Magdalena Pušić

Koelreuteria paniculata is an amenity landscape tree whose seed extracts and cold-pressed oil are proven biopesticides and biodiesel feedstocks. However, the residual seed cake phytochemical profile has not been systematically assessed or evaluated for multifunctionality across pesticidal, fertilizing, and nutritional domains. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive chemotyping of K. paniculata seed cake and evaluate its potential for use as a biopesticide, biofertilizer, and feed additive, contributing to sustainable and circular agricultural systems. Detailed analyses of the defatted seed cake included moisture, crude protein, crude ash, crude fat, and crude fiber determination, as well as amino acid and fatty acid composition determination, supplemented with HPLC and antioxidative capacity investigation. Results delivered a comprehensive chemotyping of K. paniculata seed cake, revealing a nutrient-rich profile with moderate protein (20.01%), substantial monounsaturated fatty acids (75.8%, mainly eicosenoic and oleic), and significant phenolic content, including ellagic acid, rutin, catechin, and gallic acid. Antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS) confirmed moderate radical scavenging activity, indicating that bioactivity is retained after cold-press extraction. These compositional and functional traits highlight the potential of the seed cake as a raw material for natural biopesticides, biofertilizers, and value-added agro-industrial products. However, due to its unusual fatty acid profile and possible anti-nutritional factors, feed applications should proceed with caution and be preceded by targeted safety evaluations.

The use of hydrogel and biostimulants holds great potential for plants’ adaptation to stressful urban conditions, increasing their tolerance to drought stress. In this study, we investigated the plant performance and anatomical response of Petunia × hybrida hort. ex E. Wilm., cultivated under different substrate volumes and compositions, hydrogel amendments, and biostimulant treatments, as well as their interactions under drought stress. Namely, the plants were planted in pots with a substrate depth of 7 cm and 10 cm and cultivated under different combinations of organic (peat) and inorganic (perlite) substrates. Moreover, half of the plants were subjected to hydrogel and biostimulant treatments. Different watering intervals (24–96 h) were applied in combination with exposing the plants to direct sunlight for 8–10 h. The results showed that a larger substrate depth, along with hydrogel and biostimulant amendments in a mixture of perlite and peat, helps plants adapt to dry conditions when grown in shallow substrates, providing optimal water availability and thus contributing to the physiological adaptation of plants to water deficit. The study clearly demonstrates that substrate selection and irrigation frequency must be jointly optimized to ensure resilient urban greening. Hydrogels stand out as essential amendments, enabling significant water savings by extending irrigation intervals without compromising vascular growth or drought resilience. These water-efficient substrate strategies are vital for sustainable urban vegetation management, especially as cities face increasing environmental pressures and the imperative of climate adaptation, thereby supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

Although they have been extensively studied in many species of the genus Rosa L., garden roses’ hips have largely been overlooked. To investigate their potential use in the food industry, this study evaluated five cultivars from ‘Aurora’ collection: ‘Purple Aurora’, ‘Berry Bush Aurora’, ‘Aromatic Aurora’, ‘Butterfly Aurora’, and ‘Rugose White Aurora’. Morphological characterization, along with the assessment of the phenolic profile, vitamin C levels, and biological activities—including antioxidant and neuroprotective effects—was conducted. The fruit mass reached 5.15 g, while the mesocarp mass ranged from 3 to 4 g, resulting in a mesocarp-to-fruit ratio of over 75%. The total phenolic content ranged from 37.1 to 63.9 mg GAE/g de, while total flavonoids were present in amounts from 0.85 to 2.14 mg QE/g de. Rosehip extracts from four out of five cultivars exhibited a very high vitamin C content, reaching 2384 µg/g fw. Quinic acid and 31 phenolic compounds were found in the rosehip extract of at least one cultivar. Results indicated ‘Aurora’ rosehips have potent antioxidant properties and a moderate inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase, highlighting their potential as a source of functional food. Additional research is needed to fully leverage these benefits and establish garden rosehips as a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidants.

Specialized botanical gardens such as a rose garden, or rosarium, play a significant role due to their multifunctional nature surpassing simple gene bank assembly. Thus, this study conducted a detailed analysis of a rose garden through field and desk research, SWOT analysis, and ecosystem services assessment, aiming to determine the major strengths and opportunities, as well as weaknesses and threats that can promote or constrain the establishment of the first national rosarium in Serbia. After the analysis, the need for complete green area reconstruction arose to achieve both attractiveness and usefulness. Featuring old varieties, wild species, and companies’ own specific rose collections, the proposed garden has the potential to contribute major ecosystem services reflected in environmental, societal, and economic purposes. Owing to the uniqueness of the breeding program and collections created in the past decade, specific thematic parts—open field or greenhouse classroom, ‘roses under the glass bell’, abundant river flow, pollinators’ shelter, taste garden, and scent garden—are envisaged in the future exemplary rosarium that would not be only a classroom but a showroom for interested nurseries, small-scale functional food producers, flower shops, or amateur gardeners that would become aware of new cultivars and expand their marketing and utilization.

The critical role of energy in contemporary life and the environmental challenges associated with its production imply the need for research and exploration of its novel resources. The present review paper emphasizes the continuous exploitation of non-renewable energy sources, suggesting the transition toward renewable energy sources, termed ‘green energy’, as a crucial step for sustainable development. The research methodology involves a comprehensive review of articles, statistical data analysis, and examination of databases. The main focus is biomass, a valuable resource for bioenergy and biopesticide production, highlighting not only its traditional diverse sources, such as agricultural waste and industrial residues, but also non-edible invasive alien plant species. This study explores the utilization of invasive alien species in circular economy practices, considering their role in bioenergy and biopesticide production. The potential conflict between bioproduct acquisition and food sector competition is discussed, along with the need for a shift in approaching non-edible biomass sources. The paper emphasizes the untapped potential of under-explored biomass resources and the necessity for policy alignment and public awareness. Species with a significant potential for these sustainable strategies include Acer negundo L., Ailanthus altisima (Mill.) Swingle., Amorpha fruticosa L., Elaengus angustifolia L., Falopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr., Hibiscus syriacus L., Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., Paulownia tomentosa Siebold and Zucc., Partenocissus quenquefolia (L.) Planch., Rhus typhina L., Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Thuja orientalis L. In conclusion, the paper highlights the intertwined relationship between energy, environmental sustainability, and circular economy principles, providing insights into Serbia’s efforts and potential in adopting nature-based solutions for bioenergy and biopesticides acquisition.

Urban horticulture represents a sustainable way of dealing with the challenges of modern cities, including urbanization processes, population growth tendencies, a lack of green areas, environmental pollution and food insecurity. This study aimed to (1) investigate the perceptions of citizens of Novi Sad municipality, Republic of Serbia, toward urban horticulture and (2) assess plant materials appropriate for cultivation in urban gardens and suggest urban spaces completely designed with the use of various forms of edible fruit species, including roses. The same questionnaire was administered with a four-year time gap, in 2019 and again in 2023, before and after the coronavirus pandemic. To investigate plant materials suitable for urban gardening, relevant articles in Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science platforms were searched. The questionnaires’ results showed significant differences between the two years concerning respondents’ attitudes toward urban horticulture’s impact on food safety, socialization and personal health and development, which could have been influenced by the pandemic. Vegetables were grown by most respondents, commonly in household yards and gardens. The main motivations for participating in community urban gardens were to grow food for their own consumption and to make charitable contributions, followed by the motivation ‘to socialize and relax’. Exemplary designs of an urban pocket, kindergarten yard and atrium courtyard are presented, providing insights into numerous possibilities for landscaping with fruits.

The genus Morus L., mulberry, is an interesting taxonomic group on account of its existing genetic variability, functional food potential and commercial importance. Mulberry trees are found in a wide range of areas in Serbia, accounting for a large phenotypic diversity in its genetic resources. Tree and fruit characteristics of more than 300 mulberry specimens were surveyed, and 15 genotypes of Morus alba, Morus nigra and Morus rubra species were selected for further analyses. These were located at various sites in the province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The present study was undertaken to investigate the diversity of the collected material aiming to pre-select genotypes suitable for landscaping/ornamental and/or fruit production purposes. Genotypes BP 3/9, DT1, ZP3 and MR1 have semi-vigorous growth, dropping growth habits, different leaf shapes (ovate, oval, cordate) and leaf color (from light to dark green), corresponding to ornamental mulberries. In addition, the semi-vigorous genotype ZD1 with a spreading tree and interesting palmate-lobed leaves was distinguished as a unique genotype for landscaping purposes. The most vigorous annual shoot growth was detected in the ZP3 genotype (118.5 cm), followed by DT1 (108.2 cm), MR1 (101.8 cm) and ZP1 (100.5 cm) genotypes. Contrary, genotype DJ1 exhibited the lowest annual growth with only a 32.9 cm average length of the shoots. Due to the greater fruit mass (4.2–6.1 g), sweetness and acidity balance as well as chemical composition, genotypes BP 1/4, DJ1, MG, MR1, DT1 and ZP3 may be recommended for fresh consumption, while genotypes DJ1, DT1, MR1, ZD1, ZP1 and BP 3/9 could be appropriate for home processing. According to fruit chemical analyses, the most promising genotypes were MR1 and DT1 combining high soluble solids content (21.2% and 18.5%, respectively), total sugar content (17.41% and 15.20%, respectively) and ascorbic acid content (42.24 and 49.28 mg/%, respectively). Additionally, DT1 genotype was also characterized by the highest total phenolic content (221.08 mg 27 GAE/100 g fresh weight). The most ornamental genotypes from this study (BP 3/9, DT1, ZD1, ZP3 and MR1) combined with their pomological and chemical characterization can be recommended for edible gardening purposes due to both aesthetic appearance and nutritive value of the fruits.

With the aim of being a part of global change and providing an example to other researchers throughout the world, this paper details how breeding goals of horticultural plants and their application have shifted in Novi Sad (Serbia) in the last 10–15 years. Contemporary cities/citizens strive to incorporate nature into all of their important life segments and activities, thus requiring an interdisciplinary approach to solving challenges that the 21st century brings. Early research in Novi Sad (Serbia) was focused on the basic genetic, physiological, biochemical and botanical aspects of plant functioning and development in a challenging and changing urban environment abundant in abiotic stressors, as well as biotic and abiotic stressors, that affect the production of horticultural plant in this field. Recently, research interest has shifted towards the sustainable usage of plant genetic resources (roses, autochthonous terrestrial orchids, sweet and sour cherry eco-types, and allochthonous oil-rich species), as well as sustainable practices and nature-based solutions (urban-derived biodiesel, rain gardens, green roofs, green walls, constructed wetlands, water ponds, bioswales and permeable surfaces on a different scale of urban planning). This case study aimed to illustrate how plant selection and breeding strategies can satisfy urban growth demands, whereas urban planning must include sustainable genetic resources suitable for urban ecosystems. Available ornamental plant genetic resources (with pronounced tolerance/resistance to abiotic and/or biotic stressors) associated with the novel approach of their application in green city infrastructure provide the opportunity to implement multiple nature-based solutions leading to numerous ecosystem services. Combined, these contribute to the globally defined goals for sustainable development.

The green infrastructure of the city of Novi Sad is characterized by a significant presence of ornamental invasive alien species, which might lead to their uncontrolled spread and suppression of autochthonous dendroflora. This study aimed to determine the ecosystem services and disservices of ornamental dendroflora in Novi Sad, as well as how they can affect urban green areas. Of the total ornamental dendroflora in Novi Sad, 88.33% of species with a good adaptation were determined, while 10% had a medium and 1.67% had a very good adaptation. Thirty-four allochthonous species showed very high (38.24%), moderate (47.06%), and low (14.71%) invasive potential according to the conducted invasiveness risk assessment. These species are also characterized by high (2.94%), moderate (67.65%), and low (29.41%) allergenic potential. On the contrary, 26 ornamental autochthonous species are characterized by moderate (38.46%) and low (61.54%) rates of spread on public green areas, while also characterized by high (26.92%), moderate (50%), and weak (23.08%) allergenic potential. Ornamental dendroflora provides many more positive ecosystem services, such as urban afforestation, climate regulation, decorative-aesthetic value, air and water purification, ecotourism and recreation, and other services that are of great benefit to the residents of that city. The highest calculated values of ecosystem services in allochthonous and autochthonous species were 27 and 26.5 (out of possible maximal value 40), while ecosystem disservices accounted down to the value of − 13.5 (out of possible minimal value − 22). Therefore, intrinsic disservices such as the production of large amounts of green waste of ornamental dendroflora can be shifted into a novel ecosystem service–green solutions based on nature, to avoid unsuitable deposition of seeds in the soil and creation of suitable vegetation on public green areas. Graphical abstract