The number, activity and diversity of microorganisms define the level of biogenicity and indicate the quality and health of the soil. The abundance and structure of microbial communities vary in different types of soils, so in order to preserve and protect natural and agroecological systems, in addition to physical-chemical analyses, monitoring of dynamics of microbiological activity in agricultural and non-agricultural soil is also necessary. Each type of soil has its own characteristic micro biocenosis, and different methods of soil use can have a positive or negative impact on microbiological activity, which directly affects the fertility of the soil. Soil bacteria are very important in biogeochemical cycles, and biological nitrogen fixation plays an important role in nitrogen cycling by transferring atmospheric dinitrogen into the soil. It is performed by symbiotic and asymbiotic nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, called nitrogen fixators. Amonificators are bacteria that play a very important role in soil ecosystem, as well as nitrogen fixators. This group of bacteria participates in the processes of protein decomposition and transformation. The aim of the paper is to indicate, based on the presence of nitrogen fixators and amonificators in soil under ashes, the biogenicity of this soil at four different localities: pure ashes, soil under ashes covered with herbaceous vegetation, soil under ashes covered with wood vegetation and agricultural soil, and to give advice on future activities regarding recultivation of these types of soil under ashes. The results of the research showed that microorganisms are mostly represented in different numbers in the tested soils, which indicates variations on the soil biogenicity and quality.

Crop rotation, soil cultivation and weed control measures are in direct correlation with the content of the weed seed bank in the soil. Knowing the weed seed bank and the dynamics of the weed emergence is the basis for planning and implementing the measures for effective weed control. The research was carried out on the plots of the long-term stationary experiment 'Plodoredi' of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. During August of 2014, following the soybean harvest, the soil from the plots under different cultivation systems was sampled: soybean monoculture and 3-field (soybean, wheat, corn). Two methodological procedures were used to evaluate the reserve of seeds in the plough layer and the under plough soil layer. The physical extraction of seeds has determined the total content of weed species in the seed bank, while seed germinarion was used to determine which of the observed species are capable of germinating in the following period. The method of physical extraction has determined that the highest number of seeds was present in the soil samples from the soybean monoculture, in the depth layer of 15-30 cm. The under plough soil layer was characterized by a lower number of seeds, in both variants. In the study of germination, which was conducted under controlled conditions 18 months after the sampling, the best seed germination was recorded for the seeds of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Chenopodium hybridum L. and Chenopodium album L.

The effect of intensive agricultural practises on weed composition is well described for the aboveground flora, but less research has been done on how the impact might affect the soil weed seed bank. For this reason, during the course of three years (2014-2017), soil was sampled and the number of weed seeds in the soil was estimated for eight different management systems: (i) monoculture of maize, winter wheat and soybean, (ii) 2-year crop rotation (maize - winter wheat) with and without the application of mineral fertilizer, (iii) 3-year crop rotation (maize - winter wheat - soybean) with mineral fertilizer, with manure and without the application of fertilizer. The estimated soil weed seed bank was used to calculate the a and b diversity indices and determine the diversity, richness and uniformity of the weed community. The diversity indices confirmed that the diversity of the weed community is influenced by the strategy of crop rotation and the type of fertilization, that in the monoculture of winter wheat the diversity, number of dominant weed species and the uniformity of weed community are the lowest, while the 3-year crop rotation with mineral fertilization is the richest in biodiversity and weed community uniformity.

Concern over the harmful impacts of heavy metal pollution in soil has increased dramatically on a global scale. For the sake of environmental preservation, accurate estimates of the heavy metal concentrations in soil are essential. This study provides valuable data regarding heavy metal concentrations in soil collected from field crops production area in Central and Western Serbia. Five wider localities in the zones of Central and Western Serbia were selected for the collection of soil samples. Based on our research, focused on determining the total contents of heavy metals in the soil and the degree of pollution in the environment caused by their behavior, distribution, and origin, it can be concluded that there is pronounced variability in relation to localities. Heavy metal contents were mostly within the same ranges as those in similar soils from Europe and around the world. Any pollution control system must include heavy metal monitoring, including the methodical collection of data on the concentrations of heavy metals in a particular environment. Before environmental degradation occurs, it is crucial to set pollution limits and implement efficient monitoring procedures.

Innovations in the field of biotechnology represent a key factor in the development of healthy and safe food, with the potential to improve food products and support sustainable development. The use of genetic engineering enables the modification of plant and animal genomes, resulting in enhanced nutritional properties, resistance to pests and diseases, and greater efficiency in food production. These technological advancements contribute to the development of functional food products with additional health benefits, such as higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and probiotic cultures. At the same time, the application of biotechnology reduces the need for pesticides and herbicides, thereby contributing to environmental preservation and minimizing risks to human health. Food safety is prioritized at every stage of biotechnological processes, with regulations and standards ensuring that innovations adhere to the highest safety requirements. By integrating scientific achievements and cutting-edge technologies, biotechnology offers new opportunities for the development of healthy, nutritionally enriched food that can address global challenges related to nutrition, including a growing population and climate change. This paper underscores the significance of biotechnological innovations for the future of food security and human health, with a focus on sustainability and responsible food production. Key words: Biotechnology, safe food, genetic engineering, sustainable development, functional nutrition.

Amaranth, flax, and buckwheat were selected as complementary microgreen matrices with distinct botanical origins and research priorities: betalain-associated pigmentation in amaranth, light-responsive quality traits in flax, and rutin- and flavonoid-rich profiles in buckwheat. This narrative review critically synthesizes peer-reviewed evidence on crop-specific nutritional quality, bioactive diversity, precision cultivation, food applications, bioaccessibility, safety, and functional-food potential. Direct evidence from studies explicitly investigating microgreens is distinguished from contextual evidence derived from seeds, sprouts, mature tissues, oils, flours, and processed products; numerical values from these matrices are not transferred to microgreens. Across the three crops, genotype, developmental stage, light spectrum, supplemental UV-B exposure, substrate or hydroponic design, harvest timing, and postharvest management can modify yield and quality-related traits. Pigmented amaranth is especially relevant to betalain- and color-focused applications; flax is a comparatively under-characterized oilseed-derived microgreen with informative light-response evidence; and common and Tartary buckwheat provide strong opportunities for rutin and flavonoid profiling and genotype comparison. The available literature does not support a single numerical ranking across crops, and compositional richness or in vitro antioxidant activity should not be interpreted as evidence of clinical efficacy. Standardized reporting, targeted foodomics, sensory and processing validation, safety control, resource-use assessment, and controlled human studies are priority directions for future research.