Effect of rain-shield cultivation system on biological and production characteristics and fruit quality of blackberry cv. ʼČačanska bestrnaʼ (Rubus subg. Rubus Watson)

Istraživanjima u okviru ove doktorske disertacije ispitan je uticaj polutunelskog sistema gajenja na najznačajnije fenološke osobine (vreme cvetanja i zrenja), parametre vegetativnog (broj izdanaka po žbunu, visina i prečnik izdanka) i generativnog (broj rodnih grančica, cvasti i plodova po izdanku, prinos) potencijala, pomološke osobine (morfometrija ploda, hemijski sastav i organoleptička ocena ploda), kao i na pojavu sive truleži ploda sorte kupine ‘Čačanska bestrna’. Analizirana je i korelacija između količine šećera u plodu i stepena depigmentacije tokom čuvanja zamrznutih plodova, uporednim proučavanjima sa sortama kupine ‘Loch Ness’ i ‘Chester Thornless’. Istraživanja su obavljena u proizvodnom zasadu kupine od 2011. do 2013. godine u ekološkim uslovima Čačka po standardnoj metodologiji. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da je najveći broj analiziranih parametara bio uslovljen sistemom gajenja i ekološkim uslovima u periodu ispitivanja, kao i njihovom interakcijom. Ispitivani sistem gajenja nije uticao na odstupanja u početku fenofaza cvetanja i zrenja dvogodišnjih izdanaka u odnosu na standardni sistem. U pogledu parametara vegetativnog potencijala, veći broj i dužina izdanaka utvrđeni su kod kupine gajene u polutunelskom, a veći prečnik izdanka u standardnom sistemu gajenja. Poređenjem dobijenih rezultata svih ispitivanih parametara generativnog potencijala kupine, veće vrednosti su dobijene kod polutunelskog sistema gajenja. Morfometrijske osobine ploda kupine, izuzev mase ploda, bile su uslovljene značajnim uticajem sistema gajenja i veće vrednosti svih pomenutih osobina utvrđene su u uslovima polutunelskog sistema gajenja kupine. U uslovima polutunelskog sistema gajenja kupine dobijene su veće vrednosti za sve parametre biohemijskog sastava ploda, izuzev za sadržaj ukupnih kiselina i sadržaj vanilinske kiseline. Dobijeni rezultati su potvrdili prisustvo flavonola kvercetina i dominantno prisustvo antocijana cijanidin-3-glukozida u plodu kupine. Među detektovanim fenolnim jedinjenjima, u plodu ispitivane sorte, utvrđena je visoka koncentracija galne i elaginske kiseline...This doctoral dissertation research examined the effect of rain-shield cultivation system on major phenological traits (flowering and ripening time), vegetative potential parameters (number of canes per bush, cane height, cane diameter), generative potential parameters (number of fruiting laterals, inflorescences and berries per cane, yield), pomological properties (fruit morphometry, chemical composition and organoleptic scores of the fruit) and the incidence of gray mold in blackberry cv. ‘Čačanska Bestrna’. Moreover, the correlation between the sugar content of the fruit and the rate of pigment degradation during frozen storage was analyzed and compared with the blackberry cvs. ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Chester Thornless’. The research was conducted in a commercial blackberry planting during 2011-2013 under the environmental conditions of Čačak using the standard methodology. The results showed that most of the tested parameters were affected by production system and environmental conditions during the research, as well as by their interaction. The rain-shield system did not cause any deviation in the onset of flowering and ripening in floricanes compared to open-field cultivation. In terms of the vegetative potential parameters, number of canes and cane length were greater in blackberries under rain shields, whereas cane diameter was higher under open-field cultivation. When comparing the results obtained for the generative potential parameters, higher values were found under rain-shield cultivation. Pomological properties of blackberry, except fruit weight, were significantly affected by production system, with higher values for all pomological traits obtained under rain shields. The rain-shield system resulted in higher values for all parameters of the biochemical composition of the blackberry fruit, except the contents of total acids and vanillic acid. The results confirmed the presence of the flavonol quercetin and the dominant presence of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-glucoside. Among the phenolic compounds detected in the fruit of the tested cultivar, gallic acid and ellagic acid were found in high concentrations..

Evaluation of innovative and environmentally safe growing practice suitable for sustainable management of plum orchards

Intensive agricultural development based on the long-term and excessive use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers significantly contributes to a series of undesirable effects and results in environmental pollution. In line with the above, there is a pressing need for major changes in agricultural production management. Bearing in mind that fertilization strategy, among other practices, plays an important role in improving the growing technology of different fruit crops, we considered that the above mentioned problems could be overcome by introducing an environmentally safe and innovative practice inplum growing technology as well. Accordingly, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effects of biofertilizer (a combination of nitrogen-fixing and phosphorus-mineralizing bacteria including Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megatherium and Bacillus subtilis) and chemical fertilizer (a water-soluble chemical fertilizer supplemented with the microelements B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn)on ʻČačanska Lepotica' and 'Stanley' plum cultivars. Morphometric characteristics (fruit weight, length and width), internal quality traits (soluble solids content and firmness) and chemical properties (total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity) of the fruit of the tested plum cultivars were assessed. The obtained results indicate that the substitution of chemical fertilization with biofertilization in 'Čačanska Lepotica' and 'Stanley' is a justified practice. Furthermore, this approach seems to havepotential as an appropriate technique in commercial plum production, which may improve yield-attributing characteristics and the phytochemical content of plum fruits.Publishe

Properties of some Late Season Plum Hybrids from Fruit Research Institute Čačak

Since 1979 to 2012 fifteen plum cultivars were named and released in Fruit Research Institute, Čačak. Some of these cultivars, such as Čačanska Lepotica, Čačanska Rodna and Čačanska Najbolja are grown in most important plum growing countries in Europe. Also, these cultivars are used as parent cultivars in many plum breeding programs. In addition to the cultivars, large number of promising hybrids are created in Fruit Research Institute, Čačak and some of them, in this moment, are candidates for new cultivars. Therefore, in 2014 and 2015, we investigated the most important properties of four promising late season hybrids and standard cultivar ‘Stanley’. All four hybrids were harvested since beginning of September (34/41/87) until the beginning of the third decade of September (10/23/87). The earliest flowering time was recorded in hybrid 34/41/87 and the latest in standard cultivar ‘Stanley’. Hybrids 10/23/87 and 26/54/87 generally had the highest fruit weight and all three fruit dimensions. Also these hybrids had the highest content of total sugars and sucrose and highest pH value, but poorest total acids content. The highest content of invert sugars and total acids was recorded in hybrid 22/17/87. This hybrid also, had the highest yield per tree and per hectare while the hybrid 34/41/87 had the lowest these values. Standard cultivar ‘Stanley’ had the largest stone weight and the highest amount of soluble solids

Effect of Conventional and Botanical Insecticides on Soil Microbial Activity

The laboratory and field studies were conducted to determine the effect of the application of conventional and botanical insecticides on microbiological activity in the soil. The trial was set up in the autumn 2007 in glasshouse of Fruit Research Institute, Cacak, Republic of Serbia. In vegetative 10-litre vessels, strawberry runners, immersed for 10 min in water heated to 46oC, were planted. The trial included 4 treatment variants (I – microbiological fertiliser Enteroplantin; II – microbiological fertiliser Slavol; III – mineral fertiliser Multi KMg; IV – non-fertilised soil) as well as the application of conventional and botanical insecticides. The experiment was carried out under the randomised block design system, in 3 replications. Over the growing season, conventional measures involved the application of endosulphan (Thiosulfan 0.2%) and gusathion (Gusathion 0.15%). As for botanical insecticides, neem (NeemAzal 0.4%) and pyrethrin (Pyros 0.2%) were used as the part of organic production system. The effect of the applied insecticides was determined twice over the growing season and was monitored by checking the fungal and actinomycetes count. Indirect dilution methods of growing on adequate culture media were used to determine the number of studied microorganisms groups. The two-year results (2008–2009) suggest that the insecticides applied within conventional production system caused significant reduction in the number of the soil fungiPublishe

Effect of rain-shield cultivation system on biological and production characteristics and fruit quality of blackberry cv. ʼČačanska bestrnaʼ (Rubus subg. Rubus Watson)

Istraživanjima u okviru ove doktorske disertacije ispitan je uticaj polutunelskog sistema gajenja na najznačajnije fenološke osobine (vreme cvetanja i zrenja), parametre vegetativnog (broj izdanaka po žbunu, visina i prečnik izdanka) i generativnog (broj rodnih grančica, cvasti i plodova po izdanku, prinos) potencijala, pomološke osobine (morfometrija ploda, hemijski sastav i organoleptička ocena ploda), kao i na pojavu sive truleži ploda sorte kupine ‘Čačanska bestrna’. Analizirana je i korelacija između količine šećera u plodu i stepena depigmentacije tokom čuvanja zamrznutih plodova, uporednim proučavanjima sa sortama kupine ‘Loch Ness’ i ‘Chester Thornless’. Istraživanja su obavljena u proizvodnom zasadu kupine od 2011. do 2013. godine u ekološkim uslovima Čačka po standardnoj metodologiji. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da je najveći broj analiziranih parametara bio uslovljen sistemom gajenja i ekološkim uslovima u periodu ispitivanja, kao i njihovom interakcijom. Ispitivani sistem gajenja nije uticao na odstupanja u početku fenofaza cvetanja i zrenja dvogodišnjih izdanaka u odnosu na standardni sistem. U pogledu parametara vegetativnog potencijala, veći broj i dužina izdanaka utvrđeni su kod kupine gajene u polutunelskom, a veći prečnik izdanka u standardnom sistemu gajenja. Poređenjem dobijenih rezultata svih ispitivanih parametara generativnog potencijala kupine, veće vrednosti su dobijene kod polutunelskog sistema gajenja. Morfometrijske osobine ploda kupine, izuzev mase ploda, bile su uslovljene značajnim uticajem sistema gajenja i veće vrednosti svih pomenutih osobina utvrđene su u uslovima polutunelskog sistema gajenja kupine. U uslovima polutunelskog sistema gajenja kupine dobijene su veće vrednosti za sve parametre biohemijskog sastava ploda, izuzev za sadržaj ukupnih kiselina i sadržaj vanilinske kiseline. Dobijeni rezultati su potvrdili prisustvo flavonola kvercetina i dominantno prisustvo antocijana cijanidin-3-glukozida u plodu kupine. Među detektovanim fenolnim jedinjenjima, u plodu ispitivane sorte, utvrđena je visoka koncentracija galne i elaginske kiseline...This doctoral dissertation research examined the effect of rain-shield cultivation system on major phenological traits (flowering and ripening time), vegetative potential parameters (number of canes per bush, cane height, cane diameter), generative potential parameters (number of fruiting laterals, inflorescences and berries per cane, yield), pomological properties (fruit morphometry, chemical composition and organoleptic scores of the fruit) and the incidence of gray mold in blackberry cv. ‘Čačanska Bestrna’. Moreover, the correlation between the sugar content of the fruit and the rate of pigment degradation during frozen storage was analyzed and compared with the blackberry cvs. ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Chester Thornless’. The research was conducted in a commercial blackberry planting during 2011-2013 under the environmental conditions of Čačak using the standard methodology. The results showed that most of the tested parameters were affected by production system and environmental conditions during the research, as well as by their interaction. The rain-shield system did not cause any deviation in the onset of flowering and ripening in floricanes compared to open-field cultivation. In terms of the vegetative potential parameters, number of canes and cane length were greater in blackberries under rain shields, whereas cane diameter was higher under open-field cultivation. When comparing the results obtained for the generative potential parameters, higher values were found under rain-shield cultivation. Pomological properties of blackberry, except fruit weight, were significantly affected by production system, with higher values for all pomological traits obtained under rain shields. The rain-shield system resulted in higher values for all parameters of the biochemical composition of the blackberry fruit, except the contents of total acids and vanillic acid. The results confirmed the presence of the flavonol quercetin and the dominant presence of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-glucoside. Among the phenolic compounds detected in the fruit of the tested cultivar, gallic acid and ellagic acid were found in high concentrations..

Effect of rain-shield cultivation system on biological and production characteristics and fruit quality of blackberry cv. ʼČačanska bestrnaʼ (Rubus subg. Rubus Watson)

Istraživanjima u okviru ove doktorske disertacije ispitan je uticaj polutunelskog sistema gajenja na najznačajnije fenološke osobine (vreme cvetanja i zrenja), parametre vegetativnog (broj izdanaka po žbunu, visina i prečnik izdanka) i generativnog (broj rodnih grančica, cvasti i plodova po izdanku, prinos) potencijala, pomološke osobine (morfometrija ploda, hemijski sastav i organoleptička ocena ploda), kao i na pojavu sive truleži ploda sorte kupine ‘Čačanska bestrna’. Analizirana je i korelacija između količine šećera u plodu i stepena depigmentacije tokom čuvanja zamrznutih plodova, uporednim proučavanjima sa sortama kupine ‘Loch Ness’ i ‘Chester Thornless’. Istraživanja su obavljena u proizvodnom zasadu kupine od 2011. do 2013. godine u ekološkim uslovima Čačka po standardnoj metodologiji. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da je najveći broj analiziranih parametara bio uslovljen sistemom gajenja i ekološkim uslovima u periodu ispitivanja, kao i njihovom interakcijom. Ispitivani sistem gajenja nije uticao na odstupanja u početku fenofaza cvetanja i zrenja dvogodišnjih izdanaka u odnosu na standardni sistem. U pogledu parametara vegetativnog potencijala, veći broj i dužina izdanaka utvrđeni su kod kupine gajene u polutunelskom, a veći prečnik izdanka u standardnom sistemu gajenja. Poređenjem dobijenih rezultata svih ispitivanih parametara generativnog potencijala kupine, veće vrednosti su dobijene kod polutunelskog sistema gajenja. Morfometrijske osobine ploda kupine, izuzev mase ploda, bile su uslovljene značajnim uticajem sistema gajenja i veće vrednosti svih pomenutih osobina utvrđene su u uslovima polutunelskog sistema gajenja kupine. U uslovima polutunelskog sistema gajenja kupine dobijene su veće vrednosti za sve parametre biohemijskog sastava ploda, izuzev za sadržaj ukupnih kiselina i sadržaj vanilinske kiseline. Dobijeni rezultati su potvrdili prisustvo flavonola kvercetina i dominantno prisustvo antocijana cijanidin-3-glukozida u plodu kupine. Među detektovanim fenolnim jedinjenjima, u plodu ispitivane sorte, utvrđena je visoka koncentracija galne i elaginske kiseline...This doctoral dissertation research examined the effect of rain-shield cultivation system on major phenological traits (flowering and ripening time), vegetative potential parameters (number of canes per bush, cane height, cane diameter), generative potential parameters (number of fruiting laterals, inflorescences and berries per cane, yield), pomological properties (fruit morphometry, chemical composition and organoleptic scores of the fruit) and the incidence of gray mold in blackberry cv. ‘Čačanska Bestrna’. Moreover, the correlation between the sugar content of the fruit and the rate of pigment degradation during frozen storage was analyzed and compared with the blackberry cvs. ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Chester Thornless’. The research was conducted in a commercial blackberry planting during 2011-2013 under the environmental conditions of Čačak using the standard methodology. The results showed that most of the tested parameters were affected by production system and environmental conditions during the research, as well as by their interaction. The rain-shield system did not cause any deviation in the onset of flowering and ripening in floricanes compared to open-field cultivation. In terms of the vegetative potential parameters, number of canes and cane length were greater in blackberries under rain shields, whereas cane diameter was higher under open-field cultivation. When comparing the results obtained for the generative potential parameters, higher values were found under rain-shield cultivation. Pomological properties of blackberry, except fruit weight, were significantly affected by production system, with higher values for all pomological traits obtained under rain shields. The rain-shield system resulted in higher values for all parameters of the biochemical composition of the blackberry fruit, except the contents of total acids and vanillic acid. The results confirmed the presence of the flavonol quercetin and the dominant presence of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-glucoside. Among the phenolic compounds detected in the fruit of the tested cultivar, gallic acid and ellagic acid were found in high concentrations..

Promising sour cherry hybrids (Prunus cerasus L.) developed at Fruit Research Institute Čačak

At Fruit Research Institute in Čačak, major objectives of the work on breeding new sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cultivars are high cropping, large, high-quality fruits and resistance to causal agents of diseases and pests. As a result of the planned hybridization, more than 10,000 hybrid seedlings have been developed from about 40 cultivars within more than 110 parental combinations, among which are 'Čačanski rubin' ('Shasse Morello' x 'Köröser Weichsel') and 'Šumadinka' ('Köröser Weichsel' x 'Heimanns Konserven Weichsel') which have been named and released. Ten-year study of 11 hybrids, selected from the population of about 3,000 hybrid seedlings, gave four hybrids which have been singled out as elite (III/23, III/31, II/40 i XII/57). These hybrids are currently under procedure of being released as new cultivars. The paper presents two-year results of the study of ripening time, pomological properties, biochemical composition of fruits, and field resistance to causal agents of diseases and pests attacking the above named genotypes which were compared to standard cultivar 'Heimanns Konserven Weichsel'. In the studied hybrids, fruit weight, soluble solids content and sugars content were higher than in standard cultivar. In addition, they exhibit substantial field resistance to causal agents of brown rot (Monilinia laxa /Ader et Ruhl./ Honey ex Whetz.), cherry leaf spot (Blumeriella jaapii (Rehm.) v. Arx.), shot-hole (Clasterosporium carpophilum (Lév.) Aderh.) and cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi L.) attack

How to improve strawberry productivity, nutrients composition, and beneficial rhizosphere microflora by biofertilization and mineral fertilization?

The main objective of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of fertilizer types on the counts of soil microorganisms, the mineral leaf composition, and productivity of three strawberry cultivars in the period 2012-2013. Two types of fertilizers were applied-mineral and microbiological. Significantly higher number of Azotobacter, ammonifiers, oligonitrophils, and total microbial count were observed under biofertilizers treatment. Significantly higher counts of fungi and actinomycetes were obtained under mineral fertilizer treatment, compared to other fertilizer treatments. The use of mineral fertilizer led to the most favorable balance of macronutrients and micronutrients in the leaf. In 2012, the generative potential and yield increased after mineral fertilization, whereas in 2013 these parameters were positively affected by mineral fertilizer and Biofertilizer 1. Given the obtained results, in order to improve technology of strawberry production, a partial substitution of mineral fertilizers by microbiological ones can be recommended

The study of populations of hazelnut c. Avelana L. and Turkish hazelnut C. Colurna L. and their selection

Properties of populations of hazelnut C. avelana L. and Turkish hazelnut C. colurna L. in different regions of Serbia were studied over 1998 - 2005. Round-fruit selections suitable for candy industry were concurrently singled out. Populations of hazelnut and Turkish hazelnut are characterized by small or medium large fruits with round shape index and kernel index ranging from 0.77 - 0.89 and 0.78 - 0.84 respectively. Singled out selections of hazelnut and Turkish hazelnut have averagely medium large fruits and kernel. Round shape index of fruits and kernel of hazelnut amount to 0.98 (1.01 - 0.91) and 0.99 (1.00 - 0.96) respectively, whereas the same parameter in Turkish hazelnut amounts to 0.99 (0.99 - 0.97) and 0.98 (0.98 - 0.97). Average fruit weight of the singled out selections is 1.79 g (hazelnut) and 1.74 g (Turkish hazelnut). Average kernel mass is 0.75 - 0.70 g. i.e. kernel ratio in hazelnut and Turkish hazelnut amounts to 41% and 40.2% respectively. The mineral matter content in the kernel of the selections amounted to 2.4% and 2.3% respectively. Raw proteins content ranged from 13.8% - 12.4% respectively, and oil content ranged from 47.7 - 50.2% respectively. The majority of indicators under in situ conditions suggest that all selections singled out from the population deserve attention with objective of more intensified propagation and wider introduction into commercial production. It particularly refers to the round shaped kernel which is the most suitable for the candy industry.

Meeting the challenge of sustainable agriculture: recent advances in orchard nutrition and protection management

The demand for food is expected to increase by up to 70% by 2050 due to the projected population of over 10 billion people. Conventional agricultural methods, which imply the application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, are unlikely to meet this demand. Therefore, there is a need for the intensification of agricultural production. However, the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and chemically synthesized pesticides can have adverse effects on the environment, soil fertility, crop yields, human health, and food quality. Therefore, harmonizing plant nutrition and protection through sustainable principles in agriculture represents a major goal and challenge for agriculture in the 21st century. Innovative, sustainable, and environmentally safe solutions and bio-rational technologies such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides of biological origin need to be introduced.This paper provides a review of recent achievements in orchard nutrition and protection management by introducing a new product based on liquid biofertilizer. This biofertilizer is derived from vermicompost and enriched with different strains of beneficial microorganisms from Azotobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Trichoderma genera, which contribute to increasing productivity, quality characteristics, and economic efficiency of production while simultaneously respecting ecological and health safety standards. The new formula includes a complete technological procedure and has been developed at the Fruit Research Institute, Čačak in the Republic of Serbia.Publishe