PRE-SOWING SEED TREATMENT WITH PHYSICAL STRESSORS INDUCES CHANGES IN AMOUNT OF SECONDARY METABOLITES IN NEEDLES OF PICEA ABIES SEEDLINGS

Tree resistance to pathogens is related to the general viability of trees, their growth energy, and ability to synthesize and to mobilize secondary metabolites (SMs), usually phenolic compounds, in tissues. The total phenolic content (TPC) in Norway spruce needles was determined during two vegetation seasons in order to compare the chemical background and ability of different Norway spruce half-sib families to synthesize TPC in response to seed treatment with physical stressors: cold plasma for 1 and 2 min (CP1, CP2) and electromagnetic field for 2 min (EMF2). TPC in seedling needles significantly differed between affected and control groups, but differences were stronger exerted during the first year of vegetation. In the first vegetation season, the strongest positive effects on TPC synthesis were induced by EMF2 treatment in 463 and 577 half-sib families, by CP1 treatment − in 457 half-sib family and by CP2 treatment − in 541 half-sib family; in the second vegetation season strongest effects were detected in CP1 treated 457 half-sib family and in CP2 treated 548 and 477 half-sib families. The half-sib families of Picea abies with higher TPC induced by seed treatment with different physical stressors could be more resistant to pathogens and diseases. The variance component of family for TPC variated from 14±10 % till 17±11 %, and was significant. The interaction of genotype and environment on TPC was as high as 49 ± 20%

Comparison of renewable electric energy resource efficiency and environmental impact

Darbe analizuojami atsinaujinančios elektros energijos ištekliai, pasirinkti remiantis atsinaujinančių išteklių energetikos įstatyme plačiausiai analizuojamais ir didžiausias perspektyvas turinčiais energijos ištekliais Lietuvoje. Išskirti trys pagrindiniai atsinaujinančios energetikos šaltiniai: vėjo energetika, biomasės deginimo metu gaunama elektros energija, bei hidroenergetika, pastarąją skirstome į didžiąsias hidroelektrines ir mažąsias hidroelektrines. Naujuoju atsinaujinančių išteklių energetikos įstatymu tikimasi elektros energijos dalį bendrajame šalies elektros energijos sunaudojime (pagamintos iš atsinaujinančių energijos išteklių), padidinti iki 20 procentų, kas reikštų sparčias AEI elektrinių statybas. Investicijų į atsinaujinančią energiją, taupų jos naudojimą ir naujas technologijas stiprinimas prisideda prie darnaus vystymosi ir padeda kurti naujas darbo vietas, skatinti ekonomikos augimą, stiprinti konkurencingumą ir plėtrą, kad Lietuva galėtų žengti į saugesnę, švaresnę ir konkurencingesnę ateitį. Todėl aplinkosauginiu požiūriu svarbu palyginti AEI elektrinių efektyvumo rodiklius bei atlikti poveikio aplinkai vertinimą, palyginant jų poveikį aplinkos komponentamsThis work analyzes the use of renewable energy resources (wind, hydro and biomass burning) and the effectiveness of their environmental impact. From the pending renewable energy sources in Lithuania we have the highest prospects for wind energy, especially offshore, and biomass burning. Hydropower development opportunities in Lithuania, the typical plains region, where the energy potential of rivers is small and flooding areas causes’ significant ecological damage, prospects are limited. Renewable energy resources impact to the environment is very different. The biggest environmental impacts of hydropower, the smallest - biomass burning derived electricityVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Changes in plant agronomic performance and biochemical processes induced by seed treatment with cold plasma and electromagnetic field

Disertacinio darbo tikslas - įvertinti vienmečių ir daugiamečių augalų atsaką į sėklų apdorojimo šalta plazma (ŠP) ir elektromagnetiniu lauku (EML) sukeliamą stresą ir molekulinio mechanizmo veiksnius, svarbius daigumo, augimo, biomasės prieauglio ir jos sudėties pokyčiams sukelti. Tyrimams taikytas įvairių augalų rūšių sėklų apdorojimas radijo-dažnio EML, vakuumu ir ŠP, kuriai generuoti naudoti kondensatoriaus tipo ir dielektrinio barjero iškrovos įrenginiai. Nustatyta, kad sėklų apdorojimas gali ženkliai skatinti daigumą, bet šis poveikis priklauso nuo augalo rūšies (veislės), apdorojimo parametrų, sėklos ramybės būsenos ir daigumo testo sąlygų. Atlikti ilgalaikiai daugiamečių augalų atsako į sėklų apdorojimo ŠP, vakuumu ir EML stebėjimai atskleidė, kad teigiamas poveikis augalų augimui išsilaikė visą stebėjimo laikotarpį (2 ar 5-6 metus). Nustatyti nauji faktai: 1) sėklų apdorojimo ŠP, vakuumu ir EML poveikis daigumui nepriklauso nuo stresorių sukeltų sėklų paviršiaus struktūros pokyčių, tačiau priklauso nuo sukeltų H2O2 susidarymo greičio pokyčių dygstančiose sėklose; 2) sėklų apdorojimas sukelia: (i) savitus daigumą valdančių fitohormonų kiekio pokyčius sėklose: teigiamas sėklų apdorojimo ŠP ir EML poveikis dygimui susijęs su ABA/GA santykio mažėjimu; (ii) paramagnetinių centrų skaičiaus pokyčius sėklose: paprastosios eglės sėklų EPR signalą mažina apdorojimas vakuumu, didina apdorojimas ŠP ir EML; (iii) ženklius antrinių metabolitų kiekio pokyčius augalų lapuose/spygliuose ir šaknų eksudatuose.The aim of dissertation is to estimate the response of annual and perennial plants to stress induced by the pre-sowing seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) and electromagnetic field (EMF), and to determine the molecular factors important for changes induced in germination, plant growth, production and composition of biomass. Seeds of various plant species were treated for with radio frequency EMF, vacuum and CP, generated by capacitively coupled plasma and dielectric barrier discharge devices. It has been found that seed treatment can significantly stimulate germination, but this effect depends on the plant species (variety), treatment parameters, seed dormancy status and germination test conditions. Long-term observations of perennial plant response to seed treatment with CP, vacuum, and EMF revealed that positive effects on plant growth persisted throughout the observation period (2 or 5-6 years). New findings are established by this study: 1) the effects of seed treatment with CP, vacuum, and EMF on germination are independent of stressor-induced changes in seed surface structure, but depend on changes induced in H2O2 production rate in germinating seeds; 2) seed treatments induced the following biochemical changes: (i) specific changes in germination-controlling phytohormone levels in seeds: positive effects on germination are associated with a decrease in ABA /GA ratio; (ii) changes in the number of paramagnetic centers in the seeds: EPR signal of spruce seeds was reduced by vacuum treatment, and increased by treatment with CP and EMF; (iii) significant changes in secondary metabolite content in plant leaves/needles and root exudates.Gamtos mokslų fakulteta

Диагностика плазмы высокочастотного емкостного разряда при воздействии на семена сельскоxoзяйcтвенных культур

The spectral composition and thermodynamic parameters of high-frequency air discharge plasma, which is used for pre-sowing seed treatment, have been studied by optical-spectroscopic methods. The gas-kinetic temperature of plasma was measured during the process of seeds treatment and an optimal mode of plasma irradiation, of seeds was determined. This mode is realized at a specific power input value of 0.34 W/m3 and low gas temperature thai not exceed 310 ATBotanikos sodasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

SIX NEW DAHLIA CULTIVARS OF LITHUANIAN ORIGIN

According to the rules of International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants 6 new cultivars of Dahlia published: \u27Meška Slapukė\u27 (No. 255, 2011, A. Balsevičius), \u27Tumė\u27 (No. 256, 2011, A. Balsevičius), \u27Dalelytė\u27 (No. 14-15, 2014, A. Balsevičius), \u27Giedrės Kasos\u27 (No. 14-18, 2014, A. Balsevičius), \u27Lapė\u27 (No. 14-71, 2014, A. Balsevičius), and \u27Orija\u27 (No. 14-37, 2014, A. Balsevičius). In 2011, dahlias were selected by traditional breeding methods. In 2014, plant seeds of open pollination were treated by cold plasma at a pressure of 60 Pa

Six new Dahlia cultivars of Lithuanian origin

According to the rules of International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants 6 new cultivars of Dahlia published: 'Meška Slapukė' (No. 255, 2011, A. Balsevičius), 'Tumė' (No. 256, 2011, A. Balsevičius), 'Dalelytė' (No. 14-15, 2014, A. Balsevičius), 'Giedrės Kasos' (No. 14-18, 2014, A. Balsevičius), 'Lapė' (No. 14-71, 2014, A. Balsevičius), and 'Orija' (No. 14-37, 2014, A. Balsevičius). In 2011, dahlias were selected by traditional breeding methods. In 2014, plant seeds of open pollination were treated by cold plasma at a pressure of 60 PaBotanikos sodasEkspozicijų ir kolekcijų skyriusVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Endophytic bacteria in cbold plasma treated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds

Endophytic microorganisms are adapted to grow within plant tissues without causing apparent symptoms of plant disease but some of them can promote plant growth by production of plant hormones, modulation of hormone production in plants, increasing nutrient availability or suppressing plant pathogens. Treatment with cold plasma (CP) can inhibit growth of various bacteria, therefore it is applied for food decontamination. Short term seed treatment with CP was reported to improve agronomical crop performance, however the mechanism of such effects is unknown. Possible outcomes of seed CP treatment to some extent may be dependent on changes in composition of endophytic microflora. The aim of our study was to characterize microflora diversity and plant growth promoting properties of endophytic bacteria in control and CP treated sunflower seeds. Seeds of sunflower were treated with CP for 9 and 12 minutes (CP9 and CP12). After treatment the surface of affected and control seeds was sterilized, sunflower kernels were separated from hulls and homogenized. Fresh nutrient medium was added to samples and after vigorous shaking for 30 min samples were inoculated on plates with nutrient medium. Bacterial isolates were characterized by the number of morphological and biochemical properties, including – catalase, oxidase activity, gram staining, secretion of amylolytic and DNA degrading enzymes, ability to reduce nitrate, growth on selective XLD and MSA media. Bacteria isolates were also screened for traits specifically associated with direct and indirect plant growth promotion – auxin production, nitrogen fixation, siderophore production. Gram-positive bacteria dominated in all samples, both cocci and bacilli were present.[...]Biochemijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

The effect of low-temperature plasma and electromagnetic field treatment of seeds on the stimulation of ornamental plants' metabolism

Gamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

The changes of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Echinacea purpurea after pre-sowing seed treatment with cold plasma

Online ISSN: 2335-8718The pre-sowing seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) is currently used in the field of agricultural science as an alternative technology for improving agricultural performance of crops. Seed exposure to CP can lead to stimulation of germination and seedling development followed by the long-term changes in plant metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the persistence of effects of pre-sowing seed treatment with CP on physiological and biochemical activity of plants by chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters in leaves perennial medicinal plant purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in the second season of vegetation. Seeds were processed with capacitively coupled plasma device at a pressure of 60 Pa. The duration of CP exposure was 2, 5 and 7 min. Seeds were sown to substrate four days after CP treatment and seedlings grown for two vegetation seasons. At the beginning of flowering growth stage during the second vegetation season, the chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were performed by a Plant Efficiency Analyser (PEA) with randomly selected youngest fully expanded leaves. The results showed, that CP had statistically significant effect on several fluorescence parameters of E. purpurea even in the second year after treatment. The differences in the efficiency of second photosystem (Fv/Fm) between control and treated groups were statistically significant (p<0.05): this parameter was higher by 14.7, 13.5 and 14.3 % after 2, 5 and 7 min CP treatments, respectively. Electron transport flux per reaction center (ETo/RC) was also higher for plants grown from CP treated seeds. E.g., seed exposure to CP for 7 min resulted in 47.9% (p<0.05) increase of ETo/RC. The increase of electron transport and efficiency of the PSII might be explained by more than 50 % (p<0.05) decreased dissipated energy flux per reaction center (DIo/RC) after CP treatment. [...]Aplinkotyros katedraBiologijos katedraBotanikos sodasGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

The response of Helianthus annuus to pre-sowing seed treatment with stressors: induced changes in germination, seedling growth and proteome

Seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) or electromagnetic field (EMF) is a modern eco-agricultural technology for stimulation of plant germination and performance. Numerousstudies demonstrated the effectiveness of such treatments for enhancing germination andgrowth of a large variety of crops, however the molecular basis of seed response totreatments remain elusive. In order to gain an insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying effect of stressors on plant seeds, we estimated changes induced in differential protein expression of the model plant – sunflower (Helianthus annuus). We studied the effects of pre-sowing seedtreatment, using vacuum (7 min), radio-frequency EMF (5-15 min) and CP (2-7 min), ongermination and growth of the confectionary cultivar ʽNyķrségi feketeʽ. The germination tests were performed both in vitro and in substrate and the obtained results indicated thatthe treatments with CP and EMF had no effect on the proportion of germinated seeds butCP (7 min) and EMF (10 and 15 min) treatments increased both germination rate (by 20-24%) and uniformity of germination (up to 130%). The treatment had effect on morphologyof seedlings that developed from the CP (7 min) and EMF (15 min) treated seeds resultingin reduced height/weight of stems and increased weight of leaves, respectively. Differential protein expression in the leaves of sunflower seedlings was assessed using 2Dgel electrophoresis. Among the 104 differentially expressed proteoforms significantlyhigher abundance of 49 and 38 proteoforms and reduced abundance of 26 and 33proteoforms was detected for the CP and EMF treated experimental groups, respectively.Hierarchical clustering revealed 3 major protein expression groups: two of the groupsincluded majority of the proteoforms that had similarly increased or reduced abundanceafter the CP or EMF treatment.[...]Biochemijos katedraBotanikos sodasGamtos mokslų fakultetasLietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centro filialas Sodininkystės ir daržininkystės institutasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta