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The Western Balkans show a great variety of climate, soil, and geomorphological characteristics. The region was blessed by some of the most fertile soils in Europe. Nevertheless, the region is characterized also by several natural constraints that include salinity, sodicity, poor drainage and texture conditions, shallowness and stoniness, and other natural and human-induced limitations. Soil threats in the Western Balkans are complex, and although they are unevenly spread, their dimension is regional, and they are frequently interlinked. The Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021-2030 has put forward several objectives that are in line with EU policies for soil management. To this end, the establishment of the Soil Partnership for the Western Balkans as an open forum for gathering all stakeholders in the region would be the perfect entity to discuss and exchange knowledge, data, best practices, and experiences about sustainable soil management (SSM). This process started in 2021 under the leadership of the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe (SWG). The partnership brings together nominated soil experts from six countries in the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) to work together under the SWG platform for networking and regional cooperation. Important objectives of the Soil Partnership for Western Balkans include the strengthening of institutional and technical capacities of the region to assist the implementation of the new EU Soil Strategy for 2030 as well as work towards harmonization of the guidelines, methods, and indicators to enhance implementation of SSM practices. The results of the initial assessment of soil degradation status and trends in the region reveal that the primary processes contributing to degradation in the WB are land take, soil sealing, contamination, organic carbon loss, and erosi

The soils in the Western Balkans (WB) are under pressure due to rising demands for food, feed, and energy supply. Soil degradation in the (WB) poses a transboundary issue, necessitating responsible engagement from all stakeholders to ensure sustainable soil management in alignment with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Soil Partnership for the Western Balkans (WBSP) commenced in 2021 under the leadership of the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe (SWG). Serving as an open forum, the partnership facilitates the gathering of all stakeholders in the region to discuss and exchange knowledge, data, best practices, and experiences related to sustainable soil management. The Western Balkans Soil Partnership was formally established in December 2022 with the aim of preserving, protecting, and restoring soils in the Western Balkan region. Participating countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, despite differences in developmental stages. The formation of such a partnership is justified, given that the region shares common economic and social challenges, as well as a similar cultural and scientific heritage.

Land degradation neutrality (LDN) is an integral part of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. Montenegro actively works on LDN target setting process. This paper aims to present: (a) the basic principles of LDN concept, (b) global datasets provided by UNCCD, (c) SWOT analysis for the country, and (d) to discuss possible national datasets and further activities related to LDN. LDN Target indicator is measured by means of three sub-indicators: land cover, land productivity and soil organic carbon (SOC), and it could be broaden with national indicators. Country has been provided by UNCCCD with global dataset on three sub-indicators, as well as with watershed boundaries, but is encouraged to utilize their own datasets. ESA land cover data indicate the conversion of 2460 ha of forests into to croplands or shrubs. Land productivity dynamics data indicated that 74300 ha of territory have sort of negative trends in land productivity. SOC at the country level indicates average content of 125.1 t/ha. Ten potential hotspots in the country had reduction of land productivity dynamics caused by wildfires, whereas five hotspots had multiple drivers of land degradation among which fires, agricultural abandonment and urbanization are the most important. Although there is a certain inaccuracy in global datasets, the country decision is to utilize them in defining LDN baseline. The national working group defined four specific voluntary targets: (1) Avoiding, minimizing land degradation, and redirecting land use changes, (2) Increase of land productivity - reduction of soil degradation, (3), Protection of natural ecosystems from wildfires, and (4) Improvement of soil monitoring system. Accordingly, 25 associated measures are defined to achieve LDN up to 2030. They are related to enhancement of LDN baseline in Montenegro, environmental legislations, direct measures to prevent, minimize land degradation and restore degraded land, sustainable agriculture and forestry, land use

The impact of climate change on potato cultivation in Montenegro was assessed. Three scenarios (A1B, A1Bs and A2) for 2001-2030, 2071-2100 and 2071-2100, respectively, were generated by a regional climate model and compared with the baseline period 1961-1990. The results indicated an increase of temperature during the summer season from 1.3 to 4.8 degrees C in the mountain region and from 1 to 3.4 degrees C in the coastal zone. The precipitation decreased between 5 and 50% depending on the scenario, region and season. The changes in temperature and precipitation influenced phenology, yield and water needs. The impact was more pronounced in the coastal areas than in the mountain regions. The growing season was shortened 13.6, 22.9 and 29.7 days for A1B, A1Bs and A2, respectively. The increase of irrigation requirement was 4.0, 19.5 and 7.3 mm for A1B, A1Bs and A2, respectively. For the baseline conditions, yield reduction under rainfed cultivation was lower than 30%. For A1B, A1Bs and A2 scenarios, yield reductions were 31.0 +/- 8.2, 36.3 +/- 11.6 and 34.1 +/- 10.9%, respectively. Possible adaptation measures include shifting of production to the mountain (colder) areas and irrigation application. Rainfed cultivation remains a viable solution when the anticipation of sowing is adopted.

This study investigated the possible impact of climate change on the olive cultivation in Montenegro in terms of growth suitability, crop phenology, water requirements and yield. The elaborations were performed in GIS through the integration of climate, soil and crop data and successive application of the agro-ecological zoning methodology and a soil-water balance model. The analysis included the baseline climate (1961-1990) and the climate data projections from the coupled regional climate model EBU-POM corresponding to the three scenarios: i) A1B (2001-2030), ii) A1B (2071-2100) and iii) A2 (2071-2100). Preference evapotranspiration was calculated using a modified Penman-Monteith approach from the air temperature data, while crop evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements were estimated following the standard FAO methodology. The results revealed that the foreseen increase of air temperature would extend the potentially cultivable areas from the present 17% of the total land surface to 30.2% in the A2 scenario. The areas suitable for olive cultivation are expected to shift northwards, and to the higher altitudes. Global warming would anticipate the flowering period of olives up to 17 days under the A2 scenario. Crop water requirements would likely increase in the future up to 3%, while the crop evapotranspiration under rainfed is foreseen to decrease from 5.5% to 21.7%. Net irrigation requirements would increase from 29.5 mm in the A1B scenario to 103.4 mm in the A2 scenario. The highest relative yield loss of 16.2 +/- 7.6% is expected under the A2 scenario which does not preclude the rainfed cultivation of olives in the future.

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) is a leafy vegetable highly consumed in many parts of the world as a very popular ingredient of different diets. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of soil properties and fertilization on yield, mineral composition, total phenolics, antioxidant and biological activity of Swiss chard. The mineral composition of Swiss chard was generally affected by soil properties. The fertilization at 50% of recommended level (110 kg ha -1 N, 90 kg ha -1 P 2 O 5 and 100 kg ha -1 K 2 O per season) affected negatively yield and on the other hand affected positively antioxidant activity, while fertilization at 150% of recommended level had a contrary effect. The available K in soil affected the yield positively. Total phenolics were in negative correlation with the yield. The positive relationship of total phenolics and content of Mn in chard was noticed. The greatest efficacy in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines was obtained by Swiss chard extract from plants fertilized at 150% of recommended level.

This paper presents the results of water balance simulations on winter wheat production in the area around Bijelo Polje. Winter wheat production over three years and on two soil types has been simulated with the CROPWAT and ISAREG models. The simulated results have proved variations between the two models and the measured yield. Crop evapotranspiration ranges between 304.5 to 463.3 mm. The relative yield obtained after the simulations is very similar to the relative yield obtained on a measured basis, except in the 2008/2009 season. Net irrigation requirements (NIR) to obtain the maximum yield are higher at 49-116 mm in the simulations with the CROPWAT model. The total NIR to maximize yield ranges between 84-300 mm depending on the season and model. Water use efficiency ranges from 0.82 to 1.28 kg/m3. The obtained results verified both models as good tools for determining winter wheat water balance and indicated that winter wheat yields could be improved with irrigation.

This paper presents the results of water-balance simulations in silage-corn production in the area around Bijelo Polje. Silage-maize production was simulated with CropWat and ISAREG models over three years and on two soil types. The simulated results showed a the variation between the two models and measured the difference in yield. Crop evapotranspiration over the three seasons ranged between 339.3mm and 421.8 mm. Net irrigation requirements were higher by 30-70 mm in the simulations with the CropWat model. Water-use efficiency ranged from 7.44 kg/m3 to 11.51 kg/m3. The obtained results confirmed both models as good tools in silage-maize water.