EJPAU, 2013, Volume 16, Issue 3

This study set out to find how snow affects ground surface temperatures and to evaluate what kind of influence this has on grapevine growing. Temperatures were measured with digital maximum-minimum thermometers that stored the readings. The research shows that in winters when there is little snow, the correlation between ground surface temperature and air temperature is strong (R² = 0.93–0.99) because there is not enough snow to act as an insulator. In winters when there is plenty of snow, no such correlation exists (R² = 0.0001–0.3) because the thick layer of snow acts as an insulator and controls changes in ground surface temperature and air temperature. In very cold weather (-25.0 to -27.4°C), a thick layer of snow (61–67 cm) kept the ground surface minimum temperature at -0.5 to -1.3°C. A thin snow layer (18–32 cm) did not stop the ground surface temperature from falling; the ground surface temperature fell to -10.8°C when air temperature stayed within the same temperature range. In north Europe, central Europe and other cool wine-growing regions, a snowy winter prevents the ground from freezing and thus protects the vines from very cold temperatures.

This study was conducted on 87 tongues of the rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica,of both sexes, which were collected at day 15, 18, 20, 22 and 26 of prenatal development (E) and at day 1, 15 and 30 of postnatal period (P). Samples of lingual tissue with the vallate papillae were prepared for observation under a light microscope (LM). The Masson-Goldner staining or HE were applied in this study. Light microscopic study revealed that the first primordia of vallate papillae were thickenings of the epithelium. The thickenings were observed in the period from E15 to E20. Starting from E22 the lamina propria of mucosa formed the body of developing vallate papillae. It was surrounded by a circular primary epithelial streak. From E26 the epithelium covering primordia of vallate papillae grew into the body of papillae, forming secondary epithelial streaks. The furrow of vallate papillae started to form from E22. The taste buds were observed from P1 in places where the primary epithelial streak cleaved, forming the furrow of the papilla. They were identified both in the epithelium covering the body of papilla and in the epithelium of the outer wall from the side of the furrow. Occasionally taste buds were observed in the epithelium covering the vallate papillae dorsally, where they accompany openings of excretory ducts of lingual glands. The epithelium covering the developing vallate papillae changed in the investigated periods from a three-layer epithelium into nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the polymorphic variants of the IGFI/SnaBI and IGF1R/HinfI genes in the analyzed herd of Holstein-Friesian cows of Black-and-White strain and to compare the yield, concentration of protein fraction components as well as selected technological parameters of milk. For the IGFI/SnaBI polymorphism in the studied herd of dairy cows, the higher frequency of allele A (0.660) was found compared with allele B (0.340). In the analyzed group of cows, the BB individuals were not found. For the IGF1R/HinfI polymorphism, the AB heterozygotes (52%) predominated over the BB homozygotes (48%). No cows with the AA genotype were found. In the studied population, a higher frequency of allele B (0.740) than that of allele A (0.260) was observed. The cows with the IGFI/SnaBI AB genotype were characterized by higher milk, fat and protein yield than were cows with the AA genotype, whereas the AA genotype was associated with a higher protein (P ≤ 0.05), fat and lactose content in milk. On the other hand, the analyzed IGF1R/HinfI polymorphism affected milk, FCM, fat and protein yield as well as percentage of fat (P ≤ 0.05), protein and lactose in milk, favoring the BB genotype. The analysis of the selected technological parameters of milk in HF cattle with regard to the IGFI/SnaBI and IGF1R/HinfI polymorphisms showed that the milk from cows with the IGF1R/HinfI BB genotype was characterized by a higher casein and solids-not-fat content compared with the remaining analyzed cow genotypes (AB and AA).

The aim of this study was to compare the size of testes in male mink of two color varieties, before and during the breeding season, with an intention of a possible application of any existing differences as one of the criteria for selection of males for mating.

The paper presents the population dynamics of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and evaluates the effectiveness of two types of coloured sticky traps in monitoring the pest abundance in the cultivation of ornamental plants in greenhouse. During the study a total number of 60 014 western flower thrips (WFT) specimens had been captured. The species appeared more abundant on blue sticky traps (31 358 specimens in total) compared to yellow traps (28 656). A mean number of thrips recorded during entire study period per sticky trap was 13.85 specimens. Median for the number of WFT captured on one trap per day was 8.09 specimens for season I, and 22.88 specimens for season II. The intensity of  F. occidentalis occurrence throughout the study period was variable. When monitoring WFT occurrence in greenhouse production of ornamental plants, a special attention should be paid to thrip population size in spring (February–April) and summer (May–July).

In comparison with other basic mechanical properties of soils, Poisson's ratio is regarded as an elastic constant considerably underestimated. However, there is a significant number of diverse areas in which a proper knowledge of Poisson's ratio or even estimation of its value is required [6]. This article contains: definition of Poisson's ratio with distinction between static and dynamic, the values of Poisson's ratio for various materials, simple formulas how to receive this property as well as its applications in soil mechanics. Moreover, two techniques, an uniaxial loading test and resonant column test, as these which help us to determine the value of Poisson's ratio are briefly presented here. A special emphasis was placed on the second procedure of finding Poisson's ratio, which means measurements of wave velocities, longitudinal and shear one, from seismic data. On the basis of the latter methods, laboratory experiments were performed and some exemplary results were included. The obtained results display the received values of Poisson's ratio and the relationships between Poisson's ratio, elastic modules as well as velocities of elastic waves.

The balances of nitrogen (N) at the field level are currently used as an important basis for monitoring the N losses to surface and groundwater in Europe. Dominant role in the characteristics of N excesses and their variability have a recognition of functional, direct relationships between the inflows and outflows of this component to and from the fields. To date, little data exist on the mutual relationship concerning the importance of the spatial structure of fields, their degree of fragmentation and intensity of production in the catchment area with regard to variability of  N surpluses. The aims of this paper were to estimate N surpluses at field levels across the whole catchment area and to explore the possible relations between N surpluses and spatial characteristics of agricultural fields as well as intensity level of agricultural production. The study was conducted in the Wyskoć Ditch catchment (Wielkopolska Region, Poland) in the years 2008–2009. The study area, featuring a diversified landscape and strongly shaped by agricultural activities, included a total of 101 farms with 1152 fields. The results showed a wide variation of fields fragmentation (irregularities of shapes) and sizes of fields. In terms of the spatial diversity the agricultural area was classified into two clusters through the use of a multivariate statistical method – cluster analysis. There was a significant difference in N surplus between the separated clusters of fields. The mean N balance in the cluster of fields with small size and irregular shape was 31.2 kg ha^-1 against a higher N balance of 57.1 kg ha^-1 in the other cluster consisting of larger fields with simpler regular shapes. Large differences in N surpluses were explainable by higher supply of mineral N to fields in the second cluster. The nature of relationships between variables indicated that increased N surpluses were closely associated with a larger share of forages and root crops in the cropping area, as well as with stocking density. It was concluded that achieving higher productivity on large size fields with cereals and oil plants prevented excesses of N in those fields.

This study was carried out to determine biometric, morphometric, and genetic features of two sterlet populations. The morphometric and biometric analyses were performed to determine the degree of plasticity of individual characters and the range of variability which in the sterlet require further analysis. The purpose of the genetic analysis was to characterise the gene coding sequence for the first subunit of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) in terms of its nucleotide variability within and between populations. This study provided a comprehensive characterisation of the two sterlet populations and defined the extent of their variability (eg.: distance between tip of barbell and cartilaginous arch of mouth, maximum width of head or number of dorsal plates) and homogeneity (eg.: horizontal eye diameter, length of barbell or preanal distance).

Fertilized eggs asp (Aspius aspius L.) were incubated in water under constant temperature of 10 ±0.2°C. Egg membranes were observed under a scanning electron microscope. Images of the eggs and newly hatched larvae were recorded, measured and analyzed. Asp eggs are surrounded by 12.1 µm thick egg membrane. On the outside, the membrane comprises of club-shaped formations connected together in a network, they are weakly joint with the deeper layer of the membrane, hence when the egg is detached from the substrate this layer becomes detached from the parent structures.

During embryogenesis, which lasted 20 days, it was observed that: diameter of hydrated egg is 2.03 mm, while the diameter of the yolk sphere is 1.37 mm, volume of the egg is 4.36 ±0.19 mm³ and yolk sphere volume 1.33 ±0.14 mm³. The blastodisc, and later the embryos, is situated in side position in the egg; the first single movements of the trunk appeared before 40% of the period of embryonic development had elapsed. The greatest embryo activity was observed after ½ of the embryogenesis. Start of operation of the heart primordia, and later heart caused a drop in somatic activity of the embryo. Newly hatched asps measured 7.43 ±0.27 mm and were equipped with double-chamber yolk sac of volume 0.72 ±0.13 mm³. Pigment of hatched individuals could be seen in the eyes (intense) and on the body.

A collection of the 3 Czech winter and 3 spring wheat varieties (harvest years 2008–2010) was evaluated in terms of the solvent retention capacity (SRC) method as well as common milling and baking quality parameters. Thousand kernel weight values did correspond to varieties quality sorting, but it was (as usual) significantly higher for the winter than spring wheat type the winter than the spring type of wheat (44.3 and 38.6 g, respectively). According to PSI hardness, samples belong to category very soft (‘Samanta’, ‘Sirael’ PSI 31–35%) and medium hard (‘Sultan’, ‘Sakura’, ‘SW Kadrilj’, ‘Septima’; PSI 17–20%). The F-test proved stronger impact of the harvest year on the variability of Solvent Retention Capacity (SRC) profile. According the water SRC, all three harvest years (2008, 2009, 2010) were statistically different (averages 61.0, 56.4 and 51.0%, respectively). According a new SRC characteristic, the gluten performance index (GPI), winter and spring types of the Czech wheat were slightly discriminated (averages 0.70 and 0.77, respectively). Correlation analysis results confirmed some known relations within the four SRC’s as well as to quality technological characteristic. For lactic acid SRC, relationships to the thousand kernel weight, the falling number and the one-stream flour yield (-0.60, -0.62, P = 0.01; and -0.49, P = 0.05, respectively) were determined. The strongest link was revealed between the GPI and the thousand kernel weight (-0.67, P = 0.01).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, the galls forming by wasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) on oaks and aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Eriosomatinae) on elms in the Lublin region. Besides, a state of knowledge on galls formation as an effect of insect feeding and their effect on host plants are presented. The studies were carried out during three vegetation seasons in 2009–2011 in the habitats of different anthropopressure. As a result of the study the occurrence of galls induced by 11 cynipid species on oaks and 2 aphid species on elms was examined. On oaks high intensity of occurrence was in the case of galls caused by both generations of Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (L.) and by asexual generation of N. numismalis (Fourc.) as well as Cynips quercusfolii (L.). Relatively medium intensity of occurrence was observed for galls of the sexual generation of A.inflator (Hartig) on Q. robur ‘Fastigiata’. So far this gall-forming wasp has not been observed in the Lublin region. On elms high abundance of Tetraneuraulmi (L.) galls was noted.

Atrial septal defects are a common congenital heart malformation in humans, but relatively rare in dogs. Boxers, Doberman pinchers, Old English Sheepdogs, and Samoyeds are the most predisposed breeds. The most frequent type of atrial septal defect is the ostium secundum (98,7%) with 73,7% of affected animals being asymptomatic. An ostium primum type has been reported more frequently in cats then dogs. This article presents a case of atrial septal defect of the ostium primum type in a dog.