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Intensive crop cultivation systems require continuous monitoring of irrigation water quality as well as the control of physical and chemical soil properties. In view of the ongoing climate change and a dramatic decrease in soil organic matter content, the use of low quality irrigation water and its adverse effects on soil, cultivated plants and irrigation equipment must not be overlooked. The aim of this paper was to evaluate general quality of irrigation water from the different water intake sources in the Vojvodina Province. The paper presents the results of irrigation water quality, collected during 2018 and 2019. The research included 140 irrigation water samples obtained from three different intake structures which collect water from wells, canals or reservoirs. Water quality was assessed using the following parameters: pH value, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), ionic balance, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) value. Water quality diagram given by the US Salinity Laboratory (USSL) and FAO guidelines for interpretation water quality for irrigation was used. Additionally, the Nejgebauer classification for irrigation water, developed specifically for the area of Vojvodina, was used as a third classification. Based on the results of mineralization of the irrigation water, the following values of the observed parameters were determined: average pH of the analyzed water samples were 7.89, ranged from 7.14 to 9.01, while electrical conductivity values ranged from 0.10 to 3.50 dS/m, with an average of 0.85 dS/m. TDS analysis resulted in a wide range of values, from 112 mg/l to 2,384 mg/l, with an average of 529,22 mg/l. SAR values varied between 0.04-16.52 with a satisfactory average of 1.97. The USSL water classification produced similar results as FAO classification and RSC index

Nickel (Ni) is an essential nutrient for animals and it has an important role in many physiological and biochemical processes in higher plants. At the same time, it belongs to the group of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The aim of this study is to determine Ni concentrations in the soil-plant relationships between the main crops and agricultural land in Central Serbia. A total of 71 bulked soil samples are taken from the topsoil at the depth of 0-30 cm in an area belonging to 6 statistical districts of Central Serbia. A total of 71 seed samples are collected during harvest as an average sample of seed from each observed plot, of which 26 are corn, 19 sunflower, 17 wheat, and 9 soybean samples. Analysis of the collected samples includs the main soil parameters and Ni total and available concentrations in soil, as well as Ni total concentration in seeds. The median value of total Ni concentration in soil is 44.8 mg kg-1, close to MAC. The median nickel concentration in wheat and corn seeds is 0.5 mg kg-1, while soybean and sunflower seeds have higher median Ni content of 8.40 and 10.26 mg kg-1, respectively. Bioaccumulation factors in seeds (BAF) in the present study ranges from 0.013 (corn) to 0.256 (soybean). According to statistically significant differences, all crops have equal total NiT concentration in soil, while the available NiA concentration differs in soils under corn and sunflower cultivars. Based on Ni concentration in seed and BAF, two groups are distinguished − the group of soybeans and sunflowers with higher Ni content and the group of wheat and corn with lower Ni content in seed. The obtained differences confirm that plant species have a significant role in the bio­accumulation of Ni. The determined BAF parameter is in a statistically significant negative correlation with the total Ni content in soil in all observed crops except maize. However, the BAF parameter for maize alone is in a statistically significant negative correlation with the readily available Ni concentration in the soil. The obtained correlations indicate that higher Ni concentration in soil causes lower Ni concentration in seeds, which might be due to the activation of plant defense mechanism to preserve the reproductive organs ‒ seeds ‒ from harmful effects. Based on the obtained results, Ni concentration in seeds of the main field crops in Central Serbia is safe for feed and food usage. Increased content of Ni found in agricultural soils in Central Serbia requires constant monitoring for maintaining sustainable agriculture production.

Urban gardening is an activity that has been rapidly increasing. The aim of this study was to point out the common mistakes in cultivation practices made by producers on small city areas. Total of 96 individual plots under vegetable crops were sampled (56 from garden plots of the city of Novi Sad, and 40 from field plots in the suburbs). There was no significant difference in the content of organic matter between these two groups of tested soils. The contents of readily available P2O5 and K2O were significantly higher in garden soil than in the field plots for production of vegetables. According to the content of pseudototal copper, 39% of samples belonged to the category of critical concentration and/or above MAC in the urban soil. Obtained results prove the pollution of small area gardens due to high anthropogenic effect of excessive use of mineral fertilizers and copper-based fungicides.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of soil type and forage crops on the content of magnesium in soil and roughages, as well as forage quality regarding Mg content for the prevention of animal disease ‘tetany’. The trial was carried out on chernozem and humogley under alfalfa and red clover. Samples for determination of Mg content in plant and total Mg content in soil were digested using the apparatus Milestone Ethos 1. The content of Mg was determined using the apparatus ICP-OES Vista Pro-Axial Varian. The average total Mg content in soil of the tested sites was 0.64%. Total Mg content in chernozem was higher than in humogley. A higher total Mg content was in the deeper horizon. A significant positive correlation was found between total Mg content in soil and soil pH as well as the content of CaCO3. The average Mg content in forage crops was 0.28%. A higher Mg content in the dry matter was observed in crops grown on humogley. Mg content was significantly higher in red clover. There was no risk for the occurrence of animal disease ‘tetany’ regarding Mg content in crops, because the ratio K/(Ca+Mg) was below 2.2, and K and Mg content in the dry matter of crops was below the critical value. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31072: Stanje, tendencije i mogućnosti povećanja plodnosti poljoprivrednog zemljišta u Vojvodini]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of soil type and forage crops on the content of manganese (Mn) in roughages, and forage quality regarding Mn content. The trial was carried out on chernozem and humogley under alfalfa and red clover. Samples for determination of Mn content in plant and total Mn content in soil were digested using the apparatus Milestone Ethos 1 and for Mn determination on ICP-OES Vista Pro-Axial Varian. Average total Mn content in soil of the tested sites was 473.1 mg/kg. Total Mn content in chernozem was higher than in humogley. Average Mn content in forage crops was 28.7 mg/kg. Dry matter Mn content was lower in crops grown on humogley. Mn content was significantly higher in red clover. Significant positive correlation was found between total Mn content in soil and Mn content in crops. Mn concentration in crops was below critical and toxic value.

Field trial with yellow gentian was established (11.1 plants per m2) at 1004 m.a.s.l., in order to assess the effect of black PE (bPE), silver PE (sPE), and black permeable biodegradable (bPB) mulching films on the root yield and development during six years. The highest crop density measured prior to the root harvest (sixth year), was obtained in the plot with bPB film (84%), while in the plot with bPE and in control (without mulch) number of plants was reduced by 34.2% and 45%, respectively. In addition, application of the bPB film proved to be the most effective treatment; in the fifth and sixth year root yields per m2 increased by 92.3% and 106.0%, respectively, in comparison to bPE, and by 78.9% and 69.2%, respectively, in comparison to sPE, and by 184.4% and 169.6%, respectively, in comparison to control. Application of bPE had a lower positive effect on YG root yield than control (-18.6%-54.95%), whereas the effect of sPE was higher than the bPE and control; the achieved root yields were higher, 29.7% and 70.6%, respectively.

Through choosing bread wheat genotypes that can be cultivated in less productive areas, one can increase the economic worth of those lands, and increase the area under cultivation for this strategic crop. As a result, more food sources will be available for the growing global population. The phenotypic variation of ear mass and grain mass per ear, as well as the genotype × environment interaction, were studied in 11 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and 1 triticale (Triticosecale W.) cultivar grown under soil salinity stress (3S) during three vegetation seasons. The results of the experiment set on the control variant (solonetz) were compared to the results obtained from soil reclaimed by phosphogypsum in the amount of 25 t × ha−1 and 50 t × ha−1. Using the AMMI analysis of variance, there was found to be a statistically significant influence of additive and non-additive sources of variation on the phenotypic variation of the analyzed traits. Although the local landrace Banatka and the old variety Bankut 1205 did not have high enough genetic capacity to exhibit high values of ear mass, they were well-adapted to 3S. The highest average values of grain mass per ear and the lowest average values of the coefficient of variation were obtained in all test variants under microclimatic condition B. On soil reclaimed by 25 t × ha−1 and 50 t × ha−1 of phosphogypsum, in microclimate C, the genotypes showed the highest stability. The most stable genotypes were Rapsodija and Renesansa. Under 3S, genotype Simonida produced one of the most stable reactions for grain mass per ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Vojvodina Province in northern Serbia is well known for its intensive field crops production. Over 90 % of total arable land, which represents more than 1500.000 ha, is used for field or vegetable crop production. A grid superimposed on Vojvodina land by means of a GIS tool (GIS ArcView 10) has divided land into 4 × 4 km units, each representing an area of 1600 ha. Total number of 1370 bulked soil samples were taken (0-30 cm depth) from agricultural land and analysed for total mercury content THg. The samples were analysed using Direct Mercury Analyzer DMA 80 Milestone. Quality control was carried out with IRMM BCR reference materials 143R. The aim of this study was to determine the total content of Hg in agricultural soils and its spatial distributions in different parts of Vojvodina Province. The obtained results were within interval 0.008-0.974 mg kg. The average concentration of Hg was 0.068, with median 0.048 mg kg. The correlation was determined between Hg concentration and organic matter content in the soil. Content of Hg coincides with main geomorphological units of Vojvodina Province. Average values of Hg concentrations for soils formatted on different geomorphological units were 0.031 for sandy area with dune fields, 0.048 for alluvial terraces, 0.055 for upper Pleistocene terraces, 0.058 for loess plateaus, 0.083 for mountains and 0.092 mg kg for alluvial plains. Hg spatial distribution confirmed that most of Vojvodina Province area has geochemical origin of Hg. Higher concentration of Hg on alluvial plains indicated that the origin of Hg near rivers could be from anthropogenic source. The main rivers in Vojvodina have been dammed more than a century ago. Thus, higher concentrations of Hg in their alluvial plains out of narrow dammed zone around the rivers must be related to natural and anthropogenic sources located in their huge catchments. Higher content of Hg in mountain region can be explained by high clay content in these soils. Additional hotspots of Hg concentration of top soils are related to geographical locations of major towns. The obtained results also indicated that the measured levels of Hg in the soil are not limiting factors for production of safe food in Vojvodina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to specific soil properties and management practices, soils in vineyards are sensitive to degradation. The aims of this study were to examine (i) the state of soil organic carbon (SOC) in vineyards compared to other agricultural land, (ii) the influence of different fertilization strategies and soil type on SOC content and (iii) the rate of SOC change over time and potential of deep tillage for SOC preservation in subsoil. The study was carried out at 16 representative vineyard locations of the Tri Morave region, which represents the largest vine growing region in Serbia. The analyzed area included 56 vineyard plots. Results showed that SOC stocks in the topsoil and subsoil were lower than the average for agricultural land in Serbia. The soil type was an important predictor of carbon storage in the topsoil. An adequate application of inorganic fertilizers or green manure combined with farmyard manure initially resulted in the highest SOC contents. Continuous application of inorganic fertilizer without organic amendments has led to a decrease of SOC in topsoil. High rates of SOC stock change in topsoil accompanied a rapid reduction of SOC in the earlier stage of cultivation. In all investigated subsoils, SOC increased, except for unfertilized vineyards. Deep tillage has the potential to preserve SOC in the deeper soil layer and prevent carbon loss from the topsoil. More attention should be paid to the soil conservation practices to meet environmental sustainability of viticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]