Pre-conversion process (PCP) is a technology that can convert biomass into denser energy carriers that ease transportation and handling for biomass-to-liquid (BTL) plants. This paper assesses three existing PCP technologies in three location scenarios. The assessed PCP technologies are rotating cone reactor pyrolysis (RCRP), fl uidized bed reactor pyrolysis (FBRP) and torrefaction (TOR/TOP) technology. The BTL plant is assumed to be located in the Netherlands, while the PCP plants can be distributed outside of the Netherlands, or centralized in the same complex as the BTL plant. Alternatively, the PCP plants can be centralized in one complex outside of the Netherlands. The assessment considers factors like biomass price, forest yield, transportation distance, capital investment of the PCP and BTL plants, and operating costs of those plants. Furthermore, this work proposes a modifi cation of the existing FBRP technology to avoid the usage of fossil fuels for its energy supply. The original design is called 'FBRP Non-green', while the modifi ed one is called 'FBRP Green'. The costs of the CO 2 avoided for different PCP-BTL plants and corresponding location scenarios were also compared. Based on the assessment, the torrefaction technology with distributed scenario for the production of 1000 MW th synthesis gas (syngas) is the most cost-effective and the greenest option.

This work describes the incidence and distribution of the most important bean viruses in Serbia: Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). The viral isolates were characterized serologically and biologically. BCMV was found in the largest number of plants (30.53%), followed by BCMNV (2.67%), CMV (5.34%), and AMV (3.41%), since BYMV was not determined. Mixed viral infections were found in several samples. The RT-PCR method was used to prove that the tested isolates belong to the BCMV, family Potyviridae and strains Russian and NL-3 D. Results obtained in this work will enable further studies of the genetic variability of bean virus isolates from Serbia.

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At the time of soybean seed sowing in the field, a high soil moisture, low soil and air temperatures, and crasts formation may occur, which can lead to slow germination, poor seedling establishment, and in some cases to loss of seed vigor. Due to the importance and prevalence of soybean the aim of this study was to determine the quality and seed viability of different genotypes produced at three locations in Vojvodina during 2009 and 2010. Eight soybean varieties (Afrodita, Valjevka, Balkan, Novosadjanka, Ravnica, Ana, Vojvodjanka and Venera) produced in Vrbas, Senta and Inđija during 2009 and 2010 were tested. Seed germination was determined using Standard laboratory test, and vigor tests (cold test, and accelerated aging test). Studied genotypes baheved differently in different years and at different localities. Genotype Venera achieved high germination values in all applied tests in 2009, while genotype Afrodita had high values of the tested parameter when conventional laboratory test was applied, and the lowest values were recorded when vigor tests were applied. Values obtained in 2010 when all tests were applied were above the prescribed minimum. Locality of Vrbas proved to be more favorable for seed production in relation to localities of Indjija and Senta due to better rainfall distribution

Lake Prespa, Lake Ohrid and Lake Skadar are the biggest lakes in the Balkan Peninsula. By reason of continuous existence and relatively stable ecological conditions millions years those lakes have a unique collection of flora and fauna. In this paper is presented biodiversity of macrophyte vegetation from Lake Prespa, Lake Ohrid and Lake Skadar. In those three lakes macrophyte vegetation is distributed in zones (belts). The biodiversity of macrophytes is different in those lakes and it is in direct dependence of different altitudes, lakes surfaces and lakes depths.