The Effect of Ammonium Nitrate Ratio and Support Types on the NPK Uptake and Growth of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Field Conditions

The study’s objective was to determine the effect of the NO3-: NH4+ratio and types of support on NPK uptake and pepper plant growth in field conditions. The study used a completely randomized block design with three replications. The first factor was the type of support, being the deadwood and living supports in the form of Gliricidia sp. and Ceiba pentandra. The second factor was the ratio of N fertilizer forms, which were 100% NO3-, 100% NH4+, 50% NO3-:50% NH4+, 75% NO3-:25% NH4+ and 25% NO3-:75% NH4+. The results have demonstrated that the uptake of N, P, and K, as well as the plant growth, were not affected by the interaction of the N fertilizer form ratio with the types of support. In field conditions, the black pepper prefers the N fertilizer in the form of 50% NO3-:50% NH4+. The pepper plants that were given N fertilizer in a combination of 50% NO3-:50% NH4+ have demonstrated an N, P, and K uptake, and morphology and plant dry weight were higher than the ratio of other forms of N fertilizers.

Designer Eggs with an Increased Content of Omega-3 fatty Acids and Pigments — Production and Health Benefits of their Consumption

Designed-enriched products have been recently one of the most interesting areas of research and innovation in the animal production and food industry. These products are considered functional foods and contain ingredients that have beneficial physiological effects on human health. Designed or enriched eggs are an important type of functional food in poultry production. Demand for functional foods in the market has been increasing in recent years. Due to the increased interest of people in buying designed products, there is a production adjustment in the poultry industry. Composition change of laying hens feed affects nutritional composition change of eggs as well as their quality preservation. This process can an effect of the change in the concentration of cholesterol and its fractions, fatty acids, and pigments in eggs. It is evident from the relevant scientific literature that designer eggs consumption can have a positive effect on human health. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to describe different concepts of designer eggs production and emphasize the health benefits of their consumption in humans.

The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Fusarium culmorum Inoculation on the Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Wheat Flag Leaves

During cultivation, wheat is exposed to several abiotic and/or biotic stress conditions that may adversely impact the wheat yield and quality. The impact of abiotic stress caused by nitrogen deficiency and biotic stress caused by phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium culmorum on biomarkers of oxidative stress in the flag leaf of nine winter wheat varieties (Ficko, U-1, Galloper, BC Mandica, BC Opsesija, Ingenio, Isengrain, Felix, and Bezostaya-1) was analyzed in this study. Hydrogen peroxide concentration and lipid peroxidation level were measured as indicators of oxidative stress, while the antioxidant response was determined by measuring the concentration of phenolic compounds and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Wheat variety and nitrogen treatment had a significant effect on all examined biomarkers of oxidative stress in the flag leaf, while the impact of Fusarium treatment was less pronounced. The most significant impact on the measured stress biomarkers had a low nitrogen level, which mainly increased hydrogen peroxide concentration and lipid peroxidation level and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes in most varieties. The obtained results were discussed and compared with the previous study in which biochemical analyzes were performed on the wheat spike. There was no significant strong correlation between flag leaf and spike response in the measured parameters, which, in addition to the variety-specific response, also indicates a tissue-specific antioxidant response.

Environmental Variability of Thousand Kernel Weight in Maize Hybrids of Different Maturity Groups

Thousand kernel weight (TKW) is an important yield component trait affected by the environmental conditions. This study’s objectives were to determine an environmental variability for the TKW in 32 maize hybrids, sorted in four FAO maturity groups (FAO300, 400, 500 and 600), and to compare 12 environments in Croatia (six locations in two years) according to the joint linear regression and stability analyses across the maturity groups. In general, the effects of the environment, genotype, and their interaction (GEI) were significant. A three-factor ANOVA revealed the greatest and highly significant year effect, while the location effect was non-significant across all four FAO groups. A stability analysis did not detect any preferences with regard to the locations and trends across the FAO groups. It indicates that all locations in the Pannonian region included in this study were suitable for an evaluation of the TKW in maize genotypes belonging to all maturity groups. The TKW seems to be an appropriate yield-component trait for maize breeding due to a high heritability and linear GEI nature.

Sowing Systems as a Factor of Grain Yield in Sunflower Production

The paper presents the results of a triennial study of the sowing system influence on the yied, grain weight per head, plant set per ha and of the grain moisture of a medium-early sunflower hybrid . Standard sowing was performed with the PSK OLT sowing machine at a row spacing amounting to 70 cm, while a twin row sowing was performed with the MaterMacc Twin Row-2 sowing machine at a row spacing of 22*48 cm. Both sowing machines were adjusted according to the ISO standard 7256/1 and 7256/2, with a high QFI index (PSK OLT: 96.32 %; MaterMacc Twin Row-2: 93.93 %). The research was conducted at the Gorjani Experimental Field on psudogley bearing the textured markings of a silty loam, with a weak acid reaction and a small amount of humus. An analysis of variance determined a statistical significance of the sowing system on the grain yield and the grain mass per sunflower head. Sowing in twin rows achieved the higher yields for all three research years : 19.59% in 2017, 19.11% in 2018, and 18.45% in 2019. Plant density was not statistically significantly affected by the sowing systems and vegetation year, but the grain moisture was statistically significantly different between the analyzed research years .

Weed Control in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with Soil-applied Herbicides Affected by a Prolonged and Limited rainfall

The field trials were carried out in the Bitola and Titov Veles regions during two sunflower growing seasons (2018 and 2019) to estimate a weed control in sunflower with the soil‒applied herbicides, influenced by a prolonged and limited rainfall. Polygonum aviculare L., Solanum nigrum L., Chenopodium album L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Portulaca oleracea L., and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. were the most dominant weeds in both regions. The efficacy of PRE-em herbicides varied among the weed species, treatments, periods of efficacy estimation, regions, and years. The overall performances of the PRE-em herbicides were correlated with weather and soil conditions. The inconsistent weather patterns between the two years of the study likely influenced the weed control. All weeds in 2018 in the Bitola region were poorly controlled (<77% and <62%, 28 and 56 days after application, respectively) due to a higher amount of rainfall (57 mm) during the 10 days of the 1st decade after herbicide application. The herbicide efficacy has only produced a marginal control of weeds in 2019 in the Titov Veles region as well (<68% and <59%, 28 and 56 days after application, respectively), due to the drought conditions observed in this region in early spring and in mid-spring. A PREem application followed by a heavy rainfall resulted in a sunflower injury in the Bitola region in 2018, ranging from 9 to 28% across the PRE-em treatments seven days after emergence. The injuries by oxyfluorfen and dimethenamid-P were more serious (24 and 28%, respectively). The sunflower achene yields for each treatment in both regions generally reflected an overall weed control and crop injury.

Generative and Vegetative Traits of the 'Granny Smith' Apple Grown under an Anti-Insect Photoselective Red Net

Anti-insect photoselective nets present a new technology that combines light manipulation and pest protection in orchards. In this study, the effect of the anti-insect photoselective red net on the generative and vegetative traits was studied in an apple orchard near the city of Zadar, Croatia. 'Granny Smith' apples were grown on M9 rootstock and raised as slender spindles. The experiment consisted of two treatments: the trees covered with the red photoselective anti-insect nets (AGRITECH S. r. l., Eboli, Italy; mesh size of 2.4 × 4.8 mm) and uncovered trees as control. Yield, percentage of fruit with diameter >70 mm and fruit mass were not significantly different between treatments. L* color value was higher on fruit skin grown under the red net, and there was no significant difference in other color values (a*, b*, C* and h°). Soluble solids concentration (SSC) and total flavonoid content were significantly lower in fruit grown under red net than in control, and there was no significant difference in titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, starch degradation and Streif maturity index. Red net proved to be effective against fruit red blush development (undesirable trait for 'Granny Smith' apple) and sunburn damage occurrence.

The Effect of Lactation Stage on the Hematological and Serum-Related Biochemical Parameters of the Travnik Pramenka Ewes

The aim of the present research was to determine the hematological and biochemical parameters of the Travnik pramenka ewes during lactation. Thirty‐six ewes in average age of 3-5 years were included in the research. They were monitored in three stages of lactation: early, medium, and late stage. The WBC and RBC, HGB concentration, HCT and MCH values increased significantly as lactation progressed, while significant decrease of MCV and MCHC was determined in blood. HCT was slightly higher in the early compared to late stage, and the MCH in the medium compared to the late stage of lactation. A significant increase in the concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Na and Cl, as well as a decrease of the Fe concentration was determined. As lactation progressed, the concentrations of urea, total proteins, albumin, globulin and BHB increased, as well as ALT activity. Contrary, concentrations of glucose and NEFA decreased, as well as GGT activity. Obtained results may help in monitoring the health and nutritional status of Travnik ewes. The effect of lactation stage needs to be included in the model when preparing the reference values for the blood parameters of Travnik pramenka ewes, particularly for RBC profiles, energy, and protein metabolites as well as liver enzymes.

Assessment of Farm Accountancy Data Network System in Croatia

Croatia is the newest member of the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). So far, no comprehensive evaluation of the national FADN system has been conducted, and this study based on a survey of staff involved and a desktop analysis was conducted to fill this gap. The three main elements of the Croatian FADN system are the National FADN Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture as Liaison Agency (LA) and the Croatian Bureau for statistics. All FADN survey activities are carried out by LA and the main burden of data collection lies with the data collectors and the farms. The system operates in accordance with relevant EU legislation and currently its main objective appears to be the fulfilment of its obligations to the FADN network. Other benefits like analysis of CAP measures etc. are not yet exploited. The main challenges are further development of quality assurance systems, the motivation of staff and farms to participate, the increased use of FADN data, and the expected changes in transformation of the FADN into the sustainability data network (FSDN). Croatia will successfully meet these challenges if it strengthens its capacity for FADN research and data analysis and establishes an effective quality assurance system.

Salivary Cortisol Concentration in Fattening Heifers Kept in an Enriched Environment at Different Stocking Densities

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of environmental enrichment and different stocking densities on the level of stress in the fattening cattle by measuring salivary cortisol concentration. A total of 320 saliva samples obtained from heifers during the final four-month fattening period was analyzed by a colorimetric competitive enzyme immunoassay. The heifers were housed at 3.3 and 4.5 m2/animal in standard production conditions that were additionally enriched with a mechanical grooming brush and salt blocks in experimental groups. The study results have demonstrated that a cortisol concentration at the end of fattening was significantly higher, as compared with the initial levels in all heifer groups, without significant intergroup differences. There was no significant correlation between the usage of a grooming brush and cortisol concentration, whereas a significant negative correlation was detected between the salt block usage and cortisol concentration, suggesting a beneficial effect of this simple, commercially available and relatively inexpensive environmental enrichment.