EJPAU, 2010, Volume 13, Issue 4

A collection of about 15 strains of Streptomyces belonging to different spp. were screened for their ability to grow on fragmented Pythium ultimum mycelia and to produce metabolites that inhibit the growth of this plant pathogenic fungi.  Some factors affecting level of growth and fungal cell wall lytic enzymes formation by the most active Streptomyces strains were carried out. On the other hand, Streptomyces  nigellus NRC10 showed a strong in-vitro antagonism against P. ultimum in plate assay by producing antifungal metabolites. Furthermore, plant growth chamber study was also carried out to test suppression of damping off disease by the selected strain. The results showed that percentage of diseased tomato plant was greatly reduced in P.ultimum infested soil when treated with this strain.

Results of studies on colonization of Pinus sylvestris trap trees by Tomicus minor are presented. The scheme of spatial distribution of density of this bark beetle nests agrees with spatial distribution of colonization frequency in individual sections of the bole. Beetles most frequently colonized the middle parts of the bole, occurring most frequently (59.5%) and reaching the greatest density of nests (14.8%) in the eighth one-meter section of the trap tree bole. The linear relationships between nest numbers in distinguished one-meter sections of the bole and the total density of the bole colonization are determined. In the case of the eighth section, counting from the butt, the correlation was strongest (R² = 0.5877, P < 0.0001), and the mean relative error of estimation was smallest (49.46%).

In this study aimed at comparing the content of volatile oils in the leaves of Pteridium aquilinum sub. aquilinum samples were taken from two natural habitats, on serpentinous soil and non-serpentinite mable in Lower Silesia, Poland. Biochemical analyses were performed on samples taken on 2 dates within the vegetative period. Extracts from the sampled leaves, were prepared in a Dering apparatus and were analysed using GC/MS. The voltaile oils qualitative composition was independent of the habitat type: the main constituent of all extracts was benzaldehyde whereas limonene, linalool, terpineol and cytral were represented in low quantities. The quantitative composition of the oils varied less between the sites at the beginning of the season but differences were greater by the end of it.

Thirty and seven hares catched in late Autumn and Winter were examined for the composition of digesta and for characteristics of femur bone. The very great variability among individuals was observed in analysed parameters. The average pH values of stomach content reached 3.4, in duodenum and in small intestine reached 6.4 and 6.3, respectively. Concentration of crude protein varied at range from 2.2 to about 7.7% and the crude fibre in content of stomach amounted to 24% in DM basis, in duodenum (2.6% in DM) and in subsequent small intestine parts. Concentration of  K, Cu and Zn gradually decreased during the passage of digesta through the intestine. The calcium content clearly increased along the gastrointestinal tract. The average crude ash content in femur bones was relatively high and amounted 43%. Conducted investigations confirms the substantial technical problems in estimation of nutritional statements and/or its tendencies in hare' organism.

The study aimed at comparative analysis of the morphological structure and chemical composition of eggs in ostrich, emu and rhea. Examinations were carried out on 30 eggs, 10 eggs per each species. Eggs were from the peri-peak egg laying period. Based on the carried out analyses, both significant species differences and common features were found referring to the morphological and chemical composition of eggs. It was demonstrated that the largest yolk quantity occurred in emu eggs, while the least in ostrich ones (38 and 22%, respectively). Relative albumen weight in ostrich and rhea eggs was similar (59%), whereas significantly smaller in emu eggs (by about 12%). The largest participation of egg shell (19%) was found in ostrich eggs, whereas the least in rhea ones (12%). Chemical analysis of the egg content showed a larger content of dry matter and total protein in ostrich eggs, both in albumen and yolk. It was found that the quantity of fat in ostrich and emu eggs was similar (35–36%), whereas significantly smaller in the yolk of rhea eggs. It was demonstrated that the albumen of emu eggs was characterised by the smallest quantity of mineral elements. Only the ash content in yolk was similar and very high (1.4–1.5%), irrespective of the evaluated bird species. The content of most chemical elements building the egg shell, except calcium, phosphorus and sodium, was similar in respective bird species under examination.

The results of cytometric analyses of 413 sugar beet plants obtained by regeneration from unfertilized ovules in vitro are presented. The formation of shoots was induced on different MS media varying in the contents and composition of phytohormones. The majority of plants (353) were analyzed only once during the in vitro stage and 60 – twice, during the in vitro stage and also after planting in the field. The analyses of the plants during the in vitro stage revealed that 32.7% were haploids, 45.8% – diploids and 21.5% – mixoploids. The highest percentage of haploid plants was achieved using media containing 4.4 µM BAP and 0.44 µM NAA and 2.2 µM BAP. The repeated analyses of plants (during the in vitro stage and also after planting) show during the in vitro stage the population consisting of 55% haploids and 45% diploids. Repeated tests demonstrated that during the period between the tests some of the haploids underwent a spontaneous diploidization since their percentage was reduced from 55% to 30%. This process was observed only for the plants derived from the media containing kinetin with the addition of NAA or 2.4-D. Observations of regenerants pointed to a vast diversity of phenotypes between haploids and diploids, which can be regarded to as a characteristic feature of plants with the DNA level of 1C and 2C.

In this note free vibrations of a plate band with a smooth and a slow gradation of macroscopic properties called a transversally graded plate band have been analysed. In this contribution the tolerance and the asymptotic models of these bands have been presented. Then, these models have been used to calculate fundamental free vibrations frequencies of the plate band, by means of the Ritz method. Moreover, these results have been compared to results obtained by a computer programm of the finite element method (FEM).

Sand excavations of Jaworzno-Szczakowa region (Upper Silesia Region, Poland) are reclaimed mainly for the forestry but some parts of sand excavations were left for succession. The forming soils are under intense anthropopression, which is manifested by higher imission of heavy metal. Studies of initial soils were carried between 1985 and 2002 in areas with chronosequence, showing subsequent stages of vascular plans succession. A comparison of the study results from the 1985 showed a clear relation between heavy metal content (Zn, Pb, Cd) in the topsoil layers, soil age and succession stage. The results from areas carried out later did not show such a clear correlation.

This paper concerns specific saliva of Aphididae injected into host-plant during feeding and commonly known as the salivary sheath. Fresh wheat leaves upon which grain aphid Sitobion avenae F. was feeding were hand sectioned. These cross sections were stained with acid fuchsin and examined for the histochemical localization and chemical character of the salivary sheaths by optical microscopy. The salivary secretion of a single aphid forms absolutely proteinaceus salivary sheath that is continuous and appreciable from upper or lower epidermis till sieve elements (sieve tubes). The majority of the salivary sheaths of S.avenae (approx. 88–83%) are located intercellularly through the intermediate tissues i.e. epidermis and mesophyll. Moreover, the salivary secretion is deposited into the epidermal and mesophyll cells and also vascular bundle, and moreover fills up the intercellular spaces. According to the histochemical examination of the salivary deposits of S.avenae its feeding path is established to be both intercellular and intracellular, and ends principally both in the phloem (approx. 63%) and in the mesophyll (approx. 33%), and additionally also in the xylem (approx. 4%). No obvious saliva diffusion into cells adjacent to the salivary sheaths of S.avenae has been found. It is concluded that the histochemical studies of the salivary secretions provide information both on probing mechanism and feeding source of S.avenae and also are useful for recognition of chemical resistance in wheat plants against Aphididae.

Experimental tests were conducted for measuring spray size distribution characteristic and power consumption of a spray dryer rotary atomizer using Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA). For different operating condition of rotary atomizer: 7000–26000 rpm disk speed and 20–80 l/h feed flow rate, the main parameters of spray such as D_v0.1, D_v0.9, SMD and VDM were measured. Statistical analysis indicated that feed flow rate and atomizer speed, except RSF value, are significant effect on spray characteristics. At constant atomizer speed, by increasing feed flow rate from 20 to 80 l/h, SMD and D_v0.1 decreased, VMD unchanged, and D_v0.9 increased. Also, at constant feed flow rate, by increasing atomizer speed, all spray characteristic of D_v0.1, D_v0.9, VMD and SMD decreased. With increasing the atomizer speed and feed flow-rate, obviously power consumption increased.

The investigations comprised the digestive tract of 48 specimens of the great cormorant Phalacocroax carbo sinensis – 31 males and 17 females. The analysis featured the entire length of the digestive tract TTL and the length of the following elements of the digestive tract, namely the esophagus EL, the proventriculus and the gizzard GL, the duodenum DL, the jejunum and ileum JIL, the small intestine SIL, the terminal intestine with cloaca TCL, as well as the liver weight LW combined with the sex, the age and the body size characterized by the three parameters, ie. the body weight (BW) and the body length (BL) and the sternum length (SL). The significance of the difference between the sexes within the average values of the parameters were assessed with the t-Student test. The correlation relations between the parameters were analyzed assessing the Pearson linear correlation coefficient – r. The cormorant males, evidently bigger than the females were characterized also by a significantly longer digestive tract, longer small intestine (including its parts, ie. DL, SIL), and a heavier liver. Three parameters of the digestive tract, ie. GL, DL, and TCL, out of all considered, did not indicate a significant relation with either measurements of the avian body. The analysis of the mutual relationships between the parameters of the digestive organs indicated: (1) besides GL and TCL, all the remaining parameters correlated positively with TTL, (2) the TCL measurement correlated significantly with merely one parameter, ie. EL, (3) the GL measurement correlated significantly with two parameters, ie. LW and EL, (4) no significant relationship was observed between EL and DL, SIL, LW.

The study aimed at analysis of the metric traits of historic dog skulls allowing for the value of forehead position index as well as the presence or the lack of dorsal notch in the foramen magnum. Examinations included 25 bone remnants of the head skeleton of dogs coming from archaeological sites, dated back to the time period between 9th and the 14th century, which were divided into two groups – short-snout skulls and medium-snout skulls. 48 metric traits of the neurocranium and the splanchnocranium and the nuchal surface of these skulls, as well as their cranial capacity, were estimated. 11 cranial indices were estimated and correlation coefficients were calculated between selected metric traits as well as correlations between some selected cranial indices and metric traits in relation to the area of the foramen magnum, its height and breadth and foramen magnum index. Analysis of the estimated values characterising the nuchal surface of skulls under examination allowed also determination of the degree of occipital dysplasis in the examined material. The carried out examination showed no influence of forehead position index on the value of examined traits.

The material used to study meristic and morphometric characters consisted of 30 xanthic morph individuals collected from the laboratory culture, and one albino individual from the heated water aquaculture. The fishes measured from 23.3 to 43.0 cm in total length (TL). Taxonomic analysis involved 13 morphometric characters and 7 meristic ones. A high variability of metric characters, expressed as per cent of SL, was found in three characters: length and width of the occipital process, and the maxillary barbel length. The lowest variability showed the predorsal and prepelvic lengths as well anal and dorsal fin lengths, while in characters expressed as per cent of TL – anal fin length. The shape of the occipital process was found to change with the fish length. The length/width ratio of the occipital process ranged markedly from 40.74 to 79.17%, decreasing with the fish length increase. The following formula of meristic characters can be presented: Db 57–64 (61.50), Ab 39-50 (45.33), Vu 1 Vb 5–6 (5.83), Pu 1, Pb 7–8 (7.50), GR 17–21 (18.92), vt. 56–62 (59.00). Ranges of the ray count in dorsal and anal fins were lower compared to data in the literature from other regions. The rakers on the first gill arch are fine, while on the second arch they are squabby. On both gill arches rakers have  a slight serration on the inner side and they are rather rarely set. Catfish examined differed in some characters from the neotype of C. batrachus described in recent literature.

The effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield components and stem shearing strength of three canola (Brassica napus L.) varieties Okapi, Opera, and Zarfam were conducted in 2008. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer and variety had significant effect on plant height and biomass yield (P < 0.01), and only variety had significant effect on the length of petiole and siliques at 1% confidence (RCBD analyses with LSD 5% for means). Nitrogen fertilizer had no influence on the amount of seeds in canola siliques. Increased nitrogen fertilizer application enhances plant taller with lower stem diameters while, shearing energy will be decreased. There was no relationship between the cellulose content of the stem piths and level of nitrogen fertilizer. The Opera variety and the serrated knife yielded higher shearing strengths and shearing energy than others and knife tilt angle had significant effects on the stem shearing.

The subject of the contribution is a stationary heat conduction problem in the periodically inhomogeneous rigid conductor. As a tool of modeling the tolerance averaging technique is taken into account, [1]. The aim of the considerations is to reformulate the tolerance averaged model of the considered composites to the form which consists of a single equation for averaged temperature and separated formulas represented a certain solution of the boundary layer equation. The characteristic feature of such form of the tolerance model equations is that the single equation for the averaged temperature field includes an integral operator being a certain generalization of the well-known effective modulus matrix.

The plates reinforced by ribs are being considered in the paper. For such plates, by assuming a periodic distribution of the ribs in the plate, the average model was being constructed, consisting the plate dynamics equations, which are the linear differential ones with constant coefficients. For modeling the tolerance not asymptotic averaging technique were used. Consequently, in the modeling equations, a microstructure parameter remains (basic cell size). In the paper the free vibrations of the consideration plates were tested and the presence of scale effect was demonstrated.

In the Czech Republic, harvester technologies represent the second most-frequently used technology. Demand for high efficiency in this type of technology is conditioned by the need to cover acquisition and operation costs. The aim of this study is to monitor operation time of a high-powered Ponsse Ergo harvester. Felling process in the course of salvage felling was analyzed with the help of continuous chronometry. The analysis was conducted for harvesting of spruce ranging from 0.05–2.00 m³/stem. Operation time consumption for the processing of a tree ranges from 62 s to 171 s in relation to the respective tree volume, which represents 0.02–0.24 h/m³ of operation time.

In this study the potential application of rape straw as a substitute of wood chips in the core was analyzed in boards, which core was resinated with PMDI and outer layers -resinated with PF, MUPF and PMDI. Rape straw particles were added to the outer layers at 10÷100%. As a result of conducted analyses it was found that rape straw may be an alternative material for the production of wood-based materials meeting requirements of Standard EN 312 in terms of strength and water resistance if the proportion of rape straw particles does not exceed 75% or 25%, respectively, for boards resinated in outer layers with PF and PMDI, or MUPF.

Our researches concerning somatic mutagenesis in Chrysanthemum × grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitam. induced with ionizing radiation have been carried out since 1977. First significant results were obtained in vivo when irradiated leaves detached from flowering chrysanthemums were applied. Induction of mutations in subsequent experiments was conducted in vitro with the use of the adventitious buds technique for regeneration. Explants were leaves, callus, internodes and single nodes. Except for callus, all explants were taken from irradiated microcuttings growing in vitro during the mutagenic treatment. The dose of X- and gamma- rays involved in our experiments ranged from 15 to 25 Gy. For X-rays therapeutic apparatus THX-250 Medicor was used. Gamma radiation was obtained from Co⁶⁰ cobalt source generated by Theraton 780 C. Regeneration was conducted on MS medium supplemented with 0.6 mg·dm^-3 BAP and 2.0 mg·dm^-3 IAA. The most spectacular effects were observed when gamma-rays and in vitro regeneration were used. All of mutants were solid, non-mericlinal and non-sectorial chimeras. Our experiments show that over a short period from a single mother cultivar one can obtain numerous attractive mutants, thus creating new cultivar groups.

This work aims at the anatomical-comparative description of the upper respiratory tract. The study comprised 212 adult ducks: 62 Anas platyrhynchos (32 males and 30 females) and 143 Clangula hyemalis (102 males and 48 females). Sex and age of the examined birds were assessed. The preparations of the studied organs were preserved in the 4% formaldehyde solution. The morpho-anatomical description comprised the larynx, the trachea, the syrinx, and the fore-fragments of the bronchi primarii. The tracheal cartilages were also counted. A considerable differentiation in the structure and the shape of the syrinx due to the sexual dimorphism was observed in both species. The syrinx in males was significantly well-developed as compared to the females. Both sexes differed in an average number of the tracheal cartilages provided there were more of them in the females. The interspecific comparisons also indicated differences in the syrinx, however solely in the group of the drakes. They mainly regarded a distinct shape of the bulla syringealis and the existence of tracheosyringeal membranes in Clangula hyemalis. A considerably higher average number of tracheal cartilages was indicated in the group of males in Anas platyrhinchos as compared to Clangula hyemalis. A regularity was noted, ie. the bigger and longer bulla syringealis, the shorter trachea containing fewer cartilages. A similar regularity in the group of females results rather from the interspecific differences of the body sizes and the neck lengths.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a multifactorial disease, which causes major economical loses in the cattle farms. Neutrophils play a role in the host defence but during prolonged or excessive inflammation they are destructive for lung tissues. The excessive degranulation with release of among others elastase, myeloperoxidase, and nitric oxide causes lung injury during BRD in calves. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of different doses (from 50 to 1000 µg/ml) of isoprinosine (Isoprivet) on the secretory action of neutrophils isolated from calves suffering from BRD. Neutrophil degranulation was assessed by elastase and MPO release, and NO generation.
The elastase release in the group of BRD calves was greater than in healthy calves. The highest level was obtained at the concentration of 1000 µg/ml, and for BRD calves was 98.7±2.39%. MPO release was initially inhibited by low doses of Isoprivet. At the highest concentration of Isoprivet the maximal release was observed in the cultures of neutrophils from both studied groups of calves. Generation of NO by neutrophils from healthy calves increased along with growing concentration of Isoprivet (from the value of 1.28 µM of nitrite in the neutrophil culture without stimulation to 7.2±4.79 µM at 1000 µg/ml). Whereas in the group of BRD calves the inconsiderable decrease of NO production by neutrophils at concentration of 50-500 µg/ml of Isoprivet was observed. The distinct increase of NO generation was revealed only in response to the highest concentration of Isoprivet (12.74±12.53 µM). Thus Isoprivet in low doses had no significant effect on neutrophil secretion or slightly inhibited it. In higher doses this preparation  causes excessive release of enzymes and generation of free radicals which may cause lung injury and worsening the course of disease.

The main aim of this study is to assess the influence of digging activity of the European mole Talpa europaea L. on the density of winter triticale, winter barely, spring oat and winter rape. Research was carried out in 2005–2007. Study plots were located on three arable fields – up to 60 microplots about area of 1m², in 30 investigative pairs on each field. The study has shown that digging activity of the mole affected the density of plants in winter rape crops. However, there were not significant effects of the mole's activity on the density of seedlings in winter cereal crops and spring oat crops.

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms regulating Fe solubility in mountain forest soils from Southern Poland, with particular emphasis on the relationship between Fe concentration and pH. On evaluating the content of Fe in both the soil solution and soil solid phases, it was found that there is a visible relationship between the solution's pH and iron content, with a lack of correlation between the content of Fe in the solution and soil solid phases (neither Fe_p nor Fe_ox). Furthermore, the saturation degree of soil organic matter with iron, a key element in organic matter solubility/mobility, appears to be pH dependent.

Changes in textural parameters, thermal drip losses, sensory properties as well as mean fibre cross sectional area (CSA), fibre shape, and endomysium and perimysium thickness of muscles from wild boars were evaluated. Two muscles: Biceps femoris (BF), and Semimembranosus (SM) subjected to ageing with calcium chloride, kefir, wine and pineapple juice marinades for 7 days were studied. Muscle texture was determined with the TPA test, performed with an Instron 1140 device. Structural elements were measured in muscle samples using a computer image analysis programme. BF, with its higher CSA, thicker connective tissue as compared with SM muscle, was harder, more cohesive, springy and stringy, and was characterised by the higher connective tissue perceptibility than the second muscle. Muscles ageing, regardless of methods, resulted in a decrease in both the CSA and thickness of the connective tissue, and improve in fibre shape. As a consequence ageing caused a reduction in hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, perceptibility of connective tissue and stringiness as well as in augmentation of tenderness, juiciness and general attractiveness of the muscles studied.
As demonstrated by obtained data, regardless of ageing methods, SM compared to BF, were more susceptible to tenderisation. The highest structural and textural changes, but the worst general attractiveness were found in muscles marinated with pineapple juice addition. Insignificantly lower changes in both quality traits were found in muscles aged with kefir marinade which at the same time were characterised by the high tenderness, the highest juiciness and general attractiveness.

The research involved 38 individuals of the wild rabbit (22 males and 16 females). The arteries were filled with synthetic latex LBS-3060 introduced into the left cardiac ventricle, using the syringe. The material prepared in such a way was fixed for 3 months in a 5% solution of formalin. Asymmetry of the even branches in distribution and in the way of departure of the arteries of the ventral artery was observed, while in one case double renal artery was stated. The variability of the departure of deep circumflex iliac arteries was proved.

Recovered wood from palettes and containers was disintegrated to the form of chips. Pulps to the production of fiberboards: insulation boards, hardboards and MDF at variable defibration and rafination parameters were obtained from these chips. Chips and pulps were characterized by determination of percent shares of fractions obtained by sorting on a sieve sorters. The fractional composition of chips and pulps from recovered wood was compared with fractional composition of standard chips and pulps, respectively. The effect of addition of pulp from recovered wood on the properties of insulation boards, hardboards and MDF boards was examined.

Studies carried out in 2006-2009 dealt with the evaluation of the size and yield of winter cultivated garlic leaves (local ecotype "R") depending on reproductive material used (cloves and air bulbils) as well as cultivation locality (high unheated foil tunnel, field). Plant's height, leaf number, whole plant weight, weight of the above ground parts, total, and commercial yield were determined. Plants growing in unheated foil tunnel were the highest, while those grown on a filed – the shortest. It was found that the plant's height was the most affected by the type of reproductive material. Plants growing from cloves were taller than those from air bulbils. Number of leaves per a plant, whole plant weight, weight of the above ground parts, total, and commercial yields were characterized by similar dependencies.