Lupinus anatolicus — a new lupin species of the old world

Summary During a collecting mission in South-West Turkey some lupin plants differing from Lupinus pilosus Murr., L. micranthus Guss. and L. angustifolius L., wild-growing in this region were found. These plants markedly distinguished from a dwarf habit of L. micranthus and exuberant L. pilosus. As found later, these plants with regard to many traits differed still more from the remaining lupin species of the Old World. The collected seeds of these plants were multiplied at the Plant Breeding Station in Wiatrowo. They were characterized by a smooth seed coat and according to classification of Gladstones could be referred to a group of European lupin crops containing the primitive species L. micranthus.New accession was compared to L. micranthus and L. pilosus considering 20 morphological, some physiological features and chemotaxonomic analyses. New accession was also artificially crossed to L. micranthus and L. pilosus but hybrid seeds were not obtained. The most pronounced morphological differences were in the height and exuberance of plants, the size of inflorescences and flowers, the size and coloration of strongly pubescent, ripen pods but first of all, the size and shape of seeds and seed coat surface.Differences in the protein and fat content in seeds as well as those in quantitative and qualitative composition of alkaloids also appear to be significant.Marked differences occurred also in the electrophoretic phenotype of isozymes. They consisted not only in differences of electrophoretic mobility of bands, but also in different number of bands.The obtained results enabled us to give the population of these plants a separate species name — Lupinus anatolicus.     

Diversity of the composition and content of soluble carbohydrates in seeds of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia</Emphasis> (Leguminosae)

Low molecular weight carbohydrates of seeds of 10 species of Vicia, namely: V. angustifolia, V. articulata, V. cordata, V. ervilia, V. johannis, V. macrocarpa, V. monantha, V. narbonensis, V. pannonica and V. sativa were analyzed by the high resolution gas chromatography method. Seeds of the investigated species contain common (glucose, fructose, myo-inositol, sucrose, galactinol, di-galactosyl myo-inositol and raffinose family oligosaccharides—RFOs) and species-specific carbohydrates (d-pinitol and its α-d-galactosides—in V. articulata, V. monantha and V. pannonica or d-ononitol and its galactoside—in V. ervilia). Among the species containing in seeds RFOs as the main α-d-galactosides (V. angustifolia, V. cordata, V. johanensis, V. macrocarpa, V. narbonensis and V. sativa), an additional subgroup can be separated, which contains a set of unknown compounds (found in V. angustifolia, V. cordata and V. macrocarpa). Moreover, several other unidentified carbohydrate-containing compounds were detected exclusively in seeds of V. ervilia. The concentrations of total soluble carbohydrates (TSCs), including sugars, RFOs, cyclitols and galactosyl cyclitols and unknown compounds, in seeds differ significantly (P < 0.05) among the species. RFOs and sucrose are the main fractions in TSCs, with the exception of V. pannonica seeds, containing more galactosyl pinitols, and V. ervilia, in which unknown compounds account for 50% of TSCs. In V. ervilia RFOs occur at the lowest concentration (9.32 mg g^?1 seeds), and the concentration of DGMI (di-galactosyl myo-inositol) is comparable with that of RFOs, which is unusual among all the investigated Vicia species.     

Riboflavin content in the coelomocytes of contrasting earthworm species is differentially affected by edaphic variables including organic matter and metal content

The riboflavin content in extruded coelomocyte lysates derived from Dendrodrilus rubidus may serve as a sensitive bioindicator of soil metal pollution: the vitamin (B2) content has previously been found to be high in worms from unpolluted soil but low in worms inhabiting Zn/Pb mine soils, aerially deposited Ni-contaminated soil, and in worms experimentally transferred from clean soil to the metalliferous field soils. The aim of the present work was to extend these observations by comparing the number and riboflavin composition of coelomocytes retrieved from three lumbricid species (Allolobophora chlorotica, Dendrobaena veneta, Eisenia andrei) after 4-week exposures to an unpolluted commercial soil, two geochemically contrasting unpolluted field soils, and two different Zn/Pb/Cd-polluted soils from the Bukowno district in South Poland. Whilst eco-physiologically contrasting, these three earthworm species share the trait of possessing relatively high numbers of eleocytes, a category of immune-competent coelomocyte rich in autofluorescent riboflavin. Spectroflurometric analysis indicated that coelomocyte riboflavin content in worms maintained in strongly metalliferous soils or in unpolluted sandy-clay and loamy-sand soils was increased in coleomocytes from epigeic D. veneta and E. andrei species, whilst was decreased in endogeic A. chlorotica. In conclusion, the riboflavin content of earthworm coelomocytes is affected in species-specific ways by edaphic variables, including organic matter and metal pollution.     

Temperature dependence of time domain reflectometry–measured soil dielectric permittivity

The purpose of this study is to determine the temperature influence on the soil bulk dielectric permittivity, ?_b, calculated from the measurement of the electromagnetic‐wave velocity of propagation along the parallel waveguide in a TDR probe, i.e., a probe working in time domain reflectometry technique. The experimental evidence shows that the existing models do not completely describe the temperature effect. However, it has been confirmed that the observed temperature effect is the result of two competing phenomena: ?_b increases with temperature following the release of bound water from soil solid particles, and ?_b decreases with temperature increase following the temperature effect of free water molecules. It has been found that there is a soil type–characteristic moisture value, θ_eq, named the equilibrium water content, at which both competing phenomena compensate each other. The equilibrium water content, θ_eq, is correlated with the soil specific surface area. Based on knowledge of θ_eq, a temperature‐correction formula is presented that adjusts the TDR soil‐moisture measurements at various temperatures to the corresponding value at 25°C. This decreases the absolute measurement error of soil moisture, θ_TDR, by the factor of 2 as compared to the uncorrected values.     

Effect of Land Use,Seasonality, and Hydrometeorological Conditions on the K<Superscript>+</Superscript> Concentration–Discharge Relationship During Different Types of Floods in Carpathian Foothills Catchments (Poland)

The purpose of the study was to determine the role of land use, seasonality, and hydrometeorological conditions on the relationship between stream water potassium (K⁺) concentration and discharge during different types of floods—short- and long-duration rainfall floods as well as snowmelt floods on frozen and thawed soils. The research was conducted in small catchments (agricultural, woodland, mixed-use) in the Carpathian Foothills (Poland). In the woodland catchment, lower K⁺ concentrations were noted for each given specific runoff value for summer rainfall floods versus snowmelt floods (seasonal effect). In the agricultural and mixed-use catchments, the opposite was true due to their greater ability to flush K⁺ out of the soil in the summer. In the stream draining woodland catchment, higher K⁺ concentrations occurred during the rising limb than during the falling limb of the hydrograph (clockwise hysteresis) for all flood types, except for snowmelt floods with the ground not frozen. In the agricultural catchment, clockwise hystereses were produced for short- and long-duration rainfall floods caused by high-intensity, high-volume rainfall, while anticlockwise hystereses were produced for short- and long-duration rainfall floods caused by low-intensity, low-volume rainfall as well as during snowmelt floods with the soil frozen and not frozen. In the mixed-use catchment, the hysteresis direction was also affected by different lag times for water reaching stream channels from areas with different land use. K⁺ hystereses for the woodland catchment were more narrow than those for the agricultural and mixed-use catchments due to a smaller pool of K⁺ in the woodland catchment. In all streams, the widest hystereses were produced for rainfall floods preceded by a long period without rainfall.     

Growth performance, feed intake and morphology of juvenile European catfish, Silurus glanis (L.) fed diets containing different protein and lipid levels

The study was carried out with juvenile European catfish to evaluate the effects of commercial diets on growth, feed utilization and changes of selected morphometric traits of fish. Three diets containing different levels of crude protein and lipid: 37 and 12 %, 45 and 15 %, 45 and 20 %, respectively, were fed to triplicate groups of European catfish for 50 days. The fish were fed continuously (24 h day^?1) by automatic belt feeders for fish with a clock drive. Biometric characteristics of fish included the determination of plasticity traits using modified Pravdin method. Fish growth rate and final body weight were statistically higher in variant 45/20 diet (specific growth rate of 2.6 % day^?1). The intergroup significant differences were recorded for food conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER), during the particular decades of the experiment. For the whole period of the growth test, no significant differences in FCR were observed, but the most favorable values of PER were obtained in variant 37/12. Protein retention in fish body ranged from 18.7 to 21.0 %, and fat retention was significantly more variable, ranged from 87.5 to 121.3 %. Fish survival rate recorded during the growth test was higher in all variants (above 95 %). Statistically significant increases in protein and lipid content were found in fish fed diets 45/15 and 45/20. The tested diets have no effect on changes in fish body proportions. The most effective in juvenile European catfish rearing was diet with 45 % of crude protein and 20 % of lipid.     

Effect of the coupled action of ultrasonic waves and advanced oxidation reaction on the properties of bottom sediments originating from trout culture

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of preliminary ultrasound treatment of bottom sediments, a factor enhancing the reaction of advanced oxidation, on changes in the properties of sediments originating from the intensive aquaculture of rainbow trout. Experiments were conducted on a laboratory scale in model reactors with an active volume of 1.0 L, either under conditions of exposure to the ultrasonic field alone or under conditions of exposure to both the ultrasonic field and a chemical reagent: Fe³⁺/H₂O₂. The results we achieved showed that preliminary ultrasound treatment of bottom sediments increased the advanced oxidation reaction yield and consequently improved the physicochemical properties of the sediments. The highest yield was obtained upon 15‐min ultrasound treatment at a Fenton reagent dosage of 1.5 g Fe³⁺ L^?1 and g H₂O₂ L^?1. These conditions enabled a 43% reduction in the concentrations of organic compounds in the filtrate, shortened the capillary suction time (CST) by 93%, decreased the concentration of volatile substances in the sediments by 13% and decreased the levels of total nitrogen in sediments by 9% and of total phosphorus in the filtrate by 21%, and additionally caused a decrease in the mineral and dry matter content in the sediments.     

Rapid detection of Marek's disease virus in feather follicles by loop-mediated amplification

Marek's disease (MD) remains a serious problem in the production of poultry. The disease is caused by Marek's disease virus (MDV), and despite the ubiquitous use of vaccination to control losses, MD still affects poultry farming worldwide. The aim of this study was to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the simple and inexpensive detection of MDV in feather tips of chickens. Two pairs of specific primers complementary to the meq oncogene of MDV were designed, targeting the sequence of the very virulent MDV strain, RB1B. Bst polymerase was used for the isothermal amplification of viral DNA at 65 C for 90 min in a water bath. The fluorescence signal was identified in MDV-positive samples after the addition of SYBR Green and ultraviolet (UV) illumination. The sensitivity of LAMP was 2 log 10 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml of HPRS16 and 10(3) copies/il of plasmid containing the target gene (meq) and was equal in sensitivity to PCR amplification. Due to the use of three sets of primers, LAMP was highly specific for MDV-1 DNA. The developed LAMP technique is a rapid and simple tool for the specific detection of MDV in samples of feathers taken from live chickens. Since the use of thermocyclers is not necessary for LAMP assay, it can be conducted by small laboratories and even field veterinarians.     

Biopesticides – towards increased consumer safety in the European Union

The introduction of new food safety regulations in the European Union has resulted in the withdrawal of many synthetic active substances used in plant protection products, in light of their potential or actual harmful effect on human and animal health, as well as on the environment. Alternatives to these compounds are being developed – naturally occurring pesticides, also referred to as biopesticides. The use of biopesticides in crop protection leads to decreased levels of pesticide residues in foods, and as a result to lower risk levels for the consumer. Biologically active agents defined as biopesticides are varied, and therefore application of the same environmental and consumer safety criteria to all of them is impossible. This presents serious complications in the approval of these pesticides as active plant protection products and in their registration. It needs to be stressed that, in the registration procedure of the European Union, biopesticides are subject to the same regulations as synthetic active substances. This situation has resulted in the need to introduce numerous new provisions in the legislation, as well as the preparation of new guidelines facilitating the registration of biopesticides. These activities aim to promote naturally originating pesticides. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

General combining ability and heterosis regarding the phytochemical properties in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) hybrids

Strawberries are a common and important fruit in human diet because of their high content of essential nutrients and beneficial phytochemicals, which have relevant biological activity in human health. In this study, six cultivars and 15 selected F₁ hybrids between S₄ inbred lines and tester (cv. ‘Dukat’) were evaluated in a field trial over a period of two consecutive years. The amounts of total anthocyanin, phenolics and vitamin C in fruits and antiradical activity were analysed. General combining ability (GCA) and mid‐parent heterosis were also determined for those characteristics. Among all the genotypes tested, the inbred lines of ‘Senga Sengana’ 17 showed the highest breeding value based on GCA for all studied traits. Estimated heterosis varied among genotypes tested. The highest heterosis in terms of vitamin C occurred in the offspring of clone 1387 18‐15 × ‘Dukat’, but with regard to phenols and antiradical activity in hybrid ‘Teresa’ 18‐15 with cv. ‘Dukat’. This study revealed that the differentiation in chemical composition of strawberry fruits between genotypes is clearly dependent on individual genotype combinations and demonstrated the presence of heterosis in phytochemical contents in some specific genotypic combinations.