Search

The storage proteins influence technological quality value of grain wheat, dough quality traits, and loaf quality. The aim of this study is to estimate variability in the dry gluten content, loaf volume, and their relationships with encoding alleles of gliadin and glutenins. Wheat genotypes grown in two vegetation seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17) were studied. The technological quality traits analyzed in this study varied in wheat genotypes within and between vegetation seasons. In both vegetation seasons the highest dry gluten content was established in G-3621-1 (30.23% and 31.15%) and the highest value of loaf volume in G-3621-1 (530 ml and 540 ml). In both vegetation seasons the least dry gluten content was found in G-3606-6 (25.42% and 25.98%) and the least loaf volume in G-3606-6 (380 ml and 390 ml). The composition of gliadin and glutenin alleles in the wheat genotypes analyzed was different. The genotypes carrying Gli-B1b, Gli-D1b, Gli-D2b, and Glu-A1b, Glu-B1c, Glu-D1d had the highest gluten content, while the genotype that carried Gli-B1l and Glu-A1b, Glu-B1c, Glu-D1d had high bread volume. The results have shown relationships between gliadin and glutenin alleles and quality traits of grain, flour, and bread.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced food preparation and consumption habits, as well as food wastage. The pandemic also affected the lives of university students worldwide; their learning and living environments changed, influencing their eating habits. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' food-related activities in four countries in the Western Balkans: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. Methods: The research draws upon an online survey gathered through the SurveyMonkey platform in four Balkan countries—viz. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro—and used a structured questionnaire. The information was collected during the second wave of COVID-19 in October–November 2020. A total of 1658 valid responses were received. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to analyze the survey findings. Results: The research results suggest that the pandemic influenced students' food purchase habits, diets, and food-related behaviors and practices such as food preparation, cooking, and food waste management at the household level. In particular, students have been eating healthier and shopping less frequently during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the pandemic improved their attitude toward food wastage. Conclusion: This study is the first to examine how students in the Balkan region perceive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their eating habits, laying the groundwork for future studies into the disease's consequences. This and other studies will assist in preparing students and education institutions for future calamities and pandemics. The findings will also help develop evidence-based postpandemic recovery options targeting youth and students in the Western Balkans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the targets and indicators outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) presents significant global challenges, particularly in countries like Serbia, where diverse socio-economic contexts and policy planning shape educational outcomes. SDG4 focuses on providing inclusive and fair access to quality education for everyone and encourages lifelong learning opportunities for people of all ages. It comprises ten specific targets. This paper focuses on the complexities and challenges associated with measuring five of these targets, which were not analyzed in Serbia's official report on SDGs. By using Serbia as a case study, the paper systematically examines national policies, educational data, and assessment frameworks, identifying persistent barriers that impede progress toward the SDG4 objectives. A comparative analysis was conducted to better understand Serbia's progress in achieving these targets. This analysis compares Serbia's performance with that of neighboring countries in the region as well as with more developed nations. Methodological limitations in data collection and monitoring further complicate efforts to accurately assess SDG 4 indicators. Through specific examples of non-measurable indicators, the paper illustrates these challenges and explores potential strategies for improving measurement accuracy and policy effectiveness. By evaluating Serbia's experience, this study offers insights that are valuable for finding ways to start measuring targets that currently lack data, considering the close deadline for achieving the goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to show the impact of climate factors on the corn yield in Serbia. Contemporary climate reports show that climate is changing, and the emission of greenhouse gases is one of the main causes of climate change. In three different locations (West Bačka District, Šumadija District and Nišava District) different climatic conditions and corn yield were analyzed for the period from 1991 to 2011. In the research process, the model of multiple linear regression and Pearson coefficient of correlation was applied. Obtained results has shown that there is a high correlation between parameters of climate conditions and variance of corn yield. A small amount of precipitation quantity and high maximum values of temperatures in the vegetation period influenced the decrease in yield, which was particularly noticed during the period from 2000 to 2007. A lower yield of corn was established compared to the average yield in all three observed districts, in the Šumadija district, the yield was lower 48% in 2000 and 52% in 2007, in the West Bačka District, a yield was lower 40% in 2000 and 20% in 2007, and in the Nišava District, the yield was lower 65% in 2000 and 49% in 2007. There are perennial variations of climatic factors, especially temperature and precipitation quantity, which affect the realization of the economic profitability of growing agricultural plant species. Losses in agriculture can be higher in conditions of an unstable climate. It is necessary to more precisely predict climate change and create new hybrids and varieties for cultivation that will be adaptable to changed climate conditions. Adaptations of plants to climatic conditions changes will contribute to greater economy of agricultural production, and the provision of food for the world's population.

Promotion and sale of organic products require particular approach to introduce customers about the branding, packaging and advantages in comparison to conventional products. The aim of work is investigation which are sources of promotion of organic products use customers and effects of sources on trade improvement. In this study conducted interviews of 400 of customers through the mail. The results showed differences among customers according to: sources of their information about traits of products and market place, and their behavior and decision for use of organic product. Women more often use electronic media, professional literature, while man use magazine as a source of information. Both gender, male and female used internet equally. Customers old between 21 and 40 years more often bought in supermarkets and specialized stores, while customers of age between 41 and 60 years more often bought directly on market from producers. Customers who have more than 60 years buy on the market from producers and the supermarket. This differences depends of gender, age, education, as well as place of residence of customers.

Variability in the percentage of seed germination was studied in four winter barley cultivars ('Jagodinac', 'Premium', 'NS 489' and 'NS 495'), grown under four nitrogen application rates (control N0=0, N1=20, N2=40 and N3=60 kg ha-1) during two years of the experiment. The experiment was carried out as a randomised block design in 5m2 plots and with four replications. In both experimental years, the average seed germination was over 90.0% for all barley cultivars and in each nitrogen fertilisation treatment. The maximum seed germination percentage was 98.0% in 'Premium' in the second year in the treatment N3=60 kg ha-1, and minimum germination percentage (90.1%) was also recorded in 'Premium' 'in the first year of the experiment in the unfertilised control (N0=0 kg ha-1). The obtained values of seed germination significantly differed among cultivars in the first and second year. Also, the average values of seed germination under four N fertilisation treatments were significantly different in both years. The average values for both years of the experiment were significantly different among cultivars and treatments. The values of seed germination for all cultivars increased with increasing nitrogen rates, suggesting that phenotypic variability in seed germination was affected by nitrogen fertilisation, which indicated a high value (81.87%) of the component of phenotypic variance for seed germination.

Advantages or disadvantages of intercropping system can estimate through expression of components of yield on the base of values of productive organs (spike, pod). The aim of this work was study of variation of spike index in cereals species and pods index in pea of spring intercropping. For investigation included spring species of small grains: wheat, triticale, oat and spring legume pea. The investigation was carried out in field condition in experiment with randomised block design of 5m2 plots, with 4 replications. Each species (cereals and pea) were sown sole and in intercrops wheat+pea, triticale+pea and oat+pea. At the maturity stage used 40 plants (10 plants/replication) for determining harvest index of spike in cereal species and index of pea pods on the base of analysis of spike mass and pod mass and seed mass spike-1 and seed mass pod-1 . Seed mass spike-1 of small grains species genotypes variate in ratio of 0.85 g (wheat+pea) and 1.59 g (oat intercrops) with average 1.19 g for all crops of cereals and variant of cultivation. The spike mass variate in range of 1.37 g (triticale intercrop) and 2.23 g (wheat intercrops) with average 1.72 g for all cereals and variant of cultivation. Harvest index of spike variate between 62.5% (triticale sole) and 89.2% (oat sole). The value of spike mass was the higher in wheat intercrops than in wheat sole, while for triticale and oat spike mass is lower in intercrops. In the same of analyzed small grain species, seed mass was the higher in sole crops than in mixture with pea. The spike index, only in intercrop triticale+pea (63.2%) was slightly higher than in single crop of triticale (62.5%). Pod mass and seed mass pod-1 of pea was the higher in pea intercrops than in pea sole. The highest pod mass was in intercrop pea+triticale (0.72 g) and the least in single crop of pea (0.45 g) with average 0.62 g for all crops. The highest seed mass pod-1 was the highest intercrop pea+triticale (0.56g) and the least in monocrop of pea (0.32 g) with average 0.46 g for all crops. Harvest index of pod variate in ratio 68.0% (pea single) and 77.% in pea/triticale intercrop. Pod index of pea in mixture with each small grains species genotypes was higher than in pea's monocrop. On the base of result we can conclude that intercropping cereals + pea, have positive effect on spike and pod characteristics which values were higher in majority of studied intercrops than in monocrops.

nema

Trade of agricultural products plays an important role in food security, development of production and processing of products, strengthening the economy and GDP growth. The aim of this paper is to establish the trend of trade of food, live animals, drinks and tobacco in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Foreign trade of food products in B&H has been investigated for the past six years (2012- 2017). In B&H, annual import of agricultural and food products exceeds BAM 2.5 million and the export is approximately BAM 600 million. Food production is a strategic interest of every country. The coverage of import by export was the highest in 2017 (29.9%) and 2016 (29.4%), while the lowest was in 2014 (18.4%). During the investigated period, there was a deficit of trade in B&H. Both export and import in agro-food sector have been increasing recently, while the volume of export has a higher growth than import.

Universities are institutions where new ideas are developed, new technologies are created, new ways for improving the existing business, economic and other models are explored and developed. Universities are adjusting to the recent changes in the economic environment, and the expectations regarding their contribution to innovation and economic development. They are forced on diversifying their revenue sources, in order to become more efficient and to direct their resources towards greater commercialization of knowledge. As a response, universities are encouraged to become more 'entrepreneurial' and cooperate with the industry sector. Entrepreneurial universities have proved to be the organisations where risktaking is an expected situation when new practices are initiated, and where entrepreneurship is often perceived as implementing an innovative practice in a commercial stage of managing the profit. New universities should be organized so as to reduce the level of bureaucracy that characterizes public organizations and support the commercialization of the ideas generated at universities. Therefore, in this paper, the authors analyse the relationship between the University of Novi Sad (Serbia) and the industry sector, as well as the way in which the employees at the university participate in this cooperation.

Quality and productivity determined by genotypes and application of scientific farming measure in wheat production. The pesticides are contributing to achieving high yield of wheat which application. The aim of this work is economic analysis of pesticides application in wheat production. For analysis used collected data from 32 wheat producers in rural area of Republic Serbia. The results in included farms in this investigation showed that average area of wheat production was 1.6 ha with achieved average grain yield 3621 kg ha-1 and average costs 563.15 € per hectare. The average use of pesticides active ingredients was 892.5 g. Wheat producers applied the different amount of pesticides active ingredients: 646 g (72.44%) of herbicides, 231.7 g (25.96%) of fungicides and 14.3 g (1.60%) insecticides. The average plant protection costs by used pesticides were 70.30 euros ha-1, which was 12.48% of wheat production. The gain threshold computed was 319.54 kg ha-1. For achieving high economic output in wheat production is necessary apply right dose of pesticide, decrease costs of production and continuously provide education of farmers.

Rural tourism is considered to be one of the appropriate instruments for the revitalization of rural areas and for ensuring a sustainable future. For this reason, determining the factors that influence the improvement of the competitive position of the tourism market is of great importance for their further development. In this paper, the authors have surveyed 136 tourism experts in order to assess the current state of all factors that affect/could affect the competitiveness of rural tourism destinations in Vojvodina. Also, the analysis should show if employees of the private rural companies and others have a different view of the competitiveness of Vojvodina as a destination for rural tourism in relation to the employees at faculties/ institutes, tourist organizations, travel agencies, national and provincial institutions, as well as whether there is a statistically significant difference in the attitudes of respondents on average scores for determinants of competitiveness depending on the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.

Rural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina include more than 80% of the country's territory and are inhabited by more than half of the population. In order to preserve the natural environment, traditions and customs, rural tourism is developing and rural areas are getting active for tourism purposes. The authors analyze the current state of rural tourism in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and provide recommendations for its sustainable development. The analysis shows that the basic problems that could slow down the development of rural tourism are: lack of incentives for the development and improvement of the state and government institutions, lack of subsidies for young people who want to live and work in the countryside, inability to use quality land for non-agricultural purposes, lack of defined standards for rural development and underdevelopment of infrastructure.

Recently, biofertilizers are recommended as an alternative or supplement for mineral nutritients. Active agents in biofertilizers are microorganisms that are involved with their activity in the preparation of herbal assimilative and other biotic substances for plant needs. In this study, the influence of Bioaktiv bioproduct on the lettuce yield and rhizosphere microflora of lettuce was tested. 'Bioaktiv' contains the active substance consisting of following microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis, Azobacter sp., Penicillium oxalicum and Fusarium sp. In the tested soil samples of lettuce rhizosphere, the total number of bacteria, Azotobacter sp., ammonifiers, oligonitrophyls, actinomycetes and fungi were determined. The total number of bacteria, Azotobacter sp., ammonifiers, oligonitrophyls, actinomycetes was increased while the number of fungi in the variant with biofertilizer was slightly lower than in the control variant. The application of this bioproduct affected on earlier formation of the lettuce head and overall higher yield.

Variability of grain weight spike-1 was studied in 10 wheat genotypes: 'Ana Morava', 'Julija Mono', 'Gruža', 'Kuna', 'Lasta', 'Balkan', 'Rodna', 'NS Rana 2', 'Partizanka', 'Pobeda', grown over three experimental years under different environmental factors. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design in three replications. Differences in the average values of grain weight spike-1 among tested cultivars were determined in all three years. On average, for all genotypes, grain weight spike-1 was highest (2.32g) in the first experimental year (2005/06), and lowest (1.95g) in the second year (2006/07). For all investigated wheat cultivars, in the third experimental year, the average value of grain weight spike-1 was 2.24g, while the total average value for all cultivars and three experimental years was 2.17g. 'Ana Morava' had the highest average values for grain weight spike-1 in all three experimental years, while the lowest grain weight spike-1 was obtained in 'Balkan' (1.81g) in the second year 'Lasta' (1.40g) and in the third experimental year 'Partizanka' ( 1.91 g). On average, 'Ana Morava' had the highest value (2.67g) of grain weight spike-1, while the lowest average value (1.94g) was recorded in 'Balkan'.

Rural economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is increasingly diversified but agriculture is still important. Governance influences agricultural and rural development (ARD) policy impacts. The paper aims at analysing ARD governance and coordination in BiH. The paper is based on primary information collected by questionnaires and semi-structured interviews performed in 2011 with representatives of 120 institutions as well as a secondary data review. Vertical coordination between State level institutions with entities, cantons, regions, municipalities and non-state actors, especially civil society ones, is still particularly challenging. Coordination between the State Ministry of Foreign Trade and External Relations; Ministries of Agriculture of the Republika Srpska (RS) and Federation of BiH (FBiH) and the Department for Agriculture of Brčko district is crucial. Participation of civil society organizations in ARD policies design and evaluation should be encouraged. Effectiveness of vertical coordination also depends on quality of horizontal coordination at RS and FBiH levels.

The aim of this paper is to present the role of the state in developing rural tourism in the Republic of Srpska. Rural tourism comprises all those activities in tourism which can be implemented in rural areas. Developing rural tourism cuts unemployment, facilitates valorisation of women's work in rural households, enhances the growth of local economies, which contributes to balancing the differences caused by uneven regional development. The conditio sine qua non for rural tourism development is strong strategic and financial support of the state, which is supposed to create favourable environment and promote the particular concept of development. As for the Republic of Srpska, the normative assumptions for rural tourism development were brought, but the financial support coming from the state authorities and local economies did not suffice for a more significant development of this tourism industry.

One of the key factors for success of sustainable tourism industry in all areas, including rural, is the support of community members. The paper aims to analyze how rural residents’ perceptions of sustainable tourism development (expressed through economic, social, environmental, and physical benefits) can affect residents’ intentions to support tourism. The second aim was to determine if attachment to the particular community and perceived quality of life can have influence on attitudes towards sustainable development of tourism in rural communities. Using a sample of 881 residents living in rural areas of the Republic of Serbia, the results highlighted that perceived values of tourism were important for evaluating how tourism is developed, if it is sustainable for a community, and how it affects quality of residents’ life. The study provided better understanding of factors that can have impact on residents’ attitudes in relation to tourism and highlighted the importance of paying attention to local community as significant player for tourism development, especially in those regions that want to boost its economy by developing sustainable tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]