Seed germination is first critical and the most sensitive stage in the life cycle of plants compromise the seedlings establishment. Salt and drought tolerance testing in initial stages of plant development is of vital importance, because the seed with more rapid germination under salt or water deficit conditions may be expected to achieve a rapid seedling establishment, resulting in higher yields. The aim of this study was to determine whether the pea seed germination and seedling growth were inhibited by the salt toxicity and osmotic effect during the seedling development, and also identification of the sensitive seedling growth parameters in response to those stresses. Based on the obtained results, pea has been presented to be more tolerant to salt than water stress during germination and early embryo growth. Investigated cultivars showed greater susceptibility to both abiotic stresses when it comes growth parameters compared to seed germination.

SUMMARyTomatoes are parasitized by a number of pathogens, including Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, causal agent of fusarium wilt. Fresh vegetable fruits can be contaminated with various fungi that produce mycotoxins, which is an important issue for human health. The objective of this paper was to isolate, determine, and identify causal organisms of tomato wilt and fruit rot, based on the pathogens morphological and molecular characteristics. Samples of diseased plants showing symptoms of tomato wilt were collected from different localities in the production region of Vojvodina. Fruits with symptoms of fusarium rot were collected from storage and warehouses. The isolation and morphological determination of the fungus were performed on PDA and Czapek's nutrient media. Isolates from diseased plants growing in field, designated as TFW1-TFW12 and seven isolates from diseased tomato fruits (TFM1-TFM7) were chosen for further investigation. For identification of the fungal isolates, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also used. The EF1/EF2 primer pair was used for molecular identification of Fusarium sp. Nine analyzed samples were found to contain DNA fragments 700 bp in size.

Zdjelar G., Nikolić Z., Vasiljević I., Bajić B., Jovičić D., Ignjatov M., Milošević D. (2013): Detection of genetically modified soya, maize, and rice in vegetarian and healthy food products in Serbia. Czech J. Food Sci., 31: 43-48.The presence of genetic modifications was analysed in a total of 100 samples of non-labelled vegetarian and healthy food products. The basic raw materials in the samples tested comprised maize, soya, and/or rice. The screening of all samples was performed using the primers for CaMV35S promoter. The positive samples from this initial screening were further subjected to the analysis of specific transgenic material to determine the type of GMO present with subsequent quantification. Roundup Ready soya was found in eight samples, but its content was below the limit of 0.9%. None of the analysed samples of food products contained GM maize and GM rice. Considering that the investigated samples were imported mainly from EU countries, it can be concluded that the control of GMOs is carried out systematically and in accordance with the Serbian GMO Law.

The aim of this study was to determine the variability of oil and protein content in winter rapeseed cultivars affected by seeding date. Four cultivars (Banaćanka, Slavica, Express, Valeska) were sown at six seeding dates (SD1-21 August, SD2-31 August, SD3-10 September, SD4-21 September, SD5-1 October, SD6-9 October) across two cropping seasons. The trial was arranged as Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the effect of year, cultivar and seeding date were highly significant for oil and protein content. Increased oil content in the second year (2010/2011) was related to weather conditions which were favorable for rapeseed. However, protein content was significantly higher in the first year (2009/2010). Oil content ranged between 41.19% (Valeska) and 42.69% (Express). Significantly lowest oil content across seeding dates was found in SD6 (40.67%), and highest in SD4 (41.86%) and SD1 (41.61%). Valeska showed significantly highest mean protein content (21.54%). Protein content was highest in SD6 (20.18%). Oil content decreased with delayed seeding. Highly significant negative correlation (r = -0.730) existed between oil and protein content. Seeding date had significant influence on oil and protein content in rapeseed. Cultivar Express and SD4 can be pointed out, based on the achieved oil content, and cultivar Valeska for high protein content. Study results may be helpful in recommending optimal rapeseed seeding date in the region.

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

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Although salt stress affects all plant growth stages, seed germination and seedling growth stages are the most sensitive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the seed viability of selected oilseed rape cultivars in saline conditions and to determine the most tolerant cultivars to salinity stress at germination stage. The experiment included four released oilseed rape cultivars. The salinity stress was simulated in vitro conditions by adding different concentrations of NaCl solution to the growing media. Testing of the seed viability was performed by using the standard laboratory method test and the accelerated aging test. In all four cultivars, with increasing concentrations of NaCl in the growing medium, significant changes were observed in determined characteristics. Results of accelerated aging test were lower than the standard laboratory test, which implies the importance of vigour tests as an additional indicator of physiological seed quality, especially under stress conditions. The most important source of variation is treatment, but the differences between the cultivars were also significant. Depending on traits, crossover and non-crossover cultivar ? treatment interactions were observed. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31025: Development of new varieties and production technology improvement of oil crops for different purposes]

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