The ability to access physiologically driven signals, such as surface temperature, photochemical reflectance index (PRI), and sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), through remote sensing (RS) are exciting developments for vegetation studies. Accessing this ecophysiological information requires considering processes operating at scales from the top-of-the-canopy to the photosystems, adding complexity compared to reflectance index-based approaches. To investigate the maturity and knowledge of the growing RS community in this area, COST Action CA17134 SENSECO organized a Spatial Scaling Challenge (SSC). Challenge participants were asked to retrieve four key ecophysiological variables for a field each of maize and wheat from a simulated field campaign: leaf area index (LAI), leaf chlorophyll content ( C ab ), maximum carboxylation rate ( V cmax,25 ), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The simulated campaign data included hyper-spectral optical, thermal and SIF imagery, together with ground sampling of the four variables. Non-parametric methods that combined multiple spectral domains and field measurements were used most often, thereby indirectly performing the top-of-the-canopy to photosystem scaling. LAI and C ab were reliably retrieved in most cases, whereas V cmax,25 and NPQ were less accurately estimated and demanded information ancillary to RS imagery. The factors considered least by participants were the biophysical and physiological canopy vertical profiles, the spatial mismatch between RS sensors, the temporal mismatch between field sampling and RS acquisition, and measurement uncertainty. Furthermore, few participants developed NPQ maps into stress maps or provided a deeper analysis of their parameter retrievals. The SSC shows that, despite advances in statistical and physically based models, the vegetation RS community should improve how field and RS data are integrated and scaled in space and time. We expect this work will guide new-comers and support robust advances in this research field.

Aim of study: A two-year experiment (2021-2022) was conducted to assess the response of a local maize hybrid BL-43 to different water regimes (full irrigation, deficit irrigation and rainfed) at two distinguished pedo-climatic locations (Aleksandrovac and Butmir) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Area of study: The field experiment was located in Aleksandrovac (near Banja Luka) and Butmir (near Sarajevo) in BiH. Material and methods: A randomized block design was adopted at both experimental locations with three replicates. An Excel-based irrigation tool was used to manage crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling. Main results: Crop response to water was affected by site-specific agronomic management, the duration of phenological stages and their interconnection with precipitation events. At both locations, the effect of the water inputs on grain yield was statistically significant confirming the beneficial impact of irrigation. The effect of water stress on yield was particularly pronounced at Aleksandrovac, which was under water and temperature stresses during flowering time. During both seasons and for all water regimes, the total average grain yield was greater at Butmir than at Aleksandrovac for 38% and 27%, respectively. Research highlights: This is the first experimental study conducted in BiH on the effect of irrigation on maize grain production under different pedoclimatic conditions. The study emphasizes the need for knowledge regarding the impacts that climate change is having on the productivity of one of the region's most important crops.

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 resources and sustainable development of rural areas.

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 from 2000 to 2005, ranging from 17% in the DSH zone to 11% in the MSH zone. However, its performance improved during the period from 2018 to 2022, for which it ranked second place in the MSH zone. Among the PMT methods, the PMTlok, which utilized local average windspeed, yielded the best results. Despite performing well in the neighboring country of Serbia, the HM method showed poor overall performance in BiH. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for further research in BiH to enhance irrigation practices in response to climate changes.

NAD + has emerged as a crucial element in both bioenergetic and signaling pathways since it acts as a key regulator of cellular and organism homeostasis. NAD + is a coenzyme in redox reactions, a donor of adenosine diphosphate-ribose (ADPr) moieties in ADP-ribosylation reactions, a substrate for sirtuins, a group of histone deacetylase enzymes that use NAD + to remove acetyl groups from proteins; NAD + is also a precursor of cyclic ADP-ribose, a second messenger in Ca ++ release and signaling, and of diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) and oligoadenylates (oligo2′-5′A), two immune response activating compounds. In the biological systems considered in this review, NAD + is mostly consumed in ADP-ribose (ADPr) transfer reactions. In this review the roles of these chemical products are discussed in biological systems, such as in animals, plants, fungi and bacteria. In the review, two types of ADP-ribosylating enzymes are introduced as well as the pathways to restore the NAD + pools in these systems.

Plants activate an immune response in defense against microbial pathogens. The first layer of immunity consists in the recognition of microbial fingerprints, called Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP), by a set of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR). In addition, the degradation products from fungi, bacteria and plant cells are recognised as Damage Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP). The first layer of plant defence is based on Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR) on the membrane. These receptors, either receptor kinases or receptor-like proteins (RLPs), associating with cytoplasmic kinases, recognize the presence of PAMPs, thus activating a local response named PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI), that is not strong but effective towards many pathogen species. Here we discuss and focus on Elongation Factor Tu Receptors (EFR) and flagellin sensing (FLS) receptors. In leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor proteins, the hydrophobic LLR domains are exposed on external membranes, providing the protein-protein interaction modules. Plants evolved this protein-protein interaction domain several times during the development of mechanisms to defend themselves from viruses, virulence factors, enzymes and effectors of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Pathogens in addition evolved proteins and enzymes that are injected in the plant cell to counterfight plant immune signaling pathways. These effectors are recognised by plant receptors sensing their presence of their cognate avirulence genes. These receptors originated from recombination during evolution and only occur in some specific tomato genotypes, instead of the widely occurring PPRs. Effector Triggered Immunity (ETI) allows a plant response to effector proteins that is more strong, but is race specific. It leads to local necrosis and apoptosis, and to the establishment of the hypersensitive response (HR). For biotrophic or hemibiotrophic pathogens, necrosis is an effective way to limit their spread, while for necrotrophic pathogens this is not efficient and sufficient way to limit their spread, since depends on the timing of infection and on the plant development phase. Pathogenic fungi strategy relies on the formation of specialised structures, or haustoria, that facilitate the nutrient uptake form plant cells. In this review, we summarize the most recent knowledge on plant pathogens and the mechanisms they evolved to circumvent plant defences among which pathogen effectors, protein decoys inactivating plant defence signals. Effectors are recognised through their binding to plant proteins by means of plant receptors, that activate the Effector Triggered Immunity (ETI). In particular, we focus on the Solanaceae, discussing general mechanisms and specific pathways that confer resistance to various pathogens. There is an arm race between plants and fungal and bacterial pathogens that has led to new protein variants and protein decoys (pseudokinases, inhibitors and sponges blocking glucanases, and Transcription Activator Like Effectors). Advances in understanding the function of pathogen effectors will provide new ways to improve plant immunity and mechanisms of defence against their pests. Finally, we present possible combinations of interventions, from gene engineering to chemical priming, acting on signaling pathways regulated by jasmonate and salicylate hormones, to increase plant resistance and activate plant defences without affecting crop yields.