Head: Prof. Dr. Leon Mejnartowicz

Scientific staff:

• Prof. dr. Leon Mejnartowicz Adres poczty elektronicznej jest chroniony przed robotami spamującymi. W przeglądarce musi być włączona obsługa JavaScript, żeby go zobaczyć.

Technical staff:

• Janina Kozłowska

The Laboratory was created in 1986 on the basis of Independent Laboratory of Isoenzymes. The Laboratory was the first in Eastern Europe introducing in 1974 investigation of isoenzymes as gene markers in the studies of forest trees. The first ever discovery about the changes in genetic structure of forest tree populations growing in the areas polluted by industrial emissions was published by our time (L. Mejnartowicz 1983, 1984). We also pioneered the research activity of certain enzymes in the trees from polluted area. We have discovered hyperactivity of MDH & APH in the trees tissue from such regions (Mejnartowicz & al. 1986). The "selection effect" of the greenhouse was discovered in our field experiment with Alnus glutinosa families (Mejnartowicz 2001). Curently investigations are devoted to recognize inter- and intrapopulation trees variations studied with the help of gene markers and also variance analysis of quantitative characters with the purpose of selection of the best Douglas-fir, Black alder and Silver fir populations for Poland. We have also investigated variation of mistletoe and others. Biochemical Genetics Laboratory achievement in the field of forest tree genetical investigation was awarded in 2002 by IUFRO Distinguished Service Prize for L. Mejnartowicz.

In the Laboratory we are working in two directions:

• The genetic studies based on the laboratory on own field experiments with: Alnus glutinosa, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris, Pseudotsuga menziesii and others e.g. mistletoe.
• Laboratory investigation are based mainly on the isozyme as gene markers.

In last years we are concentrated on a genetic studies of our native forest tree populations, especially of the endangered species and on the studies of the effect of routine forest tree breeding methods on the genetic value of population. We participate in the IUFRO-68 experiment with introduction to European forest of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). We have collection of 100 populations from USA and Canada. Trees in this long-term experiment are regularly measured every 3 year since 1968.

Collaborative research

Our Laboratory cooperates with Forestry Faculty of Agricultural University of Cracow . We are involved in the project:

• Genetic analysis of the inter- and intopopulation variation of European silver fir (Abies alba) in the light of forest trees gene resources preservation.

European silver-fir in Poland is a genetically heterogeneous species composed of separate populations a different genetic structure. This structure and genetic distance between populations are studied with the means of isozyme, monoterpene and morphological studies. There was found significant genetic distance between Sudeten and Carpathians Silver-fir populations. Results was published by Mejnartowicz (2001; 2003; 2004. ). Based on the results of our silver-fir populations study: "Breeding guideliness" Loret Prize 2006 was awarded for L. Mejnartowicz; J. Sabor and K. Skrzyszewska, by General Director of Polish State Forests.

List of selected grants and scientific studies carried out (1992-2006) by the Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics:

• Analyzes of genetic value of Douglas fir populations and families. Financed by Committee for Scientific Research. July 1992-1994. (L. Mejnartowicz)
• Selektion und genetische Analyse von Populationen der Weisstanne (Abies alba Mill.) in Südwestpolen. In cooperation with the Forest Genetic Institute, Göttingen University. Project financed by the Polish-German Cooperation Fund. 1993-1996. (F. Bergmann, L. Mejnartowicz).
• Origin of Silver-fir stands in Białowieża Primeval Forest. The Global Environmental Facility Grant. 1995 . (L. Mejnartowicz)
• Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of Douglas-fir and Scots-pine populations. Project financed by the Institute of Dendrology. 2000-2004. (L. Mejnartowicz & A. Lewandowski)
• Analysis of genetic variation of European Silver-fir population for the breeding and conservation of gene resources of tree species. Project Financed by the General Directorate of State Forest. In cooperation with Kraków Forest Faculty of Agrarian Academy February 2000-November 2004 (L. Mejnartowicz, J. Sabor, K. Skrzyszewska).
• Genetic analysis of inter- and intra- species variation of mistletoe (Viscum sp.) into consideration of "host - parasite" relation. Project financed by the C.S.I. Warsaw (Mejnartowicz L. 2000-2004).

Selected publications

Mejnartowicz L. 1972. Badania zmienności populacji Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. w Polsce. Arbor. Kórnickie 17: 43-120.

Mejnartowicz L., Bergmann F. 1975. Genetic studies on European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) employing isoenzyme polymorphisms. Genetica Polonica 16(1): 29-35.

Mejnartowicz L. 1976. Genetic investigations on Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.] populations. Arbor. Kórnickie 21: 125-187.

Mejnartowicz L. 1976. Introduction of trees and shrubs based on natural genetic resources. In: "Studie o ihličnatych drevinach". ed. F. Bencat. Vyd. Slovenskiej Akademie Vied: 149-160.

Mejnartowicz L., Bergmann F. 1977. Variation and genetics of ribonucleases and phosphodiesterases in conifer seeds. Canadian Jour. of Botany 55(6): 711-717.

Mejnartowicz L., Szmidt A. 1978. Investigations into the resistance of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.] populations to the Douglas-fir wolly aphid (Gilletteella cooleyi Gill.). Silvae Genetica 27(2): 59-62

Mejnartowicz L. 1979. Genetic variation in some isoenzyme loci in Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) populations. Arbor. Kórnickie 24: 91-104.

Mejnartowicz L. 1979. Polymorphism at the LAP and GOT loci in Abies alba Mill. populations. Bulletin de l'Academie Polon. des Scie. 27 (12): 1063-1070.

Mejnartowicz L. 1983. Changes in genetic structure of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) population affected by industrial emission of fluoride and sulphur dioxide. Genetica Polonica 24(1): 41-50.

Mejnartowicz L. 1984. Enzymatic investigations on tolerance in forest trees. Chapter 27 in: "Gaseous Air Pollutants and Plant Metabolism". Eds. MJ Kozioł, FR Whitly. London - N.Y.: 381-398.

Mejnartowicz L., Łukasik H. 1985. Level of sugars in Scots pine trees of different sensitivity to fluoride and sulphur dioxide. European Journal of Forest Pathology. 15: 193-198. Muenchen

Mejnartowicz L., Lewandowski A. 1985. Effects of fluoride and sulphur dioxide on pollen germination and growth of the pollen tube. Acta Soc. Bot. Poloniae 2(54): 25-129.

Mejnartowicz L., Bergmann F. 1985. Genetic differentiation among Scots pine populations from the lowlands and the mountains in Poland. Lecture Notes in Biomathematics 60: 242-252. Springer Verlag Berlin N.Y. Tokyo.

Przymusinski R., Mejnartowicz L. 1985. Localization of peroxidase in needles of Scots pine differing in tolerance to fluoride and sulphur dioxide pollution. Arbor. Kórnickie 30: 257-267.

Mejnartowicz L. 1986. Genotypes of Scots pine trees differing in resistance to the action of fluoride and SO₂ described on the basis of MDH-NAD analysis. In: Gene Pool of Forest Trees its Preservation and Utilization: Nitra, Czechoslovakia: 123-133.

Mejnartowicz L. 1986. Influence of emissions from a copper smelter on the content of copper, zinc and magnesium ions and nitrogen and protein in the leaves of alders. Arboretum Kórnickie 205-219.

Mejnartowicz L. 1986. Genotypes of Scots pine trees differing in resistance to the action of fluoride and sulphur dioxide described on the basis of glutamatic-oxalacetic-transaminase isoenzymes. Folia Physiologica Cytologica et Genetica. Acta Univ. Lodziensis. 1: 139-146.

Mejnartowicz L. 1986. Heterozygotyczność populacji jodły pospoltej (Abies alba Mill.). Sylwan 2/3: 77-81.

Mejnartowicz L., Boroń L., Lewandowski A. 1986. The influence of pollution from a copper smelter on the activity of malate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase in the leaves of alders. Arbor. Kórnickie 31: 221-228.

Mejnartowicz L., Kopcewicz J. 1989. Endogenous growth substances in Scots pine trees of different sensitivity to fluoride and SO₂. In: "Air Pollution and Forest Decline": 480-482. Eds.: J.Bucher, I.Bucher. Interlaken. Switzerland.

Mejnartowicz L., Palowski B. 1989. Studies of Scots pine populations in polluted and clear areas. In: Genetic Effects of Air Pollutants in Forest Tree Populations: 115-125. Eds. F.Scholz, H-R.Gregorius, D.Rudin. Springer-Verlag Berlin N.Y. London Tokyo.

Lewandowski L., Mejnartowicz L. 1990. Genetic control of Polish larch [(Larix decidua subsp. polonica (Racib.) Domin] malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37). Genet. Polonica 31 (3/4): 217-221.

Lewandowski A., Mejnartowicz L. 1990 Inheritance of allozymes in Larix decidua Mill. Silvae Genetica 39 (5/6): 184-188. Hamburg.

Lewandowski A., Mejnartowicz L. 1991. Linkage analysis of allozyme in Polish larch [Larix decidua subsp. polonica (Racib.) Domin.] Hereditas. Stockholm 114: 107-109.

Lewandowski A., Burczyk J., Mejnartowicz L. 1991.Genetic structure and the mating system in old stand of Polish larch. Silvae Genetica 40 (2): 75-79. Hamburg

Lewandowski A., Mejnartowicz L. 1992. Levels and patterns of allozyme variation in some European larch (Larix decidua) populations. Hereditas. Stockholm

Lewandowski A., Burczyk J., Mejnartowicz L. 1992. Inheritance and linkage of some allozymes in Taxus baccata L. Silvae Genetica 41 (6): 342-347. Hamburg

Prus-Głowacki W., Mejnartowicz L. 1992. Serological Investigation of Alnus incana x glutinosa hybrids and their parental species. Silvae Genetica 41 (2): 65-70.

Lewandowski A., Mejnartowicz L. 1992. Inheritance of formate dehydrogenase in Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco]. Genetica Polonica 33 (4): 295-300.

Mejnartowicz L., Lewandowski A. 1994. Allozyme polymorphism in seeds collected from a IUFRO-68 Douglas-fir test-plantation. Silvae Genetica 43 (4): 181-186.

Lewandowski A., Mejnartowicz L. 1994. Detection of close linkage between glutamate and isocitrate dehydrogenase allozyme loci in Picea abies. Hereditas 120: 281-282.

Lewandowski A., Mejnartowicz L., Burczyk J. 1995. Genetic structure of English yew (Taxus baccata L.) in the Wierzchlas Reserve: implications for genetic conservation. Forest Ecology and Management 73: 221-227.

Mejnartowicz L. 1996. Cisovka - the relict population of Abies alba and its relationship to man-made silver-fir stands in Białowieża Primeval Forest. Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. 65 (3-4): 319-328.

Mejnartowicz L. 1999. Evidence for long-term heterosis phenomenon in the Alnus incana x glutinosa F₁ hybrids. Sylvae Genetica 48: 100-103.

Politov D.V., Belokon M.M., Maluchenko O.P., Belokon Y.S., Molozhnikov V.N., Mejnartowicz L., E., Krutovskji K.V. 1999. Genetic evidenence of natural hybridization between Siberian and Japanes Stone Pine species. Forest Genetics: 41-48.

Lewandowski A., Boratyński A., Mejnartowicz L. 2000. Allozyme investigations on the genetic differentiation between closely related pines - Pinus sylvestris, P. mugo, P. uncinata, and P. uliginosa (Pinaceae). Plant Syst. Evol. 221: 15-24.

Lewandowski A., Samoćko J., Boratyński A., Mejnartowicz L. 2000. Inheritance and linkage of allozymes in Juniperus phoenicea L. Cupressaceae. Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. 69 (3): 201-205.

Bergmann F., Mejnartowicz L. 2001. A reciprocal relationship between the genetic diversity at two metabolically-linked isozyme loci in several conifer species. Genetica 110: 63-71.

Mejnartowicz L. 2001. Polish Sudeten and Carpathian Mountains Silver-fir (Abies alba) population genetic investigations. IUFRO Ecology and Silviculture of European Silver Fir. Proc. of the 9-th Int. European Silver Fir Symposium. May 21-26, 2000 in Skopje - Rep. of Macedonia. IUFRO WP: 1.05-16 Ecology and Silviculture of European Silver Fir: 49-54.

Mejnartowicz L. 2001 Biological response of alder trees to environmental pollution Müller-Starck, G. and Schubert, R. (eds.). Genetic Response of Forest Systems to Changing Environmental Conditions. Volume 70, 63-73 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London

Bergmann F., Mejnartowicz L. 2002. Substrate Specificity of Glucokinase and Fructocinase of Several Conifer Species. Acta Soc. Bot. Poloniae. Vol.71 No.2: 125-127.

Mejnartowicz L., Bergmann F. 2003. Mode of Inheritance of Aspartate Aminotransferase in Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.). Silvae Genetica 52 (1): 15-18.

Mejnartowicz L. 2003 . Genetic analysis of silver-fir populations in the Beskides. Acta Soc.Bot. Poloniae: 72(2): 115-119.

Mejnartowicz L. 2004. Genetic variation of Viscum album L. (Viscaceae) a bird-dispersed hemi-parasite from different host trees. Second Worldwide Symposium on Gender and Forestry. IUFRO. College of African Wildlife Management Mweka. Tanzania 1 -10th August 2004: 55.

Mejnartowicz L. 2004. Genetic Analysis of Silver-fir Populations in the North Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 73 (4): 285-292.

Mejnartowicz L. 2004. North-Carpathians and Sudeten Silver-fir Genetic Variation and Diversity. Mitteilungen aus der Forshungsanstalt für Waldökologie und Forstwirtschaft Rheinland-Pfalz Nr. 52/04: 169-180.

Sabor.J., Skrzyszewska K., Mejnartowicz L. 2004. Genetyczna analiza zmienności między- i wewnatrzpopulacyjnej jodły pospolitej (Abies alba Mill.). Zalecenia dla Praktyki. KNSiSDL, Kraków:1-27.

Mejnartowicz L. 2006. Wstęp do Genetyki Biochemicznej. W: „Elementy Genetyki i Hodowli Selekcyjnej Drzew Leśnych”. Ed. J. Sabor. Centrum Informacyjne Lasów Państwowych: 53-62.

Mejnartowicz L. 2006. Relationship and genetic diversity of Viscum album subspecies. Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. 75(1): 39-44

Mejnartowicz L. 2006. Genetyka biochemiczna. In: Monografie: „Nasze Drzewa Leśne” T. 11.: Dęby [(Quercus robur L. i Q. petraea (Matt.) Liebl.]. Ed. W. Bugała. Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Dendrologii. Wyd. Sorus, Poznań-Kórnik: 639-662.

Mejnartowicz L. , Lewandowski A. 2007. Biochemical Genetics of Norway Spruce - Chapter 9.2. in: Biology and Ecology of Norway Spruce. Eds: M.G. Tjoelker, A. Boratyński, W. Bugała. Forestry Sciences.: Vol. 78 :147-155. Springer

Mejnartowicz L., Chałupka W., Lewandowski. 2007. Isozyme marker genes as a tool for identification of a lost population. IUFRO Congress Tree Biotechnology 2007, Ponota Delgada, Portugal 3-8 June 2007, Section IV. "Population Genetics and Conservation" S.IV.6./p>

Mejnartowicz L. 2007. Różnorodność genetyczna klimaksowych populacji Alnus glutinosa w wyrównanych warunkach wzrostu. (Genetic diversity of Alnus glutinosa climax population growing in a common garden experiment). Botanika w Polsce - sukcesy, problemy, perspektywy. Streszczenia referatów I plakatów. 54 Zjazd PTB, Szczecin 3-8 września 2007: 65.

Mejnartowicz L. 2007 Importance of population Abies alba genetic analysis for forest Breeding. Zeszyty Naukowe Akademii Rolniczej im. Hugona Kołłątaja w Krakowie. Sesja Naukowa "Ochrona i zachowanie leśnej bioróżnorodności w Karpackim Banku Genów. Rola świerka pospolitego i innych gatunków w zachowaniu ekosystemów leśnych Karpat: 439 (92): 81-84.

Chałupka W., Mejnartowicz L., Lewandowski A. 2008 Reconstitution of a lost forest tree population: A case study of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Forest Ecology and Management: 255: 2103-2108.

Mejnartowicz L. 2008 Genetic variation within and among naturally regenerating populations of alder (Alnus glutinosa). Acta Soc. Bot. Pol. Vol.77, No.2: 105-110.