One of the important research activities of the group is studies focused on recombinant mapping of hop traits with agronomic and economic importance. Overall, the group has published four genetic maps, three of them in the last five years. A QTL for tolerance against Verticillium wilt in hops was recently discovered using a mapping family from a cross between the cultivar ‘Wye Target’ and male breeding line BL2/1. The QTL was discovered in both parental maps and it explains from 24.2-26-0% of phenotypic variability. QTL analysis for alpha-acid content and yield parameters was also performed on the same family. Comparison of the discovered QTL locations based on co-dominant microsatellite markers confirmed the QTL regions independently discovered in another mapping family (‘Magnum’ x BL2/1). Mapping study was also performed in an international consortium, which brought together researchers from four different research groups that are involved in hops research (Australia, New Zealand, England and Slovenia). In the latter study, various characters were mapped, such as sex expression, yield parameters and chemical characteristics of hop cones. Three scientific papers in this area published in the last few years are listed below. 1) JAKŠE J. et al. 2013. Identification of quantitative trait loci for resistance to Verticillium wilt and yield parameters in hop (Humulus lupulus L.). Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 126, 6:1431-1443. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00122-013-2062-4. IF= 3.658, horticulture ; 1/32 2) MCADAM E. L. et al. 2013. Quantitative trait loci in hop (Humulus lupulus L.) reveal complex genetic architecture underlying variation in sex, yield and cone chemistry. BMC genomics, 14, 360: 1-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-14-360. IF= 4.397, biotechnology & applied microbiology ; 21/160 3) ČERENAK A. et al. 2009. Identification of QTLs for alpha acid content and yield in hop (Humulus lupulus L.). Euphytica, 170, 1-2: 141-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10681-009-9920-9. IF= 1.643, horticulture ; 7/32
COBISS.SI-ID: 7466361
A method based on nonconcerted evolution of the nrITS region was used in combination with genetic analysis of cpDNA variable regions to reveal the origin of horticultural groups within Allium ampeloprasum and the section Allium. The results showed that cultivated groups differ, with Greatheaded Garlic being a complex allohexaploid or allooctoploid, while leek and another two cultivated varieties are autopolyploids and do not therefore belong to the same species. A correction to the taxonomic rank has been proposed and the results are useful for further hybridization attempts. The achievement is one of several contributions to understanding genetic differences among related species and we have participated in others, such as in the description of the genetic variability of several species of basil (1) and of salicornia (2). Such studies provide the basis for interspecific crossings and a general understanding of investigated plant species. 1) CAROVIĆ STANKO K. et al. 2010. Genetic relations among basil taxa (Ocimum L.) based on molecular markers, nuclear DNA content, and chromosome number. Plant systematics and evolution, 285, 12: 1322. doi: 10.1007/s006060090251z. IF=1.369, plant sciences ; 83/187, 2) KALIGARIČ M. et al. 2008. Genetic and morphologic variability of annual glassworts (Salicornia L.) from the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic). Aquatic botany, 89, 3: 275282. ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2008.02.003, IF=1.129, plant sciences; 77/155
COBISS.SI-ID: 6122873
The research group has also worked in the field of development and technical applications of molecular markers, with an emphasis on research and characterization of microsatellite markers for analysis of plant and fungal genomes. We have isolated and characterized a large number of microsatellite markers in common sage, which were used for a genetic variability study of a selected population and for testing their applicability in cross taxa research. In hops, genetic microsatellite markers were developed based on publicly available sequences and their suitability was shown for genetic variability studies and for recombinant mapping efforts in hops. In addition, molecular markers in hops were developed based on conserved domain motifs specific for resistance genes and this type of marker was also used for genetic mapping. We collaborated in an international group which developed DArT markers. An interesting field of study in which our group is involved is dioecism in hops and the emergence of hermaphrodites. We have shown with the application of microsatellite markers that unreduced gametes play an important role in the latter trait. Grapevine cultivar identification and germplasm evaluation was also conducted. Molecular markers were also used for diversity studies of a plant pathogen from the genus Monilinia. In the last five years, the research group has published several papers in the described field, which are listed below: 1) RADOSAVLJEVIĆ I et al. 2012. Development of new microsatellite markers for Salvia officinalis L. and its potential use in conservationgenetic studies of narrow endemic Salvia brachyodon Vandas. International journal of molecular sciences, 13, 9: 1208212093. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms130912082. IF=2.464, chemistry, multidisciplinary: 48/152. 2) RADOSAVLJEVIĆ I et al. 2011. New microsatellite markers for Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae) and crossamplification in closely related species. American journal of botany, 98, 11: e316e318. http://dx.doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1000462. IF=2.586, plant sciences ; 47/197. 3) KOZJAK P. et al. 2009. Isolation and sequence analysis of NBSLRR disease resistance gene analogues from hop Humulus lupulus L. Plant science, 176, 6: 775782. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2009.02.021. IF= 2.922, plant sciences ; 35/197 4) MAJER A. e tal. 2014. Development of novel ESTderived resistance gene markers in hop (Humulus lupulus L.). Molecular breeding, 33, 1: 6174. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s1103201399349. IF=3.251, horticulture ; 2/32 5) ŠKOF S. et al. 2012. Ploidy and sex expression in monoecious hop (Humulus lupulus). Botany, 90, 7: 617626. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b2012037. IF=1.225, plant sciences;101/197 6) GRIL T. et al. 2010. Fluorescent AFLP fingerprinting of Monilinia fructicola. Journal of plant diseases and protection, 117, 4: 168172. IF=0.605, agriculture, multidisciplinary ; 30/57 7) HOWARD E.L. et al. 2011. Highthroughput genotyping of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) utilising diversity arrays technology (DArT). Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 122, 7: 12651280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s0012201115294. IF= 3.658, horticulture; 1/32
COBISS.SI-ID: 6353273
For several years, one of the main research focuses of our group has been the acquisition of haploid and doubled haploid plants in various plant species, resulting in over 20 publications in journals with an impact factor and in a number of presentations at international conferences. The designed protocols are useful for genetic studies as well as for practical plant breeding. The above article, which describes analysis of the transcriptomes of homozygous onion lines for the purpose of genetic mapping on the basis of SNP markers, was performed in collaboration with colleagues from the United States of America (research leader Dr . Michael Havey , USDA ARS , Department of Horticulture , University of Wisconsin ). Our laboratory contributed over 400 haploid onion lines, which were the source for transcriptome analysis derived from genetically very distant parents. Due to the simplified segregation pattern, analysis was much more accurate than with other studies. This mapping family was additionally used in other studies. One of these (the study of inheritance colored onion) has been accepted for publication in 2014 (1) . Our most successful protocols of obtaining homozygous lines through induction of haploid onions have already been successfully transferred to domestic (Semenarna Ljubljana d. d.) and foreign (Rijk Zwaan Netherlands , ISI Sementi , Italy ) seed companies, with whom we continue cooperation. In cabbage, a haploid induction protocol is currently used by us in an applied project aimed at developing the first Slovenian hybrid cabbage varieties. 1) DUANGJIT et al. Genetic analyzes of anthocyanin concentrations and intensity of red bulb color among segregating
COBISS.SI-ID: 7583609
The University of Ljubljana, principal investigator B. Javornik, coordinated the 7.FP project see.era.net.plus »Towards the preservation of autochthonous grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties in West Balkan countries«. The project lasted two years and included partners from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia. The project, which was co-financed by the progamme, involved the collection and DNA fingerprinting of autochthonous grapevine varieties in the region of the Western Balkans. We collected 196 grapevine samples, which resulted in 125 unique genotypes on the basis of fingerprints obtained by 22 microsatellite markers. A user-friendly database (http://vitis.atcglabs.com/) of fingerprinted genotypes was set up and is publicly accessible. We further studied the genetic structure and relationships among genotypes, evaluated their pedigrees, synonyms and homonyms and the entire gene pool was compared with the world collection of grapevine genotypes. The grapevine genotypes from the Western Balkans, which had been neglected in world collections, are now decribed for the first time on an internationally comparable level and can be further explored for grapevine selection and breeding. In the field of genetic diversity of grapevine the following articles were also published: 1) TOMIĆ, Lidija, ŠTAJNER, Nataša, JAVORNIK, Branka. Characterization of grapevines by the use of genetic markers. V: POLJUHA, Danijela (ur.), SLADONJA, Barbara (ur.). The Mediteranean genetic code - grapevine and olive. Rijeka: InTech, 2013, str. 3-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/52833. 2) ŠTAJNER N. e tal. 2009. Highly variable AFLP and S-SAP markers for the identification of 'Malbec' and 'Syrah' clones. Vitis, 48, 3: 145-150. IF=0.859, horticulture ; 13/32 2) ŠTAJNER N. et al. 2013. Microsatellite inferred genetic diversity and structure of Western Balkan grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). Tree genetics & genomes, 10, 1: 127-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11295-013-0670-4. IF=2.397, forestry ; 6/62 4) TOMIĆ L. et al. 2012. Identity and genetic relatedness of Bosnia and Herzegovina grapevine germplasm. Scientia horticulturae, 143: 122-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2012.05.023. IF=1.396, horticulture ; 9/32 5) ŠTAJNER N. 2011. Genetic characterization of old Slovenian grapevine varieties of Vitis vinifera L. by microsatellite genotyping. American journal of enology and viticulture, 62, 2: 250-255, http://dx.doi.org/10.5344/ajev.2011.10011. IF=1.856, horticulture ; 6/32 6) RUSJAN D. 2010. Evaluation of genetic diversity: which of the varieties can be named 'Rebula' (Vitis vinifera L.)?. Vitis, 49, 4: 189-192. IF=0.859, horticulture ; 13/32 7) ŠTAJNER N. et al. 2009. Microsatelite marker analysis of Macedonian grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) compared to Bulgarian and Greek cultivars. Journal international des sciences de la vigne et du vin, 43, 1: 29-34. IF=0.83, horticulture ; 14/32
COBISS.SI-ID: 7753593