Botanica Lithuanica, Volume 10, Number 1

2004 m.

Notes on species of the Atriplex, Bassia, Corispermum, Kochia, and Suaeda genera (Chenopodiaceae) in Lithuania and Kaliningrad region of Russia are presented. Basing on herbarium specimens, Atriplex oblongifolia, Bassia hyssopifolia, and Corispermum declinatum are confirmed occurring in Lithuania. Suaeda altissima is first reported as casual immigrant both in Lithuania and Kaliningrad region. Notes on infraspecific variation of Kochia scoparia are presented. Revision of herbarium specimens revealed that all reports on records of Atriplex rosea in Lithuania in the 20th century were based on erroneously identified specimens.

Keywords: Atriplex, Bassia, Corispermum, Kochia, Suaeda, alien plant, naturalisation, nomenclature, flora.

Five lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) morphotypes collected in the wild were cultivated under field conditions for several years and characterised for their performance. The parameters of vegetative growth (area covered by a single plant, shrub height, shoot length, leaf size) as well as fruiting characteristics (number of florets per raceme, its size and colour of corolla; size, weight and number of berries) are presented. No one of the selected morphotypes distinguish among others with all major parameters. A trend was observed that the selected morphotypes slightly overcame lingonberry ‘Koralle’ according to their vegetative growth rates, while a bit higher yields were produced by the cultivar.

Keywords: lingonberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, morphotype, vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, yield, shrub, shoot, berry.

The investigation presents the results of our study concerning some soil–plant interactions of Rubus canescens DC. (Rosaceae), which is important because of its edible fruits and medicinal value throughout Turkey. Samples collected from thirty different localities in West Anatolia were analysed. Soil analysis showed that this taxon grows on different kinds of soils with sandy-clayey-loam, clayey-loam, sandy-loam, and loamy textures. Soils in general are not saline but neutral, slightly to moderately alkaline, differ in their calcium carbonate and nitrogen contents, and have low levels of phosphorus and potassium. Plant analysis showed that this taxon has low levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, and generally below the average levels of calcium. Regression analysis showed two negative correlations between plant potassium and soil phosphorus, and plant phosphorus and soil potassium.

Keywords: Rubus canescens, autecology, soil–plant relation, West Anatolia, Turkey.

Results of recent field investigations and studies of former herbarium material and reference data on Charophyta of the northern part of the Curonian Lagoon are presented. During the period of 1949–2002, in total 18 charophyte species were recorded. During the last period of 1997–2002, eight species of Charophyta were registered, and three among them true brackish water species (Chara baltica, C. canescens, Tolypella nidifica) were found for the first time in the Lagoon. The occurrence of 10 species (Chara aspera, C. baltica, C. canescens, C. contraria, C. delicatula, C. globularis, C. vulgaris, Nitella mucronata, Nitellopsis obtusa, Tolypella nidifica) is confirmed by herbarium specimens. A short description, morphological variation, known ecological information, distribution, and phytosociology of these Charophyta species are given. Occurrence of three species (Chara connivens, C. fragifera, C. galioides) in the Curonian Lagoon was based on misidentified specimens.

Keywords: Charophyta, brackish water, Curonian Lagoon, Lithuania.

Based on a list of 75 species of lichen indicators of old-growth forest, 13 territories (biocentres) for lichens were chosen in Lithuania and North-East Poland. Although the territories differ significantly in indicator species numbers, partly due to recording differences, they provide good baseline data for supporting a biodiversity network in this region.

Keywords: lichens, old-growth forests, indicators, Lithuania, Poland.

The present note is the first report about detection of Phomopsis canker on highbush blueberries in Lithuania. Phomopsis vaccinii was isolated from diseased plants into pure culture, and morphologic characteristics of cultures on different media were described. This fungus was included into the A1 list of Quarantine Pests of European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and to the list of Quarantine Pests of Lithuania.

Keywords: Phomopsis vaccinii, Vaccinium corymbosum, Lithuania.

The investigation of ornamental plants for the presence of viral diseases in Lithuania revealed a high incidence of Tobacco rattle tobravirus (TRV). TRV was isolated and identified from 15 ornamental plant species belonging to 10 families. The suitable conditions for obtaining purified preparations of TRV were selected, and the purified preparations of TRV from Dicentra spectabilis (L.) Lem. and Iris germanica L. were obtained. The purified preparation of TRV iris isolate was used as an antigen for antiserum preparation in rabbits. The homologous titre of the obtained antiserum was 1:512 in microprecipitin test under mineral oil. Data of TRV identification by RT-PCR and immunosorbent electron microscopy are presented.

Keywords: viral diseases, ornamental plants, Tobacco rattle tobravirus, identification, RT-PCR, immunosorbent electron microscopy.

In Lithuania Pepino mosaic potexvirus (PepMV) causing disease in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) crops has been isolated from imported tomato fruits and identified on the basis of determination of host range, symptom expression, morphological, and serological properties of the virus isolates. Data on the antigen purification and preparation of specific diagnostic antiserum against PepMV are presented. Antiserum to PepMV was produced by immunization of rabbits. The serological properties of PepMV antisera were determined by microprecipitin tests under mineral oil. The homologous titres of produced antisera were 1:512 and 1:1024. Using immunosorbent electron microscopy (ISEM) potexvirus particles of PepMV were decorated using immunoglobulin (IgG) prepared against PepMV. The primers designed on the basis of published sequences were applied for amplification of PepMV RNA fragments in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using naturally and experimentaly PepMV affected tomato fruits of infected host plants. The detection of PepMV in tomato fruits imported from Spain and inoculated test plants was confirmed by RT-PCR. Analysis of PCR products in gel electrophoresis revealed amplification of 844 bp (base pair) fragments, which were in agreement with size of the fragment expected from the sequence data.

Keywords: tomato, Pepino mosaic virus, identification, purification, antiserum, immunoglobulin, ISEM, RT-PCR.