A quality evaluation of chamomile and mint teas commonly consumed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The quality of mint and chamomile tea brands available in the retail market in Bosnia and Herzegovina were assessed based on their total phenolic and flavonoids contents, total antioxidant capacity and levels of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Fe and Cu). The results showed that both the mint and chamomile had high amounts of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity rates. However, the total phenolics and flavonoids were significantly higher in the mint than in the chamomile. The studied toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) were present at non-toxic levels in all the herbal tea samples, while the levels of Fe and Cu in some herbal teas slightly exceeded the World Health Organization’s permissible limits. Accordingly, the results of this study indicate that the potential health risk of Cd, Cr and Pb exposure through the consumption of studied herbal teas appears to be very low with no significant health implications to consumers. Contrary, based on the samples examined in this study, the consumption of herbal teas could expose the consumer to the potential health risks associated with Cu and Fe. Therefore, further studies are needed to test this possibility

Quality parameters and distribution of calcium in Idared apples under different fertilizer treatments

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium fertilizer treatments on fruit quality and distribution of calcium in apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Idared). Four treatments were tested: application of calcium nitrate through the fertigation system, foliar application of calcium nitrate, application of calcium oxide through soil, and control treatment (without calcium fertilizer). In the experiment, freshly picked apples harvested in Gorazde region (eastern Bosnia) in September 2018 were analyzed. The highest impact to increase calcium content in apple had a treatment where calcium nitrate was added through the fertigation system. It was the result of the balance between calcium and nitrogen in the applied solution as well as the fertigation capacity to timely deliver nutrition to the main rooting zone. Calcium distribution was not uniform within the fruit: the highest content was found in the apple core, decreasing in the apple flesh, and rising again in the apple skin, regardless of fertilizer treatment. There was no difference among calcium fertilizer treatments in total soluble solids and titratable acidity of apple, indicating that these treatments were insufficient in order to improve the examined parameters of fruit quality

Cherry tomato productivity as influenced by liquid organic fertilizer under different growth conditions

This study was carried out to examine the impact of liquid organic fertilizer Ergonfill (LFE) on the yield and quality of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Sakura F1) under different growth conditions. The experiment was set up in a randomized blocks design with four variants in three replications. Experiment variants were as follows: drought-stressed seedlings with and without LFE treatment, and non-stressed seedlings with and without LFE treatment. Exposure of cherry tomato seedlings to controlled water stress conditions significantly increased fruit quality parameters (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, lycopene, total phenolic and flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity), but decreased yield. LFE treatment significantly increased by the all examined parameters under normal growth conditions as compared to untreated plants, and for total phenolic and flavonoids content, total antioxidant capacity and total soluble solids this increase was statistically significant. Positive impact of the LFE application on cherry tomato quality is result of fertilizer composition, as well as ability of cherry tomato plants to use bioactive substances in fertilizer for its growth and development

Morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties of Allium ursinum L. wild growing in the northwestern part of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Allium ursinum L. (ramson) has been used for centuries as a food and medicinal herb. Generally, the phenology, morphology, as well as health benefits of Allium ursinum plants have been scientifically validated; however, the knowledge about geographic variation in morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties of Allium ursinum are fairly scarce. The aim of this study, therefore, was to reveal the habitat preferences of Allium ursinum in different geographical regions of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and to evaluate its morphological characteristics of stems, leaves and bulbs and its antioxidant properties. Morphological characteristics as well as antioxidant properties of Allium ursinum plants including total phenolics and flavonoids contents, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined. In this study, the high abundance of Allium ursinum plants was recorded at five different locations: Laktaši, Kozara, Prnjavor, Kneževo and Drinić. The results of this study revealed that Allium ursinum prefers forest habitats and that their morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties are strongly dependent on both geographical location and habitat conditions. We hereby suggest that Allium ursinum can be considered a valuable source of phenolic compounds with relevant antioxidant activity

Enhancement of Antioxidant Properties of Lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.), Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) by Application of Natural Biostimulants

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of seaweed extract (Algaren), nettle extract and microbial biostimulant (Slavol) on total phenolics and flavonoids and antioxidant capacity of leaves of lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The study was carried out in a greenhouse located in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The experimental trial was set up in a randomized block design with four biostimulant treatments in three replications. The first application of biostimulant was carried out immediately after the transplanting of seedlings, and the second and third treatments 15 and 30 days later, respectively. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and ferric-reducing/ antioxidant power (FRAP) assay were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of each leaf extract. The nettle extract was found to be the most effective in increasing total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity in leaves of studied plants. In this study, the antioxidant capacity of leaf extracts was in line with total phenolics/flavonoids, regardless of plant species and biostimulant treatments, suggesting that phenolic compounds greatly contribute to antioxidant capacity of studied plants

Foliar nutrition in apple production

In order to create conditions conducive to sustainable fruit production, involving optimum utilization of all sources of plant nutrients with minimum environmental pollution, it is necessary to reorient agricultural producers to use those types of fertilization that are environmentally safe and appropriate which can also satisfy all fruit tree nutrient requirements. This gives particular importance to foliar nutrition as this model poses the lowest risk of soil and groundwater contamination with undesirable mineral elements. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of research papers dealing with the effect of foliar feeding on development parameters in apple trees in an attempt to obtain a more thorough insight into the advantages and disadvantages of this fertilization type and facilitate the potential use of this practice for apple producers.Keywords: Malus x domestica, foliar fertilization, nutrient, leave

Učinki izvlečkov morskih alg na rast, pridelek in kakovost češnjevega paradižnika v različnih rastnih razmerah

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of foliar application of seaweed extract (0.2 %) on the growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato under stress and non-stress conditions. The greenhouse experiment was set up in a randomized block design with four treatments in three replications. Treatments were as follows: V1 - seedlings treated by seaweed extract and subjected to drought; V2 - seedlings treated by seaweed extract and regularly watered; V3 - non-treated seedlings subjected to drought; V4 - non-treated seedlings regularly watered. Cherry tomato seedlings treated by seaweed extract had a lower content of proline and higher leaf water potential compared to non-treated seedlings under stress conditions, indicating that application of this fertilizer contributes to better adaptation of cherry tomato seedlings to stress. Treatment with seaweed extract also positively influenced the yield and quality of cherry tomato (total soluble solids, vitamin C, lycopene) under both standard and drought stress conditions as compared to untreated plants in same conditions. Positive effects of seaweed extract on growth and quality of cherry tomato are result of its specific composition, as well as ability of cherry tomato plants to utilize bioactive substances in seaweed extracts for its growth and development.Izveden je bil poskus za določanje učinkov foliarnega gnojenja z izvlečkom morskih alg (0, 2 %) na rast, pridelek in kakovost češnjevega paradižnika v stresnih in nestresnih razmerah. V rastlinjaku je bil postavljen naključni bločni poskus s štirimi obravnavanji in tremi ponovitvami. Obravnavanja so bila: V1 – tretma sadik z izvlečkom morskih alg in izpostavitev suši; V2 - tretma sadik z izvlečkom morskih alg in redno zalivanje; V3 – netretirane sadike so bile izpostavljene suši; V4 – netretirane sadike so bile redno zalivane. Sadike češnjevca, ki so bile tretirane z izvlečkom morskih alg, so imele manjšo vsebnost prolina in večji vodni potencial listov v primerjavi z netretiranimi v stresnih razmerah, kar kaže, da je uporaba tega gnojila prispevala k boljši prilagoditvi sadik na stres. Foliarno gnojenje z izvlečekom morskih alg je tudi pozitivno vplivalo na pridelek in kakovost češnjevca (celokupno vsebnost topnih snovi, vitamina C, likopena) v kontroli in stresnih razmerah v primerjavi z netretiranimi rastlinami v enakih razmerah. Pozitivni učinki izvlečka morskih alg na rast in kakovost češnjevca so posledica njegove specifične sestave kot tudi sposobnosti tega paradižnika, da bioaktivne snovi iz izvlečkov morskih alg uporabi za rast in razvoj

Zinc and Copper Dynamics in the Soil - Plant System in Intensive Strawberry Production

The term heavy metal, when related to its impact on the life of the plant, almost always implies negative connotations. However, some heavy metals like copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential to maintain the metabolism of plant, and without them the plant would not be able to successfully complete its life cycle. The aim of this study was to examine the dynamics of Zn and Cu in the soil - plant system in intensive strawberry plantation on pseudogley soil in Northwestern Bosnia, area of Gradacac. The content of Zn and Cu in the examined soil, leaves and fruits of strawberries was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zn and Cu contents (means +/- SEM) were 82.06 +/- 14.07 and 8.45 +/- 2.35 in soil, 100.34 +/- 4.61 and 0.41 +/- 0.11 in leaves, 91.72 +/- 6.32 and 0.32 +/- 0.18 in fruits expressed as mg/kg dry matter (DW), respectively. Uptake, translocation and accumulation of Zn in the leaves and fruits of strawberries was at a satisfactory level in accordance with the plant’s needs for this element, which was not the case when the dynamics of Cu was studied. Some of the main reasons for that were: a low Cu content in the examined soil, low mobility of Cu in the plant, and antagonistic relationship between Zn and Cu in soil