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Integrated morphological analysis of floral nectaries and androecia in the tribe Phaseoleae (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae)
No full textFlowers of Leguminosae, the third largest angiosperm family, display outstanding diversity and are adapted to different modes of pollination. However, floral nectar is their most common and important reward. The morphology and position of the specialized floral nectaries (FNs) have been described only in the minority of legumes to date, so the investigation of these structures requires a further progress. The exact origin of these nectaries in legumes has been a matter of debate for more than a century. It was hypothesized that FNs are either of staminal origin or have no homology with any floral organs. This paper is devoted to the morphological study, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), of the floral nectaries in seven taxa of the tribe Phaseoleae, with a
focus on their localization, timing of their emergence, symmetry, along with a discussion of their possible identity. Some features of the androecium morphology potentially related to the interaction with pollinators were also studied. Although FNs have an annular habit in all studied species, they possess some features of monosymmetry, such as bilabiate shape or uneven distribution of secretory stomata. These FNs emerge late in ontogeny when all other floral parts are already differentiated and may be either free from other floral parts or adnate to the hypanthium. It is hypothesized that the leguminous FNs are not derived from stamens but represent structures sui generis although their spatial patterning is most probably dependent on some pentamerous floral
whorl(s), i.e., a perianth or an androecium
Aqueous plant extracts - alternative method for treatment of perennial leguminus seeds
No full textThe aim of the paper was to examine the influence of aqueous extracts plants on the quality parameters of alfalfa and red clover seeds. The research was carried out at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. Aqueous extracts from medicinal plants (Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita, Melissa officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis) and fruit waste (Musa x paradisiaca, Citrus x sinensis, Citrus x lemon, Punica granatum) were used for priming the seeds. The research results showed that the application of aqueous plant extracts made from medicinal herbs and fruit waste can significantly improve the seed germination parameters of alfalfa and red clover seeds. Also, research has shown that by recycling fruit waste, products with added value can be obtained -plant aqueous extracts, which have the ability to improve the seed germination parameters of alfalfa and red clover seeds
Ecological significance of plants and their role in ecosystems
No full textPlant genetic resources are essential for the preservation of life on the planet. As autotrophic organisms, in addition to heterotrophs, they are a very important link in the processes of matter circulation in the biosphere, and they provide nutrition for the human population on the planet. In addition to cultivation in intensive agricultural production, plants are also used in other areas of human activity, especially pharmacy and medicine. To preserve their overall genetic variability, plant genebanks are created. Genebanks also serve as one of the sources of genes for improving the characteristics of cultivated plants. Within the framework of environmental protection, it is necessary to work intensively on the preservation of natural resources, among which plants have the most important place
The impact of global climate change on the reduction of biodiversity
No full textClimate change is caused by natural factors and human activities, which will result in significant changes to biodiversity, agricultural production and food security. It is mainly endemic species with narrow adaptive ranges that are at risk of extinction. As a result, concern over species extinction is justified because they provide food for all forms of life and primary healthcare for over 60-80% of the world's human population. However, the impact of climate change on biodiversity and food security is recognized but little studied compared to the scale of the problem on a global scale. Crops and plants have thresholds beyond which their growth and yields are threatened. As a result, crop yields in Africa alone could decline by more than 30% by 2050. Thus, remedying food shortages by allocating more land to agriculture and developing new fish stocks is a costly solution while protecting biodiversity is a priority. Thus, reducing food waste, compensating the food insecure, conserving biodiversity, effectively using genetic resources and traditional ecological knowledge can reduce further loss of biodiversity and ensure food security in the face of climate change
Development of skills in the 21st century the success of modern education
No full textThe new realities of the 21st century have changed the goals and quality of education all over the world. The new directions and ways of thinking of the time do not eliminate the leading and decisive role of the teacher in the learning process, but of course, they assign a more active and central role to students and impose new approaches and methods of teaching. Digital skills and literacy will become a necessity, and information technology will become an integral part of everyday life, as will the professional and pedagogical competencies of trainers. In the new era, the most successful teachers will be those who address the personal development of their students and teach them important social and emotional skills. It is in the synchronicity and balance between new and flexible forms of learning (which are based on distance learning), the trainer-mentor and the students of the so-called digital generation that the effectiveness of the educational process lies. The process continues today. A new approach to teaching practice, adapted to the 21st century, requires that teachers be willing to help future teachers in this regard. The proposed study is aimed at the training of students and practice for classes of the future
Environmental impacts on the nutritional quality of Cucurbita plants: implications for selective breeding
No full textPlant breeding programs have traditionally focused on maximizing yield, often placing greater emphasis on quantity rather than on nutritional quality. Recently, there has been an increasing recognition of the importance of food nutritional quality. This has raised the question about the potential role of plant breeding in its improvement. This multi-year study aimed to evaluate the variability within a breeding collection of Cucurbita species (C. maxima, C. moschata) concerning carotenoid and sugar content, which are key determinants of pumpkin fruit nutritional quality. Additionally, the study investigated how high air temperature stress during the reproductive phase of plant development affects these quality parameters. Significant differences were observed between plant species, genotypes within these species, and across different growing seasons regarding the content of carotenoids and sugars. Temperature stress led to a reduction in carotenoid content, with C. moschata showing a more pronounced effect. In contrast, sugar content was reduced in C. maxima and slightly increased in C. moschata when compared to temperate seasons. The variation in carotenoid and sugar content, as well as their response to temperature stress across different genotypes, indicates the potential for breeding Cucurbita plants to improve their fruit nutritional quality.Poster presented at the 7th Congress of the Serbian Genetic Society, held on 2-5 October 2024 in Zlatibor, Serbia is available in this repository here: [https://fiver.ifvcns.rs/handle/123456789/5286
PCR detection of gluten contamination in organic foods
No full textWheat, barley, and rye are among the most commonly consumed cereals in the world and are frequently used in food processing. Gluten is a general term for the water-insoluble storage proteins found in these cereals. Glutenin is specifically found in wheat, while gliadin, hordein, secalin, and avenin are found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats respectively. While most people can tolerate gluten in their diet, there are several health issues associated with gluten consumption, such as celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy. The primary dietary recommendation for individuals with these conditions is to avoid products containing gluten, particularly those made from wheat. Molecular methods based on PCR are increasingly being used for gluten detection. This study aimed to examine the contamination of products labeled as “gluten-free” on the Serbian market using the PCR method. The survey was conducted on 20 samples of products labeled as “gluten-free” collected from the domestic market. The CTAB method was used for genomic DNA extraction. The quality of the extracted nucleic acids was determined by PCR analysis using eukaryotic universal primers for 18S rDNA. In 6 samples the reaction was not satisfactory due to food processing. The remaining samples were screened using primers WBR11/WBR13 for gluten. Wheat DNA fragments were sized at 201 bp, rye DNA fragments at 201 bp, and barley DNA fragments at 196 bp. TR01/TR02 primers specific to wheat were used to differentiate between wheat and rye products. PCR amplification using primers WBR11/WBR13 and TR01/TR02 showed the presence of gluten in 3 samples, originating from wheat. All samples are from the same manufacturer, and the product declarations do not emphasize the possible presence of wheat allergens. Therefore, careful food handling is crucial because contamination could occur at any step of the food production chain
Tocopherol content in cold-pressed oils:implications for shelf life and nutrional value
No full textTocopherols play a crucial role in protecting oils from oxidation, thereby extending their shelf life and enhancing their nutritional value. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing oxidative rancidity and maintaining the flavor and quality of oils. Additionally, tocopherols offer health benefits, supporting immune function and reducing inflammation. Their role in preserving oil quality and providing nutritional advantages highlights their importance in the food industry and dietary applications. This study analyzed eight cold-pressed oils (camelina, saffron, flax, hemp, pumpkin, rapeseed, coconut, and sesame) to assess the levels of four tocopherol isomers (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols) as well as the total tocopherol content. Oil samples were obtained using a hydraulic press, and tocopherol quantification was conducted via high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (λex=280 nm, λem=340 nm). The results revealed significant variation in tocopherol content across the different oils. Sesame oil had the highest total tocopherol content, primarily γ-tocopherol, exceeding 1258 mg/kg, followed by pumpkin oil with over 537 mg/kg of γ-tocopherol. Rapeseed oil exhibited a balanced tocopherol profile with significant amounts of both α-and γ-tocopherols, totaling around 430-454 mg/kg. Camelina oil, rich in γ-tocopherol, had 479.97mg/kg, offering strong antioxidant properties but was lower than sesame and pumpkin oils. Hemp oil had a diverse tocopherol profile, including δ-tocopherol, with a total tocopherol content ranging from 505 to 507 mg/kg. Flax oil, though low in α-tocopherol, maintained moderate total tocopherol due to γ-tocopherol, while saffron oil was predominantly α-tocopherol and coconut oil contained tocotrienols instead of tocopherols. Sesame and pumpkin oils stood out for their high tocopherol levels, whereas rapeseed and hemp oils were noted for their diverse tocopherol profiles. Flax and saffron oils had lower total tocopherol content, dominated by specific tocopherol isomers.These findings emphasize the importance of selecting oils with high tocopherol content for their antioxidant properties, which play a critical role in extending shelf life, maintaining quality, and offering health benefits in dietary application
The Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation on the Nutritional Value of Crops in the Legume–Cereal Intercropping System in Northern Kazakhstan
No full textIn this study, the changes in yield, nutrient content, and amino acid levels in legume–cereal grass mixtures were qualitatively evaluated depending on the legume–cereal combination and inoculation with preparations based on Rhizobium. This study, taking into account the biological characteristics of legume forage crops, used inoculations with strains of nodule bacteria and associative nitrogen fixers to enhance the process of the nitrogen fixation of mixed crops of legumes and cereal. The aim of this study was to compare the yields and nutritional values of monocultures and mixed crops, as well as to determine the effects of preparations based on strains of nodule bacteria and the associated nitrogen fixer on the photosynthetic activity and yield of combined annual legume–grain crops. A comparative study of forage crop biomass was conducted to analyze crude protein, fiber, carotene, and amino acid content in monocultures and legume–cereal mixtures, with and without the use of nodule-bacteria-based preparations (Rhizotorphin, Mizorine, Flavobactrin, and Azolene). The combined effect of crop mixtures and biological products led to increased green mass yield, protein content, and feed productivity. Notably, two-component mixtures with Rhizotorphin inoculation increased green mass yield by 8.79%, while three-component mixtures saw a 16.49% increase. The oat–pea mixture showed the most significant amino acid improvements, with lysine increasing by 6.26% and tyrosine by 3.24%. The general conclusion reached by the two-year experiment of 2022–2023 in the hill–plain zone of northern Kazakhstan is that double grass mixtures treated with nodule bacteria are more productive than monoculture crops in this area. These results suggest that inoculation with bacterial strains can effectively enhance the productivity of forage crops in northern Kazakhstan, providing a basis for future recommendations on optimizing herbaceous crop combinations. It is recommended to grow annual forage crops in mixtures with legumes to produce highly nutritious feeds with high metabolic energy in terms of biochemical composition
Influence of planting spaces and fertilization on pepper seed production
No full textZa ispitivanje uticaja razmaka sadnje i Ċubrenja na produkciju semena
tri sorte paprike (Šorokšari, Amfora, NovosaĊanka) postavljen je ogled
tokom 2018. godine na zemljištu tipa ĉernozem, po split-plot metodu u tri
ponavljanja. Glavne parcele ĉine kontrolna parcela bez prihrane i parcela
sa prihranom fertigacijom sa N50P35K75 u pet aplikacija tokom vegetacije.
Potparcele ĉine ĉetiri varijante razmaka biljaka u redu od 15, 19, 25 i 36
cm pri razmaku od 50 cm izmeĊu redova. Na tretmanu sa primenom
fertigacije ostvarena je znaĉajno veća masa semena po plodu kod sve tri
sorte u odnosu na kontrolu. Poredeći proseke varijanti razmaka, najveća
masa semena po plodu svih sorti ostvarena je pri razmaku 50×36 cm, a
najmanja pri razmaku 50×19 cm. Sve sorte paprike ostvarile su statistiĉki
znaĉajno veći broj semena po plodu na tretmanu sa N50P35K75 i pri razmaku
50×36 cm u poreĊenju sa ostalim varijantama, pri ĉemu je proseĉan broj
semena sorte Amfora iznosio 87,5, Šorokšari 131,6 i NovosaĊanke 99,6.
Fertigacija je znaĉajno povećala masu 1000 semena sve tri sorte. Sve sorte
paprike su najveću masu 1000 semena ostvarile pri razmaku 50×36 cm, pri ĉemu je razlika u odnosu na preostale ispitivane varijante razmaka bila
statistiĉki znaĉajna. Proseĉna masa 1000 semena sorte Amfora iznosila je
6,01 g, Šorokšari 3,25 g i NovosaĊanke 3,90 g. Na osnovu jednogodišnjih
rezultata istraţivanja, moţe se zakljuĉiti da prihrana paprike sa N50P35K75
pri razmaku sadnje 50×36 cm pozitivno utiĉe na produkciju semena
paprike.To examine the influence of planting space and fertilization on the seed
production of three pepper varieties (Šorokšari, Amfora, NovosaĊanka), an
experiment was conducted in 2018 on chernozem soil, using split-plot
method in three repetitions. The main plots consist of a control plot without
fertigation and a plot with fertigation with N50P35K75 in five portions during
the growing season. The subplots consist of four variants of plant spacing
in a row of 15, 19, 25 and 36 cm with a spacing of 50 cm between rows. In
the treatment with the application of fertigation, a significantly higher mass
of seeds per fruit was achieved in all three varieties compared to the
control. Comparing the averages of spacing variants, the highest mass of
seeds per fruit of all varieties was achieved at a spacing of 50×36 cm, and
the lowest at a spacing of 50×19 cm. All pepper varieties achieved a
statistically significantly higher number of seeds per fruit in the treatment
with N50P35K75 and at a spacing of 50×36 cm compared to the other
varieties, with the average number of seeds of the Amfora variety being
87.5, Šorokšari 131.6 and NovosaĊanka 99.6. Fertigation significantly increased the mass of 1000 seeds of all three varieties. All pepper varieties
achieved the highest mass of 1000 seeds at a spacing of 50×36 cm, where
the difference compared to the rest of the investigated spacing variants was
statistically significant. The average mass of 1000 seeds of Amfora variety
were 6.01 g, Shorokshari 3.25 g and NovosaĊanka 3.90 g. Based on the
one-year research results, it can be concluded that pepper fertigation with
N50P35K75 at a planting distance of 50×36 cm has a positive effect on the
production of pepper seeds