The research aims to determine the phenological characteristics of seven introduced almond cultivars (Ferragnes, Ferraduel, Tuono, Genco, Supernova, Texas, Nonpareil), in Herzegovina, in a private plantation located near the settlement of Gnojnice, Mostar municipality. The area of Herzegovina - Mostar is very favorable for intensive almond cultivation. The phenological observations covered two vegetation years (2017-2018). Phenological observations are considered as sensitive methods for recognizing the plant reactions to climate change. The flowering period is a significant characteristic of almonds because it is important to avoid late frosts that affect the production of almonds with early flowering. Based on the study of the phenological phases of almond flowering, it can be concluded that all introduced almond cultivars belong to the group of medium to late flowering, which shows a satisfactory adaptation to the ecological conditions of Herzegovina. There are significant differences in the time of the beginning of ripening of almond cultivars in 2017 and 2018, which is the result of the agro-ecological conditions. Based on the phenological research that referred to the late flowering, the most promising cultivar for the area of Herzegovina is Supernova, and it can be recommended for wider production. In addition to the late flowering phenophases, Supernova is self-fertile cultivar. In the future, it is necessary to continue and intensively research both the introduction and autochthonous genotypes of almonds in Herzegovina for genetic characteristics and breeding programs.

This document presents strategic guidelines and a development framework aimed at enhancing higher education programs in biotechnology within Bosnia and Herzegovina. It emphasizes the importance of aligning academic curricula, research capacities, and innovation ecosystems with global sustainable development goals (SDGs) and emerging scientific trends. Drawing on insights from the 2025 scientific-expert symposium "Next-Generation Biotechnologists – Skills of Future Educators," this work outlines key recommendations for modernizing educational approaches, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering the next generation of biotechnologists equipped to meet societal and technological challenges. The framework is intended for academic institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to advancing biotechnology education and innovation in the region.

A 2-year study was done to compare fruit morphological and chemical composition of three nectarine cultivars grown in south Hercegovinia conditions. A high variability among and within cultivars was found and significant differences were observed among them in all properties analyzed. On the basis of evaluated data, the best fruit performance was registered in ‘Caldesi 2000’ and ‘Venus’ grown in the condition of this part of the Mediteran. This evaluation may help to select a set of nectarine cultivars with better fruit quality attributes, which in our growing conditions might be indicated in ‘Caldesi 2000’ and somewhat in ‘Venus’. The highest average of fruit width (61.18 mm) and fruit weight (148.24 g) was found in cultivar Caldesi 2000. As for friut thickness, also cultivar Caldesi 2000 had the highest value (55.39 mm). The results for the highest fruit length (60.48 mm) had Venus cultivar also fruit stone weight length, width and thickness. The contents sugars (glucose, fructose) total soluble dry matter, and total acids in fruits were found in cultivar Venus, but pH and sucrose were found in cultivar Sun Grand.

The research included seven autochthonous apple varieties in the area of Tomislavgrad, Stipanjići locality, during 2018, which represent the natural wealth of our country. In seven autochthonous apple varieties: Petrovača bijela, Budimka, Ljutika-Divljaka, Ledarica, Bedrica, Ljepocvjetka-Cvjetača and Jonatanka, phenological characteristics were monitored and analyzed with morphological-pomological properties of fruits. The following phenological characteristics were monitored: flowering phenophases, germination of the first fruits, fruit growth, fruit ripening and full maturity. Five characteristics for the description of apple fruits were determined using the UPOV descriptor for apples (UPOV, 2003). The results of monitoring the morphological and pomological properties of fruits show that the lowest average fruit weight was in the variety of Cvjetača (58,38 g), while the highest average of fruit weight had variety Bedrica (140,59 g). In the result is evident that the lowest value of fruit width had variety Cvjetača (53,72 mm), and the highest had variety of Jonatanka (70,83 mm). The Cvjetača variety had the lowest average fruit lenght (47,24 mm), while the Bedrica variety had the highest (59,72 mm). The Budimka variety had the highest average stem length (2,73 cm), while the Divljak variety had the lowest average stem length (1,43 cm). The Jonatanka variety had the largest average cup concavity and was (1,28 mm), while the Petrovača bijela variety (0,41 mm) had the lowest average cup concavity. Based on the this research, the examined autochthonous apple varieties can be used a valuable genetic material in breeding programs, and can be used to create new varieties, as well as for propagation in commercial plantations.

The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is considered to be one of those medicinal plants with important nutritional and therapeutic properties. The plant shows resistance against abiotic and biotic stressors in natural growing conditions and could be suitable to use in sustainable fruit production. This study was carried out on 22 local cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) genotypes, which were grown northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fruits of these 22 genotypes were harvested and analyzed during the ripening period in 2018/2019. Fruit weight, length, and width ranged from 1.38 to 3.01 g, 13.84 to 19.43 mm, and 10.92 to 14.79 mm, respectively. Dry matter content was determined to be the lowest at 11.67% and the highest at 21.89%. The genotypes had vitamin C content between 25.85 and 58.75 mg/100 g. Total phenolic and anthocyanin content were found to be quite variable among genotypes and ranged from 1240 to 6958 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g fresh weight (FW) and 55.57 to 205.6 mg cyaniding-3-glucoside equivalents (CGE) per 100 g FW, respectively. The content of phosphorus and iron were between 155.52 to 263.06 mg per 100 g and 0.25 to 0.93 mg per 100 g, respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the first and second components accounted for 44.05% and 60.50% of the total variance, and the major proportion of the first and second components were the morphometric properties and chemical traits of the cornelian cherry fruits. The results revealed that the characterized genotypes could be important for cornelian cherry breeders as ready crossing materials to obtain new cornelian cherry varieties and shows the potential of certain genotypes as a valuable source of natural antioxidants. The results may have served as a guide towards the development of sustainable production programs for cornelian cherries as well.

The paper presents the results of the analysis of phenological and morphological characteristics of 3 hazelnut cultivars present in the production plantation in the north-western Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 'Rimski', 'Istarski dugi' and 'Tonda Gentile Romana' cultivars served as research material. Blooming time ranged from December to March. For all cultivars, the occurrence of dichogamy, precisely protandry, was observed. The longest flowering period of both male and female flowers was found in the 'Tonda Gentile Romana' cultivar. The 'Rimski' cultivar had the highest fruit weight (3.04 g). 'Tonda Gentile Romana' had the highest kernel weight (1.50 g). The highest kernel percentage (49%) was found in 'Istarski dugi'. The length of male catkins ranged from 21.73 cm to 29.76 cm. Statistically significant differences among cultivars were found for the following traits: the length of male catkins, the number of female flowers in glomeruli, and the number of nuts on a fruiting shoot. The 'Istarski' cultivar had the highest average length of male catkins (29.76) and the highest number of female flowers in the glomeruli (7.32). 'Tonda Gentile Romana' had the highest number of fruits (20.93) on the shoots. All three cultivars have proven to be good varieties in terms of phenological and morphological characteristics, so they can be recommended for intensive production of this nut crop.

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) is a deciduous fruit shrub from Rosaceae family that does not have a long cultivating tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the effect of variety, quantity and combination of fertilizers on characteristics of vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of black chokeberry of Nero cultivar, in agro - ecological conditions of the Una – Sana Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The experimental site fertilized with the combination of mineral and organic nitrate fertilizers gave the best results in morphometric characteristics of fruit, yield and vegetative characteristics of growth. Fruits from the control site had the highest values when it comes to the most of the following characteristics: dry matter content, ash, total acidity, vitamin C and total phenolic content. Statistical analyses showed that factors of quantity and the manner of fertilization influence significantly most of examined parameters in this research (P ≤ 0.05).