From algae to zooplankton: what Pelophylax kl. esculentus tadpoles eat in the Morava River Basin (Republic of Serbia)

Anuran amphibians play a crucial role in aquatic and terrestrial food chains, attributable to their complex life cycle that requires diet and feeding strategies shifts. Examining the diet and trophic status of amphibians is essential for understanding population fluctuations, habitat alterations, life history, and the formulation of conservation strategies. The examination of anuran amphibian larvae diets provides valuable information regarding their foraging behaviors, nutritional requirements, and trophic relationships in aquatic ecosystems, alongside the dietary composition and diversity of the larvae. The green frog complex, Pelophylax kl. esculentus, is prevalent in Serbia; however, its dietary habits in both adults and larvae remain inadequately studied. An analysis of intestinal contents was conducted on 197 tadpole samples from 10 distinct localities in Serbia to gather data on the diet of green frog larvae. The findings indicate that the intestinal contents exhibit diversity, primarily comprising algae (including diatoms, Cyanobacteria, green algae, and euglenoids), detritus, pollen, protozoans (such as rotifers), other invertebrate remains, and inorganic matter. The findings provide important insights into the nutrition of anuran amphibian larvae and establish a basis for future, more extensive research

Review of the application of biological measures using the parasitic wasp (Encarsia formosa) as a parasitoid of the white butterfly louse (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)

The chapter discusses the role of the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa as a biological control agent against the white butterfly louse (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) in protected cultivation systems. It provides an overview of plant protection strategies, emphasizing ecological and sustainable measures. The authors review the biology, behavior, and application methods of E. formosa, highlighting its efficiency and potential as part of integral plant protection. Numerous studies are cited to support the effectiveness of this method and its compatibility with ecological farming practices

Maize vegetation period length depending on climate conditions and sowing date

The corn vegetation length, which is genetically determined, is greatly influenced by the external environmental factors, especially temperature. To determine the length of individual phenophases, as well as the entire vegetation period, sums of heat units and the number of days are used. The experiment was carried out in fields in the South of Serbia (surroundings of Leskovac), at 430 01' 476'' north latitude and 21° 56' 126'' east longitude, and 225 m above sea level. The experiment was set up according to a random block system in three repetitions. The following maize hybrids were included in the experiment: ZP 434, NS 4023, ZP 555, NS 5051, ZP 666, NS 6030, which were sown in two periods: the beginning and the end of April. The length of the growing season was measured based on the number of days and the sum of the effective heat units (SET). The results of the research show that the length of the maize vegetation is directly dependent on the climatic conditions of the year (temperature) and the hybrids. The average length of the growing season from emergence to full maturity ranged from 127 to 129 days when hybrids of FAO ripening group 400 were in question, from 137-142 days for FAO ripening group 500, and 146-148 days for hybrids of FAO group 600. In the same period, the sum of effective temperatures was 1162-1187°C when hybrids FAO ripening group 400 were in question, 1263-1318°C for hybrids FAO ripening group 500, that is, from 1350-1366°C for hybrids FAO ripening group 600. The period from physiological to full maturity was 28-37 days, depending on the FAO ripening group, and the sum of effective temperatures was 249-316°C. The hybrid ZP 434 had the shortest vegetation period, while the hybrid NS 6030 had the longest one

The impact of integrated and organic systems on tomato yield in protected environments

The chapter examines the effects of integrated and organic farming systems on tomato yield in protected environments. It emphasises sustainable agriculture practices and their influence on nutritional and economic value. The study uses a two-factorial design comparing two tomato hybrids under both systems. Results show significant variability between systems and hybrids, with organic production yielding slightly higher outputs. The research underscores the role of ecological methods in increasing health safety and sustainable food production

Circular model of conservation and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

Ključne aktivnosti u okviru genetičkih resursa (GR) su konzervacija i korišćenje. Statička konzervacija široke genetičke varijabilnosti se najčešće odvija u bankama gena (ex situ), najčešće semena, kojom upravljaju kuratori banki gena, a korišćenje je u nadležnosti oplemenjivača. Dodatno, postojeći diverzitet se čuva i održava in situ - u izvornim ekosistemima. Ovo predstavlja klasičan linearni model kozervacije i korišćenja biljnih GR. Linerni model je uspešno korišćen za unapređenje poljoprivrednih vrsta kao što su pšenica, paradajz, grašak i dr. Trougaoni model je modifikovani linearni model koji se zasniva na korišćenju široke varijabilnosti dostupne u bankama gena za kreiranje novih varijeteta kroz višestepeni proces unapređenja, čime se minimizira gubitak diverziteta. Cirkularni model konzervacije i korišćenja GR uzima u obzir evolucione procese i potencijal genetičkog materijala, povezujući in situ i ex situ pristupe. Krajnji cilj je formiranje sistema u kojem su farmeri glavni činioci, a granice između GR, varijeteta i konzervacije nisu strogo razdvojene.Key activities within genetic resources (GR) are conservation and utilization. Static conservation of wide genetic variability is commonly performed in gene banks (ex situ), usually seeds, managed by seed bank curators, while the use of genetic resources is in the domain of breeders. In addition, existing diversity is preserved and maintained in situ – in the original ecosystems. This framework represents a classical linear model of conservation and utilization of plant GRs. The circular model takes into account evolutionary processes and the evolutionary potential of genetic material, integrating in situ and ex situ approaches. The ultimate goal is to create a simple system in which farmers are the main actors, without strict boundaries between GR, varieties, and conservation

Synergy of cover crops and microbiological fertilizer in order to improve soil biogenicity

Interakcija između korenovog sistema i zemljišnih mikroorganizama u rizosferi je veoma važan mehanizam agroekosistema kojim se povećava stepen mineralizacije i usvajanja hranljivih materija. Rizosferna mikroflora svojom životnom aktivnošću utiče na mineralnu ishranu biljaka na više načina: preko mineralizacije organske materije, prevođenjem mineralnih materija zemljišta u pristupačne oblike za biljke, utičući na rast i građu korena i uopšte na rast i razviće biljaka. Pri oceni stanja zemljišta, ukupan broj mikroorganizama u zemljištu se često uzima kao pokazatelj i indikator promena njegove biogenosti koje mogu nastati delovanjem različitih uticaja. Cilj rada je ispitivanje uticaja gajenja pokrovnih useva (Faktor B) i mikrobiološkog đubriva (Faktor C) na biogenost zemljišta (ukupnog broja mikroorganizama i Azotobacter-a) za potrebe glavnog useva kukuruza. Istraživanje je sprovedeno 2014, 2015 i 2016 godine (Faktor A), sa različitim varijantama upotrebe pokrovnih useva (V1-obična grahorica, V2-ozimi krmni grašak, V3-ozimi ovas, V4-ozimi krmni kelj, V5- obična grahorica+ozimi ovas, V6-ozimi krmni grašak + ozimi ovas, i dve kontrolne varijante: V7-kontrola I (mrtvi organski malč–slama) i V8 - kontrola II (nepokriveno zemljište). Dodatno, analiza varijanse je pokazala statistički vrlo značajno variranje brojnosti mikroorganizama, kako u prolećnom periodu pred setvu, tako i u jesenjem periodu posle žetve glavnih useva. Gajenjem pokrovnih useva može se postići ublažavanje negativnog bilansa gasova sa efektom staklene bašte, i istovremeno doprinese otpornosti gajenih biljaka na promene u životnoj sredini, poput klimatskih promena, kroz povećanje plodnosti zemljišta, produktivnosti useva i bolji kvalitet vode, što nesumljivo utiče na naredne useve u plodoredu.The interaction between the root system and soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere is a very important mechanism of the agroecosystem, which increases the degree of mineralization and absorption of nutrients. The rhizospheric microflora with its life activity affects the mineral nutrition of plants in several ways: through the mineralization of organic matter, by translating the mineral substances of the soil into accessible forms for plants, affecting the growth and structure of the roots and in general the growth and development of plants. When assessing the condition of the soil, the total number of microorganisms in the soil is often taken as an indicator and indicator of changes in its biogenicity that may occur due to the action of various influences. The aim of the work is to examine the influence of growing cover crops (Factor B) and microbiological fertilizer (Factor C) on soil biogenicity (total number of microorganisms and Azotobacter) for the needs of the main corn crop. The research was carried out in 2014, 2015, 2016 (Factor A), with different variants of the use of cover crops (V1-common vetch, V2-winter fodder pea, V3-winter oats, V4-winter fodder kale, V5-winter pea + winter oats, and two control variants: V7-control I (dead organic mulch-straw) and V8-control II (uncovered soil). Additionally, the analysis of variance showed a statistically significant variation in the number of microorganisms, both in the spring period before sowing, and in the autumn period after the harvest of the main crops. By growing cover crops, it is possible to mitigate the negative balance of gases with the greenhouse effect, and at the same time contribute to the resistance of cultivated plants to changes in the environment, such as climate change, through increasing soil fertility, crop productivity and better water quality, which undoubtedly affects the following crops in the crop rotation

Industrial tomato cultivars and inbred lines yield stability analysis

Phenotypic plasticity refers to the ability of genotypes to exhibit different phenotypes in response to environmental conditions. The AMMI model is often used to analyze this interaction in multienvironment trials. In a study involving six tomato genotypes grown in different environments, genotype L88 yielded the highest average at nearly 31 t/ha, while L27 and L53 had the lowest yields. The AMMI biplot indicated that genotypes L49 and L21 had strong interactions with the Pazardzhik environment, while L88 had a positive interaction with the Požega environment. The analysis concluded that AMMI is effective for assessing trait stability in multienvironment trials

The Effects of Indoor Light-Emitting Diodes on Sweet Pepper Seedling Growth and the Yield per Plant

Pepper is a widely cultivated vegetable, whose growth and development are significantly influenced by various light wavelengths. This paper aimed to examine the effects of different light treatments on the growth of pepper seedlings and their development and yield after transplanting into the greenhouse. As a plant material, we used a commercial sweet pepper of the Morava genotype. In the phenophase of the first permanent leaf formation, plants were placed in closed plant growth chambers under the following treatments: full-spectrum white light-emitting diodes (W-LEDs) (control group), blue LEDs (B-LEDs), the combination of red and blue LEDs (1:1) (RB-LEDs) and red LEDs (R-LEDs). Plants were cultivated for 20 and 27 days with a photoperiod 12/12h (day/night), at a temperature of 23 ± 2°C. At 20 and 27 days of light treatment, the growth rate of seedling height and plant compactness were calculated. Five uniform pepper seedlings per light treatment were transplanted into bigger plastic pots, removed into the greenhouse, and cultivated for the next 51 and 44 days, respectively, under natural daily light. At 51 and 44 days, respectively, the total number of fruits and yield per plant were measured. Our results indicate that light treatments and length of exposure to light treatments, as well as their interaction significantly influenced seedling growth height rate, while seedling compactness was influenced only by length of seedling exposure to light treatments. The length of seedling exposure to light treatments and its interaction with light treatments during the seedling stage significantly affected the total number of fruits and yield per plant after transplanting into the greenhouse. The highest number of fruits and yields per plant was observed in plants grown under R-LEDs for 27 days

The influence of different biofertilizers on certain yield components and the yield of pepper

In recent decades, awareness of the necessity to consume safe and healthy food has been increasing. Considering the importance of pepper, this study investigated the effects of microbiological preparations—effective microorganisms (EM) in the form of EM Aktiv and Trichoderma spp. (Vital Tricho)—under protected organic cultivation on fruit number, fruit weight, and total yield per plant across three years. Results showed that both year and microbiological treatments significantly affected most parameters. Vital Tricho increased fruit number per plant by 1.34%, fruit weight by 0.17%, and total yield by 12.57% compared to EM Aktiv, while increases were even more pronounced compared to the control. The results highlight the potential of microbiological fertilizers to enhance yield and ensure safer organic production of peppers

The importance of cover crops in integrated plant protection

This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of the role of cover crops in integrated plant protection systems. Cover crops are analysed in terms of their agronomic, ecological, and economic functions, including weed suppression, soil fertility improvement, biodiversity enhancement, and pest and disease control. The authors describe various species used as cover crops, their mechanisms of action (e.g. competition, allelopathy), and implementation strategies in sustainable agriculture. The chapter also includes results from a field study conducted at the Maize Institute in Zemun Polje, Serbia, demonstrating the effects of different cover crop species and mixtures on weed composition and density in maize cropping systems