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Aim of this study was to monitor the influence of drying method (naturally and chamber drying) and different sample preparation on supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from three grape seed varieties (Graševina, Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon). The highest oil content was obtained from naturally dried screened and washed seeds of red variety Cabernet Sauvignon (14.85%) and lowest from chamber dried screened seeds of white variety Graševina (7.67%). Peroxide value ranged from 0.36 to 1.77 mmol O2/kg oil, free fatty acids 0.28-8.0%, and insoluble impurities 0.05-0.28%. Determined fatty acids were palmitic (6.98-11.58%), stearic (3.82-6.59%), oleic (14.90-19.97%) and linoleic acid (61.82-71.96%) in oil obtained from naturally dried seeds and 6.84-8.68%, 4.12-5.73%, 15.10-20.18% and 67.88-70.76% in oil from chamber dried seeds, respectively. In defatted cakes after supercritical CO2 extraction, protein and fibre content ranged from 8.17 to 9.85% and 34.58 to 43.96%, respectively. According to ANOVA results, sample preparation and drying method had statistically significant influence on grape seed oil extraction.

Cilj ovoga rada bio je utvrditi učinak gnojidbe dušikom (N) od 30 odnosno od 45 kg/ha, kao i trima komercijalnim dušičnim gnojivima, CaNO3 (15% N), KAN (27% N) i YaraMilaTM Cropcare (8:11:23), na agronomska svojstva: prinos, cijenu i vrijednost suhoga lista, kao i na šest morfoloških svojstava duhana tipa virdžinija. U poljski pokus, proveden u četiri okoline, bila su uključena tri hrvatska kultivara duhana. Gnojidba dušikom imala je signifikantan učinak samo na komponente prinosa: duljinu, širinu i površinu 9. lista, čije su vrijednosti kod gnojidbe s 45 kg N/ha bile za 2,2; 3,5 odnosno 5,8% veće u odnosu na gnojidbu s 30 kg N/ha. Tip korištenoga dušičnog gnojiva nije imao signifikantan učinak niti na jedno ispitivano svojstvo. Uzorak korelacija između morfoloških i gospodarskih svojstava bio je pod utjecajem okoline, kao i razine gnojidbe. Iako nije utvrđen učinak gnojidbe na gospodarska svojstva, signifikantno povećanje komponenata prinosa kod gnojidbe s 45 kg N/ha, u usporedbi s 30 kg N/ha, upućuje na višu razinu gnojidbe kao jamstvo osiguranja visokih i stabilnih prinosa te kvalitete osušenoga lista., The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization rate of 30 and 45 N kg/ha, as well as three commercial N fertilizers, CaNO3 (15% N), KAN (27% N) and YaraMilaTM Cropcare (8:11:23) on the agronomic traits: yield, price, and value, as well as six morphological traits of flue-cured tobacco. The field experiments, which included three Croatian tobacco cultivars, were conducted in four environments. Nitrogen fertilization had a significant effect only on yield components: length, width and area of the 9th leaf, whose values for fertilization with 45 kg N/ha were 2.2%, 3.5%, and 5.8% higher, respectively, compared to fertilization with 30 kg N/ha. The type of N fertilizer did not have a significant effect on any of the traits. The pattern of correlations between morphological and economic traits was influenced by the environment, as well as by the level of fertilization. Although no effect of fertilization level on economic traits was found, the significant increase in yield components at 45 kg N/ha compared to 30 kg N/ha suggests a higher level of fertilization as a guarantee of ensuring high and stable yields and quality of the cured leaf.

The paper presents the result of a triennial field experiment (2013‒15), aiming to determine the influence of irrigation, nitrogen fertilization, and cultivars, as well as their interactions on the yield and chemical properties of the soybean seeds. Four soybean cultivars (Lucija, Vita, Ika and Tena) of different maturity groups were investigate as a sub‐subplot factor (C). The main plot factor (A - irrigation) resulted in a statistically very significant (P≤0.01) seed yield in all three years, and it was found out by an analysis of variance. The subplot factor (B - nitrogen fertilization) had an impact on the grain yield depending on the research year, while sub‐subplot factor (C-cultivar) significantly affected all examined traits. The factor interactions and their significance varied by the research years. The seed yield achieved in 2013 (3883 kg ha-1) indicated a great importance of all factors’ interaction. The correlations between a seed yield and a protein and oil concentration were determined during the research.

Veličina korjena cikle najviše ovisi o broju biljaka po jedinici površine (sklopu). U proizvodnji cikle večinom se koriste precizne sijačice podešene na razmak sjemena od 5 do 10 cm u redu, a radi dobivanja sklopa od 30 do 70 biljaka po 1 m2. Svrha istraživanja je bila utvrditi utjecaj različitih brzina kretanja preciznih sijačica različitih izvedbi na preciznost sjetve unutar reda. Utvrđeno je da se povećanjem brzine kretanja sijačice smanjuje preciznost sjetve. Najprecizniji razmak sjemena unutar reda postignut je s preciznom pneumatskom sijačicom s podtlakom pri brzini kretanja od 0,83 m/s, gdje je 83,1 % sjemena bilo posijano unutar skupine od 0,5 do 1,5 od traženog (teoretskog) razmaka. U sjetvi s preciznom sijačicom s mehaničkim sijaćim uređajem s trakom pri brzini kretanja od 1,81 m/s su dobiveni lošiji rezultati., The most significant factor for controlling root size of red beet is likely to be the density of seed plantings. Most red beet is produced by direct sowing with precision drills at an in-row spacing of 5 to 10 cm, aiming at 30 to 70 plants per m2. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of varied forward speed on in-row seed spacing distribution accuracy of red beet using different types of precision drills. It was found that an increase in the drill operating speed decreases drilling precision. The best in-row seed spacing distribution accuracy was determined at the speed of 0,83 m/s with the pneumatic feed precision drill operated suction system, when 83,1 % of seeds were laid at the 0,5÷1,5 of the theoretical seed spacing. Inferior results were obtained with the belt feed mechanism at an operating speed of 1,81 m/s.

Pir, krupnik ili dinkel (Lat. Triticum spelta) jedna je od najstarijih žitarica, a potječe iz Azije. Od brončanog doba do srednjeg vijeka u Europi je bio vrlo važna žitarica. Nakon upotrebe zrna u prehrambene svrhe ostaje biomasa pira kao nusproizvod odnosno otpad. Rastuće cijene fosilnih goriva i sve veće zabrinutosti oko klimatskih promjena stvaraju sve veću potražnju za novim izvorima sirovine za održivu proizvodnju topline. U posljednjih nekoliko godina istraživanja su pokazala pozitivne učinke uporabe poljoprivrednih ostataka za proizvodnju energije. Zrno pira prerađuje se u različite svrhe, dok pljeve, pljevice te stabljika zaostaju kao nusproizvod odnosno ostatak u proizvodnji. Stoga je značajno provesti istraživanje kako bi se utvrdila energetska (goriva) svojstva pljeve i pljevice te stabljike pira. U radu su obuhvaćene dvije sorte pira BcVigor i Ostro. Nakon prikupljenih i homogeniziranih uzoraka za svaku sortu određene su gornje i donje ogrjevne vrijednosti (Hg i Hd). Rezultati dobiveni u ovom istraživanju pokazali su da su pljeve i pljevice te stabljika pira, kao ostatak nakon upotrebe zrna u prehrambene svrhe, vrlo kvalitetna sirovina za proizvodnju energije zbog svoje visoke ogrjevne vrijednosti: gornja ogrijevna vrijednost stabljike sorte BcVigor iznosi 17.367 MJ/kg, a stabljike sorte Ostro 17.224 MJ/kg dok gornja ogrijevna vrijednost pljeve i pljevice sorte Ostro iznosi16.402 MJ/kg, a sorte BcVigor 16.650 MJ/kg., Spelt (Triticum spelta L.), also known as dinkel wheat, or hulled wheat is one of the oldest crops. It originates from Asia. In Europe spelt was very important cereal during the Bronze Age and the Middle Ages. After the processing grains for food, biomass lags as a by-product or waste. Rising fossil fuel prices and increasing concerns about climate change are creating a growing demand for new sources of raw material for biomass combustion for sustainable heat production. In recent years studies have shown the positive effects of the use of agricultural residues for energy production. Grains of Spelt are processed into various purposes, while the chaff, glumes and stems remain as a by-product. Therefore, it is important to carry out research in order to determine energy characteristics of chaff, glumes and stems. This paper examined the two Spelt varieties: BcVigor and Ostro. Collected and homogenized samples were analysed by the energy characteristics: high (HHV) and lower (LHV) heating values of chaff, glumes and stems were determined by standard methods. The results obtained in this research showed that, after the use of Spelt grain for food, chaff, glumes and stems are representing by-product but also it is a high-quality raw material for energy production because of its high calorific values: the upper heating value in BcVigor stem was 17.367 MJ/kg and 17.224 MJ/kg in the Ostro stem, 16.402 MJ/kg in the Ostro chaff and glumes and 16.650 MJ/kg in the BcVigor chaff and glumes.

Ovaj rad istražuje učinkovitost primjene različitih razina digestiranog ostatka, dobivenog nakon anaerobne digestije (AD) mesno-koštanog brašna (MKB), na morfološka i mineralna svojstva kukuruza. Istraživanje je provedeno u trajanju od dvije godine, a sastojalo se od osam tretmana: kontrola (bez gnojiva); samo mineralna gnojidba; tretmani s najmanjom, srednjom i maksimalnom dozom digestiranog MKB-a; gnojidba minimalnom, srednjom i maksimalnom dozom digestiranog ostatka u kombinaciji s mineralnim gnojivom. Kombinacija tretmana s mineralnim gnojivom i različitom dozom ostatka anaerobne digestije, povećala je prinos mase biljke, bile su veće i imale više lišća. Sadržaj mineralnih tvari bio je prosječne vrijednosti, kako u biljnom materijalu tako i u jezgri. Varijacije vrijednosti uvjetovane su ukupnom masom i ionskim interakcijama. MKB nakon tretmana AD moguće je primijeniti kao organsko gnojivo. Ima veće hranjive vrijednosti i, kao takvo, prikladno je za tretiranje poljoprivrednih biljaka, posebno u ratarstvu., The present paper investigates the effectiveness of different levels of applied digested residue obtained after anaerobic digestion (AD) of meat-bone meal (MBM) on the morphologic and mineral characteristics of corn. The experiment was conducted in duration of two years and consisted of eight treatments: control (without any fertilizer); mineral fertilization only; treatments with minimum, medium and maximum dosage of digested MBM; fertilization of minimum, medium and maximum dosages of AD residue combined with mineral fertilizer. By combination of treatments with mineral fertilizer and different rates of AD residue, plants increased mass yield, they were larger and had more leaves. Content of mineral substances was within average values, both in plant material and in kernel, and variations in values were conditioned by total mass and ion interactions. MBM after AD treatment is possible to be applied as organic fertilizer. It has higher nutritive value and, as such, is suitable for treatment of agricultural plants, especially in crop production.

Spelt (Triticum spelta L.), also known as dinkel wheat or hulled wheat, is one of the oldest known grains and it originates from Asia. It was known even to the Egyptians, the oldest findings of this type of wheat were found in the Nile valley and they date to the fourth millennium BC. This edible, chaff-like, type of wheat was used for food by the ancient Romans who grew it throughout the empire. This cereal was very important from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages in Europe. However, in recent times it has largely been replaced by other types of wheat (Triticum aestivum and Triticum durum). This grain has again started attracting attention in the past two decades because of the possibility of organic breeding, since it requires lesser use of fertilizers and pesticides compared to the common wheat. Due to the increasing awareness of consumers who pay more attention every day to the variety and quality of food, spelt is increasingly gaining importance with the tendency of multiplying sown areas so the goal of this study was to determine the nutritional characteristics of spelt shelled beans of studied varieties Bc Vigor and Ostro (water content, ash, starch, protein and crude fat) for nutritional use.

Nusproizvod životinjskog podrijetla vrlo je opasan za životinje i ljudsko zdravlje. Mozak životinja i leđna moždina su vrlo rizični te mogu biti zaraženi prionima te je stoga vrlo važno da se zbrinjavanje ovakvog materijala obavlja u strogo kontroliranim uvjetima. Metoda kojom se postiže smanjenje rizika za zdravlje ljudi je metoda alkalne hidrolize. Standardna metoda alkalne hidrolize odvija se pri 150 °C, 3 h do 6 h i tlaku od 4 bara. Rad donosi istraživanje na polju izolacije amino kiselina nakon provedene alkalne hidrolize pri različitim uvjetima temperature (135 °C, 150 °C, 153 °C), vremena (2 h, 3 h, 6 h) i lužinama (NaOHi KOH) uzimajući u obzir činjenicu da su amino kiseline osjetljive na promjenu temperature, lužine i tlaka. Analizirani hidrolizat pokazuje uspješno provedenu alkalnu hidrolizu pri različitim eksperimentalnim uvjetima.Veći sadržaj proteina, koji je generalno u svim uzorcima relativno nizak, postignut je s NaOH pri temperature 135 °C i vremenu 2 h, dok je u reakciji s KOH veća koncentracija proteina postignuta pri 150 °C i 3 h. Suha tvar se povećavala s duljinom hidroliziranja te je najveća vrijednost postignuta pri temperaturi od 150 °C i vremenu od 6 h s obje lužine. Većina aminokiselina je prošla process racemizacije u D-amino kiseline poput: Asparagina, Glutaminske kiseline, Triptofana i IzoLeucina. Lizin je pokazao veću otpornost na alkalni medij u usporedbi s ostalim aminokiselinama. Izolacija određenih amino kiselina poput Asparagina, Glutaminske kiseline, Glicina, Alanina i Leucina moguća je budući iste pokazuju zadovoljavajuću količinu u hidrolizatu., Slaughterhouse waste can be very dangerous and potential risk for animal and human health. Brains and spinal cords are deemed high-risk substances and can be infected with prions; their treatment is therefore only possible in strictly controlled conditions. One of the methods which can achieve the necessary reduction in health risk is alkaline hydrolysis. Standard alkaline hydrolysis is at 150 °C, 3-6 hours, and 4 bars. In this investigation focus was on different alkaline conditions: temperature (135 °C, 150 °C, 153 °C), time (2, 3, 6 hours), and base (NaOH and KOH) due to the fact that amino acids are sensitive to variations on temperature, pressure and base media. Analyzed amino acid composition of hydrolyzed material at different testing conditions show successful hydrolysis. The highest value of protein, which is generally relatively low, was achieved with NaOH at a temperature of 135 °C and time of 2 hours, whereas in the reaction with KOH the highest obtained value was achieved at 150 °C and 3 hours. The dry substance was increasing with time, and the highest value was achieved at the temperature of 150 °C and time 6 hours for both bases (NaOH, and KOH). Most of the amino acids went full racemization during the process; especially in D-amino acids like aspartic acid, glutamic acid, tryptophan and isoleucine. Lysine shows higher resistance to alkaline medium than other amino acids. Isolation of certain amino acids, like: asparagine, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and leucine, is possible because they show higher concentrations in hydrolysates.

peer-reviewed, This article investigates the effect of processing parameters (conditioning temperature and binder content), on final quality of produced agro-pellets for heat energy generation, obtained from four different olive cultivars using different technological parameters. Technological, physical and chemical properties of pellets (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur content, particle density, abrasion length, moisture, ash content, higher and lower heating values, fixed carbon and volatile matter content) have been determined to assess their quality. The performance of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was compared with the performance of second order polynomial (SOP) model, as well as with the obtained experimental data in order to develop rapid and accurate mathematical model for prediction of final quality parameters of agro-pellets. SOP model showed high coefficients of determination (r 2 ), between 0.692 and 0.955, while ANN model showed high prediction accuracy with r 2 between 0.544 and 0.994., This article is written within the projects III 46005 and TR-31055, 2011–2014, funded by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development.

The research on the influence of hydrothermal "cooking" procedure on the starch, protein and oil content was conducted on two corn hybrids of the same vegetation group (Bc 354 and Bc 394). The "cooking" procedure was started at the moistures of 32, 73% (for Bc 354) and 31, 67% (for Bc 394), which were increased after the "cooking" procedure by 7, 36% (for Bc 354) and by 2, 96% (for Bc 394). Analyses of chemical characteristics of the corn kernels, i.e. of starch, protein and oil content were conducted before and after the "cooking" procedure and the process of drying the kernel at air temperatures of 70o ; C, 90o ; C, 110o ; C and 130o ; C. The data acquired in the research lead to the conclusion that a hybrid Bc 354 kernel took longer time to dry after the "cooking" procedure in comparison to a hybrid Bc 394 kernel at all selected temperatures, whereas without the "cooking" procedure, a hybrid Bc 354 kernel dried longer than a hybrid Bc 394 kernel only at the temperature of 70o ; C. After the process of drying and "cooking" procedure, both of the hybrids showed an increase in starch content and a decrease in protein and oil content in kernel when compared to a naturally dried kernel. In the same way, starch content increased and oil and protein content decreased in kernel treated by the "cooking" procedure in comparison to those kernels that were only dried.

The European Commission, through its Directive 2009/28/EC, decided to extensively support the consumption and production of »green« energy from renewable energy sources, primarily because of diminishing supplies and constant rise in fossil fuels prices and critical necessity to mitigate their negative influence on the environment. The alleviation of a part of these problems can be achieved by growing and use for energy purposes of biomass from Miscanthus x giganteus grass. Given the fact that these cultures can be harvested in the whole period from the month of November until the beginning of new vegetative cycle, the objective of this paper is to determine the ultimate properties (C, H, O, S, volatile matter) and proximate properties (moisture, fixed carbon, coke, ash, N), content of minor (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn) and major elements (Ca, K, Na, Mg) as well as high heating value of biomass M. x giganteus from the first year of cultivation from three different locations in the Republic of Croatia (Donja Bistra, Medvednica and Donji Lapac), harvested in three different times (November 2011, February and March 2012). The conducted investigations confirmed the potential of M. x giganteus crop grown in the fields in Croatia as a high-quality and environmental friendly feedstock for direct production of electricity and heat.

Cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi količinu i ogrijevnu vrijednost biomase istraživanih sorti soje i količinu hraniva dobivenu zaoravanjem biomase. U istraživanje su uključene sorte soje: „Tisa“, „Podravka“, „Neoplanta“, „Ika“ i „Vita“. Prosječan prinos sjemena ispitivanih sorti soje bio je 3,06 t/ha. Uporabom 80 % požnjevene slame soje, najbolje je rezultate pokazala sorta „Tisa“ sa 48,97 GJ/ha ili je to zamjenica 1375,19 Nm3/ha zemnoga plina ili 1,194 t/ha mazuta, zatim slijede sorta „Neoplanta“, „Podravka“, „Ika“ i „Vita“. To su velike količine energije koju možemo iskoristiti za sušenje soje na skladišnu vlagu te zadovoljiti ostale potrebe za energijom. Utvrđena fertilizacijska vrijednost žetvenih ostataka soje u rangu je svježega goveđega ili konjskoga stajskoga gnojiva, odnosno do 40% fertilizacijske vrijednosti kompostiranoga stajskoga gnojiva., The objectives of this study were to determine the quantity and calorific value of biomass of the varieties investigated as well as the amount of nutrients in plowed biomass. Soybean varieties in the research were:“Tisa”, “Podravka”, Neoplanta”, “Ika” and “Vita”. Average yield of all examined soybean varieties was 3.06 t/ha. By using 80% soybean straw the best results showed variety Tisa with 48.97 GJ/ha or it is substitute for 1375.19 Nm3/ha of natural gas or 1194 t/ha of oil fuel. They are followed by Tisa, Neoplanta, Podravka, Ika and Vita. These are huge amounts of energy that can be used for soybean drying process and it can be used as energy source for other uses. The estimated fertilization value of harvest soybean leftovers are in the same level as fresh ow or horse manure. Namely, it represents 40% of fertilization value of composted farm manure.

Agricultural entrepreneurship has been boosted by land concentration, organization of farms, and the establishment of new small centers for admission, processing, and storage. At the same time former large organizations failed, which diverted the process of handling agricultural products. Th e trend of small dry kilns and storage facilities from 1 to 5 t/h is growing. New customers, who do not have proper knowledge and criteria when choosing proper equipment, are usually off ered dry kilns of foreign production. Trade representatives who sell dry kilns also lack the necessary specialist knowledge as it is the case with their customers. Th e research project considered STABIL 3000 dry kilns produced by “Seting“, Delnice and used for seed drying. Th e dry- kilns used natural gas and fuel oil. We determined incombustible carbohydrons as well as the presence of harmful substances belonging to polycyclic aromatic carbohydrons (PAHs) on the seeds aft er the drying process. For this purpose we used a device known as employed the EPA 550.1 and EPA 625 method.

A constant need for energy is necessary and permanent as far as modern society is concerned. The primary energy resource in today’s world are fossil fuels. A serious problem is the fact that their amount is decreasing. Fossil fuels are not renewable. Their sources will disappear and new energy resources will have to be switched to, because the consequences of energy resources disappearance are inconceivable. Biomass as an energy resource is not properly used. There are many ways to generate energy from biomass. You can grow plants to get biomass for energy production or you can use plants’ residues, which are the results of agricultural production. You can also use organic waste products and animal faeces. The oldest way of the production of energy or fuel from biomass is burning. Agricultural biomass including soybean straw is a very acceptable fuel from the point of view of environmental protection and especially greenhouse gases emission. The use of biomass energy offers chances for the establishment of new jobs. This way it can have a positive influence on both the local and national economy. The knowledge and use of soybean growing has a great importance for the development of certain regions in Croatia, as well as on the employment rate and entrepreneur encouragement. It would be even more important to start using unused land areas. Soybean growing makes it possible to introduce “the third culture“ (except for wheat and corn), which will result in additional and safer profit for farmers in Croatia, a more favourable use of agricultural machines, and the profitability of production.

The quantity of droplets has no significant effect on the pesticide coverage at lower and middle working speeds. This is more significant at higher working speeds. The bigger the droplet quantity, the more decreased the coverage. This is due to the additional disintegration of droplets, which produces more evaporated and air drifted droplets, and the rest of them are not sufficient enough to achieve an efficient coverage. The effect of the droplet size expressed as the median diameter is insignificant considering the coverage at lower and middle speeds. In order to achieve more efficient coverage, and especially in the case of the protection against diseases and poorly movable pests in which case the whole plant is being „ bathed” , it is necessary to decrease and maintain the working speed within the range of 1.67-2.0 ms-1 (6.0-7.2 kmh-1).

Drying is the oldest but also the most simple way of preservation. Grains are dried to the level of moisture equilibrium. It is well known that different parts of oilseed rape seeds, that have different initial moisture levels, behave in a different way during drying. Bristol, Eurol, and Alaska, which are „ 00” rapeseed cultivars were researched. Bristol and Alaska are French sorts produced by Monsanto S.A.S. Alaska is a German sort produced by KWS. The research was conducted on fields in Zdenci.The mean bootstrap value (“ bootstrap mean” ) of the correlation coefficient was 0.657 ; the bias was 0.00736 ; the standard failure (bootstrap estimation of standard failure) was 0.247 ; a normal 90% bootstrap interval of the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.23589 to 1.00. The real (population) correlation coefficient was higher than zero, i.e. there was a positive correlation between the length of time of the ripening in field and drying in a dryer. A linear regression model, which best describes the linear relation between the length of time of the ripening in field and the length of time of drying in a dryer can be expressed as y =1, 47564 x – 6, 6605. The mean bootstrap regression coefficient value was 1.5024 ; the bias 0.0267 ; the standard failure was 0.7401 ; a normal 90% bootstrap interval of the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.232 to 2.666. The real (population)correlation coefficient was higher than zero, i.e. there was a positive correlation between the length of the ripening in field and the drying in a dryer.

These investigations aimed to determine influence of the changes in relative humidity and temperature in storage facilities on the moisture in grain of stored soybean and maize. Soybean (“ Podravka 95” variety) and maize (“ OSSK 644” hybrid) were stored during 34 days at the temperatures of 0oC and 20oC, and relative humidity of 55%, 73%, 80% and 98%. At the temperature of 0oC and relative humidity of 55% and 73%, moisture in soybean grain decreased, 2.4% and 1.9%, while at the relative humidity of 80% and 98% it increased, 0.2% and 0.6% aft er 34 days storage. At the temperature of 20°C and relative humidity of 55% and 73%, moisture in soybean grain decreased 4.0% and 0.7%, while at the relative humidity of 80% and 98% it increased 0.8% and 2.3%, as following. During 34 days storage at 0°C and relative humidity of 55%, moisture in maize grain decreased 0.2%, while at the relative humidity of 73%, 80% and 98% it increased 0.4%, 1% and 1.5%. At the temperature of 20°C and relative humidity of 55%, moisture in maize grain decreased 1.5% and at the relative humidity of 73%, 80% and 98% increased, 0.2%, 0.9% and 1.7%. Such investigations enable additional insights into the rate of changes in grain, and the infl uence on the grain viability in changed storage conditions.

A comparison of the results related to the yield concerning the experiment settings within the three-year period without and with tramlines proves the hypothesis that the wheat yield increases by 20 or more percent on account of the application of tramlines. The average yield of 7.78 tha−1 achieved by the use of this technology is by 20.62 % higher compared to the yield of 6.45 tha−1 achieved using the conventional wheat growing method, which does not apply tramlines. Yield increase is due to timely and proper fertilization and crop protection, as well as the performance of full-range working operations. The transversal yield variability expressed as s variation coefficient for both settings is significantly lower compared to the variability of a centrifugal spreader, which is in broad use for fertilizing. It is necessary to apply pneumatic spreaders even in the cases when tramlines cannot be used. They distribute fertilizers evenly, and it is well known that this has a decisive influence on high and stable yield. Outstandingly high hectolitre masses and 1,000 grains masses with low variation coefficients showed no significant deviation for both settings. The analysis of the results showed a substantial effect of margin rows on the yield increase related to the setting with tramlines. The average yield was 9.69 tha−1 and it ranged from 8.39 to 12.02 tha−1 in different samples.

A constant need for energy is necessary and permanent as far as our modern society is concerned. Today we have a large number of projects and studies of different alternative energy resources. Among them the most interesting are biofuels. Due to climatic conditions Europe has decided in favour of the oil production for biodiesel fuel with oil seed rape as the most appropriate culture due to the way of its cultivation as well as the way of fuel production. The aim of these researches was to investigate the economic and other characteristics of the “ 00” European oil seed rape cultivars in the Croatian agroenvironmental conditions and based on the results to introduce the most perspective ones into production.

The paper presents research results of the surface distribution liquid in two agricultural sprayer nozzles at working pressure 2 and 3 bar, and working at heights 40 and 60 cm. Research was conducted at 11004 marks nozzles made of brass, the company "Mlaz" and "Kovin. It was found that the company "Mlaz" nozzle flows achieved average test value at 2 bar pressure from a value of 1.30 l min­¹ at the standard variation coefficient 0.015 deviation of 1.19%, while the 3 bar realized value 1.58 lmin­¹, the standard deviation is 0.0316 and variation coefficient 1.99% Also, the company "Kovin" nozzles achieved an average flow value at 3 bar 1.61 lmin­¹ with the implementation of the standard deviation 0.012 and variation coefficient of only 0.75%, and at 2 bar 1.33 lmin­¹ with 0.0136 standard deviation of variation coefficient 1.01%. The water surface allocation of the nozzle from the company "Mlaz" take the average working width spray at 2 bar working pressure and 40 cm working height that was 131.25 cm, and 60 cm working height for average spray width which was 176.56 cm. At 3 bars working pressure and 40 cm working height, average spray width was 134.37 cm, and at 60 cm working height, average spray width was 174.68 cm. The company "Kovin" nozzles at 2 bar working pressure and 40 cm working height have an average 106.25 cm width from the spray and the 60 cm working height achieved an average 151.56 cm width sprout. At 3 bar working pressure and 40 cm working height, average spray width was 109.68 cm. Also, and 60 cm working height was 153.12 cm. Furthermore, the triple covering these nozzles achieved liquid distribution strip of 50 cm width. The company, "Mlaz" nozzles, at 2 bar working pressure and 40 cm working height achieved 29.63% variation coefficient. In addition, the 60 cm working height made 27.62% variation coefficient these nozzles at 3 bar working pressure and 40 cm working height achieved 18.39% variation coefficient, and with the 60 cm working height and the same working pressure they achieved 28.76% variation coefficient. The company "Kovin" nozzles at 2 bar working pressure and 40 cm working height managed much lower variation coefficient for the 50 cm strip width (with a triple overlap) of only 5.16%, and the 60 cm working height made 5.49% variation coefficient. The same nozzle at the 3 bar working pressure and 40 cm working height achieved 11.51% variation coefficient, and the 60 cm working height and the same working pressure at the triple overlay achieved only 4.30% variation coefficient. So, according to the scientific knowledge we certainly recommend the company "Kovin" nozzles for usage in the protection of field crops.

The paper presents research results of surface and volume distribution of water, their flow and working at heights for two agricultural sprayer nozzles. Research was conducted at 11004 marks nozzles made of brass, from the company "Andric" and "Mlaz". The nozzles "Andric" achieved an average value of the flow test at 2 bar pressure from a value of 0.815 lmin-1, the standard deviation from 0.0602 and coefficient of variation 7.38%. In addition, the company nozzles "Mlaz" at the same pressure achieved an average value of the flow 1.30 lmin-1 achieved standard deviation of 0.0155 and coefficient of variation of only 1.19%. The working pressure 3 bar nozzles by company "Andric" produced a flow of only 1.00 lmin-¹ nozzles and the company "Mlaz" 1.583 lmin-1, which is expected because the indicated op ISO 10625.Therefore, ''Andrić'' nozzles marked 11004 is wrongly marked because the flow values correspond to tag 110025 The nozzles, "Andric" at working pressure of two bars and a working height of 40cm achieved an average width of 96.25 cm from the spray and the working height of 60 cm achieved an average width of 128.43 cm spray. At working pressure of three bars and a working height of 40cm, width of the spray was 94.06 cm, while the average width of the spray working height of 60 cm was 135.31 cm. The nozzles type "Mlaz" at working pressure of two bars and a working height of 40 cm achieved an average width of 131.25 cm from the spray and the working height of 60 cm and the same working pressure have an average width of the crossover from 176.56 cm. At working pressure of three bars and a working height of 40 cm, width spray was 134.37 cm, while the average width of the spray working height of 60 cm was 174.68 cm. The nozzles "Mlaz" achieved, after the triple covering of the average values, distribution of liquid in the working pressure of 2 bar and a working height of 40 cm, the width of the strip of 50 cm from 67.52 ml with a coefficient of variation of 29.63%, while the same working pressure and a working height of 60 cm measured was 65.33 ml with the coefficient of variation of 27.62%. At working pressure of 3 bar and a working height of 40 cm was measured amount of water from 85.15 ml with coefficient of variation of 18.39%, and at a height of 60 cm measured was 78.24 ml with a coefficient of variation of 28.76 %. The nozzle at the company, "Andric" after the triple covering the average values of the width of the strip of 50 cm, the working pressure of 2 bar and a working height of 40 cm, measured the amount of water from 41.38 ml with coefficient of variation of 21.18%, while at the same pressure and the working height of 60 cm measured was 40.48 ml with a coefficient of variation of 19.52%. At working pressure of 3 bar and a working height of 40 cm was measured amount of water from 50.12 ml with coefficient of variation of 19.42%, and at a height of 60 cm measured was 49.68 ml with a coefficient of variation of 11.96 %.