Introduction and objective: Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for the plant and it is necessary for maintain physiological processes, notably photosynthesis, but its higher content in the soil may negative affect the plant, and consequently human health. The objective of this study was to examine the Mn accumulation in edible parts of tested food crops growing on soils near two Mn ore deposits in Bužim municipality (active Mn mine Bužim and Mn ore deposits Radostovo). Methods: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine Mn content in soils and edible parts of different food crops; onions, cabbage strawberry, garlic, potato, pepper, beans and raspberry. Results: The content of Mn available forms, and accumulation in edible parts of examined food crops was significantly higher in soils in the area around Mn mine Bužim although the content of the total Mn in the soils at the site Radostovo were much higher. Considering that soils in the area around Mn mine Bužim are much more acidic than soils at the site Radostovo, it is evident that soil pH is one of the key factors in the assessment of Mn availability in soil. The results of study also showed that the content of Mn in edible parts of all tested food crops did not exceed the toxic value for Mn in plants (400 mg/kg). Conclusions: From the point of view of soil pollution with Mn, both examined sites can be considered suitable for production of healthy food.

The aim of this study was to examine the concentration of total and available forms of heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and Mn) in the greenhouse soils as well as the distribution of these metals in the different parts of tomato plants grown on these soils. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine heavy metals concentration. The concentration of available forms of all examined heavy metals in the soils and in tomato fruits were low, although the total concentration of hazardous heavy metals Ni and Cr in soils exceeded the maximum permissible values, prescribed by legislative rules in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The reasons for the low uptake of heavy metals by tomato plants are mainly related to the chemical properties of soil which are not favorable for heavy metal availability. In addition, the results of this study also showed that the accumulation of all examined heavy metals especially Cr and Ni were much higher in the roots than in the fruits. The low accumulation of heavy metals in tomato fruits is the result of synergy of different plant defense mechanisms that limiting or reducing heavy metal transport from root to fruits.

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of foliar application of seaweed extract (0.2 %) on the growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato under stress and non-stress conditions. The greenhouse experiment was set up in a randomized block design with four treatments in three replications. Treatments were as follows: V1 - seedlings treated by seaweed extract and subjected to drought; V2 - seedlings treated by seaweed extract and regularly watered; V3 - non-treated seedlings subjected to drought; V4 - non-treated seedlings regularly watered. Cherry tomato seedlings treated by seaweed extract had a lower content of proline and higher leaf water potential compared to non-treated seedlings under stress conditions, indicating that application of this fertilizer contributes to better adaptation of cherry tomato seedlings to stress. Treatment with seaweed extract also positively influenced the yield and quality of cherry tomato (total soluble solids, vitamin C, lycopene) under both standard and drought stress conditions as compared to untreated plants in same conditions. Positive effects of seaweed extract on growth and quality of cherry tomato are result of its specific composition, as well as ability of cherry tomato plants to utilize bioactive substances in seaweed extracts for its growth and development.

Murtic, S., R. Oljaca; M. S. Murtic; I. Koleska; L. Karic and J. Avdic, 2018. Effect of microbiological fertilizer for mitigating water stress in cherry tomato. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 24 (1): 106–111 This study was carried out to examine the effect of microbiological fertilizer ‘Slavol’ (MB) on selected physiological parameters for evaluating drought tolerance of seedlings (content of proline, leaf water potential, leaf area, content of photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic and fl avonoids) and subsequently on the yield and fruit quality of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. cerasiforme). Cherry tomato seedlings treated by MB had a lower content of proline and higher leaf water potential compared to non-treated seedlings under water stress, which indicates that microorganisms present in fertilizers contributes to better adaptation of cherry tomato seedlings to stress. The research results also showed that application of MB contribute to increasing of phenolic compounds and consequently strengthening of cherry tomato antioxidant defense system. Fruit quality parameters (TSS, TA, TPC, TFC, FRAP, content of ascorbic acid and lycopene) were signifi cantly higher in fruits of cherry tomato subjected to drought, regardless of MB treatment, suggesting that exposure of plant to controlled water stress conditions may represent a very promising approach to enhance the nutritional quality of cherry tomato.

1 University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Agriculture, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad, Serbia

Murtic S., Oljaca R., Koleska I., Karic L., Todorovic V. (2018): Response of cherry tomato seedlings to liquid fertiliser application under water stress. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 45: 22–28. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different liquid fertilisers on selected physiological parameters in order to evaluate the drought tolerance of cherry tomato seedlings. The following physiological parameters were investigated: total phenolic and flavonoid content, total antioxidant capacity and proline content of leaf extracts. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP assay) was used to measure the total antioxidant capacity, while proline content was evaluated according to the method of Bates. The contents of proline, total phenolics and flavonoids were significantly higher in the leaves of cherry tomato seedlings exposed to water stress, which suggests that the higher synthesis of these substances by plants represents an important defence mechanism of drought tolerance. The results also indicate that the application of all the used fertilisers in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions can significantly increase the content of phenol compounds and total antioxidant capacity of plants under normal growth conditions, thus improving survival under subsequent stress.

This study was carried out to examine the impact of liquid organic fertilizer Ergonfill (LFE) on the yield and quality of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Sakura F1) under different growth conditions. The experiment was set up in a randomized blocks design with four variants in three replications. Experiment variants were as follows: drought-stressed seedlings with and without LFE treatment, and non-stressed seedlings with and without LFE treatment. Exposure of cherry tomato seedlings to controlled water stress conditions significantly increased fruit quality parameters (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, lycopene, total phenolic and flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity), but decreased yield. LFE treatment significantly increased by the all examined parameters under normal growth conditions as compared to untreated plants, and for total phenolic and flavonoids content, total antioxidant capacity and total soluble solids this increase was statistically significant. Positive impact of the LFE application on cherry tomato quality is result of fertilizer composition, as well as ability of cherry tomato plants to use bioactive substances in fertilizer for its growth and development.

The study was carried out in 2015 in the experimental orchard of the Agropodrinje apple introduction centre in the Gorazde area. The impact of different methods of calcium fertilizer application on fruit quality and calcium content in the ‘Idared’ fruit of an 8-year-old apple tree were studied. Fruit mineral composition and quality parameters were estimated after harvest. Calcium fertilizers used in this research were FolifertilCa, calcium-ammonium nitrate (CAN), and calcium oxide (CaO). Folifertil-Ca was applied through leaves, and CaO and CAN were applied through soil. The method of application where CAN was applied in combination with Folifertil-Ca significantly increased the accumulation of Ca in apple leaves and fruits. Also, this method of calcium fertilizer application had the greatest impact on apple fruit firmness increase. In the present study sugar content and acidity of apple fruit did not differ significantly, regardless of the application method of calcium fertilizers. The results of this study support the fact that the Ca uptake by plant roots and its transport to leaves and fruits are directly affected by a plant’s transpiration rate. This fact suggests that in apple cultivation is better if calcium fertilizers applied through soil or in combination with foliage treatment.

ABSTRACT Plant biostimulants are substances which have the capacity to modify physiological processes in plants in a way that provides potential benefits to growth, development or stress response. Effects of biostimulant application on two tomato hybrids (Ombeline F1 and Bostina F1) submitted to reduced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) nutrition aiming at prevention of oxidative stress generation as well as yield and fruit quality loss were investigated in this study. According to obtained results, foliar applied Viva® biostimulant decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) activity in tomato leaves even when recommended NPK nutrition was reduced at 40%. Fruit quality parameters (total soluble solids, total acidity, ascorbic acid and lycopene content) and yield were also maintained in reduced macronutrient fertilization when biostimulant was added. Combination of biostimulant with reduced NPK fertilizer enabled stability of cell homeostasis in tomato plants and their better adaptation to stress conditions. The possibility of biostimulant being used as environmental friendly tool in the reduction of mineral fertilizers without negative consequences regarding yield and fruit quality was discussed.

Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) is a well-known aromatic and medicinal Mediterranean plant that is native in coastal regions of the western Balkan and southern Apennine Peninsulas and is commonly cultivated worldwide. It is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Knowledge of its genetic diversity and spatiotemporal patterns is important for plant breeding programmes and conservation. We used eight microsatellite markers to investigate evolutionary history of indigenous populations as well as genetic diversity and structure within and among indigenous and cultivated/naturalised populations distributed across the Balkan Peninsula. The results showed a clear separation between the indigenous and cultivated/naturalised groups, with the cultivated material originating from one restricted geographical area. Most of the genetic diversity in both groups was attributable to differences among individuals within populations, although spatial genetic analysis of indigenous populations indicated the existence of isolation by distance. Geographical structuring of indigenous populations was found using clustering analysis, with three sub-clusters of indigenous populations. The highest level of gene diversity and the greatest number of private alleles were found in the central part of the eastern Adriatic coast, while decreases in gene diversity and number of private alleles were evident towards the northwestern Adriatic coast and southern and eastern regions of the Balkan Peninsula. The results of Ecological Niche Modelling during Last Glacial Maximum and Approximate Bayesian Computation suggested two plausible evolutionary trajectories: 1) the species survived in the glacial refugium in southern Adriatic coastal region with subsequent colonization events towards northern, eastern and southern Balkan Peninsula; 2) species survived in several refugia exhibiting concurrent divergence into three genetic groups. The insight into genetic diversity and structure also provide the baseline data for conservation of S. officinalis genetic resources valuable for future breeding programmes.

Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio ispitati uticaj primjene razlicitih koncentracija sintetski proizvedenih biljnih hormonana parametre razvoja presadnica paprike ( Capsicum annuum L. cv. 'Sivrija'). Biljni hormoni koristeni u ovom ogledu bili su indol-sircetna kiselina (IAA), indol-butilna kiselina (IBA) i benzil adenin (BA), a svaki od njih primijenjen je u pet razlicitih koncentracija: 100, 300, 500, 1000 i 3000 mg l -1 .Od parametara kvaliteta presadnica paprike u ovom istraživanju ispitivani su: masa svježe tvari korijena, broj korijenovih dlacica po jedinici povrsine korijena, povrsina listova, te sadržaj fotosintetskih pigmenata u listovima.Najveci uticaj na povecanje ispitivanih parametara kvaliteta presadnica paprike je iskazala primjenahormonaIAA i IBA u koncentracijama 100 i 300 mg l -1 , te se iste preporucuju za primjenu kod uzgoja presadnica paprike ( Capsicum annuum L. cv. 'Sivrija').U varijantama gdje su hormoni IAA, IBA i BA primijenjeniu koncentracijama od 500 i vise mg l -1 mlade presadnice paprike nisu uspjele nastaviti svoj životni ciklus, te je doslo do njihovog venuca, sto se može objasniti cinjenicom da previsoka koncentracija hormona može iskazati i herbicidni ucinak na biljku, posebno u ranim stadijima razvoja biljke.

Kadifica ( Tagetes patula L.) se ubraja u grupu jednogodisnjih cvjetnih kultura, a zbog svojih dekorativnih osobina posljednjih godina zauzima sve veci udio u proizvodnom asortimanu proizvođaca cvijeca u Bosni i Hercegovini.Sve veca potražnja za rasadom kadifice namece potrebu intenziviranja njene proizvodnje i podizanje njene kvalitete, a jedan od nacina kojim se to pokusava postici je primjena razlicitih stimulatora rasta. Cilj ovog rada je bio ispitati uticaj stimulatora rasta Bio-algeena S-92, Slavola i Ergonfilla na parametre rasta i razvoja kadifice ( Tagetes patula L.). Od parametara rasta i razvoja kadifice u ovom istraživanju ispitivani su: sadržaj pigmenta u listovima i povrsina listova, te precnik cvijeta i broj cvjetnih glavica po biljci. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da ni jedan od primijenjenih stimulatora rasta nije iskazao statisticki znacajan uticaj na povecanje estetski važnih parametara kvaliteta cvijeca: precnika cvijeta i broja cvjetnih glavica na biljci iz cega se može zakljuciti da kadifica nije zahtjevna kultura za uzgoj jer je u stanju uspjesno razviti svoje cvjetove cak i ako joj se u toku uzgoja ne dodaju stimulatori rasta. Preduslov za ostvarenje navedenog je da supstrat u kojem se kadifice uzgajaju svojim fizickim i hemijskim karakteristikama zadovoljava sve kriterije potrebne biljkama za njihov uspjesan rast i razvoj.