High-throughput field phenotyping (HTFP) has become an important approach for improving the efficiency and objectivity of phenotypic evaluation in modern plant breeding. Within the PHENO_MaizE project the practical application of UAV-based RGB phenotyping in temperate maize breeding under field conditions is investigated. The project integrates repeated drone imaging, extraction of image-derived traits, and predictive modeling in order to evaluate the potential of digital phenotyping for the selection of superior maize genotypes. Experimental material includes maize inbred lines and their corresponding testcrosses evaluated across multiple environments in Serbia. UAV surveys conducted during the growing season will enable monitoring of temporal crop development and extraction of traits such as plant height, canopy cover, vegetation indices, and growth dynamics. The research within the project will also assess the potential of phenomic prediction models for estimating important agronomic traits, including grain yield, flowering time, and grain moisture at harvest. Special emphasis is placed on developing a practical, cost-effective, and scalable HTFP framework adapted to medium-sized breeding programs. The expected outcomes may support wider implementation of digital phenotyping and data-driven selection strategies in maize breeding.
Hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) is an underutilized form of barley that shows significant potential for broader use in human nutrition due to its exceptional nutritional value and beneficial health effects. This potential was the basis for research within the CROPDIVA project, funded by the Horizon Europe program. Despite its historical importance as a staple food, it currently occupies less than 2% of the total barley production area in Europe. The important agronomic, morphological and grain quality traits were investigated in order to determine their value for agriculture and the food industry. The study included 72 genotypes of winter hull-less barley obtained from the IPK genebank in Gatersleben (Germany), along with two control cultivars sown in 10 replications. The experiments were established during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 at the Rimski šančevi experimental station of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad using an augmented block design. This research focused on assessing phenotypic variation of following characteristics: biomass, thousand grain weight, harvest index, grain color, threshability, test weight and grain protein content. Among the tested genotypes, 67 belong to the six-rowed (6R) type, and 7 genotypes are two-rowed (2R) types. After harvest, the protein content of the seeds was determined by the combustion method according to the DUMAS procedure (AOAC 992.23, 1998). Data analysis employed BLUEs (Best Linear Unbiased Estimators) to correct for spatial variation across the 10 blocks. Descriptive statistics revealed substantial phenotypic variability with the highest coefficients of variation (CV) observed for biomass (27.8%) and thousand-grain weight (27.5%). Conversely, hectoliter mass remained highly stable (CV = 4.2%). Two-rowed genotypes achieved a statistically significantly higher biomass (2,445 g m- ²) and thousand grain weight (49.1 g) compared to six-rowed barley, where the biomass was 1,614 g m- ², and thousand grain weight was 30.0 g. In contrast, the average values of hectoliter mass in six-rowed forms (84.6 kg hL-1) and protein content (12.3%) were higher compared to two-rowed forms (79.2 kg hL-1; 10.3%). Only seven genotypes showed a lower degree of threshability, with some seeds retaining hulls after mechanical dehulling. Aleurone layer analysis identified a predominance of white color, while light blue, dark blue, purple, and black pigments were less frequent. Correlation analysis showed that the most pronounced positive correlation was found between biomass and thousand grain weight (0.56). A modarate correlation was detected between TGW and hectoliter weight (-0.47). Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed a high degree of phenotypic variability explaining 63.3% of the total phenotypic variability indicating mutual independence of traits related to protein content and yield components. These results confirm that the European collection of hull-less barley represents a valuable genetic resource suitable for use in breeding programs and improvement of cultivars intended for human consumption.
In a two-year period, the influence of the application of microbiological fertilizer and different cover crops on the moisture content of kernel and the popping volume in the ZPSC 611k popcorn hybrid was investigated. The experiment was conducted on the experimental field of the Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje" (Serbia) and set up according to a split-plot design in 4 replications. The cover crops consisted of plant species: common vetch, winter oats, winter forage pea and winter forage kale, and two mixtures (common vetch and winter oats, winter forage pea and winter oats) were included in the experiment, as well as a variant with mulch and a control. Application of microbiological fertilizer and cover crops had a statistically significant effect on the kernel quality of the tested hybrid. The average values of moisture content in kernel ranged from 13.1% to 15.0%. The dominant influence on both traits was the interaction of year factor x microbiological fertilizer x cover crop, which indicates a strong synergistic effect of meteorological conditions and agrotechnical measures. The highest average values of popping volume were obtained in varieties with legumes and their mixtures, especially with the application of microbiological fertilizer, at an optimal moisture content of about 14%. The results show that the use of cover crops, especially legumes and their mixtures with cereals, along with the application of microbiological fertilizers, is an effective way to improve the technological quality of popcorn kernels in conditions of a moderate continental climate.
Under conditions of climate variability and heterogeneity of agro-ecological environments, assessment of genotype × environment (G×E) interaction constitutes a fundamental basis for the selection of wheat genotypes exhibiting both stable yield performance and strong adaptability across diverse environments. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to evaluate yield variability and G×E interactions among winter wheat genotypes grown across multiple locations in the Republic of Serbia. Multilocational field trials involving 25 wheat varieties were conducted over a single growing season at five locations. Results revealed statistically significant variability in grain yield attributable to genotype, location, and their interaction-with the location effect being the most pronounced. Application of the AMMI (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction) model enabled identification of genotypes combining high yield potential with satisfactory stability. Visualization of results via a genotype-environment biplot facilitated interpretation of response patterns, thereby clarifying the nature and magnitude of genotype-specific adaptability across the tested environments. The highest mean yields were recorded for the newly released varieties NS Supernova (8.08 t ha-¹), NS Eudora (8.07 t ha-¹), and NS Rajna (7.80 t ha-¹); all three demonstrated robust adaptability and consistently high yields across multiple locations. In contrast, varieties such as NS Igra, NS Lavica, and NS Kimera yielded values close to the overall site-mean across most locations, indicating relatively uniform responsiveness and broad adaptability under variable agro-ecological conditions. Novi Sad and Pančevo emerged as locations with comparatively favorable agro-ecological conditions, where even varieties possessing only moderate yield potential achieved high absolute yields. Based on these findings, a set of promising genotypes was identified, characterized by a favorable combination of high and stable yield, and recommended for advancement into subsequent breeding stages and multi-year, multi-environment testing.
Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a widely cultivated vegetable whose growth and development are significantly modulated by light quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different LED light treatments during the seedling stage on pepper subsequent development and yield after transplanting into a greenhouse. Commercial sweet pepper variety Morava was used as the plant material. At the phenological stage of first true leaf formation, the plants were placed in closed plant growth chambers under four light treatments: multispectral white light-emitting diodes (W LEDs), monochromatic blue LEDs (B LEDs), red LEDs (R LEDs), and a mixed (50:50% ratio) red and blue LEDs (RB LEDs). The seedlings were cultivated for either 20 or 27 days under a 12/12 h (light/dark) photoperiod at a controlled temperature of 23 ± 2 °C. After 20 and 27-day exposure periods, five uniform seedlings per treatment were transplanted into larger plastic pots and transferred to a greenhouse, where they were grown under natural daylight for an additional 51 and 44 days, respectively. At the full maturity stage, the number of fruits and yield per plant, chlorophyll content, and total soluble sugar content were recorded. The results show that the number of pepper fruits per plant was significantly influenced by both the light treatment and its interaction with the duration of light exposure. In contrast, the fruit weight, total soluble sugar content, and chlorophyll content depended exclusively on the duration of exposure to the light treatments. A 27-day red light treatment applied at the first true leaf stage significantly increased fruit number and weight while proving statistically equivalent to other leading treatments in optimizing sugar and chlorophyll accumulation.
