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Zelena stjenica (Nezara viridula L., 1758) i smeđa mramorasta stjenica (Halyomorpha halys Stål, 1855) su dominantne vrste kukaca iz porodice štitastih stjenica (Pentatomidae) na području Republike Hrvatske dok je ambrozija (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) invazivan i agresivan korov prisutan u čitavoj državi. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi učinkovitost suzbijanja odraslih stadija stjenica vodenim ekstraktom ambrozije. Istraživanje je provedeno u laboratorijskim uvjetima u rujnu 2021. godine u tri tretmana: vodeni ekstrakt ambrozije u koncentraciji 10%, azadiraktin (Ozoneem Trishul® -1%) i voda kao kontrola. Tretmani su postavljeni u četiri ponavljanja te je u pokus ukupno uključeno 240 odraslih jedinki stjenica. Svi tretmani pokazali su blagu toksičnost za ispitivane kukce. Vrsta H. halys bila je osjetljivija na tretman vodenog ekstrakta ambrozije u odnosu na vrstu N. viridula. Statistički značajne razlike mortaliteta odraslih stjenica između tretmana utvrđene su kod vrste H. halys 10 dana nakon tretiranja vodenim ekstraktom ambrozije. Budući da nije utvrđena visoka učinkovitost vodenog ekstrakta ambrozije na odraslim stadijima stjenica istraživanja je potrebno nastaviti i na ličinkama koje imaju viši stupanj osjetljivosti te uz vodene primijeniti i druge vrste biljnih ekstrakata., Southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L., 1758) and brown marmorated sting bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål, 1855) are the dominant species from the Pentatomidae family in Croatia, while Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. is an invasive and aggressive weed present throughout the country. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the aqueous ragweed extract in controlling adult stages of stink bugs. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions in September 2021 in three treatments: aqueous ragweed extract at a concentration of 10%, azadiractin (Ozoneem Trishul® -1%) and water as a control. Treatments were set in four replicates and a total of 240 adults stink bugs (120 N. viridula and 120 H. halys) were included in the experiment. All treatments showed mild toxicity. H. halys was more sensitive to the aqueous ragweed extract compared to N. viridula. Statistically significant differences in mortality between treatments were found in H. halys species 10–14 days after treatment with aqueous ragweed extract. Since no high efficacy of ambrosia extract has been found in the adult stage, research will continue on larvae that have a higher degree of sensitivity to aqueous and ethanolic extracts compared to the adult insect stage.

Stalna uporaba sistemičnih pesticida može povećati prinos i kvalitetu usjeva, ali dovodi do povećanja rezistentnosti štetnih organizama, ali i do pojavnosti rezidua u hrani i okolišu. Stoga je namjera okolišno šetne načine zaštite bilja zamijeniti alternativnima, koristeći ekološki prihvatljivije komponente. Biološka zaštita bilja suprotnost je korištenju kemijskih pesticida te pozitivno utječe na bioraznolikost i razvoj bioloških ciklusa. Jedan od oblika biološke zaštite je i primjena endofitnih organizama koji u svom životnom ciklusu nastanjuju biljku, ali joj ne čine štetu niti u jednom stadiju svoga rasta i razvoja. Trenutno je poznato kako postoji preko milijun vrsta endofitnim mikroorganizama što u prosjeku govori kako je svaka biljka domaćin tri do četiri vrste. Dobrobiti koje biljka domaćin ima su višestruki, poput poboljšanog rasta i razvoja, zaštite od štetnika, bolje apsorpcije nutrijenata, veće otpornosti na abiotski i biotski stres., Constant use of systemic pesticides can increase the yield and quality of crops, but also leads to increased resistance and to appearance of residues in food and the environment. Therefore, the intention is to replace environmentally unfriendly plant protection methods with alternative ones. Biological protection of plants is the opposite of the use of pesticides and has a positive effect on biodiversity and the development of biological cycles. One of the forms of biological protection is the application of endophytic organisms that inhabit the plant in their life cycle, but do not harm it at any stage of their growth and development. It is currently known that there are over a million species of endophytic microorganisms which on average suggests that each plant hosts three to four species. The benefits that the host plant has are multiple, such as improved growth and development, protection from pests, better absorption of nutrients, greater resistance to abiotic and biotic stress.

Allelopathic effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. on seed germination and seedlings growth of seven plant species was investigated. The experiment was conducted out in Petri dishes and extracts from fresh leaves of A. vera at various concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%) were evaluated on germination, seedlings length and fresh and dry weight of seedlings of barley, wheat, soybean, oil pumpkin, radicchio, rocket and lettuce. The effect of water extracts depended on the extract concentration and test species. Extract with concentrations above 2% reduced germination of barley and lettuce seeds, while positive effect was observed on oil pumpkin. The highest decrease of root length was recorded for lettuce by 41.6%, while the root length of oil pumpkin was increased up to 49.9%. Water extracts significantly increased shoot length of wheat, soybean and oil pumpkin. Both positive and negative effects were observed on the fresh weight of test species seedlings, while the dry weight of seedlings was reduced only for barley in all treatments, and for lettuce in the treatment with extract concentration of 4%. Among the test species barley proved to be the most sensitive in all measured parameters, except in root length.

U radu je istražen alelopatski utjecaj vrste Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. na klijavost sjemena i rast klijanaca sedam biljnih vrsta. Pokus je proveden u Petrijevim zdjelicama, gdje su procijenjeni ekstrakti svježih listova vrste A. vera u različitim koncentracijama (2, 4, 6, 8 i 10%) na klijavost, duljinu klijanaca te svježu i suhu masu klijanaca ječma, pšenice, soje, uljne bundeve, radiča, rukole i salate. Djelovanje vodenih ekstrakata ovisilo je o koncentraciji ekstrakata i test vrsti. Ekstrakti koncentracije iznad 2% smanjili su klijavost sjemena ječma i salate, dok je pozitivan utjecaj zabilježen kod uljne bundeve. Najveće smanjenje duljine korijena bilo je kod salate i to za 41,6%, dok je duljina korijena uljne bundeve bila povećana do 49,9%. Vodeni ekstrakti povećali su značajno duljinu izdanka kod pšenice, soje i uljne bundeve. Pozitivan i negativan utjecaj utvrđen je na svježu masu klijanaca test vrsta, dok je suha masa klijanaca bila snižena samo kod ječma u svim tretmanima te salate u tretmanu s ekstraktom koncentracije 4%. Među test vrstama, kao najosjetljivija se pokazao ječam kod svih mjerenih parametara, izuzev kod duljine korijena., Allelopathic effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. on seed germination and seedlings growth of seven plant species was investigated. The experiment was conducted out in Petri dishes and extracts from fresh leaves of A. vera at various concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%) were evaluated on germination, seedlings length and fresh and dry weight of seedlings of barley, wheat, soybean, oil pumpkin, radicchio, rocket and lettuce. The effect of water extracts depended on the extract concentration and test species. Extract with concentrations above 2% reduced germination of barley and lettuce seeds, while positive effect was observed on oil pumpkin. The highest decrease of root length was recorded for lettuce by 41.6%, while the root length of oil pumpkin was increased up to 49.9%. Water extracts significantly increased shoot length of wheat, soybean and oil pumpkin. Both positive and negative effects were observed on the fresh weight of test species seedlings, while the dry weight of seedlings was reduced only for barley in all treatments, and for lettuce in the treatment with extract concentration of 4%. Among the test species barley proved to be the most sensitive in all measured parameters, except in root length.

Fuzarijska palež klasova (FHB) pšenice ekonomski je značajna bolest koja može imati nepovoljne posljedice na prinos i kvalitetu pšenice. Do danas ne postoji mjera zaštite koja osigurava potpunu zaštitu usjeva pšenice, ali kombinacija više mjera može dati dobre rezultate. Učinkovitost svake pojedine mjere pod utjecajem je okolišnih uvjeta koji prevladavaju tijekom vegetacijske sezone, a učinkovitost će ovisiti i o osjetljivosti pojedine sorte na FHB. Sve veći broj istraživanja potvrđuje kako je integrirana zaštita bilja (IZB) ključ za što uspješniju borbu protiv FHB-a. Kako bi primijenjene mjere zaštite bile što uspješnije, od iznimne je važnosti dobro poznavati uzročnika bolesti, njegov životni ciklus i ekologiju. Budući da je F. graminearum dominantni uzročnik FHB-a na području Republike Hrvatske, osobiti naglasak je stavljen na sve dostupne mjere zaštite u njegovu suzbijanju., Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an economically devastating disease that may exert an adverse impact on the wheat yield and quality. To date, no measure ensures a complete protection of wheat crops, but the combination of multiple protection measures may produce the promising results. The effectiveness of each measure is influenced by environmental conditions during the growing season and cultivar susceptibility to the FHB. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the most effective approach to the management of FHB. For a successful control, it is essential to acquire a good knowledge of the pathogen, its life cycle, and its ecology. Since the F. graminearum is a predominant species causing the FHB on the wheat in Croatia, this paper aims to describe all available measures for its control.

The aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of various methods for breaking seed dormancy of weed species Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) and their influence on germination and seedlings growth. Beside control treatment, eight treatments for breaking dormancy of seeds were applied: seed immersion in distilled water for 24 hours ; seed immersion in water at 60 °C for 1 hour ; immersion in a 0.2% solution of potassium nitrate for 24 hours ; immersion in 2% solution of sodium hypochlorite for 8 hours ; treatments with concentrated sulphuric acid for 5 and 10 minutes ; treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid for 5 minutes and germination in darkness ; and combined treatment of sulphuric acid (5 minutes) and 1.5% potassium nitrate solution (2 hours). Average germination of Johnson grass seeds in control treatment was very low, only 2.8%. All dormancy breaking treatments increased seed germination and the highest germination was observed in treatment with combination of sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate (35.0%) and treatment with 2% sodium hypochlorite (30.6%). However, sodium hypochlorite reduced root length of seedlings for 40.9% compared to control, while all treatments had a positive effect on Johnson grass shoot length. Total seedlings length was the highest when seeds were treated for 5 minutes with sulphuric acid. None of the treatments showed significant effect on Johnson grass seedlings fresh weight. Seed germinated fastest in treatment with a combination of sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate (4.58 days), and slowest when seeds were immersed in water (8.16 days) and in the 2% solution of sodium hypochlorite (8.92 days).

The aim of the study was to examine allelopathic effect of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) on germination and growth parameters of weed species hoary cress (Cardaria draba (L.) Desv.). In total, four experiments were conducted. In Petri dishes, cogermination of hoary cress and marigold seeds, and extracts from fresh and dry marigold biomass in concentrations of 5 and 10% (50 and 100 g per litre of distilled water) were evaluated. In pots with soil, effect of extracts from fresh marigold biomass in aforementioned concentrations and effects of fresh and dry marigold residues in two rates (10 and 20 g/kg of soil) were examined. Cogermination of hoary cress and marigold seeds promoted germination and growth of weed. Extracts from fresh and dry marigold biomass, in Petri dish assay, reduced germination of hoary cress on average for 11.9 and 96.9%. Extracts from fresh biomass promoted shoot length of weed seedlings. On the other hand, extracts from dry biomass strongly inhibited all measured parameters. Higher concentration had greater inhibitory effect. Extracts from fresh marigold biomass applied in pots with soil, had stimulatory effect on weed growth, except for root growth which was inhibited with higher concentration (for 6.6%). Fresh marigold residues incorporated in soil had stimulatory effect on germination and seedling growth of hoary cress. Dry residues also had positive effect, but root length was inhibited for 15.4% with lower and 10.2% with higher rate.

In recent decades, there has been an increase in the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a natural insecticide because of its low mammalian toxicity, worker safety, low risk of food residues and the occurrence of resistant insect populations associated with the use of chemical insecticides.Therefore there is potential for research into known but previously undescribed Croatian mid-Miocene marine diatomites from the perspective of their potential as proper DE that could be mixed with plant extracts as a new formulation for grain storage protection. The marine diatomites belong to the Paratethyan near shore environment, deposited in the upwelling zone during a mid-Miocene temperate climate. Palaeontological, mineral and geochemical analyses were done on ten promising marly sediments from 26 outcrops and one borehole from the North Croatian Basin. The most important ingredient of diatomaceous sediments is silica (biogenic opal-Aand SiO2 bound in other silicate minerals including quartz, clay minerals, micas, etc.). The amorphous silica content of the tested Croatian diatomites is relatively low (

The allelopathic effect of plant species Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. was evaluated on germination and growth of weeds. Water extracts from fresh leaves in concentrations up to 10% were examined in Petri dish bioassay. Application of water extracts showed no effect on germination of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) C.H. Schultz) and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.), however the highest extract concentration reduced germination of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L. emend Miller) for 19.6%. Root length of weed species was not affected by extracts, while shoot length, fresh and dry weight of black nightshade, redroot pigweed and velvetleaf seedlings was stimulated. Among weed species, scentless mayweed proved to be the most tolerant.

The aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of various methods for breaking seed dormancy of weed species Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) and their influence on germination and seedlings growth. Beside control treatment, eight treatments for breaking dormancy of seeds were applied: seed immersion in distilled water for 24 hours; seed immersion in water at 60 °C for 1 hour; immersion in a 0.2% solution of potassium nitrate for 24 hours; immersion in 2% solution of sodium hypochlorite for 8 hours; treatments with concentrated sulphuric acid for 5 and 10 minutes; treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid for 5 minutes and germination in darkness; and combined treatment of sulphuric acid (5 minutes) and 1.5% potassium nitrate solution (2 hours). Average germination of Johnson grass seeds in control treatment was very low, only 2.8%. All dormancy breaking treatments increased seed germination and the highest germination was observed in treatment with combination of sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate (35.0%) and treatment with 2% sodium hypochlorite (30.6%). However, sodium hypochlorite reduced root length of seedlings for 40.9% compared to control, while all treatments had a positive effect on Johnson grass shoot length. Total seedlings length was the highest when seeds were treated for 5 minutes with sulphuric acid. None of the treatments showed significant effect on Johnson grass seedlings fresh weight. Seed germinated fastest in treatment with a combination of sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate (4.58 days), and slowest when seeds were immersed in water (8.16 days) and in the 2% solution of sodium hypochlorite (8.92 days)., Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi učinkovitost različitih metoda prekida dormantnosti sjemena korovne vrste divlji sirak (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) odnosno njihov utjecaj na klijavost i rast klijanaca. Uz kontrolni tretman, primijenjeno je osam tretmana za prekidanje dormantnosti sjemena: potapanje sjemena u destiliranu vodu tijekom 24 sata; zagrijavanje u vodi na 60 °C tijekom 1 sata; potapanje u 0,2% otopinu kalijevoga nitrata tijekom 24 sata; potapanje u 2% otopinu natrijevoga hipoklorita; tretiranje koncentriranom sumpornom kiselinom tijekom 5 i 10 minuta; tretiranje koncentriranom sumpornom kiselinom tijekom 5 minuta i naklijavanje u tami, te kombinirani tretman sumporne kiseline (5 minuta) i 1,5% otopine kalijevoga nitrata (2 sata). Prosječna klijavost sjemena divljeg sirka u kontrolnom tretmanu bila je vrlo niska, svega 2,8%. Svi tretmani prekidanja dormantnosti povećali su klijavost sjemena, a najviša klijavost zabilježena je u tretmanu s kombinacijom sumporne kiseline i kalijevoga nitrata (35,0%) te u tretmanu s 2% otopinom natrijevoga hipoklorita (30,6%). Međutim, primjena natrijevoga hipoklorita smanjila je duljinu korijena klijanaca divljeg sirka za 40,9% u odnosu na kontrolu, dok su svi tretmani imali pozitivan utjecaj na duljinu izdanka divljeg sirka. Ukupna duljina klijanaca bila je najviša kod tretiranju sjemena sumpornom kiselinom tijekom 5 minuta. Tretmani nisu pokazali značajan utjecaj na svježu masu klijanaca divljeg sirka. Najbrže je klijalo sjeme u tretmanu s kombinacijom sumporne kiseline i kalijevoga nitrata (4,58 dana), a najsporije kod potapanja sjemena u vodu (8,16 dana) te u 2% otopinu natrijevoga hipoklorita (8,92 dana).

The allelopathic potential of extracts from nine plants species belonging to Asteraceae and Polygonaceae family was evaluated on germination and early growth of lettuce. Water extracts from dry biomass of different plant parts in concentration of 5% were examined under laboratory bioassay in Petri dishes. Among species of Asteraceae family, the highest germination and seedlings growth inhibition was observed with annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus) leaf extract which reduced all parameters for 100%. Similarly, common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) and common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) also exhibited considerable negative effect. Germination of lettuce was not greatly affected when extracts from Polygonaceae plant species were applied, however significant inhibition of root and shoot length as well as fresh seedling biomass was recorded, especially in treatments with black bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus).

The purpose of phytomedicine nowadays is ecologically acceptable protection against plant diseases that is meant to be attained by reducing standard chemical plant protection applying preventive protection measures and the newest achievements in biological control. In current vegetable production soil parasites (Pythium debayianum, Rizoctonia solani) are found to be a serious issue, particularly in seedling production. The aim of our research was evaluation of biological control of parasites by biological product and its efficiency relating to be standard chemical products in greenhouse production.

It is necessary to process large quantities of the plant material to gain enough essential oils in quantities sufficient for commercial-scale tests. Certain compounds (monoterpenes) in the oils exhibit much stronger activity than overall essential oils. Such investigations may contribute to sustainability and should encourage cultivation of plant varieties that produce these compounds in larger quantities as a resource for new formulations of active substances that should be patented by chemical industry.

The aim of the study was to examine allelopathic effect of water extracts prepared from fresh biomass of scentless mayweed [Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) C.H. Schultz] on germination and initial growth of carrot. The experiments were conducted to evaluate: i) the effect of extracts from different plant parts (root, stem, leaf and aboveground biomass) in 1, 5 and 10% concentration in Petri dishes, and ii) the effect of extracts from aboveground biomass in aforementioned concentrations in pots with soil. In Petri dishes, reduction of germination compared to the control was not significant and ranged from 0.5 to 11.1%. Extracts had more pronounced effect on growth and fresh weight of carrot seedlings. Root length was inhibited in all treatments and varied greatly depending on concentration and plant part, while shoot length was both promoted and stimulated. Fresh weight of seedlings was reduced in all treatments and amounted up to 30.5%. Plant parts differed in their allelopathic potential, and root extract exhibited the highest inhibitory effect. In experiment with soil, extracts from fresh mayweed biomass reduced germination for up to 16.1%. Extracts had no significant effect on fresh weight of carrot seedlings, while length of root and shoot were both stimulated and inhibited.

The aim of the study was to determine allelopathic potential of invasive species giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Ait.) on germination and initial growth crops (carrot, barley, coriander) and weed species velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Med.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.). Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to determine effect of water extracts in petri dish bioassay and in pots with soil. Water extracts from dry aboveground biomass of S. gigantea in concentrations of 1, 5 and 10% were investigated. In petri dish bioassay, all extract concentrations showed allelopathic effect on germination and seedling growth of crops with reduction over 25 and 60%, respectively. Both weed species germination and growth were greatly suppressed with extract application. In pot experiment, allelopathic effect was less pronounced. Reduction in emergence percent, shoot length and fresh weight of carrot were observed. Barley root length and fresh weight were reduced with the highest extract concentration. No significant effect on seedling emergence and growth of A. theophrasti was recorded, while emergence of A. retroflexus was inhibited for 14.4%. Germination and growth of test species decreased proportionately as concentration of weed biomass in water extracts increased. Differences in sensitivity among species were recorded, with A. retroflexus being the most susceptible to extracts.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of six cultivated and wild aromatic and medicinal plants, basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), common mallow (Malva sylvestris L.), greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and lovage (Levisticum officinale Koch), on germination and growth of weed species scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) C.H. Schultz). In total four experiments were conducted to assess the allelopathic potential of seed and plant aboveground biomass: I) seed cogermination in Petri dishes, II) seed cogermination in pots with soil, III) water extracts in Petri dishes and IV) plant residues in pots with soil. Weed seed germination was significantly reduced for 32.2% with lovage seeds in Petri dishes. In the pots with soil, seed allelopathic potential was less pronounced. The application of extracts from fresh plant biomass in concentrations of 5 and 10% reduced germination and growth of weed, with the extracts from chamomile and common mallow having the highest inhibitory effect. The extracts from dry plant biomass of basil, chamomile, common mallow, greater celandine and lovage in higher concentration completely (100%) inhibited germination and weed seedling growth. On average, the extracts from dry plant biomass had higher inhibitory effect. Reduction in weed seed emergence and growth was recorded when dry plant residues in rates of 10 and 20 g/kg were incorporated in the soil. Lovage and greater celandine residues exhibited the highest allelopathic effect.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of different methods on breaking seed dormancy of weed species velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.). The influence of seed sowing depth on emergence and growth of weeds was also evaluated. The results showed that the best treatment for breaking seed dormancy of velvetleaf was immersion of seeds in hot water (60°C) for 1 hour, while immersion in distilled water and 0.2% KNO3 solution had no significant effect. Seed germination of redroot pigweed was significantly increased in all treatments, however 2% KNO3 solution and cold stratification at 5oC for 12 days had the greatest effect. Treatments had different influence on mean germination time, seed germination dynamics and seedling length of weeds. The highest percentage of emerged velvetleaf seedlings was recorded when seeds were sown at 1 to 4 cm depths and ranged from 55.6 to 67.9%. With the increase of sowing depth the emergence percentage decreased, however one quarter and one fifth of the seedlings emerged from 7 and 9 cm depths. Both seedling length and fresh weight were greater at lower sowing depths. Emergence of redroot pigweed was not significantly influenced by sowing depth, however seedlings length and fresh weight were greater at 5 cm depth than at 1 cm.

The experiment was conducted to assess allelopathic potential of water extracts from weed species pale persicaria (Polygonum lapathifolium L.) on germination and initial growth of two soybean cultivars (Ika and Sanda). Water extracts from dry stems and leaves of P. lapathifolium in concentrations of 1, 5 and 10% were examined under laboratory conditions using Petri dishes. Results showed that soybean cultivars differed both in their response and sensitivity to allelopathic effect of pale persicaria extracts. Overall, cultivar Ika was more susceptible than cultivar Sanda. On average, germination of soybean was not significantly affected by extracts. The highest germination reduction was recorded with 5% leaf extract for 10.1%. However, Sanda germination was slightly more affected. Contrary, extracts showed greater effect, both stimulatory and inhibitory, on root and shoot length and fresh weight of Ika. Both stem and leaf extracts in 10% concentration had the highest inhibitory effect, up to 48.8%. The increase in extract concentration exhibited higher inhibitory effect, while the lowest concentration generally stimulated soybean growth.

Laboratory bioassay was carried out to study the insecticidal effect of 9 Croatian inert dusts against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and to test their influence on bulk density of treated wheat. In order to compare effectiveness of Croatian inert dust samples, a standard USA diatomaceous earth (DE) Celatom® Mn 51, registered as an insecticide for stored-products protection, was used. Wheat kernels with approximately 13% moisture content were treated with inert dusts at doses 300, 400, 500 and 600 ppm and mortality of S. oryzae adults was assessed after 7 and 14 days and progeny after 49 days. The most effective Croatian inert dust samples were D-02B, D-01 and MA-4 with the LD90 values of 359.6, 447.2 and 458.7 ppm, respectively. In addition, effective dose that reduced F1 progeny in half was lower in regard to the other tested samples including the standard DE Mn 51, with the ED50 values 71.9, 54.6 and 137.6 ppm, respectively. According to the XRF analytical results, the highest amount of biogenic silica (BSi) was found in samples D-02B, D-01 and MA-4 (45.98, 35.09 and 21.28%, respectively). Paleontological data analysis confirmed diatoms species in only 5 samples of Croatian inert dusts (D-01, D-02B, PD-1, MA-4 and JU-1). All tested inert dusts affected reduction in bulk density of treated wheat at the LD90 concentrations, from 4.4 (D-02B) to 5.6 (JU-1) kg hL-1. More effective inert dusts at lower doses equally reduced bulk density as less effective inert dusts at much higher doses.

Ispitan je utjecaj tri ekstrakta dobivenih iz Aloe vera (miks, pulpa i sok) u tri različite koncentracije (103, 104 i 105) na porast micelija šest fitopatogenih gljiva: Diaporthe helianthi, Phomopsis longicolla, Phomopsis viticola, Fusarium graminearum, F. verticilloides i F. solani. Svi ekstrakti su pokazali određeni utjecaj na rast micelija gljiva, bilo da su ga inhibirali ili stimulirali. Utjecaj pojedinih ekstrakata ovisio je o koncentraciji, tipu ekstrakta i gljivičnoj vrsti. Na rast micelija D. helianthi najjači inhibitorni utjecaj imao je miks u koncentracij 103 i 105 i pulpa u koncentraciji 105. Na porast micelija P. longicolla najjači inhibitorni utjecaj su imal pulpa i sok u koncentraciji 104 i 104, dok je miks stimulirao rast micelija. Porast micelija P. viticola jedino je inhibirao sok u koncentraciji 104. Rast micelija F. solani i F. verticilloides su inhibirali svi ekstrakti dok je početni porast (drugi dan od inokulacije) micelija F. graminearum inhibirao miks, a od idućeg mjerenja svi ekstrakti pokazuju stimulativni utjecaj., The aim of this research was to test the influence of three Aloe vera extracts (mix, pulp and juice) in three different concentrations (103, 104 and 105) on six phytopathogenic fungi: Diaporthe helianthi, Phomopsis longicolla, Phomopsis viticola, Fusarium graminearum, F. verticilloides and F. solani. All extracts showed an influence on mycelium growth, whether it was inhibition or stimulation. The impact of extracts depended on concentration, extract type and fungi species. Mycelium growth of D. helianthi was mostly inhibited by 103 and 105 concentrations of mix extract and 105 of pulp extract. Mycelium growth of P. longicolla was mostly inhibited by 104 and 105 concentrations of pulp and juice extract, while the mix extract stimulated the mycelium growth. Mycelium growth of P. viticola was only inhibited by 104 concentration of juice extract. All extracts inhibited the mycelium growth of Fusarium solani and F. verticilloides. Mycelium growth of F. graminearum was inhibited only second day after inoculation, while in the next measuring all extracts stimulated it growth.

The aim of the study was to examine allelopathic effect of parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill.) on germination and growth parameters of weed species hoary cress (Lepidium draba (L.) Desv.). Cogermination of hoary cress with parsley seeds, water extracts from fresh and dry parsley biomass in concentrations of 5 and 10% (50 and 100 g per litre of distilled water) were evaluated in Petri dishes. Effect of water extracts from fresh parsley biomass in aforementioned concentrations as well as effects of fresh and dry parsley residues in two rates (10 and 20 g/kg of soil) were examined in pots with soil. Cogermination of seeds stimulated root length, but decreased shoot length and fresh weight of hoary cress seedlings. In the Petri dish assay, extracts from fresh and dry parsley biomass reduced germination of hoary cress, but had both stimulatory as well as inhibitory effect on other parameters. The highest concentration of dry biomass extract completely reduced germination rate of hoary cress (by 100%). In the pot experiment, extracts from fresh parsley biomass had stimulatory effect on weed growth parameters except for root length which was inhibited with higher concentration by 4.2%. Fresh parsley residues reduced germination, root and shoot length of hoary cress, while dry parsley residues promoted measured parameters, with the exception of root length., Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi alelopatski učinak peršina (Petroselinum crispum Mill.) na klijavost i rast korovne vrste strjeličaste grbice (Lepidium draba (L.) Desv.). U petrijevim zdjelicama istraživan je učinak zajedničkog klijanja sjemena peršina i strjeličaste grbice te utjecaj vodenih ekstrakata u koncentracijama od 5 i 10% (50 i 100 g na litru destilirane vode). U posudama s tlom ispitivan je utjecaj vodenih ekstrakata od svježe mase peršina u istim koncentracijama te utjecaj svježih i suhih ostataka peršina u dozama od 10 i 20 g/kg tla. Zajedničko klijanje sjemena imalo je stimulativni utjecaj na duljinu korijena, ali je smanjilo duljinu izdanka i svježu masu klijanaca strjeličaste grbice. U pokusima u petrijevim zdjelicama, vodeni ekstrakti od svježe i suhe mase peršina smanjili su klijavost strjeličaste grbice, ali su pokazali i pozitivni i negativni utjecaj na ostale parametre. Najviša koncentracija ekstrakta suhe mase potpuno je inhibirala klijavost grbice (100%). U pokusima s posudama, ekstrakti od svježe mase peršina djelovali su pozitivno na rast korovne vrste, osim na duljinu korijena, koja je bila inhibirana s višom koncentracijom za 4,2%. Svježi biljni ostatci peršina smanjili su klijavost i duljinu izdanka grbice. Suhi ostatci promovirali su klijavost i rast grbice, ali su imali negativan učinak na duljinu korijena.

In this experiment we investigate the influence of organic acids (acetic and citric acid) with herbicide effect on weed flora present in the blackberry orchard. The experiment was set up on 16. 04. 2010. at the blackberry orchard (cv. Thornfree), aged 4 years, Đurđevac, locality "Veliki kostanj. Treatments in the experiment were as follows ; control (T1) - herbicide based on glyphosate at a concentration 1.5%, treatment (T2) - acetic acid concentration of 25% treatment, (T3) - acetic acid concentration 15%, treatment (T4 ) - combination of acetic and citric acid (25%), treatment (T5) - combination of acetic and citric acid (15%). For all treatments (T1-T5) was found 100% efficiency of used preparations during 10 days from start of treatment. Regeneration of damaged plants was after 20 days is significantly higher in treatments with organic acids (T3) compared to treatment with glyphosate. Retro vegetation total number of new grown plants after 28 days was significantly lower in treatments with organic acids (T2, T4 and T5) in relation to glyphosate treatment. Glyphosate treatment (T1) had a negative impact on biodiversity, expressed through the adverse effect on the total number nematoda in soil, compared to treatments with organic acids (T2-T5).

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj kemijskih i bioloških mjera na rast i razvoj presadnica paprike i suzbijanje fitopatogenih gljiva Pythium ultimum i Rhizoctonia solani. Istraživanje je provedeno tijekom 2010. godine u kontroliranim uvjetima (klima komora). Presadnice paprike inokulirane su fitopatogenim gljivama te su primijenjeni sljedeći tretmani: kemijski pripravak Previcur 607 SL (a.t. propamokarb-hidroklorid), biološki pripravak TRI 003 (Trichoderma harzianum - Strain-22), biostimulator Kendal® i kontrola. Primjena biološkog pripravka TRI 003 i biostimulatora Kendal® utjecala je na povećanje mase svježeg lista (20,1 g i 18,9 g) i svježe stabljike presadnica (2,81 g i 2,52 g) te bila viša u odnosu na kontrolu i primjenu kemijskog preparata Previcur. Masa korijena i broj listova presadnica paprike bila je najviša u tretmanu s kemijskim preparatom Previcur. Postotak preživjelih biljaka bio je najviši pri primjeni TRI 003 i Kendal®-a., The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chemical and biological measures on the growth and development of pepper seedlings and the control of phytopathogenic fungi Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani. The research was conducted in 2010 in controlled conditions (climate chamber). Pepper seedlings were inoculated with phytopatogenic fungi and the following treatments were applied: chemical preparation Previcur 607 SL (a.i. propamocarb hydrochloride), biological product TRI 003 (Trichoderma harzianum - Strain-22), biostimulator Kendal® and control.The application of the biological product TRI 003 and biostimulator Kendal® increased leaf fresh weight (20.1 g and 18.9 g) and stem fresh weight (2.81 g and 2.52 g) and was higher compared to the control and to the treatment in which chemical preparation Previcur was applied. The root weight and the number of leaves of pepper seedling were highest in the treatment with chemical preparation Previcur. The percentage of surviving plants was highest when TRI 003 and Kendal® were applied.

Istraživanje je provedeno u stakleniku u cilju određivanja učinkovitosti bioloških pripravaka u odnosu na kemijske kod suzbijanja Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) te njihov utjecaj na broj, masu, dužinu i opseg plodova krastavaca. Pokus je proveden tijekom ljetnog i jesenskog vegetacijskog razdoblja, a sastojao se od šest tretmana: Boxer 200 SL (2 ml/2l), Bio-Algeen S-90 (40 ml/2l), Biomit plussz® (40 ml/2l), Agri mix (Agri-50 3 ml/2l +6 ml/2l, naizmjenična primjena), Agri-50 (8 ml/2l) i Agri-50 (6 ml/2l). Svi pripravci primijenjeni su četiri puta tijekom vegetacije. Najbolji učinak pri suzbijanju ličinki T. vaporariorum pokazali su biološki pripravci Biomit plussz® i Bio-Algeen S-90. Agri-50 u svim kombinacijama djelovao je slabije na suzbijanje ličinki u odnosu na kemijski pripravak Bokser 200 SL. S druge strane, u tretmanu gdje je primijenjen Agri-50 u nižoj dozi (6 ml/2l) utvrđeni su najveći broj, masa, dužina i opseg plodova krastavaca u ljetnom uzgoju. U jesenskom uzgoju najbolje djelovanje na krastavce imao je kemijski pripravak Boxer 200 SL i to statistički značajno u odnosu na sve biološke pripravke. Od bioloških pripravaka u jesenskom uzgoju najbolje rezultate na plod krastavaca pokazao je Bio-algeen S-90. Na nizak prinos krastavaca djelovali su i nepovoljni uvjeti uzgoja u jesenskom razdoblju. Iako su svi biološki pripravci pokazali dobar utjecaj na suzbijanje ličinki T. vaporariorum pa i uspješnije od kemijskog sredstva, njihov utjecaj na prinos krastavaca potrebno je dodatno ispitati., The study was conducted in the greenhouse in order to determine the efficacy of biological preparations in comparison whit chemical preparations in the control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) and their impact on number, yield, length and diameter of cucumbers. The trial was conducted during the summer and autumn growing periods and consisted of six treatments: Boxer 200 SL (2 ml/2l), Bio-Algeen S-90 (40 ml/2l), Biomit plussz® (40 ml/2l), Agri mix (Agri-50 3 ml/2l + 6 ml/2l, alternating application), Agri-50 (8 ml/2l) i Agri-50 (6 ml/2l). All preparations were applied four times during the growing season. Biological preparations Biomit plussz® and Bio-Algeen S-90 showed the best effect in supression of T. vaporariorum nymphs. Agri-50 in all combinations was less efficient in suppression of nymphs compared to the chemical preparation Boxer 200 SL. On the other hand, the number, yield, length and diameter of cucumbers in the summer growing period were highest in the treatment with Agri-50 in a lower dose (6 ml/2l). The chemical preparation Boxer 200 SL showed the best results on cucumber fruits in the autumn growing period which were statistically significant compared to all biological preparations. Among biological preparations in the autumn growing season, Bio-algeen S-90 showed the best results on cucumber fruits. The low yield of cucumbers in the autumn growing period was also affected by unfavorable growth conditions. Although all biological preparations showed a good effect in suppression of T. vaporariorum nymphs, some even more successfully than chemical preparations, their impact on cucumber yield needs further study.

Nematode communities showed possibilities to be good indicators of different kind of disturbances in ecosystems. Some groups of nematodes can survive under disturbed environmental conditions, while others cannot. The objective of this investigation was to determine if the nematode communities in the soil could serve as bioindicators of anthropogenic activities in agroecosystems. Research was conducted in 2000, in Kneževo near Osijek. The nematode communities were investigated on three different soil treatments: Poplar forest, Arable land with standard tillage regimes – wheat, Arable land with standard tillage regimes – corn. Sampling was done using a corer Ø ; 2 cm, to a depth of 20 cm. There were 4 replicate plots of each treatment. Nematodes were extracted from 100 g subsamples of soil by the Seinhorst method (Seinhorst, 1956). Identification was done by using keys of Bongers (1994), Mai & Lyon (1975) and Andrassy (1984). Total number of nematodes and number of genera were determined and compared between treatments, as well as Maturity index (MI), Plant parasitic index (PPI) and PPI/MI (Bongers, 1990). Trophic structure was determined according to Yeates et al. 1993. Abundance of nematodes was higher in agricultural treatments in compare to treatment without human intervention (poplar). In opposite, number of genera in treatments was highest in poplar, while in agricultural soil, number of genera that survive was lower. Trophic structure analyses showed similar patterns in all treatments investigated. Five trophic groups occurred (bacterivorous, fungivorous, plant-feeding nematodes, omnivorous and predators). Plant - feeding nematodes were dominant in poplar treatment while in agricultural treatments dominated bacterial feeding nematodes followed by plant feeding nematodes. Although MI and PPI do not show statistically significant differences among treatments the trends in them do represent an effective tool as distinguishing parameters of anthropogenic influence in agro ecosystem. The obtained results provide us information that nematode communities in the soil could serve as reliable bioindicator of anthropogenic activities in agro ecosystems.

Današnji trendovi u fitomedicini nalažu upotrebu ekološki prihvatljivih metoda zaštite bilja koje se postižu smanjenjem upotrebe standardnih kemijskih sredstava (pesticidi) u zaštiti bilja te primjenom preventivnih mjera zaštite i najnovijih metoda bioloških mjera. Primjeni bioloških preparata daje se prednost pogotovo kada su u pitanju zaštićeni prostori i organska proizvodnja zbog pojave rezistentnosti patogena i štetnika na pesticide, a posebno kod uzgoja povrća. Kod uzgoja gerbera kroz čitavu godinu primjena insekticida je neizostavna te da bi se smanjila učestalost primjene i inhalacijska toksičnost, posebice u vrijeme visokih temperatura, poželjna je primjena i introdukcija bioloških preparata u suzbijanju patogena i štetnika. U ovom istraživanju korištena je parazitska osica (Encarsia formosa) za suzbijanje štitastog moljca (Trialeurodus vaporariorum) i kombinacija 50% Encarsia formosa i 50% Eretmocerus eremicus u stakleničkoj proizvodnji gerbera, kao i parazitska gljiva (Trichoderma harzianum) za suzbijanje gljivičnih bolesti uzročnika polijeganja presadnica rajčice (Pythium debarianum i Rhizoctonia solani). Upotreba ovih bioloških preparata uspoređena je s upotrebom standardnih kemijskih pesticida. Na kraju ispitivanja, u oba slučaja, najbolji rezultat pokazala je primjena biološkog suzbijanja., The purpose of phytomedicine nowadays is ecologically acceptable protection against plant diseases that is attained by reducing standard chemical plant protection applying preventive protection measures and the newest achievements in biological control. Application of biological products can be given advantage specially in protected areas and in organic production, when replacing chemicals that become inefficient due to the resistance development, and on account of pesticide residues present. In gerbera production the use of insecticides obligatory throughout and to decrease their use and inhalation toxicity, especially during periods of high temperatures, application and introduction of biological pest and disease control is highly recommended. In this investigation predator wasp (Encarsia formosa) for whitefly (Trialeurodus vaporariorum) and the combination of 50% Encarsia formosa and 50% Eretmocerus eremicus in gerbera glasshouse production and parasite fungus (Trichoderma harzianum) for the control of fungus diseases Pythium debarianum and Rhizoctonia solani, agents of seedling lodging in greenhouse tomato production were used and compared with the use of standard chemical pesticides. At the end of the experiment, in both cases, biological control gave the best result.