Wild ostrich (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Struthio camelus</Emphasis>) ecology and physiology

This work discusses some of the important considerations of wild ostrich evolution, behaviour and ecology, as items included in ostrich production. In the process considerable research was conducted by collating information from peer-reviewed papers; textbooks; manuals; and PubMed and Agricola searches. Selected areas reviewed included activity of ostriches; feeding and water needs; sexual maturity; egg laying and natural incubation; selected physiological parameters; and predation. There is an immediate and urgent need to conserve and protect the rapidly declining populations of wild ostriches with the committed involvement of governments and funding bodies.     

The efficacy of lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici, lactose and formic acid as dietary supplements for turkeys

A feeding trial was performed on 1400 Big-6 turkey toms divided into experimental groups subject to the use of dietary supplements. The ain of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the probiotic supplement Bactocell, containing lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici, and lactose, administered to turkeys separately or in combination, as well as a formic acid supplement. The addition of the probiotic under test (lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici) to diets for turkeys contributed to higher daily gains and lower feed consumption per kg weigh gain only during the first 12 weeks of their life. Diet supplementation with lactic acid bacteria and lactose reduced mortality rates. A slaughter value analysis revealed only a slightly (by approximately 1%) higher content of breast muscle and a lower content of thigh muscle in birds fed diets supplemented with lactic acid bacteria. Turkeys receiving lactic acid bacteria or lactose and a combination of both these supplements were characterized by a higher fat content of meat and slightly lower pH values, whereas meat from turkeys fed lactose-supplemented diets was darker in color. The addition of formic acid Acidum formicum to diets for turkeys contributed only to lower mortality rates.     

Age‐Related Pregnancy Results and Further Examination of Bitches after Aglepristone Treatment of Pyometra

The cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra complex is one of the most common uterine diseases in bitches. The appearance of pharmacological preparations containing anti‐progestagens created new possibilities for pyometra treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the curative effect of the anti‐progestagen aglepristone treatment of pyometra in bitches of different ages. Twenty four bitches of different breeds, aged from 0.8 to 9.5 years (21–48 kg) exhibiting clinical pyometra symptoms (two groups – I ≤ 5 years, n = 14 and II >5 years, n = 10) were evaluated. Information about the general reproductive health was collected up to 54 months after anti‐progestagen treatment. Remission of clinical symptoms and return of blood chemistry results and total leucocyte count to referential values were achieved in all cases within 14 days of treatment. Bitches were naturally mated at the first, and when unsuccessful, the second oestrus after treatment. In group I, no recurrence of pyometra symptoms was observed during following cycle(s). Eight bitches (57.1%) had a full‐term pregnancy and the number of newborn pups ranged from 1 to 12. None of the bitches from the group II became pregnant. In conclusion, the basic indication for conservative pharmacological treatment of pyometra is preserving female fertility and obtaining offspring. The important conditions for successful aglepristone treatment are: the young age (up to 5 years) and the lack of detectible ovarian cysts. It seems necessary to mate bitches in the first or second oestrus after finishing treatment. The efficacy of treatment can be measured by the after‐treatment pregnancy rate.     

Factors influencing fruit size in the strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.)

Summary Fruit size is one of the most important characteristics of highly productive strawberry cultivars. The aim of the experiments was to establish the factors responsible for the expression of this trait. The total yield of large fruits correlates closely with the total yield of all fruits and depends mainly on the mean fruit weight of all fruits. The position of fruits on the inflorescence influences the decline of fruit size to a larger extent in small-fruited clones than in the large-fruited ones. The size of the fruit is controlled by the dimension of the receptacle and number of achenes. The stimulating effects of achenes are quite different in various genotypes and the fruit weight per achene declines with the inferior blossom position. The large-fruited clones have bigger leaves, a larger photosynthetic area, and thicker petioles and flower stalks. Their cells are larger, which is common for the giant genotypes. The results suggest that there exists a possibility for indirect selection of fruit size on the basis of some additional parameters, which can be useful particularily in the years of unsuitable weather conditions.     

The effects of GnRH and adrenergic agents on PRL and beta-endorphin secretion by porcine pituitary cells in vitro

The direct effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic agents on PRL and beta-endorphin (beta-END) secretion in vitro by porcine pituitary cells have been investigated. Pituitary glands were obtained from mature gilts, which were ovariectomised (OVX) one month before slaughter. Ovariectomised gilts, assigned to four groups, were primed with: (1) vehicle (OVX); (2) and (3) oestradiol benzoate (EB; 2.5 mg/100 kg b.w.) at 30-36 h (OVX+EB I) and 60-66 h (OVX+EB II) before slaughter, respectively; and (4) progesterone (P4; 120 mg/100 kg b.w.) for 5 consecutive days before slaughter (OVX+P4). Isolated anterior pituitary cells were submitted to 3.5 h incubation in the presence of GnRH, alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists [phenylephrine (PHEN) and isoproterenol (ISOP), respectively], or alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockers [phentolamine (PHENT) and propranolol (PROP), respectively]. The culture media were assayed for PRL (exp. I) and beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-END-LI) (experiment II). In experiment I, GnRH did not influence PRL release by pituitary cells in all experimental groups. Some of tested doses of adrenergic agonists, PHEN and ISOP, increased PRL release from pituitary cells of OVX gilts, but not from those of OVX+EB I animals. In the OVX+EB II group, PHEN alone, but ISOP with PROP, potentiated PRL secretion by the cells. In OVX+P4 animals, PHEN alone or in combination with PHENT and also ISOP alone or with PROP enhanced PRL output from the cells. In experiment II, addition of GnRH increased beta-END-LI release from pituitary cells only in the OVX+EB II group. PHEN and PHENT potentiated beta-END-LI secretion by pituitary cells in OVX+EB II and OVX+P4 groups, while ISOP and PROP increased beta-END-LI secretion by the cells of OVX and OVX+EB II animals. In turn, in the OVX+EB I group, effect of PHENT and PROP on PRL secretion by pituitary cells was inhibitory. In conclusion, our results suggest that adrenergic agents can modulate PRL and beta-END secretion by porcine pituitary cells in a manner dependent on the hormonal status of gilts.     

Carrot root size distribution in response to biostimulant application

In 2009–2011, in Poland (53°13′N, 17°51′E), field experiments were conducted concerning the influence of biostimulants Kelpak SL and Asahi SL on the size grades of yield of carrot cv. ‘Karotan’. Kelpak SL is produced from seaweed Ecklonia maxima; Asahi SL is composed of nitrophenols. Biostimulants were sprayed from fourth-leaf stage of carrot, once, twice or three times in growing period. Seaweed extract was used at total doses of: 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7?l?ha^?1, while Asahi SL at 1?l?ha^?1. It was found that biostimulants had a favourable effect on total and commercial root yield, but this effect was dependent on the type of preparation, the dose, the time and the number of treatments. The best results in increasing the commercial yield were achieved after a single application of Kelpak SL at doses 2 or 3?l?ha^?1 at the fourth-leaf stage (13.1% and 12.4% respectively, compared to the control). Both biostimulants Kelpak SL and Asahi SL positively affected the root size distribution by increasing the yield of medium roots (1.9–3.8?cm in diameter) as well as large roots (3.8–5.0?cm), by 30.5% and 15.8%, respectively.     

Near-infrared spectroscopy for analysis of chemical and microbiological properties of forest soil organic horizons in a heavy-metal-polluted area

In industrial areas, heavy metals may accumulate in forest soil organic horizons, affecting soil microorganisms and causing changes in the chemical composition of the accumulated organic matter. The objectives of this study were to test the ability of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect heavy metal effects on the chemical composition of forest soil O horizons and to test whether NIRS may be used to quantitatively determine total and exchangeable concentrations of Zn and Pb (Zn_t, Pb_t, Zn_ex, Pb_ex) and other chemical and microbial properties in forest soil O horizons polluted with heavy metals. The samples of O horizons (n = 79) were analyzed for organic C (C_org), total N and S (N_t, S_t), Zn_t, Pb_t, Zn_ex, Pb_ex, basal respiration (BR), microbial biomass (C_mic) and C_mic-to-C_org ratio. Spectra of the samples were recorded in the Vis-NIR range (400–2,500 nm). To detect heavy-metal-induced changes in the chemical composition of O horizons principal components (PC1–PC7) based on the spectral data were regressed against Zn_t + Pb_t values. A modified partial least squares method was used to develop calibration models for prediction of various chemical and microbial properties of the samples from their spectra. Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between PC3 and PC5 (r = −0.27 and −0.34, respectively) and Zn_t + Pb_t values, indicating an effect of heavy metal pollution on the spectral properties of the O horizons and thus on their chemical composition. For quantitative estimations, the best calibration model was obtained for C_org-to-N_t ratio (r = 0.98). The models for C_org, N_t, and microbial properties were satisfactory but less accurate. NIRS failed to accurately predict S_t, C_org-to-S_t, Zn_t, Pb_t, Zn_ex, and Pb_ex.     

The Impact of Fertilization Methods on the Nutrient Balance and Changes of Soil Chemical Features in Crop Rotation

The effect of various fertilization methods on the simplified nutrients balance and changes of soil chemical features in crop rotation was estimated on the basis of 7-year (1994-2000) studies carried out on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. Different fertilization methods were used: A - mineral fertilization; B - mineral and manure fertilization; C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization; D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparation fertilization. Particular fertilization methods caused a significant differentiation of the nutrients balance. A positive phosphorus balance was found out in all the fertilization systems. It has been observed that the nitrogen and potassium carry-in with fertilizers was higher than the carry-out with crops in system B and C. A favorable calcium balance was achieved in systems C and D while a favorable magnesium balance - only in the ecologically fertilized systems (D). The changes of soil chemical features were only insignificantly dependent on the nutrient balance. After seven years of research, the contents of humus, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium increased while the soil reaction decreased in the soil of all the fertilized systems except the ecologically fertilized system.