SAB

Effects of Metal Oxides and Urea Fertilizer on Agronomic Traits of Safflower

In Mediterranean semi-arid regions major constraints impinging on agricultural development are deficiency of water and nutrient depleted soils. The problem of enhancing crop yield in these areas is widely distinguished as a challenge. In order to evaluate the integrated application of urea fertilizer (0, 160, and 320 kg ha–1) and nano-metal oxide (Fe2O3, ZnO, and CuO) on safflower growth performance, a field experiment was carried out in the Baneh district, a semi-arid region in Western Iran. Urea fertilizer significantly increased the plant height (11%), canopy width (8%), ground cover percentage (6%), plant dry weight (35%), number of secondary branches (16%), seeds number per head (19%), and total seed yield (38%). However, the higher application of urea fertilizer resulted in a significant decrease in wrinkled seed percentage (3.25%), harvest index (2.62%), and thousand seed weight (2.67%). Also, nano-metal oxides significantly affected morphological traits and yield components. Mean comparison revealed that the best performance was obtained by the integrated application of 320 kg urea fertilizer and nano-Fe or nano-Zn. Overall, the present research highlighted the necessity of balanced and integrated application of macronutrients and micronutrient fertilizers for sustainable safflower production in semi-arid regions of Western Iran.

copper, essential micronutrients, morpho-physiological traits, nutrients interaction, yield components

Janmohammadi,.M., Fattahi, M., Sabaghnia, N., Nouraein, M. (2018): Effects of Metal Oxides and Urea Fertilizer on Agronomic Traits of Safflower. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 153-163. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-21

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PGPR-Induced Growth Stimulation and Nutrient Acquisition in Maize: Do Root Hairs Matter?

Here we describe the effects of the well-characterized, commercial plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strain Pseudomonas sp. DSMZ 13134 (Proradix®) on plant growth, root morphology, and nutrient acquisition of a maize mutant (rth2) with impaired root hair production as compared with the corresponding wild type line, to study the importance of root hairs for the interaction of the PGPR strain with the host plant. The study was conducted in rhizobox culture with a sand–soil mixture and moderate P supply. Root hair development of the mutant was clearly impaired, reflected by slower growth and limited elongation as compared with the wild type line. This defect was compensated by more intense root growth and fine root production of the mutant which was particularly expressed after inoculation with Proradix®. By contrast, PGPR inoculation had no effect on root hair length. The beneficial effects of Proradix® on root growth were reflected in higher shoot contents of the macronutrients P and K. Interestingly, negative effects on shoot accumulation of the micronutrients Zn and Cu were observed. These findings support proposed PGPR effects of this strain but also show limitations that may be explained by additional strain-specific properties. Possible implications of these findings are discussed.

Siderophores, P. fluorescens, rhizosphere, pyoverdine, root growth stimulation, mineral nutrients

Weber, N. F., Herrmann, I., Hochholdinger, F., Ludewig, U., Neumann, G. (2018): PGPR-Induced Growth Stimulation and Nutrient Acquisition in Maize: Do Root Hairs Matter? Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 164-172. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-22.

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sab-2018-03-02-weber.pdf

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Climate Change and its Impact on the Conditions of Late Blight Occurrence

Litschmann, T., Hausvater, E., Dolezal, P., Bastova, P.

The paper is focused on the evaluation of trends in weather indicators influencing conditions for late blight occurrence, and subsequently on trends in the first treatment forecasts, number of infections, and number of infection days. The processing covering the period 1975–2016 was done with a higher density of points for the Czech and Slovak Republics and a lower density for European regions with more important distribution of potato growing on arable land. The obtained results show an unambiguous statistically significant trend in the increase of minimum temperature by around 0.5°C per 10 years; contrarily, no more significant trends were recorded for air humidity. For precipitation no statistically significant decreases were found at any of the processed localities, increases were rarely detected. Considering the number of days with precipitation, for the western part of the studied territory rather increases, while for the eastern part stagnation, and for Ukraine decrease in days with precipitation were recorded. Trends in the processed characteristics using the index method of late blight indicate a statistically more significant earlier onset of the first treatment especially at Czech localities; however, at most localities a slight increase in the number of infection periods and in the number of days with infection pressure was found.

potato, Phytophthora infestans, weather, Europe

Litschmann, T., Hausvater, E., Dolezal, P., Bastova, P. (2018): Climate Change and its Impact on the Conditions of Late Blight Occurrence. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 173-180. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-23

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sab-2018-03-03-dolezal.pdf

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Malacofauna of Selected Areas in Litovelské Pomoraví (Czech Republic)

The molluscan diversity in the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area (PLA) (Moravia, Czech Republic) was studied. The PLA stretches on the territory of a river alluvial plain and is formed by the meandering river, complex of alluvial forests, meadows, and wetlands. It is part of the European network of nature protection areas Natura 2000. Altogether 10 450 specimens representing 107 mollusc species were found by means of hand collecting and sieving a litter layer during the sampling period April 2012–September 2015 at nine selected sampling sites. Computation of the Jaccard and Sörensen indices showed the degree of similarity between the individual locations based on the number of shared species. The principal component analysis based on known ecological characteristics clearly distinguished some locations and indicated the relationships between a particular molluscan group and a locality. The data availability and possibility to assess the succession over time is essential for later evaluation and mapping the natural processes or human impact at naturally important localities.

molluscs, Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, biodiversity, NATURA 2000

Hlava, J., Hlavová, A. (2018): Malacofauna of Selected Areas in Litovelské Pomoraví (Czech Republic). Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 181-191. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-24

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Quantification of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria from Bohemian Honey

Honey, which has been used as an ancient remedy for infected wounds, has been shown in laboratory studies to have antimicrobial action against a spectrum of bacteria and fungi. Because very little quantitative information exists on the microbiota of honey, the aim of this study was to quantify the Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Gammaproteobacteria groups in samples of honeydew honey and blossom honey from six regions in the Czech Republic, using quantitative real-time PCR analysis with specific primers based on the 16S rRNA gene. Gammaproteobacteria and Firmicutes were clearly the most abundant, predominating Actinobacteria in both types of honey. Most of the Firmicutes were detected in samples from South Bohemia (mean gene copies per 1 g honey: 5.6 × 105) and Ústí nad Labem Region (3.7 × 105), which contained the lowest number of Gammaproteobacteria (15.5 × 103). The Actinobacteria were prevalent in samples from Plzeň (4.3 × 103) and Central Bohemia (5.4 × 103), where conversely the Firmicutes were least abundant. Honey thus contains bacterial species with probiotic activity and oligosaccharides which can act as prebiotics, suggesting that its incorporation into the human diet may potentially impart significant health benefits to consumers compared with ‘empty calories’ consumed as refined sugar.

Blossom, honeydew, Czech Republic, qPCR, microbiota

Hroncová, Z., Konopásková, K., Volštátová, T., Killer, J. (2018): Quantification of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria from Bohemian Honey. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 192-200. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-25

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sab-2018-03-05-hroncova.pdf

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Effects of Various Incubation Conditions on Functional Parameters of Stallion Spermatozoa

The objective of our study was to determine the effect of 5% of CO2 atmosphere and time of sample dilution on results of in vitro analysis of stallion semen. Frozen-thawed semen from 14 stallions was incubated either in incubator or in a water bath, diluted prior to analysis or immediatelly after thawing. The following qualitative parameters were assessed after thawing (T0) and after 30 min (T30): motility in 3 sperm subpopulations (slow, medium, fast) defined by cluster analysis of parameters obtained by Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, viability, acrosome and mitochondrial integrity. The slow subpopulation was only significantly reduced in diluted samples in CO2 atmosphere at T0 (P < 0.05). In diluted samples the incubation time significantly affected distribution of fast, slow, and medium subpopulations in CO2 and CO2 free atmosphere (P < 0.05), respectively. Viability, acrosome and mitochondrial integrity were not affected by CO2 atmosphere (P > 0.05), however acrosome (at T0) and mitochondrial integrity (at T30) were significantly higher in CO2 atmosphere in non-diluted and diluted samples (P < 0.05), respectively. The results of the in vitro analysis of stallion semen were rather similar regardless of the atmosphere or dilution time.

reproduction, horse, semen, incubator, water bath, sperm parameters

Šimoník, O., Šichtař, J. (2018): Effects of Various Incubation Conditions on Functional Parameters of Stallion Spermatozoa. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 201-208. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-26

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sab-2018-03-06-simonik.pdf

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Intensive Mowing Effect of One Patch on the Metapopulations of Two Phengaris Species

In the second half of the 20th century, change of land use in the name of intensive agriculture was one of the most important factors caused significant loss of butterfly diversity in Europe. Phengaris nausithous and Phengaris teleius belong among the flagship species associated with wet meadows and are directly threatened by the intensive agriculture practises or management abandonment. Due to their very specific lifecycle, they are closely linked to their habitats and appropriate mowing management on their patches is thus crucial for their survival. Our research took place in Dolní Labe, Děčín, Czech Republic, on 16 patches and has been performed using Mark-Release-Recapture since 2009. This paper will illustrate how intensive mowing management, applied on only one of the patches, which forms only 9.4% of total locality size, can influence the entire local Phengaris metapopulation. The selected patch was intentionally mowed in the middle of flight season annually for four years. Even though, no significant effect was identified after the first year of study, after the second and third seasons, there was evidence of population decline of both studied species.

Mark-Release-Recapture, land use management, Lepidoptera, conservation

Bubová, T., Kulma, M., Koleška, D., Vrabec, V. (2018): Intensive Mowing Effect of One Patch on the Metapopulations of Two Phengaris Species. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 209-215. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-27

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sab-2018-03-07-kulma.pdf

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Does Management Matter? Assessment on Miombo Forests in Angola

The aim of this paper is to assess the predominant management knowledge of miombo forests in Angola. It interlinks with decision support methods to assess future management plans for miombo forest where the community’s interests evolve (wild fruits, animals, firewood, charcoal, and timber). The management of miombo forests is a complex subject due to multiple outcomes particularly because of their uniqueness, while charcoal and firewood are the major products. The application of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to data collected in Bié province showed that timber is not a priority for people that live around miombo area, whereas charcoal appears to be a priority to 68% of the community. We conclude that applying the AHP to the data collected in Bié province was a clear indication that future researches on local communities priorities will be conducted when it comes to take decisions for the entire forest community.

AHP, forest management, decision support methods

Chiteculo, V., Surový, P., Panagiotidis, D. (2018): Does Management Matter? Assessment on Miombo Forests in Angola. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 216-224. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-28

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Effect of Fermented Cereals, Probiotics, and Phytase on the Sensory Quality of Poultry Meat

The sensory properties of poultry meat obtained from meat-type broiler chickens fed with fermented cereals and two different fermented supplements, and Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) fed diets including fermented cereals (wheat, barley or oats), three probiotics (from E. faecium, B. subtilis, S. cerevisiae) and two different phytase preparations were evaluated. Fermented grains (particularly wheat and barley) decreased the sensory quality of meat. The use of three probiotic products and phytase did not negatively influence the sensory quality of the quail meats. The diets containing S. cerevisiae (probiotic) produced a highly appreciated meat. The less preferred meat samples were obtained from the quails fed diets containing fermented wheat, fermented barley, and E. faecium, due to the off-flavour and odour as well as tanginess. The supplementation of naturally or yeast-fermented liquid whey and lemon pomace was very effective to overcome the bad sensory quality (fish and metallic off-flavour and taste) of the broiler meat obtained by administering the control diet (rich in vegetable oil and fermented wheat).

Broiler meat, Japanese quails, fermented cereal grains, feeding, dietary manipulation, sensory analysis

Yasar, S., Boselli, E., Rossetti, F., Gok, M.S. (2018): Effect of Fermented Cereals, Probiotics, and Phytase on the Sensory Quality of Poultry Meat. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 225-235. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-29

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Energy Balance of Briquette Production from Various Waste Biomass

Production of briquette bio-fuel is related to several aspects of densification process. The present paper deals with the relation between briquette volume density ? (kg·m–3) and required deformation energy Ed (J). Wood, energy crop and cardboard feedstocks were compressed by a laboratory briquetting press of two diameters (40 and 65 mm); in this way six kinds of briquette samples (W40, W65, E40, E65, C40, C65) were produced. The values of compressing force F (N) and briquette volume density ? were measured directly during feedstock densification; the deformation energy Ed was calculated subsequently. The amount of deformation energy Ed consumed within the achievement of specific briquette volume density ? levels differed in case of all samples, the same as the maximum achieved briquette volume density ? levels. Best results, i.e. efficiency of briquette production (the highest ?, the lowest Ed), were achieved by cardboard samples, followed by wood and finally by energy crop samples. An overall evaluation indicated a higher production efficiency of briquette samples 40 mm in diameter and the disadvantage of the production of briquette samples with briquette volume density ? > 1000 kg·m–3; above such level, the amount of consumed deformation energy Ed increased disproportionately sharply.

solid biofuel, deformation energy, volume density, energy demand, briquetting

Brunerová, A., Brožek, M., Šleger, V., Nováková, A. (2018): Energy Balance of Briquette Production from Various Waste Biomass. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 49, 236-243. DOI: 10.2478/sab-2018-30

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sab-2018-03-10-brunerova.pdf

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