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Transcriptomics for decoding recurrent drought stress responses for resilience in tomato
No full textThis is a training material from webinar series Why are omics important for plant breeding held online on Tuesdays in April 2025 by UNIPD within CROPINNO project. The material gives an overview of environmental stresses, using transcriptomics to identify genes, analysis of transcriptomes for stress
resilience gene identification, transcriptomic sunder stress, and recurrent stress responses
CROPINNO Newsletter (No. 6)
No full textThis is the sixth and last issue of the CROPINNO Newsletter reporting on STSMs for researchers, stakeholder outreach, and the Final Conference of the project held in June 2025 in Novi Sad.[https://cropinno.org/newsletters/
Exploring Sorghum Flour as a Sustainable Ingredient in Gluten-Free Cookie Production
No full textIn this study, whole grain sorghum flour was used to partially substitute the gluten-free flour blend in cookie formulation at 20% (C20) and 40% (C40) replacement levels. The goal was to explore its potential to improve the nutritional value and sensory appeal of cookies relative to conventional and commercially available gluten-free alternatives. Nutritional analysis revealed that cookies with added sorghum flour showed increased levels of protein, ash, and polyphenolic compounds, while maintaining favorable macronutrient profiles. Notably, several bioactive compounds, such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin, were detected exclusively in sorghum-containing samples, suggesting enhanced functional properties. Despite these compositional changes, textural measurements showed no significant differences in hardness or fracturability compared with the control. Sensory profiling using the Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) method demonstrated that both samples (C20 and C40) achieved balanced results in terms of aroma as well as texture and were generally well accepted by the panel. The results indicate that moderate inclusion of sorghum flour (20% and 40%) can improve the sensory and nutritional profiles of gluten-free cookies without compromising product acceptability. Sorghum thus offers a promising pathway for the development of high-quality, health-oriented, gluten-free bakery products
Morphological, Pathogenic and Molecular Characterization of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the Causal Agent of White Rot of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), in Serbia
No full textSclerotinia sclerotiorum is a globally distributed necrotrophic pathogen with a broad host range, including many Brassicaceae crops. In 2021, white rot symptoms on cabbage were observed in 12 commercial fields in the northern part of Serbia. Twelve representative isolates of S. sclerotiorum, forming white colonies and black sclerotia, were selected for characterization and comparison with an isolate from sunflower, as the most important host plant in Serbia. The isolates showed significant variation in growth rate and sclerotia production, while ITS sequence analysis revealed the complete nucleotide identity and all isolates grouped within the major phylogenetic clade of S. sclerotiorum. Despite the low diversity of the global population of S. sclerotiorum, forty-four haplotypes were identified, with one predominant haplotype encompassing all Serbian isolates. When six Brassicaceae species (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, mustard, and oilseed rape) and sunflower were inoculated, sunflower was found to be the most and cauliflower the least susceptible, while isolates from cabbage were generally more aggressive than those derived from sunflower. This work represents the first detailed characterization of S. sclerotiorum infecting cabbage in Serbia and highlights its genetic uniformity and differential pathogenic potential, which are critical factors for integrated disease management and crop rotation planning in Brassicaceae agroecosystems
Comparative Assessment of Remote and Proximal NDVI Sensing for Predicting Wheat Agronomic Traits
No full textMonitoring wheat traits across diverse environments requires reliable sensing tools that balance accuracy, cost, and scalability. This study compares the performance of proximal and UAV-derived NDVI sensing for predicting the key agronomic traits in winter wheat. The research was conducted at a long-term NPK field experiment on Haplic Chernozem soils in Rimski Šančevi, Serbia, using UAV multispectral imagery and a handheld proximal sensor to collect NDVI data across 400 micro-plots and six phenological stages. The UAVderived NDVI achieved a higher mean value (0.71 vs. 0.60), lower coefficient of variation (29.2% vs. 33.0%), and stronger correlation with the POM readings (R2 = 0.92). For trait prediction, the UAV-based NDVI reached R2 values up to 0.95 for grain yield and 0.84 for plant height, outperforming the POM (maximum R2 = 0.94 and 0.83, respectively), and it showed superior temporal consistency (average R2 = 0.74 vs. 0.64). Although the POM performed comparably during mid-season under controlled conditions, its sensitivity to operator handling and limited spatial resolution reduced robustness in more variable field scenarios. A cost–benefit analysis revealed that the POM offers advantages in affordability, ease of use, and deployment in small-scale settings, while UAV systems are better suited for large-scale monitoring due to their higher spatial resolution and data richness. The findings highlight the importance of selecting sensing technologies based on biological context, operational goals, and resource constraints, and suggest that combining methods through stratified sampling may improve the efficiency and accuracy of crop monitoring in precision agriculture
Harnessing bioactive compounds and proteins in wild sunflower species: A sustainable path toward zero waste and functional food development
No full textChlorogenic and caffeic acids are essential bioactive compounds known for their potent
antioxidant properties, which play a significant role in neutralizing free radicals and promoting
overall health. These phenolic compounds contribute to the nutritional value of sunflower seeds,
making them a promising resource for functional food development. Wild Helianthus species,
with their rich genetic diversity, serve as a critical reservoir of unique traits that can be
harnessed to enhance the quality and resilience of cultivated sunflowers. By leveraging the
genetic potential of these wild relatives, it is possible to improve key agronomic traits, including
seed composition and nutritional value, in breeding programs. The objective of this research
was to assess the variability in chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and total protein content among
seeds from ten different genotypes of wild sunflower species. Total protein content was
determined using the Dumas method, while chlorogenic and caffeic acid levels were quantified
through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with PDA detection. Protein content
in the seeds varied significantly, ranging from 19.77% to 33.44%, highlighting the genetic
diversity among the studied genotypes. Chlorogenic acid content was observed to range from
0.61 to 1.96 g per 100 g dry matter, while caffeic acid content varied between 0.03 and 0.12 g
per 100 g dry matter. The findings of this study underscore the immense potential of wild
sunflower species as a genetic resource for breeding programs aimed at improving cultivated
sunflowers. By leveraging the diversity in chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and protein content,
these wild species can contribute to the development of sunflower hybrids with superior grain
quality and broader functional applications. This research provides valuable insights that can
guide the creation of nutritionally enriched and versatile sunflower varieties tailored for diverse
industrial and dietary needs
Eco-Friendly ZnO nanoparticles for maize seed priming: Assessing seed germination and initial seedling growth
No full textZn plays a key role as an essential micronutrient in the growth and development of maize plants. In this context, the application of nanotechnology has recently garnered significant attention in modern agriculture. Conventional chemical synthesis of Zn-based NPs typically involves toxic substances for particle reduction and stabilization. To address this, green synthesis methods have been developed using renewable and eco-friendly raw materials such as plant extracts, starch, microorganisms, and yeast, as alternatives to hazardous chemicals. ZnO NPs were synthesized via green hydrothermal synthesis in the presence of starch, which serves as a reducing and stabilizing agent. This method allowed precise control of particle size, limited growth, and prevented aggregation. The resulting NPs were applied as maize seed priming agents at four concentrations (40, 80, 100, and 160 ppm) to three different hybrids NS 6005, NS 11410, and NS 12402, to assess their impact on maize seed quality and initial growth. Hydro- and nanopriming treatments were performed at room temperature for 16 h followed by thorough rinsing and air-drying for 48 h. The experiment was conducted under optimal laboratory conditions in accordance with ISTA (2025) standards. Among the tested concentrations, 80 ppm ZnO NP resulted in the most favorable physiological response, especially in hybrid NS 6005. Although ZnO NP did not affect seed germination because the seed lot was highly vigorous (99%), they significantly improved the shoot and root lengths of maize seedlings compared to the control by 28.35% and 19.69%, respectively. In addition, 80 ppm ZnO NPs enhanced shoot and root biomass accumulation, with fresh mass increases of 17.62% and 37.06%, and dry mass increases of 15.67% and 49.87%, respectively. These findings suggest ZnO NPs synthesised via this green method can be effectively used as a priming agent, highlighting their potential in sustainable agriculture
CARINA.WP1.T1.2_T1.3. Biochemical Analyses Serbia.V1
No full textThis data set contains information on biochemical analyses of plant material samples (camelina, carinata, sorghum, sunflower, barley and pea) carried out in controlled conditions at the Laboratory for Analysis of Plant Materials and Products, Department of Vegetable and Alternative Crops, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, Serbia within the Horizon Europe project CARINA in 2023 and 2024. The analyses include contents of total: moisture, ash, acid insoluble ash, starch, oil, pigments (total phenolics, tannins and carotenoids), total nitrogen (N) and proteins. The results of these analyses include gravimetric (mass is measured on a scale), volumetric (volume is measured using volumetric vessels), spectrophotometric (absorbance of the solution is measured), and polarimetric (optical rotation of the solution is measured) measurements.This dataset is connected to: Field Trials Serbia
[https://fiver.ifvcns.rs/handle/123456789/5700
Microbial communities in sustainable soybean production systems under winter cover cropping
No full textCover cropping is a cornerstone practice in sustainable agriculture,
offering numerous benefits that support soil health. In organic and low-input
production systems, where the synthetic inputs are minimized, cover crops
provide key ecosystem services, including the addition of organic matter,
promotion of nutrient cycling, and improvement of soil structure. Cover crops
also shape soil microbial community composition due to diverse root
exudates and decomposition products. The increased diversity of beneficial
microorganisms, triggered by cover crops, could aid the main crop’s
rhizosphere as a hotspot of complex interactions between plants, soil, and
microorganisms. Better understanding and optimizing these interactions is
needed to empower agro-biodiversity and crop performance in the face of
climate change.
This research aimed to assess the impact of winter cover crops, namely
peas and oats (P+O) and rye (R), on rhizosphere microbial communities of
soybeans grown under organic (OP) and low-input production (LIP). The
effect of cover crops was compared to the plots with only soybeans (control).
Trials were established according to a complete block design in four
replications. Soil was slightly alkaline, Calcareous Chernozem but differed in
the content of humus (medium – OP, low - LIP) and available phosphorus
(poor - OP, optimal - LIP). Extreme drought and high temperatures during
the experimental year (2022) were unfavorable for major field crops,
including soybean. Rhizosphere samples were collected at full flowering (R2)
and full maturity (R8) of soybean, and the values from two samplings were
averaged. Microbial abundance was determined using the indirect dilution
plate method, while dehydrogenase and ß-glucosidase activity were
analyzed spectrophotometrically.
Cover cropping significantly increased total microbial number (P+O),
ammonifiers (R, P+O), and ß-glucosidase activity (P+O, R) in the soybean
rhizosphere. A shift in abundance of fungi (P+O), actinomycetes (R), and
dehydrogenase activity (R, P+O) was also observed. Moreover, total microbial number and ß-glucosidase activity varied significantly depending
on the production system, with OP in advance of LIP. Similarly, abundances
of ammonifiers and actinomycetes were higher in OP compared with LIP,
while the opposite was observed for N-fixers, fungi, and dehydrogenase. This
research indicated that integration of cover crops in sustainable production
systems could influence the rhizosphere environment of the main crop
differentially, promoting the beneficial microbial communities involved in
nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. This could potentially
mitigate the negative effects of drought on desirable microbiological
processes in the soil and contribute to the overall productivity and resilience
of soybean production
Phenomic tools for enhancing wheat tolerance to various abiotic stresses
No full textClimate change and the degradation of soil and water resources have led to the need to minimize agriculture’s dependence on high inputs of fertilizers, water, and pesticides, promoting more sustainable farming practices. Against this backdrop, our objective is to identify wheat varieties that perform best under challenging abiotic conditions achieving higher yields, improved grain quality, and more efficient use of resources in stress-prone environments. Over the past decade, we have assessed the effects of drought and its interactions with other abiotic stresses, such as salinity, heat, and nitrogen availability on wheat growth and development, utilizing advanced phenomic tools. Our findings have shown that the Serbian cultivar NS 40S demonstrated strong water use efficiency, while NS Avangarda exhibited a good balance of both water and nitrogen use efficiency. In our investigation of the combined impacts of drought and salinity, among 5 investigated wheat cultivars from Serbia, NS Avangarda achieved the highest grain yield under salt stress alone, while cv. Balkan had the best performance in water limited conditions. The highest level of tolerance when both water and salt stress were applied simultaneously was recorded in cv. NS 40S. Building on these insights, we expanded our research to examine wheat responses to heat stress during two critical growth phases: flowering and grain filling. Two Serbian cultivars outperformed even the known heat-tolerant control variety under elevated temperatures. Cultivar NS Rani otkos had the best performance when increased temperatures were applied in one of the selected stages (anthesis or mid-grain filling), while under conditions of combined heat stress at the both stages, cv. Subotičanka showed the highest yield. The outcomes of all these studies provide valuable knowledge for wheat breeders aiming to enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses