Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade 

About: Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade is an academic journal published by Faculty of Agronomy in Čačak. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Crop yield. It has an ISSN identifier of 1450-8109. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 475 publications have been published receiving 2638 citations.

Histological methods in the assessment of different feed effects on liver and intestine of fish

Abstract: This manuscript describes the importance of using histological methods to assess the effects of feed on the liver and intestine of fish. Due to the constantly increasing world production of fish and other aquatic organisms, it is necessary to replace fishmeal and fish oil in diets with less expensive raw materials of plant origin. Due to the increased fiber content, increased presence of carbohydrates, antinutritional factors, and inappropriate content of amino acids and new compounds can have negative effects on the digestive system of fish and therefore on fitness, health and production characteristics of cultivated fish. The liver and intestines are the most important organs for the digestion and absorption of nutrients from feed. Therefore, monitoring histological structure of fish liver and intestine is the method of choice in assessing the effects of nutrient mixtures that use raw materials of plant origin. For both of these vital organs the normal histological structure and the most important results obtained by research are discussed. This paper presents a critical review of the histological methods used in research on feed effects. Results related to the negative effects of raw soy-based feed on the occurrence of enteritis in carnivorous fish species are discussed. The results point out that use of modern approach in fish pathology such as improved histochemical, stereological, scoring, and other analytical methods could be a beneficial approach in an accurate assessment of new feed effects on fish.

Characteristics and composition of melon seed oil

Abstract: Dried melon seeds (Citrullus colocynthis L) of the family Cucurbitaceae were investigated for nutritional quality and the oil seed characteristics These melon seeds, on a dry weight basis, consisted of 523% of test and 477% of kernel The moisture content in melon seeds was 545% and the mineral constituents were also determined The oil content of seeds was very high ranging from 221-535%, due to the presence of the hulls, 22% from the seeds and 53% of the kernel, and also the crude protein content was so high as the 218% of the seeds Standard procedures were applied to determine the fatty acids composition of the seed oil The fatty acid profiles of the seed oil showed an unsaturated fatty acid content of 774% and the high content of 632% of PUFA The predominant fatty acid was linoleic (18:2) acid in 622% The presence of other fatty acids ranged in 10-14% for oleic (18:1) stearic (18:0) and palmitic (16:0) acids, respectively Furthermore, the physical and chemical characteristics of the seed oil was also determined as iodine, acid, saponification, peroxide values and specific gravity

In vitro sterilization procedures for micropropagation of 'Oblačinska' sour cherry.

Abstract: Surface sterilization is the most important step in preparation of explants for micropropagation, because controlling fungal and bacterial contamination of woody plant from field sources is very difficult. Six sterilizing agents: sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), calcium hypochlorite [Ca(ClO)2], sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DICA), mercuric (II) chloride (HgCl2), silver nitrate (AgNO3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were tested for sterilization of ‘Oblacinska’ sour cherry buds, by varying their concentration and time of exposure. The aim of this study was to establish best surface sterilization for in vitro propagation of ‘Oblacinska’ sour cherry. Aseptic cultures of ‘Oblacinska’ sour cherry were established from axillary buds which were placed in nutrient medium, supplemented with plants hormones 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 1- naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3). The results indicated that among these sterilizing agents silver nitrate (AgNO3) at concentration of 1% for 20 minutes was the best for controlling the infection, whereas sterilization with sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DICA) at concentration of 1% for 10 minutes was not satisfactory.

Importance of phenological observations and predictions in agriculture

Abstract: Phenology can contribute to many scientific disciplines from climate change, biodiversity, agriculture and forestry to human health. The knowledge of timing of phenological events and their variability can provide valuable data for planning, organizing and timely execution of certain standard and special (preventive and protective) agricultural activities that require advanced information on the dates of specific stages of crop development. Mathematical models are the basic tools to predict the timing of phenological events. There are two types of phenological models: physiologically-based and statistical. Most of the existing models are statistical and serve to predict the onset of different phenophases according to the air temperature. These models are site- and species-specific and cannot be applied to a wide range of species and climatic conditions.

Effect of salinity stress on mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] during consecutive summer and spring seasons

Abstract: Mungbean is an ecologically important food grain legume crop. Susceptibility towards salinity stress has limited the productivity of mungbean. The effect of salt stress on two popular mungbean varieties ("Pusa vishal" and "Pusa ratna") has been compared during summer and spring seasons. The experiment was carried out at two salinity stress levels (50 mM and 75 mM NaCl). Significant variations and adaptability among stressed and non-stressed plants were observed in both varieties. The plants in early vegetative stage were found more resistant to salinity as compared to plants in late vegetative and reproductive stage. Salt stress, high temperature and salinity induced osmotic stress severely limited the plant growth, morphology, physiology and yield characteristics during summer. Measured parameters were less affected during spring season. The tolerant variety „Pusa vishal‟ exhibited less reduction in plant height, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, plant length, leaf area, rate of photosynthesis, number of pods per plant and grain yield at high salinity level. However, the susceptible variety „Pusa ratna‟ showed higher reduction for the measured parameters under salinity stress. A delay in pod ripening during spring season resulted in less pod-shattering. The present study may help to execute further research on screening of large mungbean germplasm for salt tolerance during spring season. The germplasm screening may help to identify resistant genotypes for genetic improvement of mungbean for growing in saline soil.