of half-sib progenies Persian walnut originating from Đerdap gorge was studied in this work. According to the contrib...

Populus × euramericana is a species characterized by fast growth and simple vegetative propagation and is often planted in the parks of Novi Sad. During 2017, dieback of P. x euroamericana was observed in the Železnički Park in Novi Sad. The dieback continued in the following years, the leaning of the trees was noticed as well as mushrooms of the p...

Biomass from short rotation poplar plantations presents a good alternative as a material for energy production, either as a substitute or as an addition to fossil fuels. This research presents the investigation of the potential of the Serbian forestry's most commonly used clones (a) Populus × euramericana cl. I-214 and (b) Populus × euramericana cl...

In this paper we studied the possibility of using seedlings of type 1/0 in establishing clonal plantations of black poplar by planting at a depth of 1.2 m. The research was conducted in the period between 2020 and 2023 and included monitoring the survival percentage (%) of seedlings after the first vegetation period in seven experimental trials. Th...

This paper presents analysis of anatomical parameters of leaves in Juglans regia half-sib lines from natural stands in Đerdap Gorge in Serbia. Thirty-five half-sib lines were examined, designated according to the number of their mother trees from R1-R35. Twenty measured and derived anatomical parameters were examined, describing stomatal and leaf b...

Finansijer: Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede Republike Srbije- Uprava za šume (Funding: Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water management of the Republic of Serbia- Forestry Department), Rukovodilac: prof. dr Saša Orlović, Institut za nizijsko šumarstvo i životnu sredinu (Project leader: prof. dr Saša Orlović, Institute of...

This study aimed to estimate dynamic changes in seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii within the general population living in the northern part of the Republic of Serbia (Province of Vojvodina) during a 14-year period. The differences in prevalence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies were analyzed in correlation with age, gender, residential area (rural/ur...

Environmental pollution is one of the biggest problems in the world today. The contaminated soil can be a secondary source of pollution to other parts of the ecosystem-water, air, and plants grown on contaminated soil. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to extract, sequester and detoxify pollutants is a new and powerful technique for environmental...

The effects of drought simulated via osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the growing medium were examined on two Wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) clones (6A and 8A) based on thirteen morphometric, physiological , and biochemical traits. The shoot tips were exposed to two PEG concentrations (20 and 50 g L-1) in growing medium designe...

Although oaks belong to the economically most important hardwood tree species in Europe, data on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi on pedunculate oak in the Republic of Serbia are deficient. The aim of our study was to give the first insight into the diversity of ECM fungi in the young stand of pedunculate oak in Morović, Serbia. The com...

The general aim of this work was to compare the leaf-level responses of different protective components to water deficit and high temperatures in Quercus cerris L. and Quercus robur L. Several biochemical components of the osmotic adjustment and antioxidant system were investigated together with changes in hormones. Q. cerris and Q. robur seedlings...

Clopyralid and imazamox are successfully used for weed control during the first years of regeneration of pedunculate oak forests. Hence, the question that arises is how these herbicides affect microorganisms, especially the activity of dehydrogenase enzyme, when they reach the soil. Two study sites were selected in regenerated pedunculate oak fores...

Wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) is fast-growing noble tree species highly valued for its economic and environmental importance, while conservation of genetic variability of this species is considered to be an important part of the preservation of biodiversity, in general. In this work, we studied the difference in survival and growth of in vitro root...

Although sessile oak is one of the most important deciduous forest tree species in Europe, data on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi on sessile oaks in the Republic of Serbia are scarce. The aim of this study was to provide the first insight into the diversity of ECM fungi on sessile oak in Serbia. Two sites Info center and Brankovac, lo...

Novo tehničko rešenje primenjeno na nacionalnom nivou. Abstrakt: U okviru saradnje Insituta za nizijsko šumarstvo i životnu sredinu i JP „Vojvodinašume“ postavljeni su rasadnički ogledi u kojima ispititana mogućnost skladištenja zrelih reznica klonova bele topole na niskim temperaturama. Opisani je postupak skladištenja uključuje pakovanje reznica...

Populus deltoides Bartr.) и њених хибрида. Резултати добијени у ожилишту након прве веге-тационе сезоне указују да разлике између три испитивана клона нису значајне. Ове генотипове карактерише релативно задовољавајући пријем резница и раст ожиљени-ца. Oко 60% резница дало je ожиљенице које задовољавају стандарде за коришћење у пошумљавању, а разлик...

The oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata Say) was introduced to Europe from North America in 2000 and was first recorded in Serbia in 2013. It is a very serious oak pest which has harmful effect in both adult and nymph stages of the insect that feeds by sucking the sap on the lower (abaxial) leaf side. As this is a relatively new pest in our country, t...

Understanding intra-specific variation in leaf functional traits is one of the key requirements for the evaluation of species adaptive capacity to ongoing climate change, as well as for designing long-term breeding and conservation strategies. Hence, data of 19 functional traits describing plant physiology, antioxidant properties, anatomy and morph...

The results of white poplar clonal plantation establishment by stools are presented. The trials were established at three sites, characterized by favorable water regime for growth and development of poplars. Also, the effect of different factors on survival rate, diameter at breast height and plants' height was analyzed. Results suggest that simila...

Halomorphic soils cover a significant area in the Vojvodina region and represent ecological and economic challenges for agricultural and forestry sectors. In this study, four economically important Serbian poplar clones were compared according to their biochemical and transcriptomic responses towards mild and severe salt stress to select the most t...

The predilection of Poplar shoot aphid (Chaitophorus populeti Panzer) and European Snout Beetle (Phyllobius oblongus L.) in the first and second growing season in two experimental plantations. Four white poplar clones were tested: Villafranca, L-100, L-80, and L-12. The first experimental plot was established at the beginning of 2019 and the second...

Nowadays, considerable attention is paid to wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) due to its economic and ecological importance. This fast-growing noble tree species is highly valued in furniture industry, while preservation and restoration of its genetic variability is closely related to preservation of biodiversity in general. Along with its importance t...

This study evaluates in vitro tolerance of white poplar genotypes to the presence of lead in an acidic rooting medium. Lead was supplemented in form of Pb(NO 3) 2 , in the following concentrations: 0 M (Control), 10-6 M, 10-5 M, 10-4 M and 10-3 M. After four weeks of cultivation, the following characters were measured: number of roots, the length o...

The dominant donkey breed in the Balkans is the mid-sized Balkan donkey with a grey to chocolate coat color. Local breeders from Serbia, however, still maintain a few larger individuals of a lighter coat color, named Banat donkey, and speculate that they are descendants of a Spanish donkey heard that had been transferred to the Banat region by the...

The aim of this study was to examine the response of white poplar genotypes on drought stress based on six morphometric, survival and biomass parameters. The microshoots of five genotypes (Villafranca, L-12, L-80, LBM and LCM) were cultivated on media with two different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000: 20 g/L and 50 g/L, as well as...

Abstract: In this work, tolerance of five genotypes of white poplar (Populus alba L.) on five concentrations of sodium chloride (1 mM, 3 mM, 10 mM, 33mM and 100 mM) in rooting medium was examined, based on 20 parameters that included biomass, photosynthetic and biochemical parameters. Concentration of 100 mM NaCl was inhibitory for biomass accumula...

White poplar is a key species in wood production and afforestation, but also very important for biodiversity preservation and habitat improvement. Vegetative propagation from hardwood cuttings is the most desirable method of white poplar breeding. The present research analyzed the effect of various technological treatments on four white poplar clon...

This study presents investigation of sessile oak cynipid gall wasps fauna of Mt Fruška Gora. Gall wasps are insects, from the family Cynipidae, that induces galls mainly on oaks. Complex of sessile oak cynipid gall wasps were investigated during 4-year period (2016 - 2019). The survey was carried out on five sites: Kraljeve stolice, Spomenik, Brank...

White poplar nursery production is mainly based on vegetative propagation hardwood cuttings. In this study the reaction of three clones of white poplar (Populus alba L.) on term of cuttings' preparation and planting according to parameters of survival and growth of rooted cuttings in three nurseries in Northern part of Serbia. There were two terms...

Aim of study: In the present paper the nature and level of co-dependence between leaf functional traits and intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi) were studied in one-year-old Quercus robur L. seedlings, grown in a common garden experiment under moderate drought conditions. The study was established to identify those traits that might potentially be...

In the present study, variations of leaf stomatal traits for fourteen European beech provenances (Fagus sylvatica L.), originating from six countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Serbia), were evaluated at the inter- and intra- provenances levels. Ten stomatal traits (stomatal density (SD), guard cell length (LA)...

Tissue culture is extensively used in evaluation of the abiotic stress tolerance in many plant species, including the effects of low pH. In this work, five white poplar genotypes were tested for their acidity tolerance after they were grown in vitro for 35 days on three experimental rooting media with different pH levels (pH 3.0, pH 4.0 and pH 5.5)...

The study assessed the genetic variability among Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. isolates originating from six different countries (Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Ukraine and Serbia), collected mostly from sunflower, but also maize, soybean, flax, common bean and zebra plant. RAPD analysis was based on 154 polymorphic bands obtained with 1...

Fast growing tree species play significant role in timber production in Serbia with emphasis on poplars and willows as most dominant species. Use of poplar and willow for establishment of highly productive plantations requires reproductive material which originates from long term breeding and selection processes which are conducted both in Serbia a...

The study tested the effect of drought on growth and development of the shoots of five white poplar (Populus alba L.) genotypes (L-12, L-80, LBM, LCM and Villafranca) cultured in vitro. The effect of four different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) (1 g/l, 10 g/l, 20 g/l and 50 g/l) in the rooting medium and the rooting medium withou...

Myzus cerasi Fabr. is a cosmopolitan species colonizing plants from families Cruciferae, Plantaginaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae and Scrophulariaceae, as hosts. Myzus cerasi causes curling and distortion of the leaves by establishing large leaf nests colonies on top of shoots. It is very dangerous in nurseries and young plantations. We investigated hos...

Topola N o 201/202 (2018) str. 85-90 85 UDK: 582.623:632.752 Izvorni naučni rad Original scientific paper SUZBIJANJE BILJNE VAŠI (Chaitophorus leucomelas Koch) NA CRNIM TOPOLAMA Izvod: Na crnim topolama u Srbiji veoma su česta prenamnoženja biljne vaši Chaitophorus leucomelas Koch. Primena insekticida je neophodna mera za redukciju visokog nivoa po...

The European sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) is the only native species of the genus Castanea in Europe. The sweet chestnut has a remarkable multipurpose character, and may be managed for timber production as well as for fruit production, including a broad range of secondary products and ecosystem services. Chestnut in Bosnia and Herzegovina...

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on twelve rapeseed genotypes from Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia, genepool in order to identify markers that could be used in marker assisted selection (MAS) for different growing type and selection of the varieties with low or zero level of erucic acid....

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on twelve rapeseed genotypes from Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia, genepool in order to identify markers that could be used in marker assisted selection (MAS) for different growing type and selection of the varieties with low or zero level of erucic acid....

Multivariate statistical methods were used to study the relationship between leaf water use efficiency (WUE) and physiological, biochemical and morphological traits of eight Pedunculate oak half-sib lines grown in progeny test. The results evidenced that stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis were the most significant traits associating closel...

In this study, changes in the pH of the nutrient medium were investigated after 35 days of cultivation of four white poplar genotypes (Populus alba L.). Four initial pH values of the substrate were tested: 3.0, 4.0, 5.5 and 7.0 buffered sodium citrate buffer, as well as a standard medium for micropropagation with pH 5.5 without the addition of citr...

The study tested the effect of salinity on growth and development of the shoots of five white poplar (Populus alba L.) genotypes in culture in vitro. After 35 days of cultivation following characters were measured: height of shoot, number of roots, length of the longest root, percentage of survival and rooting. The effect of six different concentra...

Phytoextraction is an efficient and cheap way to extract copper from soils in riparian zones. In this work five genotypes of the endangered tree species Populus nigra L. were tested for their copper tolerance and accumulation in vitro when cultivated on media with three Cu concentrations: 10-3, 10-4 and 10-7 M (buffered with citric acid/Na-citrate...

The study tested the influence of the low pH values of the nutrient medium for rooting on the growth and development of the shoots of five white poplar (Populus alba L.) genotypes. After 35 days of in vitro cultivation following characters were measured: height of shoot, the number of roots, length of the longest root, the percentage of survival an...

Aphid feeding effect on poplar leaves has been studied by three physiological characteristics. Different clones of Populus deltoides and Populus alba have been tested. Investigations were carried out on a fully formed uncolonized and colonized leaves with three aphid species: Chaitophorus leucomelas(poplar aphid), Chaitophorus populialbae (white po...

The success of anther culture depends on numerous factors such as genotype, donor plant growing conditions, anther pre-treatment and development stage, as well as incubation conditions. We have investigated the effect of sowing date and sowing density of donor plants on callus induction and shoot regeneration from cultivated sunflower anthers. Anth...

A rapid laboratory test for detection of tribenuron-methyl resistant sunflower genotypes was developed. Four homozygous and four heterozygous tribenuron-methyl resistant hybrids, as well as a susceptible one were grown on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of herbicide (2.0 μM, 2.5 μM, 3.0 μM, 3.5 μM and 4.0 μM) and with pH either...

We analyzed the community of ectomycorrhizal fungi of an autochthonous white poplar (Populus alba L.) stand in the Kovilj-Petrovaradin marshes (Serbia), and examined its seasonal dynamics. Ectomycorrhizal types were identified by combining morphological and anatomical descriptions with molecular methods (sequencing of ITS region of ribosomal DNA)....

The aim of our study was to examine potentials of different white poplar (Populus alba L.) genotypes to extract nickel in tissue culture. Shoot tips of four clones (Villafranca, L-12, L-80 and LBM) were cultivated on solid growing medium with addition of different nickel concentrations (0, 10-6 , 10-5 , 10-4 and 10-3 M) for two different periods: f...

In addition to pests and diseases, weeds are a major problem in poplar nursery production. The possibilities of herbicide application in juvenile poplar growth were researched, taking into account that weeds are one of the main limiting factors. The following pre-emergence herbicides were tested: acetochlor, S-metolachlor, metribuzin, oxifluorfen,...

Background and Purpose: Mycorrhizal fungi are of high importance for functioning of forest ecosystems and they could be used as indicators of environmental stress. The aim of this research was to analyze ectomycorrhizal community structure and to determine root colonization rate with ectomycorrhizal, arbuscular mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi of p...

DNA polymorphism in accessions of Helianthus mollis, Helianthus rigidus and Helianthus tuberosus differing in level of resistance to stem white rot caused by Sclerotinia was evaluated in reactions with two RAPD primers, C04 and C15, selected for their potential linkage with resistance to Sclerotinia. In total, 36 fragments using both primers were g...

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to detect polymorphism among accessions of wild sunflower species Helianthus maximiliani, Helianthus tuberosus, Helianthus mollis and Helianthus rigidus with different tolerance to mid-stalk white rot and selection of potential markers for different levels of tolerance to this disease. Estim...

This work describes the effects of high temperatures and fire simulations in nature (100°C for 5min) on the viability of oak genus seeds. In this work, germination of five oak seed genotypes has been studied by the standard method. The result is presented with the help of quantitative indicators of germination (technical germination, vigor). To stu...

The study describes the rooting effect of naphthenates and their fractions on in vitro grown Robinia pseudoacacia L. shoots. Natural naphthenic acids have been isolated by alkaline extraction from middle fraction of crude oil type " Velebit " from Vojvodina, characterized and fractionated. Black locust shoot bases were immersed in ACM medium [Ahuja...

Background and Purpose: This paper analyses the lead tolerance and accumulation in white poplar genotypes in vitro, in order to optimize genotype evaluation and other procedures in their implementation in phytoremediation projects and landscaping in areas endangered by lead accumulation. Material and Methods: The lead tolerance and accumulation of...

Broomrape is a parasitic plant that significantly decreases yield of sunflower. Breeding for resistance has proved to be the most efficient method for suppressing broomrape infestation in the field; however, new races of parasite constantly emerge, and new resistance genes need to be discovered and introduced into cultivated sunflower lines. The ai...

Th e possibility of biomass production was studied in an experimental trial stand with four clones of Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. cl.457, cl.450, cl.618 and cl. 55/65 and three stand densities a) 1.2 × 1.0 m (8330 plants·ha –1), b) 1.2 × 0.75 m (11110 plants·ha –1) and c) 1.2 × 0.5 m (16600 plants·ha –1). Field trials were...

The effect of low initial medium pH on shoot and root development of five white poplar (Populus alba L.) genotypes was tested. The shoot height, fresh mass of shoots per jar, dry mass of shoots per jar, number of roots, as well as the length of the longest root were measured and final pH of the media determined, after 35 days of culture in vitro. T...

The influence of CoCl2 on cutting rooting of five eastern cottonwood genotypes was examined. Rooted cuttings were treated with 100 μM CoCl2 four weeks after the planting and morphological rooting characteristics were measured eight weeks after the experiment establishment. According to LSD-test treatment with cobalt chloride had positive effect on...

In sunflower breeding, it takes six to eight years to obtain inbred lines that are homozygous. Dihaploid production enables production of completely homozygous material for less than a year thus accelerating breeding process. The aim of our research was to select optimal medium for induction of shoot regeneration from cultivated sunflower anthers....