Determining the content of nitrogen and some macroelements in the dry mass of perennial leguminous plants

The aim of this study was to determine the content of elements N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in the dry mass of perennial fodder legumes, mowed in the optimal growth phase. The experiment with perennial legumes of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), red clover (Trifolium pretense) and bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) was set up as a random block system in four replicates on valley-brown soil and was conducted for two years. The green mass of perennial legumes in the first and second mowing was harvested at the end of budding/ beginning of flowering phase. In the third and fourth regrowth, mowing of the biomass was done after 5 weeks. Immediately after each mowing, representative sample of green biomass was taken from each replicate of each legume tested. The content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the dry plant material was determined. The content of nitrogen and potassium in the fodder of alfalfa and red clover was higher in the first year of the study, which was not the case for bird's-foot trefoil. The dry matter of alfalfa on average had the highest content of nitrogen (39.8 g kg-1 DM) and calcium (19.6 g kg-1 DM), bird's-foot trefoil of phosphorus (10.6 g kg-1 DM) and potassium (26.1 g kg-1 DM), and red clover of magnesium (3.7 g kg-1 DM). In the dry mass of bird's-foot trefoil the average content of nitrogen was 39.0 g kg-1 DM, phosphorus 10.6 g kg-1 DM, potassium 26.1 g kg-1 DM, calcium 15.7 g kg-1 DM, and magnesium 3.5 g kg-1 DM.

Advantage and competitiveness of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s wine foreign trade

The aim of this article is to observe the trade exchange by calculating Relative Trade Advantage index with the wine products (HS 2204) of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the most common destinations concerning export and import. The data is used from the trade map data and wine institute data. The trade is based on the former Yugoslavia countries (Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Montenegro). Export market share and Import market share with these countries ranges from 60% to 95% of overall trade. The most important import partner is Serbia with a stake of 28.2%. The largest export partner is Croatia with 52.3% of all BiH’s export. The calculated RTA index had values from (-0.674) in 2012 to (-0.567) in 2019. Negative values of RTA index represent relative trade disadvantages in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s wine foreign exchange.

Organosomatic indices and leukocyte formula of chub (Squalius cephalus L) from the Suturlija River

Coefficients of organs, along with haematological characteristics, represent an important means of monitoring the health and condition of fish. Organosomatic indices show the state of organ systems and individual organs. They manifest as changes in size, which are reflected through a decrease or increase, under the influence of environmental factors. Chub individuals from the Suturlija River were used for analysis. The paper analyses the Fulton's condition factor, heart, liver, and spleen coefficients as a condition factor. Furthermore, the values ​​of total length, standard length, and body weight were determined for all individuals. Also, certain haematological parameters were analysed in the paper: total leukocyte count and differential blood count. A total of 19 chubs caught from the Suturlija River were analysed. The obtained result of Fulton's condition factor (1.53) indicates favourable habitats for chub individuals in the Suturlija River. The results of organosomatic indices are without major variations between individuals (CSI = 0.184, SSI = 0.992, HSI = 0.133). The mean leukocyte count was 45.857x109/l, with the highest proportion of lymphocytes in the differential blood count.

The agricultural value-chain extension model: concepts and applications in Africa

This paper describes the Agricultural Value Chain Extension Model after examining different extension models and differentiated terminologies related to evolution of extension models. Agricultural extension is a common denominator for functional value-chain and food security such that agricultural development outcomes are closely linked to agricultural advice provided by extension services. This model consists of five components of formal training, key clusters, informal training, value chain actors and value chain centre interlinked and connected with forward and backward linkages with overlapping activities among the key clusters. All of these interplay based on the level of funds and resources available for the activities connecting the components and the pervasiveness of the national agricultural policy where it is deployed. The paper concludes with the application of the Value-Chain Extension Model, by an International Non-Governmental Organization providing extension services along the value chain in Africa.

Morphological characteristics of Packham’s Triumph pear cultivar fruiting wood

Pear as a fruit species forms various categories of fruit-bearing branches during its life cycle. Depending on how many years it takes to form a young fruiting wood of pear cultivar from its meristem, there can be an annual, biennial, or perennial organogenesis cycle, which in the first place depends on cultivar’s genotype, the rootstock on which the cultivar is grafted, the applied agricultural techniques in nursery and other conditions. Knowledge of the individual pear cultivars organogenesis cycle is the basis for planning regular and stable yields. In order to determine the structure of a fruiting wood for an individual pear cultivar, it is necessary to make analyses on individual increment categories; what is developing from those increments in the following year. The morphological characteristics of annual increments are analysed (spurs, stems, and long shoots) of Packham’s Triumph pear cultivar, as well as the morphological characteristics of each category’s annual increment bourse-over-bourse, all with statistically significant difference between studied factors and factorial levels. Peckham’s Triumph had higher average length of long shoots in both examining years 2011 (53.63) and 2012 (45.33) and William's cultivar had the shorter ones.

The presence of heavy metals in water and the muscle tissue of grayling (Thymallus thymallus) of the Una River

Heavy metals belong to a group of substances, which, after reaching a natural habitat, can manifest various negative effects. This paper analyses heavy metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb) in the Una river and fish samples, whereby individuals of grayling (Thymallus thymallus) were used for analysis. The samples were taken at three locations at the Una river: Ripač, Hatinac, and Grmuša. Alongside with the examination of the content of heavy metals, quality of water was tracked, including the following parameters: temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, suspended matter, BPK5, KPK – Cr, total nitrogen – N, total phosphorus P, sulphates, chlorides, nitrites – NO2, nitrates – NO3, fluoride, and heavy metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb). Besides the content of heavy metals, proteins, fats, water, carbohydrates, and mineral matter were found in the grayling fillets. Amount of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, and Cd) were under maximum allowed concentration (MAC).

Analysis of competency among women in irrigation farming in the North West province, South Africa: A Borich needs model approach

The study determined the competence needs of women farmers in irrigation farming through the application of the Borich needs assessment model. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 83 respondents using a structured face validated questionnaire containing the list of 23 farming activities developed from the operations and activities on the existing field. The farming activities were divided into three categories, namely, Pre- and Post-Planting, Irrigation, and Marketing. Competency needs were analysed and ranked using mean weighed discrepancy score. The results indicated low levels of competence in all 23 tasks which implied that there is a need for prioritized training for women in irrigation farming in the study area. The provincial department of agriculture can use these findings as a basis of training programmes for women involved in irrigation farming.

Soil Suitability for Apple (Malus domestica) Cultivation within the Borders of the Municipality of Bužim

The consequences of improper land management are long-term, inadequate for agricultural production, and reflected through the loss of land, reduced yields, soil erosion, etc. In order to determine the optimal role or suitability of the land for apple cultivation within the Bužim municipality, a survey was conducted according to the FAO method of AEZ (FAO, 1976), and based on the obtained results, an assessment of the suitability of the land for apple cultivation was carried out. It was found that a significant land portion of the total of 13,026.27 ha agricultural land within the Municipality of Bužim is suitable for fruit production marked from S1 to N suitability class. Thus, the areas with the best graded class S1 cover only 1.23% or 159.52 ha, the S2 class occupies 5.51% (717.24 ha), the S3 class occupies 2.29% (298.24 ha). However, the largest areas are marked as the unfavourable N-class with 36.68% (4,772.60 ha). It is evident that pre-existing conditions for apple production within the municipality do exist. With the implementation of the necessary measures of soil/ land regulation, education of agricultural producers, and mindfulness of constraint factors hindering intensive production such as terrain slope, depth, rockiness and soil response, progress in production can be made.

Type of Waste as a Factor of Economic Development of Households and Environmental Protection in Rural Environments

The research was conducted in the villages of Jablanica, district Orašac, Jarsenovo, and Stupnica, a rural area on the territory of the City of Leskovac. The paper aims to determine the mortality rate, to identify significant farmers in rural areas and to maintain sustainable agricultural production as a means of the economic development of the local community and the protection of the environment in which they live. For that purpose, the farmer survey method was used to identify and describe the factors that use the amount of waste generated on farms and its impact on the environment. Appropriate methods were used to separate the waste into organic and inorganic, which was later used as a mineral additive in the fields (organic) or harmlessly removed (inorganic). A random sample of 60 agricultural farms was surveyed in order to determine the impact of waste of different origin on the environment. The results of the research show that the factors that use the amount and types of waste influenced the farmers’ perception. The questionnaire proved to be reliable, as the Cronbach's alpha coefficient is 0.539 (Cronbach's Alpha 0.539). At the same time, the way in which waste is collected, stored, classified, and used is important for its utilization with the necessary economic upgrade per production unit and reduction of harmful work in the environment, and proper use.

Morpho-Agronomic Diversity of Lathyrus sativus L. Genetic Resources from Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Grass pea belongs to the legume family and it is traditionally used as a grain for human consumption while its foliage is used for fodder. In this study morpho-agronomic evaluation and characterisation of different grass pea accessions (Lathyrus sativus L.) from Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)/Republic of Srpska was performed. A collection of 8 grass pea accessions was cultivated in Slovenia (Jablje) and Bosnia and Herzegovina/Republic of Srpska (Banja Luka) in the open field trials during the growing season of 2019. A number of quantitative and qualitative IPGRI descriptors for Lathyrus spp. concerning the vegetative growth, stem, branch, leaf, inflorescences, pods, and seeds were measured and/or visually estimated. The results of the present study will add value through the enrichment of the Lathyrus spp. collection in both countries, improving the existing data and documentation, as well as creating a certain basis for further studies of the morpho-agronomic traits of the grass pea.