Disinfection of kernels and its influence on the growth and photosynthesis of maize seedlings

P?i pěstování rostlin kuku?ice ve sterilních kulturách je t?eba obilky desinfi-kovat, aby se zniěily zárodky mikroorganism?. To sni?uje jejich klí?ivost, zpozdí r?st a tvorbu chlorofylu během prvních několika týdn? vyvoje klí?ních rost-linek. Nejde o specfflcké inhibice, nýbr? o vývojové opo?dění neprojevující se ani v poměru dlou?ivého r?stu a hromadění su?iny. Opo?dění je nejvě t?í p?i po-u?ití roztoku sublimáta nebo ethanolu. Vhodněj?í je desinfekce roztokem chlor-aminu. Změny vyvolané t?íhodinovým namá?ením jsou vyrovnány během cca 3 tydn?, bězně u?ívaná sedmihodinová desinfekce vyvolává kromě silného sní-zeni klí?ivosti (témě? ? 50 %) déle trvající, av?ak nezásadní změny. Chloramin neovlivnil tvorbu pohlavních organ?, intensità fotosynthesy byla úměrná mno?ství chlorofylu. Desinfekce chloraminem lze tedy u?ít, ani? by se rostliny podstatně li?ily od těch, které byly vypěstovány ze suchých obilek.     

Suitable indicators and an altered empirical equation for calculating the CO2 concentration in colorimetric determinations of photosynthetic rate

Cresol red was found to be the most suitable of the six colour pH indicators tested for the colorimetry of CO₂ concentration within the range of 100 to 2000 p.p.m. In the region near pH 8-2 (corresponding approximately to 300 p.p.m. CO₂)this indicator is most suitablein view of its low unit concentration, although somewhat greater differences in absorbancy can be found on changing pH by one unit if an approximately six-fold higher concentration of thymol blue is used. For higher concentrations of CO₂ (pH below 7-5) phenol red is most appropriate. Tropaeolin 000 and aurin (rosolic acid) are not suitable. It is more convenient in spectrophotometry and colorimetry using filters with narrow spectral ranges to apply any of the above indicators in the green-yellow-orange spectral region rather than in blue radiation. When the air to be measured is bubbled through a bicarbonate solution, an equilibrium between the CO₂ concentration in the air and pH value is established in less than 10 min for differences in CO₂ concentration from 100 to 400 p.p.m. Partial pressure of CO₂ and the experimentally established pH value are related by the altered equation: pH =α- 0-934 log P. The values of α at different temperatures were determined.     

Reproductive effort in Daphnia galeata: comparison of reservoir and pond populations

Populations of Daphnia galeata from the deep stratified moderately eutrophic reservoir and the shallow highly eutrophic carp ponds differed in the reproductive effort of the first laboratory generation cultivated at a rich algal diet. The reservoir animals were smaller at the first adult instar and exhibited longer time between hatching of one brood and forming the eggs of the next one.     

E.S.R. study of alkaline,oxidative degradation of saccharides. Identification of 2,5-dihydroxy-p-benzosemiquinone

The formation of radical intermediates during alkaline, oxidative degradation of saccharides and α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds has been studied by e.s.r. spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculation and experiments in alkaline D₂O solution showed that the dominant component of the overall spectrum corresponds to 2,5-dihydro-p-benzosemiquinone. Formation of this radical was also observed in the alkaline-degradation products of cellulose, starch, and (4-O-methylglucurono)xylan in the presence of air.