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Birdsfoot trefoil is a perennial legume for the production of highquality forage. Improving the production and quality of forage is one of the strategic objectives of breeding programs. The genotypes for this trial were selected from promising offspring collected from local populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A trial with eight genotypes (7 promising lines and 1 variety) was designed in a randomized block system with four replicates. In the first growth, 11 components of yield and quality of biomass were analyzed, and in the second growth, four additional parameters for seed production. In the first growth, highly significant correlations were found between plant height and the proportion of leaves (0.85**) and the yield of green matter and dry matter (0.81**), while a high negative correlation was found between the nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and the crude protein content (-0.79**). In the regrowth, statistically highly significant (p˂0.01) positive correlations were found between the content of NFE and ash (0.77**). Statistically significant (p˂0.05) positive relationships were found between green matter yield and dry matter yield (0.81**), green matter yield and stem diameter (0.79*), seed yield and number of pods (0.83*), and cellulose content and plant height (0.73*). The identification of positive correlations for certain productive and nutritional traits will be used in breeding programs for the creation of new varieties with improved forage quality.

The evaluation of genotype x environment interaction (GxE) is an important component of the selection process in multi-environment trials. The objective of this study was to analyze the GxE interaction for seed yield (SY), germination rate (GR), thousand seed weight (TSW) and protein content (PC) of 18 sunflower parental lines through the application of AMMI analysis, as well as to identify suitable sunflower parental lines with both high performance and high stability. Highly significant differences for SY, GR, TSW and PC were found for main effects (genotypes, years). For all investigated traits GxE interaction was also highly significant, suggesting a different response of genotypes across testing environments. Highest SY was shown by genotypes G12, G14 and G17. Most stable lines for seed yield were G1, G2, G18 and G17. High stability in terms of GR showed the genotypes G3, G11 and G15, with average values higher than the general average. In the three-year experiment environment E3 was most stable for GR. Genotypes G2, G4, G5, G6 and G7 were stable for TSW. Similar average values and stability for TSW showed E2 and E3. The lines with the most stable reaction in the examined environmental conditions for PC were G7 and G10. The most stable environment for PC was E3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a two-year study of six selected soybean genotypes with the aim of examining which of the genotypes in the given production conditions give the best results in regards with the amount and quality of seed yield. All genotypes belong to a zero-maturity group. The correlation between the grain yield per plant and other studied traits was tested through linear (simple) correlations. The testing showed that the following traits had a positive highly significant impact on seed yield: the number of seeds per plant (0.917**), seed germination energy (0.897**), seed moisture content (0.803**), plant height (0.802**), seed germination (0.789**), the number of seeds in pods (0.696**), the number of harvested plants per m-2 (0.590**), the number of plants (phenophase 1-3 in the three-leaf stage) per m2 (0.550**), 1000 seed mass (0.471**), and the height to the first node (0.412**).

Organizations face a number of decisions in designing their supply chains, which include the number, type and location of production facilities, distribution centers, retail facilities, service or technical support centers, supplier selection, supply chain information management and integration of all parts. into an efficient and effective system. Improper supply chain design can undermine an organization's strategy, lead to lower revenues, less competitiveness, market share and profits. As product lines and markets change or expand, the design or redesign of supply chains becomes an even more critical issue. The risks to which supply chains are exposed are different, and their functioning can be disrupted by a number of situations, which have had serious global consequences in the past. In addition to wars, nuclear accidents, cataclysmic earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, explosions, fires and tsunamis, epidemics of SARS, MERS, HIV, Ebola and Zika viruses, as well as the latest Covid-19 pandemic, have led to the knowledge that humanity is powerless in the face of such catastrophes. Regardless of the achievements in science, extensive and long-term medical research, epidemics (pandemics) have taken millions of lives and had negative effects on society as a whole, but also on the efficiency of business and supply chains. Past epidemics have attracted the attention of scientists and industry experts, resulting in the need to reengineer organizations and adjust supply chains to future challenges. In the context of the current pandemic, serious disturbances have been reported, so a large number of industries have had unprecedented consequences. Responses to such epidemics suggest that global supply chains need to be more integrated and digitally ready. Digitization of supply chains could improve the quality of responses to epidemic-related disorders by increasing their flexibility in such circumstances. This paper identifies the most important disruptions and measures to mitigate the consequences of these disruptions in global supply chains, as well as risk management in conditions of uncertainty.

Faced with a demographic boom, enormous urbanization and a lack of agricultural land, traditional agricultural production is losing pace with new needs and demands. Due to the increased demand for food, efforts are being made to develop technologies that would improve production, with the sustainable use of existing resources. Solving this challenge is possible by introducing Internet of Things technologies, satellite navigation, mobile communications and ubiquitous computing, which is called smart agriculture. The main goals of smart agriculture are to increase yields (provide information needed to analyze and make decisions that will maximize yields), efficient water use, more efficient agricultural operations (automation of daily activities, real-time monitoring, advanced analytics, daily and seasonal forecasting), cooperation with suppliers and public administration are more efficient and take place in real time). This article highlights the potential of the Internet of Things, big data and drones in agriculture, as well as the challenges of applying these technologies in relation to traditional agricultural practices.

The trial in this study was carried out in field conditions throughout three years from plots where seed production of sunflower parental lines was established. Eight genotypes were examined; namely RHA-UK, RHA-ST-59, RHA-SES-IMI, RHA-SNRF, RHA-E-ANN-65, RHA-RU-3, RHA-CDN, and RHA-N-M-1. All the examined genotypes are parental components of the best sunflower hybrids developed by the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. Relationships between seed yield and eight different traits in sunflower were studied - oil and protein content, seed germination, 1000-seed weight, head diameter, number of branches and leaves and plant height. The same analyses were carried out for comparison of oil content. A highly significant positive correlation was determined between plant height and number of branches; plant height and the number of leaves; plant height and head diameter; plant height and seed yield; number of branches and yield; the number of leaves and yield; head diameter and seed yield; number of leaves and number of branches; number of leaves and head diameter and between seed germination and oil content. Path analysis indicated highest significant direct effect of plant height on yield (0.439**). The number of branches had a significant positive direct effect on yield (0.260*). In the study of indirect effects on yield, thirteen significant effects were determined. The study of direct effects on oil content showed that the plant height and number of leaves diameter had high significant effects (0.800** and -0.847**). The existence of indirect significant effects on oil content was determined in nine cases.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented problems, both economically and organizationally, healthily and socially. Among the most affected industries are tourism and hospitality. The introduction of quarantine, the inability to travel and the restriction of movement, as well as the decline in interest, have led to enormous financial losses for hotels and restaurants around the world, and redundancies. The connection between tourist organizations, carriers and hotels was suddenly severed, so that the entire tourist season in 2020 failed. When you look at the assumptions about the recovery of the tourism industry, it is obvious that the situation is not good, it is even devastating. The multi-year trend of progress and development, which brought in large incomes and employed millions of people around the world, was interrupted. It will not be possible to return to the level from 2019 for at least a year or two, so different scenarios are mentioned, from moderate to pessimistic. In that sense, the biggest loss will be the dismissal of more than 100 million employees in the sector worldwide, as well as the large losses of airlines and carriers. Since the losses are almost irreparable, agencies, hotels, restaurants, airlines and tour operators have sought the help of their governments, in order to overcome the catastrophic situation to some extent. First, assistance was offered to airlines in America and Europe, and later in Asia (South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia). Later, with the apparent extension of the pandemic, governments began to consider the need to provide funds for the financial consolidation of hotels, restaurants and tour operators. That support varies from country to country, from company to company.

The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is evident in many sectors, from service to manufacturing, leading to a synchronized shutdown of an industry not seen since World War II. The pandemic has enormous social, economic and political consequences. It will undoubtedly be marked as a watershed moment in modern history and will cause a change in the lifestyle we have known for the last few decades. In addition to being one of the greatest crises in our civilization in shock, scale and depth, the pandemic has caused many problems for vehicle manufacturers. Broken supply chains, cessation of production, shutting down factories, layoffs and declining interest and customer demand are circumstances that are driving the automotive industry into a deeper recession. The aim of the paper is to point out the consequences that the coronavirus pandemic will have on the automotive sector, as well as to identify the deficiencies of the planning system, the lack of risk management and emergency management by analyzing the basic elements o f the supply chain.

Rapeseed is one of the major oil crops, grown in various agroecological conditions. Interest in organic rapeseed is rising, with increasing importance to breeders to determine the need for specific organic breeding programs. The objective of this study was to determine the adaptive value of rapeseed cultivars in organic farming environments. Five winter rapeseed cultivars were grown in conventional and organic plots, each with three sowing dates in four replications. The trials were organized using a randomized block design. The effect of cultivar and farming on emergence, percentage of harvested plants, yield, oil and protein content were investigated. Locally recommended agricultural practices were used to keep the fields free from weeds, insects and diseases. In organic field, weeds were removed mechanically while insects were treated using organic insecticide. The seed samples for analysis of oil and protein content were taken during harvest. Considering agricultural practices, it was found that rapeseed can be successfully grown in organic agriculture, but further improvements are needed to increase stability of production. Early sowing date provides enough time for rapeseed growth before the winter and good overwintering. The cultivars had higher oil content in the conventional farming, while there was no significant effect of farming system on protein content. For cultivar Slavica, higher yield was recorded in organic system, while cultivars Banaćanka and Nena had high yield in both farming systems. The results suggest that the existing conventional breeding material can be used as a good starting point for further trait improvements in organic farming.

A useful approach for improving seed germination and seedling growth is a seed priming technique. Application of the priming technique enhances water absorption, causing activation of metabolic activities in the seed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seed priming on germination parameters of safflower and to compare different priming techniques: priming by soaking and priming on filter paper. The priming treatments included hydropriming (distilled water) and osmopriming with 0.1% and 0.5% solutions of KNO3 for 8 and 16 hours. The experiment revealed significant difference between the priming treatments and the control. The highest germination (89.50%) was recorded within the priming treatments by soaking in the solution of 0.1% KNO3 and priming on filter paper moistened with 0.5% KNO3 for 8 hours. Considering germination index, mean germination time and time to 50% germination, the best results were obtained within hydropriming on filter paper for 16 hours. This study has shown that the priming techniques significantly improved germination parameters of safflower. Although priming on filter paper showed better results, the soaking technique – due to its simplicity, low cost and easiness of application – can be successfully used to improve germination parameters of safflower and increase the number of plants per unit of area and thus increase the seed yield per acreage.

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The most frequent oil crops in Serbia today are sunflower and soybean, planted on over 200,000 ha each, followed by rapeseed, which increases significantly in surfaces. Black and white mustard, hemp, oil pumpkin, castor bean, flax, poppy, sesame and safflower are grown on smaller surfaces. In Serbia, a total of 355 varieties of oil plant species were on the variety list in 2017, out of which 188 were sunflower, 83 soybean and 71 rapeseed, followed by oil pumpkin, hemp, white and black mustard and castor bean. Among the domestic and foreign seed companies, the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops from Novi Sad prevails with 150 registered varieties. Camelina, flax, poppy and safflower are in the registration process. In the ten-year period 2008-2017, the seed production of oil crops averaged 9,955 ha per year, of which the highest were soybean (8,200 ha per year) and sunflower (1,732 ha per year), and on small areas: rapeseed, oil pumpkin, poppy and hemp. In the 2016/2017 season in Serbia, 19,657,116 kg of soybean, 1,666,267 kg of sunflower, 137,179 kg of rapeseed and small quantity of white mustard seed, cannabis and oil pumpkin seeds were certified (all seed categories). Over 86% of declared sunflower seed and over 94% of rapeseed is imported. Serbia belongs to bigger European producers of soy and sunflower, has favorable agroecological conditions for the cultivation of oil crops, long tradition of breeding, strong processing sector, quality human resources and capacities and developed system of state regulation in seed production. The advantages Serbia has in breeding, seed production and growing of oil crops, have not been adequately exploited.

Scientific research is the first step in preparing for master's thesis and doctoral dissertations. It is associated with the orientation of students and preferences that have been shown during basic studies, as well as the sense of doing scientific work. In addition to the methodology of scientific research and the field of master's thesis or dissertation, students should be familiar with both research techniques, fieldwork, and to acquire the necessary skills that will enable them to have extensive professional employment opportunities after the master's or dissertation completed. In this regard, it should be pointed out that the importance of scientific research is not measurable, not only for the preparation and writing of master papers and dissertations, but for further professional engagement.

Scientific research at faculties (higher schools) can not and should not be understood as an obligation in order to fulfill certain conditions for promotion. Although the time periods of the selection of teaching titles are determined by law, young teachers are expected to show more enthusiasm, diligence, initiative, and extraordinary dedication to the job they will deal with. The teaching process requires continuous improvement, even in a small segment of total knowledge, but this knowledge is acquired in different ways. The time in which we live is increasingly emphasized by learning organizations, and they are based on new knowledge. The dispersion of this knowledge, even to students, represents an important segment in the formation of teachers. It is therefore necessary to encourage young teachers to actively engage in scientific research work in an area they feel they are capable of handling and progressing. The paper outlines the basic criteria that point to the importance of scientific research in higher education institutions, with a focus on the process of formation, management and development of future teachers.

Drought stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses influencing performance of crops. Certain stress-related conditions can appear and slow down germination, seedling development and in some cases cause loss of life durability of seed. Assuming that drought in the substrate affects corn seed performance, such conditions were simulated in this study in order to examine their effects on seed germination and length in seven corn hybrids. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 has been used in laboratory studies for simulation of drought conditions. Different osmotic potentials of PEG solutions were used (control; -0.1, -0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MPa). Germination percentage decreased as osmotic potential increased at PEG solution.

Seed quality is a complex character that is determined by a large number of parameters. Because of this, knowing the interrelationships among these parameters is of utmost importance, not only from the point of view of plant selection but also from the standpoint of crop production itself. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of production season and production region ( i.e., environmental conditions) on quality parameters and yield of sunflower hybrid seed. The study was conducted on the seed of the hybrids NS-H-111 and Rimi that had been produced at sites located in Serbia and Ukraine. The following traits were studied: germinability, 1000-seed weight, husk content, protein content, and seed yield per hectare. All of the studied parameters were affected the most by the genotype itself. Germinability ranged from 87.75% in NS-H-111 produced in Serbia to 95.50% in Rimi produced in Ukraine. The 1000-seed weight was greatly influenced by the production area. All of the studied factors individually produced highly significant differences in husk content, which ranged from 20.35% in NS-H-111 to 31.40% in Rimi. Seed protein content was highly significantly affected by all the factors studied. On average, genotype had the greatest effect on seed yield as well, with the difference in yield between the hybrids (833.0 kg) being highly significant. On the average, looking at the production season and area, differences were observed with regard to seed yield, but those were not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower is a plant species with a prominent period of seed dormancy. Physiological maturation period can be accelerated under laboratory conditions using methods for breaking seed dormancy such as: previous cooling at 5-10°C, previous heating at 30-35°C, gibberellic acid treatment, KNO3, ethrel, etc. The aim of this study was to determine the duration of seed dormancy period of different sunflower hybrids and parent lines produced in Serbia, and to determine which of the methods for breaking seed dormancy gives the best results. Studies were carried out on five commercial sunflower hybrids and their parental components. Seed germination was determined after harvesting using standard laboratory methods and tetrazolium tests. The following methods were used for seed dormancy breaking: low temperature treatment of 5- 10°C, high temperature treatment of 30-35°C, and treatment with gibberellic acid. The tests were performed in the period of 30, 50, and 90 days after harvesting. The application of gibberellic acid method gave the lowest values of seed germination, while statistical significant differences between the control and method of low and high temperatures were not found. Sunflower hybrids Sremac, Duško, NS-H-111, Velja and Branko, as well as the female lines of hybrid NS-H-111, and male lines of hybrids Sremac and Velja had no prominent seed dormancy 30 days after harvesting. Seed dormancy in female lines of hybrids Sremac, Duško, Velja and Branko and male lines of hybrids Duško, NS-H-111 and Branko was decreased 90 days after storage, but it was not completely removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-year experiment (2008, 2009, 2010) on twenty sunflower hybrids grown in 13 (2010) to 15 (2009, 2008) locations in the region of Vojvodina and central Serbia was carried out in order to study GEI (genotype × environment interaction) on oil yield and stability of hybrids using non-parametric measures of stability. The non-parametric test indicated the presence of significant crossover interaction [G(E) and E(G)]. Non-parametric measures Si(1)and Si(2)were used to determine stability of sunflower hybrids. The level of association among stability measures was assessed using Sperman's rank correlation. Significant differences in rank stability among 20 sunflower hybrids grown in 13 (2010) or 15 (2009, 2008) locations were found. According to non-parametric stability parameters Si(1)and Si(2), hybrids Baća and Vranac were most stable in all locations. Baća also had high oil yield in 2008 and 2009. In 2010 two new hybrids (NS-H-6612, NS-H-2069) were high yielding and stable for oil yield. Hybrid NS-H-111 was also stable in all locations in 2009 and 2010 and its oil yield was above average. The Spearman's rank correlation between non-parametric stability parameters, showed highly significant (P<0.01) rank correlations between Si(1)and Si(2), indicating that the two measures were similar in classifying the hybrids according to their stability under different environmental (location) conditions. Non-parametric measures of stability, based on ranks, could be recommended to agronomists and plant breeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid sunflower seed, regularly protected with chemicals, is used for sowing in the second or the third year if not used in the first year after production. In that case, it is stored in warehouses, and the length of storage period may significantly affect the quality of seeds. An experiment was conducted in Laboratory for Seed Testing of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, in order to examine the effect of storage period on germination of treated sunflower seeds of three commercial hybrids of the Novi Sad Institute. The seed was treated with fungicides - metalaxyl and fludioxonil, as well as with insecticides - thiamethoxam and imidacloprid, while untreated seeds served as control. The sowing was repeated throughout the year, at three-month intervals. The obtained results indicated that, on average, the hybrid Sremac had the highest (94.61%), and the hybrid Šumadinac the lowest seed germination (90.29%). After one year of storage, seed germination declined significantly. All three hybrids treated with fungicides and the control had a significantly higher germination than hybrids treated with insecticides. This regularity was not evident right after the treatment - it became noticeable during the storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower is an important source of oil and proteins necessary for development of healthy humans. By producing sunflower seeds, the main gains a possibility to use oil and proteins in different forms. The content of the observed parameters varies and depends on numerous factors. Environmental factors, the choice of genotypes and measures that apply during the production of seed all influence the content of oil and proteins in sunflower seed, as well as seed germination, one of the most important seed characteristics. Based on the results obtained by comparing the observed parameters, further interdependence (correlation) of the observed parameters of sunflower seed quality is established. Significant differences were determined between localities in which sunflower seed was produced. During the research, significant positive and negative correlations were found between the observed parameters of sunflower seed quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To harvest a sunflower crop, it is important to bring moisture content, i.e., moisture level in leaves, stems, heads and seed, to a level that permits normal work of combine harvester. In 2003, an experiment was established at Rimski Šančevi experiment field to determine optimum time for desiccation of sunflower. The experiment included 10 parental components, which are grown at large area for F1 seed production. A comparative study showed that oil content, protein content and seed viability change with seed maturity. The experiment indicated that the values of oil and protein contents and seed viability stop increasing when the average seed moisture reaches 24%. This moment was concluded to represent the optimum time for desiccation of sunflower seed crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examination of heritability of yield and yield components of autochthonous populations of Jerusalem artichoke was conducted in the experimental field of the Agricultural Institute in Banja Luka during 2015 and 2016. The trials were set up in four replications with ten populations of Jerusalem artichoke in the late October 2014. During the study, the following parameters were observed: plant height, number of stems per plant/clone, stem thickness and dry matter yield per plant/clone. Population Razboj had the highest yield of dry matter per plant/clone. In the first year, the population of Irić bašta had the largest number of stems per plant/clone. Broad sense heritability for plant height and number of stems per plant/clone indicates intermediate hereditary traits. A significant positive genetic correlation between yield of dry matter and plant height was determined.

During 2008-2010 the infected Brassica napus plant material was collected from nine localities: Karavukovo, Crvenka, Prigrevica, Subotica, Rimski Šančevi, Srbobran, Beška, Banatsko Karađorđevo, and Srpski Miletić. Infected tissue samples were taken from the root of both upper and basal stems, as well as from the leaf, flower and pods. Two reference isolates from Great Britain were used in these studies for the analysis of 119 isolates from Serbia, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-RFLP. Digestion of PCR products was performed with 5 selected endonucleases: BamHI, HaeIII, Rsal, EcoRII, and AluI. On the basis of PCR analysis, all isolates originating from Serbia belong to L. complex: 111 belong to species Leptosphaeria maculans, and 8 to species Leptosphaeria biglobosa NA1 ('Leptosphaeria biglobosa brassicae), respectively.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of stand density on seed yield and protein content in sunflower hybrids. The field experiment was carried out at Rimski Šančevi location. Six NS sunflower hybrids were examined. Five hybrids are confectionery (NS Goliat, NS Slatki, NS Gricko, Vranac and Cepko), and one is used for bird food (NS-H-6485). The trial was arranged as randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Sowing was done with six different densities (from 20,000 to 70,000 plants per hectare, with an increment of 10,000 plants per hectare). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the effect of hybrid, stand density and hybrid × stand density interation were highly significant for seed yield and protein content. The highest seed yield, on the basis of average for all densities, was found in NS-H-6485 (4.77 t ha-1) and in NS Gricko (4.43 t ha-1). Average seed yield of hybrids significantly increased up to 50,000 plants per ha-1, when it reached the value of 4.50 t ha-1, and then decreased. Significantly higher protein content, taking into account all stand densities, showed hybrid Cepko (16.94%). Protein content, above the overall average value, was achieved in hybrid Vranac (16.11%). The high­est protein content in the average for all six hybrids was at the lowest stand density (20,000 plants per ha-1), and then decreased up to higher densities. The results showed that stand density had significant effect on seed yield and protein content in sunflower hybrids. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31025: The development of new cultivars and improving the technology of producing oil plant species for different purposes]

The aim of this paper was to examine the influence of biostimulators, with or without the use of fungicides, on seed quality parameters and early growth of sunflower seedling. Testing was conducted at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad on cytoplasmic male sterile sunflower line HA-26-PR. The experiment included six treatments: Slavol S (25%), Slavol S (25%) + fungicide (a.m. metalaxyl-M), Bioplant Flora (2%), Bioplant Flora (2%) + fungicide (a.m. metalaxyl-M), Slavol S (25%) + Bioplant Flora (2%), Slavol S (25%) + Bioplant Flora (2%) + fungicide (a. m. metalaxyl-M) and control. Results of the research showed that treating the seed with biostimulators prior to sowing has a significant influence on seed germination parameters and early growth of sunflower seedling. The individual application of fertilizers, with or without the use of fungicide, gave a positive effect, while their combination led to a negative effect. The individual application of fertilizers, with or without combination with fungicide, may increase germination energy by 5%, germinability by 6%, but may also reduce the time of seed germination. Likewise, their use has a positive effect on early growth of sunflower seedling. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31025: Razvoj novih sorti i poboljšanja novih tehnologija proizvodnje uljanih biljnih vrsta za različite namene]

The aim of this paper was to examine the effects of biostimulators on root and shoot length of sunflower seedling deriving from seeds treated with biostimulators prior to sowing. Experiment was conducted at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops on five cytoplasmic male sterile lines: OCMS: - 98 (L1), HA-NS-26 (L2), PH-BC2-74 (L3), VL-A-8 (L4), and HA-26-PR (L5). The seed was produced in the period from 2010 to 2012. Two seed variants were tested - non-treated seed and seed which was prior to application of biostimulators treated with metalaxyl-m. Prior to sowing, seed was treated with commercial preparations Slavol S, Bioplant Flora and the combination of the two. Results of this research point out that application of appropriate biostimulator has positive effect on growth and development of roots and shoots of seedling, while inadequate combination of biostimulators leads to inhibitory effect.

For a successful seed production, it is necessary to know the size, i.e. 1000-seed weight, since it affects the sowing rate, plant density over the vegetative period as well as the seed yield per unit area. The study was conducted in field conditions, on plots where seed production of sunflower hybrids parental components was organized. Seed production was based at three different localities. Observation was conducted during the course of three years. The study was performed on 18 different genotypes. Considering the total number of the observed genotypes, 10 genotypes represented lines based on CMS, while the remaining 8 genotypes represented restorer lines. The study showed that 1000-seed weight was higher with CMS based lines than with restorer lines, which was expected considering the branching of the restorer lines. Sunflower 1000-seed weight depended on the year of observation and the observed genotype. Year had a significant effect on 1000-seed weight.

The Programme for Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources in the Republic of Srpska was established in 2008. The main objective of the Programme is effective management of plant genetic resources through carrying out of continuous field inventories and collection, evaluation, exchange and conservation of germplasm. The Genetic Resources Institute, University of Banja Luka was appointed as a expert unit for coordination and implementation of the Programme. In the period from 2009 to 2011, the inventory was made for part of the area of the Republic of Srpska. An innovative approach was adopted for conservation of plant genetic resources by means of long-term seed preservation, in vitro conservation, morphological and molecular characterisation, as well as regular database updates. Contacts were established with producers for the purpose of on farm protection of local ecotypes and populations. An ex situ collection was established in the Botanic Garden for plant species that can not be conserved in the form of seeds. By the end of 2011, the Gene Bank had reached its full operation with 455 accessions in long-term storage (-18 o C), around 150 accessions in the working collection and 100 accessions in the field collection. With its 91 accessions, the Genetic Resources Institute is part of a European Web-based catalogue of inventories of plant genetic resources (EURISCO). Having adopted the Programme, the Republic of Srpska has not only fulfilled one of the world's peremptory obligations to conserve biodiversity of agricultural crops, but also a moral obligation to future generations.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of desiccation date and seed moisture content on sunflower seed protein content. The experimental materials were three new parental sunflower lines of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops from Novi Sad, Serbia (L1, L2 and L3). Reglone forte (2 l ha-1) was used for desiccation and it was applied at 7-day intervals from the end of flowering to harvest maturity. The protein content was determined by the classical method of Kjeldahl. The stabilization of the protein content was determined in treatment that was performed 21 days after flowering (DAF) at seed moisture of about 45%. Regression analysis determined the highest and statistically significant effect of seed moisture at the moment of desiccation on seed protein content in the line L1, while the effects in lines L2 and L3 were not significant.

Objective of this study was to determine the divergence and association between seed yield and three morphological characteristics that are very important in sunflower breeding (plant height, head diameter and days to flowering) in order to identify the most valuable trait for seed yield improvement. Forty new hybrid combinations were evaluated. Cluster analysis was used to determine genetic diversity in new hybrid combinations by classifying genotypes based on average values of the studied characteristics. Genotypes were classified into three homogenous groups and six individuals. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to examine association between the studied characteristics, among which days to flowering showed negative correlation while plant height and head diameter showed positive correlation with seed yield, on both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Our study showed that there is genetic variability among new hybrids and bearing in mind that hybrids should be grown in different agro-ecological environments, our attention should be focused on developing inbred lines with lower stem resistant to lodging, larger head diameter and earlier flowering.

The experiment was carried out at Rimski Šančevi during 2009 in order to investigate the effect of chemical desiccation on 1000-seed weight in three sunflower lines, and to determine the optimal moment for performing desiccation. Desiccation was carried out with herbicide Reglone forte (2 l/ha) repeatedly each 7 days, starting from the end of flowering to harvest maturity. All three lines showed highly significant differences in weight of 1000 seeds, and a highly significant effect of a moment of desiccation on 1000-seed weight. The lowest weight was determined when the treatment was performed 7 days after flowering and the highest when the treatment was performed 28 days after flowering with seed moisture content of 22.23%. The results show that this is the optimal time for chemical desiccation. There was no significant difference in 1000-seed weight between the treatment 28 days after flowering and the following treatments, suggesting that seed filling had been finished.

Sunflower breeding is directed towards the increase of the genetic potential for yield, stability of the yield, health care, and the quality of nutrition along with the increase of the production economy. In accordance with the Serbian market demands there have been efforts in breeding highly productive hybrids for special uses of the confectionary type at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. In this program, special attention has been given to the increase of the protein content and quality while decreasing the seed oil content, to the increase of 1000 seed weight and the decrease of the hull ratio. New NS confectionary hybrids NS-H-6316, NS-H-6318 and NS-H-6320 are adequate for nutrition, dehulling and core production. They belong to the group of mid-early hybrids while their genetic potential for seed yield is above 4.5 t ha-1 and seed oil content is less than 40%. Protein content in the core is 23-27%, mass of 1000 seeds is above 95 g, and the hull ratio is low. With the creation of the new palette of NS sunflower hybrids for various production purposes and conditions, we have gained higher quality material for the needs of the oil, food and baking industry.