SCAR Marker for Gender Identification in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) at the Seedling Stage

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is cultivated in arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Given the dioecious nature of this plant, gender identification is very important at the seedling stage. Molecular markers are very effective tools that help in gender identification at this stage. A sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker linked to sex-specific regions in the genome of date palm was developed. Of the 300 tested randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers, only one primer (OPC-06) produced reproducible band (294 bp) in male plants. The PCR product of this primer was cloned and sequenced. The specific primers were synthesized for amplification of a 186 bp fragment in male date palm plants. These primers were validated in male and female date palm plants, wherein the designed SCAR marker was reported only in male plants and no amplification was observed in female plants. The developed SCAR marker was used with seedlings of date palm and proved very effective in identification of gender.

Spatial distribution of genets in population of saprotrophic fungi Marasmius rotula on Mt. Stara planina

This study was conducted to determine the size and spatial distribution of mycelial individuals of Marasmius rotula at one locality on Mt. Stara planina in the Republic of Serbia. Total of 12 sporocarps were collected from investigated locality (Vidlic, Stara planina). Sporocarps were distributed in four groups and distances between them were approximately 10-30 meters. Genomic DNA was extracted from each sporocarp and used for inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism analysis using (GTG)5 and (GACA)4 primers. Both primers showed reproducible band patterns on agarose gels and sporocarps with identical band patterns were considered to belong to the same individual (genet) and were grouped accordingly. Grouping with both primers determined that 12 analyzed sporocarps belong to 4 distinct genets (A, B, C, D). Approximate genet diameters were 2 m for two genets (A, B) and 15 m for one genet (C) while diameter of one genet (D) was not possible to determine since it was represented only by one sporocarp. The results presented here are the first data about size and spatial distribution of genets of M. rotula. To determine whether the obtained genet sizes are general trait of an analyzed species or a special trait appeared as an effect of environmental conditions, more information on the genet distribution of other M. rotula populations is needed.