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In this study, the sorption characteristics of nicosulfuron herbicide in soils from different agricultural regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as factors influencing the sorption process, were evaluated. The analysis was performed using a batch equilibrium method. The obtained results showed that soils in Bosnia and Herzegovina are very versatile in terms of their characteristics. The Freundlich adsorption coefficient (K_f) coefficient ranged from 0.027 to 7.388, while the slope of the Freundlich isotherm (1/n) varied from 0.291 to 1.927. In soils with pH 4.31–7.60, 1/n was found to be less than 1 (0.337–0.547), and for the extremely alkaline soil with pH 8.2, 1/n was 1.927. Adsorption of nicosulfuron in the tested soils of Bosnia and Herzegovina was significantly correlated with the sand and silt content in the soil. Multiple linear regression correlating log K_f with the sand and silt content in the studied soils was also statistically significant (R² = 0.951; P = 0.0108). The results of this study indicate that in sandy soils, which are slightly or moderately alkaline, the adsorption of nicosulfuron is very low and only a small amount of nicosulfuron will be adsorbed.

This paper presents the results of the research of soil contamination in flooded area located at the confluence of Bosna and Sava rivers. The sampling was performed according to a network of points Etrs89 reference European Network based on grid points of 500 m x 500 m. The total number of soil samples was 31 and 13 samples of sediment-mud. In the soil samples and sediment-mud samples various parameters were analyzed: pH H2O and 1 M KCl, humus (method by Tjurin), and the readily available phosphorus and potassium (AL method). The interpretation of total content of heavy metals in the soil was conducted according to Dutch Soil Remediation Circular (2009). The samples were analyzed for the total content of heavy metals: Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu (aqua regia digestion, AAS) and the elevated concentrations of Ni. However, Ni content in mud was from 240.5 mg/kg to 294.5 mg/kg, in soil it was from 128.9 mg/kg to 452.1 mg/kg. All mud samples were alkaline, and 79% of soil samples were alkaline and of neutral reaction. The analysis indicated that the flood in May 2014 was not caused by soil contamination with heavy metals, which however contributed to the increase of the overall content of these elements in the soil.

In the Aral Sea basin of Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a main crop and annually occupies more than 45% of the total area of agricultural crops. However, about 90% of Syr Daria River waters is consumed for agricultural purposes, mainly for irrigation of paddy fields. In addition, there is an annual variability in the volume of water during the growing season, which creates certain threats to ensuring guaranteed water supply to irrigated lands and may pose a desertification risks. In addition, in the studied region, due to insufficient application of phosphorus fertilizers nutrient imbalance has been observed in the soil. The aim of the research was to develop sustainable production of rice by introduction of diversified cultures such as barley, soybean and rapeseed: Hordeum vulgare (L.), Glycine max (L.) and Brassica napus (L.), respectively, in a rice-based crop rotation and application of the different doses of mineral fertilizers in the Kyzylorda region. The results of the study showed that application of phosphorus as the main fertilizer at a dose of 90 kg ha-1 gives a significant increase in yield. Studied barley and rapeseed crops showed better adaptability to the specific agroecological conditions. These crops are recommended to be introduced into the rice crop rotations in order to produce rice using environmentally friendly technology.

On the territory of Republic of Srpska (RS – Entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina), in the period 2014 - 2017, the fertility control of arable land was performed in 4125 average samples (taken from top soil, 0 - 30 cm) representing the surface area of 5776 ha. All samples were geo-positioned and linked to the SOTER database (soil and terrain databases). RS is divided into 262 SOTER units. In each soil sample humus was analysed (colorimetric method, wet burning with K2Cr2O7 and conc H2SO4). Soil organic carbon (SOC) was calculated from humus (% humus x factor 0.58). SOC stock (t ha-1) for each plot were calculated on the basis of the volume mass (mg m-3) of the soil type on which the plot was located, the soil weights up to 30 cm (kg ha-1) and the area of the plot (ha). SOC stock on 5776 ha of agricultural land was 225168 t ha-1. The analyzed area was represented by 24 types of soil (FAO class). The highest average SOC stocks of 130 t ha-1 (based on 31 samples) was found in Calacaric Cambisol and the lowest in Stagnic Luvisol 38 t ha-1 (based on 464 samples). In 84% of the tested samples, representing 89% of researched area, the SOC stocks were less than 57 t ha-1. Estimation of the SOC stocks on the total arable land was prepared by GIS analysis interpolation of the SOC results for 4125 samples on the agricultural land area (arable land, gardens, orchards, vineyards and meadows). Estimated SOC stocks on 578894 ha of arable land were 32833549 t. The result of this research is the first step towards the establishment of SOC monitoring system in RS.