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How temperature affects the body size of terrestrial tardigrades
Abstract Many vertebrates, both homeo- and poikilothermic, show a significant relationship between body size and environmental temperature. Whether such an association may exist in microscopic invertebrates has been less explored. Therefore, we decided to analyse terrestrial Tardigrada from various habitats worldwide to examine whether these animals reveal any relationship pattern between body size and environmental temperature. Data on minimum, maximum, and mean body sizes were extracted from original descriptions or sometimes from later re-descriptions of the species. Minimum, maximum, and mean temperature data from the type localities of the species were retrieved from WorldClim 2. In general, accounting for geographic and phylogenetic confounding factors, the body size of terrestrial tardigrades decreased as the environmental temperature increased. The same tendency was observed for most of the genera when additional analyses were carried out separately for each genus. This is the first biogeographical analysis demonstrating that terrestrial tardigrades generally conform to the temperature–size rule.
Assessment of Early, Mid-Early, and Mid-Late Soybean (Glycine max) Varieties in Northern Poland
The soybean crop (Glycine max) is known for its high oil and protein content, making it a valuable resource for animal feed and a crucial ingredient in vegan and vegetarian food products. Soybean is a thermophilic short-day plant, demanding specific climatic conditions for successful cultivation. In an effort to expand soybean cultivation to northern regions, a variety of trials were conducted. The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable soybean varieties for cultivation in Northern Poland. The field trials were conducted in nine locations, in the years 2020–2022. Yield, fat content, and protein content were the observed characteristics. Results for 13 varieties had been collected and were analysed using the AMMI model. The genotype–environment interaction provides information that supports estimations of the stability of certain varieties. AMMI-adjusted means, WTOP3, WAAS and GSI indices were calculated in order to assess the suitability of those varieties for cultivation in Northern Poland. It was shown that the Amiata variety had the highest mean yield among the tested varieties, whilst the Erica variety was the most stable. The Abelina variety had the lowest value of the GSI index. For fat content, the Ambella variety had the highest mean and the lowest values of the GSI index, whereas the ES Comandor variety was the most stable. For protein content, the Nessie PZO variety had the highest mean, the Aurelina variety was the most stable and had the lowest values of the GSI index. Thus, the Abelina, Ambella, and Aurelina varieties are the most favourable varieties for cultivation in that region.
Stability analysis of spring oat genotypes in south-west Poland
Summary Oat is a grain in high demand, due to its physiological and nutritional attributes as a functional food. Oat is rich in β−glucans, and high in tocopherol and other dietary fibre components. It is also used for forage, fodder, chaff and as a major component of infant foods. In the present study, oat yields from six experimental stations in south-western Poland, obtained in 2019–2022, were analysed using three different linear mixed models that can be associated with three different stabilities. It is shown that the genotype Perun had the highest mean yield among the tested genotypes, while the genotype Armani was the most stable. Armani and Pablo had the lowest values of the GSI index, making them the most favourable genotypes for cultivation in that region.