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Increased photosynthesis with orange-carbon dots in hydroponically cultivated green beans
No full textPhotosynthesis is a physiological process capable of converting light energy into a usable chemical form of energy. This process involves various components, including photosynthetic pigments and photosystems, the electron transport system, and the CO2 reduction pathway. Plants use much less photosynthetic capacity than is theoretically possible. Orange-carbon dots (o-CDs) may pass absorbed light photons to a photosynthetic system and enhance photosynthetic efficiency. In this study, the effect of o-CDs on the photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency) and the concentration of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) were measured in the extract of green bean leaves. The plants were cultivated in Hoagland medium under a 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod. The leaves were sprayed with 1 and 5 mg/L of o-CDs aqueous solutions three times until flowering. Photosynthetic parameters were assessed two days after each treatment using the LC pro+ portable photosynthesis system, while the concentration of photosynthetic pigments was determined spectrophotometrically. The results show that the treatment and time significantly affect the change of all photosynthetic parameters. A higher o-CDs concentration (5 mg/L) decreased photosynthetic parameters at different time points, while the lower one (1 mg/L) increased or decreased them depending on the time point. It can be concluded that the lower concentration showed a better effect than the higher one. No variation in photosynthetic pigments content was observed between treatments. The main benefit of this study is the successful development of a nanobionic approach for increasing the photosynthetic function
Mitigation of climate change by capturing CO2 with carbon dots during plant treatment
No full textOrange carbon dots (o-CDs) are nontoxic nanoparticles that increased photosynthetic parameters in hydroponically cultivated maize plants. Since CO2 is a key factor in the greenhouse effect, the plant treatment with o-CDs in outdoor conditions could have an additional environmental benefit in capturing CO2 in the atmosphere. In this study, 1 and 5 mg/L of o-CDs were foliarly applied to boost photosynthetic capacity in the maize cultivated in the field. Photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate (PR), transpiration rate (TR), and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured during the growth using the LC-pro + Portable Photosynthesis System. The concentration of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) was determined spectrophotometrically. The CO2 adsorption capacity of o-CDs was studied with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and FTIR spectroscopy. Results showed that in both time points, the PR and WUE were significantly higher in the leaves after the treatment with both concentrations of o-CDs than in the control. This stimulating effect of o-CDs was significantly increased with treatment duration. The TR significantly increased at the second time point after the treatments with both o-CDs concentrations compared with the control. The content of all photosynthetic pigments did not change significantly in the leaves after foliar o-CDs’ treatment at both concentrations at any of the two-time points. TGA and FTIR spectroscopy confirm that o-CDs in their natural state possess an excellent CO2 adsorption capacity. By entering the cells via the o-CDs carrier, a higher quantity of CO2 may be collected and released into the cells for further processing. This contributes to reducing the amount of CO2 in the environment and to the reduction of global warming
Photo-, piezo- and pyrocatalytic potential of BiFeO3 on natural 3D substrates in water treatment
No full textThis study investigates bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) composites supported on natural 3D substrates – diatomaceous
earth and cuttlebone, for water treatment applications. Composites were synthesized by a chemical solution
method and tested as photocatalysts for the degradation of methylene blue in water solutions under UV–Vis and
visible light. The potential to degrade organic molecules by ultrasound and temperature change, using the
piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of BiFeO3, was also tested. Structural studies showed a good formation
of the perovskite BiFeO3 phase at the diatomaceous earth support and a mixture of BiFeO3 and impurity phases
on the calcite microparticles in the case of the cuttlebone support. The composites of BiFeO3 with diatomaceous
earth exhibited significantly improved photocatalytic properties compared to separate phases and improved
adsorption, especially in the presence of H2O2. Under optimized conditions (pH 3 and with H2O2), the
methylene-blue decolorization by the composite of BiFeO3 and diatomaceous earth was comparable to
commercially available ZnO and P25 TiO2 photocatalysis standard nanopowders and even slightly better under
visible light. The degradation mechanism primarily involved hydroxyl radicals as the most active oxidative
species. Bismuth ferrite powder exhibited a noticeable dye degradation under ultrasound and weak degradation
under heating. BF-DE composite retained a very weak piezocatalytic and pyrocatalytic effects, and they were
absent in BF-CB composite. The results highlight the potential of natural 3D substrates to improve the perfor-
mance of semiconductors in environmentally friendly photocatalytic tertiary water treatments
Variation and Morphological Manifestation of Germline-Restricted Chromosomes in Three Species of Leaf Warblers of Genus Phylloscopus
No full textGermline restricted chromosomes are considered
a rather ancient element in the genomes of passerine
birds. Obviously, detailed comparative studies on
model groups including closely related species are required
for a better understanding of GRC evolution. It is especially
interesting if GRCs in such closely related species have
acquired significant differences. Methods: In this work we
compared three taxonomically close species of the genus
Phylloscopus: Ph. sindianus lorenzii, Ph. collybita menzbieri,
and Ph. nitidus, which have differences in morphological
manifestation of GRCs: macro- and micro-GRCs. We studied
synaptonemal complexes using immunocytochemistry
methods. Results: We were able to trace the morphological
transformations of macro-GRC at stages from leptotene
to diplotene, and describe the complex structure of this
chromosome in Ph. nitidus. Conclusion: We hope that the
taxonomic group under study can become a convenient
model for comparative studies of GRCs in closely related
species in order to understand the evolution of these unusual
chromosomes
The High Level of Between-Year Burrow Reuse in a European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster Colony
No full textIn this paper, we report a high level of burrow reuse by European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) in a mixed colony shared with common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and common swifts (Apus apus) at Višnjička Kosa, a suburban area of Belgrade, Serbia. The study was conducted during the breeding season in 2023 and 2024. Of the 255 burrows examined in 2024, 123 (48.23%) had been used in a previous breeding year, 88 (34.51%) were completely or partially excavated prior to 2024 but not used in 2023 and 36 (14.12%) were newly excavated in 2024. These results demonstrate a substantial level of burrow reuse within the studied colony, suggesting that reusing existing burrows may allow birds to conserve the energy and time otherwise required for new excavation
Preliminary insights into fish movements beyond the massive Iron Gate dams on the Danube River using acoustic telemetry
No full textUpstream fish movement in the Danube River at the Iron Gate is blocked by the massive hydropower dams and ship locks, as shown by tracking six fish species (vimba bream Vimba vimba, common nase Chondrostoma nasus, barbel Barbus barbus, asp Leuciscus aspius, Pontic shad Alosa immaculata and common carp Cyprinus carpio). In the absence of effective fish passage systems, the current level of river connectivity is insufficient to support upstream movement and migration for this diverse, multi-species fish community. The tagged cyprinids displayed evidence of migratory behaviour. Individuals of vimba bream, barbel, asp and common nase that were transported across the lowermost dam and released into the lower reservoir section showed rapid upstream movement, suggesting that the reservoir itself did not present significant obstacles to migration. Some covered the entire 76-km long reservoir within a few days to 2 weeks but were ultimately blocked by the next dam. Cyprinids released below the dams were recorded at varying depths and on both sides of the river. Asp, barbel, common nase and vimba bream moved both upstream and downstream relatively close to the surface below the Iron Gate II dam, averaging 2–3 m below the surface, but also diving down to about 10–20 m. Future studies combining three-dimensional telemetry methods and detailed information on hydrology below the dams could provide further information on the behaviours of the different fish species, which is needed to design efficient fish passage solutions
Application of chromatographic and spectroscopic methods for the analysis of antioxidant components in the fruits of 25 strawberry cultivars (Fragaria spp.)
No full textПовећање свести потрошача о здравој исхрани у савременом животу подстакло је бројне научне студије о нутритивним и лековитим својствима воћа, које поред лепог изгледа и укуса, треба да садржи биоактивне компоненте значајне за превенцију различитих болести и очување здравља људи. У оквиру ове докторске дисертације експериментално су анализирани примарни и секундарни метаболити у плодовима 25 одабраних сорти јагоде, а затим је применом статистичких и математичких модела изведено поређење одређених биоактивних и нутритивних компоненти по сортама како би се извршило њихово рангирање и дала потенцијална препорука за гајење одабраних сорти произвођачима, али и за конзумирање крајњим потрошачима. Овакав иновативни приступ, поред традиционалне квантитативне анализе примарних метаболита, обухвата и математички модел за одређивање укупног индекса квалитета (TQI), који може да се користи као поуздан алат за рангирање перспективних сорти. Упоредном анализом експерименталних резултата спектрофотометрије, спектрофлуориметрије, HPLC-MS, HPLC-DAD, HPLC-PAD, EPR спектроскопије и имиџинга, FT-ICR-MS и MS имиџинга унапређених статистичком обрадом података и мултиваријантном анализом, попуњен је недостатак детаљнијег профилисања биоактивних једињења присутних у плодовима различитих сорти јагоде који тренутно постоји у литератури. Тиме је омогућено упоређивање и рангирање 25 сорти јагоде према садржају биоактивних и нутритивних компоненти, њиховој интеракцији са ензимским системом плода и поуздано предвиђање одржања биоактивног потенцијала, чиме се одређује и прихватљивост плодова испитиваних сорти са аспекта хранљиве и здравствено промотивне вредности. У ширем смислу, резултати ове докторске дисертације профилишу употребу одређених аналитичких метода за испитивање физичко-хемијских особина плода у циљу фаворизовања сорти које показују супериорност у погледу нутритивних и антиоксидативних својстава плодова.The increase in consumer awareness of healthy eating in modern life has encouraged numerous scientific studies on the nutritional and medicinal properties of fruits, which, in addition to their beautiful appearance and taste, should contain bioactive components important for the prevention of various diseases and the preservation of human health. As part of this doctoral dissertation, primary and secondary metabolites in the fruits of 25 selected strawberry cultivars were experimentally analyzed, and then, using statistical and mathematical models, a comparison of certain bioactive and nutritional components by cultivars was performed to rank them and provide potential recommendations for the cultivation of selected cultivars to producers, but also for consumption by end consumers. This innovative approach, in addition to the traditional quantitative analysis of primary metabolites, also includes a mathematical model for determining the total quality index (TQI), which can be used as a reliable tool for ranking promising cultivars. Comparative analysis of experimental results of spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, HPLC-MS, HPLC-DAD, HPLC-PAD, EPR spectroscopy and imaging, FT-ICR-MS, and MS imaging enhanced by statistical data processing and multivariate analysis, filled the gap in the literature of a more detailed profiling of bioactive compounds present in the fruits of different strawberry cultivars. This enabled the comparison and ranking of 25 strawberry cultivars according to the content of bioactive and nutritional components, their interaction with the enzyme system of the fruit and reliable prediction of the maintenance of bioactive potential, which also determines the acceptability of the fruits of the tested cultivars from the aspect of nutritional and health-promoting value. In a broader sense, the results of this doctoral dissertation profile the use of certain analytical methods for examining the physicochemical properties of fruit to favor cultivars that demonstrate superiority in terms of nutritional and antioxidant properties of fruits
Book of Abstracts / 9 th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture
No full textThe 9th International Conference on Silicon in Agriculture (!CSA 2025), organized by the University of Belgrade - Institute for Multidisciplinary Research and the International Society of Silicon in Agriculture (ISSAG), under the auspices of the Serbian Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations, was held from September 15 to 19, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia, and included a one-day excursion.
This triennial conference, postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has a rich tradition of being hosted across continents: Florida, USA (1999); Tsuruoka, Japan (2002); Uberlandia, Brazil (2005); Durban, South Africa (2008); Beijing, China (2011); Stockholm, Sweden (2014); Bangalore, India (2017); and New Orleans, USA (2022). After a decade, ICSA has returned to Europe, and it was our great pleasure to welcome you to Belgrade, the vibrant capital of Serbia.
The central theme of ICSA 2025, Silicon for Sustainable Agriculture and Resilient Ecosystems, aimed to highlight recent advances in silicon-related research across agriculture, plant biology, and ecology. Over three days of scientific sessions, topics included the availability and dynamics of silicon in soils; mechanisms of silicon uptake and transport in plants; role of silicon in stress tolerance; broader impacts of silicon on plant growth, crop productivity and nutritional quality; relevance of silicon cycling and its implications on ecosystem resilience, and climate change mitigation; and innovations in siliconbased fertilizers and sustainable management practices. A new initiative of ICSA 2025 was the Epstein Memorial Session, held in honor of Professor Emanuel Epstein. As part of this tribute, the Emanuel Epstein Award was presented to three outstanding PhD students and early-career researchers, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the field.
ICSA 2025 brought together more than I 00 participants from over 20 countries, including both academic researchers and industry professionals. To support sustainability, the Book of Abstracts was published exclusively in e-format and includes 94 abstracts (46 oral and 48 poster presentations). We hope this e-book will serve as a valuable resource for all those engaged in silicon research aimed at addressing global agronomic and ecological challenges. After the conference, there will be an opportunity to submit full manuscripts to a special issue of Plant and Soil (S 125 - Silicon).
We are pleased to announce that the next ICSA will take place in Australia and look forward to seeing you there
DANUBE4all – Ecological status and biodiversity deficit analysis of the Danube River course
No full textDespite the ambitious European Union water legislation, progress in restoring freshwater and transitional water ecosystems has been slow due to knowledge, awareness, and local engagement gaps. The Horizon Europe project DANUBE4all - Restoration of the Danube River Basin Waters for Ecosystems and People from Mountains to Coast aims to develop a comprehensive Restoration Action Plan for the Danube River Basin Waters through a collaborative process involving stakeholders and citizens, supporting the EU's 2030 water restoration mission.
One of the main challenges in the Danube River Basin (DRB) is the decline in biodiversity. For this reason, the goal is to create a plan to improve ecological health, biodiversity, and connectivity, guided by scientific data. Work Package 3 analyzed significant pressures acting on the river network, using the biological assessment with a focus on the hydromorphological conditions of species habitats as a key factor influencing biodiversity. We provided a comprehensive overview of the Danube River’s ecological status and biodiversity, which are essential for ecosystem restoration. This includes assessing the river's ecological state, focusing on key fish species and habitat availability for both protected and invasive species. We identified key factors affecting biodiversity, highlighted existing deficits, and proposed strategies for improving ecological conditions, such as creating protected areas, establishing ecological corridors, and implementing sustainable resource management practices. We introduced a new method of objectively controlling quality of species occurrences for 113 fish species, as well as a selection of freshwater macroinvertebrates and macrophytes, to enable the development of more reliable ecological models that are vital for spatial prioritization. We also included the results of a questionnaire related to the status of Danube River fish species,
along with recommendations for improving the current situation. The findings also include a call to action to strengthen ecosystem protection and promote a multidisciplinary approach to the Danube River’s restoration. The conservation challenges outlined are important for the Danube River Basin, but they also have implications for other ecosystems. These considerations are useful for policymakers, conservationists, and other stakeholders
Economical production of millet - Panicum miliaceum L. in the world and importance as functional food
No full textMany studies indicate the increasing functional value of millet - Panicum miliaceum L. in human nutrition. Consumers have increasingly high criteria for quality of life and an increasingly developed awareness of the role of food in maintaining health, while the prices of treatment are increasing. This has led to greater interest in consuming functional foods. The area under millet in the world is recording a growth trend. In 2023, the area under millet amounted to 31,332,668 ha, with a total production of 31,596,316 tons. Europe is a significant global producer of millet, with an area of 368,612 ha, or a total world share of 1.18%, and a total production of 661,707.8 tons. In 2023, average millet yields in Serbia were at the level of average world yields (956 t/ha) while production amounted to 107.43 tons. The Republic of Serbia and Montenegro have favorable conditions for growing millet. Proper growing technology and variety selection are prerequisites for economically profitable millet production. Millet is a source of carbohydrates, proteins, essential amino acids, polyphenols, minerals and dietary fiber, which indicates the possibility of using millet in the diet as a component that contributes to functionality and health improvement