The Kornati National Park (Croatia) is considered an environment with minimal anthropogenic input. The purpose of this study was to determine the isotopic characteristics of the sediment and muscle tissues of the banded dye-murex Hexaplex trunculus. We selected locations in the park according to their estimated risk of anthropogenic pollution (large, lower, and minimal). Isotopic analyses of the sedimentary organic carbon (δ¹³C_org values) showed that the sedimentary organic matter in locations with P. oceanica meadows (Piškera, Vrulje) was enriched in ¹³C compared to that of locations with the influx of terrestrial organic matter. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of the muscle tissues of H. trunuclus were the highest in the two locations with the highest possible anthropogenic impact (−14.47‰ and −15.66‰ for δ¹³C_org, +8.87‰ and +10.4‰ for δ¹⁵N). The high δ values may indicate the presence of the pigment indirubin (C₁₆H₁₀O₂N₂) and other derivatives that cause the purple coloration but are also elevated because of the discharge of untreated sewage from a nearby marina and village.

Croatian islands are olive growing areas characterized by poor conditions for olive trees because of karst soil and a precipitation deficiency. Under these conditions, irrigation is a very important factor for constant olive oil production. This paper aims to investigate the effects of different watering regimes on quantity, sensory and chemical quality and composition of Coratina cv. olive oil obtained from trees grown on ameliorate karst soil during two harvesting years. Olive trees were subjected to rainfed conditions and three different irrigation treatments (T₁—deficit irrigation representing the usual producer’s practice, T₂—regulated deficit irrigation in respect to phenological stages, T₃—full irrigation). Irrigation treatments increased oil yield compared to rainfed conditions (T₁ + 58%, T₂ + 66% and T₃ + 74%, representing average values for both studied years). All olive oil samples were of extra quality. Irrigation led to a decrease in carotenoids, volatiles, polyunsaturated fatty acids and linolenic acid contents, with no difference found among irrigation treatments. Total phenols and secoiridoids concentration was not affected by irrigation, indicating that similar oil quality could be achieved with less demand on the water supply. Obtained results could help producers to define a suitable irrigation management in particular conditions of ameliorate karst.

During the first decade of 21st century in Croatian oak stands series of experiments concerning integrated oak timber protection were conducted. In the focus of this research was olfactory manipulation with native ambrosia beetles from...

True truffles (Tuber spp.) are among the most appreciated mushroom in gastronomy. Due to their particular taste and limited natural availability the price of these underground mushrooms is high. In Croatia, the most important presence of Tuber spp. was reported in Istria. Since seven to eight decades ago there have been stories of Zadar’s truffles which are transmitted orally from generation to generation but, till now, no written document that could confirm it has been found. In this study, truffles were searched for on different locations in Zadar County, the presumed truffles were harvested and molecular analyses were performed to identify them. The results undoubtedly show that the summer truffle, Tuber aestivum Vittad. is present in Zadar County.

Olive groves in the Mediterranean may lose production sustainability because of their vulnerability to climatic change. Irrigation is an important measure that could significantly affect fruit yield, olive fruit fly infestation, and oil characteristics. The aim of paper was to compare the regulated deficit irrigation with different water management practices, in consecutive years, in two locations in Zadar County (Croatia), affecting fruit morphology, olive fruit fly infestation, and quantity and quality of the extracted Coratina cultivar oil. Treatments, namely C—rainfed, T₁—deficit irrigation (produce’s practice), T₂—regulated deficit irrigation, and T₃—full irrigation (100% ECTO), were established. Irrigated treatments had a positive effect on all morphological characteristics of the fruit. The pulp mass, independently of the year, increased in irrigated treatment (ranging from 1.04 to 1.65 in C to 2.25 and 2.30 in the irrigated treatments) and resulted in a higher oil content on a fresh weight basis (ranging from 16.39% to 17.85% in C to 19.48% to 23.26% in the irrigated treatments). However, fruit yield per tree was only location-dependent. When olive fruit fly presence was high, fruit infestation was greatest in the irrigated compared to the rainfed treatment. According to quality parameters, all oils were classified as EVOO. Individual phenols were influenced by irrigation, while the composition of fatty acids was more influenced by location than treatment. The sensory characteristics of the resulting oil were slightly reduced compared to rainfed treatment. The results indicate that regulated deficit irrigation benefits water use sustainability without compromising the quality of the oil.