Seasonal variation of antioxidant enzymatic responses in the desiccation-tolerant bryophyte Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw.) Web. & Mohr.

Bryophytes are poikilohydric organisms that can be used as model plants to study desiccation tolerance mechanisms. The main objective of this study was to examine the activities of the antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) in the rehydrated and desiccated states in Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw.) Web. & Mohr. from two slopes, one North-east (NE) and one South-west (SW) facing and collected in different seasons. Our results showed seasonal variation in the enzymatic activities of APX, CAT and POD between the slopes in both the rehydrated and desiccated states. The mean value of all the activities of APX, CAT and POD and MDA contents (a measure of lipid peroxidation) tended to be higher in moss cushions collected from the NE compared to the SW facing slopes except in summer season. The mean values of all enzymatic activities were higher in desiccated states as compared with rehydrated states. Protein content has lower values in summer and winter season. Differences in the antioxidant activities of the mosses growing on the two slopes may reflect adaptations to desiccation stress.

Investigation of the invasive plant infestation of the railway line between Gödöllő and Hatvan

Railway systems are considered as a special environment and they can play a key role in the spread of the invasive plant species. In Hungary, there was no survey that specifically examined the importance of these linear facilities before. Our survey aims to examine the condition of the Gödöllo-Hatvan railroad line in terms of the levels of invasive plant-infection and what can be the role of the railway itself in it. The data were collected manually by walking along the entire examined railway track section, where the invasive species were recorded within the 10 meter range of the outer axis of the open railway track. The latter was divided into 30 one-kilometer long sections and 120 two hundred and fifty meters long subsections. The exact position of each invasive species was recorded in these (sub)sections. The surveyed area was very diverse in habitat types. In the present study, the spatial distribution of the most common species is also presented in the studied trajectory section, highlighting the most infected areas. Contrary to our preliminary idea, the latter did not always occur in the immediate vicinity of the settlements. The survey did not demonstrate that this railway line promotes the spread of all occurring invasive species probably due to the very diverse habitats but for a general conclusion the study should be extended both in space and time.

Different organic mulch materials affect the abundance of enchytraeids in an open-field experiment

Organic mulch may provide favourable soil conditions e.g. soil moisture or organic matter content, which may enhance the number of enchytraeids. However, there is no sufficient information about the relationship between plant-based mulch and this beneficial soil animal group. Therefore, an open-field experiment was conducted with tomato as a test plant to examine the effect of different types of organic mulch materials on the natural occurence of enchytraeids. Our study microplots received the following treatments: 1) yard-waste compost, 2) walnut leaf litter, 3) mixed leaf litter without walnut and 4) wheat straw. Control microplots were left unmulched. Randomized block design was used with eight replications to the treatments and four to the control. At the end of the growing season, three soil samples were taken from the root zone of each plant with a split soil corer, and enchytraeids were extracted by the wet funnel method. Living enchytraeids were counted under a dissecting microscope, and their density values were estimated. Worms were identified in five randomly selected samples of each treatment. In addition, soil moisture was determined by oven-drying as well. Mulch material types had significantly different effects on both Enchytraeid density and soil moisture. Under walnut leaf litter, mixed leaf litter and straw cover, higher numbers of individuals were found. In the case of soil moisture content, straw mulching had the highest value, while compost and uncovered surfaces the lowest. It appears that mulch materials serve as food source and provide favourable conditions for enchytraeid communities as well.

Vegetative growth of apricot (P. armeniaca L.) cultivars and rootstocks

The continuous innovation in point of apricot cultivars and rootstocks requires comparative trials, which can be evaluated by precise measurements. An experiment is established, initiated from the recent trends. 15 scion cultivars were budded on 6 different rootstock cultivars. Apricot seedling, Montclar, Myrobalan 29C, Wavit, Rootpack R and Fehér besztercei were used as rootstock. Scions included traditional Hungarian cultivars (Gönci Magyar kajszi, Ceglédi óriás, Ceglédi szilárd, Pannónia), naturalized cultivars (Bergeron, Roxana) and modern cultivars too (Goldrich, Tardif de Valence, LadyCot, FlavorCot, PinkCot, Spring Blush). The experiment was settled at spring of 2018, with 3⇥5 m spacing. Sprouting was 98%, the deficiency was originated only from fawn damage. The main effect of the different rootstocks can be observed in the growth habit of scions, meanwhile the scion cultivar also has a moderate impact.