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A comparative analysis of plant growth--promoting traits of Pseudomonas and Bacillus strains isolated from Lolium perenne rhizospheric soil in Vojvodina (Serbia) and their effecton the plant yield
(2020) Stamenov, D.R.; Hajnal-Jafari, T.I.; Najvirt, B.; Andjelković, Snežana; Tomić, J.; Đurić, S.S.
The objective of this work was to do a comparative study of Pseudomonas and Bacillus isolates for their plant growth-promoting (PGP) potential, monitoring the impact of selected isolates on the yield of English ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Isolation, physiological and biochemical characterization, in vitro assay of enzymatic and plant-growth promoting activities of isolates were done. Pseudomonas isolates have been shown to have the ability to use different sources of carbon, to live in the condition of low pH as well as temperature and to produce siderophore. On the other hand, Bacillus isolates have the ability to solubilize phosphate, to produce a greater amount of indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) than Pseudomonas isolates and have an inhibitory effect on the growth of phytopathogenic fungi. In other investigated traits, isolates were similar. The use of Pseudomonassp. P12 and Bacillus sp. B1 isolates had a positive effect on the plant mass and total yield, which indicate that the use of these isolates can result in a better yield of forage crops.
A rapid and cost-effective procedure for delineation and utilization of genomic microsatellites for paralleled genotyping in Vicia faba
(Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2015-03-31) Aleksic, Jelena M; Banović Đeri, Bojana; MILJUŠ-ĐUKIĆ Jovanka; JOVANOVIĆ Živko; Mikić, Aleksandar; Ćupina, Branko; ZLATKOVIĆ Bojan; Andjelković, Snežana; Spanu, Ilaria; Jelić, Mihailo; MAKSIMOVIĆ Vesna
Acid and Temperature Treatments Result in Increased Germination of Seeds of Three Fescue Species
(University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 2012-09-24) Stanisavljevic, Rade; Vučković, Savo; Simić, Aleksandar; Marković, Jordan; Lakic, Zeljko; Terzic, Dragan; DOKIC
Efficient germination of fescue seeds is essential for successful establishment of meadows and pastures. This research was conducted toÂ ascertain the effects of various acid and temperature treatments on seed germination in three fescue species: Festuca rubra, F. ovina, and F.Â pratensis. Seeds from different cultivars, populations, or lots were exposed either to four concentrations of sulfuric acid at three differentÂ time intervals (12 treatments) or six different temperatures at three different time intervals (18 treatments). Despite all belonging to theÂ genus Festuca, the seed from different species responded differently to the treatments. The three optimum treatments for F. rubra seedÂ involved soaking in a 75% solution of sulfuric acid for 20 minutes (improved the germination rate by 19%), soaking in a 50% solutionÂ of sulfuric acid for 30 minutes (improved the germination rate by 18%) and exposure to either 60Â°C or 70Â°C for 90 minutes (improvedÂ the germination rate by 17%). For F. ovina seed, optimal treatments included soaking seeds for either 10 or 20 minutes in a 50% sulfuricÂ acid solution (both treatments improved germination rates by 13%) or exposing seeds for 30 minutes in a 25% sulfuric acid solution andÂ 80Â°C for 60 minutes (improved germination rate by 12%). Two optimal treatments were identified for F. pratensis seed. Whereas theÂ first involved soaking the seeds in a 75% sulfuric acid solution for 30 minutes (improved germination rates by 22%), the second involvedÂ either exposing the seeds to 90Â°C for 90 or 60 minutes, or exposing the seeds to 80Â°C for 90 minutes (improved germination rate by 21%).Â Our findings indicate that if fescue seed is to be sown during the autumn (two to three months after seed collecting), treating it with acidÂ and temperature can significantly enhance its germination.
Actinobacteria-enhanced plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and crop protection: Advances in soil, plant, and microbial multifactorial interactions
(Elsevier BV, 2022-02) MITRA; MONDAL; KHOSHRU; SENAPATI; RADHA; MAHAKUR; UNIYAL; MYO; BOUTAJ; SIERRA; PANNEERSELVAM; GANESHAMURTHY; Andjelković, Snežana; VASIĆ; RANI; DUTTA; MOHAPATRA
Advances in Bioprocess Monitoring and Control Systems
(IGI Global Scientific Publishing, 2025-09-05) Kumar, R.; Chattaraj, S.; Gökhan Boyno, G.; Alloun, W.; Andjelković, Snežana; Živković, S.; Guerra Sierra, B. E.; Mitra, D.
The bioprocess monitoring market, valued at $12.3 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% to reach $20.5 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by biosensors, machine learning, and Industry 4.0. Innovations like Raman spectroscopy and NMR have improved metabolite profiling accuracy, leading to enhanced process control. Artificial intelligence-driven models have reduced batch variability by 20%, while digital twin technologies have reduced process development time by 25%. Automated fed-batch strategies have increased recombinant protein yields by 15-25%, while microfluidic bioreactors enable high-throughput screening with a 5-fold reduction in reagent costs. Soft-sensor technologies have adjusted metabolic flux projections by 35%, reducing process variation. IoT-enabled bioprocessing has reduced manual interventions by 40%, improving operational effectiveness.
Alfalfa and red clover as a protein source for ruminants
(Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia, 2021-10-06) Marković, Jordan; Milenković, Jasmina; Andjelković, Snežana
High level of milk protein, increased dietary costs, as well as care for the environment have made nitrogen utilization a central component in balancing ruminant meals. Excess crude protein in meals can lead to unnecessary dietary costs, without resulting in increased milk and milk protein production. In addition, most of the excess nitrogen is excreted in the urine and is an ecologically labile form. On the other hand, poor amino acids balance will limit milk protein yield, making production more expensive than overeating. Balancing protein according to metabolic needs, with an adequate ratio of rumen undegradable protein and rumen degradable protein, and without overeating will have positive effects not only on meal price and profitability, but also on the environment. More efficient utilization of nutrients requires knowledge of how different fractions of nutrients pass through the digestive tract. Grass and legumes contain the largest and most variable part of non-protein nitrogen compounds. Although, a number of non-protein nitrogen compounds and true protein together represent crude protein, it is clear that the nutritional value of crude protein in ruminant feeds is better explained based on their rate and extent of rumen degradation. There are a number of factors that affect the amount of crude protein that will be degraded in the rumen. Legumes are high quality forages rich in protein, but these proteins are intensively degraded in the rumen. Red clover proteins are more slowly degraded than alfalfa protein.
Amelioration of thermal stress in crops by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria
(Elsevier BV, 2021-08) Mitra; Díaz Rodríguez; Parra Cota; Khoshru; Panneerselvam; Moradi; Sagarika; Andjelković, Snežana; Santos-Villalobos; Das Mohapatra
Crops are affected by various types of abiotic stress, resulting in a decrease in agricultural productivity thereby challenging food-security issues. Among the different types of abiotic stresses, the temperature has been regarded as a major one followed by salt and drought stress. The increasing temperature causes an alteration in the period of growth and the distribution of crop plants. High-temperature also damages the membrane, some proteins, inactivate the main enzymes and disturb the synthesis of biomolecules. Moreover, heat stress has been found to restrict the process of cell division as well. On the other hand, low-temperature is the main determinant of freezing which results in the reduction of plant cellular metabolism. Freezing stress forms ice-crystals in the cells that further leads to cell death due to dehydration and leakage of electrolyte. Generally, the stress tolerance in crops has been determined based on the cultivar's ability to withstand freezing temperatures; however, with advancements in microbiological techniques, several stress-tolerant microbes have been identified which either through direct or indirect mechanisms alleviate temperature-stress in plants. Furthermore, the function of cryoprotectant compounds and their signaling mechanisms in plants have been also discussed in detail for signifying their role in the alleviation of cold stress in plants. This review highlights the responses of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that are metabolically active under thermal stress conditions, and result in the production of metabolites that promotes plant growth and facilitate the uptake of nutrients under thermal stress in agro-ecosystems.
An initial metabolomic study on Hungarian clover
(Palacký University Olomouc, 2023-09-10) Petrović, Mirjana; Zornic, Vladimir; Lugić, Zoran; Stepić, Marija; Prijović, Mladen; Vymyslicky, Tomas; Andjelković, B
Hungarian clover (Trifolium pannonicum Jack.) is the youngest member of the genus Trifolium and is classified as a minorspeciesin terms of cultivation areas. It has a long lifespan, up to 15 years (Nechaeva et al., 2020), is resistant to freezing, diseases, and drought, has good antioxidant potential, and produces one stable harvest annually. Despite these advantages, however, it is not used enough in the production of fodder.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF GRASSLANDS IN THE PODRINJE REGION AS A SOURCE OF HEALTHY ANIMAL FEED
(University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Serbia Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM - IAMB) Italy, 2023-10-05) Petrović, Mirjana; Zornic, Vladimir; Radović, Jasmina; Racić, Nedeljko; Sokolović, Dejan; Jerinić, Svetlana; Lugić, Zoran
Grasslands are widespread terrestrial ecosystems with the primary agronomic importance of providing quality fodder for domestic animals. Recent studies have revealed that grasslands in Serbia have an unfavorable floristic composition and low yield, and that they are an insufficient and frequently improperly used resource. The goal of this study was to assess the condition of the grasslands in the Podrinje region using a sample of 49 farms' actively used grasslands. Each of the 49 grasslands was subjected to soil and biomass analyses. Soil laboratory analyses determined the pH value, mineral element content (N, P, K), and carbonate content, whereas biomass analyses determined crude protein content, fiber content (ADF and NDF), and fat content. According to Braun-Blanquet, phytocenological releve were taken on a portion of the grasslands. The results show that the majority of grasslands grow on soils with a low pH value (38), and that the 60% of biomass sampls had a low protein content (>8%), indicating a low nutritional value. Both the low amount of legumes in grasslands - 36 samples had less than 10% of legumes in biomass - and late mowing during the flowering and seed-ripening stages have been attributed for this condition. All farmers received instructions to take steps to improve the floristic composition of grasslands and, as a result, the quality of produced fodder, which will have a positive economic impact in the near future.
An overview of the flora of the special nature reserve "Osredak" a decade upon the completion of the conservation study
(Centre for Evaluation in Education and Science (CEON/CEES), 2022-01-25) Petrović, Mirjana; Prijović, Mladen; Živković-Antić, Ivana; Stojanović, Verica; Vymyslický, Tomaš; Stepić, Marija; Babić, Snežana; Sokolović, Dejan
Since 2020, the "Osredak" Special Nature Reserve has been a protected natural area of the Republic of Serbia, of regional, i.e. great importance. It is situated in central Serbia, along both banks of the West Morava. The area was designated as protected in order to conserve the bog habitats of the Morava River valley, as well as old bayous, ponds and lakes, which were created by decades of gravel extraction. The public-utility company "Kruševac" manages this area, and at its request, cooperation was established with the Istitute for fodder crops Kruševac in order to update the Reserve's flora inventory, with an emphasis on protected plant species, but also on invasive alien species. A list of all plant taxa that have been recorded in the Reserve so far (169 species) and specific solutions that might contribute to the conservation and improvement of natural values of the "Osredak" special nature reserve have also been included in this paper.
Analysis of the relationship of the most important traits in meadow fescue
(University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia, 2021-10-07) Babić, Snežana; Sokolović, Dejan; Andjelković, Snežana; Petrović, Mirjana; Zornic, Vladimir; Prijović, Mladen; Bekčić, Filip
Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) is one of the most important perennial grasses foranimal feed production on grasslands. It is characterized by high and stabile yield potential andgood biomass quality. The aim of this study was to determine genetic and phenotypic correlation coefficients of seven most important traits of two synthetic cultivars (Kruševački 21 and Pradel). Individual plants for hybridization, in order to obtain progeny by the method of Comstock and Robinson, were selected completely randomly. In order to examine the obtained progeny, the study was performed in an experimental field of the Institute for Forage Crops, in two replications. The experiment was set up according to the Nested Design I, with sets within the replications. In Kruševački 21, 60 full-sib progeny were studied in two sets, while in the Pradel a total of 39 full-sib progeny were studied. Within each full-sib progeny, 60 plants were analyzed. Statistically and high statistically relation was obtained between some traits and presented as genetic (rg) and phenotypic (rf) correlation coefficients. In cultivar K-21 very high statistically significant genetic correlation coefficients were determined between heading date and leaf length (rg=0.873**), plant height and number of generative tillers per plant (rg=0.893**) and dry matter yield in the first cut and annual dry matter yield (rg=0.988**). In cultivar Pradel very high statistically significant relationship was obtained between heading date and plant height (rg=0.978**), heading date and number of vegetative tillers per plant (rg=0.926**) and annual dry matter yield with one side, and plant height (rg=0.912**) and dry matter yield in the first cut (rg=0.978**), on the other side.
ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF RHIZOBIA AGAINST RED CLOVER PATHOGENS FROM GENUS FUSARIUM
(University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Serbia Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM - IAMB) Italy, 2023-10-05) Bekčić, Filip; Duduk, Natasa; Lugić, Zoran; Radović, Jasmina; Babić, Snežana; Stepić, Marija; Andjelković, Snežana
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is an important forage legume that can be found in nature or as cultivated crop in monoculture or in grass-legume mixtures. The great importance of red clover is the fact that it lives in symbiosis with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifoli. In addition to promoting plant growth, productivity and biomass, the bacteria also have an important role in disease control. Apart from useful microorganisms, many soil pathogenic microorganisms inhabit red clover roots and under favorable conditions they cause infections and diseases of the cultivated plants. On the infected red clover plants Fusarium spp. can cause several symptoms: vascular wilt on older plants, dumping of seedlings, root rot, rot of root base and crown rot. In the present study, the antagonistic potential was evaluated for two bacteria isolates preliminarily determined as R. leguminosarum bv. trifoli (CD1 and CD6) against three isolates Fusarium spp. (G1, G2 and G3) who were obtained from the roots of symptomatic red clover plants. The research was performed in in vitro agar plate (PDA medium) by methods of dual culture (“bacterial ring”). The comparison of growth assessment of fungi after they were grown together with rhizobia in a single plate and growth of fungi in individual plates was performed. Both rhizobia isolates showed significant antifungal activity against all the tested phytopathogenic fungi. Growth inhibition of G1, G2 and G3 was evaluated (%) using both rhizobia isolates, CD1 varied from 30 to 43 % and CD6 from 14 to 32 %.
ANTIFUNGALNA AKTIVNOST ETARSKOG ULJA SATUREJA MONTANA L. PREMA ALTERNARIA SP., PATOGENA STEPSKOG BOŽURA
(Društvo za zaštitu bilja Srbije, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Beograd, 2023-11-27) Mikić, Sara; Stević, Tatijana; Mrđan, Snežana; Vučković, Nina; Bekčić, Filip; Prijić, Željana; Marković, Tatijana
Rtanjski čaj, planinski čubar ili vrijesak (Satureja montana L.) je višegodišnja žbunasta biljka iz familije Lamiaceae, koja vodi poreklo iz umereno toplih područja Evrope, Mediterana i Afrike. U narodnoj medicini se koristi kao čaj za lečenje bolesti respiratornog, digestivnog i urinarnog sistema. Za spoljnu upotrebu se koristi prilikom upala kože i sluzokože, a kao začin i aromatični dodatak jelima u kulinarstvu. U industrijskoj preradi se koristi za dobijanje etarskog ulja. Etarsko ulje se dobija iz nadzemnog dela biljke. Hemijske komponente ulja su karvakrol, timol, β-kariofilen, γ-terpen, ρ-cimen, linalol i druge. U industriji parfema se kombinuje sa drugim uljima ili koristi samostalno. Cilj istraživanja bio je da se ispita antifungalna aktivnost tri hemotipa etarskog ulja Satureja montana L. prema Alternaria sp. izolovanu iz stabla stepskog božura (Paeonia tenuifolia L.).
Antimicrobial potential of the methanol and water extract of Potentilla argentea L. aerial parts and roots
(Prirodno-matematički fakultet, Univerzitet u Banjoj Luci, 2025-11-13) Duboja Krstić, A.; Novaković, M.; Pešić, S.; Stojanović, D.; Stepić, Marija; Joković, N.; Vitorović, J.
Potentilla argentea L., is traditionally used in Kruševac, Serbia, as an herbal decoction for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. This study evaluated and compared the antimicrobial activity of both the plant root and aerial parts (stems, leaves and flowers). P. argentea samples were collected during two different periods: March and May. Samples were dried, ground, and subjected to ultrasonic extraction using methanol (ME) and water (AE). The aqueous extract of the root was prepared following the traditional method of tea preparation, with modifications involving 24-hour steeping in water prior to filtration, rather than immediate use as in typical preparation. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by determining Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) against seven American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. None of the extracts inhibited E.coli, while the strongest antimicrobial activity was observed againts S. enteritidis (0,0098/0,0098 mg/ml). ME from aerial parts exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity compared to root extracts. However, root ME exhibited greater antimicrobial activity against B. cereus compared to aerial part ME, while it showed no antimicrobial activity against E. aerogenes and P. aerogenes. No significant difference was observed between root and aerial parts ME against S. aureus and E. faecalis, though samples harvested in May exhibited greater antimicrobial acitivity in both cases. AE from roots collected in March showed no antimicrobial activity.
Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella: One Health perspective on global food safety challenges
(Elsevier BV, 2025) Kumar, R.; Adeyemi, O. N.; Chattaraj, S.; Alloun, W.; Thamarsha, A.K.A.N.W.M.R.K.; Andjelković, Snežana; Mitra, D.; Gautam, P.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella is a major concern in terms of human health, environmental sustainability, and global food security. Salmonella, the world's most prevalent foodborne pathogen, has gradually gained resistance to important drugs, complicating treatment efforts and leading to rising morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. Overuse of antibiotics in human medicine and agriculture, inadequate regulatory compliance, and environmental pollution from agricultural runoff and treated sewage all contribute to the growth and spread of AMR in Salmonella. Health as well as viewpoints on environmental, animal, and human health will be required to address this complicated problem. This includes promoting reasonable antibiotic use, improving global surveillance systems, and researching novel treatments including phage therapy, probiotics, and new antibiotics. Proposals for vaccination and precise food safety standards are critical for limiting Salmonella transmission across the food chain. Despite significant progress, critical research gaps continue, specifically in understanding the molecular basis of resistance and the role of environmental practices. However, contemporary research endeavors are concentrated on identifying and comprehending the prevalence of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella strains, elucidating the bacterium's defense mechanisms against antibiotics, and investigating outbreaks associated with vegetables. Global surveillance, the development of alternative therapies, and the implementation of stricter antibiotic policies are essential strategies in addressing AMR in Salmonella. Additionally, policy design and implementation, capacity building in low- and middle-income countries, and raising public awareness all necessitate urgent global collaboration among governments, international agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the corporate sector. Stricter regulations on overuse of antibiotics in agriculture is also called for. This review highlights the importance of multi-disciplinary struggles in engaging Salmonella, as integrated resolutions through a One Health approach are crucial for ensuring food safety, preserving public health, and minimizing the worldwide threat of AMR.
Antioxidant Activities, Total Phenols, and Proanthocyanidin Changes during Storage of Fourteen Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Populations from Serbia – A Chemometric Approach
(Informa UK Limited, 2023-06) Mitic, Violeta; Nikolić, Jelena; Andjelković, Snežana; Petrović, Mirjana; Stankov Jovanovic, Vesna; Milenković, Jasmina
Considering the interest in the consumption of faba bean and study of antioxidants in natural food resources, methanol extracts of fourteen Vicia faba cultivars harvested from a two-year field experiment were studied for their phenolic compounds, proanthocyanidines, and antioxidant activities by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, ABTS cation radical decolorization assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and total reducing power (TRP). The results indicate significant differences among the populations in their content of polyphenols and proanthocyanidine, resulting in variations in antioxidant activity of seed extracts. The storage of V. faba mature seeds under uncontrolled, but identical conditions decreased the total phenol content and antioxidant properties. The total phenols were from 10.12 ± 0.19 to 18.53 ± 0.14 mg GAE g−1 DE (2021 year) and 19.52 ± 0.16 to 26.94 ± 0.34 mg GAE g−1 DE (2022 year). In the 2022 growing season, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity had higher values for all populations from 4.83 ± 0.002 to 6.17 ± 0.003 g mg TE g−1 DE. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis obtained from antioxidative profiles grouped the samples into two major clusters. The first cluster consists of extracts of V. faba cultivars from the 2021 growing season, while the V. faba cultivars from the 2022 growing season are in second cluster. Tested cultivars can be used as a readily available source of natural antioxidants.
Antioxidant potential of the methanol and water extract of Potentilla argentea L. aerial parts and roots
(Prirodno-matematički fakultet, Univerzitet u Banjoj Luci, 2025-11-13) Duboja Krstić, A.; Novaković, M.; Pešić, S.; Stojanović, D.; Stepić, Marija; Joković, N.; Vitorović, J.
Potentilla argentea L. is traditionally used in the municipality of Kruševac, Serbia, as tea to treat stomach ailments. In this study, aerial parts (stems, leaves and flowers) and roots of P. argentea were collected in two different growth stages near the village of Ribare, Serbia. The first period of collection was during vegetative growth at the end of March and the second during the flowering phase at the end of May. Dried aerial parts and root samples were subjected to ultrasonic extraction using methanol and water as solvents. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts were determined, along with their antioxidative potential using DPPH, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assays. The TPC and TFC of aerial parts and root samples were not significantly different when comparing the two growth stages. Root methanol extracts (RME) exhibited the highest TPC values followed by methanol extracts of aerial parts (MEAP) and root water extract (RWE). However, TFC was higher in MEAP compared to RME and RWE. Samples collected during flowering showed better antioxidative potential in DPPH, FRAP and TAC assays to those collected during vegetative growth. RME showed the strongest antiradical activity in the DPPH assay and also exhibited higher FRAP and TAC values than MEAP. Overall, the RME obtained from flowering P. argentea displayed the most pronounced antioxidant potential. Strong antioxidant potential demonstrated by the plant through multiple assays provides scientific support for its traditional use in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Assessment of quality and chemical composition of continental halophytic grasslands in south-east Europe
(University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 2022-03-21) LUKOVIĆ; ŠILC; VASIN; Radović, Jasmina; TOPISIROVIĆ; KOSTIĆ; DAJIĆ STEVANOVIĆ
Continental halophytic grasslands are known for performing of range of ecosystem services especially remarkable in the regions where they are much distributed – in arid and semi-arid areas. Continental halophytic grasslands of the Central and South-East Europe are not considered as favourable for arable farming, however, traditional animal husbandry plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and preserving these natural habitats. The particular interest of this study is the assessment of the chemical composition of biomass and the quality of insufficiently studied halophytic grassland communities of the central Balkans. In addition, the differences in pastoral value were monitored along the geographical gradient, i.e., between grasslands situated in the Pannonian plain (grasslands of Alliance Puccinellion limosae) and those distributed on the south Serbia (Alliance Festucion pseudovinae). The study was carried out at 18 representative sites, focusing on the saline grasslands of the two distinct regions – on the north and on the south of Serbia. The obtained results show that the halophytic grasslands have satisfying quality characteristics (average values: dry matter - 93.67%, crude protein - 8.66%, cellulose - 30.36%, crude fat - 2.27%) compared with other studied grasslands of saline habitats. There were no significant differences in quality and chemical composition of grasslands of the two regions, despite differences in floristic composition, indicating that salinity is the key determinant for pastoral value of the halophytic vegetation. The certain variations were attributed to the specific floristic composition related to ecological conditions and halophytic community characteristics.
Autochthonous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria enhance Thymus vulgaris growth in well-watered and drought-stressed conditions
(Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, 2021-12-06) Stamenov, Dragana; Djuric, Simonida; Hajnal Jafari, Timea; Andjelković, Snežana
Autochthonous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria enhance Thymus vulgaris growth in well-watered and drought-stressed conditions
(Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, 2021-12-06) Stamenov; Djuric; Hajnal-Jafari; Andjelković, Snežana
The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the production of medicinal plants is crucial, because agricultural chemicals are no longer acceptable in their production. This paper discusses the results of a recent study undertaken to isolate and characterize PGPR isolates of Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Azotobacter from common thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) rhizospheric soil and monitor the effect of their application on seed germination and plant growth. The effect of selected isolates on seed germination and initial growth of common thyme was examined in controlled conditions. The impact of the isolates on the content of biochemical stress markers (total phenols and lipid peroxidation intensity) in germinated seeds was determined. The influence of the isolates on the plant growth under well-watered conditions (watered to 80% of water holding capacity (WHC)) and under water deficit stress (watered to 40% of WHC) was evaluated by measuring plant root and stem length in semi-controlled conditions. This study confirmed that indigenous rhizospheric bacteria of common thyme have multiple plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties. Among Bacillus 10 isolates, Pseudomonas 12 isolates and Azotobacter 9 isolates, only Pseudomonas isolate (P53) had all the tested PGP properties. The applied isolates had a positive effect on the examined plant growth parameters. The highest percentage of germination was determined in the treatment with P53 isolate (96%). The highest response for vigour index was observed with isolate A1 (3807%). All isolates, except B58 and B60, reduced stress by lowering the amount of both or at least one stress related molecules. The results of the experiment led to the conclusion that isolates Azotobacter sp. A1 and Pseudomonas sp. P53, both ACC-deaminase-producing bacteria, have the best effect on plant growth under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions, which indicates their potential to be used as a biofertiliser for promoting common thyme growth.