Wild raspberry from ecologicaly significant areas of Serbia: Phenotypic variability

Abstract

Inter-population differentiation of the species Rubus idaeus was analyzed based on the morpho-anatomical variability of its seven populations from the mountain regions of southwestern and southeastern Serbia. Results of the morphological analysis showed that the highest average height (123.40 cm) had individuals from the P3 study locality on Mt. Goč, while the lowest (77.00 cm) was from Mt. Kopaonik P5 locality. The longest and the widest leaves had representatives of the P1 population (9.25 and 9.20 cm). The smallest leaves had representatives from the Mt. Kopaonik P5 population (length 6,32 cm; width 5.11 cm). The height of the individual is influenced by ecological factors. PCA showed that the Mt. Golija P4 population is distinguished based on all the tested anatomical characters. In these individuals, the higher values for almost all anatomical examined characters were observed. The analysis of bioclimatic data shows that the highest annual amount of precipitation was recorded exactly for this population. It can be assumed that climate factors greatly contributed to shown morpho-anatomical traits. Observed variability could be explained as an adaptive response to different geographical and recent environmental factors.