Morphometric and location factors shaping sediment texture in small floodplain reservoirs

Journal of Soils and Sediments - This paper investigates the morphological and location features influencing the sediment texture of small reservoirs located within the embanked floodplain of a...     

Effect of Iron Status in Rats on the Absorption of Metal Ions from Plant Ferritin

An isolate of lead-ferritin obtained from soybean seeds sprouted in 25 mM of PbNO₃ was introduced into the diet of both iron-deficient and iron non-deficient male rats. After a 21-day administration period, statistical differences in the lead accumulation in the femurs of the rats were noted. Iron-deficient rats accumulated more than four times the amount of lead in their bones than rats without iron-deficiency. No further decrease was observed in haemoglobin concentrations in the groups of animals fed with lead isolates, either iron-deficient or iron non-deficient. Also, no differences in the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were observed at the end of the experiment in the group of iron non-deficient rats fed with lead-ferritin isolate compared to the control group of iron non-deficient rats. In the iron-deficient group fed with lead-ferritin isolate, a small increase in haemoglobin concentrations, MCH, MCV and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations (MCHC) was recorded. The results presented in this paper confirm that lead from the tested preparation—lead ferritin isolate—was better absorbed by those rats with induced iron deficiency anaemia. Additionally, we may also suspect based on the obtained results that absorption of ferritin-iron depends on iron status in the body.     

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.     

Thrips (Thysanoptera) associated with two genetically modified types of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The aim of this study was to determine thrips abundance, species composition and seasonal dynamics on two genetically modified types of linseed, i.e.,...     

Simultaneous selection for yield-related traits and susceptibility to Fusarium head blight in spring wheat RIL population

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium, is a fungal disease that occurs in wheat and can cause significant yield and grain quality losses. The present paper examines variation in the resistance of spring wheat lines derived from a cross between Zebra and Saar cultivars. Experiments covering 198 lines and parental cultivars were conducted in three years, in which inoculation with Fusarium culmorum was applied. Resistance levels were estimated by scoring disease symptoms on kernels. In spite of a similar reaction of parents to F. culmorum infection, significant differentiation between lines was found in all the analyzed traits. Seven molecular markers selected as linked to FHB resistance QTLs gave polymorphic products for Zebra and Saar: Xgwm566, Xgwm46, Xgwm389, Xgwm533, Xgwm156, Xwmc238, and Xgwm341. Markers Xgwm389 and Xgwm533 were associated with the rate of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) as well as with kernel weight per spike and thousand kernel weight in control plants. Zebra allele of marker Xwmc238 increased kernel weight per spike and thousand kernel weight both in control and infected plants, whereas Zebra allele of marker Xgwm566 reduced the percentage of FDK and simultaneously reduced the thousand kernel weight in control and infected plants.     

Effect of light conditions on the contents of glucosinolates in germinating seeds of white mustard, red radish, white radish, and rapeseed

The study was aimed at determining the effect of light conditions on contents of glucosinolates (GLS) in germinating seeds of white mustard, red radish, white radish, and rapeseed. The seeds were germinated in light and dark, at 25 degrees C, for up to 7 days. As compared to the nongerminated seeds, in seeds exposed to light and germinated for 4, 5, 6, and 7 days the content of total GLS was observed to decrease by 30 to 70% depending on the species. Germination in conducted the dark for the respective periods of time resulted in decreases of total GLS not exceeding 25%. The changes in the concentration of total GLS were attributed to aliphatic GLS predominating in seeds, yet in the case of white mustard to sinalbin belonging to aralkyl glucosinolates. Although seeds germinated in the dark, as compared to those exposed to light, were characterized by a higher total content of indole GLS, the percentage contribution of that group of compounds in white mustard, red radish, and white radish remained at a similar level, irrespective of germination time. Only in the case of rapeseed was the percentage of the sum of indole GLS observed to increase from 17 to up to 45% once the seeds were exposed to light and to 50% once they were germinated in the dark.     

RESPONSE OF ‘BURLAT’ SWEET CHERRY TREES TO POSTHARVEST SPRAYS OF NITROGEN,BORON AND ZINC

The aim of the study was to examine effects of postharvest sprays of nitrogen (N), boron (B), and zinc (Zn) on reproductive response of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees, fruit quality and plant nutrition. The experiment was conducted during 2007–2009 in central Poland on mature ‘Burlat’ sweet cherry trees/F12, grown on a coarse-textured soil with low level of organic matter, and optimal soil reaction. Soil status of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), Zn and copper (Cu) was optimal, whereas B – low. Sweet cherry trees were sprayed with boric acid-B, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-Zn, and urea-N at 30–40 d prior to initiation of leaf fall according to following schema: i) spray of N at a rate of 23 kg ha^?1; ii) spray of B and Zn at a dose of 1.1 kg ha^?1 and 0.5 kg ha^?1, respectively; and iii) spray of N, B and Zn at the same rates as in the above spray combinations. The trees sprayed with water served as the control. The results showed that fall spray treatments had no influence on cold damage of flower buds, plant N status and soluble solids concentration in fruit. Postharvest spray of N and combined spray of N, B and Zn injured leaves in the fall but did not cause defoliation. Sprays of B and Zn with or without N increased status of Zn and B in fall leaves, and B in flowers and midsummer leaves. Those sprays also improved fruit set and yield. In one out of two years of the study, fall sprays of N with or without B and Zn decreased mean fruit weight. The above results indicate that only leaf-applied B in the fall improved reproductive response of sweet cherry trees. It is concluded that under conditions of B shortage in a soil and/or plant tissues, postharvest B sprays can be recommended in sweet cherry orchards to improve reproductive growth of the trees.     

The influence of native and modified arabinoxylan preparations on baking properties of rye flour

Water soluble arabinoxylans, especially of rye origin, are known to considerably improve quality of bread. The aim of the current research was to check the changes in properties of rye dough and bread after the addition of different arabinoxylan preparations. Structure forming properties of these additives were given by the application of hydrolysis, and cross-linking, which influenced molar mass and reactivity of arabinoxylans.     

Identification of calcium-binding proteins in fish seminal plasma

Calcium ions play an important role in the activation of fish sperm movement. The mechanism of their binding in semen is still unknown. The goal of this study was the development of a method for identifying calcium-binding proteins in fish seminal plasma. Two methods of calcium-binding proteins detection were tested with the use of Quin2 and Stains-all dyes. The first method was useful for the identification of calcium-binding proteins of fish seminal plasma. It consisted of proteins separation using SDS–PAGE, transfer on PVDF membrane, incubation with CaCl₂, staining with Quin2 and illumination with UV light to reveal calcium-binding protein bands. Using Quin2 allowed the detection of calcium-binding proteins with low and high molecular weight. Electrophoretic species-specific profiles of calcium-binding proteins were identified in the seminal plasma of carp, whitefish, roach, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. Staining of calcium-binding proteins with Quin2 is a quick and safe method, allowing the identification of calcium-binding proteins in fish semen.