Contemporary Agriculture Feed

Phenotypic Correlations Between External Egg Quality Traits in Native Ducks and Geese

Mon, 03 Dec 2029 00:00:00 GMT

The aim of this research was to evaluate the phenotypic correlations between external egg quality traits in native duck and goose populations reared in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the native ducks considered, the average egg weight, shape index, shell weight, shell ratio, and shell thickness were 75.21 g, 70.84%, 6.47 g, 8.61%, and 0.34 mm, respectively. In the native geese considered, these traits averaged 163.31 g, 64.34%, 18.21 g, 11.20%, and 0.58 mm, respectively. The correlation analysis revealed that the egg weight was significantly and positively associated with the geometric mean diameter and shell weight in both species (p < 0.05), whereas its correlations with the shape index and sphericity were non-significant (p > 0.05). Moreover, the shape index was significantly and positively correlated with the sphericity (p < 0.05), while both traits exhibited non-significant and negative correlations with the shell weight, shell ratio, and shell thickness (p > 0.05). The shell thickness was significantly and positively correlated with the shell weight and shell ratio in both species (p < 0.05), but largely independent of geometric traits, except in the ducks, where a positive association with the geometric mean diameter was observed. The shell density showed no significant correlation with the egg weight in either species (p < 0.05), whereas the egg weight was significantly positively correlated with the shell weight per unit surface area in the ducks (p < 0.05). These results indicate that geometric traits primarily determine egg weight, while shell quality traits are partially independent of egg size. The findings provide valuable data on the external egg quality traits and their interrelationships in the native ducks and geese considered, offering useful insights for the selection and improvement of their productive traits, particularly within small-scale and extensive poultry systems.

Phenology and Morphometric Parameters of Spiraea cantoniensis Lour. as Indicators of Climate Change in Urban Ecosystems

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The identification of phenological patterns and morphological changes in Spiraea cantoniensis Lour. in urban ecosystems is essential for the optimal selection of taxa. Given that changes in vegetation dynamics are strongly associated with variability in climatic patterns, this study employed the extended BBCH scale, accumulated heat sums, and circular statistical methods to analyse phenological patterns, together with morphometric analyses of inflorescences, flowers, and fruits. The results indicate that extreme climatic events influenced the flowering and fruiting phenophases, with the accumulated heat sums emerging as a more significant predictor than the day of the year. In this research, the year factor affected the occurrence of secondary and tertiary flowering at the end of May and at the end of July 2024. It is noteworthy that in urban landscape phenology, Spiraea cantoniensis exerts a dominant influence at the beginning of April, while from mid-April Spiraea × vanhouttei (Briot) Carrière assumes dominance within the same composition. For the first time, this study defines the diameters of inflorescences, the number of flowers per inflorescence, the occurrence of flowers with six petals (38%), the diameters of individual fruits, the number of fruits per infructescence, and the number of seeds per fruit. Our study confirms that the phenological and morphological changes of Reeve’s spiraea are influenced by the year factor, i.e. climatic conditions, and highlights the need for continued research in the coming years. Monitoring and documenting the phenological and morphological characteristics of Spiraea cantoniensis are essential for assessing the impacts of climate change on its ecological functioning and the potential risks to the sustainable development of urban ecosystems, as well as for evaluating its potential as an indicator of climate change.

Histopathological Characteristics of Milk Calcification in the Udder of Dairy Cows

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Milk calcification within mammary acini is an uncommon histopathological finding in dairy cows, potentially affecting glandular function and milk quality. This study aimed to characterize milk calcification in udder quarters of cows removed from production. A total of 104 mammary complexes from 26 cows were examined. Ultrasonography revealed normal parenchymal appearance in all quarters, while histopathology detected calcifications in a substantial proportion of samples. Milk calcification was classified as mild, moderate or severe, ranging from small isolated deposits to massive lumen-filling mineralized masses with epithelial degeneration. Mean somatic cell count (SCC) increased with calcification severity, suggesting a link with the local inflammatory response. The findings indicate that milk calcification may remain undetected by ultrasonography, yet represents a significant pathological alteration in the mammary gland. Histopathological evaluation is essential for accurate assessment of udder health and for understanding the potential impact of mineralized deposits on milk production.

Use Of Restaurant Food Waste And Other Organic Waste In Feeding Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens): A Review

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Food waste and organic waste in general have become significant global challenges. This review aims to provide insight into how black soldier fly larvae can contribute to addressing this problem. These larvae have shown the ability to thrive on organic waste and convert it into useful products, such as animal feed, biodiesel, frass (which is a valuable fertilizer), and chitin. These products support the principles of circular economy. The review also examines legislative barriers that limit the use of these insects in tackling this challenge. With appropriate regulatory support and infrastructure, black soldier flies can contribute to sustainable food and organic waste management as well as resource recovery.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Fruška Gora Quince Cultivars Based on SSR Markers

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is a well-known pome fruit species, primarily used for the production of jams and marmalades as well as for pear rootstocks. It has long been cultivated in Serbia at various locations and it possesses vast genetic variability. The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity of 36 genotypes collected from the Fruška Gora locality. Seven SSR markers were used for genetic diversity analyses, revealing a total of 85.7 % polymorphic loci. Six of them were polymorphic, while marker Hi02d04 was homozygous. A total of 20 alleles were recorded, with an average number of alleles per marker of Na = 1.58. The number of effective alleles was Ne = 1.4, observed heterozygosity was Ho = 0.34, while expected heterozygosity was He = 0.22. Principle coordinates analyses (PCoA) explained 74.60% of total diversity with its 3 coordinates and formed 4 different groups of genotypes. The dendrogram constructed with the UPGMA method placed genotypes in 3 different clusters, with variation observed within clusters. The use of SSR markers revealed significant differences between the tested genotypes, providing a closer insight into the state of the genetic resources of this pome species in our country.

Timing of Primary Soil Tillage as a Determinant of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Productivity

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Timing of primary soil tillage is a key agronomic practice influencing soybean (Glycine max L.) yield and seed quality. Soil physical properties, root development, and nutrient availability are affected by tillage timing, which can interact with cultivar characteristics and environmental conditions. A field experiment was conducted over two growing seasons (2023–2024) near Bačka Topola. Three tillage timings (autumn, winter, spring) and three soybean cultivars (‘NS Atlas’, ‘NS Hogar’, ‘Rubin’) were tested in a three-factorial design with three replications. Grain yield and thousand-seed weight were measured at harvest. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the main effects and interactions of year, cultivar, and tillage timing. Tillage timing significantly affected both grain yield and thousand-seed weight. Autumn tillage consistently produced the highest yield and heaviest seeds, while spring tillage resulted in the lowest values. Cultivar differences were present, with Rubin performing best, but the effect of tillage timing was more pronounced. Interactions between the year, cultivar, and tillage timing highlighted the influence of environmental conditions on yield formation. Timely primary tillage, particularly in autumn, enhances soil structure, root development, and water-nutrient use efficiency, leading to higher yields and improved seed quality. Optimal tillage timing, combined with cultivar selection, is essential for achieving stable and high soybean production under variable agroecological conditions.

A Review of Treatment Wetland Typologies for Wastewater Treatment in Mitigating Freshwater Scarcity

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The demand for freshwater continues to increase due to expanding agricultural activities, population growth, industrialization, and climate change-induced droughts. These challenges are further exacerbated by the indiscriminate discharge of untreated wastewater into surface water bodies, leading to the degradation of freshwater resources. Wastewater reuse for irrigation and environmental applications represents a sustainable approach to alleviating freshwater scarcity. However, its implementation is constrained by technical, regulatory, and safety considerations. This review synthesizes current research on wastewater treatment strategies, with a particular focus on treatment wetland systems integrated with complementary technologies such as biofilters, bioreactors, filtration processes, and trophic ponds. The performance of these combined systems in improving effluent quality and enabling safe reuse is critically evaluated. The findings indicate that hybrid treatment approaches can substantially enhance contaminant removal efficiency and improve water quality for reuse. Among the examined methods, the combination of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation with the highlighted disinfection techniques is identified as a promising step for achieving high levels of wastewater decontamination.

Variability of Cucurbita spp. Fruit Nutritional Quality and Yield

Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This study aimed to investigate the inter- and intra-species variability in squashes and pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima, and Cucurbita pepo), with respect to fruit flesh nutritional quality parameters (contents of dry weight, sugar, protein, carotenoid and total soluble solids, refractive index, and flesh juice pH) and agronomic yield (fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, and yield per plant). The study included a total of thirty phenotypically divergent Cucurbita spp. genotypes cultivated over two consecutive growing seasons (2021 and 2022). Significant differences were observed among the species and genotypes regarding all the analyzed parameters, except for the fruit flesh juice pH. The greatest variability was detected for the carotenoid content (45.2, 11.1, and 6.5 mg/kg fresh weight for C. maxima, moschata, and pepo, respectively) and fruit weight (7.6, 4.0, and 2.5 kg for C. maxima, pepo, and moschata, respectively). The seasonal variation was most pronounced in C. moschata, indicating its comparatively low tolerance to heat stress. The highest values for the investigated parameters of both nutritional quality (dry weight 16.5%, sugar content 25.5 mg/g fresh weight, protein content 4.1 mg/g fresh weight, and total soluble solids content 8.1 °Brix) and agronomic yield (20.6 kg per plant) were noted in C. maxima, which is therefore suggested as the best raw material for the production of pumpkin-based food and feed. The investigated parameters varied in the other two species as well, suggesting the potential for improvements through breeding and applicability for similar purposes. This study highlights the importance of raw material quality for nutrient extraction from Cucurbita spp. fruits. Effective cooperation between plant breeders and food technology engineers is essential to deliver high-quality pumpkin-based products while optimizing production and processing costs.

Removal Efficiency of Physicochemical and Microbial Pollutants in Wastewater Using Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Constructed wetlands are decentralized systems for treating wastewater (WW), yet there is still a wide knowledge gap regarding the potential of some indigenous macrophytes. In this study, two indigenous macrophytes, Eragrostis curvula (EC) and Paspalum dilatatum (PD), were evaluated for treating municipal wastewater using Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland (VFCW) with shea nut shell biochar (BCH) as a substrate enhancer. EC was represented by two units (ECWW and ECBCH), while PDWW and PDBCH represented the wetlands planted with PD. A hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5 days was observed with a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 24 mm/day. The highest removal efficiencies for physicochemical and microbial parameters were as follows: Total Suspended Solids (TSS) – 94.93±8.43%, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – 37.68±16.17%, Turbidity – 100±2.47%, Salinity – 60.39±7.86%, Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) – 91.81±13.96%, Electrical Conductivity (EC) – 41.75±7.17%, Nitrite (NO2-N) – 100±26.78%, Nitrate (NO3-N) – 100±0%, Ammonium (NH4-N) – 92.17±4.78%, Faecal Coliform (FC) – 100±9.03%, and Total Coliform (TC) – 98.71±13.55%. Plant height and number of leaves showed that EC was better established than PD. The HYDRUS-1D software was used to validate the porous media parameters and it was concluded that the retention capacities of the constructed wetlands were optimal, with flow occurring from the residual water content region to saturated water content region. The measured shape factors α (0.438m-1), θ (1.0) and n (2.063) produced a Python-fitted curve comparable to the validation curve obtained from the HYDRUS-1D model.

Optimized Initial Moisture Content Enhances Microbial Biomass and Nutrient Cycling During Aerobic Composting of Corn Straw and Cow Manure

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Optimizing the initial moisture content during composting is an important phenomenon for promoting microbial processes and nutrient dynamics in compost. Therefore, a study was carried out at Gansu Agricultural University, China (36°02′N, 104°25′E; 2400 m a.s.l.) to assess how an initially optimized moisture content (45% MC = MC1, 55% MC = MC2 and 65% MC = MC3) affects the decomposition of corn straw and cow manure mixture in a bioreactor system during winter. The results obtained show that all treatments, except MC1, entered the thermophilic phase (>50 °C) on day 3, with peak temperatures observed on day 7 for 55% MC (57.8 °C), day 9 for 45% MC (51.5 °C), and day 11 for 65% MC (56.7 °C). Despite the initial differences in moisture, the electrical conductivity (EC) values stabilized in the final phase of composting and were between 2.96 and 3.01 mS/cm for all treatments. The 65% MC outperformed the other treatments in microbial metrics. It had the highest microbial biomass carbon (MBC =254.81 mg/kg) and nitrogen (MBN = 26.38 mg/kg), corresponding to 6.7% and 6.9% increases over the 55% MC, and 14.8% and 26.4% over the 45% MC, respectively. The dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) content followed the trend 21.2 mg/g (MC3) > 19.6 mg/g (MC2) > 14.4 mg/g (MC1), with MC3 showing an increase of 47.2% and 8.2% over the MC1 and MC2, respectively. The total phosphorus (TP) content increased by 14.9%, 27.4%, and 35.2% for 45% MC, 55% MC, and 65% MC, respectively, compared to the baseline values. The extent of moisture loss was inversely proportional to the initial moisture content, with MC1 (44%) showing the highest losses, while MC3 showed the lowest (23.4%). These results suggest that optimizing the initial moisture content of corn straw and cow manure mixture to 65% significantly improved the stimulation of microbial biomass, nutrient retention and overall quality of the compost.

Determinants and Patterns of Women’s Participation in Agricultural Value Chains for Gender-Inclusive Agricultural Growth: Evidence from Gumel Metropolis, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This study examines the determinants of women’s participation in agricultural value chain (AVC) activities in the study area, focusing on both the extent (range of activities) and the level (depth) of their involvement. Using a mixed-methods approach, the analysis is based on data collected from women with a mean age of 31 years and an average household size of four members, predominantly single or married, with secondary-level education and an average of 12 years of agricultural experience. A significant majority reported a lack of access to credit and agricultural extension services. The study revealed an overall moderate extent of participation, with a mean Extent of Participation Index (EPI) of 0.39, and 53.3% of respondents engaged in 3-5 downstream activities like processing, marketing and livestock farming. Participation depth was low (mean LPI 0.29), with 65.3% dedicating few working days, revealing a gap between diversification and commitment. Regression showed experience, education, credit, and extension access positively increased extent, while marital status and household size were negative. Comparative analysis using both t-test (148) = -0.024, p = 0.981, and the Mann-Whitney U test (U = 2381.00, p = 0.787) showed credit access alone did not significantly increase participation depth, proving finance is insufficient without human capital. The quantitative findings are contextualized by perceived factors: respondents identified education and training, credit access, land rights, restrictive beliefs, fear of failure, and domestic burdens as major barriers. Conclusively, improving women’s participation in AVC to ensure gender-inclusive agricultural growth requires integrated policies that move beyond land and credit, and instead address human capital, gender-sensitive extension, and socio-cultural transformation.

Effects of Resveratrol and Epicatechin on Oxidative Damage and Bacterial Contamination in Boar Semen Following Short-Term Storage

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of natural polyphenols, resveratrol (RES) and epicatechin (EPI), on the oxidative balance, bacterial contamination and functionality of boar spermatozoa during short-term storage at 4 °C. Both biomolecules exhibit strong antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Semen samples were collected from 15 adult Duroc boars and diluted in the Androhep Plus extender enriched with varying concentrations of RES or EPI (10, 25 and 50 µM). Selected parameters, including motility, mitochondrial activity, DNA fragmentation, protein oxidation (PO), lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed after 24, 48 and 72 h. Exposure to 10 and 25 µM of RES significantly preserved motility (P<0.0001), increased mitochondrial function (P<0.0001), acrosome integrity (P<0.0001), and reduced the generation of ROS (P<0.0001), superoxide radicals (P<0.001, P<0.01) and LPO (P<0.001) after 24-72 h compared to the untreated control. In contrast, 50 µM of RES significantly decreased sperm motility (P<0.0001), membrane integrity (P<0.001), acrosome integrity (P<0.0001) as well as microbial growth (P<0.01). Following EPI treatment, 25 and 50 µM concentrations significantly preserved motility (P<0.0001), reduced ROS (P<0.0001; P<0.001), LPO (P<0.001) and superoxide production (P<0.001; P<0.01) compared to the control. Mitochondrial activity (P<0.0001), acrosome integrity (P<0.0001; P<0.001) and membrane integrity (P<0.0001) significantly increased in the groups enriched with 25 or 50 µM of EPI after 24-72 h. Furthermore, a significant decline (P<0.05) in microbial growth was observed in the group with the highest dose of EPI compared to the untreated group. Our findings suggest that RES and EPI may improve the quality of extended boar spermatozoa and exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, the application of both biomolecules depends on the dose and the duration of exposure.

Grey Mold and Alternaria Fruit Rot: Postharvest Diseases of Pepper and Tomato

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Pepper and tomato are two of the most important vegetable crops in Serbia. Postharvest diseases affecting these crops can cause substantial losses, especially in Mediterranean and dry temperate regions. With the progression of climate change, the impact of these diseases is expected to increase under local agroecological conditions. This paper is a review of the two most prominent fungal species responsible for postharvest diseases in pepper and tomato: Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata.

Forest Regeneration and Tree Damage – How to Assess the Impact of Wild Ungulates?

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Abundance of large game in Serbia is currently below the habitat’s potential, mostly due to negative anthropogenic factors. For this reason, fenced hunting grounds, commonly established in forests, serve as important habitats for the management of wild ungulates. Fenced hunting grounds are usually run by profit-oriented state forest enterprises, where game management is based on economic carrying capacity, requiring higher population densities. Such practices directly affect forest management, due to more frequent tree damage caused by wild ungulates. In order to provide a sustainable solution which would be acceptable to both foresters and wildlife managers, it is necessary to accurately estimate the impact of game species on forest regeneration. In this study, we propose an innovative research design for the Republic of Serbia, which is based on the use of both traditional and novel methods. Research was conducted in the fenced hunting grounds “Plavna” and “Ristovača”, both managed by the State enterprise “Vojvodinašume” during the period from autumn 2023 to summer 2024. In each hunting ground, two sample plots of the same size (9 x 9 m) were established next to each other, one fenced and one non-fenced, and monitored with trap cameras. In “Plavna”, the sample plots were in a poplar regeneration area, where the main game species are Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.), while in “Ristovača”, the sample plots were located in an oak stand, where Fallow Deer (Dama dama L.) and Wild Boar are managed. Results indicate a significant difference between the number of seedlings and the extent of damage between fenced and non-fenced sample plots in both locations, as well as the presence of all three wild ungulate species recorded on trap cameras. However, game activities varied from browsing to passing by the sample plots. The obtained findings indicate the advantages of the applied methodology and provide useful information for estimating forest damage on large areas.

Machine Learning Approaches for Forecasting Raspberry Prices and Farm Profitability in Serbia

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Price volatility and uncertain profitability remain critical challenges for Serbia’s raspberry sector, which is among the largest in the world and highly dependent on export markets. This study develops and evaluates machine learning (ML) approaches for forecasting raspberry prices and profitability, using farm-level production and economic data collected between 2020 and 2024. Several models, including multiple linear regression, random forest, gradient boosting, and long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks, were trained and validated on historical data incorporating yields, input costs, prices, and cultivar characteristics. Forecast accuracy was assessed using mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). The results indicate that ensemble methods (random forest and gradient boosting) provided the most robust short-term price forecasts, whereas the LSTM achieved superior performance in capturing non-linear dynamics and seasonal fluctuations. The profitability predictions revealed that family labor costs and price variability were the strongest explanatory factors associated with the gross margin risk. Overall, the findings demonstrate that machine learning offers a valuable tool for anticipating market outcomes and managing economic risk in export-oriented horticulture. By integrating predictive analytics into farm-level and policy decision-making, Serbia’s raspberry producers can improve planning, stabilize income, and strengthen competitiveness in volatile international markets.

Integrated Crop Pest Management Practices: A Classification Based on a Rapid Review of International and Canadian Literature

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Crops are vulnerable to weeds, fungi, insects, nematodes, rodents and diseases. To address these threats rapidly, farmers tend to adopt a curative approach based on the use of synthetic pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides) rather than a preventive approach without pesticides. This reliance on pesticides poses risks to human health, the environment, and wildlife, including pollinators such as bees and bats. Reducing pesticide use has thus become an important societal and political objective worldwide. In Canada, the Government of Quebec’s Sustainable Agriculture Plan (PAD) 2020–2030 promotes, as its first objective, the adoption of alternative practices aimed at reducing pesticide sales by 500,000 kilograms by 2030 and decreasing health and environmental risks by 40%. This article takes stock of alternative practices of synthetic pesticides use in the literature in Canada and internationally from the perspective of Integrated Crop Pest Management (ICPM) stages and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food of Quebec (MAFFQ) typology1, to see which ones could possibly be used in Quebec. To do this, we used the “Rapid Review” method of the literature based on the exploitation of 71 scientific references. The findings indicate that countries with agroeconomic conditions comparable to those of Canada are adopting alternative and good agricultural practices, as well as physical, mechanical, biological, and biotechnical control methods; however, pesticide use often persists alongside these approaches. While practices belonging to the prevention and intervention stages through physical, mechanical, biological, and chemical control appear to be highly adopted by producers, practices belonging to the pest knowledge, monitoring, evaluation, and feedback stages appear to be poorly adopted by producers. The authors recommend improving access to information on crop pests and ICPM practices, along with enhancing farmers’ awareness of the economic, health, and environmental risks associated with pesticide use. Future research should focus on classifying and analyzing ICPM practices by stage to support the development of public policy recommendations tailored to each stage, particularly regarding incentives and barriers to adoption, as well as their impacts on producers.

Ecosystem Services of Blackthorn: Effects of Harvesting Time on the Functional Extraction of Polyphenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The objective of this study was to examine the potential ecosystem services of Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) in view of its traditional importance as a source of food and medicine. Fruits were sampled from a suburban population in the southwestern part of Belgrade at three time points: after ripening in late summer, in early winter, and in early spring. Using spectrophotometric methods and ethanol and distilled water as solvents, the contents of polyphenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity were determined. To assess the influence of the harvesting period, the results were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD and LS Means tests, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and confidence interval models. The biochemical composition of the fruits was shown to depend on the time of harvest, as confirmed by the statistically significant differences between the sampling periods for all the parameters except anthocyanins. In all the sampling periods, the ethanolic extracts exhibited higher values of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity compared to the aqueous extracts. Early spring and early winter were identified as the most suitable harvesting times, as the strongest antioxidant activity measured by the FRAP test was recorded in the third period, and by the DPPH and ABTS tests in the second period. This study makes a significant contribution by confirming that the harvest time does not affect the anthocyanin content, thus highlighting the commercial potential of Blackthorn fruits as natural colourants based on anthocyanins. The patterns of variability suggest optimal harvesting times for the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds and the use of Blackthorn fruits in the development of functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, the findings serve as a basis for developing strategies aligned with climate change predictions, as the results confirm a positive influence of low air temperatures preceding the second and third sampling on the bioactive components of the fruits.

Modern Information Technology in Smart Sustainable Agriculture (SSA): A Review of Current Trends and Future Directions

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture is poised to revolutionize the industry. By harnessing the power of AI and IoT, farmers can optimize crop yields, reduce waste, and promote sustainable farming practices. Recent years have witnessed a surge in the development of AI and IoT technologies tailored to agriculture, enabling farmers to monitor soil health, crop growth, and weather patterns in real time. The benefits of AI and IoT in agriculture are multifaceted. AI-powered systems can identify potential issues, such as pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, allowing for early intervention and minimizing crop losses. IoT technologies provide farmers with actionable insights, enabling them to make informed decisions on planting, irrigation, and harvesting. Furthermore, the integration of AI and IoT in agriculture has the potential to transform the sector, enabling farmers to respond to environmental challenges more effectively and promoting sustainable farming practices. This review provides an overview of existing IoT/AI technologies adopted for Smart Sustainable Agriculture (SSA). The paper explores the current state of AI and IoT applications in agriculture engineering, identifying prominent applications and providing an IoT/AI architecture for a Smart Sustainable Agriculture platform.

Pelleted Forage Conservation and Its Effects on Nutritional Value, Feeding Behavior, and Feed Intake in Dairy Cattle

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The development of a simple and economical forage conservation method suitable for local dairy farmers is essential due to the seasonal availability of forages. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of conserving forages in pelleted form and to assess the acceptability, palatability, and quality of pelleted forages. Hybrid Napier Grass (CO3), Panicum maximum (Guinea grass), Leucaena leucocephala (Ipil ipil) and Gliricidia sepium were harvested and sun-dried for 3 h (short-dried (Sd)), 4 h (medium-dried (Md)), and 5 h (long-dried (Ld)) to determine the optimal drying duration for pelleting. Pelletability, moisture content, bulk density, unit density, keeping quality, and nutrient composition of the pellets were analyzed. Supplemented pellets were prepared from each forage type by mixing 75% dried forage with either 25% rice polish (T1) or 75% dried forage with 12.5 % rice polish and 12.5% coconut poonac (T2). The pellets were evaluated for keeping quality, acceptability, and palatability in dairy cows. The biomass from short-dried (Sd) Leucaena, medium-dried (Md) Giricidia, long-dried (Ld) CO3, and Guinea grass showed the best pelleting properties, producing stable pellets with the highest bulk and unit densities and the longest shelf life. High-quality pellets were storable at room temperature for over two months without fungal or mold growth, off-odors, or discoloration. The T2 pellets exhibited higher acceptability and palatability than T1 across all the forage types. The palatability differed significantly between the treatments (T1 and T2) and among the forage varieties (P = 0.05). Forage pelleting proved to be a cost-effective conservation method for grasses and legumes, producing pellets with improved keeping quality, palatability, and acceptability for dairy cattle. Therefore, forage pelleting represents a sustainable, economical, and practical conservation strategy for small- to medium-scale dairy farmers.

Assessment of Nitrate Content in Lettuce Marketed in Serbia: Influence of Cultivation Method, Season, and Production System

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Intensive agricultural production and the excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers have led to increased nitrate accumulation in vegetables, particularly leafy greens, which may exert negative effects on human health. The objective of this study was to assess the nitrate content in lettuce marketed in Serbia, considering the influence of cultivation method, season, and production system. A total of 20 lettuce samples were collected from various sources (including supermarkets, independent shops, and farmers’ markets), cultivated either in greenhouses or open fields during winter and spring. Nitrate content was determined using the steam distillation method after a 30-minute extraction in hot 1 M NaCl solution. The results were statistically analyzed using the one-way ANOVA, followed by the Tukey HSD test.The results showed that none of the samples exceeded the maximum permissible nitrate concentrations according to the current regulations. The nitrate content ranged from 28 to 663 mg/kg. No statistically significant differences were found between the greenhouse and open-field lettuce or between the winter and spring samples. However, the organically grown lettuce exhibited significantly lower nitrate levels compared to the conventionally produced lettuce.It was concluded that the lettuce marketed in Serbia complies with the food safety standards regarding nitrate content. Nevertheless, variations in nitrate concentration indicate the need for continuous monitoring.