The Content of Dietary Fibre and Polyphenols in Morphological Parts of Buckwheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagopyrum tataricum</Emphasis>)

In this report, we presented the profile of polyphenolic substances in flowers, leaves, stalk and roots of Fagopyrum tataricum estimated by using RP–UHPLC–ESI-MS equipment (reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry). The neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were also determined. Flowers, leaves, stalk and roots showed varying levels of dietary fibre and polyphenols. The highest content of neutral and acid detergent fibre were found in the roots (63.92 and 45.45% d.m., respectively) while the most rich in phenolic compounds were flowers (4.8 mg/1 g d.m.). Root and stalk contained the highest level of cellulose, 38.70 and 25.57% d.m., respectively. Among the investigated polyphenolic substances such as: 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydrobenzoic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, fagopyrin, ferulic acid, myricetin, gallic acid, isovanilic acid, isovitexin, kaempferol, luteolin, p-coumaric acid, procyanidin B2, quercetin, quercetin 3-D galactoside, rutin, syringic acid and vitexin, we observed that the contents of rutin and chlorogenic acid were the highest. We found some correlation between dietary fibre fractions and individual phenolic substances. The levels of acid detergent fibre (ADF), cellulose and hemicellulose were negatively correlated with isovitexin, kaempferol, vitexin, fagopyrin, caffeic acid and procyanidin B2 content. In this investigation, two solvents (water and methanol) were estimated regarding their extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds. Taking these results into consideration, we recommend using methanol as the extractor to isolate chlorogenic acid, fagopyrin, kaempferol, procyanidin B2, quercetin, quercetin 3-D-galactoside, rutin, vitexin, and water for other investigated polyphenolic substances obtained from Fagopyrum tataricum.     

Effects of a short period of drought on changes in tuber volume and specific leaf weight. II. Diurnal changes

Summary Single-stemmed potato plants, cv. Bintje, were grown on a nutrient solution under controlled conditions. They were exposed to a short drought stress, or remained untreated. Short-term changes in tuber volume and in specific leaf weight were measured non-destructively. Tubers from control plants increased rapidly in volume during the night and did not grow, or even shrivelled during the day. Tubers of stressed plants did not show a uniform response; some tubers markedly declined in volume during the day. The patterns of volume increase of stressed plants became erratic after the stress, mainly because some plants never fully recovered. Patterns of diurnal fluctuation in tuber volume were similar to diurnal changes in specific leaf weight; tubers within the same stressed plant sometimes reacted differently. In these cases the effects on the diurnal fluctuation partly reflected the long-term effects, reported in an earlier paper.     

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.     

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of Pseudomonas syringae strains associated with the recent citrus bacterial blast and bacterial black pit epidemics in Tunisia

In the spring of 2012, symptoms of a disease resembling citrus blast and citrus black pit were observed in some orchards in Tunisia. The epidemic spread rapidly in the following years. Twenty‐four commercial citrus orchards from four Tunisian regions showing characteristic symptoms of bacterial diseases were surveyed during a 3‐year study. Eighty‐eight Pseudomonas‐like bacterial isolates were successfully obtained from the northeast and west of Tunisia. No isolates were recovered from the central region. Overall, 46 isolates were identified as Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and most of them showed similar phenotypic and genetic profiles. The virulence of three selected isolates differed from one plant cultivar to another as well as from the type of plant organ used for the inoculation. In a bioassay test, all isolates produced syringomycin, which was confirmed by molecular detection based on the syrB and syrD genes. Only EC122 possessed syrD but not syrB. DNA fingerprints, based on repetitive sequence‐based polymerase chain reaction (rep‐PCR) and PCR melting profile (PCR MP), were used to determine the potential genetic diversity among strains. Clustering of PCR MP fingerprinting data matched with rep‐PCR fingerprinting data. The generated distribution tree showed that Tunisian isolates were closely related to the citrus reference strain LMG5496. In contrast, EC112, isolated from citrus, and the almond isolate EC122 were distantly related to the type strain LMG1247^T isolated from lilac. Such studies have not been reported until now for P. syringae from citrus.     

Urban soil resources of medium-sized cities in Poland: a comparative case study of Toruń and Zielona Góra

Purpose

Despite the many studies of urban soils, a comparative analysis for cities of a similar size has not yet been conducted. Thus, the aim of this review paper was to compare the soil distribution patterns in the area of two medium-sized Polish cities (Toruń and Zielona Góra). The authors attempted to answer the question of how natural and technogenic factors contributed to the transformation of urban soils and what the similarities and differences are between these two studied cities.

Materials and methods

First, both the natural and the human-related (including historical) factors influencing the soil formation in the studied cities were analysed. Then, a comparison of the degree of transformation of the urban soil environment was presented. The data obtained by the authors during nearly two decades of research (over 200 soil profiles) were used.

Results and discussion

Intensive development of the built-up areas in Toruń brought heavy and long-term transformations of soils, which demonstrate the typical properties of Urbic Technosols, Ekranic Technosols and other technogenic soils. Zielona Góra showed a similar state of soil transformation over a considerably smaller area. Currently, the differences in the soil properties in many built up areas have been blurred, despite the habitat and historical base. The similarities of the soil properties concerned, in particular, a high content of skeletal remains (from a few to over 30%), elevated pH (in KCl) values (even above 8.0) and the artificial soil horizons formation. Both cities struggle with similar problems regarding the changes in the land use within the areas covered by these soils.

Conclusions

It was found that, despite the significant habitat and historical differences between the two studied cities, most of the urban soils, especially Urbic Technosols, Ekranic Technosols and Regosols (Relocatic and Technic), are characterised by similar morphology and properties. The most important differences are the time and scale of the area transformation, which influence the extent of Technosols and Anthrosols within the city borders. The most distinct differences concern the natural and slightly transformed soils, which are the results of various soil-forming factors.

     

Cohabitation of tree holes by ants and breeding birds in a temperate deciduous forest

A previously unknown association of ants with birds breeding in tree holes is described. Ants Lasius brunneus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were found in c. 15% of nests of Parus major L. and Poecile palustris L. (Paridae) breeding in tree holes in the primeval deciduous forest located in the Bia?owie?a National Park (Poland). The ants preferably used holes located higher above the ground. As such holes are warmer than the unused holes or other nest sites, it is suggested that the ants cohabit holes utilized by the tits to gain thermal benefits.     

The influence of crossbreeding on collagen solubility and tenderness of Infraspinatus and Semimembranosus muscles of semi‐intensively reared young bulls

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of crossbreeding on collagen content and solubility, shear force (WBSF) and the eating quality of Infraspinatus (INF) and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles of young bulls and the relationships between collagen content and solubility, shear force and the eating quality of beef. The experimental material comprised muscles of crossbred young bulls (about 600 days old) of Polish Holstein‐Friesian (PHF) × Limousine (LM) (n = 10), PHF × Charolaise (CH) (n = 9), PHF × Hereford (HER) (n = 9) breeds. The crossbreeding influenced WBSF, aroma and taste, total, water‐soluble, acid‐soluble, total soluble and insoluble collagen content, as well as the acid‐soluble, total soluble and insoluble collagen proportions. WBSF was significantly negatively correlated with sensorial tenderness and water‐soluble collagen content. The eating quality of beef obtained from different crossbreds was similar; however, the meat from PHF × LM and PHF × HER bulls had lower WBSF values than PHF × CH bulls. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Effect of Preharvest Sprays of Calcium on Cracking and ‘Schattenmorelle’ Sour Cherry Fruit Quality Harvested Mechanically

The aim of the study was to examine effect of preharvest sprays of calcium (Ca) in the form of Ca-chloride (CaCl₂), Ca-nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂], or a mixture of Ca-formate, Ca-acetate, CaCl₂, and Ca(NO₃)₂ on cracking and quality of ‘Schattenmorelle’ sour cherry fruit harvested mechanically. The experiment was conducted in 2008–2009 at a commercial orchard in central Poland. Mature trees grew on a coarse-textured soil poor in organic matter, at a spacing of 4.0 × 1.5 m. The spray treatments of Ca were performed at 7-day intervals, starting 28 days before harvest, at the rates of 5.0–5.6 kg Ca ha^?1 per season. The trees sprayed with water were treated as the control. Fruit were harvested mechanically when peduncle-fruit detachment force dropped below 3 N. The results showed that preharvest Ca sprays caused no leaf damage. This measure did not affect yield, mean fruit weight, soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity of fruit, and weight loss of fruit during 24 h after harvest. Fruit sprayed with Ca had improved status of this nutrient, and were less liable to juicy leakage from the stem scar, rain-induced cracking, and preharvest decay caused by Glomerella cingulata. The above effects of Ca sprays did not depend on the tested material. It was concluded that preharvest sprays of Ca as CaCl₂ and/or Ca(NO₃)₂ should be recommended in ‘Schattenmorelle’ sour cherry orchards to reduce fruit losses resulting from rain-induced cracking, leakage of juice, and the incidence of cherry bitter rot.