EJPAU, 2009, Volume 12, Issue 2

Hucul horses foals born in years 1951–1955 derived from 42 horses, which now can be count as founders. Genes of these horses created 70.34% of all population. Remaining 29.66% of genes derived from horses which progeny didn't survive to contemporary times. Hucul horses born in years 1999–2003 derived from 112 founders, 6 of them were stallions which created sire lines (30.69%), 14 of them were mares which created female lines (10.82%), 13 of them were mares which lines could be consolidated in Poland (0.32%), 13 of them were "fathers of mares" (16.65%) and 66 of them were "mothers of stallions" (42.67%). The highest contribution of all founders (12.95%) has founder of sire line stallion Goral. Contribution of genes of female lines founders was lower than "mothers of stallions" and founders of sire lines. Sire lines and female lines had only formal meaning. Only 23 from 112 founders of Hucul horses population had proportion of gene higher then 1%. It has been proofed that Hucul horses genes pool consisted genes of other breed/species: Arabian horse, Przewalski's horse, Haflinger, Fiording and 2 Biłgorajski horses.

Attention has been paid to the interactions of selected transition metal salts [Co (II), Cr(III), Cr(VI), Cu (II), Fe(III), Mn (II), Ni(II), Zn] as catalysts of the thermal degradation of barley, oat, rye, triticale and wheat grains to volatile products. Superior degradation of the barley grains occurred in the presence of Cu(II) ions. Degradation of oat starch proceeded best with the Co(II) ions. The Ni(II) ions were superior catalyst for the degradation of triticale and rye grains. Degradation of the wheat grains proceeded most efficiently with the Mn(II) ions.

A single specimen of the northeast Atlantic cod Gadus morhua morhua L., of unusual golden tint, was captured in the eastern part of Svålbard Bank area. At the same time, a sample of 50 individuals of typical colouration was collected from the same area. The main objectives of this study were to present a detailed morphometric characteristics of golden specimen as well to compare data obtained with the morphometrics of the sample of typically pigmented cod collected from this fishing ground. The morphometric characteristics involved metric characters of the body and head, meristic features as well as metric characters of cod neurocranium. In addition examination of the stomach contents, condition of cod and the one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for separating myofibrillar proteins by molecular weight were performed in the whole sample as well. Morphometric analysis revealed some differences between "gold" morphotype and typically coloured specimens of Atlantic cod from the same location of sampling. Moreover, differences in the diet composition were found as well. No differences were found in the comparative electrophoretic study in the composition of myofibrillar proteins in white muscles. Meristic characters of cod studied can be presented by the following formula: D₁ 13-15, D₂ 17-22, D₃ 16-21, D 47-58, A₁ 17-23, A₂ 16-20, A 35-43, P 18-25, C 54-58, V 6, r.br.7, vt. 49-53, vt_c 30-34, vt_a 18-20, sp.br._1I 22-27, sp.br._1II 17-19, sp.br._2I 16-20, sp.br _2II 14-17. Values of the meristic characters of the golden specimen were fit within the ranges obtained. The mean value of condition factor K amounted to 1.01 in the sample of typically coloured cod, whereas for golden cod 1.07. 

Research was conducted to examine the influences of consolidation time, consolidation pressure, temperature, addition of lubricant, speed of deformation and dimension of the probe on properties of two powders – microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and potato starch (PS). A low pressure range (up to 10 kPa) was applied in direct shear test to determine flowability and friction properties. A medium pressure range (50–1000 kPa) was applied in the press shear cell to evaluate friction properties of MCC. The compression behaviour of MCC was determined in uniaxial compression tests at high pressure range (30–60 MPa).
A strong influence of consolidation time on flow function was observed. In the case of PS a strong slip stick effect was also noted. An increase in temperature from 23°C to 40°C resulted in a 10% increase of the internal friction angle value determined in the press shear cell in the range of preshear displacement from 0.1 to 2 m. There were no strong influences of temperature, speed of deformation and initial sample height on compression behaviour determined in uniaxial compression tests at high pressure range.

Hucul horses foals born in years 1951–1955 derived from 42 horses, which now can be count as founders. Genes of these horses created 70.34% of all population. Remaining 29.66% of genes derived from horses which progeny didn't survive to contemporary times. Hucul horses born in years 1999–2003 derived from 112 founders, 6 of them were stallions which created sire lines (30.69%), 14 of them were mares which created female lines (10.82%), 13 of them were mares which lines could be consolidated in Poland (0.32%), 13 of them were "fathers of mares" (16.65%) and 66 of them were "mothers of stallions" (42.67%). The highest contribution of all founders (12.95%) has founder of sire line stallion Goral. Contribution of genes of female lines founders was lower than "mothers of stallions" and founders of sire lines. Sire lines and female lines had only formal meaning. Only 23 from 112 founders of Hucul horses population had proportion of gene higher then 1%. It has been proofed that Hucul horses genes pool consisted genes of other breed/species: Arabian horse, Przewalski’s horse, Haflinger, Fiording and 2 Biłgorajski horses.

Before planting the tubers were soaked for 24 hours in water, benzyladenine, or gibberellic acid. Both growth regulators were applied at three concentrations: 50, 100 and 150 mg·dm^-3. The use of benzyladenine accelerated the flowering of the poppy anemone 'Sylphide' by 3–7 days, and of gibberellic acid – by 11-16 days. The soaking of its tubers in gibberellic acid at 100 and 150 mg·dm^-3 before planting caused the development of a greater number of flowers. Benzyladenine caused the formation of flowers with shorter pedicels, and gibberellic acid – with longer ones. The bigger flowers developed when the tubers had been soaked in the gibberellic acid at 50 mg·dm^-3. The use of benzyladenine and gibberellic acid reduced the number of leaves formed by the tubers to one-third or one-fourth. Benzyladenine caused the development of leaves with shorter stalks and blades, while gibberellic acid caused the formation of leaves with longer stalks.

The research evaluates the immobility effect of some fertilizers and sorbents on heavy metal transfer from soil to soybean and on the mobile and mobilized fractions of the content of heavy metal in the soil. A pot experiment with the excessive content of toxic heavy metals was performed. Heavy metals, such as Cd, Pb, and Ni were applied to pot soil before soybean planting as a chloride salts in the following doses: Cd – 5 mg, Pb – 150 mg, and Ni – 100 mg per kg (ppm). The trial was established under two soil pH levels – natural soil pH = 6.5, and adjusted soil pH by sulphuric acid to pH = 5.5. Soil and plant (whole plants, empty pods, and seeds) samples were analyzed and the content of Cd, Pb, and Ni was established by the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). To analyse heavy metal content in the soil samples, the following extractants were used: 2M HNO₃ (nitric acid), EDTA (ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid), and CaCl₂ (calcium chloride). The data was statistically evaluated by ANOVA using Statgraphics. Applied fertilizers and sorbents decreased the content of the heavy metals in the soil in comparison with the untreated control. Heavy metal contents in soybean plant parts during the trial years were only a little different from the average of single plant parts. There was a statistically significant correlation between heavy metal content in the soil and soybean in Cd and Ni in the EDTA extractant. The best results from the point of heavy metal immobilization were obtained in the manured variant for the lowest heavy metal content. Soil pH range (5.5–6.5) during the trial period had no influence on the heavy metal content in soybean. The positive immobilization effect of humus on the heavy metals was observed under a lower pH value.

The paper presents the results of field studies conducted over 2001-2003 at the Experimental Unit located at Prusy near Krakow to determine the effect of the sowing direction on yielding of sugar and fodder beet and the contents of dry matter, sugar and protein in roots. The experiment was set up on a degraded chernozem developed from loess and classified as very good wheat complex. The factors investigated comprised sowing directions (north-south and east-west) and beet root cultivars: Arosa and Vectra (sugar beet) and Goliat and Krakus (fodder beet). The average root yield of the sugar beet cultivars studied was 77 t per ha, whereas fodder beet – 105 t per ha. The investigations revealed no significant effect of the sowing direction on the beet root yield. However, such relationship was registered for the yield of leaves and the contents of dry matter and sugar in roots. A bigger yield of leaves, by an average of 4.7% and higher concentrations of dry matter and sugar in roots, by 0.8 and 1.0%, respectively, were registered when sowing was performed in the north-southern direction. The average content of dry matter in sugar beet roots was 23% and sugar 17.8%, whereas for fodder beets – 13.9% and 10.6%, respectively.

This study investigated the efficacy of eight chemicals administered via bath and cooling to immobilize the Chinese mitten crab. Isobutyl alcohol, isoflurane, 2-phenoxyethanol, Propiscin, at the concentration of 20 mLL^-1 and MS-222 at the concentration of 1000 mgL^-1 had no anaesthetic effect on crabs for 30 min of exposure. Clove oil was only partially effective at the concentration of 20 mLL^-1.The best results were obtained when chloroform (1.5 mLL^-1) and diethyl ether (10 mLL^-1) were used, causing anaesthesia of all crabs within 30 min. The shortest induction time (about 5 min) and rapid recovery (about 1 min) was obtained by cooling. From the tested methods the usage of chloroform anaesthesia and cooling seem to be most suitable in the Chinese mitten crab.

The species of fungi occurring in stems and leaves of hot pepper plants cultivated in the field were investigated in 2004 and 2006, in Zezulin near Lublin. The object of study were three cultivars of hot pepper: 'Rokita', 'Orkan', 'Bronowicka Ostra'. The mycological analyses showed that in stems and leaves of hot pepper predominated Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and F. equiseti. The effect of communities on Alternaria alternata growth was evaluated with the biotic series method. The communities supported the pathogen’s growth to various extent. The structural similarity between the fungal communities investigated was evaluated with SYNTAX 5.01.

This paper extends the applicability of a new stress analysis method to the accurate determination of the detailed stress distributions in laminated plates in clamp region. The theoretical model presented here incorporates laminate deformations which account for the effects of transverse shear deformation, transverse normal strain-stress and a nonlinear variation of in-plane displacements with respect to the thickness coordinate. Thus, this model includes the warping of transverse cross-sections more accurately and eliminates the need of shear correction coefficients. Two numerical examples are discussed: the bending of elastically clamped beam and dynamic bending of centrally supported beam.

Hibernation is a key process conditioning breeding in turtles. It is also an intrinsic part of reptiles' life: the period in which animals do not ingest food and the way to survive unfavourable temperature conditions. Until now, the research has solely focused  on the morphological structure of the turtle's tongue in definite physiological conditions. The purpose of this study was to detect ultrastructural changes in hibernation in the red-eared turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans). The material was collected between the years 2004-2006 and came from the Zoological Garden in Poznan, Poland and from private breeders. The examined material included four red-eared turtle females 2–4 years old. The conducted research showed distinct morphological changes related to the distribution of papillae and microvilli on the tongue surface. during hibernation. It was found that loose interpapillary areas had formed and the loss of small, strongly degenerated, cuboidal cells was observed. The hibernation process led to closure of columnar mucous channels that had been open before. The disuse of the tongue for 3–4 months resulted in local destruction or apoptosis of the examined structures. The cuboidal cells lost their cellular capsule  which had been partly or entirely digested. As a result, only the skeleton of these cells remained. Microvilli that are found directly on the tongue papillae surface have decreased. They are differentiated in structure and often of irregular size. The macroscopic picture of the tongue of the red-eared turtle (T. scripta elegans) after the hibernation period exhibits a considerable hypertrophy of the connective tissue, though the position of the tongue in respect to the mandilular bones remains unchanged. After introducing turtles into hibernation the tongue does not show histophysiological activity, and cubicoidal cells are empty inside.

Research on a content of mercury in 24 dairy cows (an average daily milk yield – 22.23 kg) of PHF breed (black-white and red-white colour, divided into primiparous and multiparous ones) housed in a farm system in suburban area were conducted. Concentration of a metal was determined using TMA-254 spectrophotometer in unwashed samples of hair (overall content) and in washed ones (assimilated content) as well, and also in full blood and raw milk.  The biggest amount of mercury was observed in hair (max 6.5 µg·kg^-1 d.m.), then in blood (max 2.0 µg·l^-1), ad the lowest amount was in milk  (max 0.6 µg·l^-1). Difference between Hg content in raw and washed hair was 26.5%. Content of Hg in milk did not exceed a limit established by a Decree of Ministry of Health (10 µg·kg^-1) in any sample. Statistically significantly higher content of Hg was in hair of cows of black-white colour comparing to red-white (p<0.01). Any influence of cows' performance period (primiparous, multiparous) on Hg content in hair, milk and blood was observed. Any significant correlations between Hg content in hair and a concentration of that element in blood and milk were noted.

The article presents the changes in the directions of flower bulbs supply and distribution that took place on the Polish market in the years 1990–2004. The research revealed that the biggest, and also increasing role in the sources of ornamental plants flower bulbs supply was performed by the supply itself. In 2004 producers' own material constituted 76.94% of the flower bulbs supply. Leaving the produced material for further reproduction prevailed in its sale structure, which is the cause of Polish farms' low marketability. On average, only 47.31% of the entire production was marketed. At the same time, 23.38% of all the producers did not market bulbs at all in 2004.

The experiment studied the effect of a modified manner of bulb chilling on the flowering of narcissus, 'Dick Wilden' and 'Flower Drift' cultivars belonging to the group of double daffodils, and 'Gigantic Star' from the group of wild daffodils. Four dates of bulb forcing were applied: early, mid-early, late and very late. One group of bulbs was chilled 'dry' at the temperature of +5°C and these were placed loose in boxes, while the other was chilled 'wet', meaning together with the subsoil. The experiment showed that bulb chilling together with the subsoil contributed to a few days' earlier anthesis of all three cultivars, and to an increased yield of flowers of 'Gigantic Star' and 'Flower Drift' only in the mid-early date of forcing.

The problem of the effective control of soil variability is the main limitation on the broader use of factorial or fractional designs in agricultural experimental practice. The objective of the study was to assess the usefulness of some soil (pH, P, K, Mg, organic C) and plant traits (plant height, seed yield) for the estimation of spatial variation of the experimental field and to assess their usefulness in increasing the efficiency of 3⁵ field plot experiment with pea. Geostatistical methods were used in spatial analyses and ANOVA and ANCOVA in the analyses of the data from the experiment. The relative efficiency of the ANCOVA with information on spatial variation compared to the classic ANOVA was calculated. All of the studied soil properties and plant traits were spatially autocorrelated. The experimental semivariograms were transitive, having the range and the sill fitted with the spherical and exponential models. The range of spatial autocorrelation for soil properties was 18.5-73.7 m and for plant traits 1.6-3.7 m, while the share of structural variance (C) in the variance of sill (C₀ + C) was 60% and 90% for soil properties and plant traits, respectively. The values of spatial descriptors predicted for each experimental plot by kriging and used as covariates in ANCOVA resulted in higher efficiency.

The topographical and morphological studies on the liver were carried out on 22 red-eared turtles. The material obtained between the years 2002-2006 came from the Zoological Garden in  Poznań, Poland, where similar zoohygienic-sanitary conditions prevail. The turtles stayed in pools located in the open area. The turtles hibernated in conditions similar to natural habitat without human interference. Since the beginning of October, 2006 the turtles received decreasing portions of food with the aim of introducing the animals into hibernation.
The histological analysis was performed by staining the histological preparations of the red-eared turtle liver by means of Haematoxylin and Eosin method according to Delafield.
The morphometric analysis was carried out with the application of the Medium programme conjugated with the light microscope (Carl Zeiss Axio Imager, Gottingen, GERMANY). The total hepatocytes surface area was estimated on the working surface of preparations 0.5x0.5cm. The statistical analysis included the total hepatocytes surface area. The leaver and the gall bladder were described macroscopically and topographically before and after hibernation.
In the statistical studies on changes of the hepatocytes surface area before and after hibernation t-Student test for independent trials was conducted. The studies included individuals in two annual cycles. The aim of the research was to define if the change of the hepatocytes  surface area before and after hibernation is statistically significant.
The significance level for for all the performed statistical tests was established as p < 0.05. Based on the conducted statistical analysis significant differences were demonstrated in the surface area of separate hepatocytes before and after hibernation. In all the examined turtles hepatocytes contracted by 15% after hibernation. In the hibernating animals a decrease in the body mass by 10% was observed. The body mass loss after hibernation was included in the range 130–260g.

The results of a study on damage of forest soil and trees during timber harvesting works using the MHT-182HVT harvester are presented. Synthetic indexes of forest tree and soil damages were determined. A synthetic damage index for trees remaining in the forest after the harvesting operation reached the value of 8.14%. A special attention was paid to deep wounds damaging the wood tissue. However, trees with this type of injuries constituted only 2.26% of the total number of trees remaining in the harvested area. A synthetic forest soil damage index was 2.85%. Also the change of the soil compaction index in the harvester working area was determined. The compaction was determined in two variants. In the first variant the machine was moving along a skidding road covered with tree debranching residuals (branches and tree tops), and in the second variant no such a cover was present. In both cases the results were compared with soil compaction measured in the control plot.