Drip irrigation is gaining importance in mitigating the consequences of water scarcity even in regions with abundant rainfall. The transition from surface to subsurface drip irrigation is accompanied by numerous problems. To overcome these issues, shallow subsurface drip irrigation can be potentially used as an effective drought control tool that brings additional benefits compared to conventional surface drip irrigation techniques. This research investigated the effects of different calculations of daily crop water requirements, reference evapotranspiration (ETo), and pan evaporation (Eo) on the yield and water use efficiency of pepper irrigated with a surface and shallow subsurface drip irrigation system. The experiment was conducted in field conditions in the Vojvodina region, the northern part of Serbia. The irrigation scheduling was based on the water balance approach. The calculated evapotranspiration rate was about 400 mm for the pepper growing period, regardless of the calculation method. The highest yield of pepper and evapotranspiration water use efficiency was obtained on the Eo variant with surface drip irrigation. However, irrigation water use efficiency showed no statistical significance concerning the calculation of evapotranspiration and irrigation type. The results indicated that both calculation methods and irrigation types can be used in pepper production, but priority should be given to pan-evaporation-based calculation.

Onions, essential in various salads and cooked dishes, are sought after by producers for high yields, while consumers value their quality, particularly the presence of antioxidant compounds. This study investigates the impact of production methods and biostimulants on the biomass yield and quality of onions. The two-year experiment was conducted in Vojvodina, Serbia, and compared directly seeded (DS) and from-set (FS) onions with four biostimulant treatments: control (C), seaweed extracts (T1), humic and fulvic acids (T2), and Trichoderma sp. (T3). DS onions yielded significantly more biomass, while FS onions had higher dry matter content. DS onions treated with T1 showed a significant increase in phenols (↑ 5.30%), while T2 and T3 led to declines (↓ 8.66% and ↓ 7.55%, respectively). All biostimulants reduced phenol content in FS onions. T1 and T2 significantly increased the flavonoid concentration in DS onions, with no significant changes in FS onions. T1 enhanced antioxidant properties in DS onions and reduced them in FS onions. Additionally, T2 and T3 decreased antioxidant activity in both DS and FS onions, as evidenced by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS tests. These findings guide onion production, advocating for the fresh consumption of DS onions with higher biomass and industrial processing suitability for FS onions, emphasizing the potential of bio-based products.

Increased energy consumption and climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, pose significant risks to global sustainability. Concerns about using agricultural land for fuel production and its competition with food production have made feedstocks like corn (Zea mays) highly controversial. This study explores the potential of alternative feedstocks, such as hemp (Cannabis sativa) and cucurbits (family Cucurbitaceae), for biofuel production amidst environmental concerns linked to fossil fuel usage. Hemp is widely acknowledged as a promising feedstock for sustainable biorefinery due to its agricultural adaptability and its ability to produce oil and carbohydrates. Cucurbits seeds are characterized by a high oil content, which can be utilized in the food industry or for energy production as biofuel. As a byproduct of cucurbits processing, a significant number of seeds often remains, which constitutes waste. By examining hemp and cucurbit byproducts and waste, which are suitable for bioenergy production, this research highlights the promise these alternative feedstocks hold for the biofuel industry. Utilizing these resources presents a viable route to diminish dependence on fossil fuels and transition toward a more environmentally sustainable energy future.

In the pursuit of maximizing onion (Allium cepa) yield and quality, farmers often face the challenges of unfavorable ecological conditions and inadequate agronomic practices. Therefore, our two-year study investigated the effects of biostimulants (BTs) of plant growth on bulb yield and the bioactive compounds of directly seeded onion. Four treatments were applied: control (C), seaweed extracts (BT1), humic and fulvic acid (BT2), and Trichoderma spp. (BT3). The results demonstrated a significant increase in bulb yield with BT1 (↑ 18.7%), BT2 (↑ 18.0%), and BT3 (↑ 24.3%). Intriguingly, all BTs markedly reduced phenolic content across both years. Additionally, BT1 and BT3 elevated flavonoid levels (↑ 16.8% and ↑ 16.7%, respectively), while BT2 decreased them (↓ 24.2%). Notably, in 2021, DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS tests indicated a significant reduction in antioxidant capacity compared to C. Our study underscores the important role of BTs in enhancing yield, influencing secondary metabolites and contributing to environmental sustainability in onion cultivation.

Consumers prefer cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) with high antioxidant content, which is often at odds with farmers’ goals of maximizing yield. Therefore, this study aims to explore new methods for fertigation and grafting to optimize the yield and quality of cucumbers. In a greenhouse experiment, we tested fertigation with three different nutrient solutions: the standard as a control (CF) and two new formulations (NF1 and NF2). We also examined grafting in three variants: non-grafted (CG), grafting onto Cucurbita moschata × Cucurbita moschata (G1), and grafting onto Lagenaria siceraria (G2). Our results showed that the highest increase in phenolic content in the flesh of cucumber was observed in the NF2 × G1 treatment (↑ 22.4%). In contrast, grafting and the new fertigation methods generally reduced the phenolic content in the peel. Grafting with G1 significantly increased flavonoid content in the flesh (↑ 59.4% and ↑ 77.3%) but significantly decreased it in the peel. The NF2 × G1 treatment achieved the most significant increases in antioxidant activity indicators, DPPH (↑ 25.9%) and FRAP (↑ 39.4%). For farmers seeking to achieve high yields of greenhouse cucumbers, the combination of NF1 × G1 is recommended, as it resulted in the highest yield increase (↑ 45.3%). Consumers are advised to eat cucumbers with the peel, as this study found higher levels of antioxidant compounds in the peel compared to the flesh.

Onion (Allium cepa L.), either fresh or processed, is widely consumed for its unique aroma, flavor, and taste. While farmers aim to maximize yield, consumers demand high-quality products. These goals can conflict under certain cultivation conditions but can be balanced through appropriate agronomic practices. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of two sowing methods, the standard sowing method (SSM) and the new sowing method (NSM), characterized by reduced seed rates and wider row spacing on selected quality parameters (onion bulb weight and total soluble sugars [TSS]), key bioactive compounds content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), and antioxidant properties of 10 new onion genotypes (G1–G10). The results revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) among both sowing methods and genotypes, indicating that these factors substantially impact the measured parameters. Bright violet, skin-colored genotype G8 stood out with the highest values of TPC, TFC, HCAs, TMA, TSS, and antioxidant activity (measured in three assays) in the NSM and bulb weight in the SSM. These findings suggest that the NSM may offer economic benefits for farmers, while selected genotypes provide consumers with high-quality onions.