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Certified and non-certified seed of the soybean cultivar Dukat showing symptoms of mottling were collected at the preharvest stage from soybean fields in the location Tamiš (South Banat District, Serbia) in 2021. To identify the presence of soybean mosaic virus (SMV), a total of 10 samples, five of each type of seed, were selected and tested by RT-PCR using primers SMVCPF/SMVCPR, which amplify a fragment of the coat protein (CP) gene. The molecular assay confirmed the presence of SMV in all tested seed samples. For further analyses, the CP and P1 genome regions of two selected isolates (DS-21 and NDS-21, representing certified and noncertified seed, respectively) were partially sequenced. The Serbian SMV isolates shared very low nucleotide diversity and were mutually closely related based on the CP (99.8% nt/99.2% aa identities) and P1 (99.7% nt/ 99.6% aa identities) regions. Phylogenetic analyses based on both genomic regions showed that the two Serbian SMV isolates originating from certified and noncertified seed belonged to one cluster, and consequently to the same SMV subpopulation. Since this is the first molecular characterization of SMV in Serbia, further research should be focused on collecting samples from different locations and of different varieties, and on determining the variability of SMV population in Serbia based on whole-genome analysis. This research will contribute to better understanding of the epidemiology of this pathogen with the ultimate goal of developing and implementing appropriate control measures.

In 2018, a total of 58 mustard samples from two different localities in Serbia (Rimski Šančevi and Senta) were collected and tested for the presence of Turnip yellow virus (TuYV), Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) by DAS-ELTSA. TuYV was serologically detected in 42 tested samples while all collected samples were negative for CaMV and TuMV. By using aphid transmission tests, five test plants were inoculated with two ELTSApositive TuYV samples of naturally infected mustard plants. Virus species identification was performed by amplification of a 780 bp fragment in all tested samples using the specific primers TuYVorf0F/TuYVorf0R. The RTPCR products from two isolates 88Sal (MK144816) and 98Bni (MK144817) were sequenced and compared with the GenBank sequences of TuYV. Serbian isolates showed the highest identity with Poland TuYV isolate (EU022489). Phylogenetic analysis showed that TuYV isolates from Serbia were clustered with other TuYV sequences retrieved from the GenBank.

The fauna of aphids appearing on cucurbits, including oilseed pumpkin have been poorly investigated in Serbia. Yellow water traps were used to determine the diversity of aphid species visiting cucurbits in Serbia and to monitor their flight activity. During the years 2009 to 2011, a total of 1,447 specimens were collected and a total of 57 different aphid taxa were identified. In 2009, the highest total number of aphids were caught (755), followed by 203 and 489 aphids in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The most abundant species were Aphis fabae (15%), Myizus persicae (13.4%) and Acyrthosiphonpisum (11.7%), followed by Anoecia corni (6.4%) and Aphis gossypii (5.6%). All of them, except A. corni, are reported as efficient vectors of cucurbit viruses. These five species represent 52.1% of all aphid species collected within this study. Out of 57 taxa found in oilseed pumpkin crops, 17 are known as vectors of ZYMV, 18 of WMV and 15 of CMV. Generally, 25 out of a total of 57 taxa are known as vectors of at least one of three viruses present in Serbia. From total of 1,447 specimens collected during three years of investigation, 917 (63.4%) are vectors of at least one of three viruses. Individual oilseed pumpkin plants were frequently colonized by A. gossypii during all three years of investigation. Results of this study showed that Serbian oilseed pumpkin growing localities are grouped among medium to reach in aphidofauna, according to total Shannon-Weaver index values which varied from 1.8 to 2.8. The highest value of Shannon-Weaver (2.8) was recorded in the Bački Petrovac I locality in 2009, while the lowest Shannon-Weaver (1.8) was recorded in Kisač locality in 2010. The maximum values of Shannon-Weaver diversity index in almost all crops were recorded in the second week of investigation or in early stages of oilseed pumpkin growth when plants had 5-6 true leaves or were in flowering stage, when potential virus infection could lead to significant yield losses.

During 2014 a total of 67 pot marigold samples from five different localities in the Province in Vojvodina were collected and analysed for the presence of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) using commercial double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA kits. CMV was detected serologically in all inspected localities in 67.16% collected samples. None of the analysed samples was positive for INSV. The virus was successfully mechanically transmitted to test plants including Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Datura stramonium, Nicotiana tabacum 'Samsun' and N. glutinosa, as well as pot marigold seedlings, confirming the infectious nature of the disease. The presence of CMV in pot marigold plants was further verified by RT-PCR and sequencing, using the specific primers CMV CPfwd/CMVCPrev that amplify coat protein (CP) gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on the CP gene sequences showed clustering of the selected isolates into three subgroups, IA, IB and II, and Serbian CMV isolates from pot marigold belong to subgroup II.

Sixteen samples of sorghum seed (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) 'Alba', 'Gold', 'Prima' and 'Reform' were analyzed in the localities of Bački Petrovac and Čantavir in the period 2009-2011. Tipresence of species belonging to the genera Epicoccum, Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium was established in single and mixed infections. From the infected sorghum seed, monosporial cultures identified as Epicoccum nigrum based on morphology, proved their pathogenicity on artificially inoculated sorghum seedlings. Molecular identification was performed by PCR and amplification of the ITS region of ribosomal DNA. Gene sequences of selected isolates 291-09 (JQ619838) and 315-09 (JQ619839) exhibited 99-100% nucleotide identity with the sequences of 31 isolates of E. nigrum deposited in the GenBank. It obtained results represent the first detailed characterization of E. nigrum in Serbia. The presence of a large number of phytopathogenic fungi on sorghum seed should be further investigated in order to clarify their relationships and relative significance.

The presence of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in two out of seven watermelon production localities in Serbia during 2011 was investigated by analyzing leaves sampled from symptomatic and asymptomatic watermelon plants and utilizing DAS-ELISA test. In the locality of Gornji Tavankut, ZYMV was detected in 23.08% of tested plants in single infections, and in the locality of Silbas it was detected in 35.29% of tested plants in mixed infections with Cucumber mosaic virus and Alfalfa mosaic virus. ZYMV was successfully mechanically transmitted from naturally infected watermelon plants to Cucurbita pepo 'Ezra F1'. Molecular detection was performed by RT-PCR and amplification of part of the gene for nuclear inclusions, gene of coat protein and part of 3' non-coding region, which confirmed the identification of the ZYMV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed grouping of the isolate originating from watermelon with other isolates from Serbia and Central Europe within A-I subgroup. Analysis of amino acid sequences of the N terminal end of the CP gene revealed that isolate 550-11 belongs to the Central European branch.

A total of 39 samples of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) with symptoms of stem and root rot were collected and analyzed during 2009-2011 in Bački Petrovac and Čantavir, Serbia. Monosporic cultures were isolated from stem tissue, their pathogenicity was confirmed by the development of symptoms on artificially inoculated sorghum plants, and they were identified on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic morphological features as Fusarium graminearum. Molecular identification was performed utilizing polimerase chain reaction (PCR) with primer pair ef1/ ef2 and by amplification of protein coding TEF 1-alpha gen. Sequence of TEF gene from the selected isolate 535- 10 (JF747146) showed 98-99% nucleotide identity with sequences of 63 Gibberella zeae isolates deposited in NCBI GenBank. Amplification of the barcoding region of F. graminearum genome of sorghum isolate, contributes to the fast and accurate identification and characterization of Fusarium species in Serbia.

Pepper is a very popular and profitable crop in Serbia and its production is growing rapidly as well as the importance of diseases caused by viruses. Virus infections interfere with development of pepper plants, reducing yield and fruit quality. More than 45 viruses have been isolated from pepper so far, and in our country the following are considered economically very important: Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Potato virus Y (PVY). During 2009, an investigation was conducted regarding the presence and distribution of pepper viruses in Serbia, which included a survey of different localities of transplant production, and both greenhouse and open field pepper crops. Collected samples were tested utilizing a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) with polyclonal antisera specific for the detection of economically important pepper viruses: PVY, AMV, CMV, TSWV, TMV and Potato virus X (PVX). In the collected samples, presence of the four viruses (PVY, CMV, TSWV and AMV) was confirmed in single and mixed infections. In tested transplant samples, the most frequently detected virus was CMV (18.18%), while PVY was the most frequent in samples collected in greenhouse and open field pepper crops (32.56% and 51.21% respectively). The presence of TSWV was detected only in greenhouse-grown pepper crops, while the presence of PVX and TMV was not detected during this investigation. The obtained results indicated that PVY and CMV were widely distributed and the most frequent viruses in pepper crops in Serbia. Future investigation should include their detailed biological and molecular characterization, as well as the implementation of appropriate control measures in pepper productions.

Small grains are the group of species and subspecies dominant in production in the world and our agriculture. Small grains includs following species: wheat with few subspecies, among them quite important are common bread wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp vulgare) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp durum) barley, oat, ray and Triticale. The aim of the investigation was evaluation of grain filling duration and grain filling rate from flowering to full maturity as well as to estimate variability of morphological traits, harvest index and spike index. Obtaining results the species e.i. subspecies of genus Triticum were different in synthesis oforganic matter. The highest biomase of the main shoot was occurred in Triticale (cv. NS tritikale) then in the T. turgidum durum (cv. Durumko) and the lowest in common bread wheat T. aestivum ssp. vulgare (cv. Pobeda).The highest mass of fresh and dry grain had Triticale while there are no differences between common and durum wheat. The highest grain yield also occurred in Triticale lower in common wheat and the lowest in durum wheat.