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National soil classification system (NSCS) used in Serbia is based on the principles of genetic classification. It is utilizes the concept of genetic soil horizons. The world reference base (WRB) for soil resources is based on soil properties defined in terms of diagnostic horizons, diagnostic properties, and diagnostic materials, which to the greatest extent possible should be measurable and observable in the field. The difference between genetic vs. diagnostic horizons creates an obstacle in correlation of soil types from NSCS with reference soil groups (RSG's) of WRB for soil resources, whereas the advantage in this work is that most of the soil names of national system correlate to the revised legend of the Soil Map of the World which is an forerunner of WRB for soil resources. This work aims to compare Ranker soil type of NSCS with corresponding RSG from WRB for soil resources, namely with Leptosols, as they have been reported in Serbia and abroad, as an appropriate reference soil group. The comparison was conducted on the base of qualitative and semi–quantitative information collected from the literature and experience of the authors – theretical approach. It was conducted in two ways: a) Leptosols vs. Rankers, meaning which Leptosols of WRB for soil resources are Rankers in NSCS, and b) Rankers vs. Leptosols, meaning which Rankers of NSCS are Leptosols in WRB. The conclusion of our work is that Leptosols RSG can correspond to Rankers in NSCS, but some WRB Leptosols are also Lithosols, Technosols, soils of Subaquatic soil order, Eugleys, Humogleys, Peat Soils, Rendzinas, Kalkomelanosols, Eutric and Dystric Cambisols, whereas Gypsiric Leptosols can not be classified according to NSCS. Observing in different direction, the results show that Ranker Soils could be also part of some other RSG with Leptic principal qualifier, such as Andosols, Phaeozems, Umbrisols, Cambisols, and Regosols. This work represents a small contribution to soil science in Serbia as WRB is

Soil structure pertains to the natural organization of soil particles into various forms as a result of pedogenic processes. On one hand, it is formed in interaction of physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological factors, whereas on the other hand it affects them. Soil structure can differ in grade of development, size and type of aggregates, and their stability to mechanical pressure and water, which is often soil-horizon or soil-type dependent. This paper aims to analyze the structure of Calcomelanosols of mountain Rtanj, Serbia, as that is the most widespread soil type in this area. Calcomelanosols are soils from the national classification system that often correspond to Rendzic Leptosols in the World Reference Base (WRB) for soil resources. Soil structure is analyzed in terms of soil dry aggregate size distribution (ASD) and soil aggregate stability to water (WAS), and related soil structure indices, as they are essential parameters in understanding the structural state of the soil. Eight soil profiles have been excavated, described and sampled in the field. Soil horizon sequence of all profiles was A – R, with humus-accumulative horizon overlying calcareous bedrock. Six profiles of Calcomelanosols correspond to Rendzic Leptosols of WRB, whereas other two profiles correspond to Leptic Rendzic Phaeozems and Leptic Chernic Rendzic Phaeozems. Basic physical and chemical soil properties were determined. Both ASD and WAS were determined by Savinov's method. The following soil structure indices were calculated: dry mean weight diameter (dMWD), wet mean weight diameter (wMWD), dry geometric mean diameter (dGMD), wet geometric mean diameter (wGMD) and structural stability index (SI). The results indicate favorable structure of the examined Calcomelanosols. The content of agronomically most valuable aggregates (0.25–10 mm) in all soil profiles exceeds 80% (90.5±3.6% on average). Among these aggregates, very fine, fine and medium size aggregates dominate. Dry MWD s

Environmental problems related to the application of herbicides are causing a concern due to their increasing presence in soil, groundwater and surface water. Numerous methods have been developed in order to reduce herbicide mobility and protect natural water resources. The results presented in this paper show the interaction of herbicide S- metolachlor with inorganic and organically modified montmorillonite from Bogovina (Boljevac municipality, Serbia). Clay sample from Bogovina represents Ca-Na montmorillonite with a small amount of quartz, cristobalite and carbonate minerals. Organic montmorillonites were obtained after modification with different concentrations of organic complex (HDTMA and PTMA), whereas inorganic modification was performed with 1M NaCl solution. The interaction between minerals and herbicide was monitored using infrared spectroscopy. IR bands observed in the inorganic modified montmorillonite (Na-montmorillonite) are typical for smectites with a high Al content in the octahedron position. The intercalation of HDTMA+ cations into the interlayer space produces redshift of the IR bands that originate from the vibrations of the adsorbed water, as a consequence of the hydrogen bond strength reduction in HDTMA-montmorillonite. Also, the intensity of these bands decreases significantly with the increasing concentration of HDTMA+ cation. All these changes are related to the decreasing of the water content in the interlayer space by increasing the content of HDTMA. The occurrence of the stretching CH2 vibrations is generally the main difference in the spectrum of HDTMA modified montmorillonite in comparison with the spectrum of inorganically modified montmorillonite. The wavenumber, intensity and width of these bands are sensitive to conformation in hydrocarbon chains. After the organic modification of the montmorillonite with the PTMA complex, stretching vibrations of the phenyl ring occurred. Analysis of FTIR spectroscopy data showed that the hydroge

The global estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks using modeling approaches are prone to under and overestimations. The aim of this work is to present the variation of SOC stocks at the foot and toe slopes of Mt. Vukan, East-Central Serbia. Investigated area is located at the contact of Jurassic limestones and dolomites, and fluviatile-colluvial deposits. Soil survey encountered 42 soil profiles and collection of 183 soil disturbed samples, and five undisturbed samples per each horizon. Humus content was determined by Tjurin method. Five different soil mapping units, according to national classification, were discovered at 168 ha of Great Field: Colluvial Kalkomelanosols, Calcaric Chernozems, non-carbonate Chernozems, Eutric Cambisols, and Colluvial Soils. SOC stocks extracted from Soilgrids ranges between 65–72 t ha-1 for 0–30 cm depth (avg. 67.0 t ha-1). Measured data indicate much higher variations, between 50.2 and 110.6 t ha-1, with an average value of 77.8±16.3 t ha-1. Hence, around 15% difference was found between measured and estimated data. Eutric Cambisols have the lowest SOC stocks, 61.3±9.9 t ha-1, lower then estimated value. All other soil types have higher SOC stocks compared with modeled data. Non carbonate Chernozems have an average SOC stocks of 72.6±10.8 t ha-1, whereas Colluvial soil have similar values, 73.6±8.2 t ha-1. The highest SOC stocks was found in Colluvial Kalkomelanosols, 89.6±15.8 t ha-1, followed by Carbonate Chernozems, 84.3±9.3 t ha-1. These values are for 25–33% higher compared with modeled data. Variation of SOC stocks data has normal distribution for all soil types (11.0–18.0%). Our results indicate that global SOC stocks are underestimated in the area of Great Field and that SOC stock can face large variations on small area. These variations might be related to the impact of landscape and land use practices, and are relevant to soil mapping units. Another raising question raised from this study is related to the number of

Fruit and vine production in the territory of the Kolubara District encompasses 15,685 ha, which accounts for around 15.3% of the total plant production. When it comes to fruit plantations, plums are the most represented (70%), while peaches and strawberries account for only 0.3%. The aim of this research was to determine the seasonal water requirements of fruit trees in climate change condition, to find out wheter will be changes in irrigation requirement. In addition, the paper includes the analysis of water requirements for the future periods in order to enable producers to adapt their agronomy practices and growing systems to the forthcoming conditions. FAO methodology (FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 56), was used to estimate the evapotranspiration, effective precipitation, crop evapotranspiration and water deficit, for 8 groups of fruit plantations: (I) apples, pears, plums, quinces, walnuts and hazels – the orchard without grass cover; (II) apples, pears, plums, quinces, walnuts and hazels – grassy orchard; (III) apricots and peaches – the orchard without grass cover; (IV) apricots and peaches – grassy orchard; (V) sweet cherries and sour cherries - the orchard without grass cover; (VI) sweet cherries and sour cherries - grassy orchard; (VII) strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries and (VIII) grapevine. The fruit plantations were categorised into the above-mentioned eight groups according to the length of the vegetation period and the crop coefficient values. The observed period from 2000–2019 and two future periods (2021–2040 and 2041–2060) were analysed. The climate data for the reference 2000–2019 period were obtained from the meteorological station in Valjevo. Data for the future climate were obtained using 8 climate models for the RCP 8.5 climate scenario. The paper provides the results obtained as the median of the calculations for eight climate models. The evapotranspiration value varies from 438.6, 429.0 and 440.5 mm for fruit tr

Soil water erosion is the most widespread form of land degradation in Serbia. The problem of soil erosion rose in the past with the intensification of agricultural activity and deforestation, and it is still very present with the potential to rise in the near future. Although a plenty of erosion combat measures were developed, they were not frequently used in agricultural systems in Serbia. The susceptibility of soils to water erosion could be estimated using soil erodibility factor (K) which is a part of USLE. The estimation of soil erodibility factor is obtained on a basis of soil water permeability, soil structure, particle size distribution and organic matter content. Oseĉina municipality is located in the western part of Central Serbia, in Kolubara district. The results of soil survey in the municipality were used in order to estimate K factor. Two maps of soil erodibility were made by two different approaches using same equation. The first approach is related to interpolation techniques between K values at sampling sites. The second approach is related to assignment of K-factor values to the soil types on soil map of Serbia in a scale 1:50 000. The advantages and disadvantages are present in both approaches and the most accurate map of soil erodibility could be obtained combining them.