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Recent Submissions
The impact of potassium chloride (KCl) on germination and seedling growth of Aegilops neglecta Req. ex Bertol.: implications for salinity tolerance
(Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", 2026-05-08) Desheva, Gergana; Deshev, Manol; Valchinova, Evgeniya; Pencheva, Albena; Kyosev, Bozhidar; Petrović, Gordana
Soil salinity poses a significant threat to global agriculture, impacting crop productivity and land sustainability. Understanding the mechanisms of salt tolerance in wild relatives of crops holds the key to developing salt-resilient varieties. This study investigates the effects of potassium chloride (KCl), a common salt contributing to soil salinity, on the germination and seedling growth of Aegilops neglecta Req. ex Bertol, a wild relative of wheat. Seeds were subjected to varying concentrations of KCl (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM, 200 mM, 250 mM, and 300 mM) in controlled laboratory conditions. Germination percentage, germination rate, seedling length (shoot and root), and seedling dry weight were assessed. The results revealed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of KCl on all measured parameters. KCl significantly inhibits the germination and seedling growth in the studied genotypes of A. neglecta Req. ex Bertol. The observed reductions in germination percentage, germination rate, root length, shoot length, and biomass accumulation are indicative of the stressful effects of KCl on plant development. However, Aegilops neglecta exhibits some degree of tolerance to KCl stress, suggesting the presence of underlying salt tolerance mechanisms. Based on the integrated analysis of tolerance and susceptibility indices, genotype BGR43687 was identified as highly tolerant to salinity stress, suggesting its potential utilization as a valuable source for salt tolerance genes in wheat breeding programs.
Protective effect of modified natural clinoptilolite against lead-induced genotoxicity in laboratory mice
(Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", 2026-05-08) Beltcheva, Maria; Aleksieva, Iliana; Chassovnikarova, Tsenka
Lead (Pb) is a potent toxic and genotoxic metal that accumulates in mammalian tissues, induces oxidative stress, and disrupts genomic integrity. Creating effective strategies to reduce
Pb bioavailability and lessen its harmful effects remains a key priority in toxicology. This study examined the impact of 15, 30, and 45 days of sub-chronic Pb exposure on tissue accumulation, fecal elimination, and genotoxicity in ICR (CD-1) mice, as well as the potential protective role of a specifically activated, Na-modified natural clinoptilolite from the “Beli Plast” deposit (Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria). Three experimental groups were established: a control group, a Pbexposed group (PbW) receiving 0.00125 M Pb(NO₃)₂, and a Pb-exposed+clinoptilolite (PbW+Z) group fed a diet containing 12.5 wt.% clinoptilolite. ICP-MS was used to measure Pb levels in liver, kidney, and feces, and genotoxic effects were assessed using an in vivo micronucleus assay in peripheral erythrocytes. Pb exposure also induced a time-dependent increase in micronucleus frequency, reflecting cumulative genotoxic damage. Micronucleus frequency was markedly elevated in Pb-exposed mice but significantly reduced at all time points when clinoptilolite was present, suggesting protection against Pb-induced genomic instability. Overall, zeolite effectively reduced the total burden of Pb in organisms, increased fecal elimination, and reduced Pb-induced genotoxicity. These findings emphasize zeolite as a promising low-cost protective sorbent for reducing heavy metal toxicity and preventing long-term biological damage for organisms chronically exposed to lead.
First record of Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanicа Bolkay, 1925) in Gornata Кoriya Reserve, Northwestern Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", 2026-05-10) Petrov, Alexander
This short note presents the first record of a Balkan chamois in the Berkovitsa region. The study was conducted using camera traps placed in the Goranta Koriya Reserve in Berkovitsa
municipality. The photo shows a male specimen in an old forest. There are several possibilities regarding its presence in this part of the Balkan Mountains: a wandering animal from a nearby population or a specimen from a reintroduction attempt.
The use of small UAVs in precision agriculture and their impact on the environment and birds
(Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", 2026-05-08) Atanasov, Asparuh
This study focuses on the impact on birds and the environment of using small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones for the needs of precision agriculture. For the period 2019-2025, 385 flights were carried out over agricultural areas in the region of Southern Dobruja, Republic of Bulgaria. Many of the flights were carried out 100m above the field at a speed of 10m/s along a meandering trajectory. The conducted studies found that no disturbance was observed on the part of the flying or nesting birds. Only one case of an attack attempt by a bird of prey was observed, but there was no collision. The measured noise pollution shows very low levels. The study proves that small quadcopter-type UAVs are an indispensable assistant to farmers, and no impact on the environment was recorded during the study.
The role of local varieties in the context of biodiversity conservation
(Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski", 2026-05-08) Velcheva, Nikolaya; Mendel, Lubomir; Čičová, Iveta; Zetochová, Erika
In the last few decades, a huge number of old and traditional varieties have been replaced by new commercial varieties. Under these circumstances, an approach for biodiversity
conservation by using two strategies: in situ/on-farm and ex-situ preservation, represents a research priority. International collaboration between genebanks has become crucial in ensuring the global conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in the framework of maintaining compatibility and interoperability in the European area. The Green Deal promotes ecological practices that have a positive impact on the protection of biological resources and support agricultural systems in climate change. The purpose of the study is to improve documentation and visibility in the national genebanks of Bulgaria and Slovakia due qualitatively exchange of experience and establishing a joint research plan based on their long-standing mission of storage and use of plant diversity. By expeditions for local accessions in the rural areas and international germplasm exchange using the Standard Material Transfer Agreement, the diversity of the National collections is increased, following the priorities of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The results of the project help valorisation of plant gene pool through open access to ex situ collections databases for promoting the role of local varieties in biodiversity conservation and meeting the farmers’ needs. The Bulgarian and Slovakian genebank collections are documented by FAO/Bioversity descriptors and published in the European catalogue EURISCO (http://eurisco.ecpgr.org). They are presented with a valuable amount of seed duplicates in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The research is based on the cooperation project DIGIVALPGR.