Pre-conversion process (PCP) is a technology that can convert biomass into denser energy carriers that ease transportation and handling for biomass-to-liquid (BTL) plants. This paper assesses three existing PCP technologies in three location scenarios. The assessed PCP technologies are rotating cone reactor pyrolysis (RCRP), fl uidized bed reactor pyrolysis (FBRP) and torrefaction (TOR/TOP) technology. The BTL plant is assumed to be located in the Netherlands, while the PCP plants can be distributed outside of the Netherlands, or centralized in the same complex as the BTL plant. Alternatively, the PCP plants can be centralized in one complex outside of the Netherlands. The assessment considers factors like biomass price, forest yield, transportation distance, capital investment of the PCP and BTL plants, and operating costs of those plants. Furthermore, this work proposes a modifi cation of the existing FBRP technology to avoid the usage of fossil fuels for its energy supply. The original design is called 'FBRP Non-green', while the modifi ed one is called 'FBRP Green'. The costs of the CO 2 avoided for different PCP-BTL plants and corresponding location scenarios were also compared. Based on the assessment, the torrefaction technology with distributed scenario for the production of 1000 MW th synthesis gas (syngas) is the most cost-effective and the greenest option.

This work describes the incidence and distribution of the most important bean viruses in Serbia: Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). The viral isolates were characterized serologically and biologically. BCMV was found in the largest number of plants (30.53%), followed by BCMNV (2.67%), CMV (5.34%), and AMV (3.41%), since BYMV was not determined. Mixed viral infections were found in several samples. The RT-PCR method was used to prove that the tested isolates belong to the BCMV, family Potyviridae and strains Russian and NL-3 D. Results obtained in this work will enable further studies of the genetic variability of bean virus isolates from Serbia.

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At the time of soybean seed sowing in the field, a high soil moisture, low soil and air temperatures, and crasts formation may occur, which can lead to slow germination, poor seedling establishment, and in some cases to loss of seed vigor. Due to the importance and prevalence of soybean the aim of this study was to determine the quality and seed viability of different genotypes produced at three locations in Vojvodina during 2009 and 2010. Eight soybean varieties (Afrodita, Valjevka, Balkan, Novosadjanka, Ravnica, Ana, Vojvodjanka and Venera) produced in Vrbas, Senta and Inđija during 2009 and 2010 were tested. Seed germination was determined using Standard laboratory test, and vigor tests (cold test, and accelerated aging test). Studied genotypes baheved differently in different years and at different localities. Genotype Venera achieved high germination values in all applied tests in 2009, while genotype Afrodita had high values of the tested parameter when conventional laboratory test was applied, and the lowest values were recorded when vigor tests were applied. Values obtained in 2010 when all tests were applied were above the prescribed minimum. Locality of Vrbas proved to be more favorable for seed production in relation to localities of Indjija and Senta due to better rainfall distribution

Lake Prespa, Lake Ohrid and Lake Skadar are the biggest lakes in the Balkan Peninsula. By reason of continuous existence and relatively stable ecological conditions millions years those lakes have a unique collection of flora and fauna. In this paper is presented biodiversity of macrophyte vegetation from Lake Prespa, Lake Ohrid and Lake Skadar. In those three lakes macrophyte vegetation is distributed in zones (belts). The biodiversity of macrophytes is different in those lakes and it is in direct dependence of different altitudes, lakes surfaces and lakes depths.

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-Skadar Lake is the largest shallow lake in southeastern Europe. It is located within a national park, and is included in the Ramsar List of international important wetlands, so its preservation and protection from pollution is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate bioaccumulation of the ecotoxic metals Cd, Pb and Cr from sediments of Skadar Lake in the aquatic macrophyte Trapa natans L. Samples of sediment and plants were collected at nine locations covering all major water inputs to the lake as well as locations where contamination could be expected. The obtained results indicate that sediments from the Skadar Lake are only locally contaminated with Cd (0.03-1.18 mg kg ). The highest bioaccumulation of all metals from sediment to Trapa natans L. was observed in the root, with accumulation effi ciency decreasing in the order Cd > Cr > Pb. Translocation from root to stem was also higher for Cd than for Cr and Pb, while the translocation from stem to leaf was comparable for all three metals. From the three investigated metals Cd showed the highest mobility. The results indicate that Trapa natans L. may be a very promising bioindicator of trace metal contamination in Skadar Lake.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the bioaccumulation and translocation of various heavy metals, notably copper, zinc, cadmium and lead, in the different plant organs of Trapa natans L. (the root, stem, and leaf) at nine sampling locations, as well as examining the variability in proline accumulation and chlorophyll content due to these heavy metals. Our analysis shows the existence of a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.75; p < 0.05) between the Zn content and the accumulation of proline in the root of the examined species. On the other hand, a statistically significant negative correlation was registered between the content of chlorophyll a and the concentration of Zn in the leaf (r = −0.68; p < 0.05). This indicates that Trapa natans L. can be used in biomonitoring Zn-polluted aquatic ecosystems using proline and chlorophyll as sensitive biomarkers.