Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) roots and soil moisture did not affect soil thermal sensitivity

Through their effects on microbial metabolism, temperature and moisture affect the rate of decomposition of soil organic matter. Plant roots play an important role in SOM mineralization and nutrient cycling. There are reports that rhizosphere soil exhibits higher sensitivity to temperature than root-free soil, and this can have implications for how soil CO₂ efflux may be affected in a warmer world. We tested the effects of 1-week incubation under different combinations of temperature (5, 15, 30 ^°C) and moisture (15, 50, 100% WHC) on the respiration rate of soil planted with Scots pine and of unplanted soil. Soil respiration in both soils was the highest at moderate moisture (p < 0.0001) and, increased with temperature (p < 0.0001). There was also marginally significant effect of soil kind on respiration rate (p < 0.055), but the significant interaction of temperature effect with soil kind effect, indicated, that soil respiration of planted soil was higher than unplanted soil only at 5 ^°C (p < 0.05). The soil kind effect was compared also as Q₁₀ coefficients for respiration rate, showing the relative change in microbial activity with increased temperature. However, there was no difference in the thermal sensitivity of soil respiration between planted and unplanted soils (p = 0.99), irrespective of the level of soil moisture. These findings were similar to the latest studies and confirmed, that in various models, being useful tools in studying of soil carbon cycling, there is no need to distinguish between planted and unplanted soil as different soil carbon pools.     

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of tramadol and its major metabolites after single oral sustained tablet administration in the dog: a pilot study

The study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of tramadol and its major metabolites O-desmethyltramadol (M1), N-desmethyltramadol (M2) and N-O didesmethyltramadol (M5) following a single oral administration of a sustained release (SR) 100mg tablet to dogs. Plasma tramadol concentration was greater than the limit of quantification (LOQ) in three dogs, M1 was quantified only in one dog while M2 and M5 were quantified in all of the dogs. The median values of C(max) (maximum plasma concentration), T(max) (time to maximum plasma concentration) and T(1/2) (half-life) for tramadol were 0.04 (0.17-0.02)mirog mL(-1), 3 (4-2) and 1.88 (2.211-1.435)h, respectively. M5 showed median values of C(max), T(max) and T(1/2) of 0.1 (0.19-0.09)microg mL(-1), 2 (3-1) and 4.230 (6.583-1.847)h, respectively. M2 showed median values of C(max), T(max) and T(1/2) of 0.22 (0.330-0.080)microg mL(-1), 4 (7-3) and 4.487 (6.395-1.563)h, respectively. The findings suggest that the SR formulation of tramadol may not have suitable pharmacokinetic characteristics to be administered once-a-day as an effective and safe treatment for pain in the dog.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Polish Arabian horses assessed through breeding and microsatellite data

Polish Arabian horses are one of the most important populations of this breed in the world. Their post‐war history can be divided into two periods, with the dominant role of state studs until 1989, and the increasing significance of private breeding in the next years. The goal of the study was to evaluate genetic diversity and structure of the population under a new breeding policy. The analyses of breeding and microsatellite data from 1996 to 2012 provide a coherent picture of the population with constant flow of horses only in one direction from state to private studs. An increase in the number of broodmares was observed, from 396 mares in 1996 to 1021 mares in 2012. The proportion of foreign sires used in Polish studs also increased, from 7.1% to 37.0%. An increasing number of alleles and progressive differentiation in mares were observed. STRUCTURE analysis indicated that the Polish horses were clearly separated from foreign horses used in Polish breeding, although only one of the 75 alleles found can be considered as typically Polish. The high heterozygosity is an important feature of the Polish population; however, the decrease of heterozygosity in state broodmares was noted. This issue needs to be studied further.     

Optimal seed water content and storage temperature for preservation of Populus nigra L. germplasm

Context

Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) is an alluvial forest tree species whose genetic pool is decreasing in Europe. Poplar trees produce short-lived seeds that do not store well.

Aim

The feasibility of seed storage in conventional and cryogenic conditions after their desiccation from water content (WC) of 0.15 to 0.07 g H₂O g^?1 dry mass (g g^?1) was investigated.

Methods

Seed germinability was evaluated (seeds with a radicle and green cotyledons were counted) after storage of seeds for a period of 3 to 24 months at different temperatures: 20°, 10°, 3°, ?3°, ?10°, ?20° or ?196°C.

Results

Seeds desiccated to a 0.07 g g^?1 WC can be stored successfully at ?10 °C and ?20 °C for at least 2 years. A significant decrease in germination was observed only after 12 months of seed storage (WC 0.15 g g^?1) at temperatures above 0 °C. We demonstrated that both fresh (0.15 g g^?1 WC) and desiccated (0.07 g g^?1 WC) seeds can be preserved at ?196 °C for at least 2 years.

Conclusions

Seed storage temperature and time of storage were statistically significant factors affecting seed storability. The presented data provide a foundation for the successful gene banking of P. nigra seeds.     

The relations of broad nematode resistance to quality characteristics as a consequence of marker-assisted selection in potato breeding programs

Cultivating resistant varieties of potato is the most effective and environmentally sound method of protecting potato crops against pests and diseases. Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are major nematode pests causing severe constraints in potato production worldwide. There are five pathotypes of Globodrea rostochiensis (Ro1–Ro5) and three of G. pallida Pa1–Pa3. Cultivation of potato varieties with broad nematode resistance may influence the growth of the wide spectrum of PCN pathotypes, but there is limited availability of such varieties on the market. The use of molecular markers allows for the effective selection of resistant genotypes at early stages of breeding. However, the impact of early selection for nematode resistance on the agronomic value of the final selected clones is a cause of concern for potato breeders. This study investigates the relationships between the presence of the combined resistance genes H1, Gro1-4 and GpaV_vrn, which confer resistance to the nematodes, and certain agricultural traits. Clones with broad nematode resistance conferred by the genes H1, Gro1-4 and GpaV_vrn presented yields and tuber morphology traits similar to those of the clones without identified resistance genes.     

Technogenic Magnetic Particles in Alkaline Dusts from Power and Cement Plants

During this study, we investigated the mineralogical characterization of technogenic magnetic particles (TMPs) contained in alkaline industrial dust and fly ash emitted by coal burning power plants and cement plants. The reaction of tested dust samples varied between values of pH 8 and pH 12. Their magnetic properties were characterized by measurement of magnetic susceptibility (χ), frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility (χ_fd), and temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses included scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction. The TMPs in fly ash from hard coal combustion have the form of typical magnetic spherules with a smooth or corrugated surface as well as a skeletal morphology, composed of iron oxides (magnetite, maghemite, and magnesioferrite) that occurred in the form of incrustation on the surface of mullite, amorphous silica, or aluminosilicate particles. The TMPs observed in fly ash from lignite combustion have a similar morphological form but a different mineralogical composition. Instead of magnetite and magnesioferrite, maghemite and hematite with lower χ values were the prevailing magnetic minerals, which explains the much lower magnetic susceptibility of this kind of ash in comparison with the ash from hard coal combustion, and probably results from the lower temperature of lignite combustion. Morphology and mineralogical composition of TMPs in cement dust is more diverse. The magnetic fraction of cement dust occurs mostly in the form of angular and octahedral grains of a significantly finer granulation (<20 μm); however, spherules are also present. A very characteristic magnetic form for cement dust is calcium ferrite (CaFe₃O₅). The greatest impact on the magnetic susceptibility of cement dust results from iron-bearing additives (often waste materials from other branches of industry), which should be considered the most dangerous to the environment. Stoichiometric analysis of micro-particles confirmed the presence of heavy metals such as Pb, Mn, Cd, and Zn connected with TMPs, which are carriers of magnetic signals in atmospheric dust. Therefore, in some cases, their presence in topsoil when detected by magnetic measurement can be treated as an indicator of inorganic soil contamination.     

Sperm characteristics of chub Leuciscus cephalus (L.) collected in artificial condition after Ovopel and Ovaprim treatment

The effect of two commercial preparations containing different GnRH analogues with dopamine antagonists on quantitative and qualitative parameters of semen from chub Leuciscus cephalus L. collected in artificial conditions were examined. Semen was collected after the application of [(D‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹ NEt)‐mGnRH + metoclopramide] (Ovopel, n = 9), [(D‐Arg⁶, Pro⁹ Net)‐sGnR + domperidone] (Ovaprim, n = 9) and from the control group (0.9% NaCl, n = 9). Afterwards, semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm production and semen pH were determined. Osmolality and pH of seminal plasma were also determined. Using the Computer‐assisted sperm analysis system (CASA), selected sperm parameters such as sperm motility (MOT %), progressively motile sperm (PRG, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm s^?1), straight‐line velocity (VSL, μm s^?1), movement linearity (LIN, %), wobbling index (WOB, %), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, μm) and beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz) were analysed. While Ovopel can also be used to stimulate chub spermation, the application of Ovaprim was much more effective for obtaining higher amounts of semen.