Influence of Nostoc entophytum and Tetracystis sp. on Winter Survival of Rapeseed

Bioassay results proved that several microalgae strains of the Mosonmagyaróvár Algal Culture Collection (MACC) enhanced plant growth, due to their hormone content and other secondary metabolites. The aim of the current research was to improve autumn growth and winter survival of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) by treatment with two microalgae strains selected by bioassay results. Experimental plots were set up in Mosonmagyaróvár in 2010 and 2013. Winter rapeseed hybrid (B. napus L. cv. Orlando) plants were treated in 4-6 leaves stage with 0.3 g/L and 1 g/L suspensions of MACC-612 Nostoc entophytum Bornet & Flahault and MACC-430 Tetracystis sp. in middle of October. After the treatments, the following parameters were recorded: chlorophyll-a and b, carotenoid, dry matter content of leaves, average amount of autumn foliage, diameter of root collar, length of shoot tips, fresh and dry weight of root, and number of plants in autumn and spring. Both microalgae treatments significantly increased pigment concentration and dry matter content of leaves, number of fully grown leaves (13%-46%) and dry root weight (16%-36%). Treatments with 0.3 g/L and 1 g/L MACC-612 suspensions increased the length of shoot apices by 14%-18% and 25%-35%, respectively. Number of overwintered control plants decreased significantly in both years (31%), but there was no decrease in parcels treated with 1 g/L of MACC-612 and MACC-430. Microalgae treatments could increase plant growth and survival, which contributed to the significant increase of thousand seed weight (18%-25%) and total yield (by 10%-24%).

GIS based generation of dynamic hydrological and land patch simulation models for rural watershed areas

This paper introduces a GIS based methodology to generate dynamic process model for the simulation based analysis of a sensitive rural watershed.The Direct Computer Mapping(DCM)based solution starts from GIS layers and,via the graph interpretation and graphical edition of the process network,the expert interface is able to integrate the field experts’knowledge in the computer aided generation of the simulation model.The methodology was applied and tested for the Southern catchment basin of Lake Balaton,Hungary.In the simplified hydrological model the GIS description of nine watercourses,121 water sections,57 small lakes and 20 Lake Balaton compartments were mapped through the expert interface to the dynamic databases of the DCM model.The hydrological model involved precipitation,evaporation,transpiration,runoff,infiltration.The COoRdination of INformation on the Environment(CORINE)land cover based simplified‘‘land patch”model considered the effect of meteorological and hydrological scenarios on freshwater resources in the land patches,rivers and lakes.The first results show that the applied model generation methodology helps to build complex models,which,after validation can support the analysis of various land use,with the consideration of environmental aspects.

Dynamic simulation based method for the reduction of complexity in design and control of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

In this work we introduce the“Extensible Fish-tank Volume Model”that can reduce the complexity in the design and control of the Recirculating Aquaculture Systems.In the developed model we adjust the volume of a single fish-tank to the prescribed values of stocking density,by controlling the necessary volume in each time step.Having developed an advantageous feeding,water exchange and oxygen supply strategy,as well as considering a compromise scheduling for the fingerling input and product fish output,we divide the volume vs.time function into equidistant parts and calculate the average volumes for these parts.Comparing these average values with the volumes of available tanks,we can plan the appropriate grades.The elaborated method is a good example for a case,where computational modeling is used to simulate a‘‘fictitious process model”that cannot be feasibly realized in the practice,but can simplify and accelerate the design and planning of real world processes by reducing the complexity.

Novel, X-ray supported kinetic imaging of hidden-lifestyle arthropods

Dear Editor,There are several arthropods,which live and develop covertly in plant tissues.The plant tissues surrounding them provide them with shelter during their vulnerable developing stage or ensure overwintering as well as they can supply them with essential food for their ontogenetic development(McNaughton,1983).