Işık, Muhammet İslam; Türkoğlu, Aras; Yaman, Mehmet; Haliloğlu, Kamil; Öztürk, Halil İbrahim; Erkol, Şerife; Tan, Mustafa; Bocianowski, Jan

Forage peas are widely utilized as a source of animal feed, and their fresh shoots, fruits, and pods exhibit considerable potential for human consumption. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 61 Turkish forage pea genotypes using inter-primer binding site (iPBS) retrotransposon markers. A total of 37 highly polymorphic iPBS primers were employed, producing an average of 69 bands per primer and a cumulative total of 2529 bands. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was determined to be 0.345. The results revealed significant genetic diversity within the germplasm, as indicated by diversity indices such as the average effective number of alleles (0.704) and a Shannon’s information index (0.299). Molecular analysis of variance (AMOVA) indicated that 74% of the total genetic variation occurred within populations. Population structure analysis identified four distinct subpopulations among the genotypes, with expected heterozygosity values ranging from 0.2404 in the fourth subpopulation to 0.3094 in the second subpopulation, with an overall average of 0.2702. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of genetic diversity and population structure in forage pea germplasm using the iPBS retrotransposon marker system. The findings highlight the effectiveness of iPBS markers in genetic diversity research and underscore their potential for broader application in the characterization of diverse forage pea collections across different geographic regions.

Kadioglu, Zakine; Yildiz, Faruk; Kandemir, Ali; Cukadar, Kemal; Kalkan, Nalan Nazan; Vurgun, Huseyin; Donderalp, Veysel; Korkut, Recep; Kaya, Ozkan

This comprehensive article offers a thorough exploration of the abundant plant species that hold a deep connection with the history and daily life of Sivas, within the context of its traditional culture and ethnobotany. The Asteraceae family, which encompassed 22 species, emerged as the most diverse family. Other notable families included Brassicaceae (8 species), Fabaceae (9 species), Polygonaceae (10 species), Apiaceae (11 species), and Lamiaceae (21 species), and the study systematically classified 128 plant species and subplants into 29 different families. The study categorized these plants based on their edible parts to understand their role in Sivas’ culinary traditions, revealing a wide range of edible components, including leaves, seeds, flowers, roots, tubers, gum, fruits, branches, and more. Cerinthe minor, Berberis vulgaris, Stachys lavandulifolia and others provided nourishing leaves and young shoots. The study categorized plants based on their preparation methods, highlighting their integral role in Sivas’ traditional cuisine. Seeds namely Echinops orientalis and Cephalaria procera introduced culinary diversity, while certain plants, such as Geranium tuberosum and Cirsium rhizocephalum, contributed edible roots, expanding the repertoire of local dishes. Whether utilized in cooked dishes, salads, or as spices, these plants impart unique flavors and aromas to the local culinary creations. Whether used in cooked dishes, salads, or as spices, these plants add unique flavors and aromas to local food. Spices such as Mentha longifolia and Thymus leucotrichus enriched the culinary landscape, while Thymus sipyleus and Ziziphora clinopodioides brought their distinct tastes to dishes. The repeated use of common names across different species, such as “Yemlik” “Yağlıca” “Nane” and “Kekik” suggests a shared cultural heritage and linguistic connection among these plants, further emphasizing their significance in the local context. Five species have been newly documented as additions to the flora of Sivas. In summary, this study underscores the importance of preserving and appreciating the botanical knowledge and practices of Sivas traditional culture and ethnobotany. The numerical values within the findings quantitatively showcase the ecological and cultural richness of these plant species, thus making this subject a vital area of study for researchers and a valuable resource for conservationists aiming to safeguard this unique cultural and botanical heritage.

Yıldız, Faruk; Kandemir, Ali; Kılıç, Engin; Türkoğlu, Halil İbrahim; Doğan, Nalan Yıldırım

The ecological interactions between plants and pollinators significantly contribute to global diversity. Hence, focusing on the phenology of plants at various altitudes yields valuable insights into understanding how climate change impacts ecosystems and its association with evolutionary processes. Specifically, this study examines Scrophularia erzincanica, a species native to Erzincan (Türkiye), adapted to lower altitudes, and S. fatmae, an obligate alpine species. The aim was to elucidate the phenological, ecological, and floral characteristics relevant to pollination in both species comparatively. Significant differences were observed in the duration of phenological events, inflorescence architecture, style, and staminode position. Notably, S. fatmae exhibited longer durations for phenological events. Additionally, distinct floral arrangements were evident S. fatmae displayed clustered flowers while S. erzincanica exhibited loosely distributed ones. In S. erzincanica, the staminode's placement in the middle of the corolla created a physical barrier, potentially preventing nectar theft, influencing pollinator selection, prolonging their visit duration, and coordinating flower movements triggered by pollinators. Conversely, in S. fatmae, the staminode remained concealed and positioned near the corolla base. Pollinator visits were shorter in S. fatmae but longer in S. erzincanica. The harsher environmental conditions and lower pollinator density and diversity in alpine regions compared to lower altitudes likely contribute to these differences. Despite sharing common ancestors, these observed phenological disparities in species might stem from selective pressures exerted by varying altitudes, driving these species along divergent evolutionary paths.