EJPAU, 2005, Volume 8, Issue 1

In worts (rye and potato) the total contents of nitrogen and carbon and their fractions were determined for fertilization purposes in agriculture. The rye wort contained more carbon and nitrogen, 442.0 and 32.0 (g.kg^-1), than the potato wort; 340.3 and 28.9. 0.1 mol.dm^-3 of NaOH solution was used for the extraction of humic acids from worts. The carbon extracted by alkaline extract reached 51.0% of its total content in the rye wort and 75.2% in the potato wort. The extracts were acidified to the value of pH 1.5 and got separated into precipitated solid and liquid. The content of carbon in precipitated (solid) phase accounted for 3% of the total carbon in the rye wort and for 19.5% in the potato wort. The precipitated solids were analyzed with the spectrophotometric methods and the results have shown very similar properties as the humic acids extracted from soils. The application of acid hydrolysis allowed for a separation of nitrogen compounds as the following fractions expressed as a percentage of total nitrogen in rye and potato worts were respectively: 1) in non-hydrolysable compounds 88.7 and 87.9; 2) in hydrolysable compounds 11.3 and 12.1. Taking the nitrogen determined in hydrolysable compounds as 100%, the following fractions were separated: a) easily hydrolysable compounds 30.5 and 29.5%; b) not easily hydrolysable compounds 54.0 and 5.5%; c) nitrogen in mineral compounds 15.5 and 65.0%.

PCR assays were used to identify Colletotrichum acutatum and C. gloeosporioides out of 14 fungal cultures obtained from seed samples of selected yellow and Andean lupin cultivars. The results allowed for a classification of all fungal cultures to C. acutatum. No C. gloeosporioides culture was identified. In addition, the comparison of rDNA sequence fragment from one of the cultures tested with sequences available in the NCBI/GeneBank database confirmed that the species identified was C. acutatum. The BIO-PCR technique was also used to detect potential inoculum of both species in two lupin seed samples. The results of BIO-PCR assays showed that two lupin seed samples were infected with C. acutatum while no isolate of C. gloeosporioides was detected.

The aim of the research was to estimate efficiency of monoaecian fibrous hemp (Cannabis sativa L., "Benico" variety) for phytoextracting heavy metals from soil-sludge substrate during anaerobic sewage sludge treatment at non-industrial sites. Hemp is known to be an efficient lead, chromium and cadmium phytoextractor from soils, though these heavy metals cannot be found among plants nutrients. Heavy metals analysis of the substrate has shown that an increase in hemp biomass led to reducing lead, chromium and cadmium concentrations by a factor of six, twelve and nearly three, respectively. The effect was observed in light soil fertilised with sewage sludge and compared against respective metals concentration at the beginning of the pot experiment.

Proposed by Wischmeier and Smith rainfall-runoff erosivity factor (R-factor) is usually recognized as a proper tool for regional climatic condition description in respect to soil erosion by water. It is also a basic input to simple and widespread soil erosion prediction models like USLE and RUSLE. However its calculation on the base of original precipitation records is a very laborious operation and is completely impossible for many locations without a precise precipitation data. The aim of the research was to develop a new simple method of annual R-factor values estimation on the base of very general precipitation data. Examined was the possibility of implementing artificial neural networks for annual R-factor values estimation on the base of the sole summer period and annual precipitation totals. The research was conducted with the use of database containing calculated summer period and annual rainfall-runoff erosivity factor values from 138 stations in Germany. As a result of the study 3 radial basis function networks (RBF) of two to five hidden layer neurons and 2 multilayer perceptrons networks (MLP) with one and two hidden layers were developed. Obtained correlation coefficients of observed versus predicted R-factor values were higher then the coefficients reported previously for the simple linear regression models. The study results suggested the possibility of neural networks technology introduction for R-factor values estimation on the base of precipitation totals instead of simple statistical regional relationships.

Probiotic strains of L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus, B. animalis, B. lactis and two strains of B. bifidum were examined for their survival at pH 3.0 and 3% bile salts. Additionally, the viability of L. casei cells was tested in presence of pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, alpha-amylase and lipase, and after heating at 90ºC for 30 min. It was found that all pre-treatments caused significant decrease in bacteria survival. The most sensitive strain for stress factors was B. bifidum 1. Using Caco-2 monolayer culture as the in vitro adhesion model, the significant reduction of adherence after thermal treatment, digestion with pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin, and bile salts were observed. The inhibition of bacteria adhesion after thermal denaturation and proteolysis proved an hypothesis that adhesion factors are of proteinaceous origin.

Case-Base Reasoning (CBR) method utilizes a base of implicit knowledge, included in stored cases. The analytical subset of CBR applications covers factual advisory systems, mentioned in the paper. A presented bank product advanced search engine build by authors is contained in this class also. Banking product extension is a source of widespread information and advertisement, but many Internet portals have deficient search engines comparing to complexity of bank product selection task. Advantages of described application are setting personal preferences and weights, which can be used to delimit personal preferences. Real world data of 142 bank accounts of 27 Polish banks are used as records in the case base. CBR method includes variety of result adaptation scenarios. Presented actual searches with adaptation of results show how to apply this phase of retrieval.

The objective of the study was the comparison the influence of the organic Se (Se-Yeast) + vitamin E and inorganic Se (Na₂Se0₃) + vitamin E on reproductive performance of young boars. The studies were carried out on the 60 young boars of the 990 Polish synthetic line divided into 3 groups. During the test (from 70 to 180 days of age) the males received in 1 kg feed mixture: group I-0.2 mg inorganic Se + 30 mg vitamin E (standard mixture), groups II and III respectively: 0.2 and 0.4 mg organic Se + 60 mg vit. E. At 180 day of live selection index, testes volume, libido traits, semen characteristics were determined.The boars of groups II and III, in comparison with group I, reached little lower selection index, but characterized by higer (p≤0.01 and p≤0.05) testes volume, better libido, higer concentration and total number of spermatozoa in ejaculate, higer value of osmotic resistance test of acrosome membranes, lower precentage of spermatozoa with morphological defects and lower precentage of spermatozoa with morphological defects and lower aspartate aminotransferase activity.The were no statistically significant diferences between the males of the II and III groups with regard the analysed traits.

The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of various conditions of swine breeding in small, private farms on prevalence and intensity of internal parasites infections with taking into consideration the age of animals. The 100 pigs from 11 small farms, from Wielkopolskie area, were examined. Taking account of differences in conditions of breeding, the farms were divided on two groups: A (4) and B (7). In pigs from A farms confirmed solely Oesophagostomum spp. and Ascaris suum infections, in animals from B farms, besides this two species, also Trichuris suis, Strongyloides ransomi and coccidia were observed. In A farms only 21.4% of animals were infected with parasites, however in B farms - as many as 91.4%. In swine from A farms one-species infections prevailed (in 66.7% of infected animals), instead in swine from B farms - multi-species infections (2-,3- or 4-species infections in 73.6% of infected animals). Also considerable differences in intensity of parasites infections between A and B farms were observed.

This paper presents the results of empirical research on high quality beef production on the basis of the Cooperative "Agrofirm" Witkowo (Stargard Szczeciński poviat) and the individual farm Wyszobór. The research had been conducted on young crossbreed beef bulls with different genotypes in relatively intensive feeding conditions. The aim of the paper was the cost calculation of fodders per 1 kg gain in body weight in different raising systems. The first experiment consisted of young bulls genetically mixed of two or three races between Black-and-White x Red Angus crossed cows and Limousin meat breed bulls- (group I), Red Angus (group II) and Salers (group III). The second experiment consisted of young bulls from, group I - Charolais cows with Charolais bulls, group II - Hereford cows with Charolais bulls and group III - Simmental cows with Charolais bulls. In both cases young bulls from all the groups had a very good daily gain. A lower cost of fattening was noticed for the animals from experiment no. 2, where the animals had been raised in a pasture system with cow-mothers and had been better prepared for fattening.

The influence of yeasts (5 strains of Candida famata, 3 strains of C. sphaerica, 2 strains of C. kefyr, 2 strains of C. lipolytica) added to culture medium on growth and sporulation of 4 industrial strains of Penicillium roqueforti was examined. Mixed cultures of each strain of yeasts and mould were carried out under conditions mimicking cheese environment (cheese agar, temperature 14 °C, a_w from 0.997 to 0.978 at 0% and 5% NaCl, respectively). Most of the yeasts examined slowed down the rate of vegetative growth of P. roqueforti strains, delayed the process of their sporulation (by 1-3 days) and lowered the conidia number / Petri dish by 1-10%. C. lipolytica strains, compared to representatives of other yeast species, exhibited the strongest negative influence on the growth and sporulation of P. roqueforti. However, this effect was significantly reduced in the presence of salt (5%). Interactions between the yeasts and P. roqueforti were strain dependant and affected by a_w.

The sorption complex of forest soils ensures the capability of pedons to adsorb exchangeable ions from soil solution and releases them mainly for interactions with plant roots. In this way it determines the physiologically utilisable trophic potential of the site. Its significance for biocoenose preservation on polluted localities increases mainly when it becomes the bearer of homeorhesis for ensuring of the succession processes. The present state (autumn 2002) of the effective and potential values of forest soil sorption complex basic characteristics and their momentary correlative relationships was studied in experimental substitute stands with varying tree-species composition in south-western part of the Broumovská vrchovina Highlands (Czech Republic). The mean annual temperature and the average annual precipitation are 6.9 °C and 671 mm, respectively. Two volumetric samples were taken from Ferralic Cambisols. The stands were afforested at a homogenized ground by ploughing. Due to an absence of old organic surface layers and an artificial homogenisation, the remarkable effects of pure and mixed tree species stands were evaluated. The highest values of the measured elements and quantities were detected at H-horizons. Predominantly, the differentation of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ content and base cation content (BCC) were observed and links to varying tree-species composition and humification were statistically evaluated. The total potential values of cation exchange capacity (CEC_p) were not significantly differenced by varying stand tree-species composition; it depends mainly on the quantity of protons (H⁺) inputs.

The study analyzed changes of vacuum and the range of vacuum amplitude in a milk line of a tube milking unit. Two manners of connecting six milking machines to the installation of the milking machine were used. Milking machines were connected successively, beginning with the first stand tap lying the closest to the final unit, and then beginning with the sixth stand tap found the furthest in relation to the final unit for two configurations of the milk line (arm and arm with the wash supporting line) and for three systems of vacuum regulation. The studies showed a significant influence of the total liquid stream from the milking machines Q_mr, the mean velocity of the flowing liquid v_cśr and a configuration of the milk line on the drop and range of vacuum amplitude aP14 in the transport zone of the milk line. The decrease of vacuum in the transport zone for the configuration of the milk line - arm, with full loading of the installation was 5 kPa, and the range of its amplitude was about 8 kPa. For the configuration of the milk line arm with a wash supporting line the drop of vacuum was 2 kPa, and its range of amplitude - about 6 kPa. In the section of the milk line with the working cluster, drops of vacuum were significantly dependent on the quantity of the flowing liquid Q_mr and on the appearing "thresholds of liquid" at the stand taps. The range of vacuum amplitude aP14 in the milk line in the section with the working cluster changed from 1 to 9 kPa.

The aim of this experiment was to study how reduced content of protein in each feeding stage during raising influences carcass fattiness and, in consequence, the chemical composition, and meat physicochemical and sensory properties in 6-week-old quail. The material comprised 150 one-day-old Pharaoh quail divided into three experimental groups. The birds of the group I received feeds with nutritional value recommended by feeding standards for growing quail, while the groups II and III received rations with reduced level of protein in all feeds for the period of raising. At the age of 42 days, 6 male and female birds of the body weight similar to the sex's average from each group were slaughtered. The amount of abdominal and non-muscular fat was determined. Chemical assays (dry matter, protein, and fat content), physicochemical analyses (pH, colour, water-holding capacity), and sensory evaluation (boiled meat and broth) were carried out. The results of the study allowed us to conclude that lower level of protein content in the feed reduced fattiness of the carcasses, improved the meat water-binding (holding) capacity. Most remaining tested meat quality characters were similar to those obtained in the control group.

This study showed that biomass of underbrush occurring in stands of a simple structure is significantly greater than biomass of underbrush in stands of a complex structure. A great spatial variation of underbrush occurrence is probably the cause of difficulties in determination of its relationship with stand characteristics. In stands growing on sites of mixed coniferous and mixed deciduous forests the degree of site moisture determines the quantity of biomass of the underbrush layer. Generally in Scots pine stands biomass of underbrush decreases with increase of stand density. In the Niepołomice Forest the total biomass of the underbrush layer in stands above 10 years of age, occupying the area of 9 459 (ha), is 20 705 tons, and it was estimated with the standard error ±1 296 tons.

In present work we focus on biosynthesis of extracellular hydrolase by Geotrichum candidum yeasts, which can be useful in degradation of non-starch polisaccharide (cellulase, xylanase, poligalacturonase, beta-1,3-glucanase, beta-1,3(1,4)-glucanase) and also protein (protease) and acyloglicerole (lipase). As a growth medium, we use 4% milled barley or 4% milled malt suspension. We observed divergence in level of activity of hydrolase, between different strains of Geotrichum but also in used medium. The hydrolase biosynthesis by Geotrichum was much more effective in the medium containing malt than in the one with barley. This effect was not observed for lipase and protease. Strains: G.candidum PH1 and G.candidum 1 due to very high non-starch polisaccharide hydrolase activity and low protease and lipase activity could be proposed as components of starter cultures, useful in malting process.

For assessment of the organic matter mobility rate, dissolved and particulate organic carbon were used. Quality of the organic matter was determined on the grounds of the relative indicator of aromatic properties (SUVA₂₆₀) and the absorbance ratio at 260 nm (A₂₆₀) and 330 nm (A₃₃₀). The study has revealed that the dominant form of organic carbon is the dissolved form (DOC). The main source of organic matter is the autochthonous production, intensifying in spring, which is exhibited by the growth of the heterotrophic bacteria number and intensive phytoplankton bloom. Organic matter in the lake is transferred both spatially and vertically. The rate of these processes is determined by, respectively: forced water flow resulting from the cooling waters dump and sedimentation of organic matter on organic and inorganic suspensions, which is favoured by the carbonate-calcareous character of the Lake Mikorzyńskie waters. Organic matter adsorption to calcium carbonate and destruction running with the heterotrophic bacteria participation are one of the major factors limiting the heavy degradation of the lake waters.

The research has been aimed at studying both seasonal and annual changes in air temperature and precipitation over the past 40 years, i.e. from 1961 till 2000, as well as in 2001-2003 period. Additionally increase/decrease rates for all the parameters under analysis were to be determined, as well as thermal and precipitation rating of months over the studied period. The research was based on data recorded over respective 1961-2003 decades and months for air temperature and precipitation that were collected at Lipki agro- and weather station, near Stargard Szczeciński. Magnitude of the standard deviation (S) from the standard from 1961 to 2000 was applied as a criteria for thermal rating all the months over the studied period. To evaluate deficiency or excess of precipitation in particular months a criteria of percentage of total monthly precipitation over the standard value (75 - 125%) was applied.

Monthly, seasonal and annual changes for both air temperature and precipitation tend to be linear. Over the studied period for all the moths, excluding November, a rising tendency for air temperature was observed. A statistically significant, positive trend was observed for April, May, July and August. The biggest increase for temperature, on average by 0.8°C/10 years, was found for January. No clear, solid trends have been detected for precipitation. At the beginning of a year a rising tendency was noticed, while towards the month end precipitation tend to drop. Still, only in May the trend was statistically significant and found negative.

The year 2003, whose summer season was found exceptionally hot and very dry, was also evaluated in terms of temperature and precipitation.

The experiment was carried out in the years 2001-2002. Young plants of the wax begonia 'Eureka Bronze Rose' were grown in the greenhouse in pots using a peat substrate mixed with sand. B-Nine, Cycocel and Topflor were applied once or twice at 14-day intervals, through leaves and the soil. In May the plants were bedded and every month their height was measured and the number of buds and flowers counted. The dynamics of growth and flowering of the bedded plants was observed. The strongest and longest-lasting growth retardant was Topflor, both foliar- and soil-applied. Soil-applied B-Nine and Cycocel were found to have no adverse effect on the number of buds and flowers.

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of adding dry gluten powder (DGP) on the properties of common wheat flour dough and pasta. The experiment was done using flours obtained from common winter wheat cultivars (Mikon, Pegassos), enriched with 3% and 6% dry gluten powder additives. For comparative purposes, semolina was used. The dry gluten powder originated from three producers and varied in terms of quality (water absorption, ash content). It was observed that the incorporation of dry gluten powder into common wheat flour brought about a higher carotenoid pigment content and lower L* and higher b* index values of pasta dough. Compared with common wheat flour products, pasta with added dry gluten powder showed less cooked weight and cooking loss, and more firmness. The Mikon cultivar flour pasta recorded a longer cooking time, more cooked weight and more cooking loss than the Pegassos cultivar flour pasta.

In the paper examples of trees bound with objects of religious cult, found in Polish country landscape, are presented. In the first chapter trees situated near chapels, wayside-shrines or crosses are described; chapels are often surrounded by symmetrically planted groups of trees. The next chapter concerns trees found near village churches. Mostly they are reminders of former cemeteries, which due to urbanization progress are no more used.

Trees bound with religious cult such as limes, maples and acacias are an important feature in Polish country landscape.

Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) has been applied to the study of starch structure in wheat flour. The quality of the range changes of starch microstructure after milling was analysed and a certain relationship of SAXS scattering magnitudes with alveographic study was shown.

Using the method of bait insects, the studies established the species composition and the intensity of occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in the soils from two black currant plantations: one very well-maintained and the other that had not been cultivated for a number of years, as well as in the soil under aronia cultivation. The following entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from the dead larvae of Galleria mellonella L.: Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown et Smith. Additionally, the occurrence of the species Metarhizium flavoviride Gams et Rozsypal was observed. The most larvae with symptoms of mycoses were isolated from the soil from the plantation of unprotected currant (72.5%), while the least from the soil from the protected plantation, where the symptoms of mycoses were shown by 32.5% of bait larvae. The larvae were most frequently infected by fungus B. bassiana, which dominated in the soil under the unprotected currant, and by M. anisopliae in the plough soil. The summer period was conducive to infection by B. bassiana, while autumn was favourable for P. fumosoroseus.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of spermatozoa in insemination dose (ID) on fertility rate of inseminated does, and on the number of all and live-born young per litter in the breed of crossbred rabbits by using certain rates of dilution. The crossbred rabbits of female strain HYPLUS PS 19 and male strain HYPLUS PS 39 were used in the experiment. In the first part of the experiment does were inseminated with ID 0.5 cm³ with the concentrations of spermatozoa from 115 to 550 x 10⁶ in 1 cm³. In the second part of the experiment does were inseminated with the same volume of ID (0.5 cm³), however with the lower concentration, namely from 55 to 150 x 10⁶ in 1 cm³. The particular concentrations of spermatozoa in ID had no statistically significant effect on fertility rate and number of all and live born young per litter in both parts of experiment.

Successes in breeding of all animal species are mostly determined by high reproductive indices. That´s why tested were 127 purebred Arabian stallions used in Polish breeding in the years 1971-1998, siring 5 or more heads of progeny. For every stallion collected were data concerning number of mares bred, born foals, open periods, abortions, stillborn, dead or destroyed foals, as well as mares, who died being in foal to a given stallion. There was found an increase of intensivity of reproductive utilization of leading sires in the tested period, compared with earlier seasons. At the same time observed was, however, a more frequent occurrence of undesirable traits. Currently prolonged sirelines distinguished themselves with higher reproductive indices. There was observed also a higher share of stallions siring 5 or more heads of progeny per stallion and season. On the other hand, reducing representation of sirelines continued in our breeding might cause unwanted changes in the genetic pool of our broodmares´band, prevented by the Program of Purebred Arabian Horse Breeding in Poland.

Biomass of stands of common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) in the Niepołomice Forest is 120.97 (t.ha^-1) on the average. Almost 98% of this quantity is accumulated in the tree layer, while about 2% in the underbrush layer. Wood is the main part of biomass (about 80% on the average), especially wood of tree stems (69%). The percentage of the assimilative apparatus in biomass of stands is somewhat less than 2% (2.24 (t.ha^-1)), but it makes over 35% of the annual production of dry matter amounting to 6.156 (t.ha^-1) on the average.

The effect of the potato cultivation way (without covering and under agrotextile covering in period from planting to the plant heigh of 15 cm) and the level of nitrogen fertilization (without nitrogen, 30, 60, 90 kg N ha^-1) on the nitrates content in tubers of very early potato cultivars ('Aster', 'Drop') was estimated. The potatoes were harvested after 60 and 75 days from planting.

The forceing of plant vegetation by agrotextile covering resulted in a decrease of the nitrates content in tubers, especially at a very early date of potato harvest. After 60 days from planting the nitrates content in tubers of potato cultivated under cover was lower on average by 8.78 mg NaNO₃ kg^-1 f. w. (5.54%), in comparison to the cultivation without plant covering. After two-week delay of potato harvest the result of the use of cover were smaller and non-statistically confirmed.

With increasing the level of nitrogen fertilization followed increase the nitrates content in tubers. Higher increase this form of nitrogen content, as a result of increasing the dose of nitrogen, was found in tubers of 'Aster' cultivar, than of the 'Drop'. The nitrates content in tubers of 'Aster' cultivar was higher on average by 25.33 mg NaNO₃ kg^-1 f. w. (16.87%) after 60 days from planting, and by 25.55 mg NaNO₃ kg^-1 f. w. (18.02%) after 75 days from planting, in comparison of the `Drop´ cultivar.