Repository Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb
Not a member yet
3827 research outputs found
Sort by
Dietary Effects of Black-Oat-Rich Polyphenols on Production Traits, Metabolic Profile, Antioxidative Status, and Carcass Quality of Fattening Lambs
No full textThe study aimed to establish the dietary effects of black oat rich in polyphenols on the production traits, metabolic profile, antioxidant status, and carcass quality of fattening lambs, after weaning. In the BO group, in the feed mixture, common oats replaced the black oat compared to the CO group. The research comprehensively investigated production indicators, blood metabolic profile, antioxidant status, and lamb carcass quality. No significant differences were found in the fattening or slaughter characteristics of lamb carcasses, except for lower pH1 values in BO lamb carcasses. Significant increases in RBC, HCT, and MCV levels as well as TP, ALB, and GLOB concentrations and GPx and SOD activities in the blood of BO lambs were found. The glucose and EOS content as well as the activity of the enzymes ALT and ALP were significantly lower in the blood of the BO group than in the CO group. In the liver, the DPPH activity was significantly higher in the BO lambs compared to the CO lambs. The observed changes in glucose, protein metabolism, and antioxidant status in the blood and tissues of lambs indicate that the use of polyphenol-rich black oats in the diet of lambs under stress conditions is justified
The influence of rhizobacterium Azospirillum brasilense on cherry rootstock and cv. Lapins vegetative growth and leaf mineral composition
No full textTrešnja (Prunus avium L.) značajna je voćna vrsta za potrošnju u svježem stanju. Najviše se uzgaja u područjima umjerenog klimata, te zbog ranijeg dozrijevanja i tehnologija uzgoja postiže relativno visoke cijene na tržištu. U intenzivnom uzgoju trešnje nove tehnologije usmjerene su na povećanje uroda i kvalitete plodova uz očuvanje zdravstvenog stanja stabala, čemu pridonosi i odabir podloga optimalne bujnosti. Sainte Lucie (SL) 64, MaxMa 14 i Gisela 5 jesu podloge manje bujnosti od sjemenjaka trešnje (P. avium), kompatibilne s velikim brojem sorti trešanja koje pokazuju dobra svojstva na različitim tipovima tla. Navedene su podloge kompatibilne sa sortom trešnje Lapins, koja je intenzivno proučavana sorta zbog svojih povoljnih svojstava kao što su sposobnost samooplodnje, rani ulazak u rod, te visoka i redovita rodnost. Rizobakterije koje potiču rast biljaka (engl. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria) izravno ili neizravno utječu na razvoj biljke domaćina fiksacijom dušika, topljivošću teže dostupnih spojeva fosfata, sintezom fitohormona i sekundarnih metabolita, čime se povećava otpornost biljke domaćina na stresne čimbenike okoliša i prisutnost fitopatogenih mikroorganizama. Rizobakterija Azospirillum brasilense pripada skupini korisnih mikroorganizama koja asocijativno nastanjuje zonu korijenova sustava biljke domaćina, pozitivno pridonosi rastu i razvoju biljke. Današnju proizvodnju prati niz izazova s kojima se poljoprivrednici suočavaju. U voćarsku proizvodnu praksu uvode se nova rješenja s ciljem smanjenog korištenja konvencionalnih metoda gnojidbe i zaštite. Utjecaj A. brasilense na Prunus vrste do danas je nedovoljno istražen. Ciljevi ovog rada bili su utvrditi količinu mineralnih tvari u supstratu i lišću podloga SL 64, MaxMa 14 i Gisela 5, te sorte Lapins zbog primjene A. brasilense, te utvrditi vegetativnu aktivnost podloga i sorte Lapins zbog primjene A. brasilense. Poljski pokus proveden je 2022. godine na lokalitetu Poljana (otok Ugljan) na komercijalno uzgojenim jednogodišnjim sadnicama triju podloga i okulantima sorte Lapins u kontejnerima volumena 12 litara koji su bili raspoređeni po slučajnome bloknom rasporedu s trima ponavljanjima i 15 sadnica po ponavljanju za svaku podlogu. Mikrobiološki inokulat AZOS® koji sadrži rizobakteriju A. brasilense u koncentraciji od 106 CFU g-1 dodavan je 0,8 g L-1 jedanput mjesečno (T1) i 0,8 g L-1 svaki drugi mjesec (T2) u ujednačenim vremenskim intervalima, dok su istovremeno biljke u kontroli (T0) zalijevane kišnicom. Kao čimbenici vegetativne aktivnosti u obzir su uzeti visina biljke, površina poprečnog presjeka debla sadnice (engl. TCSA) i indeks sadržaja klorofila listova (engl. CCI). Osim toga, tijekom vegetacije u četiri roka bilježeni su vegetativni rast mladica, broj njihovih internodija i prosječna duljina internodija. Uzorci su listova krajem srpnja prikupljeni sa središnjeg dijela mladice i analizirani, a uzorci supstrata prikupljeni su u rujnu. Za određivanje fizikalno-kemijskih svojstava supstrata i mineralnog sastava listova korištene su sljedeće metode: u supstratu su određene vrijednosti pH, EC i % soli, a u listu suha tvar. Količina dušika određena je metodom po Kjeldahlu, a nakon digestije s HNO3 i HClO4 količina fosfora određena je spektrofotometrijski, kalija plamenfotometrijski, a kalcija i magnezija s pomoću atomskoga apsorpcijskog spektrometra. Rezultati su obrađeni dvofaktorskom analizom varijance te je proveden Tukeyjev post hoc test. Na temelju dobivenih rezultata istraživanja može se zaključiti kako je zalijevanje podloga inokulatom utjecalo na indeks sadržaja klorofila, te duljinu mladice i duljinu internodija u prvom mjerenju. Nadalje, u okulantima sorte Lapins zabilježen je utjecaj bakterije na CCI, prosječnu duljinu internodija, sadržaj amonijaka, mineralnog dušika i kalcija u supstratu, te sadržaj dušika i magnezija u listovima. U istraživanju je uočen i utjecaj podloge na mjerene vegetativne karakteristike, svojstva supstrata te mineralni sastav listova u sadnicama podloga i okulanata. Rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazuju da je inokulacija A. brasilense polučila efekt na vrijednosti sadržaja klorofila i dušika u listovima, te da se rizobakterija preporučuje rabiti kao nadopuna anorganskim ili organskim gnojivima u dobivanju kvalitetnoga sadnog materijala. Očekivani znanstveni doprinos očituje se u novim spoznajama o efektima inokulacije A. brasilense na vegetativnu aktivnost višegodišnjih vrsta iz roda Prunus, te o njezinu utjecaju na količinu mineralnih tvari u inokuliranom supstratu i biljkama.Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a valuable fruit crop for fresh consumption. It is mostly grown in areas with a moderate climate, and due to earlier ripening and cultivation technologies it achieves relatively high prices on the market. In intensive cherry production, new technologies are focusing on increasing fruit yield and quality while preserving the tree health which is also helped by the selection of rootstocks with optimal vigour. Rootstocks that are less vigorous than cherry seedlings, compatible with a large number of sweet cherry varieties and show good properties on different soil types are Sainte Lucie (SL) 64, MaxMa 14 and Gisela 5. These rootstocks are compatible with Lapins, self-fertile, highly productive and precocious fruiting cultivar. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria directly or indirectly affect the development of the plant by fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphates, synthesizing plant hormones and secondary metabolites, which increases plant resistance to environmental stress factors and the presence of phytopathogenic microorganisms. Rhizobacterium Azospirillum brasilense belongs to the group of beneficial microorganisms and associatively inhabits the plant rhizosphere. With its abilities positively contributes to the growth and development of the host plant. Nowadays, production is accompanied by a series of challenges that farmers face. New solutions are introduced in fruit production practices with the aim of reducing the use of conventional fertilization and plant protection methods. The influence of A. brasilense on Prunus spp. has been insufficiently investigated to date. Goals of this research were to determine the amount of macro elements in the substrate and leaves of three rootstocks and cv. Lapins due to the application of A. brasilense, and to determine the vegetative activity of the rootstocks and cv. Lapins due to the application of A. brasilense. The field experiment was carried out in 2022 in Poljana (the island of Ugljan) on commercially grown one-year-old maiden trees of three rootstocks and maidens of cv. Lapins in 12-liter containers that were arranged in a randomized block design with 3 replicates and 15 plants per replicate for each rootstock. Microbial inoculum AZOS® containing A. brasilense in a concentration of 106 CFU g-1 was added by watering the plants in the amount of 0 g L-1 (control plants - T0), 0.8 g L-1 once a month (T1) and 0.8 g L-1 every other month (T2) at regular time intervals. Plant height, trunk cross-sectional area and leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI) were taken into account as factors of vegetative activity. In addition, shoot growth of maiden trees, number of their internodes and the average length of internodes were noted four times during the growing season. Leaf samples were collected in the end of July from the central part of the shoot and analysed in the laboratory while substrate samples were collected in September. pH, EC and % of salt were determined in substrate, and dry matter content in leaves. Moreover, following methods were used to determine chemical properties of substrate and leaf mineral composition: mineral nitrogen content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, and after digestion with HNO3 and HClO4, the amount of phosphorus as P2O5 was determined spectrophotometrically, potassium as K2O by flame photometry, and calcium and magnesium with an atomic absorption spectrometer. Based on the obtained research results, it can be concluded that watering the plants with the inoculum affected CCI, as well as shoot length and internode length in the first measurement. Furthermore, in cv. Lapins the effect of bacteria was recorded on CCI, average length of internodes, content of ammonia, mineral nitrogen and calcium in the substrate, and nitrogen and magnesium content in the leaves. In this research, rootstock influenced the measured vegetative characteristics, substrate properties and leaf mineral composition in rootstocks and cv. Lapins maidens. Results of this research show that inoculation of A. brasilense had an effect on leaf chlorophyll values and nitrogen content and that A. brasilense can be used as a supplement to inorganic or organic fertilizers in obtaining quality planting material. Expected scientific contribution is manifested in new knowledge about the effects of A. brasilense inoculation on the vegetative activity of perennial species from the Prunus spp. and the influence of inoculation on mineral composition in plants
Insects of the order Diptera as predators and parasitoids of agricultural pests
No full textRed Diptera (dvokrilci) jedan je od redova kukaca najbogatijih različitim vrstama. Najpoznatije su
štetne vrste poput vinskih mušica, obada i komaraca. No postoji i velik broj vrsta čije su ličinke
postale karnivorni predatori i parazitoidi pa napadaju druge organizme i njima se hrane. Najčešći
domaćini su im drugi kukci, ali napadaju i puževe, gujavice, stonoge i pauke. Cilj rada je pregledom
literature utvrditi i opisati pripadnike reda Diptera koji predstavljaju važnije predatore, parazite
ili parazitoide različitih skupina organizama koji mogu biti štetni u poljoprivredi.The order Diptera (dipterans) is one of the orders of insects with the richest variety of species.
The most well-known are harmful species such as fruit flies, horse flies, and mosquitoes. But
there are also many species whose larvae have become carnivorous predators and parasitoids,
so they attack other organisms and feed on them. Their most common hosts are other insects,
but they also attack snails, wasps, centipedes and spiders. The aim of the paper is to identify and
describe the members of the order Diptera, which represent important predators, parasites or
parasitoids of different groups of organisms that can be harmful in agriculture, by reviewing the
literature
Detection of QTL influencing body conformation traits in dairy sheep
No full textBody conformation traits hold significant importance in the context of dairy sheep, as they are linked with the animals' overall health, longevity, and production capabilities. The primary objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with these traits in Churra dairy sheep using data generated by the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip (50K-chip). Two different approaches, traditional linkage analysis (LA) and a genome-wide association study (GWAS), were employed for QTL mapping. The study population comprises 1,680 ewes from the Churra Dairy Selection Nucleus (ANCHE), distributed across 16 half-sibling families. Four specific traits (Stature, Rump Width, Rear Legs (Rear View), and Feet Angle) were examined, resulting in the detection of eight chromosome-wise significant QTLs through LA and 27 chromosome-wise significant regions through GWAS. To enhance the understanding of the identified QTLs, confidence intervals were established for each significant signal, followed by gene and QTL annotation, as well as QTL enrichment analysis. Comparisons with previously reported QTLs in sheep for body conformation traits revealed intriguing similarities, supporting the authenticity of the identified QTLs. The regions showing the highest level of correspondence with previously reported sheep QTL for traits of interest were analyzed in detail for the identification of the most promising functional candidate genes. However, further research is needed to confirm the direct association of these candidate genes with the corresponding body morphology traits of interest. These findings have the potential to serve for the identification of genetic markers that could be used ultimately to enhance the efficiency of Churra sheep breeding program, particularly for the improvement of body morphology traits.Svojstva tjelesne konformacije igraju značajnu ulogu u kontekstu uzgoja mliječnih ovaca, s obzirom da su povezana s ukupnim zdravljem, dugovječnošću i proizvodnim sposobnostima životinja. Osnovni cilj ovog istraživanja bio je identificirati kvantitativne lokuse povezane sa svojstvima (eng. Quantitative trait loci, QTL) tjelesne konformacije kod mliječnih ovaca pasmine Churra koristeći podatke generirane pomoću Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip (50K-čipa). Za mapiranje QTL-ova primijenjene su dvije različite metode, tradicionalna analiza povezanosti (eng. Linkage analysis, LA) i cjelogenomska asocijacijska studija (eng. Genome-wide association study, GWAS). Ispitivana populacija sastojala se od 1.680 ovaca iz Selekcijskog nukleusa za mliječne ovce Churra (eng. National Association of Churra Breeders, ANCHE), raspoređenih u 16 polubrat/polusestra obitelji. Predmet istraživanja bila su četiri svojstva (stas, širina kukova, stražnje noge (pogled straga) i kut papaka) te je identificirano sedam QTL-ova značajnih na razini kromosoma putem LA i 27 regija značajnih na razini kromosoma putem GWAS-a. Kako bi se poboljšalo razumijevanje identificiranih QTL-ova, uspostavljeni su intervali pouzdanosti za svaki značajan QTL, nakon čega su slijedili anotacija gena i anotacija QTL-ova, kao i analiza obogaćivanja (eng. Enrichment analysis). Usporedbom s prethodno identificiranim QTL-ovima kod ovaca za svojstva tjelesne konformacije, otkrivene su sličnosti, što podržava autentičnost identificiranih QTL-ova. Regije koje pokazuju najveći stupanj podudaranja s prethodno identificiranim QTL-ovima ovaca za svojstva od interesa detaljno su analizirane kako bi se identificirali najizgledniji funkcionalni kandidat geni. Međutim, potrebna su daljnja istraživanja kako bi se potvrdila izravna povezanost kandidat gena s odgovarajućim svojstvima tjelesne konformacije od interesa. Ova saznanja imaju potencijal za identifikaciju genetskih markera koji bi se mogli koristiti za poboljšanje uzgojnih programa pasmine Churra, posebice s ciljem poboljšanja proučavanih svojstava tjelesne konformacije
Determining soil contamination with heavy metals using the bioindicator species Carabus coriaceus Linnaeus, 1758
No full textTeški metali kao što su olovo (Pb), kobalt (Co), cink (Zn), bakar (Cu) i mangan (Mn) su široko rasprostranjeni i prirodno prisutni elementi u okolišu. Za većinu organizama u niskim koncentracijama su bezopasni a neki od njih neophodni su za njihovo normalno funkcioniranje. Povećanje sadržaja metala u ekosustavima kao posljedica intenzivne poljoprivredne proizvodnje i drugih ljudskih aktivnosti utječu na smanjenje i/ili izumiranje organizama koji žive u takvim ekosustavima. Trčci su korisni kukci koji žive u tlu i hrane se brojnim vrstama štetnika u poljoprivredi. Vrlo su osjetljivi na promjene u okolišu te se često koriste kao bioindikatori kvalitete agroekosustava i onečišćenja okoliša. Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je: 1) utvrditi sadržaj teških metala u tlu i bioindikatorskoj vrsti trčka (Carabus coriaceus Linnaeus, 1758) prikupljenih na poljoprivrednoj i ne poljoprivrednoj površini te 2) izračunati bioakumulacijske faktore u vrsti C. coriaceus u svrhu procjene onečišćenja tla teškim metalima. Uzorci trčaka prikupljeni su tijekom 2022. godine u voćnjaku jabuke (Krapina) i šumi (NP Risnjak) pomoću “pitfall” lovki. Na svakoj pokusnoj površini postavljene su tri lovke. S obje lokacije izdvojeno je 20 primjeraka trčaka koji su pripremljeni za kemijske analize. Na obje lokacije uzorkovano je i tlo i to po jedan prosječan uzorak s dvije dubine (0-30 i 30-60 cm). Sadržaj metala (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Pb) u trčcima i tlu utvrđen je primjenom pXRF metode. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da je jako humozno šumsko tlo na Risnjaku bilo onečišćeno niklom, dok je slabo humozno tlo voćnjaka u Krapini bilo onečišćeno kromom, arsenom, olovom i niklom. Značajno viši sadržaj kroma i cinka zabilježen je u trčcima iz voćnjaka, dok su trčci iz šumskog tla akumulirali značajno viši sadržaj mangana i bakra. Premda tla na promatranim lokacijama nisu bila onečišćena kobaltom, bakrom i cinkom rezultati utvrđenih bioakumulacijskih faktora (BAF >1) pokazuju da se vrsta trčka C. coriaceus može primijeniti za utvrđivanje onečišćenja tla jer pokazuje izrazitu tendenciju akumulacije kobalta, bakra i cinka.Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) are widespread and naturally occurring elements in the environment. In low concentrations they are harmless to most organisms and some of them are necessary for their normal functioning. The increase in metal levels in ecosystems as a result of intensive agricultural production and other human activities has an impact on the reduction and/or extinction of organisms living in such ecosystems. Ground beetles are beneficial insects that live in the soil and feed on many agricultural pests. They are very sensitive to changes in the environment and are often used as bioindicators of agroecosystem quality and pollution. The aim of this work was to 1) determine the levels of heavy metals in soil and ground beetle (Carabus coriaceus Linnaeus, 1758) bioindicator species collected from agricultural and non-agricultural plots, and 2) calculate bioaccumulation factors in the species C. coriaceus to assess soil pollution by heavy metals. In 2022, samples of ground beetles were collected in an apple orchard (Krapina) and in a forest (Risnjak National Park) using "pitfall" traps. Three traps were set in each experimental plot. At both sites, 20 specimens of ground beetles were prepared for chemical analysis, and at both sites the soil was also sampled, namely an average sample at two depths (0-30 and 30-60 cm). The content of metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Pb) in the beetles and in the soil was determined using the pXRF method. The results show that the highly humic forest soil in Risnjak was contaminated with nickel, while the slightly humic soil of the orchard in Krapina was contaminated with chromium, arsenic, lead and nickel. Ground beetles from orchard were found to have significantly higher levels of chromium and zinc, while ground beetles from forest soil had significantly higher levels of manganese and copper. Although the soils at the observed sites were not contaminated with cobalt, copper and zinc, the results of the determined bioaccumulation factors (BAF > 1) indicate that the species C. coriaceus can be used to determine soil contamination, as it has a pronounced tendency to accumulate cobalt, copper and zinc
Influence of the variance component patterns, trial design and climate changes on the variety trials efficiency
No full textU svim europskim zemljama, prije stavljanja nove sorte na tržište, državne institucije zahtijevaju procjenu gospodarske vrijednosti sorte u službenim sortnim pokusima (VCU pokusima). Metodologija sortnih pokusa u Republici Hrvatskoj nije se značajnije mijenjala od uspostave sustava 1991. godine. Stoga su se u ovom istraživanju analizirali podatci iz VCU pokusa: ozime pšenice, ozimog ječma, kukuruza, ozime uljane repice, suncokreta i šećerne repe, provedenih u razdoblju od 2001. godine do 2010. godine odnosno od 2001. godine do 2019. godine, u svrhu ocjene pogodnosti postojeće metodologije za procjenu vrijednosti sorata, odnosno definiranja prijedloga za moguća poboljšanja. U istraživanju su se razmatrala tri različita aspekta sortnih pokusa: odnos različitih izvora varijabilnosti obzirom na znatno manji broj pokusnih lokacija u odnosu na druge europske zemlje, povećanje učinkovitosti pokusa koje se može ostvariti uz pomoć izmjena u dizajnu i analizi pokusa, i utjecaju klimatskih čimbenika na dugoročne trendove u ostvarenim prinosima kukuruza različite skupine zriobe. Svi pokusi su postavljeni prema slučajnom bloknom rasporedu s četiri ponavljanja. Pokusi su svaku vrstu svake godine bili postavljeni na 3-5 od slijedećih sedam lokacija: Lovas, Osijek, Beli Manastir, Kutjevo, Nova Gradiška, Zagreb i Koprivnica. Veličina osnovne parcele je 10 m2 za ozimu pšenicu, ozimi ječam i ozimu uljanu repicu; 11,2 m2 za kukuruz i suncokret i 8 m2 za šećernu repu. Prinosi zrna ozime pšenice, ozimog ječma i kukuruza su preračunani na osnovi 14 % vlage u zrnu, dok je prinos zrna za ozimu uljanu repicu i suncokret preračunan na osnovi 9 % vlage. Procjena komponenti varijance za razdoblje od 2001. do 2010. godine provela se u dva koraka: u prvom su se analizirali pojedinačni pokusi, te procijenili učinci (prosjeci) sorata koji su se objedinili u setove podataka (za sve lokacije i godine), na temelju kojih su se u drugom koraku procijenile komponente varijance za svaku biljnu vrstu. Analiza podataka iz prvog koraka u procjeni komponenata varijance koristila se i kao osnova za procjenu potencijalnog dobitka učinkovitosti dizajna nepotpunih blokova primjenom postblockinga, odnosno modela prostorne analize. Utjecaj temperaturnog stresa na prinos kukuruza se procijenio korištenjem sume stresnih toplinskih jedinica (SDD) i modelom jednostavne linearne regresije procijenili su se regresijski koeficijenti prinosa zrna kukuruza (t/ha) i stresnih toplinskih jedinica (SDD) kroz sve lokacije po FAO skupinama.
Procjenom udjela i odnosa pojedinih komponenti varijance prinosa u ukupnoj fenotipskoj varijanci utvrđeno je da okolišna komponenta fenotipske varijance prinosa predstavlja dominantan dio ukupne fenotipske varijance za prinos kod svih kultura, a odnos između pojedinih komponenti u većini pokusa je bio vrlo sličan. Kod pšenice, ječma i kukuruza najveći koeficijent varijacije za prinos je opažen za interakciju lokacije i godine (od 11,79 za kukuruz FAO 400 do 18,38 za pšenicu), a kod uljane repice, suncokreta i šećerne repe najveći koeficijent varijacije za prinos je opažen za godinu. Analiza varijance pojedinačnih VCU pokusa tijekom desetogodišnjeg razdoblja (od 2001. do 2010. godine) je pokazala statistički značajan učinak genotipa za većinu lokacija za sve ispitivane usjeve. Kombinirana analiza varijance VCU pokusa po godinama tijekom desetogodišnjeg razdoblja (od 2001. do 2010. godine) je za većinu godina pokazala statistički značajne učinke genotipa, lokacije i interakcije genotipa i lokacije.
Relativna učinkovitost modela nepotpunih blokova primjenom postblockinga u odnosu na slučajni blokni raspored bila je veća kod usjeva strnih žitarica kod svih tipova podskupova u odnosu na uljarice i šećernu repu.
Regresijska analiza je uglavnom detektirala statistički značajne negativne koeficijente regresije srednjih vrijednosti prinosa i sume stresnih toplinskih jedinica. Promjene okolišnih uvjeta nisu imale različit utjecaj na genotipove kukuruza različitih skupina zriobe.Introduction: Assessment of the value for cultivation and use (VCU) of a new cultivar, essential for its official registration, is done through a series of trials carried out over a 2–3 year period and across many locations. In a set of multienvironment VCU trials, evaluation of new genotypes can be a laborious task due to the presence of genotype by environment interactions, which can hide their true genetic value. In an attempt to reveal the true genetic value of new cultivars, a good starting point is investigation of the importance of various genetic and environmental sources of variation, which can be done by estimating relative magnitude of corresponding variance components within the mixed model framework. Genotype × location × year (G × L × Y) data set for seven crops taken from the 10-year period 2001 – 2010 was used in the present study to estimate the variance components for main effects and their interactions in Croatian VCU trials. Depending on the crop, the most important and least important components were Y or L × Y, and L or G × L, respectively. Genotypic effect was relatively small, ranging from 2,1 to 13,4 % of the total variation.
In all European countries, before a new crop cultivar is released to the market, government authorities usually require cultivar (genotype) evaluation in official registration trials to assess its value for cultivation and use (VCU). Usually, the series of VCU trials extends over two or three years and many locations. In multi-environment VCU trials, genetic value of the new genotypes is hidden by variation caused by genotype by environment interaction effects. This can be investigated by considering variance component estimates. Based on the analysis of the relative magnitude of the variance components, it is possible to classify and select superior plant material more precisely by determining how much each variance component contributes to the total phenotypic variance. The trial setup practices vary between European countries, as they are prescribed by the respective national regulations. One of the features specified by the regulations is trial design, and there are reasons to believe that the original trial design in most countries was a complete block design, e.g. the randomized complete block design (RCBD). Trials with the most economically important crops often include a large number of candidate genotypes (sometimes even more than a hundred). Consequently, when such a large trial is carried out using RCBD, large block sizes lead to their heterogeneity, which introduces the bias and directly reduces the trial precision. In order to investigate the possibility of improving the efficiency of variety trials, a reanalysis of the RCBD experiment was performed using two different methods: postblocking and spatial analysis. Choosing maize hybrids is one of the most important decisions a maize grower makes each year. Grain yield potential along with relative maturity are the decisive factors that need to be addressed. Hybrid relative maturity, i.e. plant cycle duration is becoming more important in the context of climate change to maximize yield, whereby farmers should continuously adapt maize cycle duration and planting dates to the diversity of environmental conditions. In this study were to determine environmental effects on grain yield across three maturity groups in Croatian VCU maize trials over the last two decades, and to evaluate the use of SDD as a climatic covariate to determine the impact of climate change on grain yield in maize.
Materials and methods: Yield data from official Croatian variety trials assessing VCU of seven crops were used in this study for the period 2001 – 2010. All trials were established in randomized complete block designs with four replications and were machine-planted. Plot sizes were 10 m2 in winter wheat, winter barley and winter oil seed rape; 11,2 m2 in maize and sunflower; and 8 m2 in sugar beet. Grain yield in winter wheat, winter barley and maize were calculated on the basis of 14 % moisture, whereas grain yield in winter oil seed rape and sunflower on the basis of 9 % moisture. The data sets of seven crops were subdivided into four groups: cereals, maize, oil seed crops and sugar beet (Table 1). The number of genotypes included all entries in all trials: controls, the genotypes entering the first trial year, subsequent withdrawn genotypes by breeders, as well the genotypes (varieties) finally released. The trials of all crops were about equally distributed across the individual crop’s typical growing region of the continental, northern part of Croatia including 5-7 locations and making total of 37-49 trials per crop in the 10-year period. The data sets were both non-orthogonal and unbalanced due to ever-changing genotype sets, caused by a number of genotypes leaving or entering the trials from one year to another. Furthermore, even the set of sites was subject to some minor changes. Pre-processing of the data was done by analysing separately each of the 294 included trials to check for recording errors and outliers in order to avoid biased results. The G, L, Y, G × L, G × Y, L × Y, G × L × Y and the residual variance components were estimated using the REML method implemented in lmer function from the R package lme4 (Bates et al. 2012). Since the size of estimated variance components is related to the mean performance of individual crops, the effects were also presented as coefficients of variation, i.e. square roots of the variance component expressed as a percentage of the mean yield in order to enable comparability between crops, and with results of other authors. Data from official Croatian variety trials for seven crops conducted from 2001 to 2010 were reanalyzed to predict the efficiency that could be achieved by using incomplete rather than complete block designs. The data analysis started with fitting the baseline RCBD model to each subset. Block size for postblocking was selected following P&H’s “rule of thumb” to be a rounded value of square root of number of genotypes v. First version of postblocking was carried out using the original method of Patterson and Hunter (1983), by iteratively shifting superimposed blocks of the selected size k, and calculating EMS in each iteration by fitting the IBD model. Final estimate of the EMS was calculated as the mean of all iteration EMSs weighted by their degrees of freedom. An alternative approach to postblocking was developed following the principles for generating the alpha design for unequal block sizes (Patterson and Williams 1976). Spatial analysis model was constructed by imposing the autoregressive structure to variance-covariance matrix of the errors from model, assuming the correlation between the columns. Relative efficiency of the spatial model (RESP) was scored in the same way as for the postblocking: where SEDSP is the average standard error of the difference for pairwise genotype comparisons based on spatial model. Significance of added structure, either incomplete blocks or spatial, was tested using the likelihood ratio test (LRT). For all crops except winter oilseed rape (trials included both hybrids and pure lines), multiple comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment at p = 0.05 level were carried out to test the differences between the candidate genotypes and controls. Due to nonuniqueness of postblocking solutions, results of RCBD analysis were compared only with the results of spatial analysis, by counting the numbers of matches and mismatches in different categories (equal to, better or worse than a control). All statistical analyses were conducted within R environment (R Core Team, 2020). As the postblocking analysis had to be carried out in many iterations for each subset (for all possible layouts), an R function was created to automate the process. It utilizes the functions from specialized packages “combinat” (Chasalow, 2012), “lme4” (Bates et al., 2015) and “multcomp” (Hothorn et al., 2008). Spatial analyses required the use of commercial package “asreml” (Butler, 2020) along with the freely available companion package “asremlPlus” (Brien, 2020). The impact of heat stress on maise grain yield (FAO 300, FAO 400 and FAO 500) was estimated using stress degree days (SDD) concept. The SDD index was chosen as an environmental covariate in this study due to highest correlations with grain yield. A simple linear regression model was used for fitting the data for grain yield on SDD values across the five locations.
Results and conclusions: In the groups of cereals and maize, the greatest variance components were of the interaction location × year (L × Y), whereas in oil seed crops and sugar beet, the greatest variance components were due to year main effect (Y). On the other hand, genotype × location interaction (G × L) was the smallest among the estimated variance components in cereals, maize and winter oil seed rape, while the location main effect (L) was negligible in sunflower and sugar beet. The coefficients of variation of components were the greatest for the environmental coefficients of L × Y, Y and L as well as of the residual. Variability of Y was dominant in oilseed crops and sugar beet. The coefficient for the residual was larger than the values of G coefficients in cereals, oilseed crops and sugar beet. Genotypic variation did not differ considerably among the four crop groups, while the smallest coefficients were observed for the G × L interaction. The current results are comparable with the relative sizes of the variance components obtained in studies from four-to sixfold larger countries, indicating that the environments within Croatia, if sufficiently widely sampled, can provide as extreme cultivar responses as a geographically more dispersed set of VCU trials.
The use of postblocking revealed that significant efficiency gains were expected in at least 20 % of the cereal crop trials and less than 10 % of the non-cereal crop trials. On average, spatial analysis resulted in higher efficiency gains, obtained by capturing different patterns of field trends. The ability of incomplete block designs to increase trial efficiency increases with trial and plot size, so the subsetting strategy did have a mitigating effect on the lower efficiency of complete block designs.
Grain yield varied substantially over locations with no notable positive trend over the years. Random effects of location-year interaction showed no different patterns between maturity groups. Stress degree days (SDD) showed mostly significant coefficients of regression on location effects, except in two locations. Apparently, the effects of management might play more critical role in maize phenology and yield formation compared to climate change, at least in suboptimum growing conditions often found in Southeast Europe. To facilitate robust analysis of the crop improvement, the traditional forked approach dealing with G×E by breeders and E × M by agronomists should be integrated to G × E × M framework, to assess the full gradient of combinations forming the adaptation landscape
Cultivation of fruit species in agroecological conditions of Koprivnica-križevačka County
No full textCiljevi ovog rada su, na temelju znanstvene i stručne literature kao i obilaskom terena, utvrditi zastupljenost voćnih vrsta na pojedinim područjima Koprivničko-križevačke županije, procijeniti njihov način uzgoja kao i potencijal voća i voćnih prerađevina proizvedenih u agroekološkim uvjetima KCKZZ. Obujam pojmova i podataka, ključan je dio za ovaj rad. Sjeverozapad Hrvatske i sam sjeveroistok županije ima veliki potencijal za uzgoj voća zbog klimatskih i pedoloških obilježja. Značajan je interes za uzgoj komercijalnih kao i tradicionalnih voćnih sorti. Kroz zastupljenost voćaka uočljive su promjene što se tiče uzgoja voćnih vrsta u samom porastu novijih, komercijalnih sorti. Proizvođači i obiteljska poljoprivredna gospodarstva koriste se suvremenim metodama uzgoja novijom mehanizacijom koja zamjenjuje obradu zemlje motikom koja je u prošlosti bila značajna za područje Koprivničko-križevačke županije. Površinom voćnjaka vidljiva je dominacija ekstenzivnih, dok su komercijalni u manjem postotku zastupljeni. Razni projekti i manifestacije pridonose voćarskoj proizvodnji u cilju boljeg plasmana, očuvanja tradicionalnih sorata, kao i samom potencijalu voća. Voćne prerađevine najpoznatija su sirovina Koprivničko-križevačke županije zbog jedne od najvećih prehrambenih tvrtki i domaćih proizvođača.The aim of this work is to determine the representation of fruit species in certain areas of the Koprivničko-križevačka County on the basis of scientific and professional literature and field trip, to evaluate their cultivation method and the potential of fruit and fruit products produced in the agro-ecological conditions of KCKZZ Country. The scope of terms and data is essential part of this work. The northwest of Croatia and the northeast of the county itself have great potential for growing fruit due to their climatic and pedological characteristics. There is a great interest in the cultivation of both commercial and traditional fruit cultivars. Due to the replacement of fruit trees, a change in cultivation of fruit cultivars can be observed, which is particularly evident in the development of newer, commercial cultivars. Producers and family farms are using modern cultivation methods with newer machinery, replacing the hoe tillage that was important for the Koprivničko-križevačka County area in the past. The area of the orchards is dominated by extensive orchards, while commercial orchards make up a smaller share. Various projects and events contribute to fruit production with the aim of better placement, preservation of traditional varieties and the potential of the fruit itself. Fruit products are the best-known commodity of the Koprivničko-križevačka County, as it is home to one of the largest food companies and local producers
Energy and functional value of alien invasive plant species in the Žumberak highlands area
No full textInvazivne biljne vrste sve su vidljivija prijetnja kako sa zdravstvenog tako i s ekološkog i ekonomskog aspekta. Ove vrste karakterizira laka prilagodljivost širokom arealu ekoloških čimbenika životnih staništa, izraženo zaraštavanje čime postaju dominantne nad nativnim vrstama, kao i specifičan sastav fitokemikalija. Svime navedenim, invazivne biljne vrste izgledna su prijetnja bioraznolikosti. U svijetu, pa tako i u Hrvatskoj sve veće površine kopnenih staništa, od šumskih do kultiviranih i ne kultiviranih površina pod pritiskom su invazivnih biljnih vrsta što dovodi do značajne destabilizacije ekosustava, a čime se postavlja potreba za uvođenjem mjera njihova suzbijanja i uklanjanja. No, s druge strane, s obzirom na karakteristiku invazivnosti, ove biljne vrste značajan su izvor biomase koja pokazuje potencijal daljnjeg korištenja. Naime, istraživanja dokazuju potencijal njihova korištenja kao obnovljivog izvora energije u procesima termo-kemijske oporabe i proizvodnje energije. Istovremeno, s obzirom na bogat sadržaj specifičnih fitonutrijenata, invazivne biljne vrste imaju i značajan potencijal u proizvodnji proizvoda dodane vrijednosti u npr. farmaceutskoj, kozmetičkoj, tekstilnoj industriji i dr. Svime navedenim, invazivne biljne vrste ukoliko se adekvatno koriste mogu biti prilika, a ne prijetnja biogospodarstvu i to kao vrijedan izvor zelene energije i fitonutrijenata.
Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je identificirati invazivne biljne vrste s područja Žumberačkog gorja, utvrditi energetski sastav i sadržaj fitonutrijenata vrsta te odrediti potencijalni način njihova korištenja. Istraživanje je uključivalo inventarizaciju flore prilikom čega su na 24 mikrolokacije ukupno determinirane 194 biljne vrste, a od kojih je prikupljeno i analizirano ukupno 12 iz kategorije invazivnih: tri drvenaste vrste (Ailanthus altissima, Rhus typhina i Robinia pseudoacacia) te devet zeljastih vrsta (Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Datura stramonium, Erigeron annuus, Galinsoga ciliata, Reynoutria spp., Solidago gigantea i Sorghum halepense). Prosječno viši sadržaj svih fitonutrijenata (askorbinske kiseline, polifenolnih i fotosintetskih spojeva) te antioksidacijskog kapaciteta utvrđen je kod drvenastih invazivnih vrsta u odnosu na zeljaste. Vrsta Rhus typhina tako se izdvaja s najvišim sadržajem askorbinske kiseline (159,69 mg/100 g sv.t.) i ukupnih polifenola (2263,53 mg GAE/100 g sv.t.) od svih ostalih istraživanih vrsta. Nadalje, sve istraživane invazivne vrste ističu se i visokim antioksidacijskim kapacitetom i to drvenaste s prosječnom vrijednosti od 2150,48 μmol TE/L, dok zeljaste prosječno s 2002,90 μmol TE/L. Valja naglasiti kako kemijski profil istraživanih invazivnih vrsta značajno varira, a neovisno o podjeli na drvenaste i zeljaste vrste, visok funkcionalni potencijal pokazuju slijedeće: Ailanthus altissima, Amaranthus retroflexus, Erigeron annuus, Rhus typhina i Robinia pseudoacacia. Iz energetskog aspekta, drvenaste invazivne vrste ističu se višom energetskom vrijednošću s obzirom na viši udio: suhe tvari, vlakana, od kojih najviše lignina, fiksiranog ugljika i više ogrjevne vrijednosti te niže količine makro i mikroelemenata te teških metala u odnosu na zeljaste. Takve vrste poželjne su za proizvodnju energije izravnim izgaranjem, od kojih su se u ovom istraživanju posebno istaknule vrste Ailanthus altissima i Robinia pseudoacacia. Zeljaste invazivne vrste zbog prvenstveno visokog sadržaja vode i niskog udjela lignoceluloznih vlakana te niske ogrjevne vrijednosti imaju veći potencijal za proizvodnju bioplina postupkom anaerobne digestije, bioetanola fermentacijom ili u hidrotermalnim procesima, a posebice se izdvajaju vrste Amaranthus retroflexus i Ambrosia artemisiifolia.
Rezultati ovog istraživanja pružaju uvid u funkcionalnu i energetsku vrijednost istraživanih invazivnih biljnih vrsta te naglašavaju značajan potencijal ovih vrsta za proizvodnju zelene energije i fitonutrijenata široke primjene. Valorizacija biomase invazivnih vrsta ključan je segment u procjeni vrijednosti takve biomase, a s obzirom na krajnju upotrebu, u industriji proizvodnje energije ili proizvoda dodane vrijednosti. Takav pristup osigurava održiv odgovor na problem upravljanja i zbrinjavanja invazivnih biljnih vrsta kroz model kružnog biogospodarstva.Invasive plant species pose an increasing threat to human health, ecology and the economy. These species are characterised by an unprecedented adaptability to various ecological conditions, including those that are detrimental to other species, pronounced successional behavior that renders them dominant over native species, and a distinctive array of phytochemicals with significant allelopathic properties. Consequently, invasive plant species significantly threaten biodiversity. Globally, including in Croatia, various terrestrial habitats - such as forests, agricultural and non-agricultural areas, areas with weedy and ruderal vegetation, industrial sites, and urban green spaces - are increasingly threatened by invasive plant species. This leads to considerable destabilisation of ecosystems, necessitating the implementation of measures for their suppression and eradication. On the other hand, due to their invasiveness, these plant species represent an important source of biomass with potential energy and functional applications. Various research show their potential as a renewable energy source in processes for the thermal utilisation of biomass and for energy generation. These processes include direct combustion (heat, steam, electricity), pyrolysis (biochar, bio-oil, biogas), gasification (synthetic gas, heat, electricity), anaerobic digestion (biogas - methane, electricity, heat), fermentation (bioethanol), torrefaction (torrefied biomass), hydrothermal carbonisation and liquefaction (hydrothermal coal; biogas - methane or hydrogen, biocrude - liquid, fuel similar to crude oil). At the same time, invasive plant species possess considerable potential for the production of value-added products in areas such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, etc. due to their high content of specific, specialised metabolites. If utilised effectively, invasive plant species can represent an opportunity rather than a threat, as they could make a significant contribution to the share of renewable energy and contain new or significant amounts of natural phytonutrients.
The aim of this study was to identify invasive plant species in the Žumberak highlands area that have sufficient biomass and to determine the energy composition and phytonutrient content of the species as well as a possible way of their utilisation and further use. The study included a flora inventory in which 194 plant species were identified at 24 sampling microlocations. Of these, 12 invasive species were collected and analysed, comprising three woody species (AILanthus altissima, Rhus typhina i Robinia pseudoacacia) and nine herbaceous species (ABUtilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Datura stramonium, Erigeron annuus, Galinsoga ciliata, Reynoutria spp., Solidago gigantea i Sorghum halepense). After sampling, all samples were were prepared for further analysis. Only the leaves of the collected invasive plant species were used to determine the functional value, while the entire collected, dried and ground biomass was used to determine the energy value. The functional value was determined using standard methods, while the analysis included dry matter content, L-ascorbic acid content, spectrophotometric total phenolic compound content, total flavonoid content, non-flavonoid content, pigment concentration (total chlorophyll and carotenoids) and antioxidant capacity determined using the ABTS method. To determine the energy value and the potential of the biomass for direct combustion processes, the biomass was analysed using standard methods. Dry matter, ash content, coke, fixed carbon, volatile matter, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur were determined, lignocellulosic fibres, macroelements (Ca, K, Mg, Na), microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Mo, Ni), heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg) and heating value were determined.
The woody invasive species exhibited a higher average content of all specialised metabolites (L-ascorbic acid content, total phenolic, flavonoid and non-flavonoid content, pigment concentration) and a higher antioxidant capacity compared to the herbaceous species. However, when functional value is the focus of research, it is justified to study a single species in relation to a specific specialised metabolite. Accordingly, the woody species Rhus typhina has the highest concentrations of L-ascorbic acid content (159.69 mg/100 g sv.t), total phenolic compound content (2263.53 mg GAE/100 g sv.t) and total
non-flavonoid content (2006.23 mg GAE/100 g sv.t) in this study, while the woody species Robinia pseudoacacia has the highest value of total flavonoid content (1159.13 mg GAE/100 g sv.t). While the mean concentrations of pigment compounds in woody species are 8-16 % higher than in herbaceous species, the highest concentrations of pigment compounds were found in the herbaceous species Galinsoga ciliata for chlorophyll A content (1.05 mg/g) and total chlorophyll content (1.81 mg/g), in the herbaceous species Solidago gigantea for chlorophyll B content (0.92 mg/g) and in the herbaceous species Amaranthus retroflexus for total carotenoids content (0.26 mg/g). The mean antioxidant capacity for the woody invasive plant species is about 7 % higher than for the herbaceous species; however, the highest antioxidant capacity was found for the herbaceous species Amaranthus retroflexus (2221.97 μmol TE/L). Consequently, the woody species Rhus typhina and Robinia pseudoacacia together with the herbaceous species Amaranthus retroflexus, Galinsoga ciliata and Solidago gigantea can be identified as promising sources of certain specialised metabolites for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and textile industries, among others.
When evaluating the energy values of the biomass of invasive plant species, it is crucial to consider the full range of energy value parameters of each biomass species, as together they influence the heating value, which is the most significant factor in the evaluation of biomass for potential direct combustion applications. From the observed properties, it can be concluded that those species are desirable for the direct combustion process that have the highest concentrations of dry matter (Rhus typhina, Robinia pseudoacacia), fixed carbon (ERIgeron annuus), carbon (Rhus typhina), hydrogen (Robinia pseudoacacia) and structural fibres (AILanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia, Erigeron annuus), while they have low levels of ash content (AILanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia), oxygen content (Rhus typhina, Robinia pseudoacacia) and other components such as macro- and microelements and heavy metals (AILanthus altissima, Rhus typhina, Robinia pseudoacacia), which positively influence the heating value. The woody invasive species analysed in this study have, on average, higher total energy properties than herbaceous species when evaluated using a parameter that integrates most of the components affecting the energy value of the raw material. This study found that woody invasive plant species have around 12 % higher heating values compared to herbaceous species. It can be concluded that woody species such as Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia are best suited for energy production through direct combustion. Herbaceous invasive plant species have a greater potential for biogas production by anaerobic digestion, bioethanol production by fermentation or hydrothermal processes due to their high water content and low heating value, with particular emphasis on the species Amaranthus retroflexus and Ambrosia artemisiifolia.
This study highlights the considerable energetic and functional potential of the invasive plant species investigated and expands the existing knowledge about the possibilities of their use. These results serve as a basis for further research into the possible utilisation and further application of invasive plant species. They show that significant opportunities lie in the valorisation of the biomass of invasive plant species for the production of green energy and phytonutrients as value-added products across various industries, offering a sustainable solution to the problem of invasive plant species through a circular bioeconomy model. It is recommended that future research should focus on the development of advanced models to predict the properties of biomass and optimise their application through alternative utilisation methods. Special emphasis should be placed on an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates machine learning and regression analysis methods and takes into account the influence of climatic conditions and environmental factors. This would ensure greater efficiency of biomass utilisation in the bioeconomy with a focus on sustainability and environmental protection
Ceatacean condition in Adriatic Sea
No full textOd nekoliko vrsta skupine kitova koje se pojavljuju u Jadranu, jedino je dobri dupin njegov redoviti stanovnik. Područje Jadrana proteklih desetljeća je izloženo intenzivnom iskorištavanju i štetnim ribolovnim praksama što se negativno odrazilo na biološku raznolikost i stanje ekosustava pa tako i na zastupljenost zajednica kitova. U ovom radu dan je detaljan prikaz stanja populacija kitova te opis redovnih i posjetiteljskih vrsta. Mnoge aktivnosti u Jadranu utječu na stanje tih populacija stoga je važno uspostaviti kontrolu aktivnosti i čimbenike, koji utječu na smrtnost kitova, radi očuvanja populacija i morskog ekosustava. Najprije se moraju ustanoviti opasnosti i razlozi ugroženosti kako bi se mogle definirati mjere zaštite, očuvanja ili oporavka zajednica kitova.Of the several species of the cetacean group that appear in the Adriatic, only the bottlenose dolphin is its regular resident. In recent decades, the Adriatic area has been exposed to intensive exploitation and harmful fishing practices, which has had a negative impact on biological diversity and the state of the ecosystem, as well as on the representation of whale communities. This paper provides a detailed description of the state of whale populations and a description of regular and visiting species. Many activities in the Adriatic affect the state of these populations, therefore it is important to establish control of activities and factors that affect the mortality of whales, in order to preserve populations and the marine ecosystem. First of all, the dangers and reasons for endangerment must be established in order to be able to define measures for the protection, preservation or recovery of whale communities
Molecular methods for pests detection and identification used in plant protection
No full textŠtetnici predstavljaju velik izazov za poljoprivredu jer smanjuju prinose i kvalitetu usjeva, prenose bolesti, utječu na globalnu dostupnost hrane i prihode poljoprivrednika. Praćenje štetnika i njihova pravilna identifikacija najvažniji su preduvjeti za uspješnu integriranu zaštitu bilja. U svrhu uspješne procjene rizika od štetnika, te posljedično i njihovog suzbijanja, važno je osigurati brzu, ekonomičnu i točnu detekciju i identifikaciju štetnika. Velik broj klasičnih metoda detekcije i identifikacije nezamjenjive su i dandanas, no ne garantiraju apsolutnu točnost i često su fizički i vremenski zahtjevnije. Molekularne metode sve se više koriste u detekciji i proučavanju biljnih štetnika, jer omogućuju bržu, osjetljiviju i kvantitativniju detekciju ciljanog organizma. One se temelje na analizi genomske ili genetičke građe te omogućuju bolje razumijevanje i upravljanje populacijama štetnih kukaca, otkrivanje genetskih varijacija i istraživanje rezistentnosti na pesticide. Metode su visoko osjetljive i omogućuju brzu identifikaciju u malim količinama, čime se smanjuje rizik od pogrešne identifikacije vrsta. Unatoč prednostima, ove metode su skuplje zbog potrebe za specijaliziranom opremom te zahtijevaju visoku stručnost za primjenu i analizu rezultata.Pests present a significant challenge to agriculture by reducing crop yields and quality, spreading diseases, affecting global food availability, and impacting farmers' incomes. Monitoring pests and their correct identification are the most important prerequisites for successful integrated plant protection. To successfully assess the risk of pests, and consequently their suppression, it is important to ensure fast, economical and accurate detection and identification of pests. Many classic methods of detection and identification are indispensable even today, but they do not guarantee absolute accuracy and are often physically and time-consuming. Molecular methods are increasingly used in the detection and study of plant pests, as they enable faster, more sensitive and more quantitative detection of the target organism. They are based on the analysis of genomic or genetic material and enable a better understanding and management of populations of harmful insects, detection of genetic variations and research on resistance to pesticides. The methods are highly sensitive and enable rapid identification in small quantities, reducing the risk of misidentifying species. Despite their advantages, these methods are more expensive due to the need for specialized equipment and require high expertise for application and analysis of results