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Ecological, morphological and phylogenetic survey of Fomes fomentarius and F. inzengae (Agaricomycetes, Polyporaceae) co-occurring in the same geographic area in Central Europe
Get PDFThe phenomenon of cryptic species is widespread among various fungal lineages. Fomes inzengae (Ces. & De Not.) Cooke has been recently recognized as a South European kin of wood-decay basidiomycete F. fomentarius (L.) Fr. due to the problematic morphological identification of both species, their taxonomic status has been disputed. The aim of this research is to examine the distribution, host preferences, morphological characters, and phylogenetic relationships between F. fomentarius and F. inzengae in the South Moravian region in Czechia (Central Europe), where both species occur sympatrically. The results revealed the ecological preferences of Fomes spp. along an altitudinal gradient, while F. inzengae is a lowland taxon, F. fomentarius dominates at higher altitudes in forests with abundant Fagus sylvatica. The main contact zone of the two taxa is located in the upper-colline vegetation belt (elevation ca. 400-550 m a.s.l.). The morphological analysis revealed that the basidiospore size, the width of skeletal hyphae in basidiomes, and the linear density of pores of both taxa are almost identical and can not be used for the identification of the two species. Multigene sequence analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1 markers confirmed that F. fomentarius and F. inzengae are phylogenetically distinct species. The relationship of F. inzengae and F. fomentarius to Globifomes graveolens and Hexagonia spp. is discussed.OA-hybri
Influence of Rheum taxa and harvesting date on the content of L-ascorbic acid and oxalic acid in the climatic conditions of South Moravia (Czech Republic)
Get PDFRhubarb (Rheum L.) is a well-known medicinal and culinary plant. Apart from its rich nutritional value, rhubarb contains a higher concentration of oxalates. In this study, the content of L-ascorbic acid (AA) and oxalic acid (OA) within three rhubarb species (Rheum rhabarbarum, R. rhaponticum and R. palmatum x wittrockii) differentiated to 16 accessions in a gene bank rhubarb collection (Lednice, Czech Republic) in the condition of conventional production in the South Moravia region during the harvesting period was evaluated. While L-ascorbic acid is essential in human nutrition, oxalic acid is considered toxic, and high doses may cause serious health issues. AA and OA content, the morphology evaluation and ISSR (inter simple sequence repeats)-based genetic analysis were performed. The results of this study confirm the significant influence of taxonomy and harvesting time on the content of AA in Rheum accessions. The content of AA was determined from 6 mg . 100 g-1 to 10 g . 100 g-1 fresh weight (FW) at the beginning of the harvesting season (May) up to 25 mg . 100 g-1 FW at the end of the harvesting period. The content of OA strongly varied from 300 mg . 100 g-1 to 1800 mg . 100 g-1 FW. Regarding the antinutrient character of oxalate, the optimal harvest period of this region was estimated to be from May to early June, when the OA content was the lowest. The role of AA as a precursor of oxalate formation in rhubarb was not affirmed by the results of this study.O
Study on the antioxidant potential of Catharanthus species and its thermal stability in sunflower oil model system
Get PDFThe studies analyze the efficiency of Catharanthus alba and Catharanthus roseus cultivars as a natural antioxidant measuring antioxidant potential through two methods. In the first method, antioxidant activity was estimated through the sunflower oil model system in which the Peroxide value (PV) and Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) tests were performed. While in the second method, antioxidant activity estimation is done through the assay method in which 2, 2- Diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and ammonium thiocyanate method has been performed. The thermal stability of the leaves & flowers of Catharanthus alba and Catharanthus roseus were analyzed by mixing of powdered medicinal plant and sunflower oil. Further results indicate the higher antioxidant activity of flower Catharanthus alba as compared to flower Catharanthus roseus. Relatively among the leaves, Catharanthus roseus demonstrated slightly higher antioxidant potential than the leaves of Catharanthus alba. The antioxidant activity of Catharanthus alba (Flower)> Catharanthus roseus (Flower)> Catharanthus roseus (leaves)> Catharanthus alba (leaves) has been reported. The dehydrated powders of leaves and flowers of Catharanthus alba and Catharanthus roseus have shown good antioxidant activity at 0.5% level in sunflower oil while increase in concentration up to 1% and 1.5% does not show enhanced antioxidant activity in sunflower oil. The flowers and leaves of both cultivars of Catharanthus have shown good thermal stability when heated at 80 oC continuously for 24 h considering all the parameters with statistical significance of (p LESS-THAN OR EQUAL TO 0.001).O
Effect of Legumes Intercropped with Maize on Biomass Yield and Subsequent Biogas Production
Get PDFThe presented study deals with the use of legumes intercropped with maize for the production of biogas from silage. The main goal was to find out whether silages made from mixed cultures can be used in biogas production and how the use of such silages affects qualitative and quantitative parameters of the fermentation process compared with the pure maize silage. Variants prepared were pure cultures of maize, bean, lupin, and white sweet clover. In addition, mixed cultures were prepared of maize and individual legumes. Measured values showed that in terms of dry matter (DM) yield, mixed culture silages are almost of the same or even better quality than silage made from the maize monosubstrate. Compared with the maize monoculture silage, the presence of white lupine, white sweet clover, and broad bean in silages statistically significantly increased the content of DM, ash, and acid detergent fiber (by more than 5%). Bean and lupine in mixed silages with maize significantly increased the content of lipids (on average by more than 1.2%). Legumes in silages were significantly decreasing contents of neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, and starch. Production of biogas from silages of maize monosubstrates and mixed substrates of maize with white lupin, maize with white sweet clover, and maize with broad bean was directly proportional to the content of CAR and starch in these substrates. A perspective variant was the mixed substrate of maize and sweet clover from which biogas production was only 6% lower than that from conventional maize silage. The highest yield was recorded in the maize monosubstrate (0.923 m3/kgVS). Variants of mixed substrates had a yield ranging from 0.804 to 0.840 m3/kgVS.O
Economic and Financial Condition of Farms in Poland and Czechia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected the functioning of the entire economy. However, the strength of the impact was not uniform across sectors, with some affected more severely and others only slightly. Due to its importance, agribusiness is of particular interest. Therefore, the aim of the publication is to assess the economic and financial condition of farms in Poland and Czechia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study covered the 2017-2021 period. The economic and financial condition was established on the basis of the following volumes and values of indicators: total output, prices of products and inputs, export and import volumes, productivity, profitability and debt ratios. The study includes data from national statistics and the FADN agricultural accounting system and concerns two EU countries, mentioned above. Chain indices were used to show trends, while the financial analysis includes selected productivity, profitability, and debt ratios. Calculations were carried out for average values of farms and divided into economic size classes. The results indicate that the agricultural sector was not particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in terms of changes in output, which was mainly influenced by weather factors. What did change were the higher prices of agricultural raw materials and inputs (fertilizers, fuels, feed) in 2021. In Poland the growth dynamics of the prices of sold products surpassed that of inputs, in Czechia the proportions were reversed. This translated into the values of financial indicators. In general, they improved in Poland, while in Czechia 2021 turned out to be less favourable financially. Comparing different economic classes, in Poland the results for small farms were relatively good, in Czechia the larger entities fared better under the crisis conditions.O
The Effect of Mulch Materials on Selected Soil Properties, Yield and Grape Quality in Vineyards under Central European Conditions
Get PDFThe results of this study provide overall information on the verification of the effect of applying two different mulching materials of an organic origin to the soil surface in the area between rows of grape vines in vineyards on selected physical and chemical properties of the soil and, at the same time, on the yield and quality parameters of the grape vines (Vitis vinifera L.). During the period under study, 2018-2020, the effect of shredded cereal straw (CS) and compost from garden waste (CO) was investigated. The control variant (CWC) was left without any cover and was regularly cultivated with a coulter cultivator to a depth of 60 mm. During the experiments, meteorological data were monitored and recorded along with soil temperature and soil moisture for each variant. The results show that the lowest temperature was measured for the straw cover variant (11.10-11.87 oC), while the highest soil temperature was measured for compost (11.93-13.16 oC). Under the straw, the moisture level in the soil was higher compared to the other variants, and there was a gradual increase (of 3%) in soil bulk density values compared to the baseline. By contrast, the compost variant showed a decrease (of 1%) in bulk density values. The differences in nutrient content were slight among the variants. The only statistically significant difference was identified for the compost variant with respect to the content of total nitrogen and phosphorus. Further results demonstrated a positive effect of both mulch material variants on grape yield, which was 6-19% higher in the variants with a cover layer. In addition, the use of mulch also had a positive effect on grape quality. For example, the sugar content-one of the main quality parameters-increased by 1-7% due to the mulch layer. Based on these results, the use of mulching materials can be recommended for areas with low total rainfall during the growing season, as well as when growing varieties with irregular yields and uneven grape quality.O
Cableways in forestry
Get PDFThe publication Cableways in forestry discusses the basic technical solutions of cable transport installations, cables, chains and chokers. It also focuses on appropriate work procedures and work safety. At the end of the publication, the production program of the Czech cableways manufacturer Křtiny research station is mentioned. The publication is divided into seven chapters: Technical development of cable transport installations, Terminology, Classification of cable transport installations, Main parts of cable transport installations, Work technique at timber yarding by means of CTIs, Designing CTI and Cable transport installations of the Křtiny research station (Czech Republic). The publication is intended for the professional public and students of high schools and universities.Published Versio
Harvesters and forwarders in forestry
Get PDFThe publication Harvesters and forwarders in forestry discusses the basic technical solutions of harvesters and forwarders and their measuring and control system. It also focuses on appropriate work procedures and work safety. The publication is divided into five chapters: Short wood logging system as a starting point for the deployment of logging and hauling machines, Construction characteristics of contemporary logging and hauling machines, Control and measuring systems of logging and hauling machines, Planning of tree felling by logging and hauling machines and Felling and forwarding of timber by logging and hauling machines. The publication is intended for the professional public and students of high schools and universities.Published Versio
Research on the quality of teaching professional subjects in the fields of trade and services using didactic case studies
Get PDFPříspěvek je zaměřen na výzkum kvality výuky odborných předmětů obchodu a služeb gastronomického zaměření v České republice. V úvodu empirické studie jsou vymezeny možnosti kvalitativního výzkumu kvality výuky odborných předmětů oborů obchodu a služeb v oblasti gastronomie. Dále je prezentována původní didaktická kazuistika, která vznikla ve spolupráci s učitelkou tohoto oboru na střední odborné škole gastronomického zaměření v Jihomoravském kraji (Znojmo). Cílem kazuistiky je zhodnotit danou výukovou situaci dotčeného odborného předmětu z hlediska ukazatelů kvality výuky.The contribution is focused on researching the quality of teaching vocational subjects of trade and catering services in the Czech Republic. In the introduction of the empirical study, the possibilities of qualitative research into the quality of teaching professional subjects in trade and services in the field of gastronomy are defined. Furthermore, the original didactic case study is presented, which was created in cooperation with a teacher of this field at a secondary vocational school specializing in gastronomy in the South Moravian Region (Znojmo). The goal of the case study is to evaluate the given teaching situation of the concerned professional subject from the point of view of teaching quality indicators.O
Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula L.): Central Europe's keystone species 'hiding in plain sight'
Get PDFKnowledge of Eurasian aspen's (Populus tremula L.) ecological and growth characteristics is of high importance to plant and wildlife community ecology, and noncommercial forest ecosystem services. This research assessed these characteristics, identified aspen's habitat optimum, and examined causality of its current scarce distribution in central Europe. We analyzed a robust database of field measurements (4,656,130 stands) for forest management planning over 78,000 km2 of the Czech territory. Our analysis we used GIS techniques, with basic and multivariate statistics such as general linear models, ordination, and classification. Results describe a species of broad ecological amplitude that has heretofore attracted little research attention. Spatial analysis showed significant differences between aspen and other forest non-forest cover types. Additionally, we found significant association between the proportion of aspen in a stand, the size of forest property, and the forest category. The results demonstrate historic reasons for aspen's widespread presence, though contemporary occurrence is limited. This study advances the concept of a quantitatively based aspen ecological optimum (niche), which we believe may be beneficial for numerous aspen associates in the context of anticipated warming. Irrespective of local ecology (i.e., the realized aspen niche), the study confirms that profit-driven policy in forestry is chiefly responsible for historic aspen denudation in central Europe. Even so, we demonstrate that ample habitat is present. Further solutions for improving aspen resilience are provided to support these keystone systems so vital to myriad dependent flora and fauna. (C) 2024 Kusbach et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.O