Dense genetic maps create a base for QTL analysis of important traits and future implementation of marker-assisted breeding. In tetraploid rose, the existing linkage maps include <300 markers to cover 28 linkage groups (4 homologous sets of 7 chromosomes). Here we used the 68k WagRhSNP Axiom single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for rose, in combination with SNP dosage calling at the tetraploid level, to genotype offspring from the garden rose cultivar ‘Red New Dawn’. The offspring proved to be not from a single bi-parental cross. In rose breeding, crosses with unintended parents occur regularly. We developed a strategy to separate progeny into putative populations, even while one of the parents was unknown, using principle component analysis on pairwise genetic distances based on sets of selected SNP markers that were homozygous, and therefore uninformative for one parent. One of the inferred populations was consistent with self-fertilization of ‘Red New Dawn’. Subsequently, linkage maps were generated for a bi-parental and a self-pollinated population with ‘Red New Dawn’ as the common maternal parent. The densest map, for the selfed parent, had 1929 SNP markers on 25 linkage groups, covering 1765.5 cM at an average marker distance of 0.9 cM. Synteny with the strawberry (Fragaria vesca) genome was extensive. Rose ICM1 corresponded to F. vesca pseudochromosome 7 (Fv7), ICM4 to Fv4, ICM5 to Fv3, ICM6 to Fv2 and ICM7 to Fv5. Rose ICM2 corresponded to parts of F. vesca pseudochromosomes 1 and 6, whereas ICM3 is syntenic to the remainder of Fv6.

With pronounced morphological and phenological diversity, garden roses have always been part of urban plantings. The significance of roses in ornamental and utilitarian (edible) horticulture can significantly be amended with novel ecosystem services, by shifting their breeding targets towards more than aesthetic and nutritional value. Thus the aim of this paper was to investigate the possibilities of newly bred (within the past decade) garden roses from the ‘Mella’ series as a possible ornamental, disease tolerant and bee attracting cultivars to be recommended in urban ecosystems, adding values to their current ecosystem services. Research goals were to determine the morphological characteristics; honey and wild bees’ abundance and its correlation with rose morphological and floral characteristics; disease resistance/tolerance to main rose fungal diseases; and suitability of ‘Mella’ roses in urban greenery providing multiple ecosystem services. Plant material included seven garden rose cultivars from the ‘Mella’ series. Analyses included complete morphological—qualitative and quantitative characterization of plant and flower traits, fragrance panel scoring and volatile components analyses, counts of honey bees visiting flowers and counts of different wild bee species as potential pollinators. Based on the obtained results significant variability in vegetative and generative plant characteristics was noted in investigated ‘Mella’ roses. With their ‘naturalistic’ overall appearance, comparable with wild roses, ‘Mella’ cultivars differed in plant height and habitus, number and type of flowers, leaf coloration and glossiness, but ‘Barbie Mella’ and ‘Ruby Mella’ positioned as the most decorative ones. ‘Barbie Mella’ was highly scored for overall fragrance, with the most divergent panel records for fragrance components and mixed volatile compounds, characterized by the balanced ratio (almost 1:1:1) between aromatic alcohol + terpenoids, straight-chain alkanes and long-chain alkanes. In relation to the honey bee’s attraction, a combination of plant height, fragrance, flower type (single, simple), flower diameter and accessibility seems to be crucial, rather than any characteristic solely. As an outstanding bee-attractor ‘Barbie Mella’ should be promoted as an ornamental disease-tolerant rose cultivar. Due to their aesthetic values, disease tolerance and bees visitations, ‘Mella’ roses ‘Barbie’, ‘Ruby’, ‘Ducat’ and ‘Exotic’ should be planted as a part of urban semi-natural gardens/landscapes, concomitantly contributing to the multiple ecosystem services—provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting. Until their worldwide availability, other ‘Mella’-like wild and cultivated roses should be investigated and promoted likewise.

Phenotypic variability of the number and grain weight per spike, as well as the spike length of wheat varieties NSR-5, Evropa 90 and Pobeda creation of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad was studied. The trial was conducted at the village Kumane locality in Banat on solonetz soil. Control and two levels of amelioration (25t/ha and 50t/ha of phosphor gypsum) in three vegetation periods were followed. The variety Evropa 90 exhibited maximal values of all examined spike traits in all years of study. Significant value of the first PCA was denoted for the grain number and the grain weight per spike, using AMMI model.

Phenotypic variation of nine wheat varieties under different growing conditions was followed. Trials were conducted on solonetz, humoglay and black soil. The yield, as well as, the plant height, spike length and harvest index were studied. The effect of different environments on varietals phenotypic variability, with the emphasis on genotype by environment interaction, was analyzed using AMMI model.

This study provides an assessment of BTEX compounds—benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers—in urban precipitation collected in the city of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia, during autumn and winter 2024, analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). By combining chemical analysis with meteorological observations and HYSPLIT backward trajectory modeling, the study considers the mechanisms of BTEX removal from the atmosphere via wet scavenging and highlights the role of local weather conditions and long-range atmospheric transport in pollutant concentrations. During the early observation period (September to late November), average concentrations were 0.45 µg/L benzene, 3.45 µg/L ethylbenzene, 4.0 µg/L p-xylene, 2.31 µg/L o-xylene, and 1.32 µg/L toluene. These values sharply dropped to near-zero levels in December for benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, while toluene persisted at 1.12 µg/L. A pronounced toluene spike exceeding 6 µg/L on 28 November was likely driven by transboundary air mass transport from Central Europe, as confirmed by trajectory modeling. The environmental risks posed by BTEX deposition, especially from toluene and xylenes, underline the need for regulatory frameworks to include precipitation as a pathway for pollutant deposition. It should be clarified that the identified risk primarily concerns aquatic organisms, due to the potential for BTEX infiltration into surface waters and subsequent ecotoxicological impacts. Incorporating such monitoring into EU policies can improve protection of air, water, and ecosystems.

This study presents the first integrated analysis of genotype–medium interactions and temporal morphogenesis profiling in sunflower regeneration. It aims to characterize genotype-specific responses, identify predictive morphological markers, and develop a scalable framework for breeding and transformation. Eighteen sunflower genotypes were evaluated to assess organogenic performance. The model genotype Ha-26-PR was used for a complementary experiment, testing varying sucrose concentrations to examine their influence on morphogenic outcomes. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), guided by the Elbow method, identified four optimal clusters (K = 4). These aligned with three biologically meaningful categories: High Regenerators (Cluster 1), Moderate/Specific Regenerators (Clusters 2 and 3), and Non-Regenerators (Cluster 4). On S1 medium, NO-SU-12 and AS-1-PR showed superior shoot regeneration, while on R4 medium, HA-26-PR-SU and NO-SU-12 performed best. Genotypes such as NO-SU-12 and AS-1-PR consistently excelled across both media, whereas AB-OR-8 and FE-7 remained non-regenerators. Medium R4 supported superior regeneration, primarily through root formation, while S1 failed to induce roots in any genotype, highlighting the importance of hormonal composition. Although sucrose promoted callus induction, it did not trigger organogenesis. Callus was consistently present across media and time points, but its correlations with shoot and root formation were weak and temporally unstable, limiting its predictive value. Root formation at 14 days (Root 14D) emerged as a robust early predictor of organogenic success. This integration of morphological, temporal, and statistical analyses offers a genotype-tailored regeneration framework with direct applications in molecular breeding and CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing.