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Salinity is one of the greatest challenges of successful agricultural production worldwide. However, seed priming might be efficient practice for enhancing seed germination and initial plant growth and development. This experiment was undertaken with the aim of assessing the impact of different priming methods on seed quality parameters and early growth of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars under salinity stress. Pea seeds of three different cultivars were primed with water (hydropriming), KNO3 solution (0.5%), and PEG 6000 solution (-0.5 MPa) for 24h in the dark. Unprimed and primed seeds were germinated between filter papers saturated with 120 mM NaCl using the germination test. The results clearly showed that the examined parameters of primed pea seeds were substantially greater than the parameters of unprimed seeds under saline stress. Moreover, seed priming with KNO3 and PEG solutions were more effective in improving seed quality and initial growth in garden peas than hydropriming.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is the second most important perennial forage legume in the Republic of Serbia, cultivated on 90-120.000 ha. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of cutting management on seed yield, some seed yield components, and seed quality of the NS red clover variety Una during the second and third year of growing. Five cutting managements with variable dates of initial cutting were tested in the 2019-2020 period. The first cutting was used for seed production in the C1 management and the second growth in the C2-C5 managements (C2-budding, C3-start of flowering, C4-mid of flowering, and C5-full flowering). In all cutting systems, significantly higher seed yields were achieved in the second year of growing. Unfavourable environmental conditions for pollinators as well as thinning of red clover crops in the third year of growing are the main reasons for low seed yields. The highest seed yield (539 kg/ha) was achieved in the C2 cutting management in the second year of growing. The cutting management had no significant effects on red clover seed quality.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different priming treatments on seed quality and initial growth and development of garden pea. For this purpose, three garden pea cultivars, developed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable crops, Novi Sad were examined. The laboratory experiment was conducted under optimal conditions. Seeds were primed in water (hydropriming), 0.5% KNO3 solution, and -0.49 MPa PEG solution for 24 hours; non-primed seeds were controls. The results showed that the percentage of germination, shoot and root length, and mean germination rate significantly increased after the tested priming treatments, while the percentage of abnormal seedlings and mean germi­nation time were significantly decreased after the priming treatments compared to the control. The increase of fresh and dry seedling biomass was significant only in cv.1 and cv.2. Despite the genetic diversity of pea cultivars, the results indicated that the examined seed priming treatments enhanced seed quality and vigour of garden pea cultivars.

Soil salinization is one of the most significant global problems, leading to reduced agricultural productivity potential and biodiversity. The main salt commonly found on the surface of soils and in water is NaCl, which directly impacts plant growth and land degradation. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the morpho-physiological characteristics of two genotypes of Camelina sativa ('NS Slatka'; 'NS Zlatka') and two genotypes of Carthamus tinctorius ('NS Lana'; 'NS Una'), which potentially characterize them as salt-tolerant crops. The levels of salinity tolerance were compared under five NaCl treatments, ranging from 0 mM to 200 mM. Based on the obtained results, seeds of all four genotypes germinated at the highest salt concentration (200mM NaCl), but the germination percentage declined at all salt concentrations. Moreover, lower salt concentrations induced root elongation and reduced shoot length of seedlings of all four genotypes. Salt stress tolerance indexes showed the importance of converting the plant parameters into mathematical indexes, and the significance of comparing all the tolerance indexes according to salt stress.

Bacillus spp. are well known to protect plants from seed or soil-borne pathogens by the synthesis of various metabolites with antimicrobial activity, such as hy­drolytic enzymes and antibiotics. This study aimed to select the most effective Bacillus spp. from a group of ten antagonistic strains by antifungal activity assay. Bacillus strains were primarily isolated from the soil and identified as B. safensis, B. pumilus and B. subtilis by 16S rDNA sequencing. The four analyzed fungi: Macrophomina phaseolina, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cladosporoides, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, were obtained from sunflower seeds and identified using PCR analysis and primers specific for ITS region. The antifungal activity of bacterial strains was examined in a dual plate assay. Bacillus spp. demonstrated the highest antagonism against S. sclerotiorum, followed by C. cladosporoides, M. phaseolina, and A. alternata, with an average percentage of growth inhibition (PGI) of 77%, 70%, 64% and 59%, respectively. Overall, Bacillus spp. included in this study demonstrated a rather strong biocontrol potential, although the effect of particular strain varied depending on the tested fungi. The highest antagonistic effect toward M. phaseolina and A. alternata was exhibited by B. safensis B2 and B. pumilus B3. B. pumilus B11 and B. subtilis B32 were the most efficient against C. cladosporoides, whereas B. pumilus B3 and B. subtilis B7 had the highest antifungal activity against S. sclerotiorum. Findings point to the fact that the most effective Bacillus spp. could be used as potential biocontrol agents for improving plant health and productivity.

Germination and seedling growth of seven genotypes of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were studied in PEG-6000 solution having osmotic potentials -0.1 and -0.2 MPa. A study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different osmotic potentials (MPa) on seed germination percentage (GP) and mean germination time (MGT). Results show that the percentage of germination decreased with a decrease in osmotic potential, while mean germination time increased. Variety Javor is much more sensitive than the other varieties at all levels of osmotic stress. By contrast, the lowest sensitivity of germination and MGT was found in varieties Mraz and Trezor. Seed germination tests at -0.1 to -0.2 MPa have the potential to be used as tests in field pea. Osmotic stress exposure and its duration significantly affected the growth of seedlings (shoot and root) and the accumulation of biomass, while its effect was more prominent on the growth of the shoot than on root growth, which was also confirmed by the root tolerance index.

In the 2018-19 growing season, a total of 51 leaves of eggplant plants grown under field conditions were collected randomly from nine private gardens at four different localities in the Province of Vojvodina. Eggplants with nearly 40% of plants showing bright yellow to white mosaic or mottling of leaves were found throughout the inspected fields (gardens). The collected samples were analyzed for the presence of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and potato virus Y (PVY) using commercial double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA kits. Serological analysis of eggplant samples revealed the presence of AMV in 80.39% collected samples. None of the analyzed samples was positive for CMV and PVY. The virus was successfully mechanically transmitted to test plants including Nicotiana benthamiana, Chenopodium quinoa, C. amaranticolor, as well as eggplant seedlings, confirming the infectious nature of the disease. The presence of AMV in eggplants was further verified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing, using the primers CP AMV1 and CP AMV2 that amplify part of the coat protein (CP) gene. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Serbian AMV isolates grouped into a separate well-supported group together with AMV isolates from Italy, Croatia and previously characterized isolates from Serbia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AMV infection of eggplant in Serbia.

Seed vitality and vigour are the two most common parameters related to seed quality. It is crucial to have reliable methods and tests for seed quality and seed vigour testing. The standard germination test can be used to predict field emergence, but laboratory seed testing conditions are often in conflict with field conditions. Validated tests for vigour evaluation in legumes are the conductivity test, the accelerated ageing test and the tetrazolium test. Also, other types of vigour tests have been used to solve different problems in the seed sector. The modern approach, the computerised image analysis of legume seeds and sprouts, based on interactive and traditional methods, is a promising alternative for vigour determination.

The aim of this paper was to examine the influence of the electrostatic field on seeds of soybean (Glycine max L), vetch (Vicia spp. L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) which were selected at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. The DC voltage of 9V was used. The durations of seed treatment were 0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 minutes. The trial was set up as a randomized block design with four replications. 4x100 seeds of each variant and control (untreated seed) were treated. After treatment, seed quality was examined using a germination test (optimal temperature) and a cold test (low temperature). The results of the study showed that the effect of the electrostatic field on seed quality depended on the plant species, the time of seed treatment and the temperature conditions in which the seed germinated after treatment. The increase in germination energy ranged up to 18.18% in vetch, and a decrease of up to 12% was observed in chickpea. The application of the electrostatic field had a significantly greater impact on seeds that were exposed to low temperatures in the germination process after treatment. The increase in seed germination ranged up to 82.35% in chickpeas, and the decrease amounted to 92.68% in peas. In addition, the obtained results indicate that it is not possible to talk about the universal application of a certain duration of seed treatment.

This study aimed to estimate genetic variability among four pea cultivars and determine seed physiological quality and initial growth of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) under drought stress. Seeds of the pea cultivars were subjected to water stress induced by polyethylene glycol PEG 6000 at three stress levels (0; -0.15; -0.49, and -1.03 MPa). The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions, in a completely randomized design with four replications, to estimate germination energy, germination, abnormal seedlings, fresh and dry shoot and root biomass, and drought tolerance index. Drought stress significantly affected germination and the other traits, with the stress effects being proportional to the stress level applied. Findings point to the fact that the osmotic potential of -0.49 MPa might be the germination sensitivity threshold for pea cultivars. The pea cultivar C1 was the most tolerant, having the highest germination, fresh and dry shoot and root biomass, and DTI under severe drought stress. Further research on the assessment of physiological and biochemical responses to drought stress is needed to confirm the findings of the present study.

Drought is one of the most important factors limiting the successful production of cultivated plants. One of the most sensitive stage to the water deficit in plants is seed germination. There are various methods of pre-sowing treatments that aim to reduce the negative impact of drought stress and improve seed germination. One of them is priming seeds. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of priming seeds in solutions - KNO3 (1%), ascorbic acid - AsA (100 mgl-1) and potassium chloride KCl (1%) on the reduction of the negative effect of drought stress. The effect of drought stress was simulated using different concentrations of PEG 6000 (0 (control), -0.30, -0.51, -0.80 MPa). The results of the research showed that with the increase of water deficiency, the effect of priming seeds is greater. At the water potential of the solution of -0.30 MPa, germination energy and seed germination increased on average by 6.77% and 5.08%, while at the water potential of the solution of -0.80 MPa, the increase was 19.28% and 16.75%, respectively. Also, priming seeds significantly reduced the intensity of lipid peroxidation and the content of free proline. From all the above, it can be concluded that priming of seeds is a method that can serve to improve the germination of soybean seeds in conditions of drought stress.

Good crop establishment is essential for achieving high yield and constraints to good establishment include untimely sowing and low seed quality combined with various adverse growing conditions after sowing. Seed priming is a pre-sowing technique used for the improvement of germination, reduction of the time from sowing to emergence and improvement of emergence uniformity. Various seed priming techniques, such as hydropriming and priming with zinc, are used nowadays to improve crop establishment. The importance of seed priming with zinc for better germination, improved stand establishment, and higher maize yield are well documented. However, there is still a lack of results on the effects of seed priming with water and zinc on seed quality and viability, given that maize seed can be kept in storage for many years without a significant reduction in germination. The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of seed priming with water and Zn on the quality and viability of the maize seed. In order to evaluate the response of four maize hybrids to priming with water (hydropriming) and 4 mM zinc sulphate, primed seeds were subjected to laboratory tests, namely to the germination test, the cold test, and the accelerated aging test. Both priming treatments increased the seed quality, but the beneficial effect of Zn-priming maintained to a larger extent than hydropriming in cold-treated and aged seeds. The negative effects of hydropriming on the viability o f the aged seed of hybrid NS 4023 imply a possible limitation to deferred sowing of primed maize seed.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an important oilseed crop belonging to the family Asteraceae. A total of 46 safflower samples were collected from Srbobran locality (South Bačka District) in Serbia in 2015 and analysed for the presence of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), and lettuce mosaic virus (LMV), using commercial double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA kits. Both viruses, CMV and AMV, were detected serologically in the collected samples. None of the analysed samples was found to be positive for LMV. The presence of CMV was further confirmed by mechanical transmission to test the plants including Chenopodium quinoa, C. amaranticolor, Nicotiana glutinosa, and Datura stramonium as well as C. tinctorius, confirming the infectious nature of the disease. Molecular detection of CMV was performed by amplification of a 871 bp fragment in all the tested samples, using the specific primers CMVCPfwd/CMVCPrev that amplify the entire coat protein (CP) gene and part of 3'and 5'-UTRs of CMV RNA 3. The RT-PCR products derived from the isolates 290Saff and 294Saff were sequenced (MH577791 and MH577792, respectively) and compared with the CMV sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis based on CP gene sequences showed clustering of the selected isolates into three subgroups: IA, IB and II. Serbian CMV isolates found in safflower belong to subgroup II. To our knowledge, this is the first report on CMV infection of safflower in Serbia, which has the potential to cause substantial damage to safflower production and pose a threat to other economic crops grown in Serbia.

Symptoms of cloves rot of A. ampeloprasum were noticed during 2018 in storage conditions. 16 isolates were obtained (AMP1-AMP16) and according to morphological and cultural characteristics they belong to F. proliferatum (sex. stage Gibberella intermedia), species of Gibberella fujikuroi complex. To confirm morphological identifica­tion, total genomic DNA was extracted from mycelium of the 16 isolates by amplification of TEF-1α gene, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that was performed with the primer pair EF1 and EF2. Results presented in this article clearly indicated that the new host of Fusarium proliferatum as the causal agent of cloves rot is „elephant garlic“ Allium ampeloprasum. Pathogenicity test was confirmed on Allium ampeloprasum cloves. Pathogenicity assays revealed that all isolates caused symptoms on tested Allium spp., like naturally infected cloves. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31030]

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 most critical aspect of plant survival and reproduction is seed germination. Considering the specificity of the Cannabis sativa production, obtaining high-quality hemp seed is not an easy task. Germination testing is often the most reliable way of assessing viability, but the selection of appropriate methods is complex. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different conditions (i.e. various methods of germination testing) on the successful process of hemp seed germination, achieving maximum germination potential. Our results showed that C. sativa seeds germinated well in different methods, such as between filter papers, top of filter papers and sand, but there were significant differences between the applied methods. This means that the hemp seeds may have different requirements for germination than conditions covered by the Rules recommended methods. Further, the results show that hemp seed may have certain residual dormancy that needs to be investigated in detail.

A two-year investigation (2009-2010) of the presence and distribution of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) viruses in Serbia revealed that viruses occur each year in open-field production. Disease incidence, as estimated by the number of symptomatic plants in the field, highly varied depending on the year and sampling locality. Disease incidence ranged from 20% to 60%. Four viruses: Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), of which PVY was predominant, were detected by serological testing of pepper samples collected from many localities in Serbia. Molecular detection of PVY was performed based on amplification of a 975 bp fragment in all tested samples, using the specific primers PVYc/PVYd that amplify the gene for P1 protein. The RT-PCR products derived from the four isolates (PL-28-09, PL-15-09, PL-3-10, PL-108-10) of PVY were sequenced (KC288142, KC288143, KC288144, and KC288144, respectively) and compared with the PVY sequences available in GenBank. Sequence analysis, conducted with MEGA5 software, revealed 99.8-100% nt identity among the four Serbian PVY isolates from pepper. The sequences of PVY isolates from Serbia share the highest nucleotide and amino acid identity with isolates from Slovenia, Croatia, Germany, and tobbaco isolate from Serbia. All of the four Serbian isolates were clustered in sub-group N-1 with other European isolates of necrotic strains.

During the past few years, symptoms of garlic clove rot have appeared in storage facilities at different localities in Serbia. Thirteen fungal isolates were isolated from samples of decayed garlic cloves (Allium sativum L.). Based on the colony and fungal morphology, isolated fungi were tentatively identified as F. proliferatum. Pathogenicity of 13 F. proliferatum strains were confirmed by inoculating garlic cloves of Allium sativum (spring cv. Labud, Sedef; winter cv. Bosut, Ranko) and Allium ampeloprasum (cv. Biser). Isolate JBL532 was classified as the most aggressive, while isolate B3 was the least pathogenic. To confirm morphological identification of 13 Fusarium isolates, amplification of TEF-1α gene was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the primer pair: EF1 and EF2. All isolates were cryopreserved at -80°C and deposited in the NCBI GenBank.

Drought greatly affects normal plant growth, endangering physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Under the influence of unfavorable environmental conditions, antioxidant protection systems in plant cell can be activated regardless of the stage of growth and development of plants. The experiment was conducted on three vetches species (V. sativa, V. villosa and V. pannonica) under PEG-induced drought stress. Activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), ascorbate peroxidase (APx, EC 1.11.1.1) and catalase (CAT, EC 1. 11. 1. 6), was determined in shoots and roots of 10-day-old seedlings. Lack of water during germination period activated all the examined antioxidant enzymes in both organs of all tested Vicia species. The activity of SOD and APx generally increased at higher stress levels, while the enzyme CAT showed different patterns of action in all tested species. The results of this study suggest that drought stress causes the production of oxygen radicals that lead to oxidative stress in plants.

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains on the basis of molecular characteristics. From root nodules of different soybean cultivars were obtained 56 isolates, characterized according to morphological, cultural, and biochemical properties. Among these isolates, 33 isolates showing resemblance with Bradyrhizobium sp. were further subjected to molecular identification. Following DNA extraction, a partial 16S rDNA gene sequence from the isolates was amplified by PCR using universal primers fD1 (27F) and rP3 (1492R). Purification and sequencing of the amplified fragments were done in the bio­technology company Macrogen, Seoul, South Korea. Sequences were analyzed using the pro­gram FinchTV and BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) and compared to sequences in GenBank and the Bradyrhizobium ID-database for identification. Comparison of the se­quences with the Bradyrhizobium ID-database showed that all tested isolates were identified as Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Each isolate was deposited in the NCBI GenBank database under a unique accession number. Identification of Bradyrhizobium species from root nodules of soybean is of great importance because the symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes are a cheaper and usually more effective agronomic practice for ensuring an adequate supply of nitrogen for legumes, while preserving and improving fertility and productivity of soils. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 31022]

Biocontrol using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represents an alternative approach to disease management, since PGPR are known to promote growth and reduce diseases in various crops. Among the different PGPR, members of the genus Bacillus are prefered for most biotechnological uses due to their capability to form extremely resistant spores and produce a wide variety of metabolites with antimicrobial activity. The objective of this research was to identify antagonistic bacteria for management of the plant diseases. Eleven isolates of Bacillus spp. were obtained from the soil samples collected from different localities in the Province of Vojvodina. The antifungal activity of bacterial isolates against five fungal species was examined using a dual plate assay. Bacillus isolates exhibited the highest antifungal activity against Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae and Alternaria padwickii, while they had the least antagonistic effect on Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium graminearum. Molecular identification showed that effective bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus safensis (B2), Bacillus pumilus (B3, B11), Bacillus subtilis (B5, B7) and Bacillus megaterium (B8, B9). The highest antagonistic activity was exhibited by isolates B5 (from 39% to 62% reduction in fungal growth) and B7 (from 40% to 71% reduction in fungal growth). These isolates of B. subtilis could be used as potential biocontrol agents of plant diseases. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR-31073]

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops in Serbia, where it is grown on an approximate surface of 20,000 ha. During the routine quality control analysis of onion seed in 2014, fungal infection was observed in an average of 28% of the seed. The objective of this paper was to isolate, determine, and identify Fusarium sp. based on the pathogen’s morphological and molecular characteristics. Onion seed samples were collected from different localities in the region of Vojvodina. To obtain a DNA se­quence-based identification, a total DNA of the 25 isolates was extracted directly from the mycelium (~ 100 mg wet weight), with a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Following DNA extraction, the translation elongation factor 1-alpha region was amplified by PCR with the primer pair EF1 and EF2. An amplicon of 700 bp was amplified in 25 tested isolates. Identification of one isolate was performed by sequencing the translation elongation factor EF-1α gene, which was deposited in the NCBI GenBank database under accession number KP658211 (Fusarium sp. FIESC3). [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no TR31030: Development of new vegetable varieties and hybrids for outdoor growing and greenhouses]

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is considered to be one of the oldest crops in the world. During 2016, infected garlic bulbs occurred in storages on several localities of the Province of Vojvodina. Symptomatic cloves showed typical rot symptoms such as softened and spongy areas covered with white fungal growth with deep lesions formed on the cloves which became dry over time. A total of 36 isolates of Fusarium species were obtained from diseased cloves of garlic. Colony morphology and microscopic properties of isolated Fusarium species were recorded from the cultures grown on PDA and CLA, respectively. Identification of two chosen isolates was performed by sequencing the EF-1α gene. The TEF sequence of isolate JBL12 showed 100% similarity with several F. tricinctum sequences and sequence of JBL539 showed 99% identity with several F. acuminatum sequences and they were deposited in the NCBI GenBank. Based on the results of the morphological and molecular identification, isolates JBL12 and JBL539 were identified as F. tricinctum and F. acuminatum, respectively, as new causal agents of garlic bulbs rot in Serbia. Specific primers were designed for the PCR identification of the F. tricinctum. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31030]

A total of 86 oilseed rape samples from six crops in different localities were collected during 2014 and analyzed for the presence of Turnip yellows virus (TuYV), Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) using commercial double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA kits. TuYV was serologically detected in 60 collected samples (69.77%), and none of the samples tested were positive for CaMV and TuMV. Six selected TuYV isolates were successfully transmitted by Myzus persicae to three test plants, confirming the infectious nature of the disease. In the selected ELISA-positive samples, the presence of TuYV was further confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. A comparison of the obtained sequence with those available in GenBank confirmed the presence of TuYV in oilseed rape samples. An analysis of P0 gene sequence data for a subset of these isolates showed they clustered with the known TuYV and were distinct from Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) isolates.

During the routine quality control analysis on bean seeds in 2015, Fusarium fungal infection was observed on an average of 17% of the bean seed. The objective of this paper was isolation and identification of Fusarium sp. based on the pathogen's morphological and molecular characteristics. Morphological identification of Fusarium isolates was performed on PDA and CLA. DNA of 14 Fusarium sp. isolates was extracted directly from the mycelium (~ 100 mg wet weight), with a Dneasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Following DNA extraction, the translation elongation factor 1-alpha region was amplified by PCR with the primer pair EF1 and EF2. An amplicon of 700 bp was amplified in all tested isolates. Identification of one isolate was performed by sequencing the translation elongation factor EF-1a gene. Completed morphological and molecular characteristics of isolates, as well as the results of sequencing confirmed that Fusarium proliferatum was the causal agent of bean seed rot.

Seed treatment is a common way of fungicide and insecticide use nowadays, since this way of pesticide application can provide the best protection in the vicinity of the future plant. The aim of research was to evaluate the effects of different seed treatments on germination and seedling growth in three maize inbred lines. The research included the seed treatment with several combinations of a fungicide Maxim XL 035-FS (a.i. metalaxil-M + fludioxonil) and neonicotinoid insecticides Gaucho 600-FS (a.i. imidacloprid) and Cruiser 350-FS (a.i. thiamethoxam), as well as untreated seed (control). The results indicated that inbred lines 21202 x 21101 NS and 317659 NS had a highly vigourous seed which was not affected by the seed treatments. The seed treatments with Maxim XL 035- FS+Gaucho 600-FS and Maxim XL 035-FS+Cruiser 350-FS led to a decrease in germination (90.25% and 89.50%, respectively) of maize inbred line 306081 NS as well as a decrease in root length (126.75 mm and 125.25 mm, respectively) and dry root weight (0.135 g and 0.1875 g, respectively) of maize inbred line 21202 x 21101 NS. All seed treatments had positive effects on root growth, as well as on fresh root weight of maize inbred lines 306081 NS and 317659 NS. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31073: Improvement of maize and sorghum under stress]

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.