Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Heidrun BÜCKMANN Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Plant Protection in Field Crops and Grassland, Julius Kühn-Institut, Braunschweig, Germany Author-Name: Gemma CAPELLADES Author-Workplace-Name: Mas Badia Foundation, Girona, Spain Author-Name: Kateřina HAMOUZOVÁ Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Josef HOLEC Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Josef SOUKUP Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Joaquima MESSEGUER Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain Author-Name: Enric Melé Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain Author-Name: Anna NADAL Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Agricultural and Food Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain Author-Name: Xavier Piferrer GUILLEN Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Agricultural and Food Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain Author-Name: Maria PLA Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Agricultural and Food Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain Author-Name: Joan SERRA Author-Workplace-Name: Mas Badia Foundation, Girona, Spain Author-Name: Katja THIELE Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Julius Kühn-Institut, Quedlinburg, Germany Author-Name: Joachim SCHIEMANN Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Julius Kühn-Institut, Quedlinburg, Germany Title: Cytoplasmic male sterility as a biological confinement tool for maize coexistence: optimization of pollinator spatial arrangement Abstract: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) allows efficient biological confinement of transgenes if pollen-mediated gene flow has to be reduced or eliminated. For introduction of CMS maize in agricultural practice, sufficient yields comparable with conventional systems should be achieved. The plus-cultivar-system in maize offers a possibility for biological confinement together with high and stable yields whereas pollinator amount and distribution within the CMS crop is crucial. The aim of this EU-funded study was to identify the best proportion (10, 15, and 20%) and spatial arrangement (inserted rows, mixed seeds) of the pollinator within the CMS maize cultivar under field conditions in the Czech Republic, in Germany and in Spain. In Germany and in the Czech Republic, a pollinator proportion of 10% produced significantly lower yield than the treatments with a pollinator proportion of 15% and 20%. Differences in yield between row and mix arrangements were not detected. No differences between the tested arrangements occurred in Spain. With respect to practical conditions, a pollinator proportion of 15% can be recommended for achieving a satisfactory yield. CMS maize cultivar released no or merely a small amount of pollen and self-pollinated plants developed no or only a small number of kernels indicating that currently recommended isolation distances between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM fields can be substantially shortened if the CMS confinement tool is used. Keywords: genetically modified maize, outcrossing potential, spatial distribution Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 145-151 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/761/2016-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/761/2016-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:761-2016-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jan PONERT Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Prague Botanical Garden, Prague 7 - Troja, Czech Republic Author-Name: Helena LIPAVSKÁ Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Utilization of exogenous saccharides by protocorms of two terrestrial orchids Abstract: Orchid protocorms are completely mycoheterotrophic structures. Although saccharides are proposed as the main energy and carbon (C) sources provided by fungi, there is only limited knowledge on their effects. For the first time, utilization of a wide range of saccharides by in vitro axenic protocorms of two terrestrial orchids from two subfamilies, Ophrys iricolor subsp. lojaconoi and Oeceoclades, was tested. Protocorm size and, in the first of these also rhizoid length and soluble saccharide contents, were analysed. The endogenous saccharide spectra reflected the supplied saccharides and their metabolism. In both species, sucrose supported protocorm growth best. Surprisingly, fructose inhibited O. iricolor subsp. lojaconoi protocorm growth while O. decaryana ones grew well on it. Interestingly, mannitol abundant in mycorrhizal fungi was not utilized while sorbitol not found in fungi was usable. Galactose was toxic at pre-germination stage. Protocorm rhizoid length correlated with protocorm size but revealed several signalling effects of some saccharides. In conclusion, the orchid's ability to utilize various saccharides reflects more likely species life strategy rather than phylogenetic relations or saccharide abundance in mycorrhizal fungi. Keywords: Orchidaceae, sugar alcohols, cultivation medium, maltose, raffinose Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 152-158 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/71/2017-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/71/2017-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:71-2017-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Krystyna ZARZYŃSKA Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, Jadwisin, Poland Author-Name: Dominika BOGUSZEWSKA-MAŃKOWSKA Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, Jadwisin, Poland Author-Name: Artur NOSALEWICZ Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Science, Lublin, Poland Title: Differences in size and architecture of the potato cultivars root system and their tolerance to drought stress Abstract: Drought can cause substantial yield losses, particularly for crops with shallow root systems, such as potato (Solanum tuberosum). This study tested whether root system architecture could affect potato yield under drought conditions. The following parameters of the roots were measured: depth range, total length, total area, surface area, average diameter, and total dry weight of the root system. These parameters in soil layers were also measured at different depths. Five potato cultivars from a group of mid-early cultivars were examined in this study. The same cultivars were tested under two conditions: control with optimal irrigation and drought stress treatment without irrigation for three weeks after the end of tuberization to check the tuber yield. Significant differences were observed among cultivars in the size of the root system and its architecture. The biggest differences in the individual layers of soil profile related to the diameter of the root, the root length, and the surface area. Also a relationship between the size of the root system and yield of tubers was found. The strongest correlations involved the root length and the root surface area with the decrease in tuber yield under the drought, then the dry root mass with the decrease in yield. These correlations were negative: the higher the value of the parameter, the smaller the observed decrease in yield. This showed a relationship between root length and mass with the decrease of yield; this relationship was stronger for roots in deeper layers than in the shallowest layers. Therefore, this study indicates that breeding potato cultivars with deep root systems might improve tuber yields under drought conditions. Keywords: stress tolerance, tuber crops, water, nutrient, rainfall Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 159-164 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/4/2017-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/4/2017-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:4-2017-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Krystyna ZARZYŃSKA Author-Name: Milena PIETRASZKO Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, Potato Agronomy Department, Jadwisin, Serock Title: Possibility to predict the yield of potatoes grown under two crop production systems on the basis of selected morphological and physiological plant indicators Abstract: In the study conducted in the years 2014-2016 at the Institute of Plant Breeding and acclimatization in Poland, the effect was tested of such indicators of plant productivity as: leaf area index (LAI), leaf greenery index (SPAD) and chlorophyll a fluorescence on the yield of potato tubers grown in two production systems, i.e. organic and conventional. It was found that in the organic production system the values of all tested indicators were significantly lower than in the conventional system and the decrease in chlorophyll content in the leaves, as well as the decrease in chlorophyll a fluorescence over time followed faster in the organic than in conventional system. The lower surface of the leaves, smaller greenery index and lower activity of photosynthesis contributed to a significant reduction in tuber yield in the organic system. The tuber yield in this system was about 30% lower than in the conventional one. The positive correlations between the value of the tested indicators and yield of tubers was obtained. The highest correlation was between the LAI index, the smallest between the performance index of photosystem II. In the conventional system the correlation coefficients were slightly higher than in organic, which indicates that in this system the possibility of predicting the final yield is simpler. Keywords: Solanum tuberosum L., tuberous crop, organic plantation, photosynthetic activity, fertilizer Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 165-170 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/101/2017-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/101/2017-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:101-2017-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Guanghua JING Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Soil and Water Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China Author-Name: LI Wei Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Soil and Water Conversion, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, P.R. China Author-Name: YU Kailiang Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA Author-Name: Zak RATAJCZAK Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA Author-Name: Robert L. KALLENBACH Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA Author-Name: Jimin CHENG Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Soil and Water Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China Title: Effects of fertilization, burning, and grazing on plant community in the long-term fenced grasslands Abstract: Fencing is the common management practice to restore degraded grasslands. However, long-term fencing decreases grassland productivity and species diversity. The study was therefore conducted as a three-year (2011-2013) experiment with a randomized complete block in a grassland fenced for 20 years in the Loess Plateau of China, and the effects of fertilization, burning and grazing on aboveground biomass, species and functional group composition, species and some functional group diversity were analysed. Our results showed that the functional group of perennial bunchgrasses dominated the grassland regardless of management practices. However, burning altered species composition (i.e. the unpalatable species, Artemisia sacrorum) more significantly than fertilization or grazing, and surprisingly, nearly quadrupled the functional group of shrubs and semi-shrubs. Fertilization had a positive effect on the aboveground biomass (44.0%), while clearly reducing species diversity (21.9%). Grazing decreased aboveground biomass, but increased species diversity by 15.9%. This study indicated that fertilization influenced plant community through its impact on aboveground biomass, while burning changed plant community by altering dominant species. Thus, it was concluded that fertilizer could further improve community biomass while burning reduced the edibility of grass. Grazing could be carried out to enhance the biodiversity in the long-term fenced grasslands. Keywords: management measures, community biomass, plant diversity, community structure, resourcepetition Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 171-176 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/64/2017-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/64/2017-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:64-2017-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Remigiusz ŁUKOWIAK Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Biogeochemistry, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Przemysław BARŁÓG Author-Name: Witold GRZEBISZ Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Environmental Biogeochemistry, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Title: Soil mineral nitrogen and the rating of CaCl2 extractable nutrients Abstract: It was assumed that the determination of the mineral nitrogen (Nmin) content in the 0.01 mol/L CaCl2 could rely on measurements of single form NO3--N, NH4+-N or both, and even including other extractable nutrients. This hypothesis was verified based on some primary data from 17 fields: ten with oilseed rape and seven with maize as indicatory crops during three consecutive seasons in a production farm in Górzno, Poland. The contents of NO3--N, NH4+-N, P, K, Mg and pH were measured in soil prior to the spring vegetation start and after a crop harvest (autumn). Phosphorus in spring and NH4+-N in autumn, were variables discriminating against the number of clusters. It was higher in cropping sequences (CSs) with maize than with oilseed rape. The reliability of Nmin determination and distribution between clusters in spring based only on NO3--N was fully corroborated for maize CSs. In autumn, irrespective of the CS, the decisive factor in Nmin prediction and distribution over clusters was the NH4+-N pool. This study resulted in the rating of CaCl2 extractable nutrients, indicating their availability status, shortage or excess, on the background of the Nmin temporary rating. Keywords: ammonium, cluster analysis, Zea mays, nitrate, Brassica napus, subsoil Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 177-183 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/92/2017-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/92/2017-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:92-2017-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sara RODRIGO Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy and Forest Environment Engineering, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain Author-Name: Oscar SANTAMARIA Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy and Forest Environment Engineering, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain Author-Name: Leticia PEREZ-IZQUIERDO Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy and Forest Environment Engineering, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain Author-Name: Maria J. POBLACIONES Title: Arsenic and selenium levels in rice fields from south-west of Spain: influence of the years of monoculture Abstract: There is a lack of information regarding the arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) concentrations in Spanish rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields and how soil conditions affect such concentration, especially those derived from the typical monoculture practiced in the studied area. To clarify these aspects, 76 soil samples and 95 grain samples were collected from 19 rice fields along the Vegas Altas area, the most important rice growing area of south-west of Spain. The results suggested a significant increase in the soil total As and Se concentrations as the number of monoculture years increased. While As concentration reached toxic levels in 12 out of the 19 locations, Se concentration in all the analysed fields could be considered as deficient. An increase of the As and Se concentration in soil produced a subsequent increase of the concentration of both elements in the rice grain. Therefore, it might be extremely important to control both levels. It would be necessary to establish different actions, including rotations with other crops, in order to remediate As accumulation and to increase Se intake. Keywords: paddy field, As-Se interaction, biofortification, crop rotation, soil contamination Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 184-188 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/105/2017-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/105/2017-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:105-2017-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Gordana DRAZIC Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Applied Ecology, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia Author-Name: Jelena MILOVANOVIC Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Applied Ecology, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia Author-Name: Jela IKANOVIC Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia Author-Name: Ivana PETRIC Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Applied Ecology, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia Title: Influence of fertilization on Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu) yield and biomass traits in three experiments in Serbia Abstract: Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu) is an agro-energy crop of the second generation cultivated in purpose to obtain annually renewable bio-fuel produced from the aboveground biomass. Cultivation is preferred on marginal lands to avoid occupation of arable lands. Influence of fertilization and soil type Gleysol, Planosol and Technosol (open pit coal mine overburden) on yield and biomass traits of miscanthus were investigated during five years' field experiment. Among biometric characteristics: stem height, length and width of leaves, the number of leaves (dry and green) per stem and number of stems per rhizome, only the last one has a strong positive correlation with yield. Fertilization increased yield during fourth and fifth year of development on Gleysol and Technosol. The highest yield on Gleysol was 23.12 t/ha in 2014, on Planosol 10.16 t/ha, and 4.77 t/ha in 2015 on Technosol. The yield of miscanthus, beside fertilization, depends on weather conditions and weeds. Cultivation of miscanthus is possible on marginal soils with minimum application of agricultural measures only in the year of establishment. Gleysol is a type of soil that can be recommended for miscanthus cultivation. Keywords: agro-energy crops, vegetative period, late winter harvest Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 189-193 Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/156/2017-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/156/2017-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201704-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:63:y:2017:i:4:id:156-2017-PSE