SUMMARyTomatoes are parasitized by a number of pathogens, including Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, causal agent of fusarium wilt. Fresh vegetable fruits can be contaminated with various fungi that produce mycotoxins, which is an important issue for human health. The objective of this paper was to isolate, determine, and identify causal organisms of tomato wilt and fruit rot, based on the pathogens morphological and molecular characteristics. Samples of diseased plants showing symptoms of tomato wilt were collected from different localities in the production region of Vojvodina. Fruits with symptoms of fusarium rot were collected from storage and warehouses. The isolation and morphological determination of the fungus were performed on PDA and Czapek's nutrient media. Isolates from diseased plants growing in field, designated as TFW1-TFW12 and seven isolates from diseased tomato fruits (TFM1-TFM7) were chosen for further investigation. For identification of the fungal isolates, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also used. The EF1/EF2 primer pair was used for molecular identification of Fusarium sp. Nine analyzed samples were found to contain DNA fragments 700 bp in size.

Zdjelar G., Nikolić Z., Vasiljević I., Bajić B., Jovičić D., Ignjatov M., Milošević D. (2013): Detection of genetically modified soya, maize, and rice in vegetarian and healthy food products in Serbia. Czech J. Food Sci., 31: 43-48.The presence of genetic modifications was analysed in a total of 100 samples of non-labelled vegetarian and healthy food products. The basic raw materials in the samples tested comprised maize, soya, and/or rice. The screening of all samples was performed using the primers for CaMV35S promoter. The positive samples from this initial screening were further subjected to the analysis of specific transgenic material to determine the type of GMO present with subsequent quantification. Roundup Ready soya was found in eight samples, but its content was below the limit of 0.9%. None of the analysed samples of food products contained GM maize and GM rice. Considering that the investigated samples were imported mainly from EU countries, it can be concluded that the control of GMOs is carried out systematically and in accordance with the Serbian GMO Law.

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The importance of uniform germination and field emergence for achieving high yields, while ensuring good seed quality, raises the question of the influence of fungicide and insecticide preparations for seed treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of five insecticides and fungicide preparations on germination energy and germination of four maize inbred lines. The impact of applied preparations on seed quality may vary, depending on the genetic composition of maize inbred lines. Inbred line L-1 was distinguished as the most tolerant, considering the fact that significant differences were not observed in all tested preparations, while the most sensitive genotype, inbred line L-4, showed a significant decrease in germination energy and seed germination when treated with fludioxonil+metalaxyl-M (M), fludioxonil+metalaxyl-M and imidacloprid (M+G), fludioxonil+metalaxyl-M and thiametoxam (M+Cr) and fludioxonil+metalaxyl-M and tefluthrin+thiametoxam (M+FZ). Results of this study indicate the importance of choosing the best combination of pesticides for certain genotypes, in order to ensure full protection of crops and at the same time obtain the high yields.

The introduction of genetically modified herbicide tolerant rapeseed has raised questions concerning the possible transfer of transgenes into wild relatives or neighbouring fields with similar crops. Pollen of rapeseed can be spread in the area and if a non-GM crop is fertilised by GM pollen, some percentage of the collected seed product will contain GM. Current regulation in the EU limits the allowed content. For conventional crops the critical level of GM contamination is in practice below 0.9%, which is the threshold value for labelling of GM in food and feed by the EU, although the limit for seeds is 0.1% in Serbia. In organic farming, the regulations do not allow the use of genetic engineering in the grain production system