This study evaluated the biochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of 3 newly introduced Italian sweet cherry cultivars (Sweet Valina, Sweet Stephany, and Sweet Gabriel) grown under the agroecological conditions of Herzegovina (Mostar and Trebinje). The analysis included total soluble solids, total acidity, sweetness index, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacity in fruit skin and flesh. Significant differences were observed among cultivars, locations, and their interactions for most analyzed parameters. Fruits from Trebinje generally exhibited higher antioxidant capacity, total phenolic contents in the skin, soluble solids contents, and sweetness index values. Sweet Valina, particularly at the Trebinje location, showed the highest total soluble solids (20.5%) and sweetness index value (51.25), indicating superior fruit quality. Sweet Stephany was distinguished by elevated total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in the fruit skin. Principal component analysis revealed that the first two components explained nearly 80% of total variability, with sweetness index and antioxidant-related traits contributing most strongly to cultivar differentiation. The results demonstrate good adaptability of the tested cultivars to the conditions of Herzegovina, with Sweet Valina standing out as the most promising cultivar in terms of fruit quality and bioactive potential.

This study investigated the ability of pavement mushrooms (Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc.) to uptake heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni) from the soil in Sarajevo’s urban area and the potential health hazards related to their consumption. The levels of tested heavy metals in soil and mushroom samples were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. The phytoextraction potential was estimated using bioaccumulation factor (BAF) analysis, while the evaluation of the non-carcinogenic, long-term risk to human health through the consumption of the studied mushrooms was performed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) value. The study revealed that particular soils within the urban zone of Sarajevo are contaminated with Cu and Pb. The average content of tested heavy metals in the fruiting bodies of pavement mushrooms decreased in the order of Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd, regardless of the soils from which the mushrooms were collected. The BAF values obtained in this study indicated that pavement mushrooms have a high ability to accumulate Cd and Cu, while showing a limited ability to absorb Pb and Ni. The THQ values for all heavy metals analysed in pavement mushrooms were considerably lower than one for both adults and children, suggesting that consuming pavement mushrooms gathered from experimental sites poses no non-carcinogenic health risks related to the heavy metals studied.

This work aimed to study the effect of pruning on the uvometric characteristics of the Merlot and Vranac wine varieties in the Trebinje region. The research was carried out in 2018, each variety had two variants of pruning, and each variant had three repetitions. The load levels of buds in this study were 11 (Variant I) and 9 (Variant II) buds per vine. The most important uvometric parameters of the tested varieties were measured. As an experimental factor, the variety, had a statistically significant influence on most of the investigated indicators, while pruning did not. The research carried out in Trebinje shows that both tested varieties can be successfully grown in the mentioned locality because the climatic conditions are suitable for their cultivation. 

During the three-year study of the influence of pruning on the phenological development and yield of the Alphonse Lavalle variety in the Mostar area, three pruning variants (28, 30 and 40 buds / vines) were applied in four replications. The phenological development of the variety took place within the limits of the average and in accordance with the temperature conditions. The total number of developed shoots and the number of bearing shoots was the highest in 2013 (total 21.72, birth rate 21.25), and the lowest in 2012 (total 18.67, birth rate 18.56). The highest yield of grapes per vine was recorded in 2013 (17.73 kg), and the lowest in 2011 (9.01 kg). The number of bunches per vine was the highest in 2013 (33.94), and the lowest in 2011 (26.71). Pruning variant III had the largest number of total (21.79) and native (21.64) shoots, and variant I the smallest (total 18.46, native 18.17). The highest yield of grapes per vine was recorded in variant II (14.47 kg), and the lowest in variant I (12.05 kg), while the number of bunches per vine was uniform in variants II (31.37) and III (31, 51).

Talking about a cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) widespread means that it should be immediately emphasized how widespread it is in our country (Bosnia and Herzegovina), both in food and production. Based on that, there is an urgent need for quality and disease-resistant varieties/hybrids produced by technology which reduces the possibility of disease emergence. Greenhouse production of grafted cucumber in Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent years is experiencing significant expansion.Grafted plants of the cucumber hybrid ‘Charta’ were comparatively analyzed with the non-grafted, in order to record the main morphological and productive differences between them.The examined parameters were the number of lateral roots, number of roots hairs, root mass, leaf length and yields.The results of this study show that grafted cucumber in relation to non-grafted achieves a higher yield (161.64±20.82 kg/50m2), while morphological characteristics were mostly similar. Significant differences were observed only in the number of lateral roots (18.00±2.65).

The effects of different water stress (control, low, moderate and severe) on some morphological and physiological characteristics of spinach plants were evaluated. The results showed that water stress strongly affects spinach plant growth and metabolism. The increasing water stress decreased the leaf area, petiole length and biomass accumulation, resulting in dramatically lower spinach yields. Photosynthetic pigment contents increased in response to low and moderate level water stress; however, under severe stress conditions their content started to decrease. The increase in water stress also resulted in a higher proline accumulation as well as total phenolic and flavonoid contents. These results lead to the conclusion that spinach plants could produce protective macromolecules and antioxidants in large quantities even under severe drought conditions, suggesting that spinach can be considered a drought-tolerant plant species from a survival point of view.

Acidic ammonium oxalate extraction is used to estimate the amount of amorphous or poorly crystalline iron in soils and sediments. Iron is the one element from the “iron triad” which have similar chemical behaviour. Other two elements are nickel and cobalt. The aim of this study was to evaluate acid ammonium oxalate extraction of all elements from iron triad. The samples of natural clay were used in the investigation. Samples for total amounts of metals were prepared with microwave digestion with HNO3 and HF, and measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Ammonium oxalate extraction was done by earlier established procedure in acid medium and with absence of light. Measurements were conducted with atomic absorption spectroscopy with flame atomization (FAAS). For statistical evaluation, maximum, minimum, average, median and correlations were used. The investigated iron triad elements lie in the next sequence: Fe>Ni>Co. The poorly crystalline iron and ammonium oxalate extractable Ni showed higher correlation (r = 0.874) than ammonium oxalate extractable cobalt (r = 0.446), suggesting that iron and nickel are more similar regarding ammonium oxalate extractability.

This study aimed to provide a more in-depth analysis of the fruit quality of three table grape varieties: 'Moldova', 'Lasta', and 'Italia', cultivated in the Žepče area (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The findings from the comparative analysis indicated substantial variations in grape quality among the studied varieties. 'Moldova' grapes exhibited significantly higher total soluble solids and pH values than those of the other table grape varieties. 'Moldova' also had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the grape skin relative to 'Italia' and 'Lasta'. On the other hand, 'Italia' variety showed the highest titratable acidity, followed by 'Lasta' and 'Moldova'. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were highly positively correlated with the antioxidant capacities of all analyzed grape samples, suggesting that phenolic compounds contribute significantly to the antioxidant properties of grapes. Study results also indicated that all heavy metal levels tested in grapes were below the threshold limits, which was expected considering that the experimental soil was not contaminated with the heavy metals being assessed. Overall, the results from the study have shown that all grape varieties studied hereby displayed a satisfactory level of quality based on key chemical parameters, and that the experimental area is quite favorable for their cultivation.