Monitoring plant circadian rhythm: a link between biotechnology and smart plant resource management

Savremena poljoprivreda se suočava sa sve većim izazovima usled klimatskih promena i različitih stresnih faktora koji ugrožavaju produktivnost i kvalitet useva. Rano i pouzdano otkrivanje fizioloških stresora biljaka predstavlja ključni preduslov za unapređenje agrotehničkih mera. Kao odgovor na ovaj izazov, razvijena je nedestruktivna optička metoda koja omogućava neprekidno praćenje metabolizma biljaka u realnom vremenu, bez potrebe za destruktivnim uzorkovanjem. Metoda se zasniva na spektroskopskim merenjima optičke transmisije i apsorbance listova u odabranim spektralnim oblastima, čime se obezbeđuje rana detekcija nutritivnih deficita, patogenih infekcija i reakcija biljaka na promene u svetlosnom ili vodnom režimu. Poređenje rezultata sa standardnim biološkim metodama potvrđuje da ovaj pristup može identifikovati promene u metaboličkoj aktivnosti pre pojave vidljivih simptoma. Ovaj pristup povezuje optičku fiziku, fiziologiju biljaka i principe precizne poljoprivrede, obezbeđujući okvir za unapređenje održive proizvodnje uz optimizaciju resursa i troškova.Modern agriculture is increasingly challenged by climate change and various stress factors that threaten crop productivity and quality. Early and accurate detection of plant physiological stressors is crucial for optimizing agronomic practices. In response, a nondestructive optical method was developed to enable continuous, real-time monitoring of plant metabolism without destructive sampling. The method is based on spectroscopic measurements of leaf transmittance and absorbance in selected spectral regions, allowing early detection of nutrient deficiencies, pathogenic infections, and plant responses to light or water stress. Comparative analyses with standard biological methods confirmed that this approach can detect changes in metabolic activity before visible symptoms occur. Integrating optical physics, plant physiology, and precision agriculture, the approach provides a conceptual framework for sustainable production and optimized resource use

Hemijski sastav i biološke aktivnosti ekstrakata slatkovodne alge Paralemanea annulata

Slatkovodne alge predstavljaju nedovoljno istražen izvor biološki aktivnih jedinjenja. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se ispita biološka aktivnost etanolnog i acetonskog ekstrakta slatkovodne makroalge Paralemanea annulata (Rhodophyta). Procijenjeni su ukupni sadržaj fenolnih jedinjenja, sadržaj pigmenata, antioksidativni potencijal i antimikrobna aktivnost. Ekstrakti su takođe podvrgnuti FT-IR analizi. Ukupan sadržaj fenolnih jedinjenja i sadržaj pigmenata određeni su primenom spektrofotometrijskih metoda. Antioksidativni potencijal ekstrakata koncentracije od 0,5 mg/ml do 10 mg/ml ispitan je DPPH testom i testom redukcione moći. Antimikrobna aktivnost testirana je mikrodilucionom metodom i određena je minimalna inhibitorna koncentracija. Sadržaj ukupnih fenolnih jedinjenja varirao je u zavisnosti od vrste ekstrakta: u etanolnom ekstraktu iznosio je 9,77 ± 0,04 mg galne kiseline (GA)/g ekstrakta, a u acetonskom ekstraktu 14,10 ± 0,10 mg GA/g. Izmerene koncentracije pigmenata bile su: hlorofil a 4,80 ± 0,04 μg/ml, hlorofil b 3,25 ± 0,07 μg/ml i karotenoidi 0,13 ± 0,08 μg/ml. FT-IR analiza je pokazala da su lipidi, nezasićene masne kiseline, proteini, ugljeni hidrati i fenolna jedinjenja prisutna u ispitivanim ekstraktima alge. Ekstrakti su pokazali umerenu aktivnost uklanjanja DPPH radikala i nisku redukcionu moć u odnosu na kontrolu vitamin C. Pri koncentraciji od 40 mg/ml testirani ekstrakti delovali su inhibitorno na rast standardnih sojeva bakterija Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 i standardnog soja kvasca Candida albicans ATCC 10231 i izolata C. albicans. Ekstrakti nisu delovali na kliničke izolate bakterija na testiranim koncentracijama. Ovo je prvi izveštaj o biološkim aktivnostima alge P. annulata sa područja Srbije

The influence of artificial illumination and tillage treatments on enhancing lettuce growth and qualit

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) indoor cultivation during the winter is mainly influenced by low light intensities. Also, its production is significantly affected by tillage techniques. Therefore, our research aimed to investigate the impact of applied light treatments during the seedling stage and applied tillage treatments after plant transplanting on the Viola lettuce genotype. Applied light and tillage treatments significantly influenced shoot weight, while the root weight and the total chlorophyll content varied depending on the light treatment. Tillage treatment did not affect shoot weight and the total chlorophyll content, but significantly influenced soluble sugar content

Sugar profile of tomato as an indicator of nutritional quality in integrated and organic production

Agriculture is one of the key economic sectors, with the primary goal of achieving high and stable yields through sustainable development measures and environmental protection. This study analyzed the influence of integrated and organic production systems on the sugar profile of tomato fruits. Hybrids of round (salad-type) and cherry tomatoes were examined under both systems. Eleven sugar components were identified by HPAEC-PAD analysis, with fructose and glucose being dominant. Cherry tomatoes had a higher total sugar content in both systems, while organic production contributed to increased levels of trehalose and melibiose, indicating a significant impact of the production system on fruit nutritional quality. The highest total sugar content was observed in cherry tomatoes (5.49 g·100g⁻¹ integrated, 5.90 g·100g⁻¹ organic), while round tomatoes contained 5.02 g·100g⁻¹ (integrated) and 5.32 g·100g⁻¹ (organic)

Anatomska i mikromorfološka analiza korena, stabla i lista vrste Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.

The aim of this research was to investigate and characterise the anatomical structure of vegetative organs in Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv., commonly known as cockspur or barnyardgrass. E. crus-galli is a member of the Poaceae family and a common weed species which occures in many crops. For the purposes of this research, fully developed plants were collected from the experimental field of the Institute of Vegetable crops in Smederevska Palanka. Several methodes of microslide preparation were employed to investigate the anatomy of root, stem, and leaf. Cockspur has high water requirements and belongs to the hygrophilous weed species (F4), which is anatomically reflected by the presence of large intercellular spaces (aerenchyma) present in the stem and root. Generally speaking, the anatomical characteristics of E. crus-galli, especially considering not only lignified endodermis, but also presence of lignified exodermis in roots, share similarities with anatomical characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.), in whose fields this species is considered one of the most troublesome weeds. The anatomical structure of the stem is typical of monocots, featuring a single-layered epidermis on the surface, a hypodermis composed of chlorenchyma and sclerenchyma, and collateral vascular bundles. The collateral vascular bundles were distributed in a pattern characteristic of the Poaceae family, and scattered throughout the stem’s main body, surrounded by well-developed parenchyma tissue. The leaves are characterized by Kranz anatomy, which is typical of plants with C4-type photosynthesis. The leaf surface is characterized by the presence of short, non-glandular trichomes on both the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces, while silica cells are located exclusively in the adaxial epidermis. These morpho-anatomical characteristics could be an significant factor in the absorption of foliar-applied herbicides, making their understanding crucial for effective chemical control.Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv., poznate kao korovsko proso ili koštan. Ova biljka pripada porodici Poaceae i predstavlja čestu korovsku vrstu koja se javlja na parcelama na kojima se gaje mnoge gajene biljke. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja, sakupljene su potpuno razvijene jedinke sa oglednog polja Instituta za povrtarstvo u Smederevskoj Palanci, a za anatomsko ispitivanje korena, stabla i listova primenjeno je nekoliko različitih metoda pripreme mikroskopskih preparata. Korovsko proso ima visoke potrebe za vodom i pripada higrofilnim vrstama korova (F4), što se u anatomskoj građi ogleda kroz dobro razvijen aerenhim, tj kroz prisustvo krupnih međućelijskih prostora u stablu i korenu. Generalno govoreći, u pogledu nekih anatomskih karakteristika, poput prisustva ne samo lignifikovanog endodrmisa već i lignifikovanog egzidermisa, E. crus-galli deli sličnosti sa anatomskom građom pirinča (Oryza sativa L.), na čijim poljima se ova vrsta smatra jednim od najproblematičnijih korova. Anatomska građa stabla je tipična za monokotile, sa jednoćelijskim epidermisom na površini, hipodermisom građenim od hlorenhima i sklerenhima, dok su kolateralni provodni snopići razbacani po najvećem delu stabla i okruženi dobro razvijenim parenhimskim tkivom. U anatomskom pogledu listovi se odlikuju tzv Krancovom anatomijom tipičnom za biljke sa C4 tipom fotosinteze. Površina listova se odlikuje prisustvom kratkih nežlezdanih dlaka koje se javljaju se na obe površine lista, adaksijalnoj i abaksijalnoj, dok su ćelije sa kristalima silicijum-dioksida prisutne isključivo u adaksijalnom epidermisu. Navedene morfo-anatomske karakteristike mogu biti značajan faktor u apsorpciji folijarno primenjenih herbicida, pa bi razumevanje njihove uloge moglo biti od velike važnosti za uspešnu hemijsku kontrolu

Pink Lenka: Tomato Variety (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Pink 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.Pink Lenka is a new indeterminate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) variety developed at the Institute for Vegetable Crops, Smederevska Palanka. It is characterized by vigorous growth, good leaf coverage, and well-developed inflorescences bearing 5–7 fruits with an average weight of 200–240 g, depending on the cultivation technology. The variety is suitable for both protected cultivation and open-field production. Fruits are of attractive pink color, without a green shoulder, uniform in shape, and have an excellent flavor, making them ideal for fresh consumption and local markets. Pink Lenka belongs to the group of early-maturing varieties, showing stable yield performance and high fruit quality, and thus represents a valuable contribution to the domestic tomato assortment

Effect of Maize Landraces and Testers on the Number of Leaves above the Ear in Test Cross Hybrids

to identify superior combinations for this trait. The experiment involved crossing 31 maize landraces with three testers (L217, L73B013, and L255/75-5), representing different heterotic groups (Iowa Dent, BSSS and Lancaster). The general mean for the number of leaves above the ear was 6.18 leaves. The analysis of variance revealed that all sources of variation, including the environment, tester, landrace, and their interactions, were highly significant (p≤0.01), except for the triple interaction (p=0.964). The coefficient of variation was 6.00%, indicating low within-group variability. Maize landrace AN1569, across all testers, exhibited the highest number of leaves (6.72), suggesting its superior general combining ability for this trait. Other landraces, such as AN877, AN288, and AN197, also showed high values, predominantly belonging to dent maize types from late maturity groups. In contrast, the maize landrace AN1890, in test cross hybrids, produced the lowest number of leaves above the ear (5.76). Tester L73B013 contributed to hybrids with the highest number of leaves above the ear (6.31), compared to L217 and L255/75-5, which were statistically similar to each other. A positive correlation (r=0.782) was observed between the number of leaves above the ear in landraces per se and their general combining ability, emphasizing the additive genetic effects in the inheritance of this trait. These results emphasize the importance of specific landraces and testers in breeding programs aimed at improving the number of leaves above the ear, with potential implications for yield and adaptability

Climate change impacts on seed production and quality of pepper

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as a commercial species is cultivated worldwide. Abiotic and biotic factors have a considerable effect on plant performance, fruit quantity, and quality. The impact of climate change affects not only the total fruit yield, but also the germination of seeds and the establishment of production in the following year. The quality of the seed, including seed mass, moisture and health, is an important prerequisite for obtaining a healthy and high-quality crop and ensuring high fruit yields. Seed testing of two pepper genotypes from two locations (Smederevska Palanka and Kula) was performed using standard methods for assessing seed quality and health, based on germination parameters, mass of 1000 seeds, moisture and seed health for the seed produced in the season 2024. Germination energy of Romana (Kula) was 50% and 67% (Smederevska Palanka). While, energy germination for Palanačko čudo (Kula) was 55% and 70% (Smederevska Palanka), respectively. Germination energy was statistically significantly lower in locality Kula compared to Smederevska Palanka (p<0.05). Total germination for Romana and Palanačko čudo was 70% and 84% in Smederevska Palanka, while in Kula was 66% and 74%, respectively. The moisture content was 8,043% and 6,5% for Romana and Palanačko čudo, respectively (p<0.05) in Smederevska Palanka. The moisture content was 7,0% and 10,3 % for Romana and Palanačko čudo in Kula, respectively. Seed health was tested on the basis of the presence of phytopathogenic fungi belonging to the genus Alternaria and Fusarium. The percentage of infection with Alternaria spp. was 1% for Romana and 3% Palanačko čudo in Smederevska Palanka (p<0.05), while in Kula amounted to 1% and 4%, respectively (p<0.05) and they were statistically significant (p<0.05) for Palanačko čudo. There was no statistical difference between detection of Alternaria spp in the Romana variety on both sites. The infection with Fusarium spp. was 4.1% for and 1.6% for Palanačko čudo in Kula. The obtained data of seed quality parameters indicate a statistically significant difference between Smederevska Palanka and Kula variety. Future research will focus on the use of biostimulants to increase germination and yield, especially in the Kula locality

Chlorophyll content in the leaves of sweet corn grown with cover crops

Razlika u sadržaju hlorofila predstavlja jedan od najizrazitijih simptoma stresa, posebno u periodu nakon primene herbicida u gajenom usevu. Pokrovni usevi imaju uticaja na smanjenje zakorovljenosti, čime se redukuje primena herbicida što uslovljava veči sadržaj hlorofila u listovima gajenih biljaka. Na sadržaj hlorofila u listovima utiču i starost i položaj listova, mineralna ishrana, temperatura, relativna vlaga, genotip i drugo. Sa razvojem održivih sistema pokrovni usevi su prepoznati kao faktori obezbeđivanja azota glavnom usevu, a samim tim i usevi koji povoljno utiču na sadržaj hlorofila u listovima. Tokom 2014/2015. i 2015/2016. godine (faktor A) je sproveden ogled, postavljen po split-plot dizajnu na eksperimentalnom polju Instituta za kukuruz "Zemun Polje". Kao glavni usev gajen je hibrid kukuruza šećerca ZPSC 421su (FAO 400). U ogledu je uključena kontrolna varijanta, a kao pokrovni usevi (faktor B) gajeni su: obična grahorica, ozimi ovas, ozimi krmni kelj, ozimi krmni grašak i smeše ozimi krmni grašak + ozimi ovas i obična grahorica+ozimi ovas, uz primenu mikrobiološkog đubriva, (faktor C). Cilj rada je ispitivanje sadržaja hlorofila u listovima kukuruza šećerca, gajenog sa pokrovim usevima. Sadržaj hlorofila je meren pomoću SPAD uređaja (Infraneo, Chopin Technologies, Francuska) na tri biljke u svakom ponavljanju, sa tri mesta na listovima klipa. Statistički vrlo značaj uticaj je ispoljila interakcija faktora godina x pokrovni usev, kao i pojedinačno delovanje faktora pokrovni usev. Najbolji efekat je postignut kod ozimog krmnog graška u drugoj godini bez primene mikrobiološkog đubriva (45.16 Spad units) i sa njegovom primenom (40.29 Spad units) u odnosu na kontrolnu varijantu.The difference in the content of chlorophyll is one of the most pronounced symptoms of stress, especially in the period after the application of herbicides in the cultivated crop. Cover crops have an effect on the reduction of weeds, which reduces the use of herbicides, which leads to a higher content of chlorophyll in the leaves of cultivated plants. The chlorophyll content in the leaves is influenced by the age and position of the leaves, mineral nutrition, temperature, relative humidity, genotype and others. With the development of sustainable systems, cover crops are recognized as factors in providing nitrogen to the main crop, and therefore crops that favorably affect the chlorophyll content in the leaves. During 2014/2015. and 2015/2016. year (factor A), an experiment was conducted, set up according to a split-plot design on the experimental field of the Maize Institute "Zemun Polje". It is grown as the main crop sweet corn hybrid ZPSC 421su (FAO 400). The control variant was included in the trial, and as cover crops (factor B) the following were grown: common vetch, winter oats, winter fodder kale, winter fodder peas and mixtures of winter fodder peas + winter oats and common vetch + winter oats, with the application of microbiological fertilizer (factor C). The aim of the work is to examine the chlorophyll content in the leaves of sweet corn grown with cover crops. Chlorophyll content was measured using a SPAD device (Infraneo, Chopin Technologies, France) on three plants per replication, from three sites on cob leaves. The interaction of the factor year x cover crop, as well as the individual effect of the factor cover crop, had a statistically significant impact. The best effect was achieved with winter fodder peas in the second year without the application of microbiological fertilizer (45.16 Spad units) and with its application (40.29 Spad units) compared to the control variant

Influence of integrated fertilization and genotype on barley production in changing climate conditions

The research examined the influence of climatic conditions, genotypes and fertilization treatments on the yield and grain quality of winter barley during two production years (2021–2023) in sour soil (pH 4.74) in southern Serbia. The genotypes Bosut and Parip and five fertilization treatments (control and combinations of NPK, microbiological, lime fertilizer and cattle manure) were examined. Grain yield varied from 2.0 to 5.5 t/ha, hectoliter weight from 55.17 to 63.17 kg/hl, and weight of 1000 grains from 37.20 to 47.17 g. The highest yields were achieved in treatment 5 (150 kg/ha NPK + 150 kg/ha microbiological fertilizer + 4 t/ha lime fertilizer + 20 t/ha cattle manure), especially for genotype Parip (4.87 t/ha in 2022–2023). Analysis of variance showed that year (F = 108.75, p < 0.01), genotype (F = 21.04, p < 0.01) and treatments (F = 327.37, p < 0.01) significantly affect the yield, with climatic factors, especially precipitation (354.1 mm in 2021–2022, respectively 512 mm in 2022–2023) having a key role. Parip showed greater adaptability to variable conditions, while treatment 5 improved nutrient availability and yield on acidic soil. The results highlight the importance of integrated fertilization and genotype selection for the optimization of barley production in the conditions of climate change