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First report of Cucumber mosaic virus infecting Petroselinum crispum in Serbia
No full textThe Apiaceae family, a large and complex family with about 3820 species distributed throughout the world, includes important leaf and root vegetables such as carrot, parsley, celery, and parsnip. A number of species are cultivated as aromatic herbs and spices, while certain species have long been used in medicine. It is well-known that this family has been threatened by numerous pathogens, of which more than 30 widespread viruses have been described. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV; Cucumovirus CMV, Cucumovirus, Bromoviridae) is one of the most widespread viruses, causing significant agronomic losses in many crops, including over 1,300 plant species from more than 500 genera and 100 families, with a high potential for rapid spread to new hosts. In autumn 2023, during a survey to determine the presence of Apiaceous viruses in Serbia, symptomatic parsley plants with chlorotic spots and line patterns on the leaf surface were observed in the Medvedja locality (district of Rasina). The collected samples were analyzed by double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA and CMV was detected in 7 out of 9 tested samples. The presence of CMV in parsley was also confirmed by RT-PCR with specific primers. The amplified product of isolate 4/23 was sequenced using Sanger sequencing method and analyzed by MEGAX software. BLAST search result revealed a 99,52% identity with Polish CMV isolate from host Lonicera caprifolium (EU 191027). The constructed phylogenetic tree showed that the Serbian parsley isolate belongs to CMV subgroup II. In Yugoslavia's former geographical region, CMV's presence was suspected based on symptoms observed on celery plants in the fields. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV on parsley in Serbia
ADAPTATION OF SUGAR BEET PRODUCTION IN TIMES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
No full textClimate change is increasingly exerting a negative impact on the sustainability of agricultural production. The application of numerous plant protection agents and crop fertilizers contributes to soil, food, and water pollution, as well as increased greenhouse gas emissions, thus influencing climatic parameters. Conversely, climate change, through altered precipitation patterns, rising air temperatures, hailstorms during summer, and spring frosts, increases the intensity of plant diseases, insect outbreaks (including resistant strains), and vegetation changes, all of which disrupt sugar beet production. These interrelations between climate and sugar beet production technology necessitate the modification of existing production methods. In response, the Research Center of Sunoko is investigating and implementing various methods, such as soil and plant tissue analyses, weed control machinery, biopreparations, and non-chemical disease and weed control measures. These efforts aim to preserve the environment, mitigate climate impacts, and achieve high yields. The goal of Sunoko’s sustainable sugar beet production is to develop new cultivation technologies that responsibly manage natural resources, soil, surface and groundwater, biodiversity, and the safety and health of humans and animals
Kaolin-based formulation of Erwinia amylovora-specific bacteriophage for improved UV stability
No full textBacteriophages (phages) have gained attention in agriculture as an alternative
method to control plant pathogenic bacteria, including Enuinia amylavora, the causal
agent of fire blight. Survival and biological activity of phages can be impaired by
environmental stress, especially UV radiation. Therefore, we studied in vitro the ability
of kaolin to extend the viability of the E. amylovora-specific phage OEa10 after timedepended
exposure to UV light. Four concentrations of kaolin (0.05, 0.5, '1 and 5%)
were mixed in a 1:1 ratio with a bacteriophage suspension and exposed to UV light
(l=254 nm, l=680 pWcm2) for 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The remaining infective
phages were quantified in PFU/ml by plaque assay using E. amylovora strain KBI 52
as a host. Our study shows that unformulated phages were not able to survive 30 min
under UV-light. Viability of phages depended on the kaolin concentration and the
duration of UV radiation. Lower kaolin concentrations (0.05 and 0.5%) did not exhibit
any positive effect on phage survival. Phages formulated with 17o were able to survive
for 30 minutes without titer reduction, but were no longer detected after 60 minutes.
After g0 and 120 minutes of exposure, the titer of phages mixed with 5% of kaolin was
still stable at 108 PFU/ml. Future studies will focus on effect of kaolin and other
compounds against other environmental stress such as temperature and pH variations
Application of Microscopy in Identification of Water Pollutants
No full textLake Ada Ciganlija is located on the southern bank of the Sava River, near the confluence of the Sava and Danube, 4 km from the center of Belgrade (Serbia). In summer, the lake and the surrounding peninsula become a cultural and entertainment center, attracting many visitors every day. Covered with dense deciduous forests and dotted with glades and meadows, Ada is the largest and most visited recreation and swimming spot for Belgrade residents. Another name for this popular site is „The Belgrade Sea“. A few years ago, something resembling bird feathers was spotted floating on the surface of the water. Pigeons and gulls live in the area, so the presence of feathers in the water was not surprising. Most visitors did not notice it, and some assumed it was of natural origin. As it appeared every day, the author decided to take some samples and collect them in 1.5 ml molecular tubes. The aim of the study was to examine this material under a microscope. Microphotographs were made using an Olympus BH-2 microscope with Nomarsky contrast and bright-field microscopy, a digital camera and Motic Images Plus 2.0 ML software.
The results were surprising, revealing transparent, plastic-like hollow microtubes or microfibers that were clearly not of natural origin. The microfibers varied in length (100-3,000 μm) and width (5-20 μm). They were connected to each other in pairs or multiple pairs, sometimes fused together in clumps, and adhered very well to human tissue. Many questions arose: Where did it come from? What is the purpose of these microtubes? Who made it? A literature survey of microfibers in fresh waters in foreign countries showed that their microfibers originate mainly from wastewater. But it was not the case here. The Belgrade sea i.e. lake is fed directly by rivers, and the microfibers are so tiny that they float for a few seconds and sink to the bottom when the water moves. They must first fly through the air and then settle on the surface until they reach the bottom or some organism. In both cases, the microfibers are water pollutants, since they are not natural and were not present in the lake before.
Government authorities should pay more attention to such pollutants, since they can cause disruptions in the aquatic ecosystem and become a serious environmental hazard. In addition, microfibers can have adverse effects on the lungs, gastrointestinal tract and many other physiological systems of organisms. In this sense, citizen science will be important in future, to alert for unusual artifacts and processes in our environment. But first, the public needs to be informed
Forage Yield and Nutritional Value of Alfalfa in Relation to Cutting Height, Stage of Maturity and Climatic Changes.
No full textIn the central Serbian region, a three-year study without irrigation examined the influence of cutting height (6, 10, and 15 cm), maturity stage, and agroecological conditions on the yield and nutritional value of alfalfa. Variable agroecological conditions caused a yield difference of 10.32 t ha⁻¹, from an average of 37.77 t ha⁻¹ in the first year to 48.09 t ha⁻¹ in the second year, across all tested mowers. The yield decreased with the increase in cutting height and increased with the progress of the maturity stage. With the increase in cutting height, the crude protein (CP) content increased, while the crude fiber (CF) content decreased. At a cutting height of 15 cm, the crude protein (CP) content was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than at a cutting height of 6 cm. A cutting height of 15 cm had a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower crude fiber (CF) content of alfalfa compared to cutting heights of 6 and 10 cm. The crude protein (CP) content was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher during the budding phase compared to the full bloom phase. The strongest negative correlation (p ≤0.001) was observed between crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) content (r=-0.957 to r=-0.944) and between yield and crude protein content (r=-0.896 to r=-0.878). There are no statistically significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the content of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but a trend of increase or decrease has been determined
Pink Lenka : Sorta paradajza (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
No full textPink Lenka je nova indeterminantna sorta paradajza razvijena u Institutu za povrtarstvo Smederevska Palanka. Odlikuje se snažnim porastom, dobrom pokrivenošću lišća i razvijenim cvetnim granama koje formiraju 5–7 plodova prosečne mase od 200 do 240 g, u zavisnosti od primenjene tehnologije gajenja. Sorta je pogodna za uzgoj u zaštićenom prostoru i na otvorenom polju. Plodovi su atraktivne roze boje, bez zelene kragne, ujednačenog oblika i veoma prijatnog ukusa, što je čini pogodnom za svežu potrošnju i lokalno tržište. Pink Lenka pripada grupi ranih sorti, stabilnog prinosa i visokog kvaliteta ploda, te predstavlja značajan doprinos domaćem sortimentu paradajza
Potential of essential oils in control of pathogenic plant viruses
No full textEssential oils are complex mixtures of aromatic compounds produced through secondary metabolism in plants. They contain
various substances such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, organic acids, and phenols. These oils have been used in
medicine since ancient civilisations, including Egypt and China, as recorded in historical documents. Apart from their biological
and ecological functions, essential oils also display antimicrobial, antiviral, and insecticidal properties. This paper focuses on the
antiviral effects of essential oils. Plant viruses pose a significant threat to agricultural crops, as no effective treatments are
currently available, leading to considerable economic losses. Numerous in vitro studies have shown that essential oils and their
compounds from various medicinal and aromatic plants can act as powerful antiviral and virucidal agents. They work by
inhibiting viral replication at different stages of the infection cycle in DNA and RNA viruses across different host cells. Essential
oils are gaining attention as potential novel drugs with antimicrobial and antiviral properties. In plant protection, essential oils
are recognised for their antiviral, antimycotic, and antiparasitic effects, and are considered promising for developing safe
antimicrobial agentsЕтерична уља су сложене мешавине ароматичних једињења произведених кроз секундарни метаболизам у биљкама.
Садрже различите супстанце попут угљоводоника, алкохола, кетона, алдехида, органских киселина и фенола. Ова уља се
користе у медицини још од древних цивилизација, укључујући Египат и Кину, што је забележено у историјским
документима. Поред својих биолошких и еколошких функција, етерична уља такође показују антимикробна,
антивирусна и инсектицидна својства. Овај рад се фокусира на антивирусне ефекте етеричних уља. Биљни вируси
представљају значајну претњу пољопривредним усевима, јер тренутно не постоје ефикасни третмани, што доводи до
значајних економских губитака. Бројна ин витро истраживања су показала да етерична уља и њихови састојци из
различитих лековитих и ароматичних биљака могу деловати као снажни антивирусни агенси. Делују тако што
инхибирају виралну репликацију у различитим фазама циклуса инфекције у ДНK и РНK вирусима кроз различите врсте
домаћинских ћелија. Етерична уља привлаче пажњу као потенцијални нови лекови са антимикробним и антивирусним
својствима. У заштити биљака, етерична уља су препозната по својим антивирусним, антигљивичним и
антипаразитским ефектима, те се сматрају обећавајућима за развој сигурних антимикробних агенаса
Садржај тешких метала у пепелу након сагоревања брикета од различитих типова биомасе
No full textIn this study, briquettes were prepared from different biomass types (tobacco stalks, soybean stalks,
wheat straw, sunflower head residues, corn cobs, and beech wood sawdust), and their combustion
was carried out in a suitable boiler. A qualitative analysis of the heavy metal content (Cr, Co, Ni,
Cd, Hg, Pb, and As) was performed using the ICP-OES method (iCAP 6300 ICP-OES CID
Spectrometer, Thermo Scientific, USA), with results expressed in mg/kg of dry sample mass. Based
on the obtained results, significant differences in the concentrations of heavy metals were found.
The lowest levels of chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) were found in beech wood sawdust (9.48
mg/kg and 2.43 mg/kg, respectively), while the highest values were recorded in corn cobs (54.76
mg/kg for Cr and 13.95 mg/kg for Co). Nickel (Ni) content was lowest in sunflower head residues
(17.16 mg/kg) and highest in corn cobs (59.72 mg/kg). Cadmium (Cd) showed the lowest values in
wheat straw and sunflower head residues (0.63 mg/kg), with the highest concentration found in
soybean stalks (5.33 mg/kg). Lead (Pb) levels were lowest in tobacco stalks (7.32 mg/kg) and
highest in wheat straw (63.31 mg/kg). Arsenic (As) was lowest in soybean stalks (0.21 mg/kg) and
highest in beech wood sawdust (0.87 mg/kg). According to the EN 14961-2 standard, the briquettes
meet the criteria for As and Hg content. However, most of the biomass types do not comply with the
prescribed limits for Cr, Cu, and Ni. The allowable amount of Zn in ash under EN 14961-2 is ≤
100 mg/kg, a condition met by biomass from sunflower head residues, corn cob, and even wheat
straw. These findings suggest that, with appropriate treatment and adjustment of metal content, ash
from these biomasses could potentially be used in the production of mineral fertilizers. The process
of mineral fertilizer production from ash involves the addition of certain salts to achieve the desired
quality, which allows the use of tobacco stalk ash, despite its failure to meet the criteria for the
content of most heavy metals under the EN 14961-2 standard (which pertains to wood pellets)
UTICAJ INOKULACIJE ODABRANIM BACILLUS SOJEVIMA NA PRINOS BILJNE MASE JEČMA
No full textJečam (Hordeum vulgare L.) zauzima četvrto mesto među
najznačajnijim žitaricama u svetu, sa dugom istorijom gajenja i ključnom
ulogom u globalnoj poljoprivrednoj proizvodnji. Njegov značaj potiče iz
visoke prilagodljivosti različitim klimatskim uslovima, nutritivne
vrednosti i široke primene – od stočne hrane i osnovne sirovine za pivarsku
industriju do upotrebe u proizvodnji prehrambenih proizvoda za ljudsku
ishranu. U kontekstu porasta svetske populacije i izazova koje nameću
klimatske promene, neophodno je razvijati održive i efikasne strategije za
unapređenje prinosa i kvaliteta ječma. U tom smislu, sve veća pažnja
usmerava se na primenu mikroorganizama kao ekološki prihvatljive
alternative sintetičkim đubrivima i pesticidima. Posebno su perspektivne
bakterije iz roda Bacillus, od kojih se pojedine vrste svrstavaju u
rizobakterije koje podstiču rast biljaka (PGPR). Ove bakterije poznate su
po sposobnosti da poboljšaju usvajanje hranljivih materija (npr. putem
fiksacije azota i rastvaranja fosfata), sintetišu fitohormone rasta i štite
biljke od patogena. Stoga je cilj ovog istraživanja bio da se proceni uticaj
dva soja roda Bacillus na prinos ječma (Hordeum vulgare L.) u
polukontrolisanim uslovima, u eksperimentu u saksijama. Odabrani sojevi
su prethodno okarakterisani kao bakterije sa osobinama koje pospešuju rast
biljaka, kao što su produkcija indol-3-sirćetne kiseline, siderofora i
sposobnost solubilizacije fosfata. Seme ječma inokulisano je sojevima
Bacillus thuringiensis BHC 2.4 i Bacillus velezensis BHC 3.1, dok je
tretman bez inokulacije služio kao kontrola. Eksperiment je sproveden u
stakleniku Instituta za zemljište od maja do avgusta 2025. godine. Biljke
su gajene u saksijama prečnika 15 cm, raspoređenim po principu potpuno
slučajnog rasporeda, sa tri ponavljanja po tretmanu. Na kraju ogleda nadzemna biljna masa je pokošena, osušena i izmerena (g). Oba bakterijska
tretmana značajno su povećala prinos biljne mase u poređenju sa
kontrolom. Detektovano je povećanje prinosa suve biljne mase za do
29,93% kod biljaka inokulisanih sojem B. thuringiensis BHC 2.4 i do
48,91% kod biljaka tretiranih sojem B. velezensis BHC 3.1. Dobijeni
rezultati ukazuju da ispitivani sojevi roda Bacillus poseduju visok
potencijal kao bioinokulanti koji podstiču rast ječma, doprinoseći održivoj
poljoprivrednoj proizvodnji i smanjenju zavisnosti od hemijskih đubriva.
Buduća istraživanja treba da obuhvate potvrdu efikasnosti ovih sojeva u
poljskim uslovima.Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ranks as the world's fourth most important
cereal crop, boasting a long history of cultivation and a pivotal role in
agricultural production across the globe. Its significance stems from its
adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, high nutritional value, and
versatile utility—ranging from livestock feed and a primary brewing raw
material to human food products. In the context of a growing global
population and the challenges posed by climate change, it is imperative to
develop sustainable and efficient strategies to enhance barley yield and
quality. To this end, there is a growing focus on utilizing microorganisms
as an ecologically friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Strains of bacteria from the genus Bacillus are particularly promising; as
some of them are classified as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria
(PGPR). These bacteria are renowned for their ability to improve nutrient
uptake (e.g., through nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization),
synthesize plant growth hormones, and protect crops against pathogens.
Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of two Bacillus
strains on the growth performance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under
semi-controlled conditions, in a pot experiment. Bacillus strains were
selected based on their previously confirmed PGP traits, such as the
production of indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore and phosphate
solubilization ability. Barley seeds were inoculated with Bacillus
thuringiensis BHC 2.4 and Bacillus velezensis BHC 3.1, while a noninoculated treatment served as the control. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Institute of Soil Science from May to August 2025.
Plants were grown in pots (15 cm in diameter) arranged in a completely
randomized design with three replications per treatment. At the end of the
experiment, aboveground biomass was harvested, dried and measured (g).
Both bacterial treatments significantly enhanced plant biomass compared
to the control. The dry biomass yield increased by up to 29.93% in plants
inoculated with B. thuringiensis BHC 2.4 and by up to 48.91% in those
treated with B. velezensis BHC 3.1. These results suggest that the tested
Bacillus strains have a strong potential as plant growth-promoting
inoculants for barley cultivation, contributing to sustainable crop
production and reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers. Future
research should include confirmation of efficiency of the selected strains
under field conditions
Seed Quality and Seedling Growth After Applying Ecological Treatments to Crimson Clover Seeds
No full textThe effect of different treatments on the seed quality of crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) from six localities in eastern Serbia was investigated. The aim of this study was to improve seed quality and seedling growth of T. incarnatum using eco-friendly treatments. Tests were carried out under laboratory and field conditions, using hot water and air-drying temperatures. Seed quality parameters included germinated seeds, dormant seeds, dead seeds, seedling growth, and abnormal seedlings, all expressed as percentages. The water absorption test confirmed the presence of physical seed dormancy in crimson clover. The best results were achieved with a 30-min hot water treatment, which increased water absorption and reduced the percentage of dormant seeds. Longer exposure times increased the percentage of dead seeds and abnormal seedlings, whereas shorter exposure times increased the percentage of dormant seeds and reduced germination. There was strong agreement between the germination results obtained under laboratory and field conditions. These findings illustrate new biotechnological approaches to enhancing seed quality