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This is the first part of an environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) study of oilseed rape cultivated under conditions prevalent in the region of Vojvodina, Serbia. The paper presents the initial two phases of the LCA: goal and scope definition, as well as the life cycle inventory (LCI). The assessment exclusively focuses on the rapeseed oil production chain, which includes the transportation of oilseeds to regional silos as its final stage. The assessment of production inputs, including quantities of mineral fertilizers, pesticides, and diesel fuel needed to achieve an assumed yield of 3000 kg ha-1, relies on recommendations from relevant agricultural advisory institutions. Emissions of pollutants into the environment, considered as outputs, are calculated using methodologies that account for locally specific conditions and production practices. Collected or estimated input and output data are entered into the OpenLCA software, which, in conjunction with the ecoinvent 3.7 database, computes the results of the LCI analysis. The LCI result contains data on hundreds of different pollutants emitted into the environment during the processes that make up the oilseed rape production chain, as well as a detailed inventory of consumed or used natural resources. However, LCI results only provide data on the quantities of different exchanges with the environment, not their potential impacts. Thus, they are not suitable for concluding the overall impact of oilseed rape production on the environment. Consequently, the analysis requires supplementation through the third LCA phase: the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). This phase provides further explanations and interpretations of the significance of inventory results from an environmental protection perspective.

For an agricultural region such as the Vojvodina Province in northern Serbia, soil quality monitoring is very important. Enzymatic activities are proposed as good indicators as they respond to even the slightest changes in the soil. This study aimed to analyze the enzymatic activity levels across three different soil types in Vojvodina and to examine their connection to soil chemical properties and land use. All soil types (chernozem, vertisol, solonchak) were sampled at nine locations, each with 3 field plots. The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, and catalase were measured in samples, as well as the selected chemical properties. Results showed differences in enzymatic activity across different soil types and land use. The most active enzymes in vertisol were acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase; in solonchak, it was alkaline phosphatase; in chernozem, it was dehydrogenase. A high correlation between enzymatic activities and certain soil chemical properties (pH reaction, organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen) was also observed, underlining the existence of a relationship between different soil components. The highest determined correlation was between acid phosphatase and pH (r=-0.7), alkaline phosphatase and total nitrogen (r=0.7), and organic matter (r=0.72); the obtained correlations were found to be statistically significant.

This study examined the influence of compost application on alterations in soil organic matter levels and the content of labile organic matter fractions in soil during maize sowing. Due to the lack of organic fertilizers, industrial compost is being investigated as an alternative. The research aims to identify relevant soil quality and fertility indicators and their effects on agricultural production. Short-term compost application as an organic fertilizer may increase the content of labile organic matter fractions in the soil, especially in less fertile plots. The results indicate a significant influence of compost application on soil quality, confirming its role as a nutrient source and enhancer of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. This highlights its potential for preserving soil quality and supporting agricultural production.

Intensive crop cultivation systems require continuous monitoring of irrigation water quality as well as the control of physical and chemical soil properties. In view of the ongoing climate change and a dramatic decrease in soil organic matter content, the use of low quality irrigation water and its adverse effects on soil, cultivated plants and irrigation equipment must not be overlooked. The aim of this paper was to evaluate general quality of irrigation water from the different water intake sources in the Vojvodina Province. The paper presents the results of irrigation water quality, collected during 2018 and 2019. The research included 140 irrigation water samples obtained from three different intake structures which collect water from wells, canals or reservoirs. Water quality was assessed using the following parameters: pH value, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), ionic balance, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) value. Water quality diagram given by the US Salinity Laboratory (USSL) and FAO guidelines for interpretation water quality for irrigation was used. Additionally, the Nejgebauer classification for irrigation water, developed specifically for the area of Vojvodina, was used as a third classification. Based on the results of mineralization of the irrigation water, the following values of the observed parameters were determined: average pH of the analyzed water samples were 7.89, ranged from 7.14 to 9.01, while electrical conductivity values ranged from 0.10 to 3.50 dS/m, with an average of 0.85 dS/m. TDS analysis resulted in a wide range of values, from 112 mg/l to 2,384 mg/l, with an average of 529,22 mg/l. SAR values varied between 0.04-16.52 with a satisfactory average of 1.97. The USSL water classification produced similar results as FAO classification and RSC index

The relationship between soil carbon fractions in Chernozem soils was assessed in soil samples of three different environments: arable soil, grassland and oak for­est. Grassland and oak forest had higher soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon soluble in hot water (HWC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated carbon (MOC) than the arable soil. The POC/MOC ratio was lowest in arable soil, indicating a smaller carbon pool for microbial turnover. POC increases with higher total SOC, indicating that the pres­ervation of organic matter depends on the renewal of labile fractions. Our results showed that fertilization had active role in soil carbon stabilization, while crop rotation had less effect on a soil carbon turnover. Our result could contribute to the better understanding of SOC fractions composition and relevance in Chernozem soil, thus could help in selection of cropping management systems for SOC preservation. [Projects of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR031072 and Grant no. TR031073]

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using microbial strains as residue decomposers and to determine the effect of these strains on chemical and microbial properties in the residue-amended soil. Greenhouse experiment consisted of eight Bacillus treatments, three Trichoderma treatments, and their combination, all applied to non-sterile chernozem soil amended with wheat straw. Incorporation of wheat straw improved soil chemical and microbial properties, while the extent of residue decom­position under microbial strains was intensified. Microbial treatments significantly affected the soil pH, the content of carbonate, total carbon, soil organic carbon, humus, and available phosphorus and potassium. Bacterial and fungal treatments also significantly influenced the total microbial number, ammonifiers, N2-fixers, fungi, actinomycetes, oligotrophs, copiotrophs, and cellulolytic microorganisms. The effect of microbial treatments varied depending on the applied strains and examined properties, with Bacillus strains being more promising residue decomposers compared to Trichoderma strains. The most effective microbial strains could be used as potential decomposers of crop residues. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31072]

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of biochar soil amendment (BSA) on chemical and microbial properties in different agricultural soils in Vojvodina Prov­ince. Short-term pot experiment consisted of five biochar application doses (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3%) and five contrasting soil types (Mollic Gleysol, Eutric Cambisol, Calcaric Fluvisol, Gleyic Chernozem, and Haplic Chernozem), planted with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The examined chemical and microbial properties were significantly influenced by soil type and interaction of experimental factors. Significant influence of biochar on the contents of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), total nitrogen (N), total carbon (C), soil organic carbon (SOC), humus and potassium (K) of the tested soils was observed. Biochar also significantly affected the number of azotobacters (AZB), fungi (FNG), actino­mycetes (ACT) and copiotrophic bacteria (CB). The effect of BSA varied depending on the applied dose, with higher values of the examined chemical and microbial parameters at higher doses of application. Further studies on using biochar in soils with low fertility will be neces­sary to establish its efficiency as an enhancer for agricultural production in Serbia. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31072]

In almost all industrially developed regions of the Russian Federation, the soil is contaminated with heavy metals (HM) often in concentrations which exceed limits of safety. This contamination causes degradation of agricultural land, which underlines the importance of the complex continuous monitoring of the dynamics of on-going changes in urban ecosystems against the background of natural processes. Quantitative assessment of the environmental sustainability of the soil according to the biological indicators of its condition is of enormous importance, in particular the balance of microbial carbon in soils, which are under varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure. Experiments were carried out to determine the phytoremediation potential of the spring rapeseed plants on soil contaminated with heavy metals. The aim of the study was to assess the respiratory activity of albic luvisol at different levels of its contamination with zinc and nickel under the conditions of a growing experiment with spring rapeseed plants. The experimental data on the respiratory activity of soil artificially contaminated with zinc and nickel in the dose range of 400-800 and 30-60 mg kg-1 of soil respectively, showed that microbial activity had a strong positive correlation with the presence of spring rapeseed plants in the vessels and weak correlation on the presence of toxic elements in the soil. According to the respiratory activity of albic luvisol, it was found that in the first 13 days of vegetation, cultivation of spring rapeseed plants had a positive effect on the sustainability of soil microbiocenosis to complex pollution with zinc and nickel.

With an estimated rise in poultry production and consumption of chicken meat in Russia by 9% up to 2022, as well as development of self-sustainable poultry production, the need has arisen for environmental assessment of this production, and within it especially greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission assessment. The goal of this work is to show a calculation procedure for obtaining estimations for the carbon footprint of the 1 kg of live chicken at the farm gate, taking into account regional typological features of agricultural production in agro-ecosystems. The methodology of carbon footprint (CF) calculation is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, and on IAGRICO2 calculator, developed for agriculture products. Results have shown that in modern technology of poultry farming, 5.79 kg CO2 e was emitted on average per kg of body mass, and that about 47% of emission was from manure, around 27.5% from crop production (fuel and fertiliser) and 25.5% from fuel and energy needed for heating, sanitation and feeding of chickens. The main distinction of Central Russia is low efficiency of the fertiliser application on crop fields and manure management, storage and utilisation, which has as a result high emissions of the nitrous oxide. This is the field where the implementation of the intensive technologies of precise farming, manure handling, utilisation and management will significantly decrease GHG emission, with preserving yield of crops and quantity and quality of chicken meat.

The study monitored microbial abundance and dehydrogenase activity in chernozem soil under different cropping systems. Soil samples were taken from the long-term trials Crop Rotations and IOSDV, at the Rimski Šančevi experimental field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops. The soil samples were collected in two years from ten cropping systems at three sampling depths. Number of the examined microbial groups was assessed by the indirect dilution method, while dehydrogenase enzyme activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Number of the tested microbial groups and dehydrogenase activity varied significantly depending on the cropping system and year of study, while sampling depth significantly affected enzyme activity. The highest number of microorganisms was obtained in non-agricultural soil and unfertilized soil under 2-year and 3-year rotation, while the highest dehydrogenase activity was recorded in non-agricultural soil and soil under wheat grown in monoculture.

Aim of the study was to examine the effects of soil use on soil microbial properties at five locations in Central Serbia. The study included 42 samples of soil under certified organic system, 8 samples under conventional system, and 30 samples of abandoned soils. The number of examined microbial groups was assessed using the indirect dilution method followed by plating of soil suspension on different selective media, while dehydrogenase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. The number and activity of microorganisms at the tested plots primarily depended on the soil pH. The acidic soil reaction caused more rapid fungal growth and lower presence of actinomycetes and Azotobacter sp. There were no significant alterations in the number of microorganisms, ammonifiers and fungi under the specific soil use system. Significantly higher dehydrogenase activity was recorded in the abandoned soils and soils under organic systems compared to the conventional farming.

In order to get a comprehensive overview of the effect of land use on soil physical properties, this study was conducted on the selected representative soil samples collected at the territory of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and included 6 types of soil present in this area. Undisturbed soil samples were taken from 61 localities, from the surface horizon (0 -30 cm) using the Kopetzky cylinders in three replications. The rate of water flow through soil was determined by the constant flow rate method. The velocities of water flow and filtration coefficients were calculated (K-Darcy), while statistical analysis confirmed a positive correlation between soil use and soil permeability. The results showed that soils used for agricultural production have lower permeability compared to soils in forests, meadows, and pastures.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of soil type and forage crops on the content of magnesium in soil and roughages, as well as forage quality regarding Mg content for the prevention of animal disease ‘tetany’. The trial was carried out on chernozem and humogley under alfalfa and red clover. Samples for determination of Mg content in plant and total Mg content in soil were digested using the apparatus Milestone Ethos 1. The content of Mg was determined using the apparatus ICP-OES Vista Pro-Axial Varian. The average total Mg content in soil of the tested sites was 0.64%. Total Mg content in chernozem was higher than in humogley. A higher total Mg content was in the deeper horizon. A significant positive correlation was found between total Mg content in soil and soil pH as well as the content of CaCO3. The average Mg content in forage crops was 0.28%. A higher Mg content in the dry matter was observed in crops grown on humogley. Mg content was significantly higher in red clover. There was no risk for the occurrence of animal disease ‘tetany’ regarding Mg content in crops, because the ratio K/(Ca+Mg) was below 2.2, and K and Mg content in the dry matter of crops was below the critical value. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31072: Stanje, tendencije i mogućnosti povećanja plodnosti poljoprivrednog zemljišta u Vojvodini]

A modified method for the analysis of nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron and prosulfuron was developed and validated by using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection in the ultraviolet region (HPLC-UV-DAD). The most important experimental parameters of extraction procedure and HPLC-UV-DAD technique were optimised in respect to those sulfonylurea herbicides. High recoveries of the microwave-assisted extraction were obtained by using a dichloromethane–acetonitrile mixture (2:1 volume ratio) acidified with acetic acid (0.8 vol.%) with the addition of urea. The mean recoveries at three spiking levels ranged from 97.47 to 98.76% for nicosulfuron, 97.88 to 99.17% for rimsulfuron and from 97.91 to 99.83% for prosulfuron. The limits of detection of nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron and prosulfuron were 0.95, 0.91 and 0.89 μg kg–1, respectively. The accuracy of the developed method was confirmed by HPLC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry parallel analyses. The developed method was used to investigate the dissipation dynamics of sulfonylurea herbicides in the real field trials in Vojvodina Province, Serbia. The obtained half-lives were 0.05, 0.23 and 0.15 days for recommended dose application of nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron and prosulfuron, respectively. Low residues and short half-life in soil suggested that the risk to sensitive rotational crops after application of those sulfonylurea herbicides is low when they are used in the appropriate dosages. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 31072]

The Tri Morave wine region is the largest wine growing region in Serbia with nine vineyard regions and a total surface area of 286,929.90 ha. It includes the areas around three big rivers in Central Serbia; the wide lower basin of the Zapadna Morava River, the lower basin of the Južna Morava River and the wider upper basin of the Velika Morava River. The unique terroir of this region is reflected in the diversity of altitudes and terrain inclination that gives it its specific character and recognition and provides an excellent basis for producing wines with geographical indication. The main goal of this paper is to present all of the essential elements of terroir in this region as well as their interaction and influence on grapevines and wine production.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of soil type and forage crops on the content of manganese (Mn) in roughages, and forage quality regarding Mn content. The trial was carried out on chernozem and humogley under alfalfa and red clover. Samples for determination of Mn content in plant and total Mn content in soil were digested using the apparatus Milestone Ethos 1 and for Mn determination on ICP-OES Vista Pro-Axial Varian. Average total Mn content in soil of the tested sites was 473.1 mg/kg. Total Mn content in chernozem was higher than in humogley. Average Mn content in forage crops was 28.7 mg/kg. Dry matter Mn content was lower in crops grown on humogley. Mn content was significantly higher in red clover. Significant positive correlation was found between total Mn content in soil and Mn content in crops. Mn concentration in crops was below critical and toxic value.

Field trial with yellow gentian was established (11.1 plants per m2) at 1004 m.a.s.l., in order to assess the effect of black PE (bPE), silver PE (sPE), and black permeable biodegradable (bPB) mulching films on the root yield and development during six years. The highest crop density measured prior to the root harvest (sixth year), was obtained in the plot with bPB film (84%), while in the plot with bPE and in control (without mulch) number of plants was reduced by 34.2% and 45%, respectively. In addition, application of the bPB film proved to be the most effective treatment; in the fifth and sixth year root yields per m2 increased by 92.3% and 106.0%, respectively, in comparison to bPE, and by 78.9% and 69.2%, respectively, in comparison to sPE, and by 184.4% and 169.6%, respectively, in comparison to control. Application of bPE had a lower positive effect on YG root yield than control (-18.6%-54.95%), whereas the effect of sPE was higher than the bPE and control; the achieved root yields were higher, 29.7% and 70.6%, respectively.

Aldrin, endrin and dieldrin are highly toxic and persistent cyclodiene-type organochlorine pesticides. Although these compounds have been banned over the last few decades in many countries, they can still be found in the environment, especially in the agricultural soil. In order to determine the residue levels of cyclodiene-type organochlorine pesticides in soils of Vojvodina Province, and to obtain detailed information on their spatial distribution, 1370 soil samples under different land uses were collected from Vojvodina Province and analyzed for the presence of aldrin, dieldrin and endrin. The residues of those pesticides were detectedin the soils of Vojvodina in measurable concentrations and dieldrin was the most dominant compound in the soil. However, the concentrations of analysed cyclodiene-type organochlorine pesticides in the most soil samples from Vojvodina province were lower than Dutch target valuesfor soil quality.Soil organic matter and clay content were found to be positively associated with aldrin content while clay content was found to be negatively associated with endrin. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31072: Status, trends and possibilities to increase the fertility of agricultural land in the Vojvodina Province]

This paper analyses the effects of the biochar application morphologi­cal traits in maize and soybean under semi-controlled conditions. During the study, the in­creasing doses of biochar (0%, 0.5%, 1, 3, and 5%) were incorporated in three soil types: Alluvium, Humogley and Chernozem to determine plant height and shoot weight. The ex­periment was set up as fully randomized design with three repetitions. The plants were grown in pots of 5 l with controlled watering and N fertilization. The research results have shown that there are differences in terms of biochar effects on soils. The greatest effect on plant height and shoot weight was obtained when the biochar was applied to Humogley soil and lower effects were found on the Alluvium soil. The increase in aboveground mass of maize and soybeans was significantly conditioned by adding different doses of biochar. Based on these results, it can be concluded that adding biochar can significantly affect the growth of plants. This is a consequence of the changes it causes in soil, which requires further tests to complement the current findings. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR031072 i br. TR031073]

The colloidal complex of soil consists of humus and clay, the most important acidoids which are able to create the bonds between oppositely charged ions (cations) through the forces strong enough to provide protection from leaching, and also weak enough to enable absorption through the plant root. This ability becomes more pronounced if the degree of dispersity is higher, i.e. if particles have smaller diameters. Total of 435 soil samples were collected from the surface horizon in 2011, for the purpose of soil fertility control in Vojvodina and prevention of its possible degradation in broader terms. This paper presents a part of study through selected representative soil samples, related to the research results of mechanical composition, basic chemical properties, and cation-exchange capacity in the most frequent types of soils in North Bačka and Banat (chernozem, fluvisol, semiglay, humoglay, solonchak, solonetz), due to the fact that soil fertility and its ecological function in environment protection largely depend on the studied properties. The average content of clay was 25.26%, ranging from 5.76 to 49.44%, the average content of humus was 3.10%, ranging between 1.02 and 4.30%, while the average value of CEC was 27.30 cmol/kg, ranging between 12.03 and 46.06 cmol/kg. Soils with higher content of clay and humus have greater cation-exchange capacity. According to the established average values of CEC in cmol/kg, the order of soil types is as follows: solonetz (40.06), semiglay (31.98), humoglay (30.98), solonchak (26.62), chernozem (22.72), and fluvisol (22.40). Research results have shown that cation-exchange capacity depends on clay fraction and humus content. Higher correlation coefficient between CEC and clay, compared to CEC and humus, indicates that clay content compared to humus content has greater effect on cation-exchange capacity.

The study deals with mineral characterization of natural waters from South-East Serbia. The contents of aluminium, arsenic, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, cooper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, nickel, lead and zinc were analysed in spring, ground and river waters by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) technique. The study area was in the Southern Serbia, and included slopes of Rtanj, Ozren, Bukovik, Vrdenik and Čemernik mountains, and the valley of South Morava. Obtained contents were compared with Serbian regulations on the quality of water for human use, and directive of World Health Organization (WHO) for maximum allowed concentrations of chemical substances. High contents of macro-elements, namely calcium, magnesium and potassium, were detected in several spring and ground water samples which are believed to be due to direct influence of rock minerals. Some water samples contained iron, manganese and copper in concentration up to 84.2 μg dm-3, 8.10 μg dm-3 and 14.9 μg dm-3, respectively, but within the permissible limits. Other heavy metals were not detected in analysed samples. Based on the derived results, tested ground and spring water samples have significant potential to be used as sources for the production of bottled water, but further investigations are necessary. Additional investigations have to be focused on complete physical, chemical and microbiological assessments of water resources. Systematic hydrogeological assessment also should be performed in all seasons. In the meantime, precautionary measures should be immediately taken to protect and preserve these water resources. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31014]

The concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the root and aboveground organs of three halophyte species (Salicornia europaea, Suaeda maritima and Salsola soda) as well as in the soil where they grew from maritime and inland saline areas were investigated. The aim of our research was to evaluate the capability of some halophyte species to absorb different cations and to find if there exists differentiation of salt accumulation between populations from inland and maritime saline areas. In five analyzed localities (Tivatska solila, Ulcinj salina, Slano Kopovo, Melenci, Okanj), external Na+ concentrations exceeded other investigated cations. Our investigated halophytes accumulate more Na+ than the Mg2+, Ca2+ and K+ and more cations were recorded in aboveground organs than in the root. Populations from maritime saline area generally had higher cation concentrations than plants from inland saline area. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173002]

Soil samples in disturbed state were taken in order to control fertility and monitor contents of harmful and hazardous substances in Vojvodina soils and possibilities of soil degradation in general. Moderately contaminated soils were selected for examination. Microbial activity in contaminated soil and the impact of harmful and hazardous substances (pesticides) on soil microorganisms were observed and most resistant microorganisms were isolated. Vegetation experiments were organized to study the effect of chelating agents EDTA and EDDS on copper adoption and translocation in rapeseed and sunflower. Importance of some ions in the complexation of copper chelators and their undesirable effects on copper uptake were established. Field trials were organized to study the effect of hydrogel on water uptakes by plants, increase in rate and the increase in rate of removal of hazardous and harmful substances from soil solution. At all phases of the project, we monitored the effectiveness of soil bioremediation soils by means of the application of chelating agents, stimulative preparations such as hydrogel and certain microorganisms. It effectiveness was measured in terms of plant growth rate and intensity in removal of hazardous and harmful substances from contaminated soil.

In order to establish the current status and assess the impact of agriculture in the area planned to be included into the envisaged environmental network, we analyzed the arable soil, pasture soil and sediments for the content of heavy metals. Out of a total 38 analyzed soil and sediment samples, only 2 were found to contain heavy metals in concentrations higher than the MAC for agriculture soil. An increased concentration of copper (189.1 mg/kg) was recorded in a sample of vineyard soil and increased nickel concentrations were recorded in one sample of pasture soil (60.9 mg/kg). Further research showed that the high Ni concentrations were of the geochemical origin, while the high Cu was of anthropogenic origin. Out of a total 10 sediment samples analyzed according to Dutch criteria for threshold values, increased concentrations of Cu and Zn were found in one sample, and high concentrations of Ni were found in 4 samples. At the same time, the heavy metal contents in the analyzed sediments were much below the anticipated remediation values.

Production of high-quality forage from alfalfa is influenced not only by the presence of nutrients, but also by the absence of harmful elements, such as heavy metals. The examination of the total heavy metals content (Ni, Cr, Pb and As) in gleyic chernozem soil of Srem loess terrace in Hrtkovci, under alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were carried out in 2011 in order to determine suitability for the production of safe forage. It total content of Pb, As and Crwas below the maximum permitted concentrations. The content of As, Cr and Ni was higher in the surface layer, unlike Pb, whose content was higher in the deeper layers of soil. A significant positive correlation was found between the total content of Ni, Cr and As. An increased concentration of Ni was found, which was above the maximum permitted concentration. It is necessary to further control its content and accessibility examination and extraction from plants, to prevent its entry into the food chain and provide safe food.

The paper presents the results of soil fertility analysis for different crop growing areas of Vojvodina, Serbia. The analysis was conducted on a total of 76,868 plowland samples, accounting for 87% of the total number of samples tested in a larger project. On average, the neutral soil reaction, which is the most favorable type of reaction for crop production, was found in one quarter of all samples in our study. The percentage of samples with such reaction ranged from 12.6% (northern Bačka) to 46.5% (northern Srem). Looking at the free CaCO3 content by area, the highest mean value (10.54%) and proportions of calcareous (30.6%) and highly calcareous (53.1%) samples were found in northern Bačka, while the lowest values of these parameters were recorded in northern Srem. When it comes to the soil humus content, all three areas of Srem were found to be mostly slightly humic, as according to our analysis they had between 72.1 and 83.3% of samples that were slightly humic and only a small proportion (16.2-27.3%) of samples that are characterized as humic. Considering the readily available phosphorus content in Vojvodina as a whole, our analysis has shown that only one third of the soils in the province have an optimum supply of this element. What is of concern is that a considerable proportion of our samples were determined to be either very poor (6.9%) or poor (15.5%) in phosphorus, while about 7% had harmful or toxic levels of this macronutrient. In the case of the levels of readily available potassium, the largest number of the samples had either an optimum or high supply of the element. The sum of such samples ranged from 77.4 to 94.1% depending on the area.

In this paper we investigated basic characteristics of gleyic soils of Banat and presented different interpretations and classification of these soils. Twelve profiles were analyzed to access their physical and chemical properties. Investigated humogley profiles were predominantly clayic with vertic properties and under different influence of groundwater. Most of these soils we classified in Vertisols, but some of them we considered as Gleysols or Chernozems RSG (reference soil group). Eugley was under stronger influence by groundwater than humogley and showed textural uniformity, less clay content and notably higher average content of CaCO3. Eugley profiles we classified in Gleysols RSG. Every new analyzed soil profile has to be considered in particular regarding its diagnostic horizons, properties and materials and cannot be transferred from actual national classification to RSG by default.

In view of the topicality of the subject of soil protection from degradation, the paper discusses some basic considerations concerning soil genesis, pedogenetic processes, and soil degradation caused by human activity in Serbia. It can be said that at present the main processes connected with soil loss and soil degradation in Serbia are as follows: 1) change in the intended use of the soil (soil loss and damage due to industrial, mining, and power-producing activities) 2) loss of soil organic matter, 3) acidification and salinization of soil, 4) different forms of soil contaminations (as a result of the excessive use of agrochemicals, heavy metals, industrial pollution, etc.), 5) aeolian and water erosion, and 6) compaction and other types of physical degradation of agricultural soil. The most important aspects of soil protection from degradation are preventive measures, the identification of potential dangers, and the finding of ways to overcome them. Only usage of systematic monitoring of soil quality and other tools provide proper results in the protection of the soil from degradation.

Soil profiles have been dug in locations registered in a soil map of Vojvodina Province as solonchaks in order to assess the microbial activity down the soil profile. Unfavourable physical and chemical properties of the studied solonchak and solonetz soils (such as increased salt content, high pH, low humus content) significantly affected their microbial properties. Solonchak soils are characterized by an exceptionally low microbial activity and high numbers of certain groups of microorganisms in the saline surface horizon. Number of microorganisms and dehydrogenase activity improved with depth, to achieve highest values in the transitional BC horizon at the average depth of 60 cm, which can be associated with soil chemical properties becoming favorable for microbial organisms. High numbers of microbes were recorded only for the average number of actinomycetes, which is an indicator of alkaline environment. The number of actinomycetes declined with soil profile depth. .

The study presented in this paper deals with heavy metals content in vineyard soils from 44 individual producers' lots from Vojvodina province, as well as detailed analyses of heavy metals content in vineyards from 3 sites (Sremski Karlovci, Banoštor and Vršac) in comparison with the control sample. Vojvodinian vineyard soils are generally not contaminated with heavy metals, with the exception of copper due to long-term intensive application of copper-based fungicide. In soil of 44 small vineyards, local contamination with Cr and Zn was found on one locality each, and geochemical origin Ni content higher than MAC in 9 samples from Fruška gora. Based on the second part of this study, content of all heavy metals, excluding Cu, was below MAC. However, in comparison to control sample, the content of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb was higher in vineyard soils at due to antropogenic influence and application of agro-chemicals. The highest concentration of Cu 336 mg kg-1 was noted in Petrovaradin in surface layer of soil, which is three times the value of MAC (100 mg kg-1). Out of total 226 analysed samples from all depths, 44 samples exceeded MAC value. It is especially unfavourable that 23 % of all analysed vineyard soils surface layers are in critical concentration zone (>60 mg kg-1) and 33 % exceed MAC, which shows that more than half of analysed Vojvodina vineyards are in need of monitoring, risk assessment and reduction of copper-based chemicals application. .

Different modes of hydrogel application were tested on yield and yield components in production of early cabbage on chernozem soil at Rimski Šančevi. Also, its effect on soil chemical properties, soil water-physical features and soil microbiological activity were observed. There were four variants in this trial: control - without hydrogel, gel - swelled hydrogel incorporated into planting holes, dust - dry hydrogel dust incorporated into planting holes, dust - dry hydrogel dust scattered on soil surface in bands and incorporated. As for the observed features (whole plant weight, head diameter and cabbage yield) statistically significant differences were found between gel and other variants. The highest yield was with gel (55.85 t ha-1) and lowest with bands (39.78 t ha-1). Cabbage yield in gel variant is higher than in control by 18.98%. Yield was insignificantly decreased (1.02%) in dust variant incorporated into planting holes as compared to control. Application of hydrogel did not significantly impact soil properties nor distribution of tested groups of microorganisms and activity of dehydrogenase enzymes. .

Levels of heavy metals Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb obtained by analysis of inorganic and organic fertilizers available on the Serbian market are discussed in this paper. The first estimation of the heavy metal input in soils due to use of phosphate fertilizers is also given. The heavy metal contents of all analysed inorganic fertilizers were below the MAC according to the current Serbian regulations. Elevated concentrations of Ni were detected in two and a high Cr concentration in one sample of the substrates. The average (theoretical) heavy metal input in Serbian soils was calculated based on the application of 20 kg ha-1 P2O5 per year. The calculated heavy metal input was lower than European average and it is similar to the inputs recorded in Finland and Denmark. .

An analysis of over 77,000 samples of plowland in AP Vojvodina indicated that 39% of the samples belong to the category of low humus soils with the organic matter content ranging from 1% to 3%. The category of soils well provided with humus (3% to 5%) included 60% of the analyzed plowland of Vojvodina. The obtained results are in contradiction with the natural potential of high quality land of Vojvodina and they are consequence of inadequate agricultural practices, insufficient application of organic fertilizers, excessive removal and burning of harvest residues. Organic matter content in Vojvodina soils is under strong anthropogenic influence, and it is not advisable to remove harvest residues and use them as biomass without prior soil analysis. Based on the analysis of organic matter content in agricultural soils in individual municipalities of AP Vojvodina, it is feasible to select locations with quality soils, where it would be possible to construct plants for energy production from harvest residues, while securing minimum transportation costs and preserving the soil quality.