AGRO - KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL

The status of pesticide application equipment and the possibility of applying European standards and regulations

2025-04-08T13:31:32+02:00

The research in this paper was conducted in the western part of the Republic of Srpska, located in the northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This region is characterized by intensive agricultural production, with increasing investments in viticulture and fruit growing in recent years. As a candidate country for the accession to the European Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina must harmonize its legal regulations with the European standards. Compliance with these standards includes the introduction of legal inspection of machinery and equipment for pesticide application. The aim of the research was to collect data (brand, model, age, technical condition, etc.) on the machinery and equipment for pesticide application, as well as to gather basic data on the operators of these machines (education, basic knowledge, participation in training for safe and proper adjustment of these machines, etc.). The study was conducted as part of regular inspection activities, certification, and calibration of pesticide application equipment, which the Faculty of Agriculture performs every year before the start of the protection season. The research involved the inspection and examination of 76 pesticide application devices - sprayers. Of the total number of inspected devices, the largest deviations were recorded during the inspection of sprayers (34%), pressure gauges (16%), and pump capacity (9%).

Phenotypic characterization of rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L.)

2025-04-08T13:23:02+02:00

The study was conducted to examine the phenotypic characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and to study their variability. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block system with 53 rice genotypes in three replications, with a plot size of 3 m2 during the 2022 vegetative year. From each genotype, 10 plants were randomly selected, and 9 phenotypic traits were examined for each of them. The influence of genotypes is highly significant for all analysed traits: plant height, stem height, panicle length, panicle weight, the number of filled grains in a panicle, the number of unfilled grains in a panicle, the weight of filled grains, the weight of unfiled grains, and the number of primary branches per panicle. The obtained results were statistically analysed by ANOVA and were tested with the LSD test, with a probability of 0.001. GN-104 showed the highest value for the panicle length (20.25 cm), the highest total number of grains (131), as well as the highest number of filled grains (106.7). GN-119 had maximum values for the panicle weight (3.79 g) and the number of filled grains (3.43), along with GN-102 (3.49). GN-152 had above average values for all positive traits but belongs to tall genotypes. GN-153 had the lowest weight per panicle (1.29 g), the lowest number of filled grains per panicle (40.47), and the lowest weight of filled grains (1.10 g), while GN-103 had the lowest number of unfilled grains per panicle. Also, the obtained results have shown that there is phenotypic variation among genotypes for these traits. This wide phenotypic variation can be used in rice breeding programs, i.e., crossing genotypes with desired traits.

Evaluating rice quality produced in the Mbam rice hub in Cameroon and its association with pre- and post-harvest practices

2025-04-08T13:13:03+02:00

Rice is a staple food in Cameroon, but its production remains relatively low to meet up local quantitative and qualitative needs. This work evaluated the current situation in regards with the physical and physiological quality of rice produced in the Mbam rice hub. Pre- and post-harvest practices were assessed by using a structured questionnaire as part of a survey during which rice samples were collected from rice actors. Physical and physiological parameters including the germination rate, moisture content, varietal purity, immature grains, fissured, whole, and broken grains percentages were assessed on rice samples in the laboratory using specific rice quality evaluation instruments and methods. A total of 80 rice samples including rice seed, paddy, and different types of milled rice were randomly collected during the survey from rice actors in four localities. The survey revealed nine rice varieties (Nerica 8, Nerica L56, Touh-Mba, Tox3145, Madam, Nerica 3, Mbankou, Sophie, and Bakala) cultivated in the hub and three major sources of rice seed, namely previously harvested paddy (69.2%), gift (23.1%), and both sources (7.7%). The analysis of physical and physiological attributes of rice seed used revealed a significant P < 0.05 decline in the varietal purity among farmers of Badounga (81.94%) and Nyokon (77.39%) compared to Nkolbisson (97.56%). A similar trend was observed for paddy, though with high proportions (75 to 80%) of fissured grains. Broken grains in milled rice were very high, 50.02 to 62.11%, but impurities were low in all rice samples ˂0.5%. A significant correlation (r = -0.93, P < 0.0001) was observed between the varietal purity of paddy and the level of broken grains. Overall, the physical quality of rice produced in the Mbam hub was poor and research innovations should be effectively used for improvement.

Morphometric analysis of the Carniolan Honeybee (Apis mellifera carnica) in the Republic of Srpska

2025-04-08T13:34:53+02:00

Beekeeping plays a significant role in animal husbandry, providing valuable products such as honey, beeswax, royal jelly, pollen, propolis, bee swarms, queens, and pollination services, essential for the survival of terrestrial ecosystems. The European honeybee (Apis mellifera) is classified into various subspecies, with the Carniolan bee (Apis mellifera carnica) being native to the Republic of Srpska. This research aimed to investigate the potential hybridization between native Carniolan bees and other subspecies, mainly the Greek (Apis mellifera cecropia) and Anatolian (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) bees, using geometric morphometry. Samples of adult bees were collected from 17 registered breeding centres across the Republic of Srpska and analyzed using the IdentiFly software, which relies on geometric morphometry for classification. The results have indicated some hybridization with the A. m. cecropia and A. m. anatolica, particularly in breeding centres located in warmer regions, such as Trebinje. However, no significant influence from the A. m. ligustica was observed. The northward spread of Greek and Anatolian bees, influencing the Carniolan bee population, is primarily due to the import of queens from these regions, with climate change acting as a significant contributing factor. The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring and selective breeding to preserve the native Carniolan bee and adapt it to the challenges posed by illegal queen import and climate change. Future research should focus on detailed analyses of bee populations and the impact of climate change on the distribution of honeybee breeds.

Technological and oenological characteristics of the Ferdinand de Lesseps and Muskat ruža wine grape varieties

2025-04-08T13:28:20+02:00

The aim of this paper is to present comparative results of the research for the Ferdinand de Lesseps and Muskat ruža varieties grown in the conditions of the Župa wine region, Serbia. The research included phenological observation, yield, mechanical (ampelographic) characteristics of the bunch and berries, qualitative parameters of grape juice – must, physico-chemical analysis, and sensory evaluation of wine. A later date was determined for the start of a bleeding phenophase, flowering, and berry growth for the Muskat ruža variety, while the Ferdinand de Lesseps variety entered the phenophase of budburst and shoot growth later. Furthermore, the Muskat ruža variety was characterized by higher fertility with an average of more developed reproductive shoots per trunk (9.2). Based on the mechanical (ampelographic) characteristics of the bunch and berries, it was found that the Muskat ruža variety had higher values for the following parameters: developed berries, the average weight and length of the bunch, the number of seeds in 100 berries, and the proportion of the bunch stem, the berry skin, the proportion of seeds, and a higher grape skeleton. On the other hand, the Ferdinand de Lesseps variety had a higher value for the average bunch mass and all berries in a bunch, the average berry width, the mass of 100 berries, the mass of berry skins in 100 berries, the mass of 100 seeds, and the proportion of mesocarp in a bunch. A higher sugar content (21.3%) was found in the grape juice of the Muskat ruža variety than in the Ferdinand de Lesseps variety (20.4%). As far as the physico-chemical analysis of the wine is concerned, the wine of both varieties meets the criteria for the wine production with protected geographical origin. The wine made from Ferdinand de Lesseps received a sensory score of 19 points, while the Muskat ruža variety received 17 points. It can be stated that both varieties have their typical varietal characteristics.

Morphometric and colour characteristics of garlic accessions (Allium sativum L.) in the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia

2025-04-08T13:19:41+02:00

Garlic from the Alliaceae family is a vegetatively propagated bulbous crop with great morphological diversity. It is used worldwide as an important spice in cooking and in traditional medicine. Garlic accessions managed in the Slovenian Plant Gene Bank at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia were studied on the basis of various morphometric and colour characteristics of the bulbs and cloves. A total of 49 garlic accessions were grown and evaluated in the experimental fields of Infrastructure Centre Jablje in 2023. Numerical descriptors included the bulb weight, height and diameter, the height/diameter ratio, the number of cloves, and clove size. Qualitative descriptors included ten UPOV descriptors related to the pseudostem (flowering stem), the bulb (size, ground colour of dry external scales, anthocyanin stripes on dry external scales, number of cloves), and the clove (size, colour of scales, intensity of colour of scales, anthocyanin stripes on scales, colour of flesh). Results have shown significant differences between the accessions in terms of the bulb size and colour parameters. The bulb weight ranged from 8.6–54.1 g, the bulb height from 26.5–45.8 mm, and the bulb diameter from 31.4–58.9 mm. The average number of cloves was 10 ± 3 and the weight of the cloves was 3.0 ± 1.2 g. The predominant bulb ground colours of dry external scales were white and yellowish white, 31 and 18 accessions, respectively. The clove colours of the scales were predominantly pink/purple, pink/purple/brown, brown, cream/pink, or cream, with anthocyanin stripes on the scales present in nearly 75% of the accessions. The highest coefficients of variation were observed for the bulb size (49.6%) and the clove size (39.6%) and the lowest for the height/diameter ratio (6.2%). The data obtained and the variability of the traits studied indicate that garlic accessions require further indepth agromorphological, nutritional, and genetic analyses to identify the best candidates for future breeding proposals.

The impact of CEFTA implementation on the agri-food trade of the Republic of Srpska entity (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

2025-04-08T13:07:02+02:00

Given the crucial role of the agricultural sector in the economic development of the Republic of Srpska, trade in agri-food products is of considerable importance, particularly with CEFTA countries. This paper investigates the impact of the multilateral trade agreement CEFTA on agri-food trade flows. Using statistical data from 2013 to 2021 and applying descriptive analysis methods, the paper aimed to assess exports, imports, and total trade in agri-food products. The findings reveal that CEFTA implementation positively affected agri-food product exports and overall trade volume between the Republic of Srpska and the CEFTA countries. Specifically, the results have indicated a consistent trade deficit in the total trade volume of the agri-food sector, highlighting the necessity for and significance of policy measures aimed at enhancing competitiveness and reducing the trade gap.