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Oil crops are very significant, both in the world and in Serbia. In terms of production, the three most important oil crops in Serbia are sunflower, soybean and rapeseed. Beside significant oil crops production, substantial quantities of oil are produced as well due to significant processing capacities in Serbia. Considering the fact that over the last few decades Serbian market has been characterized by integration with the international market and considering the actual market liberalization with the EU, CEFTA countries, Russia and others, this paper analyses production and export of oil crops with special emphasis on comparative advantages in the export of oil crops using the method of revealed comparative advantage. Also, the level of intra-industry trade is considered in relation to the international market, EU and CEFTA countries. The results indicate that oils have more significant comparative advantage on the international market, especially sunflower oil.

As the pork supply chain was perceived through three level of chain: agricultural sector, processing and distribution sector, the main objective of this paper was the estimation of the vertical price transmission in the pork supply chain in the Republic of Serbia for period 2008-2015. The analysis of the price transmission was related on the presence of the asymmetry and was estimated with AECM model. The results indicated the presence of the negative asymmetry in the price transmission and one of the main causes of the presence of asymmetry was the abuse of the market power by processing sector, i.e. slaughtering industry.

Trend of population growth and the need for greater production of health-safe food, on the one hand, and environmental protection on the other hand, affect the change of production technologies in agriculture. Challenges of modern agriculture are reflected in the growth of productivity, but also the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector. It is indisputable that information technology (IT) has a direct impact on the productivity of agriculture, and as the ultimate goal leads to the growth of the profit of agricultural producers. Precise agriculture, the application of state-of-the-art technical systems for satellite guidance and automatic management, as well as the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lead to yield growth, but also affect the rational use of inputs, which leads to reduction of adverse effects on the environment. Accordingly, the implementation of new technologies in agriculture is an important factor in improving agricultural production, as well as the potential for sustainable development of this sector. The units of observation in this research are Serbia and all countries of the European Union. The aim of this research is to determine the position of Serbia in relation to the countries of the European Union in terms of the dimensions of sustainable development of agriculture, as well as to consider the current level of application of information technologies in the agriculture of these countries. The paper analyzes a set of indicators of economic, ecological and social sustainability and their connection with the implementation of information technologies in agriculture. The results of the research indicate that the current application of information technologies in Serbia's agriculture, compared to EU countries, is modest, primarily due to the unfavorable educational structure of agricultural producers, as well as limited financial resources, which significantly impedes the process of IT implementation.

The occurrence of ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1 and B2 has been investigated in maize samples collected in 1996 (105 samples) and 1997 (104 samples) in 14 counties of Croatia, including Brodsko-Posavska county, the main area of Balkan endemic nephropathy in Croatia. Ochratoxin A and fumonisins co-occurred in 21% of the examined samples. In particular, ochratoxin A (OTA) was found in 10 samples (10%) of the 1996 and 36 samples (35%) of the 1997 crops with mean concentrations of positive samples of 37.9 ng/g and 57.1 ng/g, and highest concentrations at 223.6 ng/g and 613.7 ng/g, respectively. Similar incidence of OTA contamination was observed in 1996 samples from both endemic and non endemic areas of Balkan nephropathy, whereas a significant difference (P<0.01) was found between the two areas in 1997, with 50% and 20% incidence of contamination in the endemic and non endemic area, respectively, and relevant OTA mean concentration of positive samples of 73.4 ng/g and 20.2 ng/g. High incidence of infection by Penicillium spp. (potential OTA producers) was found in all tested samples, with mean values of 88% and 93% in samples of 1996 and 1997, respectively. With respect to fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) all but one of the 1996 samples were contaminated, with highest and mean concentrations of positive samples (FB1+FB2) at 11661 ng/g and 645 ng/g, respectively. Similar incidence of positive samples (93%), but lower contamination levels (mean 134 ng/g, maximum 2524 ng/g) were found in 1997 samples. The results of fumonisin analysis were in agreement with the mycological analysis showing higher incidence of Fusarium infection in samples of 1996 with respect to those of 1997. These data provide additional information on the occurrence of ochratoxin A in Balkan endemic nephropathy areas and, for the first time, its co-occurrence with other nephrotoxic compounds, such as fumonisins, that may contribute to the disease development. However the finding of these mycotoxins in the non-endemic areas, also at high levels, do not allow to draw a conclusion about their role in the etiology of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Several years of trials have been carried out, aimed at creating better protection programmes for Botrytis cinerea. The efficacy of the following three programmes has been examined: the use of chemicals only; the use of biological agent only; and alternation of biological agents with chemicals. The influence of some fungicides and insecticides on Trichoderma harzianum encapsuled in biofungicide Trichodex[supT-39] was tested. The possibility of mixing formulations expressed as non-inhibiting with Trichodex[supT-39] was also tested. A survey of fermentation following Trichodex[supT-39] use was conducted. It was observed that Trichodex[supT-39] in fermented must consistently did not have a negative influence on the fermentation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the estimation of carotid artery stenosis by computed tomography angiography (CTA) based on cross-sectional area versus the smallest diameter measurement, and test the accuracy of both CTA measurements using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) as a reference method., Methods: For 113 carotid arteries with stenosis ≥50% we analysed the differences in the estimated stenosis level between both CTA methods and CDUS using the Bland-Altman approach. Further, we calculated sensitivity, specificity and plotted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for both CTA methods., Results: The mean difference between CDUS and CTA (area) measurements was -0.4% (p = 0.68); between CDUS and CTA (diameter), 20.7% (p < 0.001); and between CTA (area) and CTA (diameter), 21.2% (p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity for the CTA (area) method were 81% and 77%, and for CTA (diameter) were 23% and 100%. The area under the curve (AUC) for CTA (diameter) was 0.62 (0.57, 0.66), and for CTA (area) 0.79 (0.71-0.87). The equality test for the two AUCs was <0.0001., Conclusions: CTA (diameter)-based measurements significantly underestimated the degree of carotid stenosis. We recommend the CTA (area) method because of its higher predictive power for a correct stenosis classification and a lack of significant difference in the estimated stenosis level, compared to CDUS., Main Messages: • Cross-sectional area measurement considers asymmetric shape of the residual vessel lumen. • CTA (diameter) method on average significantly underestimates the true level of stenosis. • CTA (area) method correctly classifies vessels needing surgical intervention.

In sampling fungi from the built environment, two isolates that could not confidently be placed in described species were encountered. Phenotypic analysis suggested that they belonged in Aspergillus sect. Usti. In order to verify the sectional placement and to assure that they were undescribed rather than phenotypically aberrant isolates, DNA was isolated and sequenced at the beta-tubulin, calmodulin, internal transcribed spacer and RNA polymerase II loci and sequences compared with those from other species in the genus Aspergillus. At each locus, each new isolate was distant from existing species. Phylogenetic trees calculated from these data and GenBank data for species of the section Usti excluded the placement of these isolates in existing species, with statistical support. Because they were excluded from existing taxa, the distinct species Aspergillus asper (type strain NRRL 35910 T ) and Aspergillus collinsii (type strain NRRL 66196 T ) in sect. Usti are proposed to accommodate these strains.

β-tubulin, calmodulin, internal transcribed spacer and partial lsu-rDNA, RNA polymerase 2, DNA replication licensing factor Mcm7, and pre-rRNA processing protein Tsr1 were amplified and sequenced from numerous isolates belonging to Aspergillus sect. versicolor. The isolates were analyzed phylogenetically using the concordance model to establish species boundaries. Aspergillus austroafricanus, A. creber, A. cvjetkovicii, A. fructus, A. jensenii, A. puulaauensis, A. subversicolor, A. tennesseensis and A. venenatus are described as new species and A. amoenus, A. protuberus,A. sydowii, A. tabacinus and A. versicolor are accepted as distinct species on the basis of molecular and phenotypic differences. PCR primer pairs used to detect A. versicolor in sick building syndrome studies have a positive reaction for all of the newly described species except A. subversicolor.

Genus Hamigera was erected for Talaro-myces species that make asci singly instead of in chains. Initially it contained two species, H. avellanea and H. striata. We describe six new species in the genus, H. fusca, H. inflata, H. insecticola, H. pallida, H. paravellanea and H. terricola. Merimbla ingelheimensis is a distinct anamorphic species in the Hamigera clade. None of our DNA sequence data (BT2, calmodulin, ITS, 1su rDNA, RPB2, Tsr1 and Mcm7) supported the placement of H. striata in the same clade as H. avellanea, thus we accepted Talaromyces striatus. In addition to Hamigera species we examined the phylogenetic disposition of Warcupiella spinulosa, Penicillium megasporum, Penicillium arenicola and Merimbla humicoloides. Despite nominal similarity of some of these species to Merimbla, none of these species are part of the Hamigera clade and M. humicoloides is placed in Penicillium to have a monophyletic genus Hamigera.

Pearl millet is increasingly being grown as a premium-value grain for the recreational wildlife and poultry industries in the southern US. We conducted three experiments to assess grain mold development in storage conditions typically encountered in the region of production. Variables included production year, temperature, relative humidity, atmosphere, and grain moisture content. In the first experiment, grain was stored for 9 weeks at 20 or 25 degrees C and maintained at 86% or 91% relative humidity (r.h.). In the second experiment, grain was stored for 9 weeks at 20 or 25 degrees C in either air (aerobic) or N2 (anaerobic), and maintained at 100% r.h. In the third experiment, high-moisture grain was stored for 3 weeks at 20 or 25 degrees C and maintained at 100% r.h. Grain was sampled at weekly intervals and plated to determine changes in fungal frequency. Fungi isolated included Fusarium chlamydosporum (19% of grain), Curvularia spp. (14%), F. semitectum (16%), Alternaria spp. (9%), Aspergillus flavus (8%), "Helminthosporium"-type spp. (6%), and F. moniliforme sensu lato (3%). Year of grain production significantly affected isolation frequency of fungi. Isolation frequencies from low-moisture grain were rarely affected by temperature, relative humidity, or atmosphere treatments, but was affected by storage duration for some fungi. Changes in isolation of toxigenic fungi occurred in high-moisture grain. Isolation frequency of F. chlamydosporum increased in grain stored at 86% and 91% r.h. Incidence of A. flavus increased in high-moisture grain treatments, particularly at 25 degrees C. Incidence of deoxynivalenol was not affected by storage treatment. Low concentrations of nivalenol were detected in most grain incubated at 100% r.h. Zearalenone was detected only when grain moisture content was 20-22%. Aflatoxin contamination averaged 174 ng g(-1) over all treatments, and increased up to 798 ng g(-1) in high-moisture grain at stored at 25 degrees C.

The fungal genus Aspergillus was established in 1729, and includes species that are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. Many aspergilli produce mycotoxins in foods that may be toxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic in animals. Most of the Aspergillus species are soil fungi or saprophytes but some are capable of causing decay in storage, disease in plants or invasive disease in humans and animals. Major agricultural commodities affected before or after harvest by fungal growth and mycotoxins include corn, peanuts, cottonseed, rice, tree nuts, cereal grains, and fruits. Animal products (meat, milk and eggs) can become contaminated because of diet. Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus, A. niger, A. fumigatus and other aspergilli produce mycotoxins of concern. These include the aflatoxins and ochratoxins, as well as cyclopiazonic acid, patulin, sterigmatocystin, gliotoxin, citrinin and other potentially toxic metabolites.