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Improvement of buckwheat production in conditions of climate change
No full textBuckwheat‘s hight nutritional and pharmacological qualities make this pseudo cereal, a potential
functional food and a symbol of a healthy lifestyle. The demand for buckwheat grain has grown because of its
excellent nutritional value, balanced amino acid content, and abundance of lysine and arginine. Proteins, dietary
f
iber, vitamins, flavonoids, fagopyrins, d-fagomine, and phenolic acids are among the bioactive components of
buckwheat that have promising therapeutic effects against chronic illnesses. Every year, there are noticeable
changes in the climate, increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation. The productivity of plants,
including buckwheat, is impacted by rising temperatures. All of the aforementioned factors make it necessary
introduction of agrotechnical measures in order to increase buckwheat production, i.e. yield. The Novosadska
buckwheat variety, was examined in this study, grown in four repetitions, in two variants: the control, which
was without application of foliar nutrition, and the variant that included foliar nutrition, with Phyto Complex,
phytocereals nutrition, in Bački Petrovac, Serbia. The following criteria were examined of ten plants from each
repetition: plant height, leaf mass, grain yield, protein and oil content, ash content, starch, water and phenol
content. Grain yield and yield parameters were statistically considerably higher in the foliar nutrition variant
than in the control variant. It is necessary to promote the introduction of agrotechnical measures to increase
buckwheat production, aimed at increasing buckwheat yield. Improving productivity will be an important trade
off between food security, population growth, better land use in the face of climate change, and increased
production
Organic Production - A Leading World Trend
No full textCrop production is conducted in open fields, making it essential to follow regional climatic
characteristics and know edaphic factors, which significantly influence the success of production.
It encompasses multiple systems: traditional and conventional production, sustainable production,
good agricultural practices, organic farming, and others. Organic farming promotes ecosystem
preservation by integrating biodiversity and biological cycles, using methods that exclude external
synthetic inputs. Under favorable environmental conditions, cultivated plants are more productive,
while in unfavorable conditions, the application of adequate cultivation technology is necessary.
The total area of Serbia is 7,747,400 ha (1,984,513 ha - forested, 709,930 ha - unproductive land,
and 5,052,957 ha - agricultural land). Arable land accounts for 3,398,700 ha or 66% of the total
agricultural land, grasslands and pastures cover approximately 1,455,589 ha (28%), fruit orchards
and vineyards occupy 298,667 ha (6%). In 2021, areas under organic agricultural production take
place in 191 countries (76 mil. ha, only 1.6% of total agricultural land) were 11% larger compared
to 2017 (69.8 mil. ha). Serbia has favorable conditions for the development of organic production.
The largest areas under organic production are in Vojvodina (45.07%), followed by Southeastern
Serbia (33.88%), Šumadija and Western Serbia (20.74%), while the smallest areas were in
Belgrade (0.31%). In 2023, organic farming in Serbia covered 29,002 ha (18,086 ha - organic status
and 10,916 ha - conversion period), with the most represented crop types being cereals (5,372 ha),
forage crops (3,006 ha), industrial crops (2,286 ha), followed by fruits (4,393 ha), medicinal, spice,
and aromatic plants (352 ha), while the smallest areas were under vegetables (223.7 ha) and other
crops (430 ha). Organic production in Serbia shows a growth trend in cultivated areas. The market
for organic products remains insufficiently supplied, with demand exceeding production. Organic
agriculture represents a leading global trend as it generates significant economic profit, positively
impacting the trade balance of every country
Procena heterotičnih osobina korena i izdanka klijanaca hlebne pšenice u peg-indukovanoj suši
No full textThe phenotyping of desirable root and shoot traits is easier at early stages of development and can reveal drought-tolerance potential. A total of 11 genotypes from the collection of 101 bread wheat genotypes, with desirable traits in terms of increased tolerance to drought, were chosen for parents (P) and eight crosses were performed. The objective of this research was to determine heterotic root and shoot traits among nine traits evaluated in 19 bread wheat genotypes from P and F1 generations at the seedling stage, grown in hydroponic cultivation under PEG-induced drought stress and under control conditions. These two generations differed the most in mean values of distance to the first branch on the primary root and in angle of seminal roots, under control conditions, and in mean values of primary root length (PRL), number of seminal roots (NSR), stem length (SL), under induced drought stress. The F1 progeny was heterotic for PRL, NSR, SL, and these traits could have contributed to its greater tolerance to drought.Fenotipizacija poželjnih osobina korena i izdanka je lakša u ranim stadijumima razvoja
i može otkriti potencijal za tolerantnost na sušu. Ukupno 11 genotipova hlebne pšenice iz
kolekcije od 101 genotipa, sa poželjnim osobinama u pogledu povećane tolerantnosti na sušu,
su izabrani za roditelje u 8 ukrštanja. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se utvrde heterotične osobine
korena i izdanka 19 genotipova hlebne pšenice iz P i F1 generacija u stadijumu klijanaca, gajenih
u hidroponskom eksperimentu u PEG-indukovanoj suši i u kontrolnim uslovima, a mereno je
9 osobina. Ove dve generacije su se najviše razlikovale u prosečnim vrednostima rastojanja do
prve grane na primarnom korenu i u uglu seminalnih korenova, u kontrolnim uslovima, kao i
u prosečnim vrednostima dužine primarnog korena (PRL), broja seminalnih korenova (NSR),
dužine izdanka (SL), u uslovima indukovane suše. F1 potomstvo je ispoljilo heterozis za osobine
PRL, NSR, SL. Navedene osobine mogu poslužiti kao pouzdani indikatori povećane tolerantnosti
datog genotipa na sušu
Food sovereignty and rights to seed
No full textFood sovereignty is the human right to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and the right of people to define their own food and agriculture systems. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. In contrast to food security, which focuses on ensuring that enough food is available, food sovereignty emphasizes control over food production and distribution by local communities. Shifting the focus from food security to food sovereignty essentially represents a reconnection between nature, food, and people. The right to seeds is at the basis of each community’s food sovereignty, what is possible to achieve only in the system of farmers’ seeds. Farmer seed systems are a critical contribution to food sovereignty and farmers’ rights. For over 10.000 years, people have freely saved, selected, exchanged, and sold seeds, using and reusing them for sowing and food production. The farmers’ seed system is defined by the long-standing continuous renewal and free distribution of seeds and knowledge among people. Seeds are gifted, shared, or traded in informal and formal markets. These seeds are more resilient to climate change, pests, and pathogens, and they also ensure a more diverse food system and a dynamic global ecosystem. Today, farmers’ rights to seeds, crucial for their survival, are seriously threatened and are in decline worldwide. These seed systems are undermined by inadequate legislation and insufficient support from governments and public research, primarily as the result of a protected seed market based fundamentally on intellectual property rights and trade agreements. Farmers’ seed systems are vital for preservation of plant genetic diversity of all agricultural crops. It is increasingly expected that global climate change, combined with other factors, will significantly alter this agricultural biodiversity. Broad efforts will be needed to help reduce the climate vulnerability of current agricultural production systems and building more resilient and adaptive agroecosystems. The farmers’ seed system and the associated traditional agricultural practices are key factors for adaptation
Susceptibility of Different Crops to Simulated Clomazone Carry-Over and Its Degradation Dynamics in Sandy Loam Soil
No full textA bioassay study was conducted to determine the differences in the sensitivity of selected crops to simulated clomazone residues (nine concentrations were used ranging from 5.625 to 1440 μg a.i./kg soil). White mustard was the most susceptible as measured by shoot fresh weight (SFW) and shoot dry weight (SDW) inhibition, with EC50 values of 94.6 and 128.2 μg a.i./kg soil, respectively. Regarding the EC50 values for the inhibition of pigment content (carotenoids, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), sugar beet and white mustard showed a high sensitivity, as the EC50 values for all three pigments were in the range of 45.8–47.4 and 57.5–63.3 μg a.i./kg soil, respectively. However, as the SFW and SDW of sugar beet were only reduced at the three highest clomazone concentrations applied, white mustard proved to be the most sensitive crop. Wheat was less sensitive (EC50 = 214.4–243.8 μg a.i./kg soil, for all three pigments), while sunflower and maize were the least sensitive (EC50 = 359.7–417.5 and 456.1–535.8 μg a.i./kg soil, respectively). Field trials were conducted for two years in the Srem region to study the dynamics of clomazone degradation in sandy loam soil. Clomazone was applied pre-plant incorporated (PPI) and post-emergence (POST-EM) in three doses: 480, 720 and 960 g a.i./ha. Soil samples were taken at regular intervals from the day of herbicide application until one year after application and residue concentrations were determined using the white mustard bioassay (based on the measurement of carotenoid content inhibition). The application rate had no consistent effect on the persistence of clomazone. Slower degradation was observed in the PPI treatment than in the POST-EM treatment (8.5 and 15 days longer average half-lives in the first and second year, respectively). Persistence was affected by lower rainfall, resulting in a longer half-life in the second year (12 days on average). Herbicide residues caused no visible injury to white mustard one year after application, while the reduction in carotenoid content ranged from 0.37 to 22.89%, indicating that no injury can occur to any of the tested crops one year after application of clomazone in sandy loam soil
Cell wall structure of tensile flexure wood fibers in Populus x euramericana
No full textIn response to gravitropic environmental stimuli, woody angiosperms develop tension wood (TW). Typical TW fibers are characterized by an inner gelatinous cell wall (c.w.) layer (G-layer). On the other hand, in response to mechanical stimuli, woody plants develop flexure wood. Flexure wood formed under tension in angiosperms is termed tensile flexure wood (TFW). Similarly to TW, TFW represents an increased source of non-recalcitrant cellulose for biofuel production. Histochemical, SEM, and Raman microspectroscopic analyses of TFW of juvenile Populus x euramericana formed in response to severe long-term static bending were performed. The presence of lignin in the G-layer, higher syringyl/guaiacyl ratio, and differences in lignin structure in TFW compared to normal wood, revealed by histochemical analysis, was confirmed by Raman microspectroscopy. Additionally, Raman microspectroscopy indicated differences in cellulose and hemicellulose structure and pectin methylesterification. The G-layer and compound middle lamella contribute to the response to bending by opposite shifts of the orientation-sensitive cellulose band attributed to the glycosidic C–O–C bond. SEM micrographs revealed the c.w. ultrastructure of TFW fibers. The presented findings encourage further investigation of TFW in terms of both changes in c.w. structure as a mechanical acclimation to stem bending and its potential for biofuel production
Myofibrillar protein gel incorporated with soybean dietary fiber and sodium substitutes: Synergetic effect on gel properties and in vitro gastric digestion
No full textThis study investigated the effect of sodium substitutes and soybean dietary fiber (SDF) on the gel properties and in vitro gastric digestion characteristics of myofibrillar protein (MP). Incorporation of sodium substitutes and SDF increased gel strength, particularly in gels with KCl. In contrast, CaCl2 and MgCl2 increased MP gel cooking loss, and SDF reduced this loss and improved water retention. CaCl2 and MgCl2 caused uniform microstructure of MP, and SDF led to a denser structure. Structural enhancements induced by SDF, such as stronger molecular interactions, denser gel structure and higher acid-buffering capacity of MP gel, decreased the pepsin diffusion rate and reduced protein hydrolysis. Notably, KCl combined with 3.0 % SDF further reduced the pepsin diffusion rate to 43.65 μm2/s. Overall, the combination of sodium substitutes with SDF enhanced MP gel properties, retarded gastric acid diffusion, and retarded pepsin diffusion, resulting in lower hydrolysis degrees and larger molecular weight digestion products
Reciprocal effect on grain yield and agronomic traits in single-cross maize hybrids
No full textReciprocal effect in maize refers to the phenotypic difference between reciprocal F1
hybrids.
The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of reciprocal crosses on grain yield, grain
moisture percentage at harvest, plant height, primary ear height, and the number of leaves
above the primary ear. Five single-cross hybrids, their reciprocal crosses and six parental
inbred lines were selected. All hybrids belonged to the late maturity group (FAO 500-600),
with the Lancaster ZPL-7 line as a common paternal parent, i.e., as the maternal parent in
their reciprocal crosses. The experiment was set up in two replications using a completely
randomized block design in 2016 and 2017, at a total of seven environments. A three-factorial
ANOVA was performed, with hybrid, reciprocal effect and location as factors. The reciprocal
effect significantly influenced grain yield, grain moisture, plant height and ear height, while
hybrid and location were significant for all examined traits. Considering all five hybrids
individually, one hybrid displayed a significant reciprocal effect for grain yield, one for ear
height, and two hybrids for grain moisture and plant height. The effects were both positive
and negative, depending on the genotype itself. No significant differences were observed for
the number of leaves above the primary ear between normal and reciprocal variants. The
largest difference in grain yield was recorded between ZP 606 reciprocal (12.06 t/ha) and ZP
606 normal (11.28 t/ha). Pearson correlations were calculated among the examined traits. All
correlations between grain yield and other traits were significant and positive. The reciprocal
effect has a strong influence on the measured traits, but it is genotype-specific. Therefore, in
future studies, normal and reciprocal variants of all commercial maize hybrids should be
examined
Variability of mass of spike among wheat varieties
No full textThe mass of the spike is an indicator of the yield of wheat seed. The aim of this study was to
estimate the variability of the mass of the spike in 50 genetically divergent wheat varieties. The
experiment was set up as a randomized block design with three replications in the 2015/16
vegetation season. The seeds were sown at a 0.10 m distance in 1.0 m long rows spaced apart by
0.2 m. Sixty plants at the full maturity stage (20 plants per replication) were harvested and used
for analyzing the mass of the spike. The analysis of variance was performed using MSTAT C
(version 5.0). Similarities among wheat varieties were analyzed using the hierarchical method of
Euclidean distance. The obtained results indicated significant differences in average values of the
mass of the spike among the tested wheat varieties in the year of the experiment. In the study, the
least mass of the spike was found in the Tera variety (2.74 g), while the highest mass of the spike
was found in the Milica variety (4.51 g). On average, for all 50 wheat varieties, the mass of the
spike was 3.86 g. The value of the coefficient of variation ranged from 11.0% for Orašanka to
24.6% for the Lepenica variety. The similarity was illustrated in a dendrogram containing five
clusters. The similarity was illustrated in a dendrogram containing five clusters of mutually similar
varieties. The prominent cluster contained different numbers and compositions of varieties with
the highest degree of similarity. The variability of the mass of the spike relates to genotype and
environmental conditions that affect the physiological processes of absorption, translocation, and
assimilation of mineral matter in developing vegetative and productive organs
Effects of different irrigation methods on lettuce yield, water use efficiency and water stress index
No full textThe introduction of efficient irrigation methods and the creation of
optimal cultivation conditions have become the most important goals of
modern agriculture in order to ensure the sustainable and rational use of
water resources.
This study investigated the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on
the yield, water use efficiency and water stress index (CWSI) of lettuce
(Lactuca sativa L.). The study was conducted in a greenhouse in the period
from November 2023 to February 2024. Lettuce of the variety Cindarella
(Meridiem Seeds) was planted at a spacing of 25 cm in gutters 0.4 m wide,
0.4 m deep and 10 m long, filled with Free Peat substrate with known
water-physical and chemical properties. Two irrigation methods were used:
a new method, Responsive Drip Irrigation (RDI), which delivers water
according to the needs of the plants, and the Standard Drip Irrigation (SDI)
method, which served as a control.
Plant growth and the amount of water applied using the two irrigation
methods were continuously monitored throughout the experiment. Every 7
to 10 days, the temperature of the lettuce canopy was measured using
remote sensing techniques and a thermal imaging camera (FLIR T335).
The thermal images were processed using FLIR Tools software and the
resulting data were used to calculate the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI)
according to the method described by Idso et al. (1981). At the end of the
experiment, the yield was measured (fresh and dry weight in g·m-2) and the
water use efficiency (WUE) was calculated as the ratio between the yield
and the total amount of irrigation water applied.
The average lettuce yield was significantly higher in the RDI treatment
(7271.7 g·m-2 fresh weight and 208 g·m-2 dry weight) than in the SDI treatment
(4699.2 g·m-2 fresh weight and 160 g·m-2 dry weight). In the RDI treatment, the
plants used the water more efficiently (7.5 g·L-1) than in the SDI treatment (6.4
g·L-1), which corresponds to an improvement of 15%. The average CWSI
value in the RDI treatment was 0.0, while the average CWSI value in the SDI
treatment was 0.3, indicating that the plants suffered from water stress.
The results of this study show that the application of the new irrigation
method (RDI) resulted in higher yield, improved water use efficiency and
lower CWSI in lettuce grown under protected conditions. The application of
RDI irrigation could be one of the solutions for the sustainable use of water
resources. It is recommended to conduct further tests with different soil
types, substrates and crops