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.

Climate factors have an impact on plant life cycle, yield, productivity, economy and profitability of agricultural production. There are not a lot of studies on understanding of influence of climate factors variation on maize yield in agro-ecological conditions of Serbia. The aim of this paper is analysis of variation of climatic factors over a long-time period, as well as assessment of impact of the examined climate parameters on maize yield in two localities in the Republic of Serbia. For the analysis of climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, humidity) in the region of Central Serbia and Vojvodina, the data of meteorological stations Kragujevac and Sombor during two thirty-year periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2020) were used. In order to determine the existence and strength of the relationship between the observed climatic factors and maize yield, a correlation analysis of these indicators for the period 2005–2020 years, was performed. In the period 1991–2020, the average values of temperature were annually increased for 0.046 °C in Kragujevac and for 0.05 °C in Sombor, and in the same period the average value of sunshine on an annual level was increased for 1.3 h in Kragujevac and for 5.01 h in Sombor, 2020 in comparison to average values in period of 1961–1990. The humidity was decline annually for 1.3 in Kragujevac and for 3.4 in Sombor in period 1991–2020 in comparison to average humidity in period of 1961–1990. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the maize yield was significantly lower in the years with expressed high temperatures and precipitation deficit. Based on these studies, established effect of climate change on maize yield and that this demand developing adaptation agricultural practice through creating maize hybrids and varieties with greater adaptability and improvement of agrotechnic measure.

With the total acreage of 50 million ha and an annual production of about 140 million tonnes, barley ranks high in world cereal production. Selection of new cultivars is mostly associated with a particular ideotype designed by the breeder in line with the targets and goals specified. Although grain yield is an ongoing objective in creating new cultivars, breeding work on barley is further expanded to include other traits, primarily grain quality and lodging resistance. Lodging resistance is largely determined by the genetic background of certain stem properties (length, strength and flexibility) and root system development i.e. structure. The degree of lodging resistance in barley is significantly affected by the morphological traits of aboveground parts (stem length, strength and flexibility; stem wall thickness; length, number and weight of internodes; spike size and spike weight). The new cultivars of winter malting barley currently used by producers are generally characterized by very good lodging resistance and an average plant height of 90 to 100 cm. Breeding spring malting barley has resulted in an optimal height (about 80 cm). Further changes should focus on increasing stem thickness and changing the anatomical structure to ensure sufficient stem strength.

Gluten index is an indicator of gluten strength as well as a parameter which simultaneously defines its quantity and quality. If compared to the farinographic and extensographic methods, gluten index determining is faster, less complicated and requires smaller amount of flour. The aim of this study has been to determine the significance of the influence of genotype and environmental factors on the value of gluten index and usability of these parameters as indicators and predictors of bread quality. Five local varieties of winter wheat (Simonida, NS 40S, Rapsodija, Pobeda, Zvezdana) were grown in a macro-experiment carried out in three locations (Novi Sad, Cacak, Sombor) during two seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013). Gluten index value determination was achieved by using ICC standard method 155 (1996), with a slight modification that included mechanical washing of gluten (Theby). Statistical analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Variance analysis revealed a statistically significant effect of genotype on gluten index value, whereas the influence of environmental factors, as well as the interaction of two factors, had no statistical significance. There was no correlation between the values of gluten index and meteorological factors such as average temperature and total precipitation during the phenophase of grain filling, and in the period from the beginning of flowering until the harvest. However, medium-strong negative dependence was found between gluten index and the index of heat stress, as well as between gluten index and the number of days with temperatures above 30?C. Weak negative dependence was recorded between gluten index and bread volume. Based on the value of gluten index, gluten varieties used in our study can be described as strong. Genotype proved to be the only cause of statistically significant variation of gluten index.

Variability of grain weight spike-1 was studied in 10 wheat genotypes: 'Ana Morava', 'Julija Mono', 'Gruža', 'Kuna', 'Lasta', 'Balkan', 'Rodna', 'NS Rana 2', 'Partizanka', 'Pobeda', grown over three experimental years under different environmental factors. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design in three replications. Differences in the average values of grain weight spike-1 among tested cultivars were determined in all three years. On average, for all genotypes, grain weight spike-1 was highest (2.32g) in the first experimental year (2005/06), and lowest (1.95g) in the second year (2006/07). For all investigated wheat cultivars, in the third experimental year, the average value of grain weight spike-1 was 2.24g, while the total average value for all cultivars and three experimental years was 2.17g. 'Ana Morava' had the highest average values for grain weight spike-1 in all three experimental years, while the lowest grain weight spike-1 was obtained in 'Balkan' (1.81g) in the second year 'Lasta' (1.40g) and in the third experimental year 'Partizanka' ( 1.91 g). On average, 'Ana Morava' had the highest value (2.67g) of grain weight spike-1, while the lowest average value (1.94g) was recorded in 'Balkan'.

Field experiments were conducted during three growing seasons of (2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07) to investigate the effect of various nitrogen doses on quality components of two winter triticale cultivars (Favorit and Trijumf). Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in four doses: N1= 60 kg N ha-1, N2= 90 kg N ha-1 and N3= 120 kg N ha-1. Analysis of sedimentation, gluten content, and rheological flour and dough properties were done. The results showed that N fertilization significantly increased investigated quality traits in both cultivars. The highest sedimentation value and gluten content established with application of 120 kg N ha-1. Triticale cultivars reacted positively to nitrogen increasing, and its rheological flour and dough properties increased with N increasing. Nevertheless, quality of investigated cultivars belonged to C2 quality group. By the analysis of variance established high significant differences in mean values of sedimentation, wet gluten content and water absorption among the cultivars (A), years (B) and supplied nitrogen doses (C). All interactions (AB, AC, BC and ABC) were significant for wet gluten content, but for sedimentation only interaction, while of water absorption was only significant interaction BC.