Differences in the effectiveness of reproduction among ten breeding strains of the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. after stimulation of ovulation with carp pituitary homogenate or [(D‐Ala6, Pro9NEt) mGnRH‐a + metoclopramide] (Ovopel)

This study focused on the reproduction effectiveness of 10 breeding strains of common carp (Polish strains 2, 3, 6; Hungarian strains 0, W, 7; Lithuanian strain B; French strain F; Israeli strain D and Yugoslavian strain J) after stimulation of ovulation with carp pituitary homogenate or Ovopel. The percentage of females with recorded ovulation became higher after Ovopel treatment in as many as eight breeding strains (2, 3, 6, 0, W, B, F, D). The interaction between the spawning agent and the breeding strain was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) for the mass of spawn and non‐significant for traits determining the quality of eggs. Among the 10 breeding strains, in 4 (3, 7, B, J) the least‐squares means (LSM) for the weight of egg (g) were higher for fish stimulated with Ovopel. Among the strains tested, in seven (3, W, F, J, 2, 7, B), the LSM for the percentage of living embryos after 36 h incubation were higher for fish treated with Ovopel. The evaluation of reproduction effects based on the values of such parameters as the percentage of ovulating females, weight of eggs (g) and the percentage of live embryos (36 h) showed that after Ovopel treatment the poorer effects were obtained only for strains 6, 0 and D.     

Optimisation of sodium and potassium concentrations and pH in the artificial seminal plasma of common carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L.

The effect of sodium and potassium concentrations as well as optimal pH on the motility of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. sperm during short-term storage in artificial seminal plasma (ASP) was investigated. Sperm was collected from individual males (n?=?5) and each sample diluted tenfold (1:9) in ASP (sperm:extender) containing 2 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM Mg₂SO₄ and 20 mM Tris at pH 8.0 and supplemented by the following concentrations of sodium and potassium (mM/mM): 0/150, 20/130, 40/110, 75/75, 110/40, 130/20 and 150/0. The osmolality of all ASP variants was set at 310 mOsm kg^?1. Sperm motility was measured using a CASA system during 72 h of storage. Immediately after dilution, sperm motility was high (90%) both in each variant and in the control group (fresh sperm). After 72-h storage, the highest sperm motility was noted in ASP containing 110 mM NaCl and 40 mM KCl. No differences were found in the motility of samples preserved within the pH range of 7.0–9.0. Our data suggest that for the short-term storage of common carp sperm, whereas the pH of the solution does not play a crucial role, a specific potassium concentration of around 40 mM is required.     

Identification of Phytophthora spp. isolated from plants and soil samples on strawberry plantations in Poland

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Crown and leather rot of strawberry caused by Phytophthora spp. are major soil diseases of cultivated strawberry...     

Motility parameters of perch spermatozoa (Perca fluviatilis L.) with cryoprotectors addition

The addition of cryoprotectants during the freezing of semen in liquid nitrogen protects spermatozoa from the negative influence of freezing. Every species needs an appropriate cryoprotectant that has to be experimentally selected. Semen obtained from five perches was diluted with the Kobayashi buffer solution at 1:9 ratio. To determine the influence of cryoprotectants on spermatozoa motility parameters, the same type of buffer solution was applied with the addition of methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylacetamide (DMA) using the concentration of 10, 5, 2.5 %, respectively, glycerol (15; 7.5 %), sucrose and trehalose (0.45; 0.225; 0.113 M). After the preparation of such tests, parameters of spermatozoa motility were measured, using the CASA system (Image House CRISMAS Company Ltd.). Among used cryoprotectants, methanol did not cause any effect on the sperm motility parameters. The lowest percentage concentrations of DMA, DMSO, glycerol, sucrose and trehalose did not significantly influence the percentage of motile spermatozoa. Higher concentrations of these compounds considerably lowered all motility parameters. As for glycerol and saccharides, their addition resulted in the lowering of the spermatozoa motility possibly due to a higher viscosity of the solution. However, DMA and DMSO were most probably toxic to perch sperm cells. The obtained results indicate that the best cryoprotectant to be used with perch spermatozoa is methanol.     

Effect of location on starch content and tuber texture characteristics in potato breeding lines and cultivars

The texture of boiled potato tubers is one of the most important quality traits. The variation of tuber texture is usually examined in relationship with dry matter or starch content. The objective of the work was to examine variation and stability of texture and starch content in tubers grown in various environments. Both traits were evaluated for the set of potato breeding lines and 10 table potato cultivars. The lines were developed in the program of parental lines carried out in M?ochów Research Center, Poland. The environments were represented by three locations, which differed in cultivation system as well as climatic and soil conditions. The traits were influenced by the effects of genotype, location and their interactions. The effect of location on texture was not explained by the changes in starch content. The calculated stability parameters indicated that unstable expression of both traits was more pronounced and more frequent in breeding lines than in the cultivars. The short period of selection used in the development of the parental lines is not conducive to select potato genotypes with stable expression of quality traits. The starch content was at most moderately related with various characteristics of tuber texture.