Effect of Magnesium and Cadmium Supplementation on Yields and Quality of Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

In a vegetation pot experiment with poppy, 'Opal' variety, we explored the effect of soil supplementations of magnesium (0.78 g Mg o pot^-1) and as foliar dressing (3 % solution) in the form of Mg(NO3)2 at a natural (0.14 mg Cd o kg^-1) and increased level (l mg Cd o kg^-1) of cadmium in the soil on the Chemical composition of the plants, seed yields, content of morphine in the straw and cadmium content in the seeds. The following six variants were used in the experiment: 1) N (control), 2) N + Mg(NOs)2 into the soil, 3) N + Mg(NO3)2 foliar dressing, 4) N (control) + Cd, 5) N + Mg(NO3)2 into the soil + Cd, 6) N + Mg(NO3)2 foliar dressing + Cd. The level of magnesium in plants in the DC 41 stage (stem elongation growth) increased in the magnesium-fertilised variants. The level of Cd in plants grown in soil with a natural Cd content increased in all the Mg-fertilised variants to 0.29-0.45 mg Cd o kg^-1 compared with 0.27 mg Cd o kg^-1 in the control variant. Of the plants grown in soil with the increased Cd content the highest Cd level was monitored in the control variant (1.29 mg Cd o kg^-1), while in the other variants the Cd level decreased after the application of magnesium to 0.51 and 0.69 mg Cd o kg^-1, respectively. In the DC 41 stage the dry matter weight of one plant ranged irregularly from 2.16 to 3.82 g and the highest value was achieved in the variant with a supplementation of cadmium and nitrate form of magnesium. Poppy seed yields were statistically insignificant in all variants and ranged between 2.28 and 2.74 g of seeds per plant. The content of morphine in straw (empty capsule + 15 cm of stem) ranged only between 0.92 and 1.05 %, and the effect of magnesium or cadmium was insignificant. At a natural level of Cd in the soil the differences in its content in seeds were not significant and ranged between 0.479 and 0.612 mg Cd o kg^-1. In variants where the soil was supplemented with Cd its content in the seeds increased significantly (1.413-2.176 mg Cd o kg^-1) compared with variants with a natural Cd content in the soil. When Mg was applied to soil with an increased Cd level we saw that the Cd level in seeds decreased significantly when compared both with the controls and to foliar application of magnesium. Applications of Mg increased its content in plants, stabilised yields and did not increase the Cd content in poppy seeds which increased only after goal-directed Cd supplementation in the soil.W wazonowym doświadczeniu wegetacyjnym z makiem odmiany 'Opal' badano oddziaływanie magnezu stosowanego doglebowo (0,78 g Mg - wazon^-1) lub dolistnie (roztwór 3 %) w formie Mg(NO3)2 w warunkach naturalnej (0,14 mg Cd o kg^-1) oraz zwiększonej (l mg Cd o kg^-1) zawartości kadmu w glebie na skład chemiczny roślin, plon nasion, zawartość morfiny w słomie oraz zawartość kadmu w nasionach. Doświadczenie obejmowało sześć następujących wariantów: 1) N (kontrola), 2) N + Mg(NO3)2 doglebowo, 3) N + Mg(NO3)2 dolistnie, 4) N (kontrola) + Cd, 5) N + Mg(NO3)2 doglebowo + Cd, 6) N + + Mg(NO3)2 dolistnie + Cd. Zawartość magnezu w roślinach w stadium DC 41 (wzrost wydłużeniowy łodygi) zwiększała się w wariantach nawożonych magnezem. Poziom Cd w roślinach rosnących na glebie z naturalną zawartością Cd wzrósł we wszystkich wariantach nawożonych magnezem do 0,29-0,45 mg Cd o kg^-1 w porównaniu z 0,27 mg Cd - kg^-1 w wariancie kontrolnym. Największą zawartość Cd w roślinach na glebie ze zwiększoną zawartością Cd stwierdzono w wariancie kontrolnym (1,29 mg Cd o kg^-1), podczas gdy w pozostałych wariantach poziom Cd zmniejszał się po zastosowaniu magnezu odpowiednio do 0,51 i 0,69 mg Cd o kg^-1. W stadium DC 41 plon suchej masy jednej rośliny wahał się nieregularnie od 2,16 do 3,82 g, a największą wartość osiągnął w wariancie z dodatkiem kadmu i azotanu(V) magnezu. Plony nasion maku we wszystkich wariantach wahały się od 2,28 do 2,74 g nasion z rośliny i nie różniły się znacząco statystycznie. Zawartość morfiny w słomie (puste główki + 15 cm łodygi) wahała się od 0,92 do 1,05 %, a wpływ magnezu lub kadmu był statystycznie nieistotny. Przy naturalnej zawartości Cd w glebie, zawartości Cd w nasionach wahały się od 0,479 do 0,612 mg Cd - kg^-1, a różnice były statystycznie nieistotne. W wariantach, w których do gleby dodano Cd, jego zawartość w nasionach zwiększała się znacznie (1,413-2,176 mg Cd o kg^-1) w porównaniu z wariantami z naturalną zawartością Cd w glebie. Gdy Mg dodano do gleby ze zwiększoną zawartością Cd, stwierdzono, że poziom Cd w nasionach znacznie obniżył się w porównaniu zarówno z obiektami kontrolnymi, jak i z dolistnym stosowaniem magnezu. Stosowanie Mg zwiększało jego zawartość w roślinach, ustabilizowało plony, a nie zwiększało zawartości Cd w nasionach maku, która wzrastała tylko po ściśle ukierunkowanym dodatku Cd do gleby

Effects of chemical thinning with Armothin® on fruit set, yield and quality of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cv. ‘Fortune’

The effects of the application of the chemical thinner Armothin® on fruit set, yield and quality of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cv. ‘Fortune’ were studied during two seasons in Central Chile (34.56°S, 71.5°W). Trees were sprayed with Armothin® at 0.5%, 1% and 2% concentrations. All thinning treatments reduced the fruit set and fruitlet number (fruitlets/50 cm of branch). Armothin® at 2% conc. was the most aggressive treatment, drastically reducing the fruit set from 85.9% and 82.9% of the control and crop load to unprofitable levels during both seasons. Chemical thinning treatments at the two lowest concentrations (0.5 and 1%) did not significantly alter the crop load compared with the unsprayed control during both study seasons. Thinning costs were reduced (Armothin® 0.5%, 25.0% and 21.5% of the control treatment and Armothin® 1%, 24.6% and 24.1% of the control, during the first and second season, respectively). In general, chemical thinning increased the fruit size and total soluble solids content (TSS). Taking into account the effects on thinning, crop load, fruit quality and thinning costs, Armothin® 1% and Armothin® 0.5% are the most advantageous treatments in the case of this study

Wpływ nawożenia dolistnego selenem i gotowania na jakość żywieniową ziemniaków

In accurate small-plot experiments with potatoes we explored the effect of foliar applications of Se in the form of sodium selenate (IV) on tuber yields, the Se concentration in the tops and tubers of raw and boiled potatoes and in French fries, in the 'Karin' and 'Ditta' varieties. The experiments were established in Źabčice near Brno in 3 variants: (1) control; (2) 200 g Se o ha^-1; (3) 400 g Se o ha^-1. The mean total yields of tubers per ha were the highest in the control variant (19.99 Mg o ha^-1) but applications of selenium reduced the yields statistically insignificantly (to 16.79 and 18.39 Mg o ha"1, respectively). The 'Ditta' yariety produced higher yields. The average content of Se increased with the applied dose as compared with the control and equals: in the tops 0.255; 0.739 and 0.767 mg o kg^-1 d.m., in raw tubers 0.214; 0.564 and 0.917 mg o kg^-1 d.m., in boiled tubers 0.200; 0.523 and 0.915 mg o kg^-1 d.m. and in French frics 0.223; 0.425 and 0.574 mg o kg^-1 d.m. The content of Se decreased more markedly in French fries by heat processing. On the basis of the achieved results foliar nutrition appears to be a suitable and economically reasonable measure towards a targeted increase in the content of Se in potato tubers from the viewpoint of the positive effects of Se on the human organism.W ścisłym doświadczeniu mikropoletkowym badano wpływ nawożenia dolistnego selenu w formie selenianu(IV) sodu na plony bulw ziemniaków odmian 'Karin' i 'Ditta', zawartość Se w łętach i bulwach ziemniaków surowych i gotowanych oraz we frytkach. Doświadczenia założono w Żab čicach koło Brna w 3 wariantach: (1) kontrola; (2) 200 g Se o ha^-1; (3) 400 g Se o ha^-1. Największe średnie plony bulw uzyskano w obiekcie kontrolnym (19,99 Mg o ha^-1), a stosowanie selenu zmniejszało statystycznie nieznacząco plony (odpowiednio o 16,79 i 1839 Mg o ha^-1). Odmiana 'Ditta' wytwarzała większe plony. Średnia zawartość Se zwiększała się wraz z zastosowaną dawką Se w porównaniu z obiektem kontrolnym i wynosiła w łętach 0,255; 0,739 i 0,767 mg o kg^-1 s.m., w bulwach surowych 0,214; 0,564 i 0,917 mg o kg^-1 s.m., w gotowanych bulwach 0,200; 0,523 i 0,915 mg o kg^-1 s.m. i we frytkach 0,223; 0,425 i 0,574 mg o kg^-1 s.m. Zawartość Se zmniejszała się wyraźniej we frytkach w wyniku obróbki termicznej. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników można stwierdzić, że nawożenie dolistne wydaje się być odpowiednim i ekonomicznie uzasadnionym sposobem w kierunku osiągnięcia większej zawartości Se w bulwach ziemniaków z punktu widzenia pozytywnego wpływu Se na organizm ludzki

Wpływ regulatora wzrostu na produktywność owsa zwyczajnego (Avena sativa L.)

The aim of the studies was to consider the use of one registered morphoregulator in the Slovak oats with practical recommendations for the selected (most commonly grown) varieties. Since plant producers are not very experienced in the application of the morphoregulator to some varieties, the most widely grown oat varieties were used in the experiment. The field trial was established in 2009, 2010 and 2011 at the CVRV – VURV (Research Institute for Plant Production) Piešany, the VŠS (Research Breeding Station) Vígľaš-Pstruša. The impact of the morphoregulator on reducing the stem and enhancing the number of productive tillers was confirmed in all the monitored varieties. Basing on the results of the trial, we do not recommend the application of CCC for ‘Auron’, ‘Atego’ and especially ‘Valentin’ varieties. For ‘Vendelin’ and ‘Zvolen’ varieties we recommend to consider the economic acceptability of morphoregulator applications. As economically acceptable we can recommend application of the morphoregulator only for the ‘Flamingstern’ variety.Celem badań było rozważenie stosowania jednego z zarejestrowanych regulatora wzrostu w uprawie owsa z praktycznymi zaleceniami dla wybranych, najczęściej uprawianych odmian w Słowacji. Ponieważ producenci nie mają dużego doświadczenia w stosowaniu regulatora wzrostu w uprawie niektórych odmian, w doświadczeniu uwzględniono najpowszechniej uprawiane odmiany owsa. Doświadczenia polowe zakładano w latach 2009, 2010 i 2011 w CVRV-VURV (Instytut Badawczy Uprawy Roślin) Piešany, VSS (Stacja Badawcza Hodowli) Vígľaš-Pstruša. Dla wszystkich monitorowanych odmianach został potwierdzony wpływ regulatora wzrostu na skrócenie źdźbeł i zwiększenie liczby pędów produkcyjnych. Na podstawie wyników badań nie zaleca się stosowania CCC w przypadku odmian ‘Auron’, ‘Atego’, a zwłaszcza ‘Valentin’. W przypadku odmian ‘Vendelín’ i ‘Zwolen’ zaleca się rozważenie efektywności ekonomicznej stosowania tego regulatora wzrostu. Tylko w przypadku odmiany ‘Flamingstern’ można zalecić stosowanie CCC jako ekonomicznie akceptowalne

USE OF BIO-ENZYMATIC PREPARATIONS FOR ENHANCEMENT BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Abstract VÍTĚZ, T., HAITL, M., KARAFIÁT, Z., MACH, P., FRYČ, J., LOŠÁK, T., SZOSTKOVÁ, M.: Use of bioenzymatic preparations for enhancement biogas production. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 3, pp. 203-208 Biogas is a renewable energy resource with high increasing developed in last few decades. It's big opportunity for stabilization rural areas, concretely agriculture sector. This technology can decentralize supply of energy. The number of operated biogas plants is rapidly increasing. Biogas plants require a high level of intensity and stableness of the process of anaerobic fermentation with biogas production for effi ciency treatment, also for good quality of development biogas and fertilization eff ect of the rest of fermentation. If this is not completed the operator has problem to keep the process in optimal condition for anaerobic fermentation. Researchers have tried diff erent techniques to enhance biogas production. In order to achieve the aforementioned state, it is essential to ensure increased activity of microorganisms that contribute to the anaerobic fermentation. The metabolic activity of microorganisms is preconditioned by availability of easily decomposable solids. Adding of bacterial and enzymatic cultures into a fermented substrate represents one of the possibilities. The enzymes contained in this preparation are responsible for better exposing methanogenic bacteria to the material. The tested bio-enzymatic preparation, APD BIO GAS, is a mixture that contains bacteria and enzymes which are essential for the effi cient progress of anaerobic fermentation. The reference biogas laboratory of the Mendel University in Brno was used for the purpose of testing of APD BIOGAS in mesophilic conditions of anaerobic fermentation on a substrate consisting of a mixture of maize silage and liquid manure. The producer of this preparation declare enhancement of quality and quantity of developed biogas, elimination of smell level of the rest of fermentation its higher homogenity. For the test were used lab scale fermenters of batch type with work volume 0.12 m 3 . An increase of biogas production by 15% was determined in connection with addition of the preparation, also with higher decrease of total solids and decrease of organic substance in total solids in the fermenter where were used this preparation. biogas production, anaerobic fermentation, enzymatic preparations Functionality of our society is currently dependent on exploiting of the limited amount of non-renewable resources of energy. The everincreasing energy demands force us to look for a replacement of the non-renewable resources of energy by other (renewable) resources. One of the available alternatives pertains to use of biomass within the process of anaerobic fermentation resulting in creation of biogas that may be further used for energy-related purposes. Anaerobic technologies off er an attractive manner of use of biomass resources for the purpose of partial satisfying of the energy needs of our society Anaerobic fermentation is a process typical for decomposition of organic matter without in an environment in which air is not present. It consists of four stages: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis. In the course of individual stages high-molecular substances such as fat, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, etc., are decomposed into low-molecular substances including their subsequent transformation into the acetic acid, carbon dioxide and hydrogen

Increasing of selenium content and qualitative parameters in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) after its foliar application

The presented paper deals with monitoring of the ways of selenium (Se) content increase by foliar biofortification with inorganic Se in two varieties of garden pea Pisum sativum L. (Premium, Ambassador) in the conditions of south Slovakia in 2014–2015. The results of experiments show that treatment of plants with two doses of Se concentration (50 g and 100 g Se ha–1 in the form of a sodium selenate anhydrous solution) at the flowering stage significantly increased the total Se content in the seeds of both varieties. Following the results by the consumption of 25 g of dried seeds of peas or 100 g of fresh pea seeds after the biofortification with 100 g Se ha–1 a recommended daily dose of Se in humans may be covered. The significantly positive influence of Se application on the total polyphenols content (TPC) has been confirmed in the both varieties after application of dosage in 100 g Se ha–1 (52% and 33%). A significant increase in the average value of total antioxidant capacity (TAC by DPPH method) in garden pea var. Ambassador was observed after the application of both doses of Se, in case of Premium variety only after application with a 100 g Se ha–1. Significantly increasing level of TAC by PCL (photochemiluminescence) method was found out only in case of var. Premium

Influence of combined nitrogen and sulphur fertilization on false flax (Camelina sativa [L.] Crtz.) yield and quality

The influence of joint applications of N and S on false flax (Camelina sativa L.) growing was studied in a pot experiment. Nitrogen was applied as NH4NO3 at rates of 0.6 (N1)–0.9 (N2)–1.2 (N3) g per pot. Sulphur was applied as (NH) 2SO4 to achieve levels of 35 ppm (S1) and 55 ppm (S2) S-SO4n 2. The number of branches per plant increased with the nitrogen doses (10.62–12.41–15.38). The N2 and N3 rates (4.91 g and 4.79 g, respectively) significantly increased the seed yields (g/plant) as compared to N1 weight (g) increased significantly only with the highest level of nitrogen N3 (18.23 and 1.17, respectively) compared to N1 (16.52 and 1.06, respectively). Increasing levels of nitrogen (N1–N2–N3) reduced the oil content of seeds (40.79–38.40–37.66%), but increased the protein content (23.93–25.63–28.19%). The level of sulphur S2 significantly stimulated only the oil content to 39.36% compared to 38.54% with S1. At the same time a negative correlation was discovered between the oil and protein content in the seeds (r= −0.8164). The applied doses of nitrogen N total oil yields (1.88–1.80 g/plant) as well as the total protein yields (1.25–1.35 g/plant) compared to N1 (1.53 and 0.90 g/plant, respectively)

Use of bio-enzymatic preparations for enhancement biogas production

Biogas is a renewable energy resource with high increasing developed in last few decades. It’s big opportunity for stabilization rural areas, concretely agriculture sector. This technology can decentralize supply of energy. The number of operated biogas plants is rapidly increasing. Biogas plants require a high level of intensity and stableness of the process of anaerobic fermentation with biogas production for efficiency treatment, also for good quality of development biogas and fertilization effect of the rest of fermentation. If this is not completed the operator has problem to keep the process in optimal condition for anaerobic fermentation. Researchers have tried different techniques to enhance biogas production. In order to achieve the aforementioned state, it is essential to ensure increased activity of microorganisms that contribute to the anaerobic fermentation. The metabolic activity of microorganisms is preconditioned by availability of easily decomposable solids. Adding of bacterial and enzymatic cultures into a fermented substrate represents one of the possibilities. The enzymes contained in this preparation are responsible for better exposing methanogenic bacteria to the material. The tested bio-enzymatic preparation, APD BIO GAS, is a mixture that contains bacteria and enzymes which are essential for the efficient progress of anaerobic fermentation. The reference biogas laboratory of the Mendel University in Brno was used for the purpose of testing of APD BIOGAS in mesophilic conditions of anaerobic fermentation on a substrate consisting of a mixture of maize silage and liquid manure. The producer of this preparation declare enhancement of quality and quantity of developed biogas, elimination of smell level of the rest of fermentation its higher homogenity. For the test were used lab scale fermenters of batch type with work volume 0.12 m3. An increase of biogas production by 15% was determined in connection with addition of the preparation, also with higher decrease of total solids and decrease of organic substance in total solids in the fermenter where were used this preparation