Natural process of symbiotic nitrogen fi xation has a unique role in a sustainable legume production. Nodule bacteria, collectively named rhizobia, in symbiotic associations with legumes enable considerable entries of biologically fi xed nitrogen into ecosystems. In order to maxi- SummaryNodule bacteria (rhizobia) in symbiotic associations with legumes enable considerable entries of biologically fi xed nitrogen into soil. Eff orts are therefore made to intensify the natural process of symbiotic nitrogen fi xation by legume inoculation. Studies of fi eld populations of rhizobia open up the possibility to preserve and probably exploit some indigenous strains with hidden symbiotic or ecological potentials. The main aim of the present study is to determine genetic diversity of common bean rhizobia isolated from diff erent fi eld sites in central Croatia and to evaluate their symbiotic effi ciency and compatibility with host plants. The isolation procedure revealed that most soil samples contained no indigenous common bean rhizobia. The results indicate that the cropping history had a signifi cant impact on the presence of indigenous strains. Although all isolates were found to belong to species Rhizobium leguminosarum, signifi cant genetic diversity at the strain level was determined. Application of both random amplifi cation of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC--PCR) methods resulted in similar grouping of strains. Symbiotic effi ciency of indigenous rhizobia as well as their compatibility with two commonly grown bean varieties were tested in fi eld experiments. Application of indigenous rhizobial strains as inoculants resulted in signifi cantly diff erent values of nodulation, seed yield as well as plant nitrogen and seed protein contents. The most abundant nodulation and the highest plant nitrogen and protein contents were determined in plants inoculated with R. leguminosarum strains S 17/2 and S 21/6 . Although, in general, the inoculation had a positive impact on seed yield, diff erences depending on the applied strain were not determined. The overall results show the high degree of symbiotic effi ciency of the specifi c indigenous strain S 21/6 . These results indicate diff erent symbiotic potential of indigenous strains and confi rmed the importance of rhizobial strain selection. These are the fi rst studies of indigenous common bean rhizobia in Croatia that provide the basis for further characterization and selection of highly effi cient indigenous strains and their potential use in agricultural practice and future research.

Klimatske promjene stavljaju na kušnju maslinare 21. stoljeća te ih prisiljavaju na adekvatnu i provjerenu tehnologiju uzgoja u cilju zaštite od potencijalnih prijetnji. Zemlje mediteranskog bazena suočavaju se s velikim promjenama i izazovima koje uzrokuju posljedice globalnog zatopljenja kao što su temperaturni ekstremi i nepovoljan raspored oborina. Mnoge regije postaju nepogodne za uzgoj maslina, dok se u drugima počinju stvarati idealni uvjeti za maslinarstvo i poljoprivrednu proizvodnju općenito. Grčka i Italija su pretrpjele ogromne gubitke uslijed klimatskih promjena, stoga nam njihovi primjeri služe kao okosnica u kreiranju razvojnih strategija za maslinarstvo.

Extreme events have produced more rain and became more frequent in many regions around the world, and these trends will rise with the warming of the planet. The vulnerable agricultural sectors, directly dependent on the climate, is predicted to be significantly affected by climate change, with an expected decline in future crop yields. We provide data on the effects of floods, because of excessive rain, on the agricultural sector in Croatia, with emphasis on its northern Pannonian region. Data collected for the period 2015-2020 are based on a 34-question survey, conducted among farmers previously reporting on climate-related damages to their crops. With almost 80% of farmers having experienced flooding on their field plots in the last 5 years (mostly short-term flooding, i.e. waterlogging of up to seven days), it is clear that this type of investigation needs further attention. Data suggested that floods most often occurred in the plant germination phase (before the 5 th leaf) representing a risk for plant damage and consequent reduction in yields.A combination of mitigation and adaptation measures could minimize water retention in the fields and reduce damage, however, our survey implied that farmers scarcely use such measures. Knowledge gained in this study represents the first step toward understanding potential negative effects of the extreme events on the fragile agricultural sector in Croatia and could help authorities in decision making with the aim to reduce the degree of uncertainty associated with climate change effects.