Contamination of agricultural soils can present a signifi cant risk to human health through oral ingestion, particle inhalation, and dermal contact. Th e aims of this research were to determinate the concentrations, distribution and human health risk of various heavy metals in soil samples from three agricultural areas of South Herzegovina. A total number of 32 soil samples were collected and analyzed for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn). Th e Hazard Index (HI) was used to assess the human health risk of the study area. For the adult and children population, the HI value for dermal exposure to Cobalt (Co) was greater than one (HI>1), and non-cancerogenic eff ects are therefore considered as signifi cant for human health. Our fi ndings impose consideration of taking risk management measures in order to reduce risk for human health from Cobalt (Co).

Summary The paper presents three year research on qualitative characteristics of introduced peach varieties: Maycrest, Spring Lady, Rich Lady and Elegant Lady, and standard variety Springcrest in Herzegovina. The varieties were described according to the method of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR), including subjective assessment. The highest marks for attractive fruit were given to the varieties Rich Lady and Elegant Lady, that are characterized by extremely large fruit, attractive blush colour, and easy stone adherence. Early and medium ripening varieties (Maycrest and Springcrest) are characterized by extremely firmness of flesh which provides greater transportability. The highest stone cracking was found for variety Maycrest, the lowest was noticed for Elegant lady, while the other varieties have medium stone cracking (mark 5). Concerning stone adherence, clingstone was found for the varieties Maycrest and Springcrest, semi-freestone was noticed for the variety Spring Lady, while varieties Rich Lady and Elegant Lady had free stones, actually it is completely free from flesh, characteristic which is highly appreciated by consumers. Key words: peach, fruit, flesh, stone

The research on pollen germination of three most important pomegranate varieties grown in coastal region of Montenegro and the hinterland is presented in this paper. The trial was carried out during the three consecutive years (2002-2004) on two sweet (‘Slatki barski’ and ‘Serbetas’), and one sour (‘Dividis meke kore’) pomegranate varieties. Pollen germination was tested on solid 1 % agar medium (Agar Plate method) with two concentrations of sucrose (10 and 15 %).‘Slatki barski’ and ‘Serbetas’ varieties showed higher degree of germination at the 15 % sucrose medium (65,96 and 71,27 %) than at the medium with 10 % (42,41 and 39,70 %). The degree of pollen germination was significantly lower in ‘Dividis meke kore’, on both sucrose concentrations (16,5 and 22,54 %). Therefore, pollen germination parameter in this variety should be tested before planting in mono-varietal orchards.

This study was carried out on 13 local cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) genotypes grown in Yusufeli (Artvin) in Northeast Anatolia in Turkey. Cornelian cherry fruits from these 13 genotypes were harvested and analyzed during the ripening period in 2010. Some physical and chemical characteristics of cultivars were determined. Fruit weight and fruit flesh ratio of these genotypes ranged from 2.72 to 4.11 g and 79.08 to 89.99%. Soluble solid content were determined the lowest as 13.7% and the highest as 18.6%. The genotypes had vitamin C between 31 to 70 mg/100 g with average of 50 mg/100 g. Total protein, cellulose, tannin and ash content of genotypes were determined between 0.75-2.18%; 0.36-1.08%; 0.57-1.28% and 0.51-1.13%. The genotypes were found to be free of pest and diseases. The present study showed that there were enough variability among cornelian cherry genotypes grown in same ecological conditions of a small area and these genotypes could be important both to improve nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programmes and to use them in organic production.

The goal of this paper, based on analysis of physical and chemical characteristics of fruit itself, is to determine to what extent the introduced varieties of cherry-stela and burlat have become adaptable to agro ecological conditions of Herzegovina region. Analysis showed that regarding fruit dimensions and fruit stone mass, there arc recorded larger values of stela variety compared to burlat variety. However, statistically variety stela had shorter stalk compared to variety burlat. Variety burl at had significantly larger value s of most important chemical characteristics (total soluble dry matter and total acids). Both tested varieties have one or several positive characteristics and the author can recommend them for commercial production.

Aim of this study was to select the genotypes with good morphological-phenological characteristics from the population of almonds in Herzegovina. The recording and studying of 27 autochthonous almond genotypes was carried out, and three genotypes were selected and analysed using method of positive individual selection. The study comprised observation of blossom and ripening phenophases, as well as its morphological and pomological characteristics. Genotype II was highlighted with its semi-soft shell and high degree of yield of kernel (54,41%), and it has late blossom. Genotype III has convenient blossom period.

The aim of this project is dissemination of innovative technologies and knowledge related to the technologies of processing of medicinal and aromatic herbs with the goal of production of essential oils. Production of essential oils in rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina is done in the conditions, which are not, at this moment, at the level of sophisticated techniques and technologies. Essential oils are produced partly from widely grown medicinal and aromatic herbs and mostly from plantation-grown herbs. The aspects of processing of medicinal and aromatic herbs into distillates and all the measures, which follow the processing, should go through the transfer of technologies, so we could meet quality requirements as well as the European standards. Therefore, the intention is to certify the products as organic and according to HACCP system. Concerning the distillation of medicinal and aromatic herbs grown in natural population, we want to become a part of sustainable and rational exploitation in the way that we will identify economically important, rare, endangered and protected plants and to take care about the total biodiversity.