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The evaluation of nodulating ability of alfalfa in mixtures
No full textA field experiment was conducted to study the nodulation ability of two alfalfa varieties, alone and in mixtures with grass crops. The alfalfa varieties Pleven 6 and Dara were used, and the cocksfoot variety Dabrava was used for the mixtures with grass crops. The ratio of legumes to grass crops in the mixtures was 50:50% and 80:20%, respectively. Soil monoliths were taken to determine the number of nodules formed on the alfalfa plants and the level of nodule formation. It was found that the number of nodules formed (16 nodules/plant) on the Dara alfalfa plants was 33.3% higher than that on the Pleven 6 plants (12 nodules/plant). In mixtures of alfalfa and cocksfoot in a 50:50 ratio, the number of nodes was found higher than that formed only by alfalfa in both varieties, with the Dara variety having 26.8% more. In mixtures of alfalfa and cocksfoot in a ratio of 80:20%, the number of nodes formed was the highest due to the larger proportion of the legume component. The number of nodes formed in the alfalfa variety Dara was 26.7% higher than that in the variety Pleven 6, and 15.8% higher in the mixture in a ratio of alfalfa Dara: cocksfoot 80:20% compared to alfalfa alone. In terms of nodule formation, the plants were ranked as follows: Dara alfalfa in mixtures with cocksfoot in a ratio of 80:20% (45.5), Pleven 6 alfalfa in mixtures with cocksfoot in a ratio of 80:20% (43.0), alfalfa variety Dara – single crop (42.0), alfalfa variety Pleven 6 – single crop (40.5) and alfalfa variety Pleven 6 in mixtures with – single crop in a ratio of 50:50% (40.5). The higher potential for alfalfa nodule formation in mixtures with cocksfoot in a ratio of 80:20% was associated with more efficient use of nitrogen for nodule formation
Safflower oil quality in relation to genotype and environment: Implications for animal nutrition
No full textSafflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an oilseed crop valued for its high oil content (35
48%) and favorable fatty acid composition. Safflower oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids
(UFA), including both monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA),
and low in saturated fatty acids (SFA). Its incorporation into animal feed has been shown
to improve immune response, reproductive performance, and growth of broilers, cattle,
and sheep, while enhancing the composition of unsaturated fatty acids in animal products
such as milk and meat, offering potential benefits for both animal and human nutrition.
The objective of this research was to analyze the fatty acid composition of oil obtained
from two safflower genotypes (SO1 and SO2) cultivated in three regions of Serbia
(Pančevo, Rimski šančevi and Sombor). Oil was extracted from seeds using a hydraulic
press, and the fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography (Konik HRGC
4000) equipped with a flame ionization detector. The analysis focused on quantifying the
levels of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty
acids to assess the nutritional quality and potential health benefits of safflower oil. PUFA
content ranged from 73.65% (SO2-Sombor) to 77.10% (SO2-Pančevo), MUFA from
11.34% (SO2-Pančevo) to 16.13% (SO2-Sombor), and SFA from 10.03% (SO1-Pančevo)
to 11.92% (SO2-Rimski šančevi). Linoleic acid was the predominant PUFA (74.10%
76.90%), while oleic (11.18%–15.94%) and palmitic acids (6.15%–7.56%) were the major
MUFA and SFA, respectively. Analysis of variance showed that safflower oil fatty acid
composition was significantly affected by genotype, locality, and their interaction, with
variations depending on the fatty acid group. MUFAs were influenced by all three factors
(p<0.01), PUFAs mainly by locality and its interaction with genotype (p<0.01), while
genotype alone had no effect (p=0.902). Total UFAs and SFAs were significantly affected
by genotype and genotype × locality interaction (p<0.001), with no significant effect of
locality alone (p>0.3). These findings emphasize the predominant role of genotype and
genotype–environment interaction in determining oil quality, particularly for UFA and SFA,
while highlighting the influence of environmental conditions on PUFA. This study
underscores the importance of selecting genotypes tailored to specific growing
environments to optimize the nutritional composition of safflower oil
Innovations in biotechnology and their impact on the development of healthy food
No full textInnovations in the field of biotechnology represent a key factor in the development of healthy and safe food, with the potential to improve food products and support sustainable development. The use of genetic engineering enables the modification of plant and animal genomes, resulting in enhanced nutritional properties, resistance to pests and diseases, and greater efficiency in food production. These technological advancements contribute to the development of functional food products with additional health benefits, such as higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and probiotic cultures. At the same time, the application of biotechnology reduces the need for pesticides and herbicides, thereby contributing to environmental preservation and
minimizing risks to human health
Growth trend of organic maize production in Serbia
No full textMaize (Zea mays L., family Poaceae) is one of the world's most important crops. Organic farming is defined as an agricultural management system that supports and enhances natural biodiversity, utilizing processes and technologies based on biological principles without the use of artificial inputs or genetically modified organisms. One of the main prerequisites for successful organic corn production is the use of hybrids well adapted to local conditions and tolerant to disease and pest pathogens. The aim of this study was to show the range of areas under organic maize in Serbia for the period 2011 - 2023. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia. The following methods were used in the study: desk research, content analysis, comparative analyses and analyses of base and chain indices. In Serbia, organic grain production in 2023 covered an area of 5,372.23 hectares, with wheat occupying the largest area at a total of 2,010.33 ha, followed by rye with 844.76 ha, while maize, with a total of 603.93 ha, ranked fifth. During the analyzed period, the area under organic maize production varied significantly. The smallest production was recorded in 2011 (115.28 ha), while the largest was in 2015 (1,912.36 ha). The largest areas are located in the Vojvodina region. Given the growing global demand for organic maize, in Serbia, organic maize production is a relatively recent development and still occupies smaller areas, especially in comparison to conventional maize
Variability of agronomic and quality traits of hull-less barley from the European collection
No full textGolozrni ječam (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) predstavlja manje gajeni varijetet ječma, koji istovremeno ima značajan potencijal za sve širu primenu u ishrani ljudi zahvaljujući hranljivoj vrednosti i povoljnom uticaju na zdravlje. Jedan od ciljeva projekta CROPDIVA bio je da se ispita genetički diverzitet genotipova poreklom iz evropske banke gena u pogledu sadržaja proteina u zrnu, udela golih zrna, boje zrna, biomase i hektolitarske mase. Krajnji cilj je bio da se prepoznaju i iskoriste postojeći, ali zapostavljeni genetički resursi golozrnog ječma, koji bi poslužili kao dobar polazni materijal za ukrštanja u cilju stvaranja novih sorti.
U istraživanju je korišćeno 72 genotipa ozimog golozrnog ječma poreklom iz IPK banke gena iz Gaterslebena u Nemačkoj i dve kontrolne sorte koje su sejane u 10 ponavljanja. Ukupno je postavljeno 92 parcelice (svaka površine 1 m2) primenom proširenog blok dizajna (augmented dizajn) na lokalitetu Rimski šančevi, Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo u Novom Sadu, Srbija tokom 2023/24. godine. Od ukupnog broja genotipova, 67 pripadaju višeredom golozrnom tipu klasa, dok 7 genotipova ima dvoredi klas. Nakon žetve, sadržaj proteina u semenu određen je metodom sagorevanja prema DUMAS postupsku (AOAC 992.23). Kod dvoredih genotipova raspon sadržaja proteina u zrnu od 7,6% do 16,1% je bio veći u odnosu na šestorede (9,3-15,9%). Samo sedam genotipova je pokazalo manji stepen golozrnosti, odnosno na pojedinačnim zrnima su se zadržale plevice nakon mehaničkog ljuštenja. Najviše zrna je imalo beličastu boju aleuronskog sloja, dok su svetlo sivoplava, tamno sivoplava, ljubičasta i crna boja bila manje zastupljene. Boja zrna nije bila u značajnoj vezi sa svim ispitivanim osobinama.
Korelaciona analiza je pokazala da je sadržaj proteina bio u negativnoj vezi sa komponentama prinosa (žetvenim indeksom, masom hiljadu zrna i biomasom), dok je istovremeno bio u pozitivnoj vezi sa udelom golih zrna i hektolitarskom masom. Jaka negativna korelacija utvrđena je između mase hiljadu zrna i golozrnosti što ukazuje na potrebu za selekcijom veće mase zrna, kao ključnog koraka u oplemenjivanju i tehnološkoj primeni golozrnog ječma.
Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju na značajnu varijabilnost među ispitivanim genotipovima golozrnog ječma, posebno u pogledu sadržaja proteina u zrnu i boje aleuronskog sloja. Ovi rezultati potvrđuju da evropska kolekcija golozrnog ječma predstavlja vredan genetički resurs pogodan za primenu u oplemenjivačkim programima i unapređenju sorti namenjenih ishrani ljudi.Hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) is an underutilized form of barley that shows significant potential for broader use in human nutrition due to its nutritional value and beneficial health effects. One of the objectives of the CROPDIVA project was to identify the genetic diversity of accessions originating from the European gene bank with respect to grain protein content, trashability, grain color, biomass, and test weight. The ultimate goal was to determine and utilize the existing but neglected genetic resources of hull-less barley, which could serve as valuable starting material for breeding programs aimed at developing new varieties.
The study included 72 genotypes of hull-less winter barley obtained from the IPK gene bank in Gatersleben (Germany), along with two control cultivars sown in 10 replications. In total, 92 plots (1 m² each) were established using an augmented block design at the Rimski šančevi experimental station of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, Serbia during the 2023/24 season. Among the tested genotypes, 67 belong to the six-row hull-less type, and 7 genotypes are two-row type.
After harvest, the protein content of the seeds was determined by the combustion method according to the DUMAS procedure (AOAC 992.23). Two-row genotypes had a wider range of protein content (7.6-16.1%) compared to six-row genotypes (9.3-15.9%). Only seven genotypes showed a lower degree of nakedness, with some kernels retaining hulls after mechanical dehulling. Most grains had a whitish aleurone layer, while light gray-blue, dark gray-blue, purple, and black colors were less frequent. Grain color was not significantly correlated with all examined traits.
Correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between grain protein content and yield components (harvest index, thousand grain weight, and biomass), while showing a positive relationship with the trashability and test weight. A particularly strong negative correlation was found between thousand kernel weight and nakedness, indicating the need for selecting genotypes with higher grain weight as a key step in breeding and technological application of hull-less barley.
The results indicate substantial variability among the studied hull-less barley genotypes, particularly in grain protein content and aleurone layer color. These findings confirm that the European collection of hull-less barley represents a valuable genetic resource suitable for use in breeding programs and improvement of cultivars intended for human consumption
Foliar Application of Ca-Based Fertilizers (Conventional vs. Nanofertilizers): Effects on Fruit Traits, Seed Quality Parameters and Initial Plant Growth of Tomato Genotypes
No full textThis study evaluated the effects of foliar-applied calcium-based fertilizers, including a conventional fertilizer (T1) and a nanofertilizer containing Ca, Si, B, and Fe (T2), on fruit traits, seed quality, and early seedling growth of seven determinate tomato genotypes. Field-grown plants were monitored for fruit traits, while seeds underwent germination tests and seedling growth assessments under controlled laboratory conditions. Factorial ANOVA showed significant effects of genotype, treatment, and their interaction on fruit weight, width, germination energy, final germination, seedling vigor index, and initial plant growth, indicating genotype-specific responses. Treatment T2 significantly increased fruit weight and width, germination energy, final germination, seedling vigor, root length, and biomass compared to T1 and control (T0), while shoot elongation rate remained unaffected. Total soluble solids decreased under both treatments, but fruit length, pericarp thickness, and locule number were mainly genetically determined. Principal Component Analysis highlighted differentiation among treatments and correlations among key traits. The enhanced performance under T2 likely results from the synergistic effects of Ca, Si, B, and Fe, improving nutrient uptake and physiological activity. These findings suggest that foliar nanofertilizer application is a promising approach to optimize tomato yield and seedling performance
Molecular and Agro-Morphological Diversity of Undercharacterized Local Bread Wheat Genetic Resources from Serbia and Bulgaria
No full textUnlocking the potential for adaptability across different conditions or environments of under-characterized local bread wheat from Serbia and Bulgaria remains critical for resilient breeding. This study aimed to assess the diversity and potential for adaptability of 76 accessions (35 from Serbia and 41 from Bulgaria) by integrating molecular and agromorphological approaches. Plant height ranged from 101.1 cm in Bulgarian cultivars to 130.1 cm in Serbian landraces, while the flowering time varied from 134.9 days in Bulgarian cultivars to 139.7 days in Serbian landraces. SSR markers detected 446 alleles (mean 9.49 per locus; PIC = 0.646), with Serbian landraces exhibiting the highest allelic richness (7.23 alleles per locus) and 106 private alleles. Bayesian clustering and UPGMA analyses revealed clear genetic differentiation between Serbian and Bulgarian accessions, with Serbian landraces showing higher admixture and substructure. Principal coordinate analysis confirmed these patterns and highlighted the intermediate positions of pre-Green Revolution Serbian cultivars. The local wheat germplasm harbors high genetic diversity and potential for adaptability, particularly for traits critical to environmental resilience. These findings underline the value of local wheat germplasm as a resource for developing sustainable breeding and conservation strategies
Enhancing pepper (Capsicum spp.) diversity through low input breeding at IFVCNS: challenges and achievements
No full textPepper (Capsicum spp.) is a key vegetable crop with important nutritional and economic value, particularly in the Southern parts of Europe. The Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (IFVCNS) in Novi Sad, Serbia, has been actively involved in the breeding and development of pepper varieties for 50 years.
With a focus on improving agronomic traits, enhancing resilience to biotic stresses, and adaptation to regional environmental conditions, the breeding programs at IFVCNS successfully use local and broad genetic resources, utilizing classical breeding methods to develop new pepper cultivars. Despite resource limitations, these efforts have resulted in the development of 16 pepper varieties to date, demonstrating the continued relevance and potential of traditional breeding methods for farmers in Serbia.
One of the core objectives of the IFVCNS breeding program has been to enhance the disease tolerance of pepper varieties, particularly for bacterial leaf spot, and to improve fruit quality. This work has involved the use of simple effective strategies, such as pedigree selection, to improve traits such as fruit shape, weight and pungency.
The latest pepper varieties developed at IFVCNS exhibit distinct features in terms of fruit morphology, taste, and storage characteristics. Hot pepper varieties like NS Vatrena, a variety with high levels of dihydrocapsaicin, and NS Ljutica, show significant improvements in fruit size, and pungency. While NS Vatrena is suited for drying and pickling, NS Ljutica is well-suited for fresh consumption and pickling. NS Prva, a sweet pepper variety, has demonstrated high postharvest storage ability, with minimal weight loss after several weeks of cold storage. Tomato-shaped variety NS Kruna one of the newest, has a thick pericarp fruit. The fruits of this variety are intended for fresh consumption and pickling. In addition to developing improved cultivars, the IFVCNS has also focused on enhancing fruit characteristics such as soluble solids content. These characteristics make them promising for the Serbian fresh market and export.
Consumer preferences also play a critical role in shaping breeding priorities. In Serbia, different pepper types are preferred across regions, with the most popular being kapia and bell peppers. The results of consumer surveys reveal a distinct preference for red-colored peppers, and among hot peppers, a tendency for medium heat levels. This information is valuable in guiding the breeding process to cater to market demands while ensuring the viability and competitiveness of Serbian pepper varieties in both local and international markets.
Our research underscores the importance of maintaining genetic diversity within the pepper gene pool and its critical role in supporting sustainable agricultural practices. The IFVCNS breeding efforts emphasize the necessity of aligning breeding objectives with both market trends and environmental resilience, ensuring that the developed varieties meet the needs of farmers and consumers. These achievements demonstrate the potential of classical breeding techniques in contributing to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of pepper production in Serbia
Effect of Lime, Mineral Fertilizer and Manure on Soil Characteristics and Yield of Four Maize Hybrids
No full textPseudogley soils in Serbia are characterized by poor chemical and physical properties that limit maize yields. Nevertheless, they are still used on large areas due to their favorable topographic position and lack of better-quality soils. It is common practice to regularly apply mineral fertilizers to these soils, but this does not increase maize yields to an economically sufficient level, although the doses are increased. At the same time, the inappropriate application of mineral fertilizers deteriorates soil chemical properties. Lime is only moderately used in Serbia despite its known benefits, whereas manure is not satisfactorily used. Therefore, a two-factorial experiment was set up as a randomized block design with three replications and conducted near Kraljevo, Serbia, to investigate the effect of mineral fertilizers, manure and lime on maize growth. The experiment included three fertilization regimes: F—application of common fertilizer doses, LF—application of the same fertilizer doses with 3 t·ha−1 of lime, and LMF—application of the same fertilizer doses with lime and 30 t·ha−1 of manure. The response of four maize hybrids to different fertilization practices was investigated. The soil was acid, poor in humus, and contained an increased content of mobile aluminum. There was a significant increase in the 3-year average yield of all hybrids in LMF- and LF-treatments compared with F-treatment, 30.7 and 25.6%, respectively. The increase in yield was accompanied by an improvement in soil chemical properties after three years, i.e., increased soil reaction in LF- and LMF-treatments, increased content of available phosphorus, an increase in base saturation by 61 and 75%, and aluminum immobilization by 2.55 and 4.19 fold, respectively, compared to initial conditions. The hybrid NS 640 demonstrated the highest yield when only mineral fertilizers were used, which indicated its tolerance to the unfavorable physical and chemical soil properties and suggested that it can be recommended for growing on pseudogleys without applying amelioration practices. The hybrids NS 6030 and ZP 606 achieved statistically significantly higher yields than the other hybrids when lime and manure were applied, which indicates that adequate fertilization coupled with soil improvement practices should be used in order to achieve satisfactory yields. The obtained results showed that liming can be considered as a longer-term sustainability practice in maize production in Serbia on pseudogley soils, and that there is an array of maize hybrids which can be grown depending on management strategies applied
Molecular analysis of vernalization (Vrn), photoperiod (Ppd) and reduced height (Rht) genes and phenotypic evaluation of the most important agronomic traits among different wheat genotypes
No full textOplemenjivanje pšenice usmereno je ka stvaranju sorti visokih i stabilnih prinosa, adaptiranih na specifične agroekološke uslove. Adaptabilnost pšenice je između ostalog rezultat varijabilnosti gena za vernalizaciju (Vrn), fotoperiod (Ppd) i visinu biljaka (Rht) koji omogućavaju njeno uspešno gajenje u različitim staništima. Preduslov za unapređenje adaptabilnosti, prinosa i drugih poželjnih agronomskih osobina je postojanje dovoljno velike fenotipske i molekularne varijabilnosti u oplemenjivačkom materijalu. Uključivanje različitih genotipova pšenice poreklom iz drugih delova sveta jedan je od načina da se ovaj diverzitet poveća i obogati novim alelima gena koji su od značaja za oplemenjivače. Da bi se u potpunosti iskoristio potencijal kolekcija pšenice za potrebe oplemenjivanja neophodna je njihova detaljna karakterizacija i evaluacija na molekularnom i fenotipskom nivou. Istraživanje u okviru ove disertacije sprovedeno je sa ciljem utvrđivanja varijabilnosti kolekcije genotipova Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo korišćenjem mikrosatelitskih lokusa dovedenih u vezu sa vernalizacijom, fotoperiodom i visinom biljke, određivanja alela Vrn, Ppd i Rht gena korišćenjem funkcionalnih molekularnih markera i utvrđivanje uticaja tih alela na agronomski važne osobine kao i definisanje morfoloških i fizioloških karakteristika, prinosa i komponenti prinosa u poljskom ogledu tokom dve godine.Wheat breeding is directed at creating varieties with high and stable yields adapted to specific agroecological conditions. The adaptability of wheat is the result of the variability of genes that enable the successful cultivation in different habitats. A prerequisite for improving adaptability is the presence of sufficiently large phenotypic and molecular variability in the breeding material. The inclusion of different wheat genotypes originating from other parts of the world is one way to increase diversity and enrich it with new alleles of genes that are important for breeders. In order to fully utilize the potential of wheat collections for breeding purposes, their detailed characterization and evaluation at the molecular and phenotypic level is necessary. The research within this dissertation was carried out with the aim of determining the variability of the collection of genotypes from the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops using microsatellite loci related to vernalization, photoperiod and plant height, determining alleles of Vrn, Ppd and Rht genes using functional molecular markers and determining the influence of those alleles on agronomically important traits as well as defining morphological and physiological characteristics, yield and yield components in a field trial over two years.Doktorska disertacija je odbranjena 30.01.2025. godine