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On a global level and over a number of years, many researchers have been studying the effects of organic and conventional production methods on the chemical composition of plants and their products. The aim of this study was to determine the potential difference in the contents of several nutrients/phytochemicals in organically and conventionally produced buckwheat grains. Buckwheat was sown in 2016 at a site in Nova Varoš. The experimental plot covered a surface area of 1 ha. The contents of the following nutrients and phytochemicals in buckwheat grains were determined: proteins, pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids), soluble sugars, starch, free and bound polyphenols and flavonoids, and phytosterols. In addition, the antioxidant properties of the grains were assessed using the ABTS •+ ((2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) test (ability to inhibit ABTS •+ radical cations). There was no statistically significant difference in the contents of proteins, chlorophyll a and free phenols or in regard to the % of antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, two different production methods caused differences in the other chemical parameters. In organic grains, higher contents of carotenoids (6.998 µg g-1 dry matter (DM)), soluble sugar (6.48 mg 100 g-1 DM), starch (2.46 mg 100 g-1 DM), bound polyphenols (1034.3 mg (FAE) kg kg-1 DM), free flavonoids (1094.7 mg (QE) kg-1 DM) and bound flavonoids (1087.2 mg (QE) kg-1 DM) were detected, while in conventional buckwheat grains, there were higher levels of chlorophyll b (24.16 µg g-1 DM) and phytosterols (185.15 mg kg-1 DM). The study showed no clear influence of the production method on the examined parameters.

Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) has been increasingly attracting producers due to the biological properties and chemical composition of its seeds. As high-quality seeds are necessary for successful production, the vigour of organically and conventionally produced spelt seeds has been studied and results are presented in this paper. The seeds of the variety Nirvana produced by both methods at the Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje" in 2015 were observed. According to the results, the germination energy of conventionally and organically produced seeds amounted to 30% and 69%, respectively. The total germination of conventionally and organically produced spelt seeds amounted to 99% and 93%, respectively. The percentage of abnormal seedlings of spelt produced by both methods amounted to 1% on average. The participation of diseased and dead seeds was higher in organically produced seeds (6%) than in conventionally produced seeds (0%). After the seed accelerated ageing test, a higher germination was observed in conventionally produced seeds (75%) than in organically produced seeds (68%). The electric conductivity of conventionally produced seeds amounted to 189.4 mS/cm and 195.2 mS/cm in the first and the second replication, respectively, while the values of organically produced seeds amounted to 95.5 mS/cm and 98.6 mS/cm, in the first and the second replication, respectively. The results obtained by the electrical conductivity test indicated that the conventionally produced spelt seeds (32.33 µS/cm g) were classified into the category of low vigour seeds in comparison to organically produced spelt seeds (27.65 µS/cm g).

The seed accelerated ageing test is one of the most important tests for testing seed vigour, which provides the determination of the degree of preservation for germination and the determination of the duration of the seed storage. The aim of this study was to observe effects of two different production methods (organic and conventional) on seed vigour of soybean cultivar Kaća, by the application of the seed accelerated ageing test. The seeds were exposed to stress conditions for 72 h (temperature of 45°C and air humidity of 100%). After the test was applied, the number of non-germinated seeds of organically produced soybean increased, which resulted in the reduction of the germination percentage. Compared to the standard laboratory method, after the seed accelerated ageing test was applied, the length of the seedling above-ground part (121.63 mm), fresh weight of the seedling above-ground part (8.9 g) and dry weight of the seedling above-ground part (1,05 g) were higher. Moreover, the length (100.25 mm), fresh (1.26 g) and dry weight (0.1 g) of the root were also higher. After the test was applied, the percentage of the off-type seedlings (10.75%) and non-germinated seeds (26%) was higher in conventionally produced soybean seeds, while the length of the seedling above-ground part (100.63 mm), root length (106.75 mm) and root fresh weight (1.39 g) were lower.

Mycotoxins naturally contaminate plant - based food. Since organic production does not allow the use of synthetic pesticides in plant protection, many researchers state that organically produced foods are more contaminated with mycotoxins than conven­tional ones. In this regard, the aim of this study was to observe the content of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 and deoxynivalenol, as the most common mycotoxins, in organically and conventionally produced seeds of maize, spelt wheat and soya been during the 2015-2017 period. The HPLC/FLD and HPLC/DAD were used to determine the presence of aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol, respectively. The highest number of samples was not positive to the presence of these mycotoxins. Aflatoxin B1 (1.16 μg/kg) and deoxynivalenol (101.53 μg/kg) were detected only in the sample of organic maize harvested in 2015. Based on obtained results, no conclusion can be drawn on the effects of organic and conventional production on contents of mycotoxins in seeds of maize, spelt wheat and soya bean, and further long-term studies are required.

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The paper discusses Serbia's neutrality policy in the current geopolitical relations between the United States and Russia. It also gives an overview of the European practice of neutrality policy and the Yugoslav experience of non-alignment, which preceded the proclamation of Serbia's military neutrality. Russia's attitude towards the neutrality of Serbia, in particular within the framework of Plan B4, as well as the future of Serbian neutrality, are also addressed.

The paper analyzes the attitude of Russia to the Ukraine crisis and the actions of NATO on its borders; the relation of sovereignty and the sale of mineral wealth; the context and the concept of Serbia's neutrality and policy of non-alignment; open territorial claims of Serbia's neighbors on its territory; and unclear military-political status of Morava-Vardar approach. In particular, it highlights the importance of relations between Serbia and Montenegro, and the development of the Russian and Serbian cultural policy for future events in the Balkans and the European East as a zone of contest for supremacy in Europe.

This paper discusses seed vigour as the most important seed characteristic the seed lot quality depends on. In Serbian, the terms such as vigor, viability and germ inability are used in various ways, depending on the author, which leaves room to possible misunderstanding in interpretation of research results and misuse of expert terminology. The modest lexical fund, compared to that of the English language, for instance, greatly contributes to the problem, and so does the absence of terminological standardization. Since the current technology and research level in seed science and technology requires appropriate terminology, this article offers an outline of basic seed traits related expert terminology as a foundation of future seed research and technology development. .

Temperature is a very important factor which effects seed water uptake. In this paper we investigated the effect of high temperature and high humidity on seed rate imbibition for five corn hybrids. Seeds were placed at the temperature of 4l°C and 95-100% relative humidity (treatment). These seeds were compared with control. Seeds were hydrated at 12°C and 20°C fur 6, 12, 24, 48 h. The highest imbibition rate was shown by ZP SC 599 hybrid seed. The lowest imbibition rate was shown by ZP SC 599 hybrid seed. The seed treated at 12°C had the lowest imbibition rate. At 20°C differences in imbibition rate were lower than at 12°C.

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