Title: In situ evaluation of autochthonous pear (Pyrus communis L.) genotypes grown in the central and southwest Serbia region

Authors: Slađana Marić, Ivana Glišić, Nebojša Milošević, Jelena Tomić, Mira Milinković, Sanja Radičević, Milena Đorđević

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Abstract: This study presents the results of in situ evaluation of the main biological properties in 15 traditional pear cultivars and landraces grown in the regions of central and southwest Serbia. The assessed properties of these genotypes include: phenological properties (flowering phenophase and harvest maturity), pomological properties (physical, chemical – including bioactive compounds, and organoleptic) and field resistance to causal agents of diseases (pear scab and fire blight). The earliest onset of flowering was recorded in ‘Vodenjaja’ (April 02nd) and the latest in ‘Kantaruša’ (April 21st), with a 19-day interval between them. In terms of harvest maturity, the genotypes were classified into groups ranging from extremely early (‘Beli Mednjak’ – July 23rd) to late (‘Kantaruša’ and ‘Takiša’, both October 05th). The highest fruit weight was recorded in ‘Kantaruša’ (364.86 g), while the lowest was in ‘Takiša’ (20.49 g). The cultivar ‘Takiša’ exhibited the best fruit quality among the assessed genotypes, as determined by its chemical composition (soluble solids – 14.85%; total sugars – 10.33%). Regarding bioactive compounds, ‘Kantaruša’ was characterized by the highest values for total phenols (174.50 mg GAE 100 g-1 FW), antioxidant activity (70.97%) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (358.10 mmol TE 100 g-1 FW). The highest total anthocyanin content was found in ‘Lubeničarka’ (2.71 mg C3G 100 g-1 FW). All studied genotypes showed field resistance to fire blight, and most of them exhibited resistance to pear scab. Thus, Serbian pear genotypes appear to possess valuable traits that offer significant potential for use in future breeding programmes and production with reduced chemical inputs.

Key words: Malus domestica, yield, quality, training system

Title: The ‘Valjevka’ plum cultivar: key performance in the growing conditions of Troyan region

Authors: Boryana Stefanova, Georgi Popski, Aleksandar Leposavić, Petko Minkov

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Abstract: The study targeted to assess major phenological and agronomic traits such as flowering and fruit ripening time, as well as the yield and main characteristics of the fruit from three plum cultivars: ‘Valjevka’, ‘Kystendilska’ and ‘Stanley’. The research was conducted at the experimental plum plantation at the Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture in Troyan over 2019– 2022. This study aimed to compare the ‘Valjevka’ with the two cultivars mentioned above, which are widely used in plum production in Bulgaria. Among the cultivars studied, ‘Valjevka’ showed the earliest and ‘Kystendilska’ the latest flowering and ripening times. Cultivar ‘Stanley’ was characterized by the highest values of yield, fruit morphological and fruit chemical properties, while ‘Valjevka’ surpassed ‘Kystendilska’ in terms of the values of the mentioned properties. The variations in the onset of the flowering phenophase were more pronounced between the individual experimental years than between the cultivars. Additionally, the yield and morphometric characteristics of the fruit varied significantly within the same cultivar, depending on the growing conditions of each experimental year. Based on the obtained results, the cultivar ‘Valjevka’ can be recommended for commercial growing in the Troyan region.

Key words: Pyrus communis L., indigenous cultivar, landrace, fruit quality, resistance

Title: MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND QUALITATIVE INDICATORS OF ‘OBLAČINSKA’ AND EUROPEAN GROUND CHERRY GENOTYPES’ POTENTIAL AS SWEET CHERRY ROOTSTOCKS

Authors: Tijana Narandžić, Mirjana Ljubojević, Jelena Čukanović, Milica Grubač, Magdalena Pušić Devai, Maja Milović, Goran Barać

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Abstract: The challenges posed by climate change to cherry growers, coupled with the demand for environmentally sustainable and economically feasible production, have shifted attention towards indigenous plant genetic resources. These resources are being explored to select adaptable, low-vigor genotypes for establishing modern high-density orchards. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological variability and production quality of 27 potentially low-vigor rootstock candidates for sour and sweet cherry, selected from the germplasm of Prunus cerasus L. ecovar. ‘Oblačinska’ and Prunus fruticosa Pall. (European ground cherry). Morphological characterization of the genotypes, along with the analysis of uniformity, anchorage strength, and suckering tendency after grafting, revealed a high level of variability. Vigor ranged from extremely weak to strong. All three habitus types were identified within both species. The density of branching ranged from very sparse to very dense. In addition to plant characteristics, significant diversity was confirmed by substantial variation in the quantitative and qualitative attributes of the leaves. The dominant leaf blade shape was elliptical. Leaf blade length varied from 39.88 mm in ‘PF_06_15’ to 87.08 mm in ‘PC_06_03’, while leaf blade width ranged from 18.32 mm in ‘PF_06_15’ to 50.08 mm in ‘PC_04/1_01’. A satisfactory level of uniformity was observed in plants grafted onto most of the candidates. Among all candidates, 26% exhibited good, 59% very good, and 15% excellent anchorage strength. The majority of the rootstock candidates (52%) formed a small number of suckers, while 15% exhibited moderate suckering tendency.

Key words: adaptability, autochthonous ger m plasm, ‘Oblačinska’ sour cherry, breeding, Prunus cerasus L., Prunus fruticosa Pall., low-vigorous rootstocks, selection, European ground cherry, sweet cherry

Title: Fruit and cold-pressed oil characteristics of some walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars

Authors: Radmila Ilić, Gorica Paunović, Mirjana Radovanović, Ivan Glišić, Tomo Milošević, Katarina Jevremović

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Abstract: This study examines the morphometric (fruit dimensions and weight, kernel weight, and yield) and sensory (color of the shell, surface texture of the shell, breakage of the shell, color of the kernel, fullness of the kernel, and ease of kernel removal) characteristics of fruit, as well as coldpressed oil content and sensory characteristics (color, smell, and taste) of eight walnut cultivars (‘Chandler’, ‘Pieral Lara’, ‘Tulare’, ‘Champion’, ‘Rasna’, ‘Cheinovo’, ‘Geisenheim 139’, and ‘Ovčar’) in the Stalać region. Significant variability was observed among the cultivars regarding the investigated fruit morphometric parameters and oil content. Cultivars such as ‘Champion’, ‘Pieral Lara’, and ‘Tulare’ exhibited the highest fruit weights (15.13 g, 15.02 g, and 14.54 g, respectively). Additionally, the ‘Tulare’ cultivar exhibited the highest kernel weight (7.81 g) and kernel yield (53.88%), while ‘Geisenheim 139’ had the highest oil content (68.17%). Based on the results of the sensory analysis, the cold-pressed oils of the investigated walnut cultivars were categorized into the following quality groups: i) oils of medium quality (‘Rasna’ and ‘Cheinovo’); ii) oils of good quality (‘Tulare’, ‘Geisenheim 139’, and ‘Ovčar’); iii) oils of excellent quality (‘Chandler’, ‘Pieral Lara’, and ‘Champion’). These findings highlight the potential for optimizing walnut production through the selection of cultivars with desirable traits, contributing to improved yields and high-quality oil production.

Key words: walnut, cultivar, kernel, oil, morphometric and sensory traits.

Title: CHALLENGES IN THE MODERN PROTECTION OF FRUIT TREES AND VINES

Authors: Novica Miletić, Nenad Tamaš, Marko Sretenović

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Abstract: Overall, plant production represents a global challenge for human activity. It is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of food to feed humans and domestic ani mals. Along the way, agricultural producers are confronted with numerous complicating factors that limit their production. These factors can be of an administrative and economic nature and are mainly related to the ban on numerous pesticides. On the other hand, the production of fruit, grapes and other crops is becoming increasingly difficult due to global changes in climatic conditions. Climate change has a major impact on changes in the technology of cultivation and protection of fruit trees and vines. Another important limiting factor is the constant occurrence of plant diseases and pests. Depending on the plant species and the conditions for the development of biological pathogens, the damage in fruit growing can be greater than in arable farming, as it is a perennial crop.

Key words: protection of fruit trees and vines, limiting factors, control measures