Knowledge of population structure and genetic relationship among inbred lines is essential for exploiting heterosis in maize breeding programs. This study evaluated the concordance between 25k Illumina® Infinum Maize SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) Array (25k SNP array)-derived and ribonucleic acid (RNA)-sequencing (seq)-derived markers in estimating genetic relatedness and population structure within the Maize Research Institute “Zemun Polje” (MRIZP) breeding program. A panel of 28 elite MRIZP maize inbred lines, along with two public lines, was analyzed. For the RNA-seq data, three alternative SNP datasets were generated based on heterozygous-site handling (ALL, HOM, and FINAL) to assess their impact on downstream genetic inference. These approaches had distinct effects on clustering resolution and genetic relationship structure. The FINAL dataset, in which heterozygous positions were recoded as missing values and re-filtered, was selected as the most balanced dataset for comparative analyses with 25k SNP array data. Only a limited number of overlapping SNP positions were identified between RNA-seq and 25k SNP array datasets (six in ALL, two in FINAL, and none in HOM), all located within coding regions. Despite this minimal overlap, distance-based analyses revealed partial concordance in genetic relationship patterns and population structure between platforms. Genetic distances estimated from 25k SNP array markers were consistent with pedigree records and provided more informative insights than pedigree data alone. Population structure inferred from 25k SNP array data showed high concordance with previously defined heterotic groups, correctly assigning 29 out of 30 lines (96.67%) to their expected clusters. In contrast, RNA-seq-derived SNPs showed moderate concordance with expected heterotic groupings (56.67%), indicating that transcriptome-derived markers capture part of the underlying breeding structure, but do not fully resolve heterotic group separation. Overall, these results support the 25k SNP array as a robust tool for assessing genetic relatedness and population structure in maize breeding programs, while RNA-seq-derived SNPs provide complementary but less reliable information for routine heterotic assignment.

Climatic variability, particularly fluctuating precipitation and rising temperatures, poses a significant threat to crop productivity and stability. Forage sorghum hybrids are a promising alternative for fodder and bioenergy due to their high level of drought tolerance. This study evaluated genotypic variation and environmental adaptability of 60 forage sorghum genotypes: 13 parental lines, their 40 crosses and seven commercial hybrids, to identify high-yielding, stable hybrids for biomass production under changing agroecological conditions. Field trials conducted over two contrasting years revealed significant genotype-by-environment interactions (p < 0.05), highlighting the need for multi-year evaluations. While favorable rainfall in 2020 enhanced vegetative traits (plant height, stem diameter, leaf area), biomass yield variability increased, emphasizing that favorable vegetative development does not necessarily correlate with yield stability. Principal component analysis indicated that plant height, stem diameter and leaf-related traits contributed most to genotypic differentiation. However, no single trait emerged as a reliable predictor of yield, suggesting complex trait interaction. These findings underscore the importance of integrative breeding strategies that combine phenotypic trait assessment with environmental adaptability to ensure sustainable biomass production. Sorghum’s drought tolerance and resilience make it a promising crop for future food and feed security in regions prone to climatic stress.

The objectives of this study are to investigate the possibility of utilizing sugar beet for biogas production with a high methane content. For the last three hundred years, it has been an important source of sugar, particularly in Europe and other temperate regions of the world, but changes in modern agriculture, world trade and economics have led to a decline in the use of sugar beet as a raw material for sugar factories. As sugar is an important product and an important ingredient for many industries, sugar beet will continue to be grown in many countries for strategic reasons. Nevertheless, this plant has become an interesting source for many new byproducts and technologies. The sugar beet root not only has a sugar content of about 20

Background Biomass accumulation as a growth indicator can be significant in achieving high and stable soybean yields. More robust genotypes have a better potential for exploiting available resources such as water or sunlight. Biomass data implemented as a new trait in soybean breeding programs could be beneficial in the selection of varieties that are more competitive against weeds and have better radiation use efficiency. The standard techniques for biomass determination are invasive, inefficient, and restricted to one-time point per plot. Machine learning models (MLMs) based on the multispectral (MS) images were created so as to overcome these issues and provide a non-destructive, fast, and accurate tool for in-season estimation of soybean fresh biomass (FB). The MS photos were taken during two growing seasons of 10 soybean varieties, using six-sensor digital camera mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For model calibration, canopy cover (CC), plant height (PH), and 31 vegetation index (VI) were extracted from the images and used as predictors in the random forest (RF) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) algorithm. To create a more efficient model, highly correlated VIs were excluded and only the triangular greenness index (TGI) and green chlorophyll index (GCI) remained. Results More precise results with a lower mean absolute error (MAE) were obtained with RF (MAE = 0.17 kg/m 2 ) compared to the PLSR (MAE = 0.20 kg/m 2 ). High accuracy in the prediction of soybean FB was achieved using only four predictors (CC, PH and two VIs). The selected model was additionally tested in a two-year trial on an independent set of soybean genotypes in drought simulation environments. The results showed that soybean grown under drought conditions accumulated less biomass than the control, which was expected due to the limited resources. Conclusion The research proved that soybean FB could be successfully predicted using UAV photos and MLM. The filtration of highly correlated variables reduced the final number of predictors, improving the efficiency of remote biomass estimation. The additional testing conducted in the independent environment proved that model is capable to distinguish different values of soybean FB as a consequence of drought. Assessed variability in FB indicates the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed model, as a novel tool for the non-destructive estimation of soybean FB.

Tomato is one of the most important species belonging to the Solanaceae family. Focusing on the importance of tomato in human nutrition and the problem of narrowed genetic variability, the aim of the study was to assess morphological and chemical diversity in IFVCNS germplasm collection. Twenty genotypes were analysed for the morphological and chemical fruit traits: average mass (g), length (cm), diameter (cm), pericarp thickness (mm), locules number, moisture content (%), total soluble solids (°Brix), ash content (%), total acidity (%) and pH value. Selected plant material for analysis included: landraces, traditional varieties, breeding lines and commercial varieties. Differences among tomato genotypes in all fruit traits were determined. Fruit mass and locules number had the highest coefficient of variation. The least differences between genotypes were observed in the fruit moisture content. Four principal components accounted for 90.6% of total variance or 36.5%, 24.2%, 19.8% and 10.1%, respectively. Along the axis of the first main component, genotypes were classified into three groups. The first component was defined by fruit length, diameter and mass. The second component was correlated with pericarp thickness and locules number, and the third with moisture content, ash content and total soluble solids. Based on the cluster analysis, genotypes were classified into three groups which were in agreement with the PCA groups. Hybridization between genotypes from different groups was proposed in order to create new hybrids and varieties and to increase tomato germplasm diversity. By crossing those genotypes, improved recombinations in morphological and chemical traits can be expected.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a meadow and pasture species in natural habitats and also a cultivated species used for animal nutrition. The aim of this research was the assessment of the diversity of 46 red clover accessions based on morpho-productive traits. The traits were investigated according to the UPOV descriptors for red clover-number of internodes, number of branches, stem length, stem thickness, middle leaflet length, middle leaflet width, green matter yield and dry matter yield. The principal components analysis (PCA) explained 74% of the variance of the standardized data and showed relationships between 46 red clover accessions and eight morpho-productive traits, associations among traits and performance of accessions. Among the determined Euclidean distances, the smallest value was obtained for the accessions Rotra and Titus (0.048), the largest value was 1.099 for a pair of NCPGRU2 and Čortanovci accessions, and the average value was 0.380. Two clusters of 46 red clover accessions were separated in the dendrogram based upon UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic mean) for eight morpho-productive traits. The first cluster included two subclusters, while the second cluster contained four subclusters. The grouping of the accessions from the red clover collection by the UPGMA cluster analysis can be linked to the geographical origin of the accessions: central and Southern Europe for three subclusters and northeastern Europe for one subcluster.

Description of the subject. Red clover is an important forage legume and a rich source of high quality forage for livestock feed. This study assesses a diverse red clover collection for agronomic value, forage quality and antioxidant activity in relation to status (cultivar vs natural population) and ploidy level (diploid or tetraploid) for the purpose of diversity study and for identification of potential heterotic groups and classification of accessions according to the results of analyses. Objectives. The aims of this research were to: i) explore agronomic traits, forage quality, and antioxidant activity in relation to status and ploidy level; ii) assess trait associations and the possibility of indirect selection; iii) cluster red clover accessions with regard to forage quality and antioxidant activity. Method. Red clover was represented by 46 accessions, the cultivars and natural populations of diploid (2n) and tetraploid (4n) ploidy levels from 17 countries, which were collected and preserved in the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, Serbia. The following traits were determined from the two-year field trial at Rimski Šančevi, Serbia: plant height (PH), internodes number (IN), green mass yield (GMY), dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV) and antioxidant activity. All accessions were characterized in the second cut of the second year of life when 20-25% of flowers appeared. Results. The cultivars had higher values for PH, IN, GMY, DMY, DDM, DMI, and RFV. The tetraploid accessions had higher values for IN, GMY, DMY, CP, NDF and DDM. The natural populations and diploid accessions had 39.9% and 21.9% smaller antioxidant capacity, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was positively associated with RFV, DDM, DMI, PH, IN, GMY and DMY, but negatively with ADF and NDF. Conclusions. The grouping of red clover accessions based on forage quality parameters and antioxidant activity was represented by five clusters. High-quality cultivars had a shorter length of internodes and a good leaf to stem ratio with a high leaf proportion.

Spelt wheat (Triticum spelta L., 2n=6x=42, AABBDD), as a hexaploid wheat species, is important sources of food and feed in Europe. It also serves as an important genetic resource for improvement of wheat quality and resistance. In this study, two novel m-type low molecularglutenin subunit (LMW-GS) genes, named as TsLMW-m1 and TsLMW-m2 were cloned by allelic specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR)from German spelt wheat cultivars Rochbergers fruher Dinke and Schwabenkorn, respectively. The complete open reading frames (ORFs) of both genes contained 873 bp encoding 290 amino acid residues, and had typical LMW-GS structural features. Two same deletions with 24 bp at the position of 707-730 bp were present in both genes, while TsLMW-m1 had two nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variations at the positions of 434 bp (C-A transversion) and 857 bp (G-A transition). Phylogenic analysis revealed that both LMW-m genes were closely related to those from wheat A genome, suggesting that both subunits are encoded by the Glu-A3 locus. Secondary structure prediction showed that TsLMW-m1 and TsLMW-m2 subunits had more ?-helices than other wheat LMW-GS including superior quality subunit EU369717, which would benefit to form superior gluten structures and dough properties. The authenticity and expression activity of TsLMW-m1 and TsLMW-m2 genes were verified by prokaryotic expression in E. coli. Our results indicated that two newly cloned TsLMW-m genes could have potential values for wheat quality improvement.

A panel of seven maize inbred lines belonging to Zemun Polje commercial pool were genotypized using SNPs bead chip. 21 hybrids, developed according to the half dialel mating design, were tested in the field together with inbred lines per se. The goal of the study was to determine the genetic distance among seven maize inbred lines and to establish whether there was a significant correlation between the genetic distance among parental inbreds and grain yield, specific combining abilities (SCA) and high-parent (HP) heterosis for the grain yield. The inbred lines ZPL2 and ZPL4 with the genetic distance of 0.487 were the most genetically distant parents, while inbred lines ZPL1 and ZPL2 with the genetic distance of 0.191 were the closest ones. Three subclusters of inbred lines were distinguished in the dendrogram. Inbred lines ZPL5, ZPL6, ZPL3 and ZPL7 were grouped into the first subcluster, while inbred lines ZPL1 and ZPL2, i.e. the inbred line ZPL4 were grouped in the second, i.e. the third subcluster, respectively. The values of the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the genetic distance among inbred lines based on the SNP markers, and grain yield, specific combining abilities (SCA) and high-parent (HP) heterosis were positive and statistically significant. The highest correlation coefficient was exhibited between the grain yield and high-parent (HP) heterosis (0.93), and then between the genetic distance and the grain yield (0.92) as well as between the genetic distance and high-parent (HP) heterosis (0.91).

The aim of this study was to observe direct and joint effects of three factors (genotypes, ecological environmental conditions and the applied crop density) on the level of defoliation intensity and yield. Three inbred lines (G) of maize (G1–L217RfC, G2–L335/99 and G3–L76B004) were used in the study. The trials were performed in two years (Y) (Y1 = 2016 and Y2 = 2017) and in two locations (L) (L1 and L2) under four ecological conditions of the year–location interaction (E1–E4) and in two densities (D1 and D2) (50,000 and 65,000 plants ha−1). Prior to tasselling, the following five treatments of detasseling and defoliation (T) were applied: T1—control, no leaf removal only detasseling, T2–T5—removal of tassels and top leaves (from one to four top leaves). The defoliation treatments had the most pronounced effect on the yield reduction in G1 (T1–Tn+1… T5), p < 0.05. The ecological conditions on yield variability were expressed under poor weather conditions (E3 and E4), while lower densities were less favorable for the application of defoliation treatments. The result of joint effects of factors was the lowest grain yield (896 kg/ha) in G3 in the variant E3D1 for T2 and the highest grain yield (11,389 kg/ha) in G3 in the variant E2D2 for T1. The smallest effect of the defoliation treatment was on the kernel row number (KRN).

Significant amounts of crop diversity, especially in out-crossing species like maize (Zea mays L.) is, are often distributed both between and within related groups of accessions. Thus, a detailed characterization and classification of gene bank accessions should be performed prior to use of the best of them for introgression programs to enlarge the genetic base of the elite germplasm pool. Based on performances per se, 40 landraces were chosen out of the wide pool of Western Balkan landraces, previously clustered into 11 homogenous groups. The objective of this study was to evaluate the heterotic pattern of landraces in testcrossing with three divergent elite testers L217, L73B013 and L255/75-5. According to the results of a two-year trial conducted at four locations, landraces 1267, 1346, 197, 1569, 1509 and 2036 expressed the best general combining abilities (GCA) for grain yield. Landraces 1960, 642, 2006, 1945, 1346, 1569, 1450, 1534, 1509 and 1665 performed well in crosses to L217, while landraces 1960, 773, 1798, 1665, 632, 877 and 1569 gave the best results in crosses to inbred tester L73B013. In crosses to inbred tester L255/75-5, the highest heterotic effects were expressed by landraces 467, 773, 1346, 1534, 2249 and 288. Particular attention is to be paid to landraces 1346, 1569 and 1509, having simultaneously high GCA and specific combining abilities (SCA). A certain number of landraces expressed heterosis with two inbred testers, indicating existence of a new unrelated heterotic pattern within the local germplasm pool evaluated.

The narrow genetic base of commercial maize varieties emphasise the necessity for conservation, characterisation and utilisation of germplasm stored within gene banks. Broad genetic variability preserved in the Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje (MRIZP) gene bank, which includes accessions which originated from the Western Balkan, as a part of European corn-belt, is an exceptional source of desirable traits for enriching breeders' working collections for maize breeding under temperate conditions. Preliminary screening for abiotic stress tolerance, which marked 321 maize landraces, served as the first step in stratification process of selecting a smaller number of accessions from the entire gene bank local collection. After classification of these landraces into eleven homogenous groups, the objective of this study was to continue the stratification process of selection (as a second step), based on evaluation of agro-morphological traits of interest for breeding. The conducted evaluation highlighted 40 landraces with the best per se performances, important for breeding. Out of them, 28 early-maturing flint landraces with stiff stalks, low positioned ears, high yield potential and good general ear assessment could be considered as valuable source for their introgression into elite flint germplasm pool.

In these studies, 14 winter wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp vulgare L.) genotypes were analyzed in three localities across the Republic of Serbia. Some morphological and the most important productive traits were analysed in order to determine the relationship between grain yield and these traits in the year with extreme wet conditions during period of intensive wheat development (April-June period). According to our results, period of stem extension, heading and grain filling characterized by lower air temperatures and extremely high rainfall at all three localities, had detrimental effects on the grain filling process. The genotypes KG-191/5-13 and KG-1/6 achieved above average values of the most desirable traits in all three localities, and can be singled out as desirable parents in breeding programs to create new and improved varieties of wheat. Based on the principal component analysis and cluster analysis, two groups of similar genotypes were distinguished. The highest degree of positive correlation was found between diameter of the first internode and diameter of top internode; number of spikelets per spike and number of fertile spikelets per spike; grain mass/spike and grain mass/plant; plant height and length of the top internode.

•Farmers prioritize measures they view as beneficial in their local environment.•MCDA points to objective and timely adaptation measures of general interest.•Government-assisted training in risk assessment and new technologies is crucial.•Importance of agricultural insurance is recognized by farmers.

Plant genetic resources are a link between agriculture, environment and trade, so their conservation requires cooperation from different sectors. The existing diversity in genetic resources is the foundation in breeding for new challenges or new markets in the future. The number of crop genetic resources in Serbia is obscure because there is no national inventory. It is thought that there are about 15,000 seed accessions and 3500 accessions of fruit trees and grape in collections of different national institutes and stakeholders. In the National Plant Gene Bank, there are more than 4000 accessions of nearly 250 plant species. Crops kept in ex situ collections are used in breeding programs and interspecific crosses, for selection and introduction of desired traits through pre-breeding programs. Serbia as a state participates in all national and international efforts for preservation, management and use of plant genetic resources. Additionally, Serbia has also established a set of national regulations related to plant genetic resources and their use in breeding. Since Serbia is one of Europe’s most important crop producers, especially in maize (11% of EU-27 production), soya (35%), sunflowers (6%) and sugar beet (2.5%), this paper discusses certain issues and achievements in the use of plant genetic resources in cereal and oil crops improvement in Serbia, as well as national and international regulations affecting their exploitation.

Background: The serum MMP3 level is considered biomarker which reflects local inflammation of joints and correlates with joint damage progression in early rheumatoid arthritis (1). Objectives: To investigate the association of high baseline MMP3 serum levels with bone erosion finding at the level of typical location for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with early, treatment “naïve” RA, who has no radiographic visible erosions, using ultrasound method (US). Methods: Sixty-three pts. (9 males and 54 females; mean age 53.4 yrs 21-81 ± 14.1) with early RA according to EULAR/ACR 2010 criteria and symptom duration of ≤12 months (mean duration of 3.8 months) had baseline serum MMP3 levels tested. Serum levels of soluble MMP3 were performed blindly, without knowledge of the US data at the basal visit only, using the recommended normal cut-off range (a level above normal was rated as positive). Patients had been DMARDs/glucocorticoid naïve, with no visible X-ray erosions at the study entry. The lateral, dorsal and posterior part of styloid, MCP2, MCP5 and MTP5 joints of both side, were analyzed for presence of bone erosion (yes/no), according to OMERACT US group definition, using high frequency linear probe by ESAOTE My Lab 70 machine at baseline visit and after 24 months. Results: The 50 pts completed follow-up. 46 pts. had basal serum MMP3 level higher than normal (MMP3 +, mean value 185.1±241.0). US bone erosions were present in 55/63 (87.3%) pts, most often in MTP5 joints, both at the study entry and after 24 months of follow up (25 pts-39.6% and 32 pts-64% respectively). At baseline visit no significant difference was found between a group of MMP3+ and MMP3- pts. regarding to US bone erosion presence at the level of all analyzed joints (styloid process: 12 MMP3+/4 MMP3- pts.; p=0.836; MCP2: 14 MMP3+/6 MMP3- pts., p=0.713; MCP5:8 MMP3+/0 MMP3- pts, p=0.06; MTP5: 26 MMP3+/11 MMP3- pts, p=0.55). After 24 months, significant difference was found between a group of MMP3+ and negative pts for MTP5 US bone erosions finding (33 MMP3+/ 6 MMP3- pts, p=0.03) only, (styloid process:21 MMP3+/5 MMP3- pts, p=0.623; MCP2: 26 MMP3+/7 MMP3- pts, p=0.851, MCP5: 14 MMP3+/2 MMP3- pts, p=0.266). Conclusion: In our group of RA patients without initial X-ray changes, the high baseline serum level of MMP3 was significantly correlated with new MTP5 bone erosions by US after 2-year of follow-up. References: TCHETVERIKOV I, LARD LR, DEGROOT J et al : Matrix metalloproteinases-3, 8, 9 as markers of disease activity and joint damage progression in early rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2003;62:1094–99. Disclosure of Interests: Slavica Prodanovic: None declared, Mirjana Sefik Bukilica: None declared, Jelena Colic: None declared, Srdjan Seric: None declared, Nemanja Damjanov Grant/research support from: from AbbVie, Pfizer, and Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Gedeon Richter, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Gedeon Richter, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche

Considering the already observed trends of increasing air temperatures, changes in precipitation regimes, and extension of the growing season, as well as predictions that climate conditions in Serbia will deteriorate and the risks to farming will increase, the objective of this research is to assess the vulnerability of agriculture in Serbia to climate change, based on farmers' perceptions. A team of experts in all areas of agriculture and soil and water management compiled a questionnaire for a semi-open online survey. The snowball sampling approach was followed, relying on personal contacts and social media. In total, 141 farmers responded to the questionnaire. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics. The differences by region, activity and topography were tested by ANOVA and Student's t-test. The feedback was used to assess the damages sustained by farmers due to climate change and reduced revenues in their respective areas of agricultural activity. Certain positive effects of climate change were also identified. A need for training in climate change impact mitigation is noted. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The surveyed farmers believe that the most important effects of climate change were periods of extreme high temperature, droughts, late spring frost, and hail. Climate change seems to be reducing yields, facilitating the appearance of new diseases and pests, and causing a lower tolerance to existing diseases and pests. Farmers expressed considerable interest in climate change impact adaptation and mitigation training.

Small grain cereals in lower latitude areas usually mature under terminal drought conditions that affect their agronomic performance. An experiment was conducted to compare agronomic traits, grain yield, and protein content under control and terminal drought conditions of 15 two-row and 10 six-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes. The experiment was set up at two locations for two growing seasons (2011, 2012) and two treatments. One treatment was terminal drought (D) simulated by the mechanical removal of all leaf blades 7 d after the heading of each genotype, and a control (C) treatment in which plants were left intact. On average, defoliation caused a greater reduction in grain yield and protein content of the six-row genotypes (37.6% and 12.3%, respectively) than the two-row genotypes (28.8% and 7.1%, respectively). On the other hand, test weight of six-row genotypes showed better tolerance to terminal drought. According to the multivariate function analysis, the genotypes of both types of barley with a high test weight, a longer uppermost internode, and a longer grain filling period had high protein content under terminal drought stress. In contrast to six-row genotypes, it is possible to breed two-row genotypes that not only have high grain yield but also high protein content under both optimal and drought stress conditions.