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Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) accumulates challenges in the areas of research and innovation (R&I), agricultural water management (AWM) and their intersection. In the decade 2012–2022, the BiH gross domestic product per capita in current US$ increased by 6.2% annually. However, improvements are slowly arriving in R&I and AWM. In this period, relevant challenges to AWM have materialized, such as climate change effects or the need to implement an interconnected vision of ecosystem services. In the R&I arena, the societal demand for knowledge goods remains low, while the reforms of higher education and R&I funding systems have become urgent. This paper set out to elaborate a realistic and feasible policy roadmap to consolidate R&I in AWM in BiH. The methodology included an assessment of policies and sector performance, the analysis of stakeholder perceptions, the development of strategic directions and the design of a strategy. Desk research and stakeholder consultations (33 interviews, six workshops, 179 persons in total) were used to take stock of the current situation and expectations for the future. Stakeholders were divided into knowledge supply and knowledge demand, with five and six subcategories, respectively. Relations were established among the key enabling factors, the needs and the capacities of the involved stakeholders. The TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Strengths) matrix permitted to identify policy strategies. A Weaknesses – Opportunities, conservative or mini-maxi strategy was selected, owing to the relevance of system weaknesses (such as low investments, poor return of R&I to society or low R&I for AWM adaptation) and opportunities (such as the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, Smart Specialization or regional partnerships). The policy roadmap was structured along three policy goals: strengthen R&I, strengthen AWM and identify / fund local R&I priorities for AWM. Policy goals included policy instruments promoting eco-efficient use of

The study evaluated nine empirical methods for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETo) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) across different climatic zones. The methods compared were the Hargreaves–Samani method (HS), the modified Hargreaves–Samani method (HM), the calibrated Hargreaves–Samani method (HC), the Priestley–Taylor method (PT), the Copais method (COP), the Makkink method (MAK), the Penman–Monteith method based on air temperature and overall average windspeed (PMT2), the Penman–Monteith method based on air temperature and regional average windspeed (PMT1.3), and the Penman–Monteith method based on air temperature and site-specific windspeed (PMTlok). These methods were tested against the “Food Agricultural Organization-Penman Monteith approach” (FAO-PM). The evaluation was performed using data from 20 meteorological stations in BiH, considering a common irrigation season (April–October) for two periods (2000–2005 and 2018–2022). The stations represented three climatic zones: semi-arid (SA), dry sub-humid (DSH), and moist sub-humid (MSH). The performance and ranking of the ETo methods were analyzed using the TOPSIS method. The trend of ETo during the common irrigation season for the period from 2018 to 2022 was determined using the Mann–Kendall test. The results of the study indicated that the HC method showed the best performance across all three climatic zones. The average root mean square error (RMSE) was 0.67 mm day−1, 0.49 mm day−1, and 0.50 mm day−1 for the SA, DSH, and MSH zones, respectively. As an alternative to the HC method, the PT method is recommended for its favorable results in both periods and in all zones. On the other hand, the HS method exhibited the highest average overestimation, particularly in the MSH zone, where ETo values were 18% higher compared with those of the FAO-PM method. The COP method also showed high overestimation and was not recommended for use. Regarding the MAK method, it resulted in underestimation during the period

In temperate climatic regions, agricultural production depends on precipitation amount and its distribution during the growing season. A 3-year field study was conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation regimes on yield parameters and water productivity of sprinkler-irrigated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], grown under wet, semi-dry and dry conditions in a temperate environment. Four irrigation levels were applied: full irrigation (I-100), 65% and 40% of full irrigation (I-65 and I-40) and non-irrigated control (I-0). On average, the I-0 treatment resulted in the highest harvest index (HI) and I-100 produced the lowest HI. A significant quadratic correlation between seed yield and crop water use was observed in dry and semi-dry year. The irrigation regime significantly influenced seed yield and water use. 165 treatment produced the highest seed yield (3.69 t ha(-1)) and showed the highest water productivity (WP) (0.90 kg m(-3)) and irrigation WP (1.08 kg m(-3)). The present study indicated that irrigation is necessary for soybean cultivation in semi-dry and dry years i.e., when seasonal precipitation is lower than about 300 mm. In wet years, with a favourable amount and distribution of precipitation during the growing season, yields are similar to those achieved with irrigation and high ET values of soybean are attributable to increased evaporation.

The impact of climate change on potato cultivation in Montenegro was assessed. Three scenarios (A1B, A1Bs and A2) for 2001-2030, 2071-2100 and 2071-2100, respectively, were generated by a regional climate model and compared with the baseline period 1961-1990. The results indicated an increase of temperature during the summer season from 1.3 to 4.8 degrees C in the mountain region and from 1 to 3.4 degrees C in the coastal zone. The precipitation decreased between 5 and 50% depending on the scenario, region and season. The changes in temperature and precipitation influenced phenology, yield and water needs. The impact was more pronounced in the coastal areas than in the mountain regions. The growing season was shortened 13.6, 22.9 and 29.7 days for A1B, A1Bs and A2, respectively. The increase of irrigation requirement was 4.0, 19.5 and 7.3 mm for A1B, A1Bs and A2, respectively. For the baseline conditions, yield reduction under rainfed cultivation was lower than 30%. For A1B, A1Bs and A2 scenarios, yield reductions were 31.0 +/- 8.2, 36.3 +/- 11.6 and 34.1 +/- 10.9%, respectively. Possible adaptation measures include shifting of production to the mountain (colder) areas and irrigation application. Rainfed cultivation remains a viable solution when the anticipation of sowing is adopted.

The applicability of the FAO AquaCrop model to simulate sweet pepper growth with and without plastic film mulching under different water supply and weather conditions is assessed. Pepper yield and biomass are simulated using the results of a two-year (2012 and 2013) field experiment conducted in Stara Pazova and a three-year (2011, 2012 and 2013) field experiment in Sombor, both in Serbia. The year 2012 was much warmer and drier than the two other years. At the Stara Pazova site, black plastic mulch was used and three different irrigation treatments applied: 1) full irrigation (F), at 100% of ETc (crop evapotranspiration); 2) deficit irrigation (R), at 80% of ETc; and 3) deficit irrigation (S), at 70% of ETc. In Sombor, only full irrigation (F*) was applied and there was no mulching. Two different cultivars (cv. Elephant Ear and Misina) were grown in Stara Pazova and Sombor, respectively. The model was calibrated using data from the F-treatment in 2012 at Stara Pazova and F*-treatment in 2011 at Sombor, given that the highest yields were recorded in these two cases. The difference between the measured and simulated values was 2.9% and 7.5% for yield and 7.6% and -14.3% for biomass, in Stara Pazova and Sombor, respectively. The calibration results showed a very good agreement between the measured and simulated values. The deviation of simulated yields from the measured values in the validation data set depended on weather and soil conditions. Namely, the match was very good in the case of well-watered pepper grown without plastic film mulching in the average year at Sombor (1.2%), and was the worst in the extremely warm year (-45.2%). Similar differences were noted in biomass. Based on statistical indicators, the coefficient of determination (R-2) of pepper yield at Stara Pazova and Sombor was 0.61 and 1.00 and the Willmott index of agreement (d), 0.79 and 0.89, respectively. Thus the AquaCrop model simulates the yield of pepper grown with and without plastic film mu

This work compares the performance of AquaCrop, a crop simulation model developed by FAO, with that of two well established models, CropSyst and WOFOST, in simulating sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) growth under different water regimes in a Mediterranean environment. The models differ in the level of complexity describing crop development, in the main growth modules driving the simulation of biomass growth, and in the number of input parameters. AquaCrop is exclusively based on the water-driven growth module, in that transpiration is converted into biomass through a water productivity (WP) parameter; Cropsyst is based on both water and radiation driven modules, while WOFOST simulates crop growth using a carbon driven approach and fraction of intercepted radiation. The data used in the analysis were obtained in field experiments with hybrid Sanbro_MR, performed in a typical Mediterranean area of Southern Italy in 2005 and 2007. The models were calibrated on data from a full irrigation treatment in 2007, and were validated on a full irrigation treatment in 2005 and several deficit irrigation (DI) treatments, including regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and rain-fed (RF) conditions. Although AquaCrop required less input information than CropSystand WOFOST, it performed similarly to them in simulating both biomass and yield at harvesting. The use of different numbers of parameters and crop growth modules by the tested models did not influence substantially the simulation results. Therefore, for management purposes and in conditions of limited input information, the use of simpler models should be encouraged.

This work aims at: analyzing response of sunflower crop to several irrigation water regimes and evaluating the suitability of sunflower to deficit irrigation strategies. An open-field trial on hybrid Sanbro_MR was carried out at experimental fields in Valenzano (Bari, Southern Italy), characterized by semi-arid Mediterranean climate and clay-loamy soil. The experiment includes five irrigation regimes: optimal water supply, application of 100 percent of water requirements up to flowering and 70 percent thereafter, application of 70 percent of water requirements through the whole season, application of 70 percent of water requirements up to flowering and rainfed conditions thereafter, and rainfed conditions during the whole season. Sunflower response to water supply and intensity, timing and duration of water stress was investigated by means of leaf area index (LAI), radiation interception, biomass production, water consumption, yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE). The overall results indicate deficit irrigation as an acceptable strategy for sunflower highlighting the importance of irrigation between flowering and maturity. Ce travail vise à analyser la réponse de la culture de tournesol à plusieurs régimes hydriques et à évaluer l'aptitude de la plante aux stratégies d'irrigation déficitaire. Une expérimentation a été menée sur l'hybride Sanbro_MR cultivé dans les champs expérimentaux de Valenzano (Bari, Italie du Sud), dans un climat méditerranéen semi-aride et sur un sol moyennement argileux. L'expérience comprend cinq régimes d'irrigation: un apport hydrique optimal, une application à 100 pour cent des besoins en eau jusqu'à la floraison puis à 70 pour cent, une application de 70 pour cent des besoins en eau durant toute la saison, une application de 70 pour cent des besoins en eau jusqu'à la floraison suivie d'un régime en culture pluviale et enfin, un régime de culture pluviale pendant toute la saison. La réponse du tournesol à l

The present paper reports research that focused on the effect of kaolin on the yield, quality and water use efficiency of the sweet pepper Capsicum annuum L, grown under different irrigation regimes. The research was conducted in an open field with carbonate chernozem soil, at Stara Pazova (40 km north of Belgrade, Serbia). It lasted for three years (2011, 2012, and 2013). Three irrigation regimes and two kaolin treatments were compared. The irrigation regimes were: (i) full irrigation (F) ensuring 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), (ii) deficit irrigation at 80% ETc (R1), and (iii) deficit irrigation at 70% ETc (R2). The kaolin treatments were: (i) control without kaolin (C) and (ii) treatment with kaolin application (K). The setup was a two-factorial, completely random block system, with three replications. The first factor was the irrigation regime and the second kaolin application. On average, the highest fresh sweet pepper yields were achieved under full irrigation (10 kg m(-2)). Also, FC and FK treatments resulted in the highest first-class, second-class and first + second class yields. On average, the lowest percentage of sunburn was noted in the case of the FK treatment (10%), and the highest with the R2C treatment (about 27%). The sugar content of the pepper was quite consistent, while the organic acid content varied from 15.0 mLg(-1) with R1C to 18.7 mLg(-1) with FK. The application of kaolin and the irrigation regime did not have a statistically significant effect on the antioxidant activity of the pepper and ranged from 5538.4 to 6447.4 p.mol TU g(-1). The highest yield water use efficiency (yWUE) of first-class and first+second class yields was recorded with the FC, FK and RIC treatments. Throughout the study period, yWUE levels of the second-class yields, and of the total yield, were rather uniform, regardless of the type of treatment.

С обзиром да је вода ограничен ресурс, истраживања иду у смеру проналажења различитих система и мера којима се штеди вода, а постижу задовољавајући економско оправдани приноси. Циљ овог рада је био испитивање утицаја каолина на принос, квалитет плодова и ефикасност коришћења воде паприке гајене у различитим режимима наводњавања. Истраживање је обављено на паприци сорте Слоново уво. Коришћен је метод пољског огледа, оглед је постављен као двофакторијални по блок систему у три понављања. Први испитивани фактор био је режим наводњавања (пуно наводњавање (Ф) и два нивоа редукованог наводњавања (Р1 и Р2)), други фактор је био примена каолина (третмани са и без примене петопроцентне суспензије каолина). Сви третмани са применом каолина имају ознаку К. Испитивања су обављена на огледном пољу пољопривредног добра „Напредак“ а. д. – Стара Пазова на земљишту типа карбонатни чернозем током три године у периоду мај - септембар (2011., 2012., 2013.). Вегетација паприке у 2011. години трајала је 120 дана (16. мај – 15. септембар), 113 дана у 2012. (18. мај – 7. септембар) и 117 дана у 2013. години (20. мај – 13. септембар). Све три године су биле веома топле, са веома израженим сушним периодом током јула и августа. Сума падавина током вегетационог периода била је за око 150 mm нижа од просека. Током истраживања праћен је велики број параметара: влажност земљишта (садржај воде у земљишту на свим третманима наводњавања са и без примене каолина), засенченост земљишта лисном масом и акумулација суве биомасе, индекс лисне површине, потрошња воде биљака (евапотранспирација културе, реална евапотранспирација), показатељи водног стреса (температура листа, температурна разлика лишћа и ваздуха, биљни водни стрес индекс), принос и параметри приноса (просечан принос свеже и суве масе плодова паприке и свеже и суве биомасе, принос плодова паприке прве класе, принос плодова друге класе, принос плодова прве и друге класе), физичке особине плодова (број плодова по биљци, маса плода, дужина плода, In view of the fact that water is a limited resource, the present research aims to contribute to the development of various approaches and measures that will save water while achieving economically-viable crop yields. The goal of this research was to test the effect of kaolinite on crop quality and water use efficiency (WUE) in the case of peppers irrigated with various treatments. The object of research was the Elephant Ear pepper. A field experiment was conducted, based on a two-factorial, completely random block design with three replications. The first factor was the irrigation treatment mode (full irrigation (F) and two levels of deficit irrigation (R1 and R2)), and the second factor was the application of kaolinite (treatments with and without a 5% kaolinite suspension). All the treatments threated with kaolin has been labelled with a sign K. The research has been conducted at the experimental field of Napredak AD Stara Pazova on Chernozem soil type during three vegetative seasons (May-September) in the years 2011-2013. In the year 2011 the vegetative period of pepper lasted 120 days (from 16 May to 15 September), 113 days (from 18 May to 7 September) in the year 2012 and 117 days in 2013 (from 20 May to 13 September). The years were warm, having intensive dry period during July and August. Precipitation sum during the vegetation of pepper was for around 150 mm lower than the average sum for the 20 year period. A large number of parameters were monitored, including: soil moisture (water content of the soil in all irrigation treatments, with and without the application of kaolinite), canopy cover, dry biomass accumulation, leaf area index, water consumption (evapotranspiration, real evapotranspiration), water stress (leaf temperature, leaf-to-air temperature ratio, plant water stress index), yields (average yield of fresh and dried peppers, fresh and dry biomass, first-class yield, second-class yield, first- and second-class yield), physical properties (number

In view of the fact that water is a limited resource, the present research aims to contribute to the development of various approaches and measures that will save water while achieving economically-viable crop yields. The goal of this research was to test the effect of kaolinite on crop quality and water use efficiency (WUE) in the case of peppers irrigated with various treatments. The object of research was the Elephant Ear pepper. A field experiment was conducted, based on a two-factorial, completely random block design with three replications. The first factor was the irrigation treatment mode (full irrigation (F) and two levels of deficit irrigation (R1 and R2)), and the second factor was the application of kaolinite (treatments with and without a 5% kaolinite suspension). All the treatments threated with kaolin has been labelled with a sign K. The research has been conducted at the experimental field of Napredak AD Stara Pazova on Chernozem soil type during three vegetative seasons (May-September) in the years 2011-2013. In the year 2011 the vegetative period of pepper lasted 120 days (from 16 May to 15 September), 113 days (from 18 May to 7 September) in the year 2012 and 117 days in 2013 (from 20 May to 13 September). The years were warm, having intensive dry period during July and August. Precipitation sum during the vegetation of pepper was for around 150 mm lower than the average sum for the 20 year period. A large number of parameters were monitored, including: soil moisture (water content of the soil in all irrigation treatments, with and without the application of kaolinite), canopy cover, dry biomass accumulation, leaf area index, water consumption (evapotranspiration, real evapotranspiration), water stress (leaf temperature, leaf-to-air temperature ratio, plant water stress index), yields (average yield of fresh and dried peppers, fresh and dry biomass, first-class yield, second-class yield, first- and second-class yield), physical properties (number, S obzirom da je voda ograničen resurs, istraživanja idu u smeru pronalaženja različitih sistema i mera kojima se štedi voda, a postižu zadovoljavajući ekonomsko opravdani prinosi. Cilj ovog rada je bio ispitivanje uticaja kaolina na prinos, kvalitet plodova i efikasnost korišćenja vode paprike gajene u različitim režimima navodnjavanja. Istraživanje je obavljeno na paprici sorte Slonovo uvo. Korišćen je metod poljskog ogleda, ogled je postavljen kao dvofaktorijalni po blok sistemu u tri ponavljanja. Prvi ispitivani faktor bio je režim navodnjavanja (puno navodnjavanje (F) i dva nivoa redukovanog navodnjavanja (R1 i R2)), drugi faktor je bio primena kaolina (tretmani sa i bez primene petoprocentne suspenzije kaolina). Svi tretmani sa primenom kaolina imaju oznaku K. Ispitivanja su obavljena na oglednom polju poljoprivrednog dobra „Napredak“ a. d. – Stara Pazova na zemljištu tipa karbonatni černozem tokom tri godine u periodu maj - septembar (2011., 2012., 2013.). Vegetacija paprike u 2011. godini trajala je 120 dana (16. maj – 15. septembar), 113 dana u 2012. (18. maj – 7. septembar) i 117 dana u 2013. godini (20. maj – 13. septembar). Sve tri godine su bile veoma tople, sa veoma izraženim sušnim periodom tokom jula i avgusta. Suma padavina tokom vegetacionog perioda bila je za oko 150 mm niža od proseka. Tokom istraživanja praćen je veliki broj parametara: vlažnost zemljišta (sadržaj vode u zemljištu na svim tretmanima navodnjavanja sa i bez primene kaolina), zasenčenost zemljišta lisnom masom i akumulacija suve biomase, indeks lisne površine, potrošnja vode biljaka (evapotranspiracija kulture, realna evapotranspiracija), pokazatelji vodnog stresa (temperatura lista, temperaturna razlika lišća i vazduha, biljni vodni stres indeks), prinos i parametri prinosa (prosečan prinos sveže i suve mase plodova paprike i sveže i suve biomase, prinos plodova paprike prve klase, prinos plodova druge klase, prinos plodova prve i druge klase), fizičke osobine plodova (broj plodova

The assessment of soil erosion rate and its spatial distribution in the hilly-mountainous Nisava River basin was conducted by Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model through a GIS-based approach. A Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) image and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were used for the determination of crop management factor. The average annual soil loss was estimated at 13.1 t.ha(-1).yr(-1), classifying the Nisava River basin under the high erosion rate category. About 44.1% of the watershed area was characterized by slight erosion rate ( lt 5 t.ha(-1).yr(-1)), 15.5% of the area was found to be under moderate erosion rate (5-10 t.ha(-1)), 18.9% of the area was under high erosion rate (10-20 t.ha(-1)), while around 14.4% of the area was under a very high erosion rate (20-40 t.ha(-1).yr(-1)). Severe erosion rates (40-80 t.ha(-1).yr(-1)) were observed at 5.9% of the study area (168 km(2)), whereas very severe erosion rate (>80 t.ha(-1).yr(-1)) described about 1.3% of the watershed (35.9 km(2)). The highest erosion was found on a sloppy terrain with agricultural activity. The results of this work are in agreement with previous studies conducted in the watershed, which indicates the presented methodology could be applied with eventual further improvements for the evaluation of erosion factors on soil resources in Serbia when limited data are available.