Jelena Damnjanović

The study evaluated the effects of different LED light spectra on the morphological characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH) of endive microgreens, and identified biochemical parameters associated with light responses using correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and the Random Forest model. Microgreens were grown under different LED light spectra (blue, red, blue–red, cool white and darkness) in controlled growth chamber conditions under a long-day photoperiod (16 h light/8 h dark). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that LED light quality significantly affected all morphological and biochemical traits. The highest fresh weight (0.246 g) and total chlorophyll content (8.475 mg/g FW) were obtained under the b-RED treatment, whereas the highest TPC was recorded under blue light (B; 4.497 mg GAE/g FW). The greatest antioxidant activity was observed under the combined red-blue spectrum (RB; 19.573 mg TXE/g FW), while red light and darkness resulted in the lowest values for most analyzed parameters. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among photosynthetic pigments, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant potential, with the strongest correlation observed between TPC and DPPH (r = 0.858, p < 0.01). PCA explained 88.8% of the total variance and clearly separated treatments containing a blue light component from those exposed to red light or darkness. Random Forest analysis identified TPC as the most important discriminating variable among LED treatments, followed by stem length, DPPH, and Total Chl. Overall, blue-containing LED spectra, particularly in combination with red light, improved morphological (b-RED) and biochemical characteristics of endive microgreens (RB). The b-RED treatment was the most effective in improving morphological characteristics and chlorophyll accumulation, while the red:blue treatment produced the highest antioxidant activity.

Under pronounced climate changes, identifying wheat genotypes with high yield potential and high stability across environments is becoming essential. A multi-environment trial (MET) with 15 wheat genotypes was conducted across three localities (Pančevo, Kragujevac, and Kruševac) during two growing seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). The study evaluated genotype stability and adaptability for the number of grains per spike and assessed the discriminatory power of the test environments. The GGE biplot presented the combined genotype (G) + genotype × environemtnt (GE) effects, with PC1 and PC2 explaining 58.88 and 19.98% of the total variation, respectively. The spelt wheat lines achieved the highest values for the number of grains per spike and were positioned closest to the “ideal genotype”. Among the bread wheat genotypes, the line KG-40/1 showed the highest value and was narrowly adapted to the environmental conditions of Pančevo and Kragujevac in 2022/2023 season. The genotypes KG-9/1, KG-43/1, and NS 40S demonstrated high stability and high numbers of grains per spike. Environment Pančevo 2023/2024 exhibited the greatest representativeness and discriminative ability, making it the most suitable for genotype evaluation. These findings provide a practical basis for selecting stable and well-adapted genotypes in future wheat breeding programs.

The aim of the research was to examine the influence of different light treatments on the growth, phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of broccoli microgreens. Plants were grown in a growth chamber under LED (light-emitting diode) cold whi...

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are among the key agricultural crops for which germination and early growth are crucial for achieving high yields. In this study, the biostimulant potential of Angelica archangelica hydrolate, a by-product obtained during essential oil distillation, was evaluated on soybean and winter wheat seeds. Seeds were treated with hydrolate solutions at different concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 5%, and 10%), and germination tests were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. The results show that hydrolate treatments significantly increased seedling length in both crops compared to the control. The highest growth was recorded at the 10% concentration for both soybean (5.77 cm) and wheat (3.13 cm). Lower concentrations also improved growth, though with less pronounced effects. These findings confirm that A. archangelica hydrolate positively influences germination and early seedling development, suggesting its potential use as a natural biostimulant in sustainable agriculture. Since hydrolates are environmentally safe and underexplored in agricultural practice, further research under field conditions is necessary to optimize their application and fully exploit their potential in promoting plant growth.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different LED lights on the growth of cauliflower microgreens and to determine which combination of LED light best increases tolerance to salt stress and promotes the growth and accumulation of secondary antioxidants in the presence of salt stress in vitro. Plants were grown in a growth chamber under different LED light treatments (red light, blue light, a combination of red and blue light, and cool white light) and in MS media with different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mM). The effects of the different light qualities and salt stress conditions on growth, content of photosynthetic pigment, flavonoids, phenol, proline, and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. The best treatments for microgreen development, according to the data, were those that combined red and blue light. In addition to increasing stress tolerance and enabling plant growth at a lower salt concentration (50 mM NaCl), the combination of blue and red light also enhanced the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites and the antioxidant potential of microgreens grown in vitro, which may have nutritional and pharmaceutical value.

Green beans are among the most essential legumes because of their nutritional value. However, the production of green beans in Serbia suffers major decline due to significantly reduced yields, as well as the sown areas. Diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi not only reduce yield and have the negative impact on total germination and seed quality of green beans, but also some phytopathogenic fungi can produce mycotoxins, adversely affecting human health. In this paper, the quality parameters of two green bean varieties (GB1 and GB2) were monitored for quality traits over a period of five years on the territory of Smederevska Palanka. The energy germination and total germination were the highest in the first observed year and amounted to 63% and 88% for GB1, respectively. For GB2 the energy germination and total germination (2018) were 71% and 75%, respectively. A significant decline in total germination was determined in 2020. and amounted to 75% for GB1 and 67% for GB2( p0.05). The impact of phytopathogenic fungi on green beans was reflected in the reduction of total germination, and therefore in seed quality and yield. The priority of future research is the application of biotreatments that will contribute to seed protection and improve total germination, and thus the yield in the field.

The present study focused on detecting bacteria of the Xanthomonas spp. complex (X. euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans and X. gardneri) and examining their influence on certain quality parameters of pepper seed collected from the territory of Smederevska Palanka (Serbia). The analysis included 27 non-commercial pepper seed genotypes (including chili and sweet pepper) collected in 2021. Several parameters of the quality of analyzed pepper seed (germination energy, total germination, moisture and seed health) were determined. The results showed that out of a total of 27 analyzed samples of pepper seed, the presence of X. euvesicatoria was detected in 13 of them. The presence of X. vesicatoria, X. gardneri and X. perforans was not confirmed. Germination energy of infected seed was 52-84%, and of bacteria-free seed 63-90%; total germination of infected seed was 66-91%, and of bacteria-free seed 80-95%. Seed moisture of infected seed samples was 6.1-12%, and of bacteria-free seed 6.2-8.1%. These parameters did not show significant statistical difference (p>0.05). The presence of seed-borne fungi Fusarium sp. accounted for up to 3% in 25 samples, while it was up to 6% in the remaining two; Alternaria sp. ranked from 1-4% in 25 samples, and up to 5% in only two samples. The results led to a conclusion that the bacterium X. euvesicatoria is the predominant pathogen of the Xanthomonas spp. complex, but it did not affect the quality parameters of the tested pepper seed.

In limited growing conditions, intercropped field peas and oats can represent a significant source of forage rich in protein. If applied correctly, factors such as nitrogen fertilizer, the mowing phase, and sowing norms can significantly increase the productivity of these mixtures. Field trials were conducted to examine their productivity under different nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 kg ha⁻¹), different sowing norms/mixtures (field peas: oats—100:15%; 100:30%), and two stages of growth (full flowering, full pod formation). Nitrogen fertilizer and different sowing norms had a significant effect on the biomass, hay, and crude protein yields. On average, the highest hay yields were achieved with 80 kg ha⁻¹ N (4.96 t ha⁻¹), followed by 40 kg ha⁻¹ N (4.27 t ha⁻¹). The highest protein yields were achieved with 40 kg ha⁻¹ N (CP—704.1 kg ha⁻¹), followed by 80 kg ha⁻¹ N (CP—637.6 kg ha⁻¹). Sowing norm 100:30% achieved higher hay yields: 100:30%—4.82 t ha⁻¹; 100:15%—4.44 t ha⁻¹, while 100:15% achieved higher crude protein yields: 100:15%—730.4 kg ha⁻¹; 100:30%—692.7 kg ha⁻¹ on average. The costs were not significantly increased with the nitrogen fertilizer, but the net profits were increased by as much as 163%, depending on the nitrogen level and the mixture. Nitrogen fertilizer also achieves higher economic efficiency for the mixture 100:15% compared to the 100:30% mixture. Mixtures of field peas and oats outperform single-grown crops and provide cost-effective feed for a short time. Using optimal seed ratios and nitrogen fertilizer can significantly increase the productivity and profitability of the feed with minimal impact on the overall production costs.