This study was conducted to compare soil particle density (ρ s), soil total porosity (TP), liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), and plasticity index, and their relations with soil organic matter (SOM), of non-carbonate silty clay Fluvisols under different land uses. Three neighboring land uses were studied: native deciduous forest, arable land, and meadow, managed in the same way for more than 100 years. Soil was collected from 27 soil profiles and from three depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm). Land use caused statistically significant but different impacts on soil properties, particularly in the topsoil. The forest topsoil measured the lowest ρ s and bulk density (ρ b) but the highest SOM and soil water content at PL, compared to meadow and arable soil. Statistically significant linear relationship was observed with the SOM content and ρ s (− 0.851**), ρ b (− 0.567**), calculated TP (0.567**) and measured TP (− 0.280**). There was a nonlinear relationship between SOM and LL (0.704**) and PL (0.845**) at the topsoil. The findings suggested that SOM content strongly affected ρ s , ρ b , TP, LL and LP. This regional study showed that the conversion of forestland into agricultural land without appropriate measures to conserve SOM leads to the degradation of physical and rheological soil properties.

Total sunflower proteins, storage proteins, and helianthinin (11S) and 2S albumin fractions and their respective subunits in seeds and kernels of three sunflower hybrids were analyzed. Protein contents were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and coupled with densitometry. The SDS-PAGE profiles of the seed and kernel proteins in the crude extracts for all genotypes showed a very similar number of protein bands (thirty two) in the electrophoretograms. Three polypeptide groups of helianthinin fraction were detected. Two of these were acidic (α, Mw = 36,800-42,900 Da and α', Mw = 31,000-35,300 Da), while one was basic (β, Mw=21,000-29,600 Da). The molecular weight of the 2S albumin proteins ranged from 11,500 to 20,100 Da. According to our results, there were significant differences among the seed and kernel protein contents. The 2S albumin content was significantly higher in kernels than in whole seeds of sunflower hybrids (P<0.05). By contrast, the 11S helianthinin content was significantly higher in seeds (where it ranged from 61.75 to 67.70% of totally extracted proteins) than in kernels (varied from 57.36 to 61.51% of totally extracted proteins) of sunflower hybrids (P<0.05).

Physical properties of long-term irrigated fluvisols, Gajić et al.

Six maize inbred lines for which we assumed that have a similar genetic background were selected for the study. Inbred lines were crossed according to incomplete diallel design and fifteen hybrid combinations were obtained. Hybrid combinations and their parental lines were used in our study. The objective of the study was to examine genetic polymorphism of parental lines, as well as to determine relationships between SSR genetic distance and values of high parent heterosis and specific combining abilities for grain yield. By using 19 SSR primers we classified inbred lines in two groups. First cluster consists of inbred lines L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5, while inbred line L6 formed second cluster, indicating different heterotic background in comparison to the other five inbred lines. The Spearman's correlation coefficients between SSR based genetic distance and specific combining abilities for grain yield had a value of (r=0,53*), while positive correlation were also found between genetic distance and high parent heterosis (r=0,57*).

Maize is an important staple crop and a significant source of various nutrients. We aimed to determine the macronutrients, antioxidants, and essential elements in maize genotypes (white, yellow, and red kernel) using three different fertilizers, which could be used as a basis to increase the nutrient density of maize. The fertilizer treatments used bio- and organic fertilizers as a sustainable approach, urea, as a commonly used mineral fertilizer, and the control (no fertilization). We evaluated the yield, concentration of macronutrient (protein, oil, and starch), nonenzymatic antioxidants (phenolics, yellow pigment, total glutathione (GSH), and phytic phosphorus), and reduction capacity of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, as well as essential elements that are commonly deficient in the diet (Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and S) and their relationships with phytic acid. The genotype expressed the strongest effect on the variability of grain yield and the analyzed grain constituents. The red-kernel hybrid showed the greatest accumulation of protein, oil, phenolics, and essential elements (Ca, Fe, Cu, and S) than a yellow and white hybrid, especially in the biofertilizer treatment. The yellow kernel had the highest concentrations of yellow pigment, GSH, phytic phosphorous, Mg, Mn, and Zn (19.61 µg g−1, 1,134 nmol g−1, 2.63 mg g−1, 1,963 µg g−1, 11.7 µg g−1, and 33.9 µg g−1, respectively). The white kernel had a greater starch concentration (2.5% higher than that in the red hybrid) and the potential bioavailability of essential metals, particularly under no fertilization. This supports the significance of white maize as a staple food in many traditional diets across the world. Urea was important for the enhancement of the antioxidant status (with 88.0% reduction capacity for the DPPH radical) and increased potential Zn bioavailability in the maize kernels (13.3% higher than that in the biofertilizer treatment). This study underlines the differences in the yield potential and chemical composition of red, yellow, and white-kernel maize and their importance as a necessary part of a sustainable human diet. This information can help determine the most appropriate genotype based on the antioxidants and/or essential elements targeted for kernel improvement.

The trials were carried out in the regular production of the seed maize ZP 680 at the agricultural estate "Nova Budućnost" Žarkovac during 2001 and 2002. Sowing densities (71,400, 85,500, 99,900 plants ha"1) affected varying of yields (4.01, 4.38. 4.40 t ha"1). The 1000-seed weight decreased over increased densities (305.6, 2912, 282.5 g). Germination was even over densities (95.0, 94.9, 94.7 %). A greater number of germinated seeds per area unit (13,122,000, 15,022,000, 15,569,000) was obtained in greater densities. The percentile share of fractions in the weight was uniform over all sowing densities

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