Northern Part Of Serbia Research Articles

AMMONIUM, NITRATE AND NITRITE CONCENTRATIONS IN DRINKING WATER OF THE SOUTH BAČKA DISTRICT OF VOJVODINA

Safe drinking water is one of the basic conditions for life on our planet, necessary for all vital processes in the biosphere. Pollution of water sources, largely from wide-scale agricultural fertilizer use, has resulted in nitrate and nitrite contamination of drinking water. Aim: To determine the concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite in drinking water as potential hazards in the settlements of the South Bačka administrative district of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (northern part of Serbia). A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2019. We analysed 8434 drinking water samples (7319 purified chlorinated, 386 untreated but chlorinated, and 729 untreated). For assessing the concentration of ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite in drinking water, samples were analyzed by a certified laboratory at the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina using spectrophotometric method. After analyzing samples of purified chlorinated, untreated chlorinated, and untreated water, the exceedance of the prescribed values of ammonium were found in 0.45%, 64.77% and 68.45%, and for nitrites in 0.04%, 5.96% and 0.82% of the samples, respectively. The concentration of nitrate in drinking water concerning the degree of water purification (purified chlorinated and untreated water) exceeded the prescribed value in 0.01% and 5% of the samples, respectively. Determined exceedances of the prescribed limit values for nitrite concentrations recorded in purified chlorinated, untreated chlorinated, and untreated drinking water as well as for nitrate mainly in untreated drinking water, could be considered as potential hazards for human health, especially for the sensitive population group.

Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Drip Irrigation of Pepper

Drip irrigation is gaining importance in mitigating the consequences of water scarcity even in regions with abundant rainfall. The transition from surface to subsurface drip irrigation is accompanied by numerous problems. To overcome these issues, shallow subsurface drip irrigation can be potentially used as an effective drought control tool that brings additional benefits compared to conventional surface drip irrigation techniques. This research investigated the effects of different calculations of daily crop water requirements, reference evapotranspiration (ETo), and pan evaporation (Eo) on the yield and water use efficiency of pepper irrigated with a surface and shallow subsurface drip irrigation system. The experiment was conducted in field conditions in the Vojvodina region, the northern part of Serbia. The irrigation scheduling was based on the water balance approach. The calculated evapotranspiration rate was about 400 mm for the pepper growing period, regardless of the calculation method. The highest yield of pepper and evapotranspiration water use efficiency was obtained on the Eo variant with surface drip irrigation. However, irrigation water use efficiency showed no statistical significance concerning the calculation of evapotranspiration and irrigation type. The results indicated that both calculation methods and irrigation types can be used in pepper production, but priority should be given to pan-evaporation-based calculation.

Sustainable Tourism of Important Plant Areas (IPAs)—A Case of Three Protected Areas of Vojvodina Province

In the northern part of Serbia, where the Autonomous Province (AP) of Vojvodina is located, a total of 27 important plant areas (IPAs) have been established. Within three selected IPAs, there are different biocenoses inhabited by endemic plant and animal species, which form a unique sensitive ecosystem. Furthermore, in these areas, there are wetlands and areas important for geodiversity maintenance. The three studied IPAs include the territory of special nature reserves of the same name: the Special Nature Reserve (SNR) Zasavica, the SNR Obedska Bara, and the SNR Koviljsko-Petrovaradinski Rit. In these selected protected areas, tourist activities are carried out at different levels of development and through various forms of tourism. This research used quantitative methodology to examine the degree of sustainable tourism development and its impact on residents. A total of 1134 respondents were surveyed using a questionnaire as an instrument. The obtained results indicate that the selected IPAs can be destinations for sustainable tourism development. Ecological and sociocultural dimensions of sustainability contribute to this type of tourism to the greatest extent. Analyzing the data related to the impact of sustainable tourism on the respondents’ satisfaction, we concluded that they feel a certain satisfaction with sustainable tourism in all three investigated protected areas. The survey results called attention to the possibility of developing nature-based forms of tourism, in which the residents’ role in tourism planning and development should be strengthened. All forms of tourism that are developed here should have the primary goal of protecting nature in these IPAs.

Epidemiological and demographic characteristics of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome based on the Rome III vs. Rome IV criteria in the Northern part of Serbia

Summary: Background: Rome IV dia­gnostic criteria offer a new definition of IBS as opposed to Rome III. Practically, there have been 3 main changes made from the Rome III criteria to IV, such as abdominal discomfort, the threshold for the frequency of abdominal pain, and the relation of abdominal pain in IBS to defecation. The aims of this study were epidemiology of the IBS population and comparison of the characteristics of the subjects who fulfill Rome III vs. those who fulfill both III and IV criteria with regard to the IBS dia­gnosis. Methods: A sample of adult healthy population from the Municipality of Zrenjanin area was investigated through a questionnaire. All the subjects were approached from 5th March to 17th June, 2020. The study was submitted to and approved by the local Ethics Committee at the city hospital. Results: Based on the conducted survey in the Zrenjanin area, the IBS prevalence was reported to be 26.97% based on Rome III criteria. A larger number of women aged 18–21 was reported to have IBS. The most prevalent subtype noted was IBS-C. A significant correlation was noted between smoking, alcohol, drug abuse, other comorbidities, patient characteristics and stress factors in the IBS identified subjects. Conclusions: To sum up, our study recommends young people to be screened for IBS. Any symptom of change in stool frequency or consistency should raise a suspicion of IBS after undergoing all the relevant investigations for ruling out organic diseases. This will aid their early dia­gnosis and will help to improve their quality of life. Key words: irritable bowel syndrome – Rome III criteria – Rome IV criteria – epidemiology

The Founder of the “Second Smolny” in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes Nataliia Kornelievna Erdeli

Based on unpublished (archival materials) and published sources (records and memoirs), as well as literature, the article shows the efforts of Nataliia Kornelievna Erdeli, graduate of the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens in Saint Petersburg, aimed at reviving this women’s school abroad, in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (from 1929 — Kingdom of Yugoslavia) in the town of Velika Kikinda (in northern part of Serbia). After leaving Russia in 1920, this young, talented and energetic woman realized the need to create conditions for children who were forced to leave their homeland to receive an education. And Erdeli vigorously set to work: in 1921, after receiving permission and funds from the authorities of the country to open a school, which, at the suggestion of the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, was to be called the “First Russian-Serbian Girls’ Gymnasium-Boarding School”, she founded an educational institution for girls that resembled Smolny and then became its headmistress. Despite the institution’s official name, students were inculcated with Smolny traditions, such as wearing uniforms and following the rules of this institution. In order to obtain permission to name the school “Second Smolny”, Erdeli went to Denmark in 1924 to see the Empress Maria Feodorovna, a former patroness of the Smolny Institute. Although she managed to achieve this, an unexpected death prevented the formal renaming. Erdeli died in 1925 at the age of thirty-six. Nonetheless, it was not before 1931 that the authorities closed the school. Overall, more than 160 girls graduated from it.

Statistical analysis of excess water on drainage systems in the northern part of Serbia

Drainage systems in Serbia are mainly designed to evacuate excess water generated in the winter-spring period, which occurs as a result of snow accumulation during the long and wet winter and its sudden melting with the parallel appearance of spring rains. Dimensioning of the drainage system is done in such a way as to satisfy the needs of draining the design excess water, which is usually calculated using the water balance. Applying statistical analysis based on distributions of probability, the results of the future occurrence of excess water can be predicted. The paper tests the distribution that best corresponds to the empirical distribution of excess water obtained by applying the water balance. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling, and χ2 tests were used to test a number of theoretical distributions, and basis on those tests Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution was selected, which is often used in hydrological analyzes. The probabilities of excess water on drainage systems for the return period of 5, 10, 50, and 100 years were obtained. The results of the calculations can be used in the reconstruction of existing drainage systems, since most of them were designed more than 50 years ago, or in the planning and design of new drainage systems.

The population dynamics of the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) on the southwestern limit of its breeding range

Abstract The western boundary of the Palearctic range of the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) is located in the Carpathian Basin, with significant breeding areas in the northern part of Serbia, Voivodina Province. The size of the breeding population has been estimated and surveyed several times since the middle of the last century. The number of breeding pairs showed considerable variation, while estimates suggested a declining trend in the population size, though the dynamics of the Red-footed Falcon population was less known. This motivated us to perform censuses every year from 2000 until 2009. During that period, the number of confirmed breeding pairs varied from 61 to 179. We found that the number of breeding pairs decreased significantly (˃ 40%) after a 3-4 year of increase. The number of breeding sites and the extent of the distribution area changed in proportion to the increase or decrease of the population size. However, the change in population size was unrelated to the general proportion of pairs breeding in colonies (87–96%) and those breeding solitarily (4–13%).

Polyphasic study of phytopathogenic bacterial strains associated with deep bark canker of walnut in Serbia revealed a new species, Brenneria izbisi sp. nov.

Serious outbreaks of walnut deep bark canker were observed on young walnut trees (Juglans regia L.) in two localities in the northern part of Serbia during 2020. From the symptomatic walnut tissues, two types of bacterial colonies were isolated, predominantly, light cream, circular and smooth colonies, as well as small, yellowish, mucoid and convex ones. PCR analysis and phenotypic assays suggested that the former group belongs to Brenneria spp., while the latter isolates were identified as Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis. Within the Brenneria group, two strains were identified as Brenneria nigrifluens, while other 15 strains did not belong to any Brenneria species described so far. Therefore, we selected four representative strains of the unknown Brenneria sp. and subjected them to polyphasic analysis. As expected, in a phylogenetic tree based on partial 16S rDNA sequences, four novel strains grouped with other Brenneria representatives, and showed close phylogenetic relationship to Brenneria salicis. Furthermore, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on the partial sequences of atpD, gyrB, infB and rpoB housekeeping genes and core-genome phylogeny indicated that the studied strains form a novel and a clearly separate Brenneria lineage. Overall genome relatedness indices showed that they represent a new Brenneria species. The new species can be differentiated from the other Brenneria spp. infecting walnut and closely related B. salicis strains based on phenotypic characteristics, as well. Moreover, the pathogenicity tests on two-year-old walnut plants proved the ability of strains to cause necrosis and longitudinal black lesions and cracks on the trunk and branches of walnut trees. Overall, polyphasic characterization showed that the studied strains isolated from walnut with symptoms of deep bark canker represent a novel species of the genus Brenneria for which the name Brenneria izbisi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of B. izbisi is KBI 423T (= CFBP 9035T = LMG 32479T). To facilitate rapid identification of newly described species, a conventional PCR protocol and primers targeting the putative gene hrpP, were developed. Further study should reveal the potential role of each pathogen isolated from symptomatic walnut in disease development as well as possible interaction between them.

Developing ecological indicators of sustainable tourism in new protected areas: A case study of saline steppe and forest steppehabitats in Serbia

This paper is one of the results of three years research (2016-2019) of specific habitats of salinesteppes and forest steppes along the Mostonga River, in the northern part of Serbia (Autonomous Province of Vojvodina), with the aim of their valorization and protection in the future. Here is also situated a natural areain the process of protection known as "Middle Mostonga".An integral part of protection declaration procedure is the creation of so-called "Protection study", as a basic document for the planning of protection guidelines for certain natural areas, buttt also includes tourism development analysis. Therefore, the working group, composed of representatives of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province in Novi Sad and the University of Novi Sad (Faculty of Sciences - Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management), examined the opportunities for ecotourism development in the area of "Middle Mostonga". The main objective of this article is to forthwith frame the possibility for consistent application of sustainable development goals in the future protected area "Middle Mostonga" and its surroundings by setting a scheme of indicators of sustainable tourism. Total of 160 indicators were analyzed by the team of the experts in the field relying mostly on BACI design of ecological indicators of sustainable tourism. Five main steps in identification of the relevant indicators were defined. The results showed that it is possible to apply indicators related to the number of protected species, the number of individuals (units) within populations and habitat endangerment, as well as indicators that reflect the interest of the tourism industry for the development of tourism in this particular area.

Influence of lactation number and parity on milk yield of Saanen goat’s breed

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to determine the influence of lactation number and parity on milk yield of Saanen goat’s breed. It has been concluded that milk yield was higher for goats that had given birth to twins and three kids than for goats that had given birth to a single kid (P<0.05). The longevity has a great positive impact on production, given that goats in the fifth lactation produced more milk than goats in first or second lactation (P<0.05), while goats in the sixth lactation still produced more milk than goats in first lactation (P<0.05). During the period from 2014- 2019, the research was conducted on a farm of multiparous Saanen goats in Vojvodina (northern part of Serbia). In the observed period, the farm had between 350 and 400 goats per milking, and the research included a total of 1,628 concluded lactations, within which the first lactations were the most 484, then the second 381. According to the number of lactations, goats were grouped into classes from one to seven and from one to three for parity. By comparing each individual lactation, it was determined that in first lactation goats produced significantly lower milk than goats in the rest lactations(P<0.05), except the seventh. Research has shown that lactation number has a significant influence on milk yield (P=0.00). Increasing the fertility of goats significantly affects the production capacity of dairy goats, since does with a larger number of kids in the litter had a significantly higher milk production (P<0.05). Due to the larger number of kids in the litter, milk production also increases. Likewise, it is assumed that the increase in milk yield of goats with two and three kids is a consequence of a larger placenta, i.e. stronger lactogenic activity during pregnancy.

Identification and genetic characterization of equine infectious anemia virus in Western Balkans

BackgroundEquine infectious anemia (EIA) is a viral disease, caused by the Equine Infectious Anemia virus (EIAV) belonging to the Retroviridae family, genus Lentivirus. Horses (or equids) infected with EIAV are lifelong carriers and they remain contagious for other horses even in the absence of clinical signs. So far, EIAV infection has been reported among horses in North and South America, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary and Romania, with no publication regarding the presence of EIAV in horses in Serbia. To determine the circulation of EIAV among, approximately, the 5000 horses of the Vojvodina region, northern part of Serbia, 316 serum undergone serological testing for EIA. Then, identification and full genome sequencing using next generation sequencing was performed from one EIA positive horse.Resultsthe 316 sera were tested with 3 different commercial agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) tests and two different commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). With the three AGID kits, 311 (98.4%) among the 316 tested sera were negative and only five (1.6%) sera were positive for EIA. Some discrepancies were seen for the two ELISA kits tested since one exhibited the same results as AGID test and the second gave 295 sera with negative results, five with a positive result and 16 with doubtful outcome. Phylogenetic analysis performed using the full genome sequence showed that EIAV characterized from a horse in Serbia is different from those identify so fare around the world and form a distinct and separate group together with another EIAV strain.ConclusionsThis study demonstrate for the first time that EIAV is circulating at a low level in the horse population from the Northern part of Serbia. Interestingly, phylogenetic data indicates that this EIAV from the western Balkan region of Europe belongs to a new cluster.

Regionalna analiza smrtnosti od COVID-19 u Srbiji 2020

The pandemic generated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus should be viewed as a severe public health threat because, in the first ten months of its existence, over 3 million people perished worldwide. According to available data, mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic is markedly different across countries but also within them. In the analysis of the consequences of the mortality pandemic in Serbia in 2020, the final data of vital statistics published by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia were used. The results of the research are presented at all territorial statistical-administrative levels (except the settlement level). The research showed that the highest intensity of deaths due to the new disease is in the south of the country and larger city centers (Belgrade, Nis, Kragujevac). Vojvodina and the districts and municipalities that belong to it have the most favorable values in Serbia. The quality of mortality data by cause of death varies considerably at different statistical-administrative levels, primarily with the underreporting of COVID-19 as the primary cause of death. As a more reliable indicator of the impact of the pandemic on the total mortality of the population, excess mortality indicates a record-high increase in mortality in 2020 in Presevo, Sjenica, and Novi Pazar. The difference between the northern part of Serbia and the southern part in mortality due to COVID-19 is potentially based on more intergenerational contacts and more pronounced population migrations, so it can be stated that the rate of transmission is a more important determinant of mortality in the population of different parts of Serbia, than the level of available health care or age structure. different statistical-administrative levels, primarily with the underreporting of COVID-19 as the leading cause of death (a striking example is the Kolubara district). As a more reliable indicator of the impact of the pandemic on the total mortality of the population, excess mortality indicates a record-high increase in mortality in 2020 in Presevo, Sjenica, and Novi Pazar. Once virus transmission takes root in the community, parts of the country with high intergenerational contacts can see the faster infection rate. The difference between the northern part of Serbia and the southern part in mortality due to COVID-19 is potentially based on higher intergenerational contacts and more pronounced population migrations. It can be stated that the degree of transmission of the infection is a more important determinant of mortality in the population of different parts of Serbia than the level of available health care or age structure.

Overview of IPA HU-SRB cross-border projects in the agriculture sector in northern part of Serbia

The paper is presenting an overview of six cross-border projects realized between Hungary and Serbia in the agricultural sector in the period 2010-2013. The aim of the research is to interpret projects’ goals, achievements, weaknesses, and contributions in socio-economic development of the northern bordering region of Serbia. The analysis was carried out using the benchmarking method, focusing on three aspects: projects’ impact on the market, social integrity, and project sustainability, with each dimension containing a set of indicators defined based on the conducted interviews with leads/beneficiaries.

Seroepidemiological Study of Canine and Human Dirofilariasis in the Endemic Region of Northern Serbia.

Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused mainly by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens that affect dogs and humans all over the world. Serbia is considered an endemic country to both forms of dirofilariasis, although most of the population is concentrated in the north of the country. The aims of this study were to show the prevalence of D. immitis and D. repens in dogs and the seroprevalence in humans compared to previous studies in Northern Serbia. In total, 346 dog sera samples and 265 human samples were analyzed. Dog blood samples were analyzed using the modified Knott's method to check whether there were Dirofilaria spp. microfilariae and serum samples were checked by a commercial D. immitis antigen test. Human serum samples were analyzed with a non-commercial ELISA for detection of specific anti-D. immitis, anti-D. repens, and anti-Wolbachia IgG antibodies, and confirmed by western blotting. The overall prevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in dogs was 29.19%. The overall prevalence for D. immitis was 26.30%. The percentages of D. immitis and D. repens microfilaremia in dogs were 25.72 and 1.45%, respectively, while D. immitis./D. repens microfilaremia co-infections were also 1.45%. The overall seroprevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in humans was 3.77%. The overall seroprevalence for D. immitis was 1.51, 1.13% for D. repens, and for D. immitis/D. repens co-infections was 1.13%. The results indicate that D. immitis and D. repens are present in dogs and humans in the province of Vojvodina, in the northern part of Serbia. It is most likely associated with the presence of many rivers, the climate, and presence of mosquitoes in the area, so there could be a real public health risk.

THE FIRST STUDY OF THE ENDOPARASITIC FAUNA OF MUTE SWANS (CYGNUS OLOR) IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SERBIA

In the Northern part of Serbia, which is part of Pannonian Basin, mute swan (Cygnus olor) population has notably increased over the last few decades. Like other birds from Anatidae family, mute swans are a host of numerous endoparasite species. The aim of this study was to acquire the data on identification and prevalence of endoparasites in mute swans in the Republic of Serbia, as that information is lacking. Individual faecal samples of sixty-eight adult mute swans were examined for the presence of endoparasites. Coprological examination was performed using flotation and sedimentation technique with saturated ZnSO4 solution. The samples were collected from December 2016 to March 2017, during epizootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in the Republic of Serbia. Dead mute swans were collected from twelve different locations in the Northern part of Serbia. Altogether, 39.7% of the examined fecal samples contained different parasites. The endoparasitic fauna was divers and included 3 species of nematodes, 2 cestodes species, one trematode and one protozoan species. Nematodes were the most prevalent helminthes and among these the most frequent nematode species found was Heterakis dispar (17.6%), followed by Echinuria uncinata (5,8%) and Ascaridia spp. (4,4%). Four mixed infections were found, where double infection was the most prevalent. No endoparasites were found in faecal samples of mute swans collected from the locations Sombor and Titel. As this study covers a small population of mute swans, more detailed studies need to be carried out on a larger population in order to gain an insight into the diversity and prevalence of endoparasites in the Republic of Serbia.

Identification and characterization of Dickeya zeae strains associated with maize stalk soft-rot in northern Serbia

Bacterial stalk soft rot have been repeatedly observed on maize plants in several commercial fields in northern part of Serbia in the period of 1990 to 2014. The occurrence of the disease corresponded with warm weather and increased humidity. Etiological studies of the diseased tissue constantly resulted in isolation of pectolytic bacterial strains. In order to identify the isolated bacteria, twenty-three strains were characterized by morphological, physiolcal, biochemical, and molecular assays. Pathogenicity of the strains was confirmed by Koch’s postulates on 1-week-old maize seedlings. The strains were Gram and oxidase-negative, non-fluorescent, pectolytic, facultative anaerobic and caused hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco leaves. They produced catalase and lecithinase, but did not produce oxidase and arginine dehydrolase. All strains reduced nitrate and grew at 37 °C, while variable growth was observed in medium containing 5% NaCl. Phenotypic tests and amplification of the specific 420-bp fragment in PCR assay showed that the strains belong to genus Dickeya. Using ERIC-PCR analysis seven different genetic profiles were obtained, suggesting the presence of genetic diversity in the population of this pathogen in Serbia. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis based on the recA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strains isolated from soft rotted maize belong to Dickeya zeae, leading to the conclusion that this bacterium was the causal agent of stalk soft rot of maize in Serbia.

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Dogs from Shelters in Vojvodina, Serbia

Background: Dirofilaria immitis is vector borne parasite of carnivores, with zoonotic potential, endemic in many parts of the world, including Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from shelters, especially compared to their lifestyle. Dogs living in shelters in Serbia may be at high risk of acquiring vector borne pathogens, mainly because most of them live outside in pens and backyards, in contact with vectors. Also, dogs in shelters are not always regularly treated against ectoparasites, thus, representing an easy feeding source for the vectors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from 5 shelters in South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. Also, the objective was to compare the relation of infection with Dirofiaria immitis with age, sex, type of keeping the animals and preventive treatment in dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Between May 2017 and October 2019, blood samples were collected from 336 randomly selected dogs from 5 shelters in 2 districts, South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. The epidemiological survey has been conducted with all of the dogs involved in this research. The survey was designed to collect data about sex, age, lifestyles, food type, treatment against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones, regular testing for Dirofilaria infections. The presence of circulating microfilariae was examined using a modified Knott’s test. For the presence of circulating adult female Dirofilaria immitis antigen, serum samples were tested by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which reacts to antigen of female Dirofilaria. In total, 336 dogs were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. For that dog population which came from 5 shelters, total prevalence was 25.30%. Most of the positive findings were observed in a shelter where dogs lived exclusively outdoors in fenced yards in big groups and they were partly tested for heartworm infections from time to time. These dogs were not treated with macrocyclic lactones, against mosquitoes with insecticides or filarioid worms. The prevalence in this shelter was 56.36%. On the contrary to that, the lowest positive findings were detected in the shelter, where dogs were allowed to move freely between outside and indoors and they were also provided with accommodation indoors. These dogs have been regularly tested for Dirofilaria infections and treated against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones. In this shelter the seroprevalence was 7.69%. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis were detected, by modified Knott’s test, in all of the antigen positive dog samples; except in 2 dogs from one shelter. Discussion: This study shows persistence of cardiopulmonary dirofiariosis in shelter dogs under different maintaining conditions. By comparing the data during the last 17 years, it can be stated that there is a constant increase of prevalence for Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in northern part of Serbia over the years. The results gained in this study are important from the veterinary point of view, but also from the Public Health point of view.

Survival and growth of white poplar rooted cuttings regarding term of planting

White poplar nursery production is mainly based on vegetative propagation hardwood cuttings. In this study the reaction of three clones of white poplar (Populus alba L.) on term of cuttings' preparation and planting according to parameters of survival and growth of rooted cuttings in three nurseries in Northern part of Serbia. There were two terms of cuttings' preparation and planting examined: a) mid-March and d) the beginning of April (standard term). Obtained results suggest considerable differences between nurseries and between examined terms. Differences between clones were not significant, but there were found significant effects of interactions of factor Clone with other two main sources of variation. The best results were obtained by cuttings that were prepared and planted in mid-March, due to faster growth and survival of rooted cuttings. The positive effect of the earlier term is evident particularly in clones L-12 and L-80 and enable feasible production of rooted cuttings of these clones, especially in nurseries that obtained better conditions. Results obtained in this study suggest that influence of terms of cuttings' production and planting is important issue concerning introduction of clones with relatively poor rooting capacity, optimization of nursery technology of experimental white poplar clones, and improvement of white poplar nursery production in general.

Characterization of abiotic stress-responsive RD29B and RD17 genes in different poplar clones

Soil salinity as one of the most important abiotic factors limiting productivity becomes a more acute problem worldwide. A significant percentage of land in Vojvodina Province (Northern part of Serbia) are halomorphic soils. Moreover, the process of salinization of land in Vojvodina Province has a tendency to increase in the years to come due to declining irrigation water quality and decreasing precipitations during the years. Consequently, new strategies to enhance yield stability on halomorphic soils become a research priority. Populus species is widely used for afforestation in the Pannonian Plain and due to its sequenced genome it is suitable for genomic analyses of diverse abiotic stresses. This paper characterizes the abiotic stress-responsive RD29B and RD17 genes in three economically important poplar clones (Populus x euramericana cl. M1, Populus deltoides cl. PE19/66 and Populus deltoides cl. 182/81). Understanding the functions of these genes has focused on their responsiveness to salt stress in revealing their expression pattern and mode of induction indicating divergence in potential salt tolerance in poplar clones. Based on the results obtained it was determined that the poplar clones reacted differently to salt stress (150 mM, 300 mM and 450 mM) and showed differential expression pattern of salt responsive genes RD29B and RD17 in each of them respectively. RD29B gene expression was elevated in the highly saturated salt conditions and the induction was noticed in the later phases of the stress. RD29B gene was selected as a candidate gene for salinity stress breeding of poplar. M1 and PE19/66 clones showed tolerance to higher concentrations of NaCl as a salt stressor and it would be recommended for afforestation of halomorphic environment.

Forestry Aridity Index in Vojvodina, North Serbia

Abstract In investigating aridity in Vojvodina (a region in the northern part of Serbia), the Forestry Aridity Index (FAI) was used. This index was chosen due to being one of the most suitable indices for the analysis of the interaction of climate and vegetative processes, especially in forestry. The spatial distribution of the FAI for annual and decennial periods, as well as its annual trend, is analysed. Satisfactory compatibility between the low (forest) and high (steppe) FAI values with the forest and steppe vegetation on the Vojvodina terrains was obtained. The calculated values of the FAI showed that there was no particular annual trend. These results correspond to the earlier calculated values of the De Martonne aridity index and the Pinna combinative index. Therefore, it can be concluded that there were no recent changes in aridity during the observed period. Results of the correlation indicate weak linearity between the FAI, and the North Atlantic Oscillation and El-Niño South Oscillation.