Generation time is the principal bottleneck constraining genetic gain in plant breeding. Speed breeding (SB) addresses this by simultaneously managing the photoperiod, light spectrum and intensity, temperature, CO2 concentration, mineral nutrition, growing substrate volume, and post-harvest seed dormancy, enabling four to seven generations per year in long-day cereals and legumes, and four to five generations in optimised short-day systems. This review evaluates SB against the conventional pedigree framework; synthesises validated environmental parameters and crop-specific protocols; and examines principal SB applications in hybridisation, genomic selection, disease-resistance screening, and allele introgression. A structured comparison of major review and protocol papers identifies broad consensus on core parameters alongside genuine divergence on far-red light supplementation. Critical evaluation addresses genotype-by-environment interaction, incomplete trait coverage, infrastructure costs, and unresolved questions on the biological integrity of rapidly advanced generations. The review further discusses new genomic techniques (NGTs), particularly CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, in the context of the EU’s June 2026 NGT regulation, under which Category 1 plants carrying only targeted endogenous modifications are exempt from GMO authorisation. When combined with SB, this regulatory shift can compress the interval from gene-editing event to registered variety from decades to a few years. Speed breeding, NGTs, and conventional field-based selection are most productively treated as complementary elements of a unified pipeline.

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is a well-known pome fruit species, primarily used for the production of jams and marmalades as well as for pear rootstocks. It has long been cultivated in Serbia at various locations and it possesses vast genetic variability. The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity of 36 genotypes collected from the Fruška Gora locality. Seven SSR markers were used for genetic diversity analyses, revealing a total of 85.7 % polymorphic loci. Six of them were polymorphic, while marker Hi02d04 was homozygous. A total of 20 alleles were recorded, with an average number of alleles per marker of Na = 1.58. The number of effective alleles was Ne = 1.4, observed heterozygosity was Ho = 0.34, while expected heterozygosity was He = 0.22. Principle coordinates analyses (PCoA) explained 74.60% of total diversity with its 3 coordinates and formed 4 different groups of genotypes. The dendrogram constructed with the UPGMA method placed genotypes in 3 different clusters, with variation observed within clusters. The use of SSR markers revealed significant differences between the tested genotypes, providing a closer insight into the state of the genetic resources of this pome species in our country.

This study investigates the phenotypic diversity of spring-flowering Crocus species native to Serbia by analyzing their morphological traits and flower color variations. Detailed phenotypic characterization was performed on seven species: C. alexandri, C. chrysanthus, C. heuffelianus, C. randjeloviciorum, C. rujanensis, C. variegatus, and C. weldenii. The study examines how morphological parameters of tested species diverged from average values during a hot and dry winter, resulting in smaller plants, earlier and shorter flowering periods, and reduced flower size, regardless of species. Hierarchical clustering based on morphological traits grouped the species into three clusters: the first cluster included C. alexandri, C. chrysanthus, C. rujanensis, and C. weldenii, characterized by the highest number of leaves and the lowest number of flowers; the second consisted of C. randjeloviciorum, distinguished by shorter plant height and the greatest number of flowers; and the third cluster comprised C. heuffelianus and C. variegatus, notable for the tallest plants, widest corms and leaves, and longest perigon segments. Grouping based on petal color components (L*, a*, b*, chroma, and hue) formed five distinct clusters, demonstrating differences in flower color. These findings are valuable for taxonomic classification, conservation measures, and breeding programs, which ultimately support the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of ornamental plant cultivation. Flower color in particular has proven to be a reliable species indicator, as it remains constant despite the year and/or habitat. The use of a colorimeter can speed up the identification of species in the field and provides researchers and conservationists with a practical tool.

The sample of 596 plants, in total, of bread wheat varieties Pobeda, Sara, Renesansa, and Pesma were tested for abiotic stress tolerance in eight environments, out of which six were under soil or/and atmospheric stress. Plant adaptive plasticity was followed by the variation of three phenotypic markers: grain weight/spike, spike length, and grain number per spike. A desirable genetic variation was recognized and singled out within the existing gene pool, to enhancing stress tolerance in wheat in order to face the challenges and contribute to food security in rapid climate changes.

Environmental stresses such as drought, cold and heat in Pannonia Basin significantly endanger the cell activity, plant growth and yields in wheat, which is one of the most strategic cereal grain crops in the world. As science and technology advance, new tools are developed while old ones are refined for use by breeders. Higher agronomical efficiency is possible by combining new and old tools to bridge the abiotic stress issues. Five cultivars of winter wheat (Simonida, Petrija, Ljubica, Zvezdana and NS Mila), were used in the study carried out at our experimental field (Novi Sad as a center of Pannonia Basin) across three consecutive growing seasons to assess genetic interaction and the level of tolerance and adaptability of different cultivars to abiotic stresses like drought conditions, cold and heat. Four quantitative yield components and grain yield were analiyed to assess expression of adapted genotypes in the region. Among the cultivars, Simonida, which has been in use for the longest period, exhibited the most consistent yield response. Additionally, it demonstrated some degree of partial tolerance to abiotic stress conditions, possibly due to the integration of stress memory into its genetic code, supported by statistical analysis findings.

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress factors that limit the productivity of crops, including wheat, in many regions of the world. Therefore, the priority in wheat breeding, to ensure global food security, is developing varieties that are adapted to saline environments. In situ, evaluation of wheat genotypes can provide valuable information on the performance of different genotypes under natural saline conditions and can help to identify the most salt-tolerant genotypes. To ensure an accurate evaluation of the performance of twenty-seven wheat genotypes under different environments, the trial was conducted on two different soil types (solonetz and chernozem) in two growing seasons. AMMI analysis shows that the environmental factor had the largest share (55.15%) in the variation of grain yield, where soil type had a dominant effect. Genotypes Renesansa, Harmonija, and Bankut 1205 achieved a high grain yield on both soil types. However, among the mentioned genotypes, the genotype Harmonija showed the highest tolerance to salinity. A significant proportion of the genotype and environment interaction (GEI; 25.89%) shows that there is a change in the ranking of genotypes across environments. According to the AMMI1 biplot, the genotypes Renesansa and Harmonija were distinguished by high grain yield and high stability. The environment Chernozem 2015/2016 had the greatest contribution to the GEI and the highest grain yield, while Solonetz 2017/2018 was characterized by the highest stability and the lowest grain yield. According to the AMMI2 biplot, genotype Harmonija achieved high stability in unfavourable environmental conditions that characterized the environment Solonetz 2017/2018.

Various statistical methods were applied in this research: analysis of genetic parameters, Pearson's correlation, genotypic and phenotypic correlations, and Path analysis, with the aim of creating a selection criterion for increasing wheat grain yield. A two-year experimental study was conducted with twenty-seven wheat genotypes, grown on two localities: Rimski Šančevi (Bačka, Vojvodina), on Chernozem soil type; and Kumane (Banat, Vojvodina), on Solonjec soil type. The highest values of phenotypic coefficient of variation (CVp) had the grain weight per plant (17.44% on Chernozem and 13.81% on Solonetz), while the lowest value of CVp had the thousand grain weight (8.12% on Chernozem and 5.47% on Solonetz). On Chernozem, the value of the genotypic coefficient of variation (CVg) ranged from 1.51%, in the number of grains per spike, to 9.17% in the spike length, while on Solonetz, grain weight per plant had the lowest value of CVg (0.36%) and plant height the highest one (11.15%). At both localities, grain yield was in highly significant and positive correlations with all analyzed traits, except with plant height and spike length. In favorable environmental conditions (Chernozem), Path analysis revealed that grain yield directly depends on grain weight per spike (0.317**), number of grains per spike (0.232**) and spike weight (0.209**), and other analyzed traits have a positive indirect effect on grain yield over mentioned traits. Under salinity stress conditions, the grain weight per plant had the highest direct effect on grain yield (0.891**), which makes this trait a good selection criterion in breeding for salinity stress tolerance.

Through choosing bread wheat genotypes that can be cultivated in less productive areas, one can increase the economic worth of those lands, and increase the area under cultivation for this strategic crop. As a result, more food sources will be available for the growing global population. The phenotypic variation of ear mass and grain mass per ear, as well as the genotype × environment interaction, were studied in 11 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and 1 triticale (Triticosecale W.) cultivar grown under soil salinity stress (3S) during three vegetation seasons. The results of the experiment set on the control variant (solonetz) were compared to the results obtained from soil reclaimed by phosphogypsum in the amount of 25 t × ha−1 and 50 t × ha−1. Using the AMMI analysis of variance, there was found to be a statistically significant influence of additive and non-additive sources of variation on the phenotypic variation of the analyzed traits. Although the local landrace Banatka and the old variety Bankut 1205 did not have high enough genetic capacity to exhibit high values of ear mass, they were well-adapted to 3S. The highest average values of grain mass per ear and the lowest average values of the coefficient of variation were obtained in all test variants under microclimatic condition B. On soil reclaimed by 25 t × ha−1 and 50 t × ha−1 of phosphogypsum, in microclimate C, the genotypes showed the highest stability. The most stable genotypes were Rapsodija and Renesansa. Under 3S, genotype Simonida produced one of the most stable reactions for grain mass per ear.

Summary Considering that agricultural production needs to be adjusted to global climate changes, it is of particular importance to develop bread wheat germplasm with improved tolerance to abiotic stress conditions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to identify stable wheat genotypes with increased salinity stress tolerance. The experiment was conducted with 27 wheat genotypes, at two localities: Kumane (solonetz soil type) and Rimski Šančevi (chernozem soil type) during two growing seasons. A significant influence of genotype and environment, as well as G × E interaction, on the phenotypic expression of yield components was found. The factor of genotype had the largest effect on the variation in plant height (38.7%) and the smallest effect on the variation in the number of grains per spike (8.24%). The greatest influence of the environment (64.7%) and G × E interaction (17.44%) was found in the variation in the number of grains per spike. Salinity conditions contributed the most to the decrease in the number of grains per spike (30%), which is considered the best indicator of the impact of stress on the plant. The smallest decrease in the number of grains per spike was recorded in the genotypes Šumadija (16.0%) and Harmonija (18.8%). However, AMMI and PCA analyses showed that the genotype Harmonija is characterized by a higher value of the number of grains per spike and greater stability. The genotypes Renesansa, Jugoslavija, Bankut 1205, and Harmonija were characterized by the smallest reduction in plant height under salinity conditions, among which Jugoslavija and Renesansa exhibited high stability and lower trait values. The smallest reduction in spike length was found in the genotypes Jugoslavija and Šumadija, which exhibited the specific adaptability to salinity stress. In terms of salinity tolerance, the genotypes Šumadija, Harmonija, and Renesansa are considered valuable genetic resources in breeding programs.

The creation of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes can provide a basis for sustainable wheat production in areas that are particularly sensitive to the impacts of climate change on soil salinity. This study aimed to select salt-tolerant wheat genotypes that could serve as a genetic resource in breeding for salinity tolerance. A two-year experiment was established with 27 wheat genotypes, grown in salinity stress and non-stress conditions. Agronomic parameters (plant height, spike weight, number of grains per spike, thousand grain weight, and grain yield/plant) were analyzed in the phenophase of full maturity, while biochemical parameters (DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content) were tested in four phenophases. Grain yield/plant was the most sensitive parameter to salinity, with a 31.5% reduction in value. Selection based on salt tolerance indices (STI, MP, and GMP) favored the selection of the genotypes Renesansa, Harmonija, Orašanka, Bankut 1205, KG-58, and Jugoslavija. Based on YI (1.30) and stability analysis, the genotype Harmonija stands out as the most desirable genotype for cultivation in saline conditions. The presence of positive correlations between grain yield/plant and biochemical parameters, in all phenophases, enables the selection of genotypes with high antioxidant activity and high yield potential, even in the early stages of plant development.

Wheat (Triticum sp.) is one of the most widely consumed grains in human nutrition, and bread is its primary product, the quality of which is dependent on grain technology. When processing wheat into flour, it's important to understand the basic chemical composition components that are direct indications of wheat grain technological quality, such as water, starch, protein, dietary fiber, and fat. As a result, experiments conducted in various microclimatic conditions aid in determining the impact of genotypes and environmental factors, as well as their interaction, on total protein content, sedimentation value, and amylolytic activity, all of which are important indicators of wheat technological quality. Microclimatic growth circumstances had a statistically significant impact on measures of grain technological quality in genotypes of three types of wheat (Triticum aestivum, Triticum spelta and Triticum compactum). The stable reactivity of genotypes with the external environment was examined through a more extensive analysis, and genotypes that would serve as suitable parental components in the wheat breeding program with better technological quality were selected.

In order to evaluate the antioxidant activity of wheat in salinity stress conditions, an experiment with 27 wheatgenotypes grown on two types of soil was conducted: solonetz (increased salinity) and chernozem (control),during two vegetation seasons (2015/2016 and 2016/2017). Analysis of DPPH radical scavenging activity andphenolic content (PC) were performed in different phenophases of wheat (tillering, stem elongation andheading). Genotypes showed significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (9.82 mg trolox equivalents(TE) per mg of dry matter (d.m.)) and PC (8.15 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per mg d.m.) under salinitystress conditions compared to values obtained on control (8.52 mg TE mg-1 d.m. and 7.13 mg GAE mg-1 d.m.,respectively). All analyzed factors (genotype, soil type and year) had the highly significant influence onphenotypic variation of grain yield. Salinity stress reduced grain yield by 30%, whereas drought stress in2016/2017 vegetation season reduced grain yield by 20%. Highly significant and positive correlations arepresent between grain yield and parameters of antioxidant activity in all growth stages of wheat and both soilconditions. Therefore, it could be possible to select salinity tolerant genotypes in early growth stages. DPPHscavenging activity and total phenolic content are in highly significant and positive correlation in all growthstages, which indicates that antioxidant activity is highly derived by phenolics.

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is one of the oldest oilseed crops in Europe. Over the last twenty years, it has reemerged as a very promising alternative oilseed crop. Camelina has broad environmental adaptability, a wide range of resistances to pests and diseases, low-input requirements, and multiple industrial and feed applications exist for its seed oil and meal. In a multi-environment study conducted in Serbia, seven yield-related traits, including plant height (PH), height to the first branch (HFB), number of lateral branches (NLB), number of seed capsules per plant (NSCP), number of seeds per plant (NSP), mass of seeds per plant (MSP), and the total percentage of oil in the seed (TPOS), were analyzed in 20 spring camelina accessions. The combination of two years, two locations, and two sowing dates (autumn and spring) resulted in eight different environments across which the performance of the accessions was evaluated. The aims of the study were (a) to provide a phenotypic characterization and performance evaluation of the camelina accessions, (b) to identify correlations between the selected traits, and (c) to determine the effect of environmental factors on the traits. Environments contributed to the largest proportion in the total variance, explaining approximately 90% of the variance for all traits, except for NLB (70.96%) and TPOS (42.56%). The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model (AMMI) showed that the weather conditions, and seeding dates were the most influential environmental factor. Location had a minor to moderate effect on the investigated traits. Lines CK3X-7 and Maksimir had the highest seed yields, and CK2X–9 and CJ11X–43 had the highest seed oil contents. All four lines had good adaptability and yield stability, making them the most suitable candidates for cultivation in the environmental conditions of Serbia in southeastern Europe. The present results reveal a potential for developing higher-yielding camelina cultivars with increased seed oil content and improved adaptability to various environmental conditions.

Phenotypic diversity of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces and reference cultivars were evaluated based on variability of twelve traits, chosen according to international descriptor list. Landraces were collected form 53 locations in Republic of Serbia. Origin and dissemination of local common bean germplasm was assessed based on variation of phaseolin types. Phaseolin analysis showed that landraces of both Mesoamerican and Andean origin are grown in Serbia, with higher frequency of Andean types. Ratio of three phaseolin types found in studied common bean germplasm suggested its introduction in Serbia from northern borders. Shannon–Weaver index was used as indicator of phenotypic diversity, showing high diversity level among studied germplasm. HOMALS analysis was performed in order to determine discriminative power of traits and structure of studied germplasm. Seed and flower traits, as well as growth habit type had highest, opposed to phaseolin type with lowest discriminative power among genotypes. Genotypes were phenotypically individualized and classified in five homogenous groups according to their profiles, displaying differentiation on the gene pool level, as well.

Crop cultivation under the open-field conditions depends on a variety of biotic and abiotic factors which cause plant stress and deterioration. Due to high soil salinity, some soils can be an unfavourable growing environment for most plants. As a low productivity soil type, solonetz soils are a stressful growing environment, causing plant deterioration. Plants have developed a complex antioxidative defense system as a precaution against oxidative stress caused by high soil salinity. The trial was set up on a halomorphic soil type-solonetz. The research included ten cultivars, one local population of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. aestivum L.) and one cultivar of triticale (Triticosecale W.). The activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in plant antioxidative defense system was detected during the trial, as well as lipid peroxidation. The analysis of biochemical markers was done in the flowering stage, and then in the milk maturity phase. Research results of the tested components revealed the highest stress tolerance exhibited by genotypes Banatka and Bankut 1205. Understanding the process of oxygen radical production by the plant tissue contributes to breeding wheat cultivars for better stress tolerance. Selection of genotypes better adapted to growing conditions in solonetz soils could facilitate a more economically justifiable wheat production, and promote utilization of the lower-quality soil types in agriculture.

The permanent need for efficient plant breeding comes from the increment of human population, which is projected to reach 9.7 million by 2050. Novel approaches could be used to reach these goals more rapidly, raising the question of efficiency, as well. Spike length is one of the important components of grain yield formation in wheat. The influence of individual plan traits is getting more important to grain yield formation per area unit in stressful growing conditions, which are increasingly present due to global climate changes. The objectives of the present research were three-fold: (i) to determine the influence of a genotype, environment and their interaction on spike length and to evaluate stability of the trait; (ii) to present cause-causing links on a graphical example; (iii) to transform a number of possibly correlated variables into a smaller number of uncorrelated variables called principal components. Samples were obtained from 96 winter wheat cultivars grown in 2011/12 and 2012/13 on two locations. The wheat genotype population was profiled with 28 microsatellites. The ANOVA of the total phenotypic variation of the experiment shows that genotypes took the largest portion, followed by the influence of the GE interaction. Additional analysis of the GE interaction using the PCA analysis shows a statistical significance of the first two main components. In the conducted research, the dispersion of the points represents two subpopulations, but the geographical origin could not explain the grouping of genotypes within the same, so the division into two groups was done on the basis of their lines of descent.

The characterization of 41 common bean cultivars and landraces from breeding collection of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia, was done based on phenotypic traits and microsatellite markers. Phenotypic traits were chosen from Bioversity International descriptor list. In addition, main yield components were investigated. Analysis of phaseolin type revealed affiliation of cultivars and landraces to Mesoamerican or Andean gene pool. Cultivars and landraces demonstrated significant diversity level with regard to studied phenotypic traits. Identified variation showed high potential for developing new cultivars with desirable combination of traits. Principal component analysis based on phenotypic traits separated bean cultivars and landraces in two groups, which corresponded to Mesoamerican and Andean determined according to phaseolin type. Putative hybrids, with combination of traits between gene pools were also identified. Analysis of microsatellite data, using twenty-two SSR primer pairs, showed medium gene diversity in studied material. Microsatellite-based cluster analysis separated genotypes in two discrete clusters and several subclusters. No clear separation according to gene pool was found between the clusters, however grouping according to gene pool and patterns of phenotypic variation, following these gene pools, were observed within subclusters. Knowledge on detailed relationships of cultivars and landraces based on phenotypic and molecular data would facilitate identification of candidates for future breeding.

Summary The food production at the global level is about to meet its border. Industrialization of agriculture correlates with an explosive enlargement of human population, during XX and at the beginning of XXI centuries. An ongoing process of environmental erosion has been speeding up during that period, not only in our physical surrounding, but also in biodiversity. A new direction in agricultural food production is in demand. Organic food production has been recognized as the way of providing safety and quality food, preserving the environment in the same time. In the other hand new land areas have to be explored for agricultural use, in order to enhance food quantity to meeting the increasing demand for food. These targets set new requirements in plant breeding. To fulfill these requirements the genetic variability harbored in genetic resources has to be preserved, examined and put to good use.

In order to evaluate the variability and relationship between different wheat yield components, a randomized complete block design experiment with ten genotypes of wheat had been carried out during three growing seasons (2010-2012). The number of spikelet per spike and grain weight per spike had low genotypic and phenotypic variability, while plant height had the highest one. High heritability was observed for plant height (h2=93.1%), spike length (h2=92.3%) and spike density (h2=92.9%). The low heritability was found for grain weight per spike (h2=35.6%). Grain weight per spike was in significant positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation with all the traits (plant height, spike height, number of spikelet per spike, number of grain per spike and spike weight) except spike density. The spike weight had the highest phenotypic (rp=0.988), while number of spikelet per spike had the highest genotypic correlation with grain weight per spike (rg=0.981). Path coefficient analysis revealed that all the traits had highly significant direct effect on grain weight per spike, except spike length. The stepwise regression revealed that 87.1% of the grain weight per spike variation was explained by model which excludes spike length. Spike weight and plant height had the highest shared and unique contribution to grain weight per spike.