Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S.P. Sah Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Ecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Author-Name: H. Ilvesniemi Author-Workplace-Name: TheFinnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Research Centre, Vantaa University, Vantaa, Finland Title: Interspecific variation and impact of clear-cutting on natural 15N abundance and N concentration in the needle-to-soil continuum of a boreal conifer forest Abstract: The primary objective of this paper is to study the interspecific variation of 15N natural abundance in two dominant conifer tree species, Scot pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) in a N-limited mixed boreal coniferous forest in southern Finland. Both a mature tree stand (a natural forest stand) and a stand of seedlings in a clear-cut area were considered. We analyzed %N and δ15N natural abundance in needles, branches, litter and soil of the both above-mentioned stands. Pine needles had higher N concentrations than spruce needles, both in mature forest (pine = 1.09%, SE ± 0.02 and spruce = 0.79%, SE ± 0.02) and in the clear-cut area (pine = 1.01%, SE ± 0.07 and spruce = 0.74%, SE ± 0.04). Furthermore, pine needles were significantly more depleted in δ15N natural abundance than the spruce needles, both in the mature forest (pine = -5.6‰, SE ± 0.1‰ and spruce = -4.0‰, SE ± 0.2‰) and in the clear-cut sites (pine = -2.8‰, SE ± 0.2‰ and spruce = -2.1‰, SE ± 0.3‰). The more pronounced depletion of 15N in the pine foliage might be connected to its different fungal associates in the roots compared to spruce roots. We assume that the mycorrhizal N-uptake is very prominent at the N-limited site. After clear-cutting, needles of the seedlings and the uppermost part of soil organic layer were found to be more 15N-enriched than at the natural forest site. This was attributed to an increased level of nitrification in the clear-cut site soil. Keywords: 15N natural abundance, soil, nitrogen, Scot pine, Norway spruce, clear-cut Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 329-339 Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2186-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2186-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200708-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:53:y:2007:i:8:id:2186-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Štepigová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Vráblíková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Lang Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Večeřová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Barták Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Glutathione and zeaxanthin formation during high light stress in foliose lichens Abstract: In the presented study, we describe techniques for glutathione and pigment determination in lichens used in our laboratory. Glutathione and xanthophyll cycle pigments, especially zeaxanthin, are important antioxidants protecting plants against various stresses. In our laboratory, the high light stress in lichens has been intensively studied for several years. We extract glutathione in HCl and determine it by thiol-binding fluorescence label monobromobimane. For pigment determination, homogenized lichen thalli are extracted with pure acetone. According to our results, the total amount of glutathione decreases after a short-term high light exposure, while the amount of zeaxanthin increases. Keywords: antioxidants, glutathione, high light stress, lichens, xanthophyll cycle, zeaxanthin Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 340-344 Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2187-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2187-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200708-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:53:y:2007:i:8:id:2187-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Petrlová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: S. Křížková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Šupálková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Masařík Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Adam Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Havel Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: K.J. Kramer Author-Workplace-Name: Grain Marketing and Production Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, USA Author-Name: R. Kizek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Title: The determination of avidin in genetically modified maize by voltammetric techniques Abstract: Quality assurance is a major issue in the food industry. The authenticity of food ingredients and their traceability are required by consumers and authorities. Plant species such as barley (Hordeum vulgare), rice (Oryza sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annus), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) are very common objects of interest of genetic modification (GMO); therefore the development of specific assays for their specific detection and quantification of GMO are needed. Furthermore, the production and trade of genetically modified lines from an increasing number of plant species brings about the need for control within research, environmental risk assessment, labeling-legal, and consumers' information purposes. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on modification of working electrode could be suitable tools for these purposes. Here, we report using of an avidin-modified carbon paste electrode for rapid and sensitive determination of avidin in plant extract solution and in a transgenic maize extract. The process could be used to determine avidin concentrations up to 3pM in solution and 170nM in a maize seed extract. Moreover, we applied the method to analyze different maize flours. Keywords: avidin, maize, square-wave voltammetry, carbon paste electrode, GMO Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 345-349 Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2185-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2185-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200708-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:53:y:2007:i:8:id:2185-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P. Babula Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Natural Drugs, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Šupálková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Adam Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Ecology and Environmental Protection, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Havel Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Beklová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Biology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Sladký Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Natural Drugs, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Kizek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic Title: An influence of cisplatin on the cell culture of Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 Abstract: The mechanism of cisplatin effect has been well examined in in vitro models of malignant cell lines, but has never been studied on plant cell lines. When plant cell suspension culture of Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 was treated with cisplatin a decrease of viability with its increasing concentration was observed as well as the mitotic index. The structure of nuclei has also been changed in dependence on cisplatin concentration. Keywords: cisplatin, Nicotiana tabacum BY-2, cell viability, nucleus, DNA Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 350-354 Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2213-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2213-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200708-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:53:y:2007:i:8:id:2213-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z. Kotíková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Hejtmánková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Lachman Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Hamouz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: E. Trnková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Dvořák Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Effect of selected factors on total carotenoid content in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) Abstract: In the years 2004 and 2005 precise field trials were performed with the aim to evaluate the effect of variety, year of cultivation, N, P, K and Mg fertilization, and the cover with white propylene fibre Paegas-Agro UV 17 on the total carotenoid content (TC) in potato tubers. TC was determined by absorption UV-VIS spectrophotometry and obtained results were statistically evaluated (ANOVA and MANOVA variance analyses, Scheffe's test). Statistically significant differences (P = 0.05) in the ability of varieties to synthesize carotenoids were found (Karin, Agria and Marabel with high TC × Impala and Saturna with low TC) and also the year of cultivation significantly affected TC (5.8 mg/kg fw in 2004, 20.9 mg/kg fw in 2005). The effect of fertilization with N, P, K and Mg on TC in potatoes did not show any significant effect; however significant differences were observed among varieties. The effect of white polypropylene fibre in two early potato varieties (Adora and Impala) during three dates of harvest on TC in potato tubers was not significant. Contrariwise, statistically significant effects on TC were reported in the case of potato tubers maturity, year of cultivation and potato variety. Keywords: potato, total carotenoids, year of cultivation, locality, variety, fertilization, white polypropylene fibre Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 355-360 Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2214-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2214-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200708-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:53:y:2007:i:8:id:2214-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Žlůvová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Heterologous approach in the search for (candidate) genes Abstract: To answer many questions of evolutionary developmental biology, it is necessary to identify genes which could be responsible for the studied traits. In this review, I have summarised the methods that are currently used to identify these genes. Mainly the PCR-based methods of gene cloning are discussed here, with the special attention given to the comparison of primer design strategies and PCR amplification strategies. In addition to the review of methods used by other authors, an overview of our experience with PCR-based gene cloning in dioecious model plant species Silene latifolia is included. Keywords: evolutionary developmental biology, degenerate primer design, PCR Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 361-364 Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2216-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2216-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200708-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:53:y:2007:i:8:id:2216-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Makovníková Author-Workplace-Name: Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Banská Bystrica, Slovak Republic Author-Name: G. Barančíková Author-Workplace-Name: Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Prešov, Slovak Republic Author-Name: B. Pálka Author-Workplace-Name: Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Banská Bystrica, Slovak Republic Title: Approach to the assessment of transport risk of inorganic pollutants based on the immobilisation capability of soil Abstract: The objective of this paper is to elaborate a system of evaluation of potential risks of transport of inorganic elements, and to create a map of soil potential to immobilisation/transportation of potential risk elements. The categorization of these risks was realized in two layers, contamination and potential soil sorption. The level of contamination was evaluated according to the Slovak Soil Law. Potential sorption of soil (PSS) is formed by qualitative (soil reaction, pH value, optical value of soil humus), and quantitative factors (C Keywords: inorganic contaminants, contamination, immobilisation, transport, soil properties Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 365-373 Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Year: 2007 DOI: 10.17221/2215-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2215-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200708-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:53:y:2007:i:8:id:2215-PSE