This study investigated the influence of cultivar and rootstock on the fruit cracking index and harvest date of sweet cherry under the agro-ecological conditions of Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Four Italian sweet cherry cultivars (Marysa, Sweet Gabriel, Sweet Valina, and Sweet Stephany) grafted onto two vegetative rootstocks (Gisela 5 and Gisela 6) were evaluated during the 2025 growing season. The results showed statistically significant differences among combinations cultivar/rootstock in both harvest date and fruit cracking index. The lowest cracking index was recorded for Sweet Stephany grafted onto Gisela 6, while the highest susceptibilitywas observed for Marysa grafted onto the same rootstock. Overall, cultivars grafted onto Gisela 6 exhibited higher cracking susceptibility compared to those grafted onto Gisela 5. A strong and highly significant negative correlation (r = −0.91**) was established between harvest date and fruit cracking index, indicating that earlier-ripening cultivars were more prone to cracking. The findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate cultivars and rootstocks in reducing the risk of fruit cracking. However, in order to provide more valuable information for the introduction of new sweet cherry cultivars and the establishment of sustainable orchards under similar agroecological conditions, it is necessary to extend the study over two or even three years, as only in this way can reliable and relevant data be obtained.

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).

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.