SOIL FERTILITY AS A NECESSARY MEASURE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE AREA OF MUNCIPALITY OF DOLNENI

Republic of North Macedonia has a long history of tobacco production. Therefore, the precise determination of soil fertility parameters is of essential importance. The main purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of tobacco soil properties as a useful strategy for guiding agricultural production and field management on specific sites. Furthermore, diagnosing soil fertility provides with proper and rational fertilization recommendations, which are integral parts of sustainable tobacco production. Following soil properties were monitored: pH, humus content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium, carbonates and physical clay in 153 of top soil samples (0-30 cm). The samples were collected from the area of municipality of Dolneni, which is part of Pelagonia region and accounts for almost 50% of the total area for tobacco production in the country.                The results show that soil properties exhibit spatial variation. Based on the performed classifications, 54 % of the soil samples have low humus and nitrogen content, 65 % of the samples have low available phosphorus content and only 6.5 % have low available potassium content. The soil reaction varies widely within the limits suitable for tobacco production, and most of the sampled soils are loamy. Thus, the application of mainly complex fertilizers, such as 10:30:20, 6:24:12 and 8:22:20, results with optimal fertility in the investigated area

Assessment of Ecological Importance and Anthropogenic Change of Subaquatic Springs in Ancient Lake Ohrid

Apart from their contribution in the water balance of Lake Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia, subaquatic springs are also expected to affect the water quality. A simple experiment was developed and applied to subaquatic spring in Kališta region (south-east of Kališta village, in the north-western part of the Lake) and at the spring at Veli Dab (eastern side of the Lake) based on physicochemical spring water properties. Different sampling methods were established with the aim of uncovering a more suitable way of sampling pure subaquatic spring water. The goal was to test these findings and adapt them for further analysis with higher temporal and measurement related resolution. Measurements were also aimed at gathering additional knowledge and methodology for characterizing the hydrogeology of the watersheds. Of interest was information on the general chemical composition of spring water, interactions between aquifer and groundwater and on the origins of groundwater. Integration of this knowledge adds to a better understanding on how and what kind of groundwater is delivered to Lake Ohrid. The obtained results show that the examined springs are rich in nutrients and, comparing to Lake water, exhibit temporal variations in temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen. Investigated springs have a very constant flow, as well as water quality

Some chemical and microbiological characteristics of modified atmosphere vacuum - packaged beef meat

Fresh beef was stored in mixtures of carbon dioxide and oxygen, as well as one control - traditional packaging with film overwrap. Measurements were made of gas exchanges, color of the meat and some chemical and microbiological characteristics of different beef muscle parts during cold storage for 2, 7 and 14 days. Results indicated that low-oxygen carbon monoxide gas flush had a stabilizing effect for preventing the development of surface discoloration. Data from these studies indicate that MAP suppresses pathogen growth compared with controls . Meat packed in 60% O2 and 40% CO2 remained attractive for at least a week at + 4°C. Key words: beef, meet, microbiological, cold storage, modified atmosphere vacuu

MACRONUTRIENT AVALIABILITY OF DIFFERENT ORIENTAL TOBACCO VARIETIES GROWN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS

Plants need relatively large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These nutrients are called primary nutrients and are commonly added as fertilizers. The other elements, the secondary macronutrients as calcium, magnesium are needed in smaller amounts. Macronutrients are essential for growth and development of all plants, including oriental tobacco. Their availability in the soil determines the overall health and growth of tobacco plants, so given the focus of sustainable agriculture, proper management of soil macronutrients is necessary while at the same time, reaching the requirement of high crop productivity and quality. In order to evaluate the macronutrient content and impact factors influencing their availability, different varieties of oriental tobacco were chosen for a field experiment (P-23, P-79, Basma and Elenski). Plants were grown under the same agrotechnical and environmental conditions, on two locations, on a colluvial-delluvial (Prilep) and fluvisol soil type (Dobrushevo). Total content of selected macronutrients was determined in the soil and leaf samples, and respectively, their mobile forms in soil samples. Availability ratios are presented by available and total content as direct measure of the potential effectiveness of the selected macronutrient in soil. Results show that availability and uptake of given macronutrients are significantly influenced by many factors. Analyzing the relationships of some soil properties and availability ratios of soil nutrients gives helpful insight in applying certain measures for specific agricultural and environmental management purpose

CA19116 Trace metal metabolism in plants

Many trace metals (TMs) (e.g. Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) are essential for organisms as active centres of enzymes, as about one third of all proteins are metalloproteins. Therefore, TM homeostasis in plants is at the core of many challenges currently facing agriculture and human societies. Low TM bioavailability in many soil types of large world areas causes a reduction in crop production and diminishes the nutritional value of food. Some essential TMs (e.g. Cu) have narrow beneficial concentration ranges, while others (e.g. Cd, Hg) are usually only toxic, and in many areas of the world metal toxicity is a severe agricultural and environmental problem. For environmental risk assessment and remediation, as well as improved agriculture (targeted fertilization and breeding), the mechanisms of TM uptake, distribution, speciation, physiological use, deficiency, toxicity and detoxification need to be better understood. This Action aims at elucidating them by the combined expertise of researchers (physiologists, (bio)physicists, (bio)(geo)chemists, molecular geneticists, ecologists, agronomists and soil scientists). It furthermore aims at making this knowledge applicable to the needs of farmers and consumers, with input from companies for translating laboratory results into applied products. This shall be done by integrated scientific, communication, and dissemination activities, pooling together our research efforts. Regular meetings within and between the workgroups of this COST Action, training workshops for young scientists, as well as by technology transfer meetings will be organized in cooperation with the partner companies within the Action, as well as producers and merchants of micronutrient fertilisers