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Maize husk mass affects the dynamics of maize kernel moisture release as well as the yield and harvest timing of maize. The aim of this study was to observe the dynamics of moisture release in maize husks depending on the sowing density technology used. At the Zemun Polje location, a trail was established with three hybrids (H1-ZP 4708, H2-ZP4242, H3-ZP4790) in three densities (G1-40,816, G2-69,689, G3-89,286). During the vegetation period, 15 days after fertilization, four samples (V1-V4) were taken to determine the fresh and dry weight of the husk. The leaves were dried in an oven at 60°C for 12 hours. The effect of the genotype was reflected in the different mass of the maize husks and the dynamics of moisture loss. It was most pronounced in hybrid ZP 4242, which had the highest moisture loss between V1 and V4 samples at 9.86 %. It is also the hybrid with the highest fresh mass of leaves, 88.71 g. The dynamics of mass reduction, i.e. moisture loss, was linear in all hybrids, except for the exceptions by ZP 4242. The effects of sowing density and genotype on the moisture release of the maize husks and thus the maize kernel lead to an optimal harvest and a reduction in the risk of yield loss.

The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of the hybrid and the medium for germination testing on indicators of pepper seed quality. The obtained results should provide an answer as to whether the application of different growing media for testing seed germination can lead to discrepancies between test results in quality indicators for hybrid seeds. The seed quality of three pepper hybrids: KG 2025 F1, KG 2129 F1 and KG 2032 F1 was tested on two growing media (filter paper and substrate). Statistical analysis of germination energy, total germination, diseased seedlings and dead seeds showed highly significant differences (r

This study presents the findings from assessing the quality of alfalfa seeds collected from three Serbian regions: in each region, batches of seeds from six places were analyzed. The following criteria were investigated: the proportion of dormant seeds, the germinated seed content, the proportion of dead seeds, and the percentage of aberrant seedlings. Seed quality was assessed after six, eighteen, thirty, and forty-two months of storage. The highest seed quality was obtained after thirty and eighteen months of seed storage (91% and 89% of germination, respectively). During the 42-month storage period, the percentage of dead seeds (8%) and abnormal seedlings (7%) increased, while germination declined to 84%. In a storage period of six months, the participation of dormant seeds of 21% affected the germination rate, which was 77%, regardless of the low proportion of dead seeds (1%) and abnormal seedlings (2%).

Environmental problems such as global warming, pollution, and the decline of plant species biodiversity are leading to new social trends and discussions. A relatively new idea of global sustainable development aims to meet societal demands while protecting and enhancing natural resources. The main tools used in the implementation of natural resource protection measures are sustainable development indicators. One of these indicators is the damage caused by the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture. In Serbia, agriculture is an important sector of the economy with different levels of technological progress, from extensive to intensive. The degree of pollution and its impact on the environment varies according to agricultural production. The challenges faced by modern agricultural production in conditions of technological progress have led to the intensification of production, but have also caused concern about maintaining the natural balance of cultivated land and product quality. The application of innovative technologies for crop protection without the use of chemical agents is a step that should reduce the environmental damage caused. Among the most important natural metabolites and secondary products of aromatic plants used as biopesticides are essential oils. The biological activities of essential oils (EOs) in agriculture have antimicrobial and herbicidal effects. The various bioactive components of the oil determine its action. In nature, they play an important role in protecting plants from bacteria, fungi, viruses and insects. In most weeds, the oils penetrate the cytoplasmic membrane of the cell as typical lipophiles and cause its multilayers of polysaccharides, fatty acids and phospholipids to lose their structure and become permeable. Chlorosis, necrosis, and growth inhibition are symptoms of damage caused by the application of essential oils to plants. Although the physiological effects of the oil are not yet well studied, the importance of its use and other natural metabolites indicates its value for sustainable agriculture.

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of year and seed hybrids on the most significant indicators of the seed quality of cucumber. Testing the quality of seeds of three different hybrids of cucumber: Centauro F1, Edona F1 and Solatio F1 was carried out during a five-year period (2018 - 2022). Analysis of germination energy, seed germination, abnormal seedlings and dead seeds cucumber showed highly significant differences (r

Alfalfa is the most significant perennial and multi-crop forage legume in Serbia. Seed production has numerous problems, which causes high variability in seed yield. One of the problems in this production is the weed seeds that are in the natural alfalfa seed after harvesting. Minimum purity must be greater than 95 %, up to 2 % of other species are allowed, and up to 0.5 % of weeds, but no quarantine weeds such as dodder (Cuscuta.sp). Weed seeds were detected in natural alfalfa seeds: Sinapis arvensis L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Rumex obtusifolius, L., Cuscuta campestris Yunk., Rumex acetosella L., Plantago lanceolata L., Plantago major L., Rumex crispus L., Galium aparine L., Convolvus arvensis L. as expected, the variability of the number of weed seeds detected from the seed lots over three years was high: CV% = 14.78 for wild sorghum - S. halepense (L.) Pers. In the 2022, to CV% = 65.47 for ribwort plantain - Plantago lanceolata L. in the 2020. For the weight of 1000 seeds of the examined weeds, the variability was determined from CV% = 5.869 for the ribwort plantain - Plantago lanceolata L. (year 2020), to CV% = 34.41 for yellow dock - Rumex crispus L. (year 2022).

Green beans are among the most essential legumes because of their nutritional value. However, the production of green beans in Serbia suffers major decline due to significantly reduced yields, as well as the sown areas. Diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi not only reduce yield and have the negative impact on total germination and seed quality of green beans, but also some phytopathogenic fungi can produce mycotoxins, adversely affecting human health. In this paper, the quality parameters of two green bean varieties (GB1 and GB2) were monitored for quality traits over a period of five years on the territory of Smederevska Palanka. The energy germination and total germination were the highest in the first observed year and amounted to 63% and 88% for GB1, respectively. For GB2 the energy germination and total germination (2018) were 71% and 75%, respectively. A significant decline in total germination was determined in 2020. and amounted to 75% for GB1 and 67% for GB2( p0.05). The impact of phytopathogenic fungi on green beans was reflected in the reduction of total germination, and therefore in seed quality and yield. The priority of future research is the application of biotreatments that will contribute to seed protection and improve total germination, and thus the yield in the field.

This study aimed to determine the influence of sowing dates on morphological properties and grain yield. The experiment was conducted during 2018 (Y1) and 2019 (Y2) at one location in Serbia (Zemun Polje). Three inbred lines, produced at the Maize Research Institute (Serbia), were used as the material. Sowing was set in two terms, earlier 1 April (SD1) and optimal 20 April (SD2). Morphological properties of the cob were measured in the laboratory conditions: the ear weight (EW), the cob weight (CW), the cob length (CL), the cob thickness (CT), the 1000 kernel weight (SW), and the grain yield (GY). The sowing date significantly affected the morphological properties of the cob (p≤0,05). The interaction of factors also had a significant impact on the variability of traits. Three-way analysis of variance indicates that SD1Y1 treatment in combination with ZP1 and ZP3 inbred lines has a higher yield (6.28 t ha-1 , 7.05 t ha-1 ). Further, the 1000-kernel weight in all three genotypes was higher in the SD1, ZP1 (324.35 g), ZP2 (329.78 g), and ZP3 (326.55 g). The earlier sowing date was also favourable for the cob weight. Meteorological conditions can be more or less stressful for field crops. Adverse weather conditions can be avoided or reduced by applying different sowing dates.

In these studies, the physical and physiological seed properties and seedling's vigour properties in five ZP maize hybrids (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, ZP4 and ZP5) were investigated. Hybrid seed was divided into small (SF) and large fractions (LF) The hybrid combination and seed size did not significantly (p ≥ 0.05) affect seed germination. Width, thickness, length, seed weight, dead seeds, abnormal seedling, stem and root growth and fresh seedling weight were significantly influenced by hybrid and seed fraction LF produced higher stems by 1.18 cm, longer roots by 2.94 cm and higher seedling weight by 0.032 g (the hybrid average) as compared to SF. The influence of hybrids on stem growth differed by 1.9 cm on SF seed and 1.7 cm on LF seed. Significant and positive dependence (p ≥ 0.001) between seed germination was determined with the growth of stem, root and seedling weight, as well as with the 1000 seed weight (p ≥ 0.01) and with a thickness (TS) (p ≥ 0.05). Seed germination with abnormal seedlings achieved a negative (p ≥ 0.01) significant correlation.

A species called Festulolium was created in the middle of the last century by crossing two genuses: Lolium and Festuca. This was followed by a period of research on Festulolium from the aspect of genetics and breeding, seed production, cultivation, technology and use. We conducted various pre-treatment impact studies on Festulolium seeds: i) cooling at 5-7 o C for 3 days, ii) application of KNO3 on seed germination medium, and the third pre-treatment was control, without pre-treatment (iii). After pre-treatment (i, ii, iii), seed germination have examined at the following temperature regimes (provided by the seed quality regulations): 20 o C (dark); alternately 20o C/ 30o C (light /dark); and 30 o C (dark). The tests were performed on four seed lots of the variety Peron, in four replicates. The germination temperature of 30 o C reduced germination and increased dead seed and abnormal germination in all pre-treatments. The variant without the application of pre-treatment had a significantly lower overall germination in the assessment of Festulolium seed quality. Seed lots showed a high influence on the Festulolium seed quality.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as a commercial species includes a large number of different varieties and is one of the most popular vegetables around the world. Changes in the quality of the seeds of autochthonous varieties of pepper seeds: Palanačko Čudo, Župska Rana, and Kobra were monitored in three years (2019-2021). It was noticed that the slightest difference in germination was obtained with the cultivar Palnačko Čudo (p>0.05) in three years. The Župska Rana had the best germination in 2019 (95%) compared to Palnačko Čudo and Kobra (p

The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of the year and the seed lots on the most important indicators of cabbage seed quality. Quality testing of nine different seed lots of Potomac F1 cabbage was performed during three years (2019, 2020 and 2021). Analyses of variance showed a significant effect (p

Maize seed is characterised by a variety of shapes and sizes, which directly or indirectly affect physiological properties. The aim of the present study was to establish the significance of the seed shape and size on the first count and germination. The following eight hybrids were used as a seed material in the trial: ZP196, ZP260, ZP341, ZP360, ZP434, ZP677, ZP684 and ZP704. The traits of seed shape and size were observed under laboratory conditions. The seed mass, the first count and germination were determined. The genotype and the seed fraction significantly affected the variance of seed mass formation, R2≥0,911, while the significance of these factors for the first count and germination was small with the coefficient of determination of R2≤0.129 and≤0.298, respectively. The first count and germination were high (above 95%) in all sizes and all shapes of seeds. The lowest first count and germination were detected in SO (94.2; 95.1, respectively), while the highest values were determined in SSP (97.1; 98.0, respectively). The importance of seed germination was determined by the analysis of variance (p

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the origin and size of planting material on the morphological characteristics of seed tuber's three potato cultivars. The objects of research were three varieties of potatoes: Aladdin, Newton and Desiree. The analysis of the morphological characteristics tuber showed highly significant (r

Seed quality is crucial for achieving the desired number of plants in the mixture, as well as the ratio of grass-legume components. Seeds of red clover and Italian ryegrass can be placed on the market with germination of 70 % and more. In this experiment, the seeds of six varieties of red clover and four varieties of Italian lily were examined. Seeds up to four years of age were tested. Seed quality was examined by monitoring the following parameters: germination energy, amount of hard-dormant seed, total germination and amount of abnormal seedlings. The tested varieties of red clover and Italian ryegrass seeds showed the best quality after one and two years of storage. After four years of storing seeds, out of six tested varieties of red clover, two did not meet the criteria for marketing in Serbia, according to the current rulebook on seed quality. In the case of Italian ryegrass, out of four tested varieties, two did not meet the criteria for placing seeds on the market.

A total of six tomato seed populations, collected in the autumn of 2016 at different locations in Serbia (West (3), South (1), North (1) and East (1)), were enrolled in this study. Seeds of the tomato populations considered were produced in the organic growing system in the area of Zaovice (76 m a.s.l., chernozem), Stara Pazova, Northern Serbia (44˚ 47 '19.6" N, 20˚ 27' 56.2" E) in 2017. Analyses of the germination parameters of the tomato seed populations examined (namely the germination energy, total germination, abnormal seedlings and dead seeds of the tomato seeds considered) indicated significant (r < 0.01) differences according to the production year (A) and the tomato seed population (B). The impact interactions (r < 0.01) of these factors (A × B) proved significant only relative to dead seeds. A highly significant positive correlation was found between the germination energy and the total germination of the seeds considered (r = 0.8711, p < 0.001), as well as between the amounts of their abnormal seedlings and dead seeds (r = 0.92297, p < 0.001). The germination energy and the total germination of the tomato seeds considered were found to decrease with the increasing seed age, in contrast to the numbers of their abnormal seedlings and dead seeds which continued to increase with seed aging.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the contribution of the influence of organic matter and clay content on the value of maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of trace elements Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd. The investigation was conducted on agricul­tural soil in the territory of Veliko Gradište Municipality. There were analyzed 82 samples of eutric cambisol type soil, 17 samples of chernozem soil, and 32 samples of sandy soil. In the composite soil samples, taken from a depth of 0-30 cm, main parameters of soil fertility (pH, P2O5, K2O, CaCO3, soil organic matter - SOM), the content of the clay frac­tion, and total forms of Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd were determined. Interpretation of the obtained results was carried out in relation to the MPC of trace elements defined in the Regulations (Official Gazette, 88/2018). Based on the ratio of the defined MPC and corrected values whose calculation includes the values of the organic matter and clay content, there was determined the correlation concerning the content of organic matter and the content of clay fractions, respectively, in the tested samples. In addition, the content of Cr and Pb in tested types of soil still did not exceed the adjusted MPC value. As for Cd and Ni, there was no deviation from the established and modified values of MPC. Concludingly, the research should be continued and supplemented by data for other types of soils, which would represent a base for a further assessment of the applicability of the existing regulations taken from Dutch sources and incorporated into Serbian Regulations (Official Gazette, 88/2018). [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR-37006]

In order to popularise organically produced vegetables, two vegetable crops most commonly grown in organic systems in Serbia were studied. This research aimed at investigating differences in phytonutrient content between organically and conventionally produced beet and carrot, in fresh roots, juices pasteurised at different temperatures (70 and 90oC) and dried products. Multivariate analysis (principal component analysis) was used in order to determine the main components accounting for the highest variance, from both systems of production, according to the average content of phytonutrients in beet and carrot. The samples were divided into two clusters, one for carrot and one for beet, each containing two subgroups. The subclusters for beet were: I - BDO, BDC, BJ90C, and BJ90O - dried samples and juices pasteurised at 90oC, from both systems of production; and II - BFC, BFO, BJ70O and BJ70C - fresh beet and pasteurisation at low temperatures. The two sub-clusters for carrot were: I - CDO and CDC - dried samples; and II - pasteurised juices and fresh carrots from both systems of production. In this research, carrot was more stable for processing than beet, as determined for samples from the study area, from both systems of production and for the phytonutrients covered by this research.

Managing N, P and K inputs in semi-natural meadow production systems is important for achieving maximum yields in livestock farming. The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of different NPK levels (N0P0K0, N50P50K50, N100P50K50, N100P100K100, N150P100K100 and N200P150K150 kg ha-1 yr-1 ) on the yield, quality and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) in a grassland community of Agrostietum capillaris (semi-natural meadow) in western Serbia. The study was conducted during the seasons of 2005-2008. The values of the investigated parameters, except for the unit N uptake, were the highest in 2004/2005 due to favorable climate conditions. The levels of nitrogen significantly increased all of the studied parameters compared to the control treatment, except for unit N uptake. Mineral fertilizers at N200P150K150 provided the highest green forage yield (25.12 t ha-1 ), dry matter yield (8.12 t ha-1 ), crude protein yield (876.3 kg ha-1 ), nitrogen uptake (140.2 kg ha-1 ) and nitrogen nutrition index (70.2%), and the lowest unit N uptake (0.0022 kg N kg DMY-1 ). The use of mineral fertilizers increased green forage yield, dry matter yield and crude protein yield, increasing fertilizer from lowest to highest rate increased fresh and dry matter yield, as well as protein yield. Based on the results of the study, monitoring of nutrition indices would be necessary in order to increase productivity and economic benefits.

Timothy grass is a fodder grass mostly grown as a pure stand or in mixed stands with fodder legumes at higher elevations. It is cultivated for its high yields and the supreme quality of roughage containing Timothy grass. There are different methods for preserving the seed quality of fodder grasses relative to the following parameters: species, variety, harvest methods, postharvest treatments, as well as the storage temperature and air humidity. Poor seed germination is often caused by the presence of dormant seeds which fail to germinate despite ideal conditions in the field or laboratory. After a certain storage period, dormant seeds start germinating, but prolonged storage periods result in seed aging which is associated with reductions in seed germination, seedling growth and the total mass of the root system. The seed quality features of four Timothy grass seed lots (the 'Foka' cultivar), at ages of 3, 15 and 27 months, were examined in this study according to the share of dormant, germinated and dead seeds, as well as abnormal seedlings. Upon assessing seed germination, the stem length (cm), radicle length (cm) and fresh weight (g) of seedlings were measured. Different seed lots were found to exert no effect on the seed quality parameters examined and the growth of seedlings. Conversely, the seed age had a significant impact (P

In addition to normal seeds, hard seeds of alfalfa have often been found after harvest. Such seeds prevent the penetration of water and gases into the seed interior, causing the reduction in germination. They do not tend to germinate even under ideal laboratory or field conditions, or they exhibit late germination. Consequently, they are of no relevance to planting crops. A decrease in the amount of hard seeds and an increase in germination can be achieved by scarification of acids, physical damage to the seed coat, hot water, cooling, etc. Temperature treatment scarification prior to sowing is a simple and inexpensive solution, safe for humans and the environment. The tests were carried out on three alfalfa cultivars: 'Medijana', 'Banat' and 'Zaječarska 83'. Their seeds were exposed to temperatures of 70 oC (for 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes), 80 oC (for 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes) and 90 oC (for 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes). After the treatment under laboratory conditions, the germination rate and the share of hard/dormant seeds were investigated. The results obtained indicate that the increase in germination can be significant (p ≥ 0.05) provided temperature seed treatments are applied. Furthermore, the optimal temperature treatment was found to be essentially dependent on the specific alfalfa cultivar.

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the possibility of ensiling common vetch - oat mixtures sown at five different seeding rates. Two effects were studied: seeding rate of common vetch and oat in the mixtures and application of bacterial inoculant. The pH, DM (Dry Matter) content, ammonia nitrogen, soluble nitrogen, lactic, acetic and butyric acids were determined on silages. DLG method was utilized for classification the silage quality. Common vetch and oat were grown in binary mixtures at the experimental field of the Institute for forage crops, Kruševac - Serbia, and were tested at five different mixture rates: pure vetch, 25% vetch + 75% oat, 50% vetch + 50% oat, 75% vetch + 25% oat and pure oat. Application of bacterial inoculant affected higher content of ammonia nitrogen and acetic acid (P< 0.05), but lower content of soluble nitrogen (P< 0.05). Depending on the seeding rates of common vetch and oat, 75 : 25 common vetch - oat silage had the highest content of lactic acid and the lowest content of butyric acid. Contents of DM, pH and ammonia nitrogen were similar in all silages ranged from 307.2 to 318.5 g kg-1 , from 4.27 to 4.54 and from 16.1 to 19.1% ΣN, respectively. According to the DLG method for silage quality evaluation, similar quality grades were founded.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the year of cultivation, seed population and mycorrhizal seed treatment on two most important indicators of the pepper seed quality, namely germination energy and total germination. The pepper seed quality parameters, i.e. the first count and the total germination rate, were examined in the period 2017-2018. The results obtained show significant differences (p < 0.01) between the parameter values under consideration relative to the year of cultivation (Factor A), seed population (Factor B) and mycorrhizal sees treatment (Factor C). In the first experimental year, there was an increase in the first count and total germination of 4 to 6 % compared to the control when pepper seeds were treated with the mycorrhizal formulation. In the second experimental year, an increase in the first count was in the range of 3 to 16 %, whereas an increase in the total germination was 3 to 4 %, compared to the control. The effect of mycorrhizal pepper seed treatment proved beneficial especially to aged seeds that were slow to germinate.

The introduction of sterile forms of parental inbreds in the production of hybrids maize seed has led to the improvement of production methods and to the facilitation of seed crop control. The aim of the present study was to compare utility values of the F1 generation between seeds produced by the use of standard inbreds and seeds produced from plants with cytoplasmic male sterility inherited maternally. Significant differences were detected in all observed traits compared to the version of the hybrid combination. The share of large seed fractions was higher in the fertile than in the sterile version, while the SR to SF ratio was uniform in the sterile version. The weight of 1000-seed was greater in the sterile form (325.7 g), while the first count and germination were equal amounting to 97.2 %. The first count (95.7 %) and germination (94.5 %) were also high in the fertile version.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of seed coat colour on the seed quality of four red clover cultivars (germination, dormancy (hard seeds), dead seeds and initial seedling growth (vigour)) produced in Serbia over a period of two years. The seeds analyzed were first separated visually into bright, dark and mixed seed groups, followed by subsequent digital colour measurements. The results obtained showed that the seed coat colour of red clover could be considered a good indicator of seed quality and seedling growth ability. The results furthermore showed that bright-coloured seeds of red clover cultivars indicated increased vigour and seed quality compared to other colours. The impact of the production area and year on the seed quality parameters was inconclusive. A high variability in hard (CV = 22.22 %) and dead seeds (CV = 40.18 %) was recorded between different seed lots of red clover. A lower variability was found in the germination parameter of bright- and mixed-coloured seeds (CV = 4.53 % and CV = 8.53 %). The seed coat colour could be an important factor in determining the quality of red clover seeds, potentially increasing germination simply by removing dark-coloured seeds.

The research on the effect of ecological conditions and cultivars on the yield components of potatoes was conducted in Badovinci (Western Serbia) during the period 2008-2009. The following potato cultivars were included in the experiment: early ('Cleopatra', 'Anushka' and 'Presto'), medium early ('Kuroda', 'Omega' and 'Dita'), and medium late ('Desiree', 'Roko' and 'Jelly'). The four-replicate field trials were set up using the standard methodology according to the random block design. 18TThe research results suggest that genotype (G) and ecological conditions (E) significantly affect all yield components of potatoes. In both years, the highest yield was recorded18T in18T the medium late variety 'Desiree'18T 18T(18T28.30 t ha־¹), followed by the early variety 'Anushka' 18T(18T26.60 t ha־¹), 18Twhile the lowest18T 18Tyield18T was 18Trecorded18T 18Tin the medium early variety 'Omega' (18T13.35 t ha־¹). The 18Tresults obtained show that18T 18Tthe18T 18Thighest yields18T in Western Serbia were 18Trecorded in early varieties18T 18T('Cleopatra'18T, 'Anushka' 18Tand18T '18TPresto'18T) and 18Tmedium18T 18Tlate varieties18T 18T('18TDesiree'), which exhibited considerable18T resistance to high18T 18Tair temperatures18T and 18Tdrought stress18T.

The yield components of pumpkin seeds and fruits were examined in Stara Pazova in period 2016-2017. Different pumpkin populations were enrolled in the study, grown at following locations in Serbia: Šabac, Šumadija and Negotin. Pumpkin originating in Šumadija was found to produce highest seed yield (0.738 t haι) and possess greatest average seed mass per fruit (110.7 g). Highest fruit yield (95.1 t haι) and greatest fruit mass (14.5 kg) were recorded in population from Šabac. A significant correlation (p ≤ 0.001) was found between fruit yield and fruit mass, as well as between seed yield and seed mass per fruit. Based on two-year experiment, following conclusions can be drawn: origin of population greatly affects all components of seed and fruit yield; high yields of seeds in Northern Serbia can be produced by cultivating population from Šumadija, whereas high yields of fruits can be produced by cultivating population from Šabac.

This paper presents the results of an analysis of maize seed production. A total of six hybrids were selected from two maturity groups (FAO 300 and FAO 600) produced in three locations (L1, L2, L3). The following commercially important seed traits and their variability were analyzed: 1000-seed mass and germination. The average 1000-seed mass of all the parameters examined amounted to 342.8 g, whereas the minimum and maximum masses recorded were 285.7 g and 370.5 g, respectively. In the FAO 300 hybrids, a 60:30 ratio of large to small seed fractions was recorded. Conversely, this ratio in the FAO 600 hybrids was not uniform. Seed germination of the hybrids examined was high (above 90 %). The highest effect on trait variability was recorded in the hybrid combination (η2 = 0.889 - seed mass, and η2 = 0.456 - germination). Trait variations across locations and hybrid combinations are important for obtaining high yields and realizing the maximum potential of seed material.

The analyses were performed with the hybrid seeds of four hybrid combinations derived at the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje and produced in three locations. Under laboratory conditions, the following seed traits were analysed in the working sample of 10x100 seeds: seed test weight and shelling percentage, which was determined as the seed weight to ear weight ratio. In the three-year study, the greatest (352.71 g), i.e. smallest (280.09 g) test weight was recorded in the hybrids ZP 434 and ZP 704, respectively. The highest shelling percentage of 60.53 % was determined in the hybrid ZP 704, while the lowest one (48.20 %) was recorded the hybrid ZP 434. Obtained results point out that both traits in all four hybrids are highly expressed under all observed agro-ecological conditions and that effects of factors on the seed weight and the shelling percentage are great.

The paper presents the results of four seed lots produced in Serbia and Belarus in two years, and examines the influence of their quality on 1000 seed mass, germination energy and total germination. There was no impact of the region or the year on the studied seed quality parameters. There was high variability of 1000 seed mass (CV = 20.3 %) taken from different seed lots of Italian ryegrass. Lower variability was found for germination energy and total germination (CV = 9.88 % and CV = 7.98 %). Ryegrass seed lots had lower variability for 1000 seed mass (CV = 8.34 %), germination energy and total germination (CV = 4.80 % and CV = 3.70 %). In the seeds of both species there was no significant correlation dependence of seed mass regarding germination energy and total germination. Significant influence was determined in both species between germination energy and total germination (P≤0.001 and P≤0.05).

The effects of the origin of planting material on the mophological characteristics of seed tubers of the Kondor potato cultivar (Solanum tuberosum L.) were investigated within a two-year study (2009-2010). The production conditions of potato planting material at lower altitudes (700 m.a.s.l.) contributed to producing seed tubers of greater physiological age, resulting consequently in a significantly lower average length of sprouts per tuber 1.38 mm, or 13.49 % less, in comparison with the length of sprouts per tuber determined in tubers originating from 1300 m.a.s.l. Using the Kondor potato cultivar originating from 700 m.a.s.l. as a planting material (which forms a larger number of sprouts per tuber), a higher number of primary stems per plant could be expected, which would be beneficial to seed production (a greater number of small tubers). Provided the Kondor potato cultivar originating from 1300 m.a.s.l. is used as a planting material (which forms a smaller number of sprouts per tuber and potentially a smaller number of stems per plant), the seed tubers should be used in early potato production and for commercial purposes (a small number of large tubers).

In our tests, the seeds were stored for five years at temperatures of 4 °C, 18 °C in a warehouse conditions (factor method of seed storage). Seed was stored at all temperatures in the paper, a cloth and plastic bags (factor package for seed storage). It was used the seed of meadow and tall fescue (factor species). For testing was used the three lots by both species (factor seed lots). At five years old seed germination was determined in accordance with the ISTA rules (on filter paper, and at temperature of 20 °C in the dark). Vigor was determined by measuring each seedling (root length cm, shoot length cm and biomass of seedlings g.). The factor method of seed storage and packaging factor was significantly acted in germination and vigor (P75 %). Other examined factors (species and lots) did not have significant effect on seed germination and seedling vigor after five years of storage.

Alfalfa is the most important perennial forage legume used for seed production and fodder. The seeds of alfalfa for sowing must be of high purity, germination and high genetic value. The initial purity of naturalized alfalfa seed significantly affect the resulting amount of processed seed in processing process. In the processing of natural seed alfalfa seed material to obtain adequate quality by law regulate used a complex machines for cleaning and sorting seeds. In the processing center of the Institute for forage crops in Globoder-Kruševac, Serbia alfalfa natural seed are processed. The six different parties of natural seeds of different purity in the range of 66 % to 85 % were processed. Also, after each stage of treatment, losses of seeds and seed rate obtained at the end of the processing were measured.

Owing to its characteristics, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important forage plant in our country. The great importance of alfalfa is reflected in the production of high-quality fodder and alfalfa seeds, which are a valuable and competitive commodity on domestic and foreign markets. In this study, the presence of plant pathogenic genera of fungi on the seeds of five different alfalfa cultivars was investigated (Kruševačka 28, NS-Mediana, Zaječarska 83, Banjalučanka i Osječka-66) from three different lots (sites) of each cultivar. The detected phytopathogenic fungi on the alfalfa seeds caused a decrease in the overall germination, but the present research results indicate a satisfactory health status of all alfalfa cultivars and seed lots.

Forage Sorghum is an annual herbaceous plant of the family grass. It is grown for feeding animals and people, and ranks among the millet grains. I disorders, sorghum is used as hay and to extract the starch, alcohol and glucose. Purpose of our paper is to determine which of the forage sorghum hybrids, among foreign selections, gives the best production results in the specific agroecological conditions on PSS Sremska Mitrovica experimental field and what are the possibilities of its use in our country. Five intraspecies hybrids (Sorghum bicolor x Sorghum bicolor) and two intraspecies hybrids (Sorghum bicolor x Sorghum sudanense) were analyzed in this paper. The difference in yield between the H7 hybrid that had the highest yield and H5 runner-hybrid was even 19 t ha-1, which indicates exceptionally high yield potential of H7 hybrid in biomass production. In specific agroecological conditions H7 hybrid gave the 96 t ha-1 of green fodder and 25.2 t ha-1 of dry matter.

The aim of the study was to determine the changes in grain yields in relation to the sterile to fertile plants ratio. Total of 21 mixtures of 0, 5, 10 up to 100 % of fertile plants mixed with the sterile variant of the hybrid ZPSC 341 was made. Because of reliability of the experiment the original fertile hybrid ZPSC 341 was used as a check three times. Effects of fertile, i.e. sterile cytoplasm of the observed hybrid on yield and yield variations were studied. The extent of dependence of the percentage of fertile plants on yield was determined. Furthermore, the sterile to fertile hybrid variant ratio resulting in the highest yield was established. The analysis of results indicate that the highest average yield (13.273 t ha-1) was obtained with 90 % fertility, while the lowest average yield (11.510 t ha-1) was gained with 10 % fertility.

Cocksfoot is one of the most important forage grasses, with specific reference to arid conditions. It is mainly used as a component for the preparation of grass-legume forage mixtures. One of the major problems in the production of grass seed is seed dispersal and loss of some yeld. However, harvesting can be done before the stage of technological maturity of seeds where the losses are reduced but, the quality of the seed may be a problem in this case. On the other hand immediately after harvesting, as well as a period of time after harvesting the seed, the grass is characterized by the presence of dormant seeds. Seed dormancy can be decreased with optimum temperature and moisture during the air seed drying. The harvested seed had the moisture content from 20% to 35%. Then the seeds are dried at temperatures of 90oC, 80oC, 70oC, 60oC, 50oC, 40oC, 30oC and at all temperatures the seeds exhibited 90, 60, 30 minutes. In laboratory conditions, seed germination (%), dormant seed are determined in six genotypes. Selection of the optimal temperature and drying time can significantly effect on the increase in seed germination of both seed moisture. Genotypes with high moisture according to the germination, showed low variability (moisture content was 20% and CV ranged from 2.0 to 4.1%; moisture content was 35% and CV ranged from 1.8 to 3.9%).