Vegetation Season Research Articles

Chemical and isotopic genesis of fine and ultra-fine aerosols in the coastal urban atmosphere.

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the largest contributors to air pollution and is associated with several adverse health effects. In this study, we collected PM1 and PM2.5 samples in Gdynia (northern Poland) during five campaigns in January-March and September-October 2022. Analysis of the chemical composition of these aerosols (organic carbon [OC], elemental carbon [EC] and water-soluble ions) supplemented with their carbon isotope signatures (δ13CTC), meteorological parameters, HYSPLIT air masses backward trajectories and PCA-MLRA receptor modelling allowed us to recognize the significant differences in seasonal concentrations of both aerosol fractions and to identify the potential sources/processes that influenced their chemical composition. In general, the influence of both the anthropogenic sources, mainly related to fuel combustion and agricultural/fertilization activity, as well as natural sources, particular terrigenous was found. PCA-MLRA revealed that fuel burning contributed on average, with 77.9% and 83.7% to total PM1 and PM2.5 mass, respectively, while agricultural activities represented, 9.5% and 9.1% of PM1 and PM2.5 mass, respectively. Despite the location of the measurement station in the vicinity of the sea coastal zone, during the analysed period it was not found that the sea water was a dominant source of aerosols in both size fractions, contributed with 9.2% and 4.6% to total PM1 and PM2.5 mass, respectively. Regardless of the season several indicators - OC/EC, EC/TC, K+/TC and TC/SO42- - supported the important influence of coal burning, with a less important contribution from biomass burning. The maturation processes in the atmosphere were also important. For PM1 aerosols the clear 13C enrichment during the heating period was noticed, what was confirmed by isotope mass balance (Keeling plot approach, -25.05‰±0.21‰ and-25.90‰±0.28‰ in the heating and vegetative seasons, respectively). It was associated with high coal usage for heating purposes. For PM2.5 aerosols such a clear tendency was already not observed (-25.37‰±0.22‰ for the heating season and-25.32‰±0.40‰ for the vegetative season). During the heating season a substantial contribution from a mobile source was also found (NO3-/non-sea-salt SO42- ratio, equal to 1.14). In turn, during the vegetative season the importance of the stationary sources (NO3-/non-sea-salt SO42- ratio, equal to 0.34) and agriculture (about 2 times higher K+ and Cl- concentrations) had increased. The PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the WHO guidelines 34 times, 18 times during the heating season and 16 times during the vegetative season. Based on the chemical characteristics and meteorological patterns it was concluded that high concentrations episodes of PM1 and PM2.5 were likely caused by the overlapping of local emission sources (mainly for heating purposes, agriculture and transport) and long-distance transport of polluted air masses from southern Poland.

Birds of Game Abundances in Evergreen Forests in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico

The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR) is in the south of the Yucatán Peninsula and is known for its great biological diversity. However, despite the great diversity of species, they are under intense pressure from hunting activities, especially the larger ones that can be used for human food. Therefore, the objective of this study was to obtain knowledge about the hunting importance of populations of three species of birds (Crax rubra, Meleagris ocellata, and Penelope purpurascens) in the southern zone of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche. Sampling was conducted with transects where a total of 46 camera traps were installed from November 2021 to November 2022, distributed in two types of vegetation. Likewise, data on species presence were collected and analyzed with Principal Component Analysis and ANOSIM (ANOSIM; R = 0.10, p = 0.22) to relate abundances with vegetation types and seasons of the year. No significant differences were found between the two vegetation types. This study provides relevant information on the populations of game birds in the southern region of Calakmul, which is currently little explored, and constant monitoring of these species throughout the CBR is necessary.

Effects of genetically modified maize MON810 on surface‐active springtails (Collembola)

AbstractSpringtails (Collembola) are an integral and beneficial component of soil communities. As part of a comprehensive study of the effects of the Bacillus thuringiensis‐maize hybrid DKC4442YG (Bt event MON810) expressing Cry1Ab toxin on nontarget invertebrates, we studied abundance and diversity of surface‐active springtails in the temperate region of central Europe (western Slovakia) over 3 years in 10 plots with Bt and 10 plots with the near‐isogenic non‐Bt event DK440. Standard fertilizer and herbicide applications were used without the use of insecticides. Springtails were collected throughout vegetative season, nine to 11 times in each plot every year, using pitfall traps; a total of 580 samples were collected throughout the study period. In total, 7945 individuals of nine species were collected. We found that maize hybrid (Bt vs. non‐Bt) did not affect the average number of species, abundances, or community composition of springtails. There was also no significant interaction between the maize hybrids and seasonal patterns of species numbers, abundances, or community composition. To conclude, the studied genetically modified maize event MON810 did not have any impact on the communities of surface‐active Collembola.

Numerical modelling of biogeomorphological processes in salt marsh development: Do short-term vegetation dynamics influence long-term development?

Numerical modelling of biogeomorphological processes in salt marsh development: Do short-term vegetation dynamics influence long-term development?

Controls of Climate Seasonality and Vegetation Dynamics on the Seasonal Variability of Terrestrial Water Storage Under Diverse Climate Regimes

AbstractTerrestrial water storage change (ΔS) is an important indicator of climate change that can monitor and predict hydrological changes. However, the interactions between ΔS and climate, vegetation, and soil factors add complexity in temporal variability of ΔS, particularly at seasonal scale. Here, we conduct a systematic assessment in the roles that seasonal variabilities of climate and vegetation modulate seasonal variability of ΔS in 769 basins covering a wide range of climate regimes and vegetation types globally. The variance decomposition method of ΔS based on the Budyko framework is used to estimate the contributions of climate factors (precipitation P and potential evapotranspiration PET) and runoff (R) to ΔS variability for different vegetation types. Results indicate that the increased climatic (P, PET) and R seasonal variabilities enhances ΔS seasonal variability under both in‐phase (IP) and out‐of‐phase (OP) seasonal relations between P and PET, with a larger contribution from P than PET and R. However, the P‐PET covariance tends to reduce (enhance) ΔS seasonal variability under the IP (OP) relation, while the P‐R covariance tends to reduce ΔS variability for both IP and OP relations. Climate seasonality influencing ΔS is regulated through vegetation dynamics, mainly via extending plant roots to access deeper soil water under water stress or by seasonally adapting water use efficiency and primary production. The growth of seasonal vegetation under the IP P‐PET relation can cope with limited soil water, while the growth of evergreen vegetation under OP P‐PET relation depends on soil water availability throughout the year.

Human recreational activity does not influence open cup avian nest survival in urban green spaces

The breeding period of birds is a critical and sensitive portion of the annual cycle. Understanding how human use of urban green spaces affects nest survival can improve our understanding of conserving breeding bird populations in cities and support science-based management of urban green spaces that benefit both people and nature. We conducted a nest survival field study between April and August of 2023 in multiple green spaces in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the country’s second-largest city. We asked whether human presence (distance to trails and amount of human activity) influences the nest survival of four common open-cup nesting bird species: American robins (Turdus migratorius), gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), Northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), and yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia). We also asked if variables traditionally associated with nest survival, such as vegetation concealment and seasonality, would influence nest survival. Our analyses surprisingly revealed no significant influence of human activity, vegetation concealment, and seasonality on nest survival for our target species. We found for nests that did fail, nests established during the earlier part of the nesting period failed faster. American robin nests were the most successful of our study’s four target species, whereas Northern cardinal nests were the least successful. Within the limitations of our study system, our findings suggest that human presence on trails is not negatively impacting the nesting success for our target bird species using urban green spaces. Our study provides integrated science advice to land managers so they can support opportunities for people to connect with nature without causing trade-offs with biodiversity conservation.

ОЦЕНКА ДИФФЕРЕНЦИАЦИИ ФЕРМЕНТАТИВНОЙ АКТИВНОСТИ ПРИ ПРИМЕНЕНИИ БЕЗОТВАЛЬНЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ ОБРАБОТКИ В СЛОЯХ АГРОЧЕРНОЗЕМА

The objective of the study is to identify the effect of no-till technologies for processing agrochernozems on the heterogeneity of the compared soil layers in terms of protease and urease enzyme activity. The studies were carried out under the conditions of a production experiment laid out in the Shilinskoye agricultural production cooperative in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe located within the Chulym-Yenisei denudation plateau of the southwestern outskirts of Central Siberia (56°37' N and 93°12' E). The soil of the experimental plot was leached high-humus medium-deep light clayey chernozem on red-brown clay. The experimental soil was characterized by: humus content of 5.9 %, neutral reaction of the environment (pHH2O 6,8). The sum of absorbed bases was from 60 to 62 mg-eq/100 g of soil. In production crops, soil samples were taken three times during the vegetation season from the 0–5 and 5–20 cm layers using the snake method. The sample size was 15 individual samples. The norm, in accordance with the WMO regulations, was calculated for a 30-year period (1981–2010). The experimental design consisted of the following variants (processing methods): 1 – zero; 2 – minimum; 3 – moldboard (st). A significant differentiation of the studied agrochernozem layers was revealed when using minimum tillage technologies. Periods with a deficit of atmospheric moisture had a significant effect on the amount of proteolysis. An increase in moisture was accompanied by a decrease in proteolytic activity (r = –0.5 ... –0.63) when using surface disking, whereas under no-till conditions a direct effect of moisture on the level of hydrolysis of nitrogen-containing organic compounds was found (r = 0.61 ... 0.68). An increase in protease activity was accompanied by a significant decrease in difficult-to-hydrolyze nitrogen-containing compounds when using surface disking (r = –0.57 ... –0.71). During periods with excess moisture, significant differences in the level of urease activity were also found, mainly when using minimum tillage technology. The transformation of easily hydrolysable nitrogen-containing organic compounds was associated with the level of urease activity.

Changes in the frequency of sharp cold snaps in spring during the XXI century in Ukraine and their impact on agricultural production

Aim. Identification of trends in the frequency of sharp inter-day decreases in the average daily air temperature of varying intensity in spring in the agroclimatic zones of Ukraine and their likely change by the end of the twenty-first century for climate scenarios of representative concentration pathways of greenhouse gas emissions RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Methods. Solving the set tasks envisaged the application of both conventional scientific and specialized research methods: analytical and synthetic – to analyze the current state of research, statistical – to assess the intensity and significance of changes in the frequency of sharp inter-day air temperature drops of varying intensity, comparative analysis – to identify their specificities in agroclimatic zones of Ukraine, climatic – to characterize extreme temperature conditions, modeling – to assess their changes in the short, medium and long term under the implementation of RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. Results. The current state of changes in the extremes of temperature conditions in spring, in particular, sharp inter-day changes in air temperature of varying intensity (severe, very severe, extremely cold snaps) in the agroclimatic zones of Ukraine, is considered. Sharp cold snaps aggravate agricultural production since the decrease in temperature by 4–10 °C or more often leads to light frosts, which may cause partial or complete death of plants. The specificities of their frequency and intensity in 1981–2020 were determined. It was found that in spring, the sharpest cold snaps of 4–6 ºС in Ukraine occur 2–4 times per season; they are most frequent (3–4 times) in the western and eastern Forest-Steppe and Polissia. Very severe cold snaps of 6–10 ºС are observed 2–3 times less – from 6–8 cases in 10 years in the southern Steppe to 13–16 cases in Polissia, in the western and eastern Forest-Steppe. The extremely cold snaps of 10 ºС and more are rare in spring in Ukraine – from 2–3 to 8–9 cases in one hundred years. Conclusions. It was determined that despite a considerable increase in air temperature in Ukraine, Europe, and Arctic latitudes, the earlier beginning of the warm season and vegetation season, the number of spring days with severe, very severe, and extremely severe cold snaps is increasing in almost the entire territory of Ukraine. The north-eastern and eastern regions of the country are most vulnerable due to the registered highest increase in air temperature and frequency of sharp cold snaps. There may be fewer sharp cold snaps in the short- and long-term perspective in Ukraine as compared to the current climatic period. Still, the frequency of extremely cold snaps (over 10 ºС a day) will increase by the end of the century, especially in Polissia, and the western and central Forest-Steppe. These changes may result in premature termination of the vegetation period, damage to primordia and fruits, impairments to normal plant development, and a significant effect on crop productivity.

Spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture active and passive (SMAP) droughts and their impacts on vegetation in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Drought is a reoccurring natural phenomenon that presents significant challenges to agricultural production, ecosystem stability, and water resource management. The Central Highlands of Vietnam, a major region of industrial crops and vegetation ecosystems, has become increasingly vulnerable to drought impacts. Despite this vulnerability, limited research has explored the specific characteristics of drought and its seasonal effects on vegetation ecosystems in the region. This study addressed these gaps by providing a detailed analysis of recent soil moisture drought characteristics and their seasonal impacts on vegetation from 2015 to 2023 using weekly soil moisture active passive (SMAP) and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite time series observations. This analysis derived the soil moisture anomaly index as a proxy to assess drought characteristics and used correlation analysis to quantify their impacts on seasonal vegetation dynamics. Our spatial analysis identified the most significant drought years in 2015 and 2019 in the study region, while the wettest conditions were detected in 2017 and 2022 over the study period. Notably, significant soil moisture deficits were observed in August and October throughout the study period, even though these months typically fall within the rainy season. On average, nearly 25 drought events were detected in the region from 2015 to 2023 due to soil moisture deficits, each lasting approximately 6 weeks. The impact of drought events on the vegetation ecosystem was seasonally pronounced in spring and winter, where droughts were notably higher. Our results provide valuable insights into informed decision-making and sustainable agricultural practices in the region. Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of drought and its seasonal effects on vegetation can help policymakers and farmers develop targeted strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts, enhance water management practices, and promote drought-resistant crop varieties, thereby maintaining agricultural productivity and ecosystem health amidst increasing climate variability.

FTIR Analysis of Pesticide Active Ingredients into Seasonal Vegetables: Ensuring Food Safety and Raising Awareness

Bangladesh's agriculture sector heavily relies on the use of pesticides for pest control and production. However, improper use and unsafe handling practices can lead to the bio-accumulation of pesticide active ingredients in vegetables, causing high farmer exposure and adverse health effects. This study aimed to detect the presence of pesticide active ingredients in raw vegetables using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). The study involved four fruit vegetables (Eggplants, Tomatoes, Bitter gourd, Green-bean) and 11 different pesticides used by farmers. The results showed that the most widely applied pesticides were moderately toxic WHO class II pesticides. Organophosphate, Neonicotinoid, and fungicide were found in fruits vegetables (Green bean, bitter gourd & eggplant). Food contamination is a serious concern for developing countries, including Bangladesh. Improper pesticide application can lead to a buildup of agrochemical active ingredients on plants' edible portions, potentially absorbing into the food chain. Programs like farmer’s field school, integrated pest management, and the department of agricultural extension's awareness program can help enhance knowledge about effective pesticide usage and prevent health issues related to personal health and safety. It is crucial to limit and avoid misuse and overdose of pesticides in vegetables to prevent the distribution of pesticide molecules and prevent acute and chronic health complications.

Review Article Advanced seed invigoration technologies in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Okra is one of the important warm season vegetables widely cultivated for its tender green fruits and has huge potential for foreign exchange and commercial trade. It is propagated through botanical seeds. Non-availability of quality seeds, poor storability due to oil content, hard seed, slow and uneven germination are the important causes of low productivity of okra. To overcome the above problems, cost effective seed invigoration treatments are recommended in commercial seed production centers. Currently “Seed enhancement Technologies” is gaining attention to improve seed vigour and enhance planting value of crop plants. This research review provides insights into various seed quality enhancement treatments viz., seed priming, physical treatment, seed coating, seed pelleting and other novel treatments namely; nanotechnology and plasma treatments are discussed for adoption of seed treatments to enhance seedling vigour, boost crop production and productivity. Among different methods reported seed priming is adjusted as most economical and trending technique which is considered as climate resilient in terms of biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Key words: Climate resilient, Crop productivity, Okra, Seed invigoration, Seed quality

Habitat Partitioning Among Mediterranean Tortoises (Genus Testudo) in Response to Vegetation Seasonality

Habitat Partitioning Among Mediterranean Tortoises (Genus Testudo) in Response to Vegetation Seasonality

Seasonal dynamics of kiwifruit microbiome: A case study in a KVDS-affected orchard.

Over the past decade, Italian kiwifruit orchards and overall production have faced a significant threat from Kiwifruit Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS). Despite the insights gained from metagenomics studies into the microbial communities associated with the disease, unanswered questions still remain. In this study, the evolution of bacterial, fungal, and oomycetes communities in soil and root endosphere at three different time points during the vegetative season was investigated for the first time in a KVDS-affected orchard in the Lazio Region. The fungal and oomycetes genera previously associated with the syndrome, including Fusarium, Ilyonectria, Thelonectria, Phytophthora, Pythium and Globisporangium, were identified in both groups. In contrast, the characterization of bacterial communities revealed the first instance of the presence of the genus Ralstonia in soil and root samples. The microbiome composition shifts between KVDS-affected and asymptomatic plants were significant as evidenced by the results, particularly after a temperature increase. This temperature change coincided with the onset of severe disease symptoms and may indicate a key role in the progression of KVDS.

Multi-scale temporal and spatial variations of soil heat flux under varying riparian forests: From a day to a year.

This study delves into the multi-scale temporal and spatial variations of soil heat flux (G) within riparian zones and its correlation with net radiation (Rn) across six riparian woodlands in Shanghai, each characterized by distinct vegetation types. The objective is to assess the complex interrelations between G and Rn, and how these relationships are influenced by varying vegetation and seasons. Over the course of a year, data on G and Rn is collected to investigate their dynamics. The multi-scale temporal patterns of G and its relationship with Rn are significantly influenced by both vegetation type and season, with the most pronounced variability observed seasonally, exhibiting distinct cycles for both broadleaf and conifer forests. The presence of shrubs is found to increase G, and the dominant temporal scales were found to vary within broadleaf forests. Additionally, G demonstrates a non-linear gradient with respect to the proximity to the river, with the river's influence on G diminishing at distances less than 11m in broadleaf and 6m in conifer woodlands. While the river enhances G and its hysteresis with Rn, vegetation characteristics dominate in dense canopies. This study underscores the importance of understanding the spatio-temporal variation patterns of soil heat flux and their response to different vegetation attributes. Such knowledge is vital for developing riparian soil heat flux models and informing riparian forest management strategies, especially in the context of climate change. The results provide insights into the complex interactions between soil heat flux, net radiation, and vegetation, offering a foundation for future research and management practices aimed at preserving and enhancing the ecological functions of riparian ecosystems.

Continuous colonization of the Atlantic coastal rain forests of South America from Amazônia.

The two main extensions of rain forest in South America are the Amazon (Amazônia) and the Atlantic rain forest (Mata Atlântica), which are separated by a wide 'dry diagonal' of seasonal vegetation. We used the species-rich tree genus Inga to test if Amazônia-Mata Atlântica dispersals have been clustered during specific time periods corresponding to past, humid climates. We performed hybrid capture DNA sequencing of 810 nuclear loci for 453 accessions representing 164 species that included 62% of Mata Atlântica species and estimated a dated phylogeny for all accessions using maximum likelihood, and a species-level tree using coalescent methods. There have been 16-20 dispersal events to the Mata Atlântica from Amazônia with only one or two dispersals in the reverse direction. These events have occurred over the evolutionary history of Inga, with no evidence for temporal clustering, and model comparisons of alternative biogeographic histories and null simulations showing the timing of dispersal events matches a random expectation. Time-specific biogeographic corridors are not required to explain dispersal between Amazônia and the Mata Atlântica for rain forest trees such as Inga, which are likely to have used a dendritic net of gallery forests to cross the dry diagonal.

Phytogeographic Transition Areas Hide Floristic Diversity in Hyper-Arid Environments (Sharaan Natural Reserve, NW-Saudi Arabia)

Phytogeographic transition zones are often considered areas rich in biodiversity due to their ecological and landscape diversity. This study constitutes the first floristic investigation of the Sharaan Natural Reserve (SNR) located in the northwest of the KSA, which is supposed to be a phytogeographic transition zone due to its location between the central zone of the country dominated by Saharo-Arabic flora and the northern zone characterized by a Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian floristic affinities. The floristic studies carried out in the vegetation season from 2022 to 2024 led to the identification of 166 plant taxa belonging to 38 botanical families. The flora of the SNR is dominated by Therophytes, while the Saharo-Arabian element dominates the chorology of the taxa. The comparative phytogeographic analysis of SNR flora compared to the available literature on published floristic inventories in different phytogeographic regions of the country has confirmed the floristic affinities of the flora of the reserve, especially with the northern and Nefud regions. Among the identified plants, 13 taxa were not mentioned in the 44 consulted references and seem more or less exclusive to the reserve/phytogeographic region. Also, 12 taxa are considered of Least Concern according to the IUCN red list while the presence of Calligonum comosum L’Hér. allows the classification of its natural habitat (dunes) as a Critical Habitat according to the PS6 criteria. This study reports that SNR constitutes a phytogeographic and floristic transitional area by the presence of a significant number of Irano-Turanian (43) and Mediterranean (21) taxa mixed with the dominant Saharo-Arabic species. The SNR region contains a rich and diverse flora due to the biogeographical situation as a transitional zone and the protection due to the closure. This conservation should be strengthened and extended to other neighboring areas with the same biological wealth.

OPTIMAL PARAMETERS OF SOIL WATER REGIME DURING CROPS CULTIVATION ON DRAINED LANDS

The results of the research on determining the optimal parameters of the soil water regime during cultivation of promising agricultural crops on drained lands under modern conditions of farm management and climate changes are presented. It was found that the weather conditions of the vegetation seasons of 2022, 2023, and 2024 on the drained lands of the reclamation system of the Sarny Research Station of IWP&LR of NAAS were very contrasting: periods with excessive precipitation alternated with their prolonged absence, and significant fluctuations in temperature indicators were noted. The assessment of the impact of water regime regulation on the yield of spring wheat, winter rapeseed, grain corn, and soybeans was carried out using an unified fertilization system, applying the same rates of mineral fertilizers, and with an identical plant protection system on the background of 3 options for regulating the groundwater level (GWL) - 75-80 cm, 85-100 cm, and 100-140 cm. On the background of the indicated options for regulating the GWL, the lowest moisture reserves were observed in the summer period, and in areas adjacent to the studied territory, where the GWL was not regulated, moisture reserves in the summer in the soil layer of 0-30 cm dropped to the critical values (8–9 mm). On the experimental plots during this period, thanks to timely sluicing, soil moisture reserves did not fall below 47-50 mm. Based on the analysis of the dynamics of dry mass of growth of spring wheat, winter rapeseed, grain corn, and soybeans according to the options for regulating the soil water regime, the optimal parameters of the soil water regime (GWL, moisture, and moisture reserves) were determined for the phenological phases of the studied crops. It was found that the highest yield increase due to the optimization of moisture supply was observed in spring wheat and soybeans. Spring wheat is the most sensitive to soil water regime and reacts more actively than other crops to a decrease in GWL. The regulation of the GWL contributed to an increase in the yield of spring wheat by 41.6%, winter rapeseed by 18.3%, grain corn by 32.5%, and soybeans by 44,8%.

Soil Moisture Content Prediction in Loam Soil with RFR Model

Soil moisture content (SMC) is an important factor in agricultural productivity; it has an impact on crop growth, water use efficiency, and soil health. However, accurately predicting SMC, especially at deeper soil layers, remains challenging due to high variability and limited spatiotemporal data resolution. This study developed and evaluated a Random Forest Regression (RFR) model to predict SMC in loam soil at five different depths (5, 20, 40, 60, and 80 cm) utilizing meteorological data (temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and solar radiation) and vegetation indices: the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI). Data were collected during the maize vegetation season in 2023 in Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary. The results showed that the mean SMC ranged from 12.61% to 16.19%. Correlation analysis demonstrated that precipitation and NDMI had the strongest positive correlation with SMC, especially at shallower depths r = 0.78 at 5 cm depth, Solar radiation had a moderate correlation with SMC, especially at the deeper depths. The RFR model performed well at all depths, achieving an R² of 0.86 at 5 cm depth; the model accuracy enhanced at deeper layers, achieving R² values of 0.91 and 0.94 at 60 and 80 cm depths, respectively. The most significant predictors according to the feature importance analysis were precipitation, humidity, and NDMI, with NDMI playing a crucial role in subsurface moisture retention at deeper depths. These findings highlight the potential for machine learning algorithms to optimize irrigation approaches and improve water management in precision agriculture.

Variability of the thousand-seed weight in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The thousand-seed weight (TSW) is one of the traits which is related to yield and milling quality of wheat. The aim of this work was to study the variability of the thousand-seed weight of bread wheat varieties grown under different environmental conditions. Fifty wheat varieties in a field experiment designed as a randomized block system were used for this study in three replications on the field in Kraljevo, Serbia during two vegetation seasons (2015-2017). The seeds were sown at 0.10 m distance in 1.0 m long rows spaced apart 0.2 m. Sixty plants at the full maturity stage (20 plants replication-1) were harvested and used for analyzing the thousand-seed weight. The analysis of variance was performed by MSTAT C (5.0 version). Similarities among wheat varieties were analyzed by using the hierarchical method of the Euclidean distance. The results have shown significant differences in the thousand-seed weight among varieties in both years. On average, in the first vegetation season the lowest thousand-seed weight (39.14 g) was recorded in the Lepenica variety, while the highest thousand-seed weight (54.66 g) was recorded in the Zadruga variety. In the second vegetation season, the thousand-seed weight varied from the lowest in NS Rana 2 (34.57 g) to the highest in Šumadinka (50.33 g). The similarity was illustrated on a dendogram containing four clusters in the first year and six clusters of varieties in the second year. The prominent cluster contained different numbers and compositions of varieties with the highest degree of similarity. The differences in average of the thousand-seed weight were determined by the genetic, environmental factor and by genotype/environment interaction.

Soil mite communities (Acari, Mesostigmata) in pure stands on post-agricultural lands: does season matter?

Post-agricultural land differs from typical forest land in physical, chemical and biological features. In addition, the environment of this land type is determined, among other things, by the introduced tree species. These differences may be revealed by the biodiversity and abundance of the soil fauna. We analysed the abundance, species richness and diversity of different instars of mesostigmatid mites inhabiting three different habitat types on post-agricultural land (shaped by pure Pinus sylvestris L., Tilia cordata Mill. and Betula pendula Roth stands). We collected 288 soil samples from eight plots in three stands. The collection was conducted in July and October in two consecutive vegetation seasons (2021 and 2022) for Mesostigmata mites community. Soil characteristics (determination of soil group and analysis of physical and chemical properties of soil and litter) were done in July 2021. In total, 399 individuals (266 females, 50 males and 83 juveniles) were classified into 38 taxa (33 species, five genera). Most individuals belonged to the Parasitidae, Laelapidae and Veigaiidae families. The most abundant species were Hypoaspis aculeifer (Canestini) (21.6% of all recorded mites), Veigaia nemorensis (C.L.Koch) (7.8%) and Trachytes aegrota (C.L.Koch) (7.0%). Abundance, species richness and diversity were shaped by collection month and Fe content in soil. The abundance was influenced by N litter content and was significantly lower in P. sylvestris stand in July (0.57 ± 0.23; mean ± SE) than in P. sylvestris (2.17 ± 0.54) and T. cordata (2.15 ± 0.48) stands in October. Moreover, abundance in P. sylvestris stand in October was higher than in B. pendula stand in July (0.78 ± 0.26). Similarly, species richness was significantly lower in P. sylvestris stand in July than in P. sylvestris and T. cordata stands in October (2.17 ± 0.54 and 2.15 ± 0.48, respectively). Higher Shannon’s diversity of mite communities was reported in P. sylvestris stand in October (0.40 ± 0.10) than in P. sylvestris and B. pendula stands in July (0.12 ± 0.06 and 0.14 ± 0.08, respectively). Large fluctuations of abundance, species richness and diversity of soil mite communities in P. sylvestris and B. pendula stands between collection months give the insights for creating mixed stands on post-agricultural land. It is worth noticing that the wet season creates the most favourable living environment for mesostigmatid mites in P. sylvestris litter.