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Quality protein maize (QPM) has high contents of the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. The substitution of standard maize (SM) with QPM in feeds can be profitable due to improved livestock performance and decreased use of costly dietary lysine supplementation and protein ingredients. Herein, effects of QPM adapted to temperate climate on broiler performance were tested. A feeding experiment was performed on control (fed with SM) and treatment (fed with QPM) broilers. Each feeding trial of 42 days' duration was carried out in three phases-starter (1-14), grower (15-35) and finisher (36-42). Diets for each growth phase were formulated based on the biochemical analysis of maize kernels. At the end of each growth phase, feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. In the first experiment, SM was completely replaced with QPM in treatment group diets. The results indicated better FCR in the treatment group for grower (1.51:1.56) and finisher (1.56:1.61) phases. In the second experiment, QPM content was increased and the soybean component decreased by 3%. This time, FCR improvement was even better but in all three phases-1.16:1.33 for starters, 1.28:1.36 for growers and 1.30:1.46 for finishers. These results indicate a significant financial reduction in the cost of feed as the price of soybean is usually two to four times higher than the price of maize. Overall, it can be concluded that using adapted QPM in broiler diets can be profitable for both feed industry and broiler producers.

Soybean as a member of the legume family has a high economic value, thanks to the high protein and oil content of the seed. I n addition, its importance is evidenced by its breeding potential and symbiosis with nodulating bacteria, which facilitates production in increasingly extreme climatic conditions and degraded soil conditions. Considering the need to search for optimal solutions in the production of this legume, in order to achieve high yields and grain quality, research was conducted to determine the effect of applying a microbiological preparation containing effective microorganisms on the yield, and protein and oil content of soybeans. Research was conducted in the period 2016-2018 (factor A), on 6 different soybean genotypes belonging to different ripening groups: 0 (Galina and Valjevka), I (Sava and NS Apolo) and II (Rubin and NS Zita) (factor B), and under fertilization treatments: F0 - control, F1 - NPK fertilizer, and F2 - NPK + microbiological preparation (incorporated into the soil and two foliar treatments) (factor C). It was shown that the application of NPK fertilization treatment in combination with effective microorganisms was the most beneficial for all investigated parameters, with a high statistical significance. This treatment increased yield by 15.67%, protein content by 0.34% and oil content by 0.47% compared to the control. The additional importance of this research is the simultaneous positive impact on protein and oil contents in soybeans, given that they are generally negatively correlated.

The aim of the paper was to examine the allelopathic influence of aqueous extracts of herbs and medicinal plants on the quality parameters of aged soybean seeds. The research was carried out at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad on aged seeds of two soybean varieties, NS simba and NS viseris. The seeds were aged for 20 months. In order to determine the allelopathic effect, the seeds were primed in aqueous plant extracts: geranium (Geranium sinense), dill (Anethum graveolens), andy everlasting (Helichrysum arenarium), creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), celery (Apium graveolens), oregano (Origanum vulgare), basil (Ocimum basilicum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), sage (Salvia officinalis), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The results show that it is not possible to talk about the universal application of a particular aqueous extract, because the effect of the allochemicals was significantly influenced by the variety. In the variety NS viseris, all aqueous extracts except Melissa officinalis, significantly reduced GE, GP, and VI. The most negative effect was achieved with the use of Apium graveolens, Thymus serpyllum, and Ocimum basilicum. Apium graveolens and Thymus serpyllum also had the greatest impact on quality reduction in the NS simba variety. However, in the NS simba variety, a significant increase in seed quality was achieved in addition to the reduction. The use of the aqueous extract of Salvia officinalis increased GE and GP by 13.7%, and VI by 10.21%. A positive effect was achieved with the use of Melissa officinalis. All aqueous extracts had a significant effect on T50 in both varieties, even the aqueous extracts that had a negative effect on GE and GP.

The most common mechanical damage to soybean in the agroecological conditions of Serbia occurs after the appearance of hail, floods or due to damage from wild animals and insects. In recent years, extreme temperatures accompanied by drought have been increasingly recorded during the summer months, as well as the appearance of hail, which has become frequent during the growing season of spring crops. The aim of this work was to determine the consequences and the extent of yield reduction if hail occurs in the generative stages of soybean development. The occurrence of hail in the R1 (beginning bloom) and R3 (beginning pod) stages of development in the form of plant damage was simulated. This paper will present the results of how three soybean varieties reacted after simulated hail damage in two stages of generative development and what the effects were on yield, height, number of fertile nodes, as well as percentage of plant regeneration. The trial was set up in 2020 as a two-factorial experiment in three replications. Three soybean varieties were sown in late April. In order to simulate hail damage, the plants were cut to a height of 15 cm to ensure at least two nodes and enable the regeneration of the plants. The stage of development of soybean, i.e. the moment of hail damage, had a direct impact on the yield, the number of regenerated plants, as well as the number of fertile nodes.

Harvest residues of sunflower, maize, oilseed rape and soybeans make up more than 50% of the total biomass yield and can also be used to obtain bioenergy. As a source of bioenergy, preference is given to harvesting residues that contain more cellulose and oil, such as soybean straw. Soybean breeding aims to create varieties with higher biomass and increased oil yield per hectare, as well as to create varieties that would be more suitable for industrial processing for the production of technical oils. In this study, the productive parameters of soybeans were investigated in two years, 2021 and 2022. The average yields of soybeans varied from 2.8 t ha-1 (2022) to 2.9 t ha-1 (2022). The total soybean biomass yield was 4.8 t ha-1, while the biogas yield was 384.5 m3 ha-1. The year had a significant impact on soybean production. The more favourable year for production was 2021, with significantly higher yields of grain, biomass and biogas, compared to 2022.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of aqueous extracts of different plant species on the grain and protein yield of soybean. The testing was conducted at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad on the seeds of the NS Apolo variety. The aqueous extracts of the above-ground part of nettle, the above-ground part of nettle and comfrey, whole banana fruit, banana peel, onion bulbs leaves, the top parts of willow twigs and the top parts of soybean plants were foliarly applied. In addition to the untreated control variant, the experiment also included a distilled water control. Control with distilled water was to show whether the effect of aqueous plant extracts was due to plant material or just water. The results of the experiment showed that the use of aqueous extracts contributed to the increase in grain and protein yield. The increase in grain yield ranged from 9.48% to 15.34%, and the increase in protein yield from 9.31% to 16.16%. The best effect was achieved by applying the aqueous extract of the whole banana fruit and the aqueous extract of the mix of nettle and comfrey. By applying them each year, a significantly higher yield was achieved in relation to the control with distilled water.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of biostimulants on the morphological characteristics of soybean seedlings. The testing was conducted in the laboratory of the Faculty of Biofarming in Bačka Topola. The experimental material included three soybean varieties ('Galina', 'Sava' and 'Rubin') selected at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. The study lasted for two years, 2015-2016, and identical biostimulant treatments were applied in both years. In order to determine the effect of biostimulants on soybean seedling root, hypocotyl and weight, the following commercial biostimulants were applied: EM Aktiv, Terra Green Hobby, Slavol and Bioplant Flora. In addition to the single application of biostimulants, two combinations of Slavol + Bioplant Flora and Slavol + Bioplant Flora + Epin Extra + Slavol S were used as treatments. EM Aktiv showed the greatest effect on root growth. The root was on average 12% longer than the control. Slavol S had the greatest influence on seedling hypocotyl and weight. The increase was 8.24% and 5.15%, respectively, compared with the control.

Soybean is one of the most important industrial crops in the world. The rich nutritional content of the seed is the reason for the increased cultivation of this crop all over the world. However, a large number of phytopathogenic fungi that exist in soybean seeds can reduce the nutritional content, germination, and seed vigor. Soybean seed samples were collected from experimental fields in seven locations in Vojvodina Province, Serbia in the period 2016-2018. From each sample, 100 seeds were randomly selected. Seeds were surface-disinfested in 4% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min, washed two times in sterile water, and dried on a filter paper. All 100 seeds were placed in 20 Petri dishes with standard potato dextrose agar medium (PDA), five seeds in each, and incubated at 22 ± 2°C for seven days, under 12 h of alternating light/dark conditions. The first assessment was performed on the fourth day after isolation. The health status analysis of soybean seed showed that Peronospora manshurica, Macrophominaphaseolina, Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora kikuchii as well as the species from genera Alternaria, Diaporthe, and Fusarium had colonized soybean seed in Serbia over three years. Species from the genus Alternaria and Peronospora manshurica were dominant in all three examined years. Furthermore, it has been noticed that weather conditions, location, and cultivar significantly influenced the intensity of the infection. The results of this study have shown which pathogens pose a threat to successful soybean seed production and help in finding preventive measures to control these pathogens during vegetation.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of applying effective microorganisms (EM) on the basic microbiological parameters of soil and soybean yield biological value. The research was conducted in the period 2016-2018. Factor A are the years 2016-2018, factor B are soybean genotypes Galina, Sava, Rubin, and factor C application of EM: variant 1 was control, variant 2 was EM in soil 20 lha-1 and foliar treatment in the stage of plant development from three to four trefoils and budding stage, 5 lha-1, variant 3 was NPK fertilizer (8:15:15), 300 kgha-1, and variant 4 was a combination of variant 2 and variant 3. During full flowering, the basic parameters of soil biogenicity were determined by the total number of microorganisms (TNB) and the number of azotobacter (AZT) and grain yield at the end of the growing period. The examined factors had a statistically significant influence on the examined parameters. Soil biogenicity parameters in variant 4 EM + NPK were statistically significantly (p

High germination of seeds and seedling establishment are critical for soybean production since it determines crop density and eventually affects the yield. Accurate evaluation of the germination potential of sowing material is valuable, as well as initial quality assessment of newly harvested seed. ISTA Rules prescribe alternative methods for soybean seed germination: sand, between paper, top of paper covered with sand and since 2020 organic growing media. In the Seed Testing Laboratory at the Maize Research Institute soybean germination is conducted in the sand at 2030°C. The objective of this study was to evaluate several available organic growing media and compare results obtained with the standard laboratory method. Five soybean seed lots of different quality were tested in four germination growing media (3 organic and sand), at two temperature regimes (25 °C and 2030°C). Statistical analyses showed that all types of organic growing media were of the same quality. Slightly higher germination in organic growing media was obtained in the experiment at 2030°C compared to sand, but those differences were not statistically significant. When testing was done in germinator with 25°C positive effects of organic growing media were identified and this impact was significant, especially for low-quality seed lots. The experimental outcome was to continue with routine practice and use organic growing media for retesting of seed lots with lower germination as an alternative substrate.

Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) is part of the anti-nutritional complex present in soybeans. Soybean grain without KTI can be used in the diet of non-ruminants without prior heat treatment. In order to obtain soybean lines with reduced content of anti-nutrients in the grain, in the first place without KTI, we crossed the adapted genotype of standard grain quality (variety Kador) with the genotype without KTI, less adapted to our growing conditions (variety Kunitz). A segregating generation was obtained from which the three most productive F3 lines, heterozygous for the presence of KTI, were selected for the new crossing cycle. Two combinations of full-sib (FS) crosses with different numbers of successfully crossed plants were realized. Determination of the presence of KTI in progeny developed from selected lines originating from Kunitz x Kador crosses and their combinations of FS crosses was performed using protein markers on a native polyacrylamide gel. Based on the electrophoregram, it was noticed that the bands corresponding to the KTI position are not of the same intensity. The analysis was done from a group sample, so it is possible that the sample contains grains with and without KTI. Ten progenies of maternal lines and five progenies of FS crosses without a band corresponding to the KTI position were identified on the electrophoregram. A total of four progenies with grain yield per plant at the level and better than the more productive parent can be considered promising for the further selection process.

To investigate the effects of integrated nutrient management on oil, protein, grain yield and some traits of soybean, we conducted a factorial experiment involving 4 bio-fertilizer (no inoculation, inoculation with Barvar-2, inoculation with Biosoy and dual inoculation with Biosoy and Barvar-2) and 3 chemical fertilizer levels (no chemical fertilizer, 66 kg ha-1 diammonium phosphates + 50 kg ha-1 urea, 132 kg ha-1 diammonium phosphates + 100 kg ha-1 urea) with 100% chemical fertilizer (200 kg ha-1 diammonium phosphates + 150 kg ha-1 urea) as control base in a randomized complete block with four replications at the research farm of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran. Analysis of variance showed that treatment combinations affected most of the traits (P>0.01). We used the biplot analysis as the treatment × trait (TT) biplot to determine the best treatment combinations and traits. The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) explained 94 and 96% of the total variant of the standardized data in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Accordingly, application of Biosoy and 150 kg ha-1 urea + 200 kg ha-1 diammonium phosphate significantly increased stem height at harvest, number of grains per plant, biomass, hundred-grain weight, oil and protein yield, protein percent and grain yield compared to the other treatment combinations. The results showed that there were positive correlations between these traits. Also, non-inoculated plants and no chemical fertilizer treatments significantly increased oil percent. The results indicate that higher-yielding treatment combinations had lower oil percent. The biplot was used for ranking of treatment combinations based on a single trait. These study results suggest that biofertilizers had a positive influence on soybean and that they could diminish the use of chemical fertilizers. The study reveals that the TT biplot was able to graphically show the interrelationships between traits and support visual comparison of treatments

In order to examine the influence of inter-row cultivation on the soybean yield, a trial was set up in the Agricultural School in Backa Topola from 2015 to 2017. Three soybean varieties were selected at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. Galina, Sava and Rubin were used. The trials included the different number of inter-row cultivations: control -without inter-row cultivation, one inter-row cultivation, two and three inter-row cultivations of soybean crops. Obtained results showed that an average yield of soybean increased with an increase in the number of inter-row cultivations during the soybean vegetation period. With one inter-row cultivation, the yield increase was 5.33%, with two inter-row cultivations -7.10% and with three cultivations -7.33%. In the years with a lower precipitation, the influence of intra-row cultivation was much more effective. In 2017, the increase ranged from 10.33% to 13.62%, and in 2016 from 3.09% to 4.27%. Yield was increased due to reduced evapotranspiration of soil moisture as well as prevention of descending of water into deeper layers. During summer, this allowed better water conservation in the soil for critical periods, and also increased the activity of microorganisms as well as more intensive mineralization of organic matter, which ultimately influenced the yield.

The high cost of cultivation and weed management are major limiting factors to increasing soybean productivity and net returns. Field experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to evaluate the economic performance of different row spacings and integrated weed management system in soybean. Three row spacings (50, 75 and 100 cm) as the main plots and six weed control methods and a weedy check as sub-plot treatments were accommodated in a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design with three replications. There was a significant reduction in weed biomass with a reduction in row spacing from 100 cm to 75 cm and 50 cm. Furthermore, the cost of production, grain yield and gross profit increased with a reduction in row spacing from 100 to 75 and 50. When soybean was sown at 50-cm row spacing, the application of Probaben 400EC (metolachlor 20% w/v + prometryn 20% w/v) or Butachlor 60EC (butachlor) at 2.0 kg a.i/ha each followed by supplementary hoe-weeding at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) resulted in the highest yield of 2301-2484 kg/ha and total revenue of 2129-1972 $/ha. Conversely, three hoe-weedings resulted in the highest yield of 2155-2081 kg/ha and total revenue of 1848-1783 $/ha for crops grown at 75- and 100-cm row spacings. Despite the higher yield and revenue obtained with three hoe-weedings for crops grown at 75- and 100-cm row spacings, the gross profit and benefit-cost ratios obtained were lower than those obtained with herbicide treatments applied alone or followed by supplementary hoeweeding. In terms of profitability, soybean planted at 50-cm row spacing and treated with Probaben 400EC at 2.0 kg a.i/ha followed by supplementary hoeweeding gave the highest gross profit of 1479 $/ha. Two or three hoe-weedings in soybean planted at narrow-row (50 cm) spacing did not guarantee the highest yield, but rather increased the cost of weed control. This study suggests that narrow-row spacing (50 cm) and pre-emergence herbicides will help to reduce the number of hoe-weedings and consequently the high cost of production required for optimum yield and increase profitability in soybean production.

The most frequent oil crops in Serbia today are sunflower and soybean, planted on over 200,000 ha each, followed by rapeseed, which increases significantly in surfaces. Black and white mustard, hemp, oil pumpkin, castor bean, flax, poppy, sesame and safflower are grown on smaller surfaces. In Serbia, a total of 355 varieties of oil plant species were on the variety list in 2017, out of which 188 were sunflower, 83 soybean and 71 rapeseed, followed by oil pumpkin, hemp, white and black mustard and castor bean. Among the domestic and foreign seed companies, the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops from Novi Sad prevails with 150 registered varieties. Camelina, flax, poppy and safflower are in the registration process. In the ten-year period 2008-2017, the seed production of oil crops averaged 9,955 ha per year, of which the highest were soybean (8,200 ha per year) and sunflower (1,732 ha per year), and on small areas: rapeseed, oil pumpkin, poppy and hemp. In the 2016/2017 season in Serbia, 19,657,116 kg of soybean, 1,666,267 kg of sunflower, 137,179 kg of rapeseed and small quantity of white mustard seed, cannabis and oil pumpkin seeds were certified (all seed categories). Over 86% of declared sunflower seed and over 94% of rapeseed is imported. Serbia belongs to bigger European producers of soy and sunflower, has favorable agroecological conditions for the cultivation of oil crops, long tradition of breeding, strong processing sector, quality human resources and capacities and developed system of state regulation in seed production. The advantages Serbia has in breeding, seed production and growing of oil crops, have not been adequately exploited.

Six varieties were chosen from three different maturity groups: Galina and NS Princeza (0), Sava and NS Apolo (I), and Rubin and NS Zita (II) in order to examine the effect of priming on germination energy depending on soybean seed age. The seeds were produced in the period from 2012 to 2014, i.e., one- to three-year-old seeds were used. The following treatments were used for priming: distilled water - hydropriming (H2O), ascorbic acid 250 mg/l (ASA), folic acid 15 mg/l (Fol.), hydrogen peroxide 1% (H2O2), and control - non-treated seeds (C). Results showed that the effects of priming depended on the variety, seed age, as well as on the applied treatment. Some varieties reacted to priming very well, while others had an inhibited reaction, so germination energy was significantly reduced. Rubin variety had the most favourable reaction, whereby all treatments of this variety led to an increase of quality, with an average increase of 2-8%. The application of primers on one-year-old soybean seeds had a weaker effect than on two- and three -year-old seeds. However, one-year-old seeds had minor oscillations in quality due to priming. The application of priming on one-year-old seeds can lead to an increase or decrease of germination energy by 3%, while two- and three-year-old seeds reached 7%. The results showed that seed priming in ascorbic acid had a positive effect, while the application of other primers did not affect the value of germination energy, nor did it lead to a decrease of its value. Ascorbic acid activity led to the largest increase in the quality of three-year-old soybean seeds by 2.83%, while the increase in the quality of two- and three-year-old seeds was 1.87%. Therefore, we can conclude that there is no universal use of one single primer, as it might not be suitable for each particular variety and can ultimately result in the seed quality decrease.

Seed decay is one of the most important diseases of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) that has a negative impact on the market grade of soybeans. The disease is mainly caused by Diaporthe longicolla, along with other Diaporthe species. Screening of soybean seeds health status in Vojvodina Province, Serbia, showed cultural and morphological variability among isolates identified as D. longicolla. With the use of DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) region and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α), the new species was determined. BLAST analysis showed 100% identity with D. pseudolongicolla (syn. D. novem) that was described in this study and its taxonomic revision is discussed. Pathogenicity trial showed that both species, D. longicolla and D. pseudolongicolla, are highly pathogenic on soybean stem and seed, causing 100% of stem wilting and more than 82% of seed decay.

Soybean is considered an important source of human food and animal feed. Okara and tofu whey are the main by-products of soymilk and tofu production. The distribution of enzymes β-amylase and lipoxygenase (Lox) from six soybean genotypes in protein extracts of okara and tofu as well as in soymilk and tofu whey was assessed. SDS-electrophoretic results showed that production process significantly affected high molecular mass protein fractions of soybean by-products. Low amounts of Lox in soymilk were registered, while in okara protein extracts and tofu whey this enzyme was present in trace. In tofu protein extracts, Lox was registered in higher quantity that might be the result of the aggregation process during formation of the tofu gel. Content of β-amylase in all soy protein products was high and similar to the content in soybean genotype. Content of β-amylase in okara depended on respective soybean genotype. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 31022 and the EU FP7 project Grant Agreement No.316004 (REGPOT-AREA]

Seed health testing of fifteen soybean cultivars obtained from five locations in the Guinea Savannah agro-ecology of Nigeria was carried out using two main seed health testing methods described by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA); the standard blotter and two variants of agar plate incubation method (Potato Dextrose Agar and Czapeck Dox Agar plate methods) to determine the seed infection by fungi. Seed component plating was also carried out to determine the most active site of infection of the seeds by the fungi. Five fungal species were isolated from the cultivars tested. The percentage of seeds infected with Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp. was significantly different (p

The influence of different amounts of nitrogen (30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) on important soybean yield components (number of fertile nodes, number of pods per plant and weight of 1.000 grains), was examined in this paper. Experiment was carried out at two different localities (Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje and the village Kloka-lower Jasenica) in 2009. Experiments were carried out through field plot trials, using split-plot in 4 replications. The results show that, on average, for both soil types, number of pods per plant and weight of 1000 grains increased using nitrogen dose of 60 kg ha-1 for 5.2 and 3.8% and the number of fertile nodes to the variant of fertilization with 30 kg ha-1 of nitrogen for 3.8%. The amount of 90 kg ha-1 N gave lower values of the number of pods per plant compared to the control.

NS-Kaća, a new, very early soybean cultivar, has been created at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad by crossing domestic and foreign genotypes. The main traits of the cultivar are its early maturity, which placed it into the 000 maturity group, and excellent technological quality of grain. Due to the short vegetation period, it is primarily sown as the second crop in our country, or as the first crop in northern countries (Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Slovenia) and hilly regions. It provides economically justifiable yield gain during the second crop harvest if sowing is conducted by the end of early July, so each day of sowing delay significantly reduces yield. It achieved significantly higher yields in the multiannual macro- and micro-trials compared to standard cultivars from the same maturity group. Producers are advised to sow 600,000 germinated seeds per hectare. The cultivar is also suitable for narrow-row planting (with inter-row spacing of 12.5 cm or 25 cm), whereby the planting rate can be increased by 15-20%. Seed of the cultivar NS-Kaća can also be used as raw material in the production of products intended for human consumption, thanks to the high protein content which is usually between 44% and 47% (in absolutely dry grain). It is suitable for the production of soy milk and soy milk products, due to its large grain, coated with light-yellow seed coat without mottled appearance, and weak expression of hilum colour same as the seed coat, which provides a natural, milkywhite colour of the final products. Development and dissemination of the newly released cultivar NS-Kaća is a major step forward in soybean breeding, as the cultivar exhibited a significantly higher protein content while maintaining its high-yielding potential, despite the strong negative correlation of these traits.

The main objective of this paper is to identify market performances of oil crops in Serbia. In that context, development in the production and trade of main oil crops were analyzed. Sunflower, soybean and rapeseed are oil crops that are seeded on the largest areas in comparison with other oil crops, and have the biggest contribution in the value of agricultural production. This analysis used descriptive and comparative methods. Bearing in mind the increase of the world prices of oil crops, which is the result of a stronger increase of demand, as well as the importance of the oil crops in Serbia, there are more possibilities for Serbian farmers to enlarge land areas of oil crops in the structure of the agricultural production. Preferential trade agreements with the countries of European Union (EU), CEFTA, and other countries give Serbia the possibilities for strengthening of trade flows and also for additional utilization of processing capacities which this country has.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of increasing amounts of nitrogen on productivity of soybean genotypes under different agroecological conditions. The investigations were conducted on two locations: Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje (tchernozem soil type) and Kloka village (private property, brown forest soil type). Field micro experiments were conducted by split-plot method in four replications. Given results show, on average for both soil types, increasing values of grain mass per plant and yield using 30 and 60 kg ha-1 of nitrogen for 7.1% and 7.5%, respectively. Fertilization variant using 90 kg ha-1 of nitrogen gave lower values of examined parameters compared to the fon (P60K60) for 5.4% and 5.7% respectively.

The aim of this study was to examine optimal time of soybean seed priming and effect of primers under salt stress conditions. Testing was performed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, on Galina seed variety. Optimal priming time was determined by immersing seed into: KNO3 (1%), H2O2 (0.1%), and H2O with the duration of 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, and 24 h. After drying until the initial moisture, the seed was placed for germination and after eight days germination was determined. In the second part of the experiment, the seed was immersed into: KNO3 (1%), H2O2 (0,1%), and H2O after which their effect on germination energy and seed germination under simulated salinity conditions was examined. Simulated salinity conditions represented substrate for germination to which NaCl in different concentrations was added (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM). Results of the research showed that the six-hour priming of seed was the best with all primers. The percentage of seed germination linearly reduced with the increase of priming time. The research has shown that seed priming represents a favorable technique for the reduction of a negative effect of NaCl on germination energy and soybean seed germination, and the best effect is accomplished with the use of KNO3.

Transgenic technology has expanded the ways of new genetic variability creation. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms which total genome is altered in a way that could not happen in nature. GM crops recorded a steady increase in its share in agricultural production. However, for the most part, GMO in agriculture has been limited to two cultivars - soy and corn, and the two genetic modifications, the total herbicide resistance and pest of the Lepidoptera genus. In order to monitor cultivation and trade of GMOs, tests of different precision are used, qualitatively and/or quantitatively determining the presence of genetic modification. Tests for the rapid determination of the presence of GM are suitable, since they can be implemented quickly and accurately, in terms of declared sensitivity, outside or in the laboratory. The example of the use of rapid tests demonstrates their value in use for rapid and efficient monitoring.

Kunitz trypsin inhibitor is major antinutritive factor in soybean seed that decrease its nutritional value. Breeding programs aimed to select soybean variety without Kunitz trypsin inhibitor are of great importance as that varieties can be used directly for monogastric animal feeding. By specific markers analysis is possible to detect genotypes without KTI. Ninety sixth soybean genotypes from Soybean collection of Maize Research Institute are analyzed by two markers Satt228 and Satt409. 89 genotypes with both markers had characteristic alleles for genotypes with KTI, and three genotypes Kunitz, Laura and Lana have characteristics bands, with Satt228 alel 2 as with Satt409 band about 170kDa, for genotypes with titi recesive allele. Four genotypes which had both alleles with marker Satt228 with Satt 409 had only allele characteristic for TiTi genotype. Obtained results confirmed that both markers could be used for identification and selection genotypes without Kunitz trypsin inhibitor.

Objective of this study was to investigate changes in soybean grain yield and its components as affected by drought conditions. During two year trial, 26 soybean lines from the same cross combination were tested. Average temperatures and total rainfall during the growing season were approximate in both years. The differences in the average monthly temperature and distribution of precipitation between years were of crucial importance, since they brought about changes in major yield components and grain yield per plant. In less favorable year 2012, drought period during seed filling was observed. The decrease in number of pods and number of seeds per plant, as well as in 1000 seeds weight was noted. In all sister lines included in trial, grain yield per plant was very significantly reduced in the year 2012, as compared to the year 2011.

The objective of this paper was to examine the effect of seed lot, sowing date, and priming on germination and vigour of soybean seed. Three different seed lots of an old soybean variety (Lot 1, Lot 2, Lot 3) created at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad were used. There were three sowing dates: 10 April, 20 May and 20 June. KNO3 (1%), H2O2 (0.1%), GA3 (0.075%) and distilled water were used as primers. The results showed that soaking the seed prior to sowing, so called priming, positively affected seed germination and vigour in all three lots and with all three sowing dates. The best effect was accomplished with Lot 1 and sowing on the third date. With regards to primers, the best effect was achieved with the application of KNO3 and H2O2 solutions. Research has shown that even soaking the seed in distilled water, which is a simple, cheap, and ecological method of priming, in most cases leads to improvement of germination and vigour of soybean seed.

This paper presents an overview of the research on soybean resistance to pathogens. The review included most harmful agents of soybean diseases in Serbia, as well as those that are potentially harmful. Development and cultivation of resistant cultivars is the most efficient, economical and environmentally acceptable control measure for plant disease. It points to the variability in pathogenicity (physiological races) of parasites, especially expressed in Phytophthora sojae, Peronospora manshurica and Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea, which requires continuous breeding for resistance. Resistant, partially resistant and moderately susceptible genotypes, which are used as donors of resistance genes to different pathogens, are listed in this paper. Also, avirulent genes in the parasite and resistance genes in soybean are indicated. Gene mapping significantly contributes to better understanding of the mode of inheritance and consequently, more efficient breeding for disease resistance. Significant improvement is expected by using molecular techniques, especially in dealing with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea and Phomopsis longicolla. For these parasites only partial resistance has been reported but not complete resistance.

The frequency and incidence of A. flavus and A. niger on barley, maize, soybean, sunflowerand wheat grain, the abundance of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) mothsand their interaction depending on weather conditions in the 2008-2012 period were studied.Under the agroecological conditions of Serbia, the species A. niger is more frequentthan A. flavus, and concerning the crop species, its frequency is highest in kernels of sunflower,than soybean, maize, barley and wheat. A. flavus was extremely dominant on allplant species in 2012 regarding its frequency: 100% on soybean, 95.3% on maize, 65.2% onbarley, 57.1% on sunflower and 45.8% on wheat. Furthermore, the incidence of A. flavus washigher in 2012 than in previous years. The uncommonly high frequency and incidence of A.flavus infestation of maize grain in 2012 were caused by extremely stressful agrometeorologicalconditions, high temperatures and drought over the period from flowering to waxymaturity of maize. The precipitation factor (Pf = precipitation sum / average monthly temperature)showed that 2012 was extremely arid in June (Pf = 0.57), July (Pf = 1.45), August (Pf= 0.15) and September (Pf = 1.42). European corn borer (ECB) was a second factor causingintensive occurrence of A. flavus on maize grain in 2012. The maximum flight of ECB mothswas recorded as early as in July (5,149) and, as a result of this, high damage and numerousinjuries were detected at harvest. Those injuries were covered by visible olive-green powderycolonies typical of A. flavus. In the chronology of A. flavus occurrence, these are thefirst data on its very high frequency and incidence under the agroecological conditions ofSerbia. As intensive infections with A. flavus were rare in the past 50 years, the level of aflatoxinsin maize grain was low.

Trichoderma species have been registered as species with important plant growth promotingpotential and antagonistic effect against various phytopathogens. Trichoderma isolatesoriginating from different soil types from the Vojvodina region (Serbia) were screened usingdual culture test for their antagonistic effect against the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Alltested isolates had high radial growth inhibition (RGI) factors of the pathogen and high colonizationpercentage. Growth promoting activity of Trichoderma isolates on soybean seeds wastested under glasshouse conditions. Soybean seeds were coated with suspensions of differentTrichoderma isolates and seed germination percentage, root and shoot length were measured.According to data analysed in Statistica 10, using Duncan’s test, there were no significanteffects on shoot length among the tested isolates, compared to the control. The four testedTrichoderma isolates showed significant positive effects on germination, root length and vigourindex, while two isolates exhibited no significant effect on any of the measured parameters.