Species of the genus Colletotrichum are among the most important plant pathogens globally, as they are capable of infecting many hosts—apple (Malus spp.) and other fruit and woody plant species—but also vegetable crops, cereals, legumes, and other annual and perennial herbaceous plants. The apple (Malus spp.) is attacked by various species from the genus Colletotrichum, whereby 27 different species from this genus have been described as the causative agents of apple bitter rot (ABR) and 15 as the cause of Glomerella leaf spot (GLS). These species generally belong to one of three species complexes: Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Colletotrichum boninense. The largest number of apple pathogens of the genus Colletotrichum belong to the species complex C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides. However, further data on these species and the interactions between the species complexes of the genus Colletotrichum that cause these two apple diseases is needed for the development of effective control measures, thus ensuring successful and profitable apple cultivation. To contribute to this endeavor, a comprehensive review of the causative agents of ABR and GLS from the genus Colletotrichum is provided. In addition to presenting the species’ current names, distribution, economic significance, and the symptoms they cause in apple, their development cycle, epidemiology, and molecular detection strategies are described, with a particular emphasis on control measures.

Buckwheat is an economically important gluten free cereal, and it is a good source of protein, fiber, and energy. The field experiments with buckwheat variety “Novosadska” were set in two experimental years in Pancevo, Serbia. The aim of this study was to determine the most optimal technology for buckwheat production. The study aims were to investigate the effects of (1) row spacing: RS₁-25 cm and RS₂-50 cm; (2) nutrition variants: (N₁) 0 kg ha⁻¹ NPK; (N₂) NPK 30 kg ha⁻¹; (N₃) NPK 60 kg ha⁻¹; and (N₄) NPK 90 kg ha⁻¹; (3) environment: Y₁-2018 and Y₂-2019; and their interactions on the plant height (PH), number of lateral branches (NoLB), mass of seeds per plant (MSP), number of seeds per plant (NoSP), buckwheat grain yield (GY); and (4) the correlations among these traits. All tested parameters of buckwheat significantly varied across row spacing, environment, and nutrition. The average grain yield in the row spacing, RD₁-25 cm, was significantly higher than in the wider spacing, RD₂-50 cm, and in 2018 than 2019 as well as with the nutrition NPK applied in the amount of 90 kg ha⁻¹ in relation with all the other nutrition variants. All the studied agronomic traits were positively and strongly correlated with GY.

In this study are presented the possibilities of using maize silage for biogas production. An experiment with maize silage took place over three years (2016–2018) in two localities, Ilandža, Alibunar municipality (L1—Locality 1) and Dolovo (L2—Locality 2), Serbia, and using two variants: a control with no digestate (C) and a variant with digestate, which was organic manure from biogas facilities (AD). In the AD variant, 50 t ha⁻¹ of digestate was introduced into the soil just before sowing the maize. The following traits were examined: plant height (PH), biomass yield (BMY), biogas yield (BGY), and methane yield (MY). The effects of the studied factors (year, fertilization, and locality) on the biogas yield were significant (p < 0.5). The most favorable year for biogas production was 2016 (207.95 m³ ha⁻¹), while the highest values of maize plant height, biomass, and methane yield were recorded in 2018 (2.48 m, 51.15 t ha⁻¹ dry matter, and 258.25 m³ ha⁻¹). The digestate exerted a significant influence (p < 0.5) on the values of all the tested maize parameters in all three experimental years. The biomass yield was positively associated with the plant height, biogas, and methane yield (r = 0.62 *; r = 0.70 *; r = 0.81 **) and positively but nonsignificantly associated with temperature (r = 0.42) and precipitation (r = 0.12). The application of the digestate before sowing improves the anaerobic digestion of maize silage and biogas production.

Khorasan wheat occupies a special place in the group of new-old cereals (Triticum turgidum, ssp. Turanicum McKey). It is an ancient species, native to eastern Persia, that is very close to durum wheat by morphological characteristics. Investigations were carried out in agro ecological conditions of the eastern Srem, with two wheat populations with dark and bright awns as objects of study. The following morphological and productive characteristics were investigated: plant height (PH), spike length (SH), number of spikelets per spike (NSS), absolute weight (AW) and grain weight per spike (GW), seed germination (G) and grains yield (YG). Field micro-experiments were set on the carbonate chernozem soil type on loess plateau in 2011 and 2012. Hand wheat sowing was conducted in early March with drill row spacing of 12 cm. The experiment was established as complete randomized block system with four replications. Tending crops measures were not applied during the growing season. Plants were grown without usage of NPK mineral nutrients. Chemical crop protection measures were not applied, although powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis) was appeared before plants spike formation in a small extent. The results showed that both populations have a genetic yield potential. In general, both populations manifested a satisfactory tolerance on lodging and there was no seed dispersal. Plants from bright awns population were higher, had longer spikes and larger number of spikelet?s per spike. However, plants from dark awns population had higher absolute weight and grains weight per spike, as well as grain yield per plant. Strong correlation connections were identified among the investigated characteristics. The determination of correlations, as well as direct and indirect affects, enabled easier understanding of the mutual relationships and their balancing in order to improve the yield per unit area.

This research studied the phenotypic correlation coefficients between three Sorghum species, namely forage sorghum S. bicolor Moench. (c. NS-Dzin), Sudan grass S. sudanense L. (c. Zora) and interspecies hybrid S. bicolor x S. sudanense (c. Siloking). The analyses were performed on plant material samples taken from the first cutting, when plants were in the beginning phase of tasseling. The following morphologic traits were studied: plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem leaf weight and mean stem weight. Additionally, their direct and indirect effect on dependent variable green biomass yield was analyzed, for which path coefficients were calculated. This method enables more quality and full insight into relations existing among the studied traits, more precise establishment of cause-effect connections among them, as well as to separate direct from indirect effects of any particular trait on dependent variable, being biomass yield in this case. The analysis of phenotypic coefficients revealed differences in direct and indirect effect of certain traits on dependent variable. Sudan grass had the highest stem (2.281 m) and most leaves per plant (7.917). Forage sorghum had the largest leaf weight per plant (49.05 g), while interspecies hybrid had the highest mean stem weight (80.798 g). Variations of these morphologic traits among species were found to be significant and very significant. Morphologic traits - stem height and weight significantly affected sorghum green biomass yield. Leaf number and leaf portion in total biomass were negatively correlated with yield. Cultivars differed significantly regarding morphologic and productive traits. Sudan grass had the lowest green biomass yield, while forage sorghum and interspecies hybrid had significant yield increase.

The hypothesis that land degraded by activities in the Kolubara Mining Basin may be restored by production of agri-energy crop Miscanthus gigantheus in ecologically and economically sustainable manner was investigated. The characteristics of the arable soil in the zone of influence of the thermal power plant Kolubara A, the overburden from the mine Kolubara and the ash from Kolubara A indicate limited fertility due to low contents of N and organic C, also contain heavy metals in concentrations between maximal allowable and remediation values (Ni, Cu, Zn), are slightly to moderately contaminated. Contents of heavy metals in aboveground biomass of miscanthus is low, making it suitable for use as biofuel. On the opposite side, in whole plants there are significant contents of Cr, Zn and Ni, mainly in underground organs, indicating phytostabilization potential. – Main strength: the use of marginal land for the production of bioenergetic crops. – Weaknesses: low yield. – Opportunity: use of large marginal land areas with a simultaneous reduced risk of heavy metal transfer to the environment, improving yields with the use of more intensive agri-technical measures. – Threats: the poorly developed biomass market as well as the lack of interest by land owners for its remediation.