April 20-26, 2026: Cooperation with the Linkage Institution – Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb

From April 20 to 26, 2026, Prof. Pidlisniuk (NPD) conducted a business trip to Croatia within the framework of the G6094 project.

During the visit, she met with Prof. Željka Zgorelec, Head of the Linkage Institution team for G6094 at the Department of General Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb. The meeting focused on a detailed review of the prepared manuscript “Tracking Soil Carbon Pool over Four-Year Plantation of Miscanthus × giganteus,” developed collaboratively by UJEP, TVHNPU, and UZ. The discussion also addressed preparations for Training #4 under the G6094 and the participation of the UZ team in this event.

Prof. Zgorelec presented the project “Production of Food, Biocomposites, and Biofuels from Cereals in a Circular Bioeconomy” (https://projekt-klima.eu/), which focuses on biomass processing into energy and a range of bioproducts, including textiles. Opportunities for future joint research were discussed, particularly the conversion of Miscanthus × giganteus biomass, harvested at fields in Chomutov, into textile materials.

A meeting with Prof. Milan Mesić, PhD (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb), focused on experimental laboratory and field results related to the application of biochar and ash in phytoremediation using Miscanthus × giganteus.

Prof. Pidlisniuk also met with members of the UZ team involved in the Croatian Science Foundation project “Integration of Phytoremediation, Carbon Sequestration, and Energy Production through the Cultivation of Energy Crops” (2026–2029), led by Assoc. Prof. Nikola Bilandžija (Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Zagreb). The discussion explored the application of G6094 approaches to phytoremediation of post-military soils in Croatia using energy crops such as Sida hermaphrodita, Arundo donax, and Miscanthus × giganteus.

In addition, Prof. Pidlisniuk visited the Division of Agricultural Engineering, Department of Mechanization and Autonomous Systems in Agriculture, where she met with Dr. Mateja Grubor, Research Associate. Their discussion addressed the ongoing Arundo donax field experiment in Chomutov, with a focus on expanding research into energy-related properties of the plant under different soil amendments and climate conditions. Plans for a laboratory experiment using landfill soil supported by biochar were also discussed. Dr. Grubor provided approximately 30 rhizomes of Arundo donax for this experiment, which is scheduled to be established in Chomutov in May 2026.

Prof. Pidlisniuk introduced the Guide-Book “Utilization of Miscanthus Advanced Phytotechnology for Revitalisation of the Post-Military Land”, 2026, recently published within G6094, to the members of Linkage institution team at ZU.