Morphological, Pathogenic and Molecular Characterization of , the Causal Agent of White Rot of Cabbage ( var. ), in Serbia.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a globally distributed necrotrophic pathogen with a broad host range, including many Brassicaceae crops. In 2021, white rot symptoms on cabbage were observed in 12 commercial fields in the northern part of Serbia. Twelve representative isolates of , forming white colonies and black sclerotia, were selected for characterization and comparison with an isolate from sunflower, as the most important host plant in Serbia.

Disentangling soybean GxE effects in an integrated genomic prediction and machine learning-GWAS workflow.

Integrating genotype-by-Environment (GxE) interactions into genomic prediction models has been demonstrated to enhance the accuracy of predictions for crops exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions. However, despite the increasing complexity of machine learning models in genomic prediction, no model or approach has been found to be overall superior in comparison to a classical genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) model. In this paper, we compared two GBLUP models (Linear Mixed Effects model and Bayesian GBLUP) with two machine learning models (Random Forest and Extreme Gradient Boosting) on the EUCLEG soybean genotype set phenotyped in Belgium and Serbia.

Exploring Sorghum Flour as a Sustainable Ingredient in Gluten-Free Cookie Production.

In this study, whole grain sorghum flour was used to partially substitute the gluten-free flour blend in cookie formulation at 20% (C20) and 40% (C40) replacement levels. The goal was to explore its potential to improve the nutritional value and sensory appeal of cookies relative to conventional and commercially available gluten-free alternatives. Nutritional analysis revealed that cookies with added sorghum flour showed increased levels of protein, ash, and polyphenolic compounds, while maintaining favorable macronutrient profiles.

Unlocking the Bioactivity of Sweet Wormwood ( L., Asteraceae) Ethanolic Extract: Phenolics, Antioxidants, and Cytotoxic Effects.

: The aim of this work was to determine the phenolic composition of sweet wormwood ( L., Asteraceae) from controlled cultivation in Serbia and to assess the potential antioxidant effects and cytotoxicity. : High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the phenolic composition of ethanolic extract.

Extraction and Valorization of Oilseed Cakes for Value-Added Food Components-A Review for a Sustainable Foodstuff Production in a Case Process Approach.

Oilseed cakes, by-products of oil extraction, represent an underutilized resource with significant potential for sustainable food and pharmaceutical applications. This comprehensive review examines the valorization strategies for oilseed cakes, focusing on their rich protein (up to 56%) and fiber (up to 66%) content. We analyze both conventional and innovative extraction methods, highlighting the advantages of ultrasound-assisted (96.

Phytoremediation potential of metallophytes in Europe: Progress, enhancement strategies, and biomass utilisation.

Phytoremediation is a plant-driven process, widely regarded as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly in situ approach for remediating contaminated soil and water by taking up contaminants including potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the last two decades, substantial research has focused on elucidating the mechanisms of phytoremediation and enhancing its efficiency, primarily through the identification of optimal plant species and the use of various amendments. Nevertheless, real-scale application of phytoremediation remains rare, and several critical questions need to be addressed, including selection of most effective species, improved effectiveness of phytoremediation process, and managing the safe utilisation of contaminated biomass.

Adsorptive removal of lead from wastewater using pressmud with evaluation of kinetics and adsorption isotherms.

A huge volume of industrial wastewater laden with toxic heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, nickel and copper, is discharged into the environment without treatment. Pressmud, a byproduct of sugar industry, could serve as an efficient, low-cost and environment friendly amendment for the biosorptive removal of lead (Pb) from wastewater. This study aimed to assess the biosorption efficiency of pressmud in removing Pb from water.

in Biocontrol of Maize Fungal Diseases and Relevant Mycotoxins: From the Laboratory to the Field.

Maize, one of the world's most important food and feed crops, is often threatened by fungal infections that not only reduce yields but also contaminate grains with harmful mycotoxins. This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of K179 as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides for protecting maize from two major pathogens, and . K179 was cultivated in a lab-scale bioreactor, and its antifungal activity was assessed through in vitro inhibition assays and two-year field trials.

Diversity of Binucleate spp. and Population Structure of AG-A in Serbia.

From 2013 to 2021, 112 binucleate spp. (BNR) isolates were obtained from the strawberry, tomato, pepper, bean, apple, cherry, meadow grass, and soil previously cropped with strawberries from 16 locations in Serbia. Morphological and molecular analyses (ITS, LSU rDNA, , tef-1α, and ) confirmed infections caused by four BNR AGs: AG-G on the cherry (globally new host), bean, and tomato; AG-U on meadow grass (globally new host) and apple, AG-A on the strawberry (the most frequently isolated), and AG-F on pepper.

Allelopathic Potential of and from Serbia: Chemical Composition and Bioactivity on Weeds.

The use of species' plant extracts and essential oils, which are rich in bioactive compounds (allelochemicals), could support weed management. This study focused on the chemical analysis and evaluation of the allelopathic potential of plant extracts (PEs) and essential oils (EOs) of and on the germination and early seedling growth of weeds ( and ) . The plant extract from showed higher antioxidant activity (IC = 0.

Comparison of glutelins characteristics among foxtail millet varieties: Functional, physico-chemical, and structural modifications induced by hydrothermal treatment.

This research evaluated the functional, physico-chemical and structural characteristics of glutelin, a major storage protein, extracted from four Chinese foxtail millet (Setaria italica) varieties (ZZ10, Y18, CH8 and CH6) under raw (GR) and hydrothermally treated (GB) (boiled at 95-100 °C for 15 min) conditions. The purity of glutelin fractions ranged from 76.01 % to 77.

Yield Determination in Major Small Grain Crops in Response to Nitrogen Fertilization.

Small grain crops showed significant yield variation under different nitrogen fertilization treatments. Understanding factors influencing yield is crucial for optimizing productivity. This study assessed how nitrogen fertilization affects grain number, grain weight, and other yield components in triticale, wheat, six-rowed, and two-rowed barley across multiple locations and seasons.

Comparative Analysis of Essential Oils and Hydrolates From Aniseed, Coriander and Fennel Fruits.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the volatile compounds from the fruits of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Essential oils (EOs) and hydrolates (HYs) were extracted via steam distillation under industrial conditions and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sixty-five components, primarily oxygenated monoterpenes, were identified, highlighting trans-anethole, linalool, and fenchone as major constituents in the respective EOs.

Maximizing Cannabinoid and Polyphenol Extraction from Industrial Hemp ( L. cv. Helena) Areal Parts: A Comparative Study of Ultrasound-Assisted and Conventional Methods at Two Harvest Stages.

In this work, two extraction techniques, conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) techniques, were employed for the extraction of natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) from the areal parts of industrial hemp ( L. cv. Helena) at two harvesting stages: (i) the beginning of flowering and (ii) the full flowering of the hemp plants.

Datura stramonium - A Dangerous Weed and Alternative Drug of Abuse: An Overview of Poisoning Cases in 21st Century.

is a well-known cosmopolitan weed known by several common names: thorn apple (due to the appearance of its fruits), Angel's trumpet (linked to its flowers), loco seed (referring to the hallucinogenic properties of its seeds), jimson weed (originating from the first recorded poisoning involving this plant), and apple of Peru (indicating the plant's origin). All parts of the plant contain the tropane alkaloids hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and atropine together with several minor alkaloids, which cause poisoning such as typical anticholinergic syndrome with neuropsychiatric effects. A review of 114 papers from various databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar) revealed that poisoning incidents involving this plant have been relatively common from 2001 to 2024.

Enhancing physio biochemical traits and yield of common buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum with rice husk biochar and nano iron oxide under water stress.

Climate change is making droughts more frequent, which is a major problem for crop yield, especially for crops that are vulnerable to drought, such as common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum). Drought stress affects negatively on physiological and biochemical processes of plants, leading to reduced yields. This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding effective strategies to mitigate drought-induced damage and enhance productivity in buckwheat.

A transposon-based cargo system mediates gene trafficking and creates ultra-clean transgenic plants after stable transformation.

Genetically modified crops have profound impacts on cost savings and environmental friendliness conferred by new traits, such as resistance to insects and herbicides. Selectable marker genes are essential for screening transformed cells, but they are undesirable in the final product due to the risks of horizontal gene transfer and extensive safety assessment requirements. Generating marker- and backbone-free lines can enhance the public acceptance of transgenic crops.

Exploring Species for Resilience to Drought During the Critical Reproductive Stage.

Drought stress during the reproductive phase of sunflower can significantly reduce achene yield by affecting inflorescence size, nectar quality, and pollinator activity. This study aimed to analyze the morphological characteristics of the reproductive region, quantify nectar sugar components, and evaluate pollinator presence and pollination success in wild species as an important genetic resource for breeding cultivated sunflowers under drought conditions. Morphological investigations were conducted during the flowering and achene development phases with a stereo microscope and calipers.

Antimicrobial and insecticidal activity of spray dried juniper berry (Juniperus communis L.) essential oil microcapsules prepared by using gum arabic and maltodextrin.

This study was carried out to optimize spray drying conditions for juniper berry essential oil (JBEO) microencapsulation. The coating material for encapsulation was a combination of maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA). The wall material content, inlet air temperature and feed flow rate were optimized to obtain small particle size and high level of powder production, with high JBEO loading and encapsulation efficiency, small powder moisture and hygroscopicity.

Improving soybean drought tolerance via silicon-induced changes in growth, physiological, biochemical, and root characteristics.

Drought-induced osmotic stress is a significant constraint to soybean growth and yield, necessitating the development of effective mitigation strategies. Silicon acts as an important strategy to mitigate the negative stress effects of drought stress. The study was aimed to evaluate the potential of soil-applied silicon in alleviating drought stress in soybean.

Influence of Time of Weed Removal on Maize Yield and Yield Components Based on Different Planting Patterns, the Application of Pre-Emergence Herbicides and Weather Conditions.

The crop yield can be affected by many factors, including various levels of weed presence. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the effect of time of weed removal in combination with planting pattern and pre-emergence-applied herbicides on maize yield and yield components in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The experiments were designed in a split-split plot arrangements with three replications, which consisted of the two main plots (standard/conventional and twin-row planting pattern), two subplots (with and without pre-emergence herbicide application) and seven sub-subplots (seven weed removal timings).

Iron oxide nanoparticles enhance alkaline stress resilience in bell pepper by modulating photosynthetic capacity, membrane integrity, carbohydrate metabolism, and cellular antioxidant defense.

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a commercially important and nutritionally rich vegetable crop in the Solanaceae family. Alkaline stress (AS) can disrupt growth, metabolism, and, particularly, nutritional quality.

The oral bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements of illegal landfills' soil and health risk assessment for field workers.

Based on their adverse impact on the environment and human health, landfills represent one of the biggest environmental issues. In this study, the soil samples (two depths, 0-30 and 30-60 cm) from 6 illegal landfills located in the agricultural areas in the Autonomous Vojvodina (AP) Province in Serbia were investigated to assess the bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and health risk for field workers. All PTEs, except Pb, in some of the studied soils exceeded the threshold value (TV) prescribed by the national regulation.

Salicylic acid confers cadmium tolerance in wheat by regulating photosynthesis, yield and ionic homeostasis.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity and quality can be threatened by soil cadmium (Cd) contamination, posing a concern to food security. Salicylic acid (SA) is an endogenously produced signaling molecule that activates the defense system imparting abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

Exploring Fungal Biodiversity in Crop Rotation Systems: Impact of Soil Fertility and Winter Wheat Cropping.

This study investigated soil fungal biodiversity in wheat-based crop rotation systems on Chernozem soil within the Pannonian Basin, focusing on the effects of tillage, crop rotation, and soil properties. Over three years, soil samples from ten plots were analyzed, revealing significant fungal diversity with Shannon-Wiener diversity indices ranging from 1.90 in monoculture systems to 2.