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Evaluation of root system architecture and osmotic adaptation in barley
Klem, Karel ; Findurová, Hana ; Urban, Otmar ; Holub, Petr
Drought tolerance based on improving root system architecture, in particular by increasing rooting depth, increasing root density at deeper layers, or osmotic adjustment, is one of the most effective ways of adapting to drought, especially in conditions where sufficient water remains in the deeper soil layers during the dry season. Moreover, osmotic adjustment is a trait that allows plants to take up water even when water availability is limited, including the deeper soil layers. On the other hand, however, these are traits that are very difficult to evaluate, given their hidden nature or the need to laboriously excavate roots growing in the soil. This is also the reason why, despite their considerable importance, these features have long been overlooked. Breeding for these traits is done only indirectly by evaluating yield response to drought or indirect physiological or morphological parameters. \nIn this methodology, three methods for evaluating root system architecture or osmotic adjustment are presented which allow selection for specific root system architecture traits or osmotic adjustment, to be carried out on a large number of genotypes, using a relatively simple method based on the cultivation of roots on black filter paper, either hydroponically or aeroponically. This method allows a detailed analysis of root system architecture parameters that are important for drought tolerance and also a relatively easy test of osmotic adjustment by inducing osmotic stress with polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution. Both methods have been successfully validated, in the first case in a model experiment with nutrient deficiency, in which the effect on root system architecture is confounded, and in the second case in a set of barley genetic resources and varieties in which previously obtained information on drought tolerance of some genotypes was confirmed. \nAnother of the methods presented is the cultivation of roots in rhizoboxes filled with sand with a grid of spikes that hold the roots in the position in which they grew when washed. This method again allows the root system architecture to be assessed, but in this case under conditions that more closely match real soil conditions. The method was validated in three barley genotypes with contrasting root system vigor. The method used not only demonstrated the expected differences in rooting depth and root density distribution but also showed a relationship to the physiological response to reduced water availability in terms of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate. \nTherefore, all the methods presented here are suitable tools to help breeders in the selection of drought-tolerant barley genotypes.
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The methodology for evaluation of environmental education programs
Činčera, Jan
The methodology may be used by public administration officials who evaluate both formal and informal environmental education programs for various reasons (incl. making decisions on the distribution of funds to support formal and informal environmental education programs)., The results can than be used by those who implemented the program to improve it or by its external evaluators such as the donor to asses its efficiency. The aim of the presented methodology is to define the basic terminology for evaluating environmental education programs, describe the basic stages of the evaluation cycle, characterize the basic alternative procedures for evaluating programs, and finally, to identify the basic requirements for evaluation research. Development of the methodology is based on the assumption that the evaluation research in the medium term will become an integral part of environmental education programs. To achieve this objective requires that officials are familiar with the theme and gain a basic understanding of the opportunities and needs of the assessment procedures.
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Methods for the detection of Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius using real-time PCR
Hrabák, Jaroslav ; Vlková, Kateřina ; Erban, Tomáš
The methodology is intended for diagnostic laboratories focused on bee infections. Detection of the causative agents of American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) and European foulbrood (Melissococcus plutonius) is essential to prevent the spread of those highly contagious infections of a honey bee (Apis mellifera) diseases. In case of the suspicion, an examination of bee colonies in protective zones of the disease is indicated. The second possibility of use is the confirmation of the infection based on the detected clinical symptoms in the bee colony. The main target user in the Czech Republic are laboratories investigating animal diseases for the State Veterinary Administration (SVS) (accredited laboratories) in case of suspected disease and investigations in protective zones. Other target users are laboratories investigating bee colonies for reasons of preventive surveillance based on the request of beekeepers. The PCR method enables fast and reliable detection of P. larvae and M. plutonius from different samples taken from the bee colony. Compared to classic microbiological techniques, it allows to provide a result within a few hours of receiving the sample in the laboratory. In this way, it is possible to ensure, above all during the period of intense flight activity of bees, early intervention in bee colonies suspected of the occurrence of the mentioned diseases and to prevent the spread of the disease to nearby habitats of bee colonies.
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Methodology for increasing the capacity of local actors for sustainable development of the region
Dlouhá, Jana ; Pospíšilová, Marie ; Petiška, Eduard ; Dlouhý, Jiří ; Macháčková Henderson, Laura
An analysis of the needs of rural and small communities in terms of sustainability shows that the preconditions for initiating change are, among others, in the social sphere: these include social capital (trust, developed relationships between actors, joint activities) and education appropriate to the conditions of the region (shaping local identity). The Methodology proposes how relationships and cooperation in a given place can be shaped and subsequently used to improve the quality of life in all its dimensions - social, environmental and economic. It shows practices for shaping local culture and lifestyle, presents the experience of the Movement for Change, recapitulates the principles of social entrepreneurship, and refers to existing forms of cooperation in community projects. It shows that opportunities for education, especially based on locally embedded learning, are lacking so that a shared understanding of sustainability principles in the regions to ensure a general awareness of local UR resources and opportunities is missing.
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Methodology of development of case studies for Higher Education and as Open Educational Resources (OER)
Dlouhá, Jana ; Dlouhý, Jiří ; Kapitulčinová, Dana
The methodology of development of regional case studies of Sustainable Development for Higher Education is aimed at the promotion of the use of practical cases in teaching; it should lead to the development of research tools relevant to local environmental issues and issues of sustainable development of the region, and thus emphasizes the importance of the regional context and specifics. The publication of the cases in the form of open educational resources (OER) enables access to these materials for regionally oriented education at earlier stages of the education system, and can be used for the presentation of regional specifics, and may also serve to promote dialogue concerning the development of the territory between the different social actors. The methodology outlines the procedure for creating educational case studies and shows how they are used in university teaching. Because the methodology is based on qualitative research methods working with direct experience, discussion also addresses the ways and means of creating a knowledge base as an open educational resources (OER), to facilitate the accumulation of this experience. The methodology takes into account the requirement for continuity of learning at different educational levels and gives a brief overview of similar approaches applied at lower levels of the education system; it also shows how the results can be applied in practice. The methods of case study development and use are based on the authors' own teaching experience, and on its theoretical reflection. The methodology clearly summarizes the assumptions for teaching sustainable development issues from a regional perspective; it offers the possibility of linking university teaching and research with practice, which should lead to an increased competence in addressing local issues of sustainable development in cooperation with universities.
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The methodology for use of wiki software in education
Dlouhý, Jiří ; Dlouhá, Jana
The methodology for using wiki software in education is available to teachers who want to use wiki software for teaching purposes. It presents the most important characteristics of a wiki environment, deals with the various possibilities for its active use, provides guidance on the use of the existing wiki environment, and on the selection and installation of the software, including its own modules. Special attention is also paid to analyzing the possibilities for the use, passively and actively, of the electronic encyclopedia Wikipedia for educational purposes. The methodology includes the topic of copyright law with regard to the significant systematic underestimation (especially in the electronic environment) of this issue by most teachers. The methodology also explains in detail the use of free copyright licenses, especially the Creative Commons license. The primary form of this methodology is its electronic form in the Enviwiki (see www.enviwiki.cz), where examples of work by students are also located. The methodology is thus freely available to anyone interested in using it, as it corresponds to the philosophy of teaching in an open information space.
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The Methodology of Team Cooperation and Team Creation in Higher Education
Dlouhá, Jana ; Činčera, Jan ; Jančaříková, Kateřina ; Dlouhý, Jiří
The methodology provides a basic framework for university teachers who use active teaching methods and support collaborative student work. In CR, these methods are used rather intuitively this methodology provides an overview of basic pedagogical knowledge and experience that can help their inclusion in education in all fields of study. The methodology deals with the theoretical aspects of group cooperation: processes, relationships, group dynamics, possible barriers and risks that are typical in this method of teaching. It provides an overview of the possibilities of selecting team members, the social assumptions of group work, ways of building trust and methods of facilitating group processes. It briefly discusses the principles for planning project teamwork, tools for assessment of its results, and outlines the specifics of the e-learning environment. Using a teamwork method in e-learning enables one to benefit from all the interactive possibilities provided by the Internet to foster communication and collaborative features in the very process of learning; thus teamwork could help to adjust the e-learning method for the needs of practice.
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Methodology for co-cryostorage of virus isolates in their host plants and relevant data
Bilavčík, A. ; Bjerkestrand, R. ; Bjelland, B. ; Blystad, D.-R. ; Bobrova, O. ; Fránová, Jana ; Faltus, M. ; Hamborg, Z. ; Hammond Hammond, S. D. ; Koloniuk, Igor ; Zámečník, J.
Currently, the nursery production of plant material emphasizes the production of healthy, virus-free material. For this reason, it is necessary to have reference plant materials in which the virus is present. Some types of viruses are difficult to maintain outside the plant host. Because of the potential transmission to outdoor plantings, it is necessary to keep infected plants in special cultivation areas, and net-houses, which brings considerable financial and labour costs. Therefore, a methodology was developed in which the virus status in plant material is analysed, the infected material can be stored using cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen and then regenerated in vitro, and relevant data in GeneEver cryobox can be stored.
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Virus eradication method by cryopreservation tool - a cryoknife
Bilavčík, A. ; Bobrova, O. ; Faltus, M. ; Fránová, Jana ; Hammond, S. ; Koloniuk, Igor ; Zámečník, J.
Currently, in the nursery production of plant material, emphasis is placed on the propagation of healthy material. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the topic of healthy virus-free nuclear stock when preserving collections of genetic resources of vegetatively propagated plants. Some raspberry viruses are difficult to remove from the plant host by existing methods of thermotherapy or chemotherapy. That is why, using the example of black raspberry necrosis virus (BRNV), a comprehensive methodology for testing health status and cryotherapy in raspberry was developed. The resulting methodical procedure makes it possible to eradicate BRNV from raspberry using cryotherapy of in vitro cultures. The user of the methodology is the Ministry of Agriculture, which applies it as part of the 'National Program for the Conservation and Use of Genetic Resources of Plants, Animals and Microorganisms Important for Nutrition and Agriculture'.
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Supporting grassland biodiversity through small-scale fallows
Fabšičová, Martina ; Frei, I. ; Jiroušek, M. ; Smetanová, S. ; Šipoš, Jan ; Trnka, F. ; Vymyslický, T. ; Winkler, J. ; Zdražílková, M.
The main goal of the methodology presented here is to propose a system of recommendations for applying fallow in nature conservation based on our experiments. Due to the independence of agricultural land outside specially protected areas with direct payments from the Ministry of Agriculture, it is currently important to apply the methodology, especially in large protected areas where the primary objective is to preserve natural and cultural heritage. Annual and perennial fallows, i.e. biotopes adapted toregular soil disturbance, offer suitable habitats for a number of now-threatened plant and animal species. This is a technically and economically easy solution, but it is challenging to select a suitable location to achieve maximum efficiency. Ploughing must not be used in species-rich grasslands which would lead to ruderalization and degradation of the native vegetation. Furthermore, it must not be carried out on land at risk of erosion. Linear grassland margins, which have been ploughed in the past, recently grassed fields, fallows, and field margins should be selected for fallow management. Nearby populations of invasive plant species can be a problem. Our recommendations for the use of fallow management relate primarily to land in lowland and upland areas with a lower soil nutrient supply.
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