Phosphorus sources for winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) during reproductive growth – magnesium sulfate management impact on P use efficiency

It has been assumed that phosphorus (P) resources accumulated in vegetative tissues of winter oilseed rape (WOSR) at flowering are too low to cover the requirements for the high-yielding crop during the seed filling period (SFP). The data used originated from field experiments with nutrients sequentially added to WOSR, using crops grown on soil rich in available P (2008–2010). The low-seed density canopies during SFP resulted only from the P remobilized from the pre-flowering crop resources. The high-seed density canopies depended on both P remobilized and its uptake from soil (PFPU). The maximum PFPU of 30.7 kg P ha^?1, and the concomitant seed density of 86.8 ? 10³ m^?2, resulted in a maximum seed yield of 5.8 t ha^?1. Internal P resources were reused during SFP irrespective of the initial P content and without impact on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). The study showed that PUE improvement in WOSR is related to the seed density of primary branches. Its development depended on the supply of potassium, magnesium and sulfate. A PUE of 105.4 kg seed kg^?1 P was used to predict the seed yield gap (PYG). This index can be used as a measure of P management efficiency in WOSR canopy.     

Subcelullar localization of proteins associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prune dwarf virus</Emphasis> replication

The fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is the causal agent of anthracnose, one of the most severe diseases of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The infection process begins with the adhesion of conidia to the plant’s surface. Appressoria are then formed, allowing penetration of the fungus. Next, the biotrophic phase begins, followed by the necrotrophic phase. Due to the peculiar nutrition mode of the fungus, including both of the previously mentioned stages, it is of great interest to determine which genes are involved in the transition between the two phases during the infection process. To determine this, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used in association with qRT-PCR in the present study. These methods allowed for the identification of genes that were differentially expressed at each developmental stage of the fungus in the plant. This is the first report on the use of the cited techniques to evaluate the infectious cycle of the fungus. A total of 175 sequences exhibited significant identity (e?≤?10^?5) with sequences present in the sequenced genomes of P. vulgaris and C. lindemuthianum; approximately 41 % of those were determined to belong to the fungus, and 59 % were determined to belong to the plant. Of the predicted sequences, 68 % were of unknown function or were not found in the databases. Among the analyzed expressed sequence tags (ESTs), sequences were found that encode proteins related to: primary and secondary metabolism; the transport of different compounds; the degradation/modification of proteins; cell regulation and signaling; cellular stress response; and the degradation of exogenous compounds. The obtained results allowed for the identification of sequences encoding proteins that are essential for the progression of anthracnose. Furthermore, it was possible to identify new genes, the functions of which have not yet been described, and even to identify unique genes of C. lindemuthianum that are involved in the pathogenicity and virulence of this fungus.     

Influence of Insolation on the Efficiency of NO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Removal from Wastewater Treated in the Hydroponic System

The use of plants and natural processes for wastewater treatment is an issue that arouses interest among technologists and scientists around the world. The aim of the article was to analyze the influence of the air temperature and insolation on the removal of nitrate nitrogen from the wastewater treated in the hydroponic system, under greenhouse conditions. Samples of sewage for its quality tests were taken from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located in the southwestern part of Poland. Data regarding daily sunshine duration and average daily air temperature values in selected periods of 2013–2016 come from a meteorological station located 30 km from WWTP. The conducted research and analyses of the results clearly indicate that under moderate climate conditions, the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface is insufficient to ensure the year-round, effective wastewater treatment process in the hydroponic system. In the case of air temperature, no correlation was found between the tested parameters, which indicates the lack of temperature influence on the efficiency of NO₃ removal from the wastewater by macrophytes growing in the lagoon.     

Length of winter coat in horses depending on husbandry conditions

This paper analyzes changes in the length of coat on selected body areas in horses and ponies kept under different husbandry (stable) conditions during the winter‐spring period. The study included 12 Ma?polski geldings and 12 geldings of Felin ponies aged 10–15 years. Horses were kept in two stables (six horses and six ponies in each stable). The type of performance, husbandry conditions and feeding of the studied animals were comparable. As of December 1, samples of hair coat from the scapula, sternum, back and abdomen areas of both body sides were collected seven times. The lengths of 20 randomly selected hair fibers were measured. Daily measurements of air temperature in the stables were also taken. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the following factors: the body part from where the coat was sampled, the subsequent examination and the stable as well as the interaction between these factors. The significance of differences between means was determined with a t‐Tukey test. The relations between air temperature in the stable and hair length were calculated using Pearson's correlation. It was found that air temperature in the stable impacts the length of winter coat in horses and ponies. The effect of this factor is more pronounced in ponies; as in the stables with lower temperatures it produces a longer hair coat which is more evenly distributed over the body in comparison with horses. Keeping horses and ponies in stables with a low air temperature accelerates coat shedding by approximately 25 days. Coat shedding begins from the scapula area.     

Analysis of Granulometric Composition of Algal Suspensions in Wastewater Treated with Hydroponic Method

The aim of the study was to determine the changes in suspension particle size identified in biologically treated wastewater, which was then treated in hydroponic system with use of engineering lighting by the light-emitting diodes (LED). The study was subjected to wastewater purified under laboratory conditions, in a hydroponic system using the effect of macrophytes Pistia stratiotes and growing algae. Measurement of particle size was made using a laser granulometer. Analysis of the results showed that the additional lighting of the hydroponic system with LED can significantly influence the ability of the suspension particles to agglomerate and, consequently, determine their sedimentation properties. In hydroponic system supported by additional lighting, more particles were observed with equivalent diameter D(3.2) smaller than 10 μm than those in the tank without additional lighting, indicating a higher reactivity of the particles. Determining the size of equivalent diameters D(4.3) allowed us to observe that in hydroponic system, particles of relatively small size predominate, which negatively affects the sedimentation process of the suspensions. Determination of particle size of suspensions consisting mainly of algae and the dynamics of their changes are the basis for specification of an effective method of removing particles from the system to protect the receiver from excessive suspension concentrations.     

Pine sawdust as stimulator of the microbial community in post-arable afforested soil

Sawdust and wood residues are considered to be stimulators of microbiological change in soil and could be used in post-arable sites designed for afforestation. In this study, we discuss changes in bacteria numbers within selected groups in relation to soil type (arable and forest) and method of sawdust application. Sawdust was spread along planting rows and mixed with the soil or put directly under roots of planted seedlings. Applying sawdust under the roots increased the number of cellulolytic bacteria in all experimental treatments. On post-arable soil, adding sawdust in rows increased the number of copiotrophic bacteria and reduced the number of fluorescent bacteria and actinomycetes (ACT). In control forest soils, the number of copiotrophic, oligotrophic and spore-forming bacteria decreased simultaneously with increased ACT in all treatments. The number of fluorescent bacteria increased when sawdust was applied on forest sites under planted trees and decreased when sawdust was spread in planting rows. Oligotrophic bacteria also decreased in the latter case. We present a list of bacteria identified by DNA – 16S rRNA gene sequences. Adding sawdust to arable soils significantly changed the quantitative and qualitative composition of microbial communities.     

Mycorrhizal community structure,microbial biomass P and phosphatase activities under Salix polaris as influenced by nutrient availability

Low supply of the nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) limit plant growth and spreading, and increase the plant-microbial nutrient competition in subarctic and arctic regions. We investigated the mycorrhizal community structure of a polar shrub willow (Salix polaris) and the microbial turnover in its rhizosphere to explore the adaptation of a mycorrhizal plant in the subarctic tundra. The ectomycorrhizal colonisation ranged from 35 to 64% of the fine root tips and decreased with an increasing soil C/N ratio. In total, 16 ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were found under S. polaris (eight to 13 morphotypes per site, five morphotypes at all four sites). Cenococcum sp. was the most common EM fungus (32% of the ectomycorrhizal fine roots). The abundance of Cenococcum sp. increased with an increasing organic matter content and N/P ratio in the soil. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation of S. polaris was absent or less than 1% of the fine root length. Microbial biomass P accounted for 21–75% of the organic soil P and 6–49% of the total soil P. Microbial biomass P, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere increased with increasing soil N concentration. We conclude that a higher N supply decreases the diversity in the mycorrhizal community on polar willows and increases the role of P turnover from the soil microbial biomass for the nutrient supply.     

Plantations of Convallaria majalis L. as a threat to the natural stands of the species: Genetic variability of the cultivated plants and natural populations

The level of polymorphism, genetic variability and relatedness of Convallaria majalis-populations (species native in Poland, under partial legal protection) obtained from three Polish regions and from commercial producers (Polish and Dutch) were studied. In addition the differences between the cultivated plants and those occurring in natural stands were analyzed. Each region was represented by at least 20 populations among which half were collected in natural stands and half from cultivation sites (botanical gardens, private gardens and cemeteries), and compared with samples obtained directly from commercial producers. Seven primer pairs used for AFLP profiling amplified 466 scoreable DNA fragments that were used for multidimensional scaling and clustering. The above analyses make it possible to clearly distinguish among individuals and revealed groups of populations according to their geographic origin. Samples from populations collected in natural stands and cultivated in the same region did not differ from each other significantly.These results suggested that cultivated plants were probably obtained directly from the natural stand and the influence of plant cultures on natural populations was rather small.     

Domestication affects spawning of the ide (Leuciscus idus)—preliminary study

Ide, Leuciscus idus, breeders in Polish fish farm are cultured or are collected from the wild. The data about differences in reproduction of different ide forms in captivity are limited. In the present paper domesticated and wild stock are reproduced artificially. Cultured fish do not require application of spawning agents. For obtaining good-quality oocytes only stimulation with temperature and photoperiod is necessary.     

Influence of stocking density and type of feed on the rearing of crucian carp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius carassius</Emphasis> (L.), larvae under controlled conditions

Two experiments were conducted into the rearing of crucian carp larvae under controlled conditions in an experimental closed water system. In both cases, the rearing lasted 21 days. The first experiment concerned the initial stocking density (from 50 to 600 individuals per l), whilst the second one studied the first food offered (two types of Artemia nauplii, decapsulated Artemia cysts and three types of commercial feeds) which were applied at the moment of exogenous feeding commencement. The best results were obtained using 50 larvae per l, whilst there were no significant differences within the range 200–600 larvae per l. The application of dry feed had a negative influence on the survival and other parameters. The highest survival rate was found in the groups fed with freshly hatched Artemia naupli. The results obtained indicate that the rearing of crucian carp larvae may be successfully conducted in very high stocking densities. However, the very high sensitivity of crucian carp larvae to the type of food offered during the initial days of life should be taken into account. The data presented in this article could be very useful in crucian carp larviculture.