bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Torah and Apocalypticism
Authors: Collins John J.
Published: September 2017

The earliest apocalypses, in the books of Enoch and Daniel, appeal to a source of revelation that is independent of the Mosaic Torah. The sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls, however, combine a fundamental emphasis on the Torah with a claim of higher revelation, which guides the proper interpretation of the Torah. Similarly the apocalypses of the late first century CE, 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch, revere the Torah, but supplement it with apocalyptic visions.
The Law in the Diaspora
Authors: Collins John J.
Published: September 2017

Much of the literature of the Greek-speaking Diaspora summarizes the Law in terms of its ethical teaching, emphasizing monotheism and sexual matters and passing over ritual requirements or interpreting them allegorically. Such practices as Sabbath observance and circumcision were widely observed, but the Law was not reducible to a code of rules. The Law of Moses does not appear to have served as the legal basis for Jewish communities. Both the possibility and the difficulty of conversion to Judaism are illustrated in the story of Joseph and Aseneth
Transporting Knowledge in the Durrani Empire
Authors: Ziad Waleed
Published: September 2017

Until the upheavals caused by the Soviet invasion, the leaders of the Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi Sufi order formed Afghanistan’s religious establishment. How this came about, however, has never been previously ascertained. This chapter examines how Muslim religious knowledge was first transmitted to Afghanistan from India through the lens of Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi Sufi manuals composed in Kabul and Peshawar at the turn of the nineteenth century. The chapter argues that these texts represent a new “handbook” genre, merging mystical theology and praxis. Before the advent of a regional print culture, they served as easily replicable tools enabling the efficient transfer of complex knowledge systems in the form of a regularized curriculum to diverse cultural environments beyond the Afghan Durrani Empire. Drawing from the field of readership studies, the chapter shows how these texts helped foster a uniform yet flexible cosmological and methodological system, which facilitated the exchange of human capital and texts across a vast territory, and absorbed a host of localized practices and institutions.
Islam, Shari‘a, and State Building under ‘Abd al-Rahman Khan
Authors: Tarzi Amin
Published: September 2017

The modern state of Afghanistan came into being in the last two decades of the nineteenth century as a buffer between the British and Russian empires in Asia. While the concept of maintenance of a buffer-state was part of the British policy to protect India, the Afghan ruler ‘Abd al-Rahman Khan was not an inactive pawn in the imperial strategies. This chapter reviews the Afghan amir’s state-building efforts and his imposition of governance into hitherto independent or semi-independent tribal territories. He centralized his authority through a process justified by Islamization, namely by the dispensation of Islamic justice. The chapter briefly touches on the effects of the amir’s policies on various segments of the Afghan population such as religious minorities and women as well as on customary laws prevalent in the country.
Female Sainthood between Politics and Legend
Authors: Baldauf Ingeborg
Published: September 2017

In the spring of 1996 a young girl from the Uzbek-majority city of Shibirghan was killed in mysterious circumstances. Strange phenomena soon started to occur next to Bibi Nushin’s burial place, suggesting that the deceased was of exceptional spiritual rank. Within a few weeks her burial place had been turned into a major pilgrimage site, attracting the sick, needy, deprived and persecuted from near and far. From 1996 to 2006, Shibirghan therefore witnessed a phenomenon that many local people interpreted as the emergence of a new Muslim saint for troubled times. However, at the same time, the spiritual rank of Bibi Nushin was heavily contested for political as well as religious reasons, not least through the influence of local warlords and strongmen. This chapter examines these developments in relation to regional varieties of Islam and women’s religiosity in the brutal contexts of a warlord society.
Afterword
Authors: Monsutti Alessandro
Published: September 2017

Building on the case of the Hazaras, this afterword addresses some transversal themes to the whole edited volume. Articulated around the evocation of past injustices and protests against exploitation, Shiism has been the main language of political mobilization among the Hazaras in the last decades. It has been both a tool of resistance against central power in Kabul and of domination within Hazarajat. This process is only one example showing how multiple has been Islam across time and space. Sufism, state-sponsored Shari‘a courts, transnational circulation of knowledge and networks of activists, women’s religiosity are all facets of how Islam has been experienced in Afghanistan. Islam has been a mean to legitimize central power but also a vector of rebellion; it may have been a unifying factor but has also been used to create boundaries between groups.
Introduction
Authors: Bialecki Jon
Published: September 2017

What are miracles as social phenomena, and what lessons do they have for anthropology? This chapter starts the inquiry into these questions by introducing both the Vineyard, and the wider Pentecostal-Charismatic tradition is sprang from. This chapter also frames the miracle as a response to a problem of divine withdrawal and absence. It also introduces the notion that the miracle as effectuating in both individuals and institutions, and that the plasticity exhibited by the miracle can be a tool for thinking through Christian variation without falling into the trap of an anthropological nominalism.
A Diagram for Fire
Authors: Bialecki Jon
Published: September 2017

This chapter suggests that the object best suited to be thought of as organizing the Vineyard, and also of maintaining its internal diversity, is the diagrammatic logic of Gilles Deleuze. It goes on to suggest that the miracle can be diagrammatically understood as a specific arrangement of signs and forces that can be instantiated in different ways, and thus work to different effects. After visiting some of the implications for anthropological implications of assemblage theory and ontology, it closes by revisiting the discussion of worship presented in chapter one, and showing how in can be framed as being an actualization of the Vineyard’s diagrammatic miracles.
Conclusion
Authors: Bialecki Jon
Published: September 2017

After recapitulating the arguments of the book, the conclusion asks what in what way this book’s claims might be salient for a larger anthropological discussion of religion? It argues that religion’s unfixed and open nature, the very traits that have caused some to question whether religion is an intelligible comparative category, is actually what informs religion as a meaningful category. It argues that the absent nature of the more than human beings and forces that stand at religion’s heart allows it to take up a plurality of different forms of materiality, and that this wealth of different materialities allows religion to operate in effect as a fly-wheel for other social-cultural processes and assemblages, accelerating, decelerating, or mutating other processes to an unmatched degree.
Effect of Cutting Size and Basal Heat on Rooting of Micromeria fruticulosa Stem Cuttings
Authors: SABATINO Leo , D'ANNA Fabio , IAPICHINO Giovanni
Published: September 2017

Micromeria fruticulosa (Bertol.) Grande is a small pulviniform shrub, belonging to the Labiates, and characterized by twisted stems and pink-purple flowers. Endemic to Campania and Sicily (Italy), M. fruticulosa grows from sea level to 600 m altitude. This specie might be considered an excellent native plant for landscape purposes in Mediterranean areas because of its long flowering period, extending from November to June, and its tolerance to heat and drought. The exploitation of wild plants for ornamental purposes implies knowledge on the factors influencing the propagation methods. Root development of stem cuttings of M. fruticulosa was investigated in relation to basal heat and cutting size. Softwood terminal cuttings of a clone grown in Sicily were trimmed to two sizes: short (3 cm) or long (6 cm) length. Propagation was performed in unheated greenhouse covered with clear polyethylene and external 70% shade-cloth. To verify the rooting response to basal heat, half of the cuttings were placed on a basal heated bench (22 ± 2 °C constant temperature) while the remaining were placed on an unheated bench. Acclimatized rooted cuttings were thereafter transplanted into each plastic pot (diameter 16 cm). Plants were thereafter transplanted in the open field and were evaluated for their ornamental value. Basal heat promoted earlier rooting and positively affected adventitious root formation. Six cm long cuttings exposed to basal heat exhibited the best development in terms of number and length of adventitious roots. Flowering plants derived from 6 cm long cuttings exposed to basal heat showed the highest number of flowering branches and flowers per plant.
Were Juan Gerson the Illustrator and Gaspar de Torres the Author of the Voynich Codex?
Authors: JANICK Jules , TUCKER Arthur O.
Published: September 2017

The bizarre Voynich Codex, discovered in 1912 in Italy by the Polish book dealer Wilfrid Voynich (1864-1930), is written in a coded language with has eluded decipherment despite repeated attempts by world renowned cryptologists. Plant, animal, and mineral identifications as well as iconographic evidence indicate that the Voynich Codex is a 16th century work of New Spain. A typographical ligature based on the initials “JGT” in the first botanical image (folio 1v) suggests that artist was Juan Gerson, Tlacuilo, indigenous painter known for the apocalypse paintings in the monastery Asuncion de Nuestra Senora of Tecamachalco. The name “Gasp. Torres” also embedded in the first botanical image suggests that the author could be Gaspar de Torres, medical doctor, estate lawyer, master of students at the College of Santa Cruz in Tlatelolco from 1568-1572, and Governor of Cuba in 1580. Iconographic similarities between the paintings of Juan Gerson and the Voynich Codex, along with a biography of Gaspar de Torres provide additional support for this conjecture.
Ampelographic and Genetic Characterization of Grapevine Varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) of the ‘Mavroudia’ Group Cultivated in Greece
Authors: STAVRAKAKI Maritina , BINIARI Katerina
Published: September 2017

Twenty-one grapevine varieties grown all over Greece and belonging to ‘Mavroudia’ group were ampelographically described and genotyped by AFLP molecular analysis in order to discriminate the varieties, synonyms, homonyms and variations of the group. In most cases, the molecular findings confirmed the results of the ampelographic description. In general, and despite the high degree of genetic similarity between certain pairs of the studied cultivars, the group of ‘Mavroudia’ was characterized as being heterogeneous. From the studied cultivars, ‘Kountoura mavri’, ‘Mavro Spetson’ and ‘Pappoudes’ showed very high degree of genetic similarity, sustaining the hypothesis that the last two are clones of the first. Grapevine cultivar ‘Pappoudes’ was for the first time ampelographically described and identified as being closely related to ‘Kountoura mavri’. High degree of genetic similarity was observed between cultivars ‘Gaidouricha’ and ‘Agiomavritiko’, suggesting that they probably originated from the same parent variety through the accumulation of mutations. This may also be true for cultivars ‘Mavrokorakas’ and ‘Kartsiotis’. Also, the results from the statistical analysis showed that ‘Mavro Arachovis’, ‘Mavroudi Voulgarias’ and ‘Voulgaroudes’, despite the relatively high genetic similarity between them, are different. The same applies for the rest of the cultivars studied, while ‘Mavro Kalavriton’, the most widespread variety of the ‘Mavroudia’ group, showed the lowest degree of genetic similarity within the all the cultivars studied. The ampelographic description in combination with the molecular method AFLP are effective for the study of the between and within genetic diversity of grapevine cultivars as well as for their identification and discrimination.
Methods for Quantification of the Decline Phenomenon and Determination of the Vulnerability Degree for the Oak Stands in Northwestern Transylvania, Romania
Authors: ŞIMONCA Vasile , OROIAN Ioan , CHIRA Dănuț , TĂUT Ioan
Published: September 2017

The decline phenomenon of stands can be defined as the totality of effects that damage the normal vegetation state of trees and stands. There are two types of decline, the acute one, with fast development, and the chronical one, with slow development in space and time. The accurate capture of the phenomenon has direct implications for the forest management measures. A first step in this direction is the analysis of the development type and of its dynamics. Forests which have Quercus species in composition are affected more by this phenomenon. There were identified oak stands presenting decline phenomenon in 9 Forest Districts in Northwestern Transylvania and 22 experimental plots were analyzed. These plots were located in middle aged stands that were affected in different ways. The study was performed during 2013-2015 and focused on crown level assessments of trees, taking into consideration the shape and size, defoliations, percentage of dead or missing slender branches, number of dead thick branches, presence of epicormic branches or dormant buds on the stem, presence of pathogens or pests. These elements were used for calculating some technical indicators of the health and vegetation state: degree of dieback, damage and devitalization, synthetic index damage, annual mortality rate. In 7 out of 22 stands, the overcoming of the incipient stage and beginning of active dieback stage was observed. The strongest correlation occurred between the annual mortality rate and the synthetic index damage.
Evaluation of Alternative Substrates and Fertilizer Regimes for the Nursery Cultivation of Phyllostachys pubescens (Carrière) J. Houz.
Authors: LARCHER Federica , BATTISTI Luca , GAINO Walter , DEVECCHI Marco
Published: September 2017

The economic importance of the bamboo cultivation in Asia is well known, but the recent rise of interest in Europe required more deep studies on growing techniques. Among the bamboo species, the Phyllostachys pubescens (Carrière) J. Houz. is appreciated for its multiple uses: landscaping, timber and shoots production. In order to identify the best and sustainable combination of substrates and fertilization regimes, a nursery experimental trial was performed in 2016. Eight treatments (four substrates and two fertilization regimes) with 256 young plantlets divided into four randomized blocks were evaluated. The substrates used were: 40% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% pumice (standard substrate, S1); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 10% rice husk, 20% pumice (S2); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% rice husk, 10% pumice (S3); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% wood fibers, 10% pumice (S4). The two fertilization regimes were: 1.6 g l-1 (A) and 0.8 g l-1 (B) NPK (16-11-10) Osmocote Exact®. All substrates were supplemented with a fungal inoculum (2.5 g l-1) and corrected with 2.5 × 10-3 g l-1 of CaCO3. The number of culms and leaves and the SPAD values of six plants of each blocks were monthly measured. Fresh and dry weights, before and after cultivation was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed. Results showed that rice husk should be used only in low percentage, but wood fiber can be more suitable for bamboo cultivation. The combination of alternative materials and low fertilization regimes (S1_B and S4_B) should be the key for a more sustainable cultivation for potted Phyllostachys pubescens in Europe.
Producing Plant Material at Intermediate Grafted Apple
Authors: BARASCU Radu , HOZA Dorel , BADULESCU Liliana Aurelia
Published: September 2017

Tree precocity represents an important characteristic that shortens the youth of the tree and influences the cost of maintenance of the orchard during the first years of production. Low vigour rootstocks ensure precocity but do not always ensure a good ramification and are more demanding in terms of culture conditions. Testing the way apple tree behaves using seven varieties (ʽPinova’, ʽSirius’, ʽMutsu’, ʽGoldRush’, ʽMars’, ʽKarneval’ and ʽTopaz’) grafted in eight combinations out of which four with an intermediary stock showed different reactions determined by the rootstock and by the intermediary itself regarding tree height, capacity to form branches of fruit and fruit buds. Tree height was influenced by the vigour of the rootstock; the largest trees were produced using the rootstock ʽMM106’ while the ʽB9’ used as interstem greatly reduced the vigour of the trees grafted on ʽA2’ and ʽMM111’. The ramification capacity depended on the grafting combination; the number of formed branches per tree had values between 0-13.4 depending on the rootstock, the interstem ʽB9’ having a positive influence on the result. The number of fruit buds formed in the plant nursery without any interventions on the trees was greatly influenced by the grafting interstem, the growth being of over 50% for all tested combinations. Thus the use of interstems represents an alternative to produce trees with fruit branches in plant nurseries.
Assessment of Combining Ability Effects for several Yield and Quality Traits in a Complete Diallel Cross of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)
Authors: CIULCA Sorin , CARP Natalia , MADOŞA Emilian , CIULCA Adriana , ŞUMĂLAN Radu
Published: September 2017

Information on the inheritance of yield and quality traits is important for the selection of parents and breeding approaches to be adopted for the improvement of strawberry. The present study aimed to estimate the combining ability and gene effects for plant yield, fruits number/plant, fruit weight, pulp firmness and sugar content of strawberries in order to identify the best genitors and promising crosses, in 30 hybrids of six parents. The additive and non-additive gene action as well as the maternal effects was involved in the inheritance of the studied traits. For all traits, especially for fruit weight and plant yield, the additive gene action was more important than the non-additive one. The parents ‘A1’ and ‘Alba’ showed a higher concentration of favourable alleles for plant yield and fruits number, and they will allow the increase of plant yield when used as a donor of pollen and the increase of fruit number when used as a recipient of pollen. The variety ‘Marmolada’ was a good general combiner for sugar content, pulp firmness and fruit weight, especially when used as a female genitor. These parents could be used in hybridization in order to accelerate the genetic improvement of some yield and quality traits in strawberries. The cross ‘Mira’ × ‘Onda’ expressed desirable specific combining ability effects for yield traits and can be successfully use in strawberries breeding programs. In the case of ‘Alba’ × ‘Clery’ there is a high probability to select progenies with valuable yield traits associated with sweet fruits.
AFLP Molecular Identification and Genetic Relationship of Chinese and Japanese Pear Cultivars Grown in Middle European Conditions
Authors: WOLF Jan , BARÁNKOVÁ Kateřina , NEČAS Tomáš
Published: September 2017

In this study, 30 genotypes of genus Pyrus (five European cultivars, 16 Asian cultivars, three rootstocks, four interspecific hybrids, one landrace cultivar from Czech Republic (‘Krvavka’), Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge. and one intergeneric hybrid (Cydomalus)) were tested using AFLP markers. Twelve primer combinations generated a number of 1251 fragments of which 1064 were polymorphic with an average polymorphism of 85.3%. The dendrogram, created by using the UPGMA method, revealed a distinct genetic relationship between European and Asian pear groups. The intergeneric hybrid Cydomalus was separated in the cluster tree from both groups. The level of similarity coefficient between European and Asian pears was 0.75. Despite the fact that Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge was clustered in the European pear group, the average similarity coefficient between the European pear group and Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge (0.7704) was comparable to the similarity coefficient between the Asian pear group and Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge (0.768). Thus, the botanic species Pyrus betulaefolia Bunge can likely be considered as an intermediate genotype between European and Asian pears. The cultivar ‘Talgarskaja Krasavica’ (chance seedling of ‘Forest Beauty’), which pomologically belongs to the European pear group was clustered together with the interspecific hybrid ‘Wu Jiu Xinag’ (‘Ya Li’ × ‘Bartlett’) which on the other hand belongs to the Asian pear group. Thus, due to its position in the dendrogram the cultivar ‘Talgarskaja Krasavica’ could be considered as an interspecific hybrid.
Impact of Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Primocane Tipping on Fruit Yield and Quality
Authors: ZORENC Zala , VEBERIC Robert , KORON Darinka , MIKULIC-PETKOVSEK Maja
Published: September 2017

High temperature stress, which has been occurring more often in recent years, usually coincides with the flowering of primocane raspberries and causes a negative effect on fruit quality parameters. One of the methods of delaying raspberry flowering and fruit development to avoid high summer temperatures is tipping the young primocanes. The aim of the study was to investigate how this practice affects the fruit characteristics and primary and secondary metabolites of two primocane raspberry cultivars (‘Amira’ and ‘Polka’). For this purpose, we performed primocane tipping on two different dates in late spring and analyzed the berries from three subsequent sampling dates. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analyses were used for the identification and quantification of individual phenolic compounds and HPLC analyses for individual sugars and organic acids. Primocane tipping had great influence on the beginning of the harvest season of both cultivars. The impact on fruit yield was insignificant. Sampling date had a greater influence on fruit metabolite contents than did different treatments, with cultivar ‘Polka’ showing a greater response to primocane tipping than cultivar 'Amira'. Based on primary and secondary metabolites, it is difficult to say which treatment provided the best results, since dissimilar patterns were shown at different sampling dates and between cultivars. With negligible differences in fruit quality, primocane tipping was shown to be a good cultivation practice for delaying the production season of raspberries.
Evaluation of Pollen Quality and Self-Fertility in Selected Cultivars of Asian and European Pears
Authors: BIENIASZ Monika , NECAS Tomas , DZIEDZIC Ewa , ONDRASEK Ivo , PAWŁOWSKA Bożena
Published: September 2017

Asian pears have become increasingly popular in the European market, but their cultivation history in Europe is rather short. Pear is a demanding species in terms of pollen – donor cultivar. The self-fertility phenomenon in Asian pear cultivars is not currently known. The study was conducted in a 6-year pear orchard (of 23 Asian and 5 European cultivars) at the Mendel University in Lednice (Czech Republic). The following traits were assessed: number of pollen grains, pollen viability, pollen grain germination, self-fertility and the pollen germination index (PGI). European cultivar – ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ and Asian cultivars – ‘Zao Su Li’, and ‘Shinko’ were characterized by the highest number of pollen grains (over 50,000 grains). Asian cultivar ‘Dangshansu Li’ had the lowest number of pollen grains (less than 10,000 grains). The pollen viability of Asian pears ranged between 90 and 100%. Among European pears, ‘Williams Bon Chrétien’ and ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ exhibited the highest pollen viability (90%), while the lowest viability was observed for the pollen of cultivars ‘Beurré Bosc’ and ‘Alexander Lucas’ pear (60-70%). Additionally, it was found that the germination capacity of the latter two cultivars was very weak (40-70%). After open– pollination all investigated cultivars exhibited greater pollen germination index (PGI) comparing to self-pollination. After the cross-pollination the percentage of pollen tubes below the 20% value at half the length of the pistil suggested a strong incompatibility between the crossed cultivars. The results clearly showed that none of the Asian cultivars are self-fertile, and they require a pollen – donor to produce fruits.
Phenolic Compounds Content in Merlot Wines Obtained through Different Thermomaceration Techniques
Authors: NICULAUA Marius , TUDOSE-SANDU-VILLE Ştefan , COTEA Valeriu V. , LUCHIAN Camelia E. , TUDOSE-SANDU-VILLE Ovidiu-Florin
Published: September 2017

This paper’s objectives were to determine the anthocyanic extraction level and their distribution by correlating the total phenolic content with different thermic maceration techniques applied to ‘Merlot’ grapes. In this study, three maceration processes were employed: thermoflash maceration (thermobaric), thermomaceration, and also classical maceration-fermentation, in order to compare the extraction degree of anthocyans from red grape skins into wine. In order to determine the sample’s anthocyan profile, a standard HPLC method of analysis (OIV-MA-AS315-11) was used. The wines obtained through thermoflash maceration contain significantly higher quantities of phenolic compounds (3572 mg GAE L−1) and total anthocyans (340 mg L−1), in contrast with the classical maceration-fermentation winemaking technology. Also, the participation percentage in the anthocyanic profile of malvidin-3-monoglicoside, an intense blue-purple coloured pigment is 60.1% and is with 10% superior to classical method of maceration. The obtained wines were characterised through high degree of stability for the anthocyans due to high values for the ratio between the acetylated and coumarylated anthocyans (9.36).
Production of Japanese Horseradish (Wasabia japonica (Miq.) Matsumara) in Poland. Chemical Contents of Roots
Authors: GAŁCZYŃSKA Anna , TRZCINSKA Paulina , GUMIENNA Małgorzata , NOWAK Jacek , HOŁUBOWICZ Roman
Published: September 2017

Japanese horseradish [Wasabia japonica (Miq.) Matsumara or Eutrema wasabi (Siebold) Maxim.], is a vegetable species originated from Japan. Currently, wasabi is grown in many other countries across the world such as: New Zealand, Taiwan, South Korea, Israel, Brazil, Thailand, Columbia, Canada, USA, Great Britain and China. The crop has never been cultivated commercially in Poland. The main aim of the present study was to find out if the crop can be grown commercially in Poland and to establish the chemical contents of roots produced in Poland and Japan. In previous studies, it was noted  that wasabi might be grown under polycarbonate cover in Poland. The chemical evaluation included measuring the amount of dry matter, polyphenols, antioxidant potential, reducing substances, total proteins, starch and raw fiber. The roots produced in Poland had more dry matter (30.46%), less total proteins (12.14%) and reducing substances (43.64 mg g-1) than the Japanese ones. Starch and raw fiber contents were on the same level in the roots produced in both countries. The antioxidant potential and polyphenols in the Japanese roots (6.11 mg g-1 and 7.83 mg g-1 respectively)were higher than in the Polish ones (1.45 mg g-1 and 3.25 mg g-1 respectively). In the climatic conditions of Poland, it might be possible to produce wasabi roots under the polycarbonate cover with their chemical contents at least in part similar to the original roots produced in Japan.
Seed Yield and Quality of Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.) Produced in Poland
Authors: XIA Xianzong , YIN Ruoxi , HE Wei , HOŁUBOWICZ Roman , GÓRNA Barbara
Published: September 2017

Sword bean (Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.), also named Jack bean or beach bean, originates from India and China. The crop has been completely unknown in Poland and other Central European countries. Two Chinese cultivars: early and late, were produced in Western Poland. During the vegetation period, additional watering, staking and strong chemical control against aphids and bean weevils were applied. In the field, plant emergence rates, blooming period, number of seeds per pod and total seed yield were evaluated. In the laboratory 1000 seed weight, seed germination, vigour and water absorbing capacity were evaluated. Additionally, variability of seed size was recorded. The measurement showed that the most stable for seed was width and the least - length. Both cultivars had good emergence rates in the field - over 60%. Only the early cultivar produced germinating seeds when grown in Poland, whereas the late one produced soft and immature seeds of the size of the wheat grain. The onset of blooming for the early and late cultivars were at the end of June and middle of August, respectively. On average, one pod had 7.3 seeds. The early cultivar gave good seed yield - 2067 kg ha-1. The germination rate of the produced seeds was over 90%. The mean germination time was shorter at 25 °C than at 15 °C. Water absorption capacity curves, although different for the 1 hour time point, were basically the same for both Chinese and Polish seeds. The total proteins content for both cultivars was almost 25%. In the climatic conditions of Western Poland, it was possible to produce high amounts of well-germinating seeds of the early sword bean cultivar in the field.
The Effect of Different Pulsed Electric Field Treatments on Producing High Quality Red Wines
Authors: TEUSDEA Alin C. , BANDICI Livia , KORDIAKA Rafał , BANDICI Gheorghe E. , VICAS Simona I.
Published: September 2017

The aim of this study was to apply different Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) treatments in the pre-maceration stage of the mash which derives from ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Merlot’ grapes that were harvested in the Crişana-Santimreu vineyard, Romania, in 2016, in order to increase the content of total phenols, flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanin pigment and colour intensity of ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Merlot’ wines. The electrical and mechanical parameters that represent the variables in this experiment were: the distance between the drums, different voltages (7-8 kV), and different frequencies (178-344 Hz). The wines obtained were also analyzed in terms of the antioxidant capacity using two different methods. All PEF treatments applied in the pre-maceration stage resulted in an increase in bioactive compounds content and colour intensification. Of the five PEF treatments tested, the PEF treatment using the distance between the drums of 2.5 mm, U = 8 kV, the frequency f = 344 Hz, pulse durations of 300 s resulted in a wine with a content of total phenols 2 times and 1.5 times higher than the control sample in the case of ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Merlot’, respectively. Also, this type of PEF treatment also resulted in an extraction of the total flavonoids as efficiently as 1.8 times and 1.4 times, respectively, in the case of ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Merlot’, respectively. PEF treatment is a technology suitable for extracting phenols from grapes and so this technology can be used in the food industry to obtain wines rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity.
Variability of Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Clones Produced by Grafting
Authors: NONIĆ Marina Ž. , SKOČAJIĆ Dragana M. , GRBIĆ Mihailo N. , ŠIJAČIĆ-NIKOLIĆ Mirjana T.
Published: September 2017

European beech is renowned due to its ornamental cultivars, such as purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’), but its production in Serbia is represented in small number of nurseries. The aim of this paper was to analyze the success of hetero-vegetative propagation of purple beech and variability of different characteristics, in order to improve the production of nursery stocks for widespread use. The splice and wedge grafting were applied, using scions collected from five Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ adult trees, and two different rootstocks: five-year-old seedlings directly produced in nursery beds and one-year-old containerized seedlings. Analysis of grafting success rates, survival percentage, as well as quantitative (height and root collar diameter) and qualitative (leaf color) characteristics of produced grafts in four successive years, were investigated. Grafting performed using the containerized rootstocks showed the high success rate (50-80%), but the survival percentage at the end of fourth year was lower (30-47%). The survival percentage of grafts produced directly on rootstocks in nursery beds was 22-78% at the end of first year, and constantly kept those values in the next three years. The highest mean values of quantitative characteristics were found in clone number 5 and 1, while the smallest were recorded in clone 3. Leaf color was intensive reddish-purple in most grafts, while in some grafts about 20% reddish-green leaves was recorded. Based on the obtained results, it can be stated that purple beech trees in Belgrade area could be used as mother plants and starting material for the improvement of its production.
In vitro Propagation and Assessment of Genetic Relationships of Citrus Rootstocks Using ISSR Molecular Markers
Authors: SALIS Constantinos , PAPADAKIS Ioannis E. , KINTZIOS Spyridon , HAGIDIMITRIOU Marianna
Published: September 2017

The behavior of six citrus rootstocks, Volkameriana, Citrumelo ‘Swingle’, Citrange ‘Carrizo’, Poncirus trifoliata ‘Serra’, Poncirus trifoliata ‘Rubidoux’ and Poncirus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’, in in vitro propagation was studied and compared for shoot proliferation and rooting. In addition, the genetic relationships among the rootstocks studied and other Citrus species, using the Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) molecular markers, were investigated. Nodal explants of three months old shoots were used in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with N6-benzyladenine (BA) for shoot proliferation and with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for rooting. The rootstock Volkameriana showed a statistically significant higher number of shoots (1.81), shoot length (15.14 mm) and number of leaves per explant (5.81), while all three Poncirus trifoliata rootstocks showed the lowest numbers. The number of roots and root length per explant were evaluated at the end of the rooting phase. The rootstock ‘Swingle’ showed a higher number of roots per explant (4.2) followed by ‘Flying Dragon’ (3.93) and ‘Carrizo’ (3.23) rootstocks. The rootstocks ‘Swingle’ (140.8 mm), Volkameriana (148 mm) and ‘Flying Dragon’ (131.12 mm) had significantly higher root length per explant compared to ‘Carrizo’ (31 mm) and ‘Rubidoux’ (34.5 mm). The ISSR molecular marker technique used in the present study grouped successfully the different species, varieties and rootstocks studied, revealing their genetic variability. The genetic variability observed among the rootstocks ranged between 0.29 (Poncirus trifoliata ‘Serra’ and Citrumelo ‘Swingle’) and 0.60 (Volkameriana and Citrumelo ‘Swingle’). The response of the rootstocks studied in in vitro propagation however is not related to their genetic affinity.
Fat, Fatty Acids and Tocopherol Content of Several Walnut Genotypes
Authors: BEYHAN Omer , OZCAN Akide , OZCAN Hatice , KAFKAS Ebru , KAFKAS Salih , SUTYEMEZ Mehmet , ERCISLI Sezai
Published: September 2017

There are seed propagated walnut (Juglans regia L.) populations with the vast genetic variation in different part of Turkey. There are also lots of monoecious and dichogamous genotypes in Turkey due to continuing sexual propagation. In this study, fruits of 19 selected walnut genotypes grown in Kahramanmaraş region were characterized based on their fat, fatty acid and tocopherol contents. The fatty acids content of genotypes were analyzed using Gas Chromatography. Tocopherol analyses such as alpha (α)-Tocopherol, gamma (γ) and beta (β) + delta (δ) were performed by HPLC technique. According to the total fat and fatty acid results, there were differences among genotypes on most of the fatty acids. Total fat ranged from 51.2 to 82.1%, stearic acid from 2.57 to 3.37%, myristic acid from 0.00 to 0.05%, palmitic acid from 6.42 to 7.92%, arachidic acid from 0.00 to 0.16%, linoleic acid from 53.23 to 63.62%, linolenic acid from 10.75 to 15.24%, oleic acid from 14.73 to 24.17% and palmitoleic acid from 0.00 to 0.16%, respectively. The same genotypes were evaluated based on their tocopherol content and (α)-Tocopherol, gamma (γ) and beta (β) + delta (δ) tocopherol were found between 23.47 and 38.04 μg/g, 161.09 and 292.56 μg/g and 16.93 and 32.34 μg/g, respectively.
The Role of Transhumance on Land Use /Cover Changes in Mountain Vermio, Northern Greece: A GIS Based Approach
Authors: SKLAVOU Paraskevi , KARATASSIOU Maria , PARISSI Zoi , GALIDAKI Georgia , RAGKOS Athanasios , SIDIROPOULOU Anna
Published: September 2017

Transhumant flocks graze the vegetation of medium and high elevation rangelands during late spring to autumn depending on the geographical area and climatic conditions. This study aimed to assess and interpret the impacts of transhumance decline on the land use/cover on Mountain Vermio, for the period 1985-2009. For many years, this area has received high stocking rates from transhumant livestock. However, during the last 30 years transhumance has been dramatically decreased. Land cover changes have been identified using a post classification comparison approach within a Geographical Information Systems environment. Moreover, the rate and the spatial differentiation of land use/cover were determined by means of the Dynamic Degree Index. According to the results, the acreage of grasslands and grazed open forests has decreased during the study period (3% and 83% respectively), while shrublands demonstrated an opposite trend with an increase of 25%. Furthermore, based on the Dynamic Degree Index, the greatest changes occurred in the conversion of grazed open forests and shrublands, compared to other land use/cover categories. This can be attributed to changes in sheep and goats populations grazing in the area, also related to the dispersion of flocks in local rangelands. Moreover, this article presents the results of a questionnaire survey on transhumant herders. These results, combined with the assessment of changes in the Dynamic Degree Index, reflect the difficulties that farmers face in terms of access to rangelands and their increased awareness regarding the environmental role of transhumance.
Influence of Correcting the Acidity of Soil and Usage of Potassium Fertilizers on Physiological, Biochemical Characteristics and Storage Capacity of the Autumn Cabbage
Authors: BOGOESCU Marian I.
Published: September 2017

Soils are generally fertile in Romania but there are numerous areas with less favourable characteristics, which are, however, planted with cabbage, as consumers’ request and economic needs make it necessary. Variable factors which determined the set-up of the experimental variants were represented by the amendments applied (calcium carbonate) and chemical fertilizers containing potassium. The experimental plots have been organized in three locations with podzolic soils. The research has been focused on the influence of correcting soil acidity and applying potassium fertilization on the qualitative changes and the storage capacity of the autumn white cabbage. Correcting the reaction and the supply of podzolic, acid and low in potassium soils, resulted in a positive change of the cabbage leaves mineral composition, in achieving an optimal ratio between calcium and magnesium - adequate to normal metabolic processes-and in statistically significant reduction of the cells membranes permeability. A significant increase of content in soluble dry substance, soluble carbohydrates and chlorophyll was noticed in the cabbage leaves; titratable acidity increased, but it was not statistically ensured. A significant increase in the production of the marketable cabbage was obtained by applying calcium carbonate corrections on acid soils and by administrating potassium salts; significant positive differences were found on cabbage crops grown on soils with a lower supply in potassium. Significant reduction of the losses caused by evapotranspiration, decay and conditioning, as well as of the total losses were analysed after 140 days of storage.
Influence of Sodium and Maturity Stage on the Antioxidant Properties of Cauliflower and Broccoli Sprouts
Authors: PATRAS Antoanela , STOLERU Vasile , FILIMON Razvan Vasile , PADUREANU Silvica , CHELARIU Elena Liliana , BILIADERIS Costas G.
Published: September 2017

Sprouts are very rich in antioxidants (e.g. phenolic compounds) and their consumption is beneficial for humans’ health. The sprouts’ antioxidant properties are correlated to conditions of growth and maturity stage. The present study reveals the influence of maturity stage (5-, 7- and 9-day-old) and two sodium salts, NaCl and Na2SO4 (10 mM and 100 mM) on the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of cauliflower and broccoli sprouts. The analysed sprouts’ extracts were obtained in two phases, using ethanol 70% with 0.01% hydrochloric acid. In the case of cauliflower, the 7 days germination leads to the highest total phenolic content and radical scavenging capacity. Broccoli sprouts revealed the most enhanced DPPH radical scavenging capacity and total phenolic content at 5-day-old. The two sodium salts, generally, had positive effects on global antioxidant status. It is highlighted both for broccoli and cauliflower, the stimulating effect of 100 mM Na2SO4 on the total phenolic content and soluble dry weight, but the DPPH radical scavenging activity was more important in the case of NaCl, than Na2SO4 treatments, except for cauliflower sprouts treated with 100 mM Na2SO4. In conclusion, germination under adequate salt stress is a protocol to be considered in order to improve antioxidant properties of broccoli and cauliflower sprouts, despite the non-convenient effects on the germination and sprouts growth. Further researches are needed to optimize the level and time periods of such treatments.
Introduction pages
Authors: SESTRAS Radu E.
Published: September 2017

Celebrating 40 years of excellence in education and research in the field of horticulture within the Faculty of Horticulture at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, in 2017, represents a moment of great joy for the academic staff, the graduates and the students of the faculty. This is celebrated with an impressive ceremony and a scientific programme:“40 Years of Horticulture Education in Cluj-Napoca, 1977-2017” September 26-27, 2017, Aula Magna “Mihai Serban”, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca.The accepted papers (peer reviewed) were published in two special issues (Volume 45, Issue 2, 2017, and Volume 46, Issue 1, 2018) of Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca journal (http://www.notulaebotanicae.ro) dedicated exclusively for this celebration. Here: Volume 45, Issue 2, 2017.
Cloning and Expression Analysis of a Squalene Epoxidase Gene from Ginkgo biloba
Authors: ZHU Li , MA Liang-Qiong , XU Feng , YAN Xiao-Juan , ZHANG Wei-Wei
Published: September 2017

Squalene epoxidase is a key enzyme involved in triterpene saponins biosynthetic pathways in plants. In this study, the SE gene was isolated from Ginkgo biloba by RT-PCR, which designated as GbSE, GenBank accession number: KY751713. The length of GbSE gene is 1646 bp, contains an open reading frame of 1617 bp encoding 538 amino acids. The theoretical molecular weight and pI of GbSE protein was 58.3 kDa and 8.35, respectively. Sequence multiple alignment found that GbSE protein had high homology with SE proteins from other plants, including several highly conservative motifs and amino acids. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that Ginkgo biloba SE belonged to the gymnospermous group, and was closely related to the SE protein of Picea sitchensis. A study of gene expression analysis indicated that the GbSE gene was highly expressed in stems, low expressed in fruits. The cDNA sequence of GbSE gene was cloned from G. biloba and the expression level of this gene was analyzed. This work can provide some theoretical basis for the research on the molecular mechanism of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis.
The Effect of Phytoplasma Disease Caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ on the Phenological and Pomological Traits in Apricot Trees
Authors: NEČAS Tomáš , KISS Tomáš , EICHMEIER Aleš , NEČASOVÁ Jana , ONDRÁŠEK Ivo
Published: September 2017

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’, the causal agent of European stone fruit yellows (ESFY), is one of the most important pathogens causing considerable economic losses in stone fruit orchards. This study evaluated trees infected and noninfected by phytoplasma ESFY of 16 apricot varieties grown in an orchard in Lednice (Czech Republic) between the years 2008-2014. Pomological traits, phenophases, pollen germination and seed viability were analysed as well as the presence of ‘Ca. P. prunorum’ in pollen, flower organs, fruit flesh, immature seeds and seedlings by nested PCR. One of the most detrimental impacts was the decreased fruit set of infected trees which occurred in 12 out of 16 studied varieties reaching an average fruit set decrease of 16.1%. Pollen germination rates also suffered, showing an average decrease by 11.78% in infected trees. In the analysis of some traits, overall significant differences were observed between the infected and noninfected trees. However, for all analysed traits in different varieties, both positive and negative influences of phytoplasma ESFY were observed. The presence of ‘Ca. P. prunorum’ in infected trees was confirmed in flower parts (only in peduncle in 70.2% of cases) and fruit parts (immature fruit flesh in 42.0% and milky kernels in 26.2% of cases), however, neither in seedlings nor in pollen.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Plum Accessions from a Romanian Germplasm Collection Assessed by Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers
Authors: POP Rodica , HARTA Monica , SZABO Katalin , ZANESCU Maria , SISEA Cristian Radu , CATANA Corina , PAMFIL Doru
Published: September 2017

In Romania, Prunus genetic resources are held in collections located mainly in research and development institutes or in fruit growing stations. A possible disadvantage of the utilization of these resources for genetic studies and also for breeding programmes is the lack of reliable data for correct identification and characterization of accessions. In this study, 27 plum accessions from Râmnicu-Vâlcea Fruit Research Station, Romania, were assessed using nine SSR markers generating a total of 134 distinct alleles, with an average of 14.89 alleles per locus. Differentiation between the Romanian plum cultivars and international reference cultivars was low, but significant, for all the nine loci (Fst = 0.012; P < 0.0001). Plum accessions were grouped in two clades, both including old and newly developed Romanian cultivars and also international reference cultivars, according to an UPGMA dendrogram. Bayesian analysis of genetic structure revealed significant admixture among examined accessions while principal coordinate analysis performed on the molecular data illustrated a substantial dispersion of old and newly developed Romanian plum accessions in the three-dimensional PCoA scatter plot. These results could make them attractive for future breeding programs and long-term conservation strategies based on identified genetic dissimilarities.