No abstract

Summary:One of the most important traits of onion bulb is its bulb fresh weight. Also, this trait is in a group of morphological markers that, together with RAPD, represent the parameter of the most precise identification of onion genotype. For the purpose of this study, the chosen genotypes were: Makoi bronzi, Piroska, AC 101, Jasenicki crveni, Bukino beo. Also, they were of a different geographical origin. Method of full diallel without reciprocals was applied in order to obtain F1 and F2 generation. Field trial with parents and hybrids F1 and F2 generation was set in a random block system with five replications at the Institute for Vegetable Crops, Smederevska Palanka, Serbia. Considering all crossing combinations, superdomination and domination are the modes of inheritance for bulb fresh weight. The best general combiner was the line Makoi bronzi. The highest level of SCA in F1 and F2 generation was found in hybrid combination Makoi bronzi x Piroska. Also, this hybrid combination had the highest values of heterosis.

The creation of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes can provide a basis for sustainable wheat production in areas that are particularly sensitive to the impacts of climate change on soil salinity. This study aimed to select salt-tolerant wheat genotypes that could serve as a genetic resource in breeding for salinity tolerance. A two-year experiment was established with 27 wheat genotypes, grown in salinity stress and non-stress conditions. Agronomic parameters (plant height, spike weight, number of grains per spike, thousand grain weight, and grain yield/plant) were analyzed in the phenophase of full maturity, while biochemical parameters (DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content) were tested in four phenophases. Grain yield/plant was the most sensitive parameter to salinity, with a 31.5% reduction in value. Selection based on salt tolerance indices (STI, MP, and GMP) favored the selection of the genotypes Renesansa, Harmonija, Orašanka, Bankut 1205, KG-58, and Jugoslavija. Based on YI (1.30) and stability analysis, the genotype Harmonija stands out as the most desirable genotype for cultivation in saline conditions. The presence of positive correlations between grain yield/plant and biochemical parameters, in all phenophases, enables the selection of genotypes with high antioxidant activity and high yield potential, even in the early stages of plant development.

Various statistical methods were applied in this research: analysis of genetic parameters, Pearson's correlation, genotypic and phenotypic correlations, and Path analysis, with the aim of creating a selection criterion for increasing wheat grain yield. A two-year experimental study was conducted with twenty-seven wheat genotypes, grown on two localities: Rimski Šančevi (Bačka, Vojvodina), on Chernozem soil type; and Kumane (Banat, Vojvodina), on Solonjec soil type. The highest values of phenotypic coefficient of variation (CVp) had the grain weight per plant (17.44% on Chernozem and 13.81% on Solonetz), while the lowest value of CVp had the thousand grain weight (8.12% on Chernozem and 5.47% on Solonetz). On Chernozem, the value of the genotypic coefficient of variation (CVg) ranged from 1.51%, in the number of grains per spike, to 9.17% in the spike length, while on Solonetz, grain weight per plant had the lowest value of CVg (0.36%) and plant height the highest one (11.15%). At both localities, grain yield was in highly significant and positive correlations with all analyzed traits, except with plant height and spike length. In favorable environmental conditions (Chernozem), Path analysis revealed that grain yield directly depends on grain weight per spike (0.317**), number of grains per spike (0.232**) and spike weight (0.209**), and other analyzed traits have a positive indirect effect on grain yield over mentioned traits. Under salinity stress conditions, the grain weight per plant had the highest direct effect on grain yield (0.891**), which makes this trait a good selection criterion in breeding for salinity stress tolerance.

Kaolinite and the modified natural zeolite minazel plus (M+) were used as supplements in substrate used for the production of the medicinal mushroom Grifola frondosa. Growth stimulation, expressed as yield and biological efficiency, was observed when M+ (1%) was added. The production cycle was shortened by half as a result of the zeolites' ion-exchange ability, stimulation of enzyme activity, and water retain capacity. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry of fruiting bodies showed the absence of heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, and lead), whereas the concentration of calcium increased greatly and the concentrations of iron, magnesium, and zinc increased moderately under the influence of M+. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance showed a positive impact on the β-glucan ratio, which could have been caused by the epimerization reaction stimulated by zeolites. The functionality of the mushroom was evaluated through several antioxidant activity assays, and in all cases a positive effect was established: M+ was statistically more effective in comparison with kaolinite. A strong correlation was established between the antioxidative activity of cultivated fruiting bodies and the tested compounds (total phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and minerals).