Journal of Agriculture and Plant Sciences

Journal Editor Board, Content and Editor Introduction

Liljana Koleva Gudeva — 2025-09-02

MICROBIOLOGICAL GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN SHALLOW WELLS BEFORE AND AFTER DISINFECTION WITH PERACETIC ACID

Ankica Anastasova — 2025-09-02

The microbiological examination of water is used worldwide to monitor and control the quality and safety of various types of water. Peracetic acid (PAA) has garnered increasing attention as an alternative oxidant and disinfectant in water treatment due to the rising demand to reduce chlorine usage and control disinfection byproducts. The main aim of the research was to assess the well water microbiological quality before and after disinfection with PAA. The water samples were taken from 5 wells in the rural areas of Probishtip and Kocani regions of North Macedonia. Sampling was conducted twice (before and after disinfection) per season during the four seasons of the year. Water samples from 5 shallow wells were analysed for microbiological parameters using reference methods. The results were compared with the quality of control water and the permissible values according to the national legislation. Water quality parameters indicated that all well water samples failed to meet safe drinking water limits. A significant improvement in the microbiological quality of the water was observed during the seasons when a PAA working solution with concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% was used. The regression statistical model revealed that disinfection with PAA and the seasonal variation in its concentration had a statistically significant influence on the microbiological quality of well water (p<0.001). Identification and management of groundwater quality are of utmost importance for maintaining freshwater resources, which are essential for sustainable rural development.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CARBON FARMING AND CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS IN CORN AND SUNFLOWER CULTIVATION: CASE STUDY IN NORTH MACEDONIA

Biljana Balabanova — 2025-09-02

This study conducts a comparative evaluation of carbon farming versus conventional agricultural systems in corn (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivation, examining their impacts on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics alongside other soil properties during the 2024–2025 growing season. Soil samples were collected at three critical stages—vegetation onset, midseason, and harvest—to quantify total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) under each management regime.

Results reveal that carbon farming consistently and significantly enhanced TOC and TN compared to conventional agriculture. In corn plots, carbon farming induced a progressive accumulation of both TOC and TN, driven by increased organic matter inputs and stimulated microbial activity—trends consistent with established organic amendment outcomes. Sunflower plots exhibited a delayed but notable increase in soil C and N, likely reflecting the crop’s high nutrient uptake and distinct biomass turnover patterns.

Conversely, conventional management displayed stable or declining TOC and TN trends, underscoring the adverse impacts of reliance on synthetic inputs on soil fertility . These findings highlight carbon farming's effectiveness in enhancing soil health by improving nutrient retention and increasing organic matter, aligning with climate-smart and regenerative agriculture principles .

In summary, carbon farming presents a promising strategy for boosting soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in cereal and oilseed production systems, offering co-benefits for soil fertility and climate mitigation. Its implementation may advance sustainable crop production and long-term soil resilience.

CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TOBACCO SOILS IN THE PRILEP REGION: ENVIRONMENTAL AND AGRICULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

Bojana Dimovska Gonovska — 2025-09-02

The quality of the soil plays a fundamental role in agricultural productivity, particularly in tobacco cultivation, where both high yields and superior leaf quality are essential. The elemental composition of the soil, in particular the balance between essential nutrients and the presence of potentially toxic elements, plays a crucial role in shaping soil quality and influencing overall plant health and development. In this study, the soil quality in the Prilep region in North Macedonia, the main cultivation area for oriental tobacco, is investigated. During the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons, soil samples were collected from selected tobacco fields and analyzed using ICP-MS to determine the concentrations of selected macro and microelements (K, Mg, Fe, and Na) as well as potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). In addition to elemental analysis, several key agrochemical properties were also assessed: organic matter content (ranging from low to moderate), total nitrogen content (0.03–0.14%), soil pH (mean 6.55, indicating slightly acidic to neutral conditions), the availability of essential nutrients (phosphorus and potassium), the physical structure of the soils (classified as medium loam), and clay content (20.6% to 58.7%). The content of macro- and microelements were closely related to the geological and pedological characteristics of the region. The concentration of potentially toxic elements remained below the internationally accepted thresholds for heavy metals in agricultural soils, indicating a low risk of contamination and confirming the suitability of these soils for sustainable tobacco cultivation.

THE SUCCINATE DEHIDROGENASE INHIBITOR FUNGICIDES: FUNGAL RESISTANCE AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Biljana Kovacevik — 2025-09-02

Effective disease management is essential to mitigate the rapid emergence of resistant pathogen populations. An important group of fungicides that play a pivotal role in the integrated management systems, among others, also because of their low environmental toxicity, are succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors, which act by binding to the mitochondrial complex II of the respiratory system. Unlike first-generation SDHIs (e.g., carboxin and oxycarboxin), which exhibit high efficacy against basidiomycetes, newer compounds in this class (e.g., cyclobutrifluram, furametpyr, and inpyrfluxam) demonstrate broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of fungal species. However, their repeated and inadequate application strategies, can exert strong selection pressure, favoring the development of resistant fungal genotypes, which may ultimately compromise fungicide efficacy. This review examines both historical and recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying SDHI resistance, as well as other factors influencing the evolution of resistance. In addition, we provide insights into strategies for the effective use of newly developed SDHI molecules and highlight key research directions for combating resistance in the future.

AGROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS FROM THE OVCHE POLE VINE DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY FROM TRI CESHMI AND DOLNO TROGERCI

Aleksandar Piperevski — 2025-09-02

This study provides a physicochemical, and agrochemical characterization of vineyard soils in the Ovche Pole Vine District, located within the Povardarie Wine Region of North Macedonia. Two representative vineyard locations, Tri Cheshmi and Dolno Trogerci, were selected for comparative assessment based on their contrasting geological conditions. The analysis focused on key soil parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content, texture, as well as available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The soils in Tri Cheshmi, developed over Neogene lacustrine sediments rich in marl and calcareous clay, showed alkaline pH, moderate carbonate levels and elevated EC, reflecting a strong pedogenic influence from the carbonate-rich parent material. In contrast, the soils in Dolno Trogerci, formed by colluvial-alluvial deposits with contributions from volcanic and metamorphic rocks from the Vardar zone, showed greater textural variability and higher levels of CaCO₃ content. The semi-arid climate of the region, characterized by hot, dry summers and moderately cold winters, further shapes soil development and fertility. This study provides a basic understanding of the physicochemical and nutrient-related soil properties in the Ovche Pole Vine District and supports the development of site-specific sustainable vineyard management practices.

DETERMINATION OF FREE HYDROCYANIC ACID IN HOMEMADE FRUIT BRANDIES

Aleksandar Piperevski — 2025-09-02

Fruit brandy is a traditional alcoholic beverage widely consumed in the Republic of N. Macedonia and other Balkan countries, produced by distillation of fermented fruits such as plum, apricot, quince and apple, using either homemade or industrial methods. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of 24 homemade fruit brandy samples by determining the content of free hydrocyanic acid (HCN), a potentially toxic compound. HCN is formed during alcoholic fermentation as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis of cyanogenic glycosides naturally present in fruit seeds. The quantification of free HCN was performed spectrophotometrically using König reaction, a colorimetric method based on the formation of cyanogen chloride, which reacts with pyridine and barbituric acid to form a stable pink complex with maximum absorbance at 580 nm. results were recalculated to a 100% v/v ethanol basis to allowed comparison with the EU legal limit of 70 mg/L. All samples were within the permissible safety threshold. The highest HCN concentration were found in apricot and apple brandies (up to 9.81 mg/L), while plum and quince brandies contained significantly lower levels. A moderate correlation was observed between HCN levels and several chemical parameters, including methanol, aldehydes, ethanol, total esters, furfural and fusel alcohols. These results suggest that fruit type, fermentation conditions and the extend of seed contact during the preparation of the fruit mash prior to fermentation play a critical role in HCN formation. This highlights the importance of controlled processing practices to ensure the safety of traditional fruit brandies.

USING MINERALS AS TRACERS FOR FUNCTIONAL VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

Lolita Spirova — 2025-09-02

This study investigates the elemental composition of a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables collected from the Vinica region in eastern North Macedonia, aiming to evaluate the use of minerals as tracers for identifying functional properties in plant-based foods. A total of 27 plant species were analyzed, including commonly consumed fruits (orange, grapes, melon, banana, apple, kiwi, pomegranate and others) and vegetables (carrot, spinach, broccoli, beetroot, arugula, ginger and others), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of 34 elements, from essential nutrients (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Se) to potentially toxic trace elements (Pb, Cd, As, Hg), were quantified. Descriptive statistics and multivariate techniques, such as factor and cluster analysis, were applied to explore patterns of mineral association, inter- and intra-species variability, and differentiation between fruit and vegetable groups. The results revealed clear differences in mineral content, with leafy and root vegetables showing higher levels of macro-elements and trace metals, while fruits were richer in elements linked to reproductive and metabolic functions. Mineral clustering revealed co-association trends influenced by botanical, physiological, and environmental factors. These findings highlight the utility of elemental composition as a reliable indicator for evaluating nutritional value, functional potential, and geographic provenance of plant-based foods.