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This study is aimed at investigating the effect of different vineyard soil management systems on soil erosion and earthworm (Lumbricidae) population. Three soil management systems were investigated: permanent green cover (control), straw-cover and periodic soil tillage. Inter-row periodic soil tillage was applied in 2002 and 2003 (May and August), and straw-cover in May 2002. Periodic soil tillage resulted in increased erosion, i.e. 1746 kg/ha of soil/per year, on average. The greater portion of erosive events occurred after tillage in summer (August 2002), which was accompanied by heavy rainfall and slow renewal of grass cover (slower than in spring). The lowest average amount of soil erosion was observed in the treatment with straw-cover (56 kg/ha per year). This management system provided better environment for earthworm populations, most of which were found close to the soil surface, especially in the dry year 2003. In periodical soil tillage, the majority of earthworms were found in the soil horizon not disturbed by the tillage, i.e. at the depth of 10-20 cm. The lowest number of earthworms (only 2 per m²) was recorded in the herbicide intra-row strip.

The study compares the effects of: timer ('Timer') and soil moisture sensor-controlled irrigation on soilless lettuce; two volumetric water content (Θ) thresholds for irrigation (0.30 ('Θ = 0.3') and 0.40 m³/m³ ('Θ = 0.4')). The most nutrient solution (NS) was applied in 'Timer' where the lowest water use efficiency was observed, with 17 and 42% less NS used in 'Θ = 0.4' and 'Θ = 0.3', respectively. Irrigation volumes followed the plant water needs in the sensor-controlled treatments, with little or no leaching, while 18% of leaching was recorded in 'Timer'. Plants in 'Timer' and 'Θ = 0.4' had higher fresh weights (24%) and leaf area (13%) than plants in 'Θ = 0.3'. Similar dry weight was observed among treatments but percentage of dry matter was 20% higher in 'Θ = 0.3'. Gas exchanges and leaf tissues chemical composition were similar in all treatments, but nitrate concentration was lower in the 'Θ = 0.3' plants. Precision sensor-controlled irrigation based on Θ measurements is an effective tool to increase the overall water use efficiency and to improve the quality of soilless-grown lettuce by acting on the substrate moisture level.

The stem and bulb nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) is a serious quarantine pest of vegetables spreading worldwide via seed and planting material. Currently, a hot water technique is used as the pre-seed treatment, which is difficult to execute and the risk of seed damage is high. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the (a) penetration of gaseous hydrogen cyanide (HCN) into garlic tissue; (b) HCN phytotoxicity, and (c) nematicide potential of HCN against D. dipsaci. Penetration of HCN into the core of the garlic clove was approximately 30% of the concentration inside the fumigation chamber after 30 h of exposure. Decreased emergency was observed only in the exposure treatment lasting 16 and more hours. Garlic cloves naturally infested by D. dipsaci were treated with HCN at a concentration of 20 g/m³ for 12, 18 and 24 h in a fumigation chamber, and 99% mortality was achieved in all three exposure times.

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that the peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) gene polymorphism (Tyr76His; dbSNP ID: ss104796364) has an influence on some performance traits and causes of culling in Polish Holstein-Friesian red-white cows. The study involved 134 cows kept on a farm in the south-west of Poland. PGLYRP1 genotypes TT, CT, and CC were detected. It was shown that compared with cows with genotypes CT and TT, the individuals with genotype CC were characterised by higher lifetime yields and higher amounts of lactation milk, fat, and protein. A beneficial effect of genotype CC, compared with genotype TT, was also noted in the case of the lifespan and, consequently, the length of the productive life and the average number of lactations. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (genotypes CC and TT) and disorders of the reproductive system (genotype CT) were the most common causes of culling. An essential practical observation was the potentially higher susceptibility of cows with genotype CC to mastitis, which resulted in the necessity to cull over one-fifth of the animals in this group. Simultaneously, no cows in this group were culled due to low performance or metabolic, gastrointestinal, and respiratory diseases. Therefore, the PGLYRP1 gene seems to be a promising potential herd health marker; however, to consider it the main gene, it is necessary to extend the investigations to include more individuals and other breeds of dairy cattle.

The survey was conducted in three selected areas of the Czech Republic in 2008, with the results processed in 2009. Forests visitors received inquiry forms (face to face interviews, random sample). The total number of visitors on 8 survey days was 7,369. The total number of filled-in questionnaires in the three areas was 1,122. Tree planting and tree protection are considered as the most important forest operations, followed by road and stream bank maintenance. On the contrary, timber transport and harvesting are considered as the least important activities. The nature-protecting function is considered as the most important forest function, followed by soil-conservation, climatic, hydrological and health (recreational) functions. Timber production and non-timber production are the least important functions according to the respondents. 20% of respondents claimed that increased costs needed to improve non-market forest functions, used by the visitors, should be partially or fully financed from the timber sales revenues, while only 6.5% of respondents say the costs should be partially or fully financed from payments by the users of forest functions.

In this study, five biochemical traits obtained for seedlings of five different provenances of Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Meyer were used to evaluate the available light environment using instantaneous electronic readings as a standard. Experimental design was executed under controlled conditions at six different irradiance levels (10, 20, 30, 50, 60, and 70% of full light). Results show that among total chlorophyll (Chl_mass), chlorophyll a to b ratio (Chl_a:Chl_b), N, chlorophyll to N ratio (Chl:N), and peroxidase (POD) quantitative activity, the latter provides the highest realistic correlation with available irradiance. Ranking irradiance treatments on a Chl_mass basis, Chl:N ratio, and Chl_a:Chl_b ratio do not consistently distinguish different irradiance levels either within or between provenances, while the ranking produced by POD was an accurate reflection of the degree of irradiance within the shade houses, especially at 10-30%.

Lipophilic derivatisation of phenolic acids could greatly improve their antioxidant activities and solubility in hydrophobic environments, broadening their applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. In this study, we conducted enzymatic lipophilisation of eight phenolates with policosanols. Vinyl phenolates were used as intermediates to improve the efficiency of enzymatic lipophilisation; and the yields of policosanyl phenolates were in the range of 1.32-20.58%. The antioxidant activities of the resulting phenolipids were compared using 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assay and linoleic acid peroxidation ferric thiocyanate assay. The synthesised policosanyl phenolates showed lower ABTS radical scavenging capacities (IC₅₀s > 15 mM); whereas they showed high lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities (IC₅₀s of peroxidation value < 0.25 mM). The lipid oxidation inhibitory activities of policosanol phenolates were further evaluated using the total oxidation value in a linoleic acid model system and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value in a cooked pork model system. Finally, policosanyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, policosanyl syringate, and policosanyl 4-hydroxyphenylacetate showed the highest inhibition effects on lipid oxidation and a potential for use as lipid antioxidants.

The purpose of this research has been to identify relationships between soil moisture and the growth and development of microorganisms, their diversity and the activity of soil enzymes. Four soils with different texture were analysed. Air-dry soils were watered up to the moisture content corresponding to 20, 40 and 60% of the maximum water capacity (MWC) and subsequently were submitted to determinations of the counts of soil microorganisms, colony development index and ecophysiological diversity index for bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. In addition, the response of seven soil enzymes to soil humidity was examined. It was found that the most optimum soil moisture for the development of organotrophic bacteria was the one at the level of 20% of MWC. For Azotobacter spp. bacteria and actinomycetes, the 40% MWC soil moisture level was optimum, while fungi developed the best at the soil moisture level of 60% of MWC. In turn, the activity of soil dehydrogenases, catalase, urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase was the highest in soil with 20% of MWC. The principal component analysis showed that the soil moisture determined the microbial and biochemical soil activity to a much lesser degree than did the soil type.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the microbial diversity in the caecum of geese using a 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA) clone library approach. A total of 160 clones and 124 clones were sequenced and phylogenetically analysed from the contents and mucosa of the caecum of Yang Zhou geese, respectively. The result indicated that there was a rich variety of bacteria in the caecum contents. Forty-six operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on a 98% similarity criterion were classified in the contents of goose caecum, as compared to 29 OTUs based on a 97% similarity criterion in the mucosa of goose caecum. The sequences were assigned to 7 and 5 groups in the contents and mucosa of goose caecum, respectively. Contents of goose caecum were dominantly occupied by Clostridia-related species (58.7%) with other abundant sequences being related to Bacteroidetes (26.9%) and Erysipelotrichi (11.2%). Gammaproteobacteria (59.6%) and Clostridia (20.1%) were predominant in the mucosa of goose caecum.

The fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots of wheat seedlings showed a marked decrease as the concentration of copper (Cu) was increased. The contents of pectin, cellulose, soluble carbohydrates, and phospholipids in the roots and shoots of test plants were significantly lowered with the rise of Cu concentration. However, hemicellulose, lignin, total lipids, glycolipids, sterols and proline of roots and shoots were raised under Cu stress. Cu treatment also induced the stimulation of soluble, total and cell wall associated proteins, other free amino acids and total carbohydrates in shoots and a slight reduction in roots. The adverse effects of Cu toxicity treatments on root and shoot growth were partially alleviated by the treatment of test plants with ascorbic acid, thiamine (vitamin B₁) and salicylic acid.

Seed germination experiments with Corylopsis coreana, C. sinensis var. calvescens, and Corylopsis gotoana were conducted. Corylopsis coreana seeds were treated at 5^o, 7.5^o, 10^o, 12.5^o and 20^oC to study the upper temperature limit to break dormancy. Seeds of C. sinensis var. calvescens were treated 1 mo of warm stratification (WS) at 10, 15, 20, and 25^oC followed by CS at 5^oC for 0, 1, 2, and 3 mo to understand the requirement of WS and CS to effectively break dormancy. Germination of Corylopsis seeds at 15^o-20^oC without CS suggests that dormancy is considered shallow and the upper temperature limit to break is 12.5^oC. Immersing seeds in water or ethanol induced seed germination which may result from leaching of inhibitors from the seed. Observation of seed coats following treatment with water and ethanol by means of low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM) revealed elongated and rectangular/hexagonal shaped cells in C. coreana and irregular jigsaw puzzle-piece shapes in C. gotoana. In conclusion, dormancy in Corylopsis is considered shallow and the optimum CS is suggested to be 7.5^oC, while optimum WS is ranging from12.5^o to 20^oC.

Bromus species are annual winter weeds from the Poaceae family which have become troublesome weeds of winter cereals. The herbicides propoxycarbazone and pyroxsulam are widely used for control of B. sterilis. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different types of adjuvants and carriers on the efficacy of pyroxsulam and propoxycarbazone on B. sterilis. Small plot field trials were carried out in North Bohemia, Central Europe during 2011-2013. The tested carriers and adjuvants affected the efficacy of both herbicides and the seed production of B. sterilis. Urea ammonium nitrate was a less effective carrier than water (differences 5-30%). The most effective adjuvant was methylated seed oil (MSO), whose addition into the application water solution increased the herbicide efficacy of propoxycarbazone by 5-35%. Efficacy of the herbicide pyroxsulam was increased by adjuvant MSO by 10-30%. Nonionic surfactant increased herbicide efficacy only in 2013 (by 17%). Effect of organosilicone surfactant on the herbicide efficacy was negative (lower efficacy). Seed production of B. sterilis on untreated plots ranged between 20 000 and 50 000 seeds/m² in experimental years. Seed production was the lowest on plots treated by the herbicide plus MSO (1300-4500 seed/m²).

The Nour Forest Park located in the north of Iran is the most important Hyrcanian lowland forest which plays a significant role in the local/national carbon cycle. Since the forest is protectively managed, the distribution of C pools in the forest may give proper information for climate change negotiations. We investigated variations in above- and belowground C pools between three natural stand types that occur in the forest - Alnus glutinosa-Parrotia persica (AI), Acer velutinum-Parrotia persica (MI), and Ulmus glabra-Carpinus betulus (EH). The carbon stocks of trees, herbs and litter were measured in each stand based on a completely randomized design using nested plots. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock was measured at two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm). The mean organic carbon concentration of 20.61 ± 0.012% and of 31.13 ± 0.024% was directly measured for herbs and litter, respectively. The results of the paired t-test showed that there was no significant difference in SOC between the first depth (0-20 cm) and the second depth (20-40 cm) in AI stand though SOC was significantly different between the two depths in MI and EH stands. The carbon stock of above- and belowground biomass was not significantly different between the three stands, and carbon stock of litter was higher than that of herbs in each stand. Also, there were significant differences in the different carbon pools in each stand type; however, the different stand types did not differ in the proportion of carbon stored in different pools and in total carbon (i.e. C summed across all pools; P > 0.05). The findings in the different forest types showed that there was no high carbon stock variability suggesting that the horizontal and vertical distribution of carbon stocks in the forest could be in a balance, implying that the protective management could be a determining factor for the carbon balance in the forest. Regarding this issue, it is necessary to verify the variation of carbon stocks in non-protective and active forest management.

Reactions of winter triticale cultivars mostly from central Europe to recent and old leaf rust isolates were tested in the greenhouse. In one trial 20 cultivars were tested with 8 leaf rust isolates, collected recently from official wheat and triticale trials in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In another trial 15 cultivars were tested with 6 old leaf rust isolates, used to identify leaf rust resistance genes in wheat. The cultivars Cando, Hortenso and Tricolor, registered in the Czech Republic, were resistant to the majority of the recent isolates. The Hungarian cultivar Tatra was resistant to all the recent isolates. The old leaf rust isolates were virulent only to a few of the triticale cultivars. Randomly selected isolates from wheat and triticale were tested on triticale cultivars and on Thatcher near isogenic lines with different Lr genes. On average, leaf rust isolates from triticale were virulent to a higher number of triticale cultivars than isolates collected from wheat and vice versa.

Approximately 20 years ago, we began our efforts to understand grain yield in winter wheat using chromosome substitution lines between Cheyenne (CNN) and Wichita (WI). We found that two chromosome substitutions, 3A and 6A, greatly affected grain yield. CNN(WI3A) and CNN(WI6A) had 15 to 20% higher grain yield than CNN, whereas WI(CNN3A) and WI(CNN6A) had 15 to 20% lower grain yield than WI. The differences in grain yield are mainly expressed in higher yielding environments (e.g. eastern Nebraska) indicating genotype by environment interactions (G × E). In studies using hybrid wheat, the gene action for grain yield on these chromosomes was found to be mainly controlled by additive gene action. In subsequent studies, we developed recombinant inbred chromosome lines (RICLs) using monosomics or doubled haploids. In extensive studies we found that two regions on 3A affect grain yield in the CNN(RICLs-3A) with the positive QTLs coming from WI. In WI(RICLs-3A), we found a main region on 3A that affected grain yield with the negative QTL coming from CNN. The 3A region identified using WI(RICLs-3A) coincided with one of the regions previously identified in CNN(RICLs-3A). As expected the QTLs have their greatest effect in higher-yielding environments and also exhibit QTL × E. Using molecular markers on chromosomes 3A and 6A, the favorable alleles on 3A in Wichita may be from Turkey Red, the original hard red winter wheat in the Great Plains and presumably the original source of the favorable alleles. Cheyenne, a selection from Crimea, did not have the favorable alleles. In studying modern cultivars, many high yielding cultivars adapted to eastern Nebraska have the WI-allele indicating that it was selected for in breeding higher yielding cultivars. However, some modern cultivars adapted to western Nebraska where the QTL has less effect retain the CNN-allele, presumably because the allele has less effect (is less important in improving grain yield). In addition many modern cultivars have neither the WI-allele, nor the CNN-allele indicating we have diversified our germplasm and new alleles have been brought into the breeding program in this region.

The objective of this study was to develop a superovulatory program based on synchronization of follicular waves with GnRH which could be applied regardless of the stage of the oestrous cycle. 36 heifers were subjected to this experiment and GnRH (Cystorelin, 200 µg) was applied between Days 0 and 7 (n = 15), 8 and 12 (n = 8) or 13 and 20 (n = 13) of the oestrous cycle. Four days after GnRH treatment, all follicles ≥ 6 mm of heifers (n) were either punctured (n = 21) or left intact (n = 15). All heifers were superstimulated from Day 6 to Day 10 after GnRH treatment with 320 mg Folltropin-V. In parallel, 21 heifers were superstimulated in a conventional manner (Days 8 to 12) and were used as controls. The homogeneity of follicular inventories among Stage-groups occurred within 4 days of GnRH treatment for follicles ≥ 7 mm but only 2 days after follicular puncture for follicles 4 to 6 mm. In response to the follicular puncture, the mean number of follicles 4 to 6 mm increased in heifers of the punctured group (P < 0.01). Following the superstimulation, the follicular (P < 0.01) and ovulatory (P < 0.01) responses were higher in the punctured group than in the nonpunctured group. The in vivo production of transferable embryos in the punctured group was similar to that of the nonpunctured group but it was lower (P < 0.01) than in heifers of the control group. In conclusion, results from the present study indicate that regardless of the stage of the oestrous cycle, the homogeneity of follicular inventories following the follicular synchronization is obtained using GnRH treatment and follicular puncture. The in vivo production of embryos was severely compromised in the present study with heifers. Causes of such reduction in the in vivo production of embryos are still unknown.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of various fertilization depths on NH₃ volatilization loss in Moso bamboo forests in the Huanshan county, Anhui province, China. A complete randomized block design with five treatments was used, including 0 (T₀); 10 (T₁₀); 20 (T₂₀) and 30 (T₃₀) cm application depths and no fertilizer treatment (control). Results showed that NH₃ volatilization was detected in a single peak curve after fertilization, peaking at the third day for T₀ and T₁₀ treatments, and the sixth day for T₂₀ and T₃₀ treatments, respectively. Twelve days later, the fluxes declined to a low level similar to the control. The mean NH₃ volatilization flux decreased with the increase of fertilization depth, ranged from 0.71 kg/ha/day for T₃₀ treatment to 1.68 kg/ha/day for T₀ treatment. More than 80% of total NH₃ volatilization occurred within the first eight days. After the experiment, the cumulative NH₃ volatilization of T₀ treatment was 26.8 kg/ha, accounting for 20.8% of the total nitrogen (N) application. Compared with the surface application, deep application of N fertilizer was effective in reducing N loss through NH₃ volatilization. T₂₀ treatment is recommended in terms of increasing N absorption, diminishing N leaching loss and labor cost.

Red and white musts were enriched with the lignan hydroxymatairesinol, which is the main lignan contained in spruce knots. Chips from the milled spruce knots were then used to enrich grape musts. After enrichment, the musts were stored and samples were taken in 1, 5, 9, and 12 months. The samples were subjected to a variety of analyses and sensory evaluations. Analyses included hydroxymatairesinol and alpha-conidendrin content, antioxidant activity (determined by the FRAP method), content of total polyphenols, sensory evaluation (intensity of woody aroma, intensity of bitterness and astringent taste, and consumer acceptability), and must antimutagenicity. The analysis of variance allowed predicting which factors such as grape type, quantity of added wood chips, sugar addition, method of preservation, and storage time had the most significant influence on the analytical parameters (lignan content, antioxidant activity, and total polyphenol content). In all cases lignan content in the musts was significantly influenced by the addition of spruce wood chips. Total polyphenol content in the musts was significantly affected by the type of musts and by heat treatment (time of thermomaceration). Evaluation of must antimutagenicity showed that all samples, except the sample of white musts after thermomaceration without holding at temperature and without adding chips (10 g/20 kg mash), inhibited mutagenicity.

Three draught horse breeds are maintained in the Czech Republic: the Silesian Noriker (SN), the Noriker (N), and the Czech-Moravian Belgian (CMB). Because the SN and CMB populations are currently closed to outside breeding and are endangered (Genetic Resources), the loss of the genetic variation these horses represent is concerning. Genetic diversity within and between these three breeds and their population structures was analyzed based on pedigree information. Our goal was to identify and quantify factors that affected their genetic variability. The effective population size was analyzed in each breed. The numbers of generations were 22, 32, and 32 for the SN, N, and CMB breeds, respectively, with average equivalent known generations of 9.81, 8.45, and 8.91, respectively. The effective numbers of founders and ancestors contributing to the current genetic pool were, respectively, 69.42 and 22.32 for the SN breed, 98.48 and 42.20 for the N breed, and 43.33 and 23.32 for the CMB breed. The average inbreeding coefficients were 4.6%, 2%, and 4% for the SN, N, and CMB breeds, respectively, and the average inbreeding rate was 0.5% for the SN and CMB breeds and 0.2% for the N breed. The corresponding estimates of effective population size were 95, 195, and 101 for the SN, N, and CMB breeds, respectively. These statistics suggest that the genetic variability has decreased, and without changes in breeding strategy the genetic variability might continue to decline. Using genealogical F-statistics, small genetic differences were identified between the analyzed populations (F_ST = 0.02).

The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in crops increases their yield but can modify their quality and lead to environmental problems by the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). One of the strategies for mitigating this emission is the use of nitrification inhibitors (NI) as 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP). Additionally, the increased persistence of N after the application of NI can reduce the amount of fertilizer applied. A field experiment with lettuce was conducted in the Savanna of Bogotá. N was applied as ammonium sulphate nitrate (ASN 26%) at a rate of 70 kg N/ha and as the combination of ASN with DMPP (ENTEC® 26) at 50 and 70 kg N/ha rates. GHG emissions, soil parameters, lettuce yield, its components, N, nitrate and mineral elements contents were measured. With high soil nitrate contents, a standard dose of N fertilizer with DMPP maintained the yield and N content of lettuce, while it had no effect on GHG emissions. A reduction of 20 kg N/ha using DMPP was able to keep the yield meanwhile improving the quality of the crop due to a lower nitrate accumulation in lettuce leaves.

In spruce windfalls incurred in the autumn and winter season the synusia of cambioxylophagous fauna was evaluated in the profile of a whole stem and crown branches according to the species spectrum, tree cover and intensity of attack. The fauna of windfalls in the area with the basic level of Ips typographus and in the gradation area differed by species diversity. In the gradation area, frequency of the occurrence of Ips typographus (L.) was higher by 20-40%. P. chalcographus (L.) showed decreased stem cover in the gradation area. In the area with the basic state of Ips typographus, windfalls were intensively colonized by secondary species Hylurgops palliatus (Gyll.), Isarthron fuscum (Fabr.), Monochamus sp. With the increasing dbh (diameter at breast height) of windfalls the colonization of stems by Ips typographus was positively affected, H. palliatus, I. fuscum, Polygraphus poligraphus (L.) responded the other way round.

A scientific shelf-life study for Listeria monocytogenes in the typical Slovak cheese "bryndza" was performed in accordance with the requirements of the Commission Regulation (EC) 2073/2005. Based on the previous positive findings of L. monocytogenes in the final products, the producer decided to perform laboratory tests, the results of which would allow him a different evaluation of these positive results. Both the physico-chemical (pH, a_w) and microbiological examinations of "bryndza" cheese stored at 5.8-6.2°C were performed every two days till the end of the product shelf-life (7 days). Microbiological analyses were performed after artificial contamination of the final product with a mixture of three L. monocytogenes strains. The growth potential of L. monocytogenes was calculated as the difference in the counts of this bacterium between the last day and the first day of the test. The Slovak traditional "bryndza" cheese has been found not to support the growth of L. monocytogenes. Thus, the counts of L. monocytogenes must not exceed 50 CFU/g at the beginning and 20 CFU/g at the end of the product shelf-life in order to ensure its safety for the consumer.

Mid-rotation responses to fertilization of Pinus radiata D. Don plantations after the first or second thinning have been observed in research experiments in many regions where the species is grown. The practice is not however common in commercial plantations. This is probably because the effects of soil-site conditions on the magnitude and duration of tree and stand growth responses are not well understood. The effects of nitrogen (150 and 300 kg N.ha-1) and phosphorus (0, 20 and 40 kg P.ha-1) including common base fertilization of boron (8 kg B.ha-1) and potassium (65 kg K.ha-1) were evaluated in three mid-rotation P. radiata plantations after thinning. The plantations were located on sites with contrasting nutrient and water availability, sandy, granitic and red-clay sites, in south-central Chile. The magnitude and duration of growth response was site specific. After 8 years, the growth response to the highest dose of fertilization relative to the control was 57 m3.ha-1 (16%) at the granitic and 24 m3.ha-1 (14%) at the sandy site. No response to either nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer was observed at the red-clay site. Nitrogen and phosphorus were limiting at both granitic and sandy sites, and high fertilization doses considering 300 kg N.ha-1 plus 40 kg P.ha-1 would ameliorate nutrient resource limitations and yield a cost-effective increment in stand volume.

Soy protein isolate (SPI) and zein were blended at different ratios, and native and microwave-modified films were prepared at pH 12 in an ethanol/water (20 : 80) mixture. The effect of the microwave modification on the mechanical properties and structural characteristics of the SPI and zein blended films was investigated. The results show that the microwave-modified blended film of 3 : 1 SPI-zein demonstrated the best mechanical properties: the highest breaking strength (2900 g) and the highest fracturing distance (16.08 mm). The morphology of the microwave-modified film was more homogeneous and had fewer pinholes than the zein-only film. In addition, the glass transition temperature of the microwave-modified film rose by nearly half compared to the zein-only film, while the melting temperature increased by almost 2.5%. The secondary structure analysis indicates that a moderate amount of microwave treatment will promote a decrease in α-helix, β-turn, and random coil content and an increase in β-sheet content. This study provides an edible material with better flexibility for food packaging.

Today, one of the main objectives of agricultural biotechnology area is to find the responsible genes involved in stress response and engineering these genes to improve the plant response mechanisms. Therefore the current study was conducted to gain an insight on the role of HSP17.7 gene, which is a member of sHsps family, in defence mechanism of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Confeta -Turkish cultivar) treated with different doses of UVA and UVB (4, 8, 12 and 20 kJ/m²) and concentrations of copper (Cu²⁺) and zinc (Zn²⁺) (80, 160, 320, 640, and 1280 µM) heavy metals. Based on our data, it was observed that different doses of UVA and UVB irradiation resulted in increased levels of HSP17.7 mRNA in sunflower plants. The highest levels of these increases (8 and 12 kJ/m² of UVA) were seen under UVA stress. In contrast to UV stress, only the Cu²⁺concentration of 1280 µM led to higher expression levels of HSP17.7 gene compared to the control. Besides this, the 1280 µM concentration of Zn²⁺ treatment was the peak point of increased HSP17.7 mRNA levels for all stress conditions with nearly 8 times more than in the control sample. Negative correlations were found between malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and expression levels of HSP17.7 gene in sunflower plants subjected to current abiotic stress conditions. This correlation might indicate that an effective defence mechanism was in action and it might be concluded that the HSP17.7 gene can be used for identification of cultivars tolerant to UV and high doses of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ for molecular breeding studies in the near future. These findings provide evidence of the HSP17.7 gene contribution to abiotic stress response in sunflower and will be helpful for the next studies about stress tolerance improvement in sunflower plants.

In arid and semiarid regions of northern China, there is an increasing interest in using water-saving superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for field crop production. Experiments were conducted during 2009 and 2010 to study the growth and yield characteristics of summer corn (Zea mays L.) under different (control, 0; low, 10; medium, 20; high, 30 and very high, 40 kg/ha) rates of SAP in a drought-affected field of northern China. Corn yield increased slightly following SAP application at low and medium rate, but significantly at high and very high rates by 22.4 and 27.8%. At the same time, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, biomass accumulation, harvest index and relative water content as well as protein, sugar and starch contents in the grain increased significantly following SAP treatments. The optimum application of superabsorbent polymer for corn cultivation in the study area would be 30 kg/ha as it best increased the grain yield and quality and maintained higher levels of soil nutrients. Lower rates (10 and20 kg/ha) or higher (≥ 40 kg/ha) rates would neither be sufficient nor economical. We suggest that the application of SAP at 30 kg/ha could be an efficient and economic soil management practice for summer corn production in the drought affected regions of northern China or other areas with similar ecologies.

Biological diversity is the basis for a wide array of goods and services provided by forests. The variety of forest trees and shrubs plays a vital role in the daily life of forest communities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of modelling the diversity of tree species by characteristics of topography, soil and climate, using data mining algorithms k-NN, RF and SVM in Dr. Bahramnia forestry plan in the north of Iran. Based on the basal area factor for each species in a total of 518 sample plots, diversity indices such as species richness, evenness and heterogeneity were calculated for each plot. Topographic maps of primary and secondary properties were prepared using the digital elevation model. Categories of the soil and climate maps database of Dr. Bahramnia forestry plan were extracted. Modelling rates of tree and shrub species diversity using data mining algorithms, with 80% of the sampling plots were taken. Assessment of the model accuracy, using 20% of samples and evaluation criteria, was conducted. Results showed that topographic features, especially elevation, had the highest impact on the species diversity index. The modelling results also showed that Camargo evenness index had lowest root mean square error (RMSE) (0.14) and RMSE% (24.35), compared to other indicators of diversity. In addition, the results of the comparison between the algorithms showed that the random forest algorithms were more accurate in modelling the diversity.

In the paper, the results of the complex cuttings were presented in the secondary hornbeam stands with the aim of regenerating the natural beech stands in the northern regions of Azerbaijan. For this purpose, three complex cutting procedures were carried out with a recurrence at 5 and 10 years in four sites of the secondary hornbeam stands in the northern regions. The experimental plots were characterised with: a stand density of 0.5-0.7, the age of the forest stands of 60-130 years, undergrowth of 12-25 years, a stand volume of 130-200 m3.ha-1, the beech percentage in the composition of stands of 17-28%, hornbeam 62-79% spread over the southern and northern slopes of the mountains. As a result of the complex cuttings, the share of beech trees in the composition of the parent stands increased 2.2-3.0 times. During cutting, the share of beech trees, as a part of undergrowth, increased 3.8-4.3 times. Based on the data, mathematical models were established reflecting the dynamics of the numbers of the undergrowth and the total stand volume of the forest stands depending on the participation percentage of beech trees in the parent stand.

During 2014-2015, samples from ten 20-25 years old pine (Pinus ponderosa var. jeffreyi) trees showing wilt symptoms were collected from the Arborétum Mlyňany park. A disease was observed on 20% of the trees. The first symptoms are wilting, stunting, chlorosis, and discolouration of needles, which turned yellow on affected twigs, then red and finally they fell off. Isolations of the pathogen were done from the discoloured tissues of needles (twenty samples from each tree) on Potato Dextrose Agar. Colonies of the fungus (3-4 Petri dishes from each tree) were initially aerial, white or slightly violet, but with age they became red and red pigments were produced in agar. The observed micromorphological characteristics of the fungus, such as presence of simple and proliferating conidiophores with polyphialides, microconidia, macroconidial shape, and chlamydospore presence matched the description of Fusarium sporotrichioides. The identity of the fungus was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Sequence comparisons placed the fungus to the species F. sporotrichioides with similarity of 99.6% at the ITS sequence level.