Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Grejtovský Author-Workplace-Name: Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Science, Košice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: K. Markušová Author-Workplace-Name: Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Science, Košice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: L. Nováková Author-Workplace-Name: Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Science, Košice, Slovak Republic Title: Lead uptake by Matricaria chamomilla L. Abstract: Investigations were carried out under laboratory conditions in a nutrient solution according to Knop to observe the influence of increasing concentrations of Pb (5, 25, 50, 75 μmol/l) on its uptake and accumulation in chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), diploid cv. Novbona. The essential part of Pb taken up by chamomile plants accumulated in roots; only minor portion of the metal was translocated to the above-ground part of the plant. Addition of Pb to the growth medium reduced significantly the root biomass (-46.3% at the highest supply of Pb); reduction in the above-ground dry matter (-18.3%) was insignificant. Pb treatment also reduced chlorophyll content in leaves (P < 0.01). The highest level of Pb resulted in a decrease of Chl a by 52% and of Chl b by 48%. Lead in the nutrient medium induced accumulation of free proline (Pro) in leaf rosette tissues (P < 0.01). Distribution of Pb in chamomile plants (cv. Novbona) and accumulation of Pb with focus on accumulation in inflorescences (drug Flos chamomillae) was investigated in a pot experiment with soil (Orthic Luvisol) supplemented with 50 mg Pb/kg dry soil. At this treatment, the content of Pb in chamomile inflorescences was 3-fold higher in comparison with the control (P < 0.05) but the level of accumulated Pb (2.08 mg Pb/kg dm flowers) was far below the limit (10 mg/kg) set by the WHO as the highest acceptable level of Pb in the chamomile drug. Keywords: chamomile, chlorophyll, growth, Flos chamomillae, Pb accumulation, proline Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 47-54 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/2784-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2784-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200802-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:54:y:2008:i:2:id:2784-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: H. Fišerová Author-Workplace-Name: Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Mikušová Author-Workplace-Name: Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Klemš Author-Workplace-Name: Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Estimation of ethylene production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in plants by means of gas chromatography Abstract: The paper deals with problems associated with preparation and collection of samples when estimating the production of ethylene and content of ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) in plants by means of gas chromatography. A proper method of sampling can significantly influence not only the reliability of obtained data but also their interpretation. Attention was paid to cultivation of plant material, sampling vessels, conditions of ethylene production, sampling procedure, and storage of gaseous samples. The estimation of ACC as a precursor of ethylene is more laborious but it supplements the information about the endogenous level of ethylene in a given part of the plant organism. The authors describe the sampling procedure, methods of sample preservation, extraction and purification, and also the method of oxidation of ACC to ethylene. In the final part of this study the authors evaluate the time consumption and difficulty of individual methods and describe their advantages and disadvantages as compared with other, alternative methods. Keywords: plant cultivation, vessels, sampling, preservation of gaseous samples Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 55-60 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/2782-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2782-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200802-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:54:y:2008:i:2:id:2782-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Lapinski Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Agricultural University of Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: M. Rosciszewska Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Agricultural University of Krakow, Krakow, Poland Title: The impact of cadmium and mercury contamination on reproduction and body mass of earthworms Abstract: The accumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of earthworms is a helpful indicator of environmental contamination. The degree of substrate contamination can be additionally evaluated on the basis of survivability, reproduction and body mass of earthworms. In this study Eisenia fetida Sav. earthworms were exposed to a series of increasing concentrations of cadmium and mercury. The numbers of animals and their body mass were checked after 4 and 8 months. The strongest impact of substrate contamination was exerted upon the number of young individuals and cocoons. The cadmium contamination did not affect adversely the mass of earthworms, whereas in the mercurycontaminated group the decline in body mass was evident. After 8 months of experiments, the content of heavy metal in the bodies of earthworms was determined. An evident relationship between the cadmium and mercury contents in the substrate and their accumulation in earthworms' tissues was found. The concentration in the bodies exceeded the level in the substrate. Keywords: Eisenia fetida Sav., survival rate, body mass, metal toxicity, heavy metals Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 61-65 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/439-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/439-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200802-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:54:y:2008:i:2:id:439-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Atanasova Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology, N. Poushkarov Institute of Soil Science, National Center of Agricultural Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria Title: Effect of nitrogen sources on the nitrogenous forms and accumulation of amino acid in head cabbage Abstract: The effect of two different nitrogen sources: ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate, applied at increased rates, on the content of the total nitrogen, protein and non-protein nitrogen, and the content and composition of amino acids in head cabbage leaves was studied. The higher nitrogen accumulation was established at the ammonium nitrate fertilization compared to the calcium nitrate, but the application of Ca(NO3)2 resulted in a higher content of nitrate nitrogen. More protein nitrogen was also observed in plants with Ca(NO3)2 fertilization. The highest applied fertilizer rate of ammonium nitrate resulted in a significant reduction of the protein nitrogen compared to increased free amino acids. The total content of amino acids increased gradually with the increase of nitrogen rates in plants fertilized with NH4NO3. When Ca(NO3)2 was applied, nitrogen rates higher than 500 mg/kg soil suppressed the synthesis of amino acids. A greater increase was observed as regards the levels of arginine, proline and some essential amino acids as lysine, phenylalanine and histidine. The increase of proline and alanine could serve as an indicator for unbalanced nitrogen nutrition. Keywords: head cabbage, total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, amino acids Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 66-71 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/438-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/438-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200802-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:54:y:2008:i:2:id:438-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Kumari Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India Author-Name: K.K. Kapoor Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India Author-Name: B.S. Kundu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India Author-Name: R.K. Mehta Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India Title: Identification of organic acids produced during rice straw decomposition and their role in rock phosphate solubilization Abstract: The production of organic acids and changes during decomposition of rice straw amended with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and Udaipur rock phosphate (URP) were studied under laboratory conditions. The organic C content of rice straw decreased and total N increased with time, resulting in a decrease in C:N ratio as the decomposition progressed. The pH decreased to acidic range in all the treatments on day 15, but became alkaline again later on. Soluble P increased at 15 days after incubation, declined later during decomposition, and was highest in the treatments containing TCP and Aspergillus awamori inoculation. Citric, oxalic, formic and maleic acids were detected during decomposition of rice straw and maximum amounts were present on day 15. Citric and oxalic acids were responsible mainly for P solubilization from TCP and URP; generally, citric acid was the most effective in P solubilization. Keywords: organic acids, phosphate solubilization, rice straw decomposition, tricalcium phosphate, Udaipur rock phosphate Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 72-77 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/2783-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2783-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200802-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:54:y:2008:i:2:id:2783-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Trnka Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrosystems and Bioclimatology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Trnka Author-Workplace-Name: ZEMSERVIS Experimental Station Domanínek Ltd., Domanínek, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Fialová Author-Workplace-Name: ZEMSERVIS Experimental Station Domanínek Ltd., Domanínek, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Automobile Transport and Principles of Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Koutecký Author-Workplace-Name: ZEMSERVIS Experimental Station Domanínek Ltd., Domanínek, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Automobile Transport and Principles of Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Fajman Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Automobile Transport and Principles of Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Žalud Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrosystems and Bioclimatology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: S. Hejduk Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Biomass production and survival rates of selected poplar clones grown under a short-rotation on arable land Abstract: Fast-growing woody plants that can be grown under short-rotation systems offer an alternative to food production on arable land, and serve as a potential source of renewable energy. In order to establish the feasibility of future large scale production under the conditions of the Czech-Moravian highland, a high density experimental field plantation including a range of available clones of Populus sp. and Salix sp. with the total area of 1.5 ha was established in early 2001 in Domanínek (Czech Republic, 49°32'N, 16°15'E and altitude 530 m). The clone experiment of Populus sp. covered 0.3 ha in the center of the plantation and included 13 clones in total, with hardwood cuttings of only 6 clones available in numbers allowing 4-replicate experiment. The plantation was established on agricultural land and the trees were planted in a double row design with a density of 10 000 trees/ha. The trial was weeded by mechanical methods, and no irrigation, fertilization, or herbicides were applied. The experiment site was harvested at the end of 2006. It was found that the biomass yields of the tested clones of Populus sp. were in the higher range of results from national and European studies in case of hybrid clones. The satisfactory survival rate in the first year, when mortality tends to be highest, was supported by relatively wet weather conditions after plantation establishment. At the end of the first rotation, the highest yields were obtained from clones J-105 and J-104 (P. nigra × P. maximowiczii) and P-494 (P. maximowiczii × P. berolinensis) with J-105 showing a mean annual increment of dry matter close to 14 t/ha. Additional experiments seem to suggest that well managed poplar plantation might produce even better values if higher survival rates can be achieved. Keywords: Populus sp., short rotation forestry, bioenergy, biomass, coppice Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 78-88 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/437-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/437-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-200802-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:54:y:2008:i:2:id:437-PSE