Maize production is intensified with a larger amount of mineral fertilisers in the era of meteorological conditions change, which leads to a decrease in the reserves of microelements in the soil. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of zinc application on grain yield, nitrogen and carbon content in grain of three maize genotypes in the period 2016–2018 (factor A). Factor B: cultivars ZP 427, ZP 548 and ZP 687 belonging to different maturation groups. Factor C: Various zinc treatments were applied: T1 – control; T2 – 25 kg Zn2+/ha (35 g of ZnSO4 on the experimental plot) was introduced into the soil before sowing; T3 – seed treatment (0.129 g of ZnSO4 • 7 H2O) +<br />foliar treatment (2 L/ha liquid fertiliser 7% Zn2+). The average yield for all examined variables was 7.33 t/ha. On average, T2 (8.08 t/ha) treatment showed a highly significant effect on the yield in relation to T1 (7.03 t/ha) and on T3 (7.21 t/ha). On average, the amount of nitrogen determined for all cultivars was the highest in T3 (1.52%). The highest carbon content was in T1 (41.78%), which is at the level of significance of P &lt; 0.01 more than T2 (41.46%), while in relation to T3 (40.99%) there is no significance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of aqueous extracts of different plant species on the grain and protein yield of soybean. The testing was conducted at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad on the seeds of the NS Apolo variety. The aqueous extracts of the above-ground part of nettle, the above-ground part of nettle and comfrey, whole banana fruit, banana peel, onion bulbs leaves, the top parts of willow twigs and the top parts of soybean plants were foliarly applied. In addition to the untreated control variant, the experiment also included a distilled water control. Control with distilled water was to show whether the effect of aqueous plant extracts was due to plant material or just water. The results of the experiment showed that the use of aqueous extracts contributed to the increase in grain and protein yield. The increase in grain yield ranged from 9.48% to 15.34%, and the increase in protein yield from 9.31% to 16.16%. The best effect was achieved by applying the aqueous extract of the whole banana fruit and the aqueous extract of the mix of nettle and comfrey. By applying them each year, a significantly higher yield was achieved in relation to the control with distilled water.

Soybean yield depends on the selection of cultivars, soil fertility, applied cultivation practices, and agroclimatic conditions over the years. High-quality and timely primary tillage is essential for stable development and high yields of soybean plants. The effect of autumn and spring primary tillage on soybean yield and 1000-grain weight was examined in a three-year study (2013-2015). The trial included cultivars with different maturity periods, developed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad: Valjevka and Galina 0 maturity group, Sava and NS Maximus I maturity group, Rubin and Venera II maturity group. Trial subplots were prepared using different periods of primary tillage, which was conducted in autumn (November, 01–05) and spring (March, 25–31). The highest yields and 1000-grain weight were obtained after autumn primary tillage in all the three study years. Yield decrease by 2.72% to 38.91% and 1000-grain weight decrease of 1.33%-11.93% were recorded after spring primary tillage.

Soybeans are legumes capable of absorbing elemental nitrogen from the air thanks to symbiosis with symbiotic bacteria. Inoculation of soybean seeds with highly effective bacteria increases nitrogen uptake and has a positive effect on the achieved yield. The aim of this paper is to consider the effect of NS Nitragine application on the yield of six soybean cultivars of different maturation groups. Inoculation statistically significantly increased soybean yield, and the increase ranged from 6.13% in the cultivar NS Zoja to 8.49% in the cultivar Sava.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of seed priming on seed quality parameters (germination energy, germination, seedling length and vigor index) of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Pers.). The experiment was performed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. The research was conducted on the seeds of the sorghum variety NS Džin and sudangrass variety Srem. Distilled water and aqueous extracts of young willow branches (Salix matsudana) and mature banana fruits (Musa x paradisiaca) were used to prime the seeds. The seeds were primed for: 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. The results showed that priming sorghum and sudangrass seeds in aqueous extracts of young willow branches and mature banana fruits can have a positive effect on seed quality parameters: germination energy, germination, seedling length and vigor index. The greatest effect on germination energy and seed germination was achieved in sudangrass by using an aqueous extract of young willow branches. The increase was 9.30% and 9.20%, respectively. Priming sorghum seeds in aquatic extracts of mature banana fruits had the greatest effect on seedling length and vigor index. The increase was 36.86% and 40.33%, respectively. For all research parameters, priming for 3 h was the most effective. However, in addition to the positive effect, priming can also have a negative effect. The most significant reduction was found on sorghum seeds, when primed in an aqueous extract of mature banana fruit for 24 hours. Germination energy and germination were reduced by 7.14% and 9.30%, respectively.