Methanotrophy is a biological process that effectively reduces global methane emissions by utilizing microorganisms that can utilize methane as a source of energy under both oxic and anoxic conditions, using a variety of different electron acceptors. Methanotrophic microbes, which utilize methane as their primary source of carbon and energy, are microorganisms found in various environments, such as soil, sediments, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. These microbes play a significant role in the global carbon cycle by consuming methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and converting it into carbon dioxide, which is less harmful. However, methane is known to be the primary contributor to ozone formation and is considered a major greenhouse gas. Methane alone contributes to 30% of global warming; its emissions increased by over 32% over the last three decades and thus affect humans, animals, and vegetation adversely. There are different sources of methane emissions, like agricultural activities, wastewater management, landfills, coal mining, wetlands, and certain industrial processes. In view of the adverse effects of methane, urgent measures are required to reduce emissions. Methanotrophs have attracted attention as multifunctional bacteria with potential applications in biological methane mitigation and environmental bioremediation. Methanotrophs utilize methane as a carbon and energy source and play significant roles in biogeochemical cycles by oxidizing methane, which is coupled to the reduction of various electron acceptors. Methanotrophy, a natural process that converts methane into carbon dioxide, presents a promising solution to mitigate global methane emissions and reduce their impact on climate change. Nonetheless, additional research is necessary to enhance and expand these approaches for extensive use. In this review, we summarize the key sources of methane, mitigation strategies, microbial aspects, and the application of methanotrophs in global methane sinks with increasing anthropogenic methane emissions.

The objectives of this work were to determine whether and at which seed physiological maturity stage the diquat desiccant affects the tall oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) seed quality and yield, as well as the proper storage period between harvest and sowing. Diquat desiccation was evaluated in applications during milk or dough seed maturation stages. Seeds conventionally produced and stored under traditional storage conditions were used for the analyses. Seed samples were drawn every 30th day after harvest (DAH). After the 240th DAH, samples were drawn every 90th day up the to 690th DAH. The highest yield were obtained by desiccation applied at the beginning of the seed dough stage, with a satisfactory seed quality. Both final germination and seedling growth parameters achieved their maximum values between 180th and 240th DAH. Oat-grass seeds preserved satisfactory level of final germination (75%) up to 420th DAH. The application of diquat desiccant at the beginning of seed dough maturity stage can be a good solution for seed production of tall oat-grass. Early spring is the best sowing period for freshly harvested seeds of tall oat-grass regarding germination and seedling growth. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar se e em qual estágio de maturidade fisiológica das sementes o dessecante diquat afeta a produtividade e a qualidade de sementes de aveia-perene (Arrhenatherum elatius), bem como o período de armazenamento adequado entre colheita e semeadura. O dessecante diquat foi avaliado em aplicações nos estágios de leite ou de cera do amadurecimento de sementes. Sementes produzidas convencionalmente e armazenadas em condições tradicionais foram utilizadas para as análises. Amostras de sementes foram coletadas a cada 30 dias após a colheita (DAC). Após o 240º DAC, as amostras foram retiradas a cada 90 dias até o 690º DAC. A maior produtividade, com qualidade satisfatória da semente, foi obtida pela dessecação aplicada no início da fase de cera. A germinação final e os parâmetros de crescimento das plântulas alcançaram valores máximos entre 180 e 240 dias após a colheita. As sementes de aveia-perene mantiveram germinação final satisfatória (75%) até 420 dias após a colheita. A dessecação com diquat, na fase inicial do estágio de cera do amadurecimento das sementes, pode ser uma boa solução para a produção de sementes de aveia perene. O início da primavera é o melhor período para plantio de sementes recém-colhidas de aveia-perene, em termos de germinação e crescimento de plântulas

Milijana BABIĆ, Debasis MITRA, Pradeep K. DAS MOHAPATRA, Olivera PAPOVIĆ, Jasmina MILENKOVIĆ, Goran JEVTIĆ, Snežana BABIĆ & Snežana ANDJELKOVIĆ - ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES ALONG A BUSY ROAD IN VRNJAČKA BANJA, SERBIA, Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences August 2022, Vol. 17, No. 2, p. 259 – 265; DOI:10.26471/cjees/2022/017/219

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) originates from North America as one of the species found in the highland prairie. As an energy crop, it has great potential and is widely used in developed countries. It can be used for erosion prevention (due to a strong root system), bird feeding, and landscape architectural purposes (as an ornamental species). In low-quality soils, switchgrass provides protection against erosion and grass cover for grazing. In this paper, we examined the biomass quality of 14 genotypes of switchgrass for animal feed. The cutting of switchgrass was performed on the same day, including all the genotypes examined (mostly in the pre-flowering stage, or at the beginning of flowering). The following parameters of switchgrass biomass quality were analysed: crude protein, crude cellulose, fat content, ash content, NFE, ADF and NDF. In Serbia, this species can be a component of grass mixtures used in lesser quality soils and under dry agroecological conditions.

Production of the maize hybrid seed (Zea mays L) in the area of the town of Zajecar and its surroundings is limited by the ecological conditions. The loss of precipitations and high air temperatures during summer do not allow the hybrid seed of later vegetation to be produced. However, reduced amount of precipitations in the period of time from August to September, with favorable heat conditions, provide mature and healthy seed material only if the mother line has shorter vegetation period (FAO 200-300). This study examines the influence of the cob corn characteristics (cob length, number of seeds on a cob, mass of the seeds on a cob, number of the seeds in a fraction and germination of natural seed material of the maize hybrid ZPTC 196, seed. The applied correlative analysis involved all experimental conditions (two years, plant rows of the mother line, with watering and without watering). The results of the investigation showed mat the applied approach of correlative analysis for the fractional content of a cob corn (number and mass per fractions) almost owerwhelming, as far as the seed germination, is concerned, it was probable that all factors having influence on that characteristic were not included.