Biotechnical Faculty Research Articles

25 years of the Natura Sloveniae journal

The article presents the history of the journal Natura Sloveniae over the 25 years, from 1999–2023, of its publication. The main aim of the journal is highlighted, as well as a brief analysis of the number of contributions and authors, the taxonomic groups covered in the articles, including an overview of the citation success of the articles published in the journal. In 25 years, 286 articles by 320 authors have been published in the journal. Over the years, the geographical scope of published articles has expanded from Slovenia to SE and Central Europe. A brief statistical analysis of the published articles shows the highest popularity of articles presenting species lists or new records for Slovenia. A considerable share of the contributions are focused on individual taxa, mostly insects, including butterflies and dragonflies. In its 25th year of publication, the journal, which is jointly published by the Biotechnical Faculty at University of Ljubljana and the National Institute of Biology, is switching to the digital submission and review system of the University of Ljubljana Press. In this year, a third, thematic issue is being published for the first time. After a quarter of a century of continuous publication, the journal occupies an important niche among Slovenian scientific biological journals and continues its mission to publish original scientific contributions in the field of biogeographical, biodiversity and ecological research in Central and Southeastern Europe and to encourage young authors to publish their field observations.

HORIZONTAL FLOW PILOT CONSTRUCTED WETLAND FOR DAIRY WASTEWATER PURIFICATION

Due to the natural energy sources used in constructed wetlands, minimal energy and chemicals are required for wastewater treatment. For the successful wastewater treatment via constructed wetlands, adequate pretreatment and a sufficient amount of oxygen are crucial. Constructed wetlands can be used to treat industrial wastewater, such as wastewater from the dairy industry, with prior degreasing. This study was conducted on a horizontal flow pilot constructed wetland located on a plot of land used by the Biotechnical Faculty in Bihać. The constructed wetland consisted of two fields planted with rushes (Typha latifolia) and reeds (Phragmites australis). The substrate and plants were not changed during the experimental period. We monitored the efficiency of industrial wastewater treatment (wastewater from the dairy industry) by season, varying the flow rate as well as the hydraulic retention time of the water in the device. The quality of the influent and effluent was monitored by determining analytical parameters. The constructed wetland showed the highest efficiency in the summer period, with a hydraulic retention time of 6 days, with removal efficiencies of 98.03% for ammonia, 98.19% for total nitrogen, 95.27% for total phosphorous, 94.50% for COD and 97.73% for BOD5. The organic substance removal efficiency across all four seasons was 94.68%.

A comparative analysis of students’ attitudćes towards responsibility for sustainable development

This paper presents a part of the theoretical and empirical research related to the topic of lifelong learning in the context of sustainable development. In order to contribute to the acceptance of the global concept of sustainability and its implementation in practice, in the theoretical part we define the term sustainable development, and we emphasize the importance of Agendas and legal acts, the importance of lifelong learning and education about sustainable development, the role of environmental education and the need for the creation of new curricula. In the empirical part, we present the research related to the examination and determination of students' attitudes towards the bearers of responsibility for sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Attitudes are examined and determined based on five answers offered in the survey questionnaire. The research included two faculties of the University of Bihać – Islamic Pedagogical Faculty (IPF) and Biotechnical Faculty (BTF). The research convenience sample consisted of 90 student respondents from all years of study (I-IV). In order to conduct the analysis, the methods of surveying, comparison and statistical processing of data by means of a χ2 chi-square test were used. Based on the examination and determination of all answers given by the IPF and BTF student respondents related to the bearers of responsibility for sustainable development, the research results showed that the respondents have a unique view that the responsibility for sustainable development in our country is borne by each individual. Keywords: sustainable development, examination, determination, responsibility

Selected aspects of dietary habits and physical activity of students at the Biotechnical faculty, Slovenia

Selected aspects of dietary habits and physical activity of students at the Biotechnical faculty, Slovenia

Influence of plant covering with nonwoven agrotextile on the vegetative growth characteristics and yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.): A Slovenian case study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cultivar and covering with nonwoven agrotextile on vegetative growth parameters and the productivity value of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). A field experiment was conducted during the 2018 growing season, at the experimental field of the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana (46° 04′ N latitude; 14° 31′ E longitude, 305 m above sea level). The soil was gravel clay with a pH of 6.7, and a soil depth of 40–60 cm. The research involved the following Slovenian cultivars of sweet potatoes: Lučka, Janja, and Martina. Distance between rows was 1.2 m, while in-row distance was 1.4 m. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with plots arranged factorially and replicated four times. The seedlings were planted on 20 May. A half of the plots were covered with polypropylene nonwoven textile (17 g/m2). The uncovered half of the plots served as control plots. The recommended cultural practices were performed as needed during the experiment. The temperature under the covers was on average 5.5 °C higher than in the unprotected area. The crops were harvested 132 days after planting. Covering significantly and positively affected vegetative growth – that is the height of the vines, leaf number, leaf area index, and haulm dry weight. In contrast, the nonwoven polypropylene cover had no significant effect on the number of branches per crop. The use of agrotextile significantly increased tuber length and diameter, tuber number, tuber weight, and total yield in comparison with traditional cultivation with no plant cover. Statistical analysis showed that cv. Janja had the significantly higher yield (7.49 t/ha) compared to cv. Lučka (6.68 t/ha) and cv. Martina (6.16 t/ha).

Erratum: Dendrochronological Dating and Provenancing of String Instruments.

An erratum was issued for:Dendrochronological Dating and Provenancing of String Instruments. The Authors section was updated from: Katarina Čufar1 Blaž Demšar2 Micha Beuting3 Angela Balzano1 Nina Škrk1 Luka Krže1 Maks Merela1 1Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana 2University of Ljubljana 3Universitat Hamburg to: Katarina Čufar1 Blaž Demšar2 Micha Beuting2 Angela Balzano1 Nina Škrk1 Luka Krže1 Maks Merela1 1Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana 2Independent Scholar.

Evtrična rjava tla - najboljša kmetijska tla v Sloveniji

This paper presents the main characteristics of Eutric Cambisols, their productivity potential expressed as land-rating, and their spatial distribution in Slovenia. Differences in soil properties were evaluated among the six predominant groups of Eutric Cambisols; classification was based on the parent material. In addition to individual characteristics affecting soil quality (texture, soil depth, amount of plant available water, pH, base saturation, cation exchange capacity), a comparison of land-rating values between the groups was also performed. We analysed 200 profiles excavated as part of the Slovenian Soil Mapping or other soil surveys conducted by the Center for Soil and Environmental Sciences, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. Our results show that Eutric Cambisols cover 15.5% of the area of Slovenia. Most Eutric Cambisols are on flysch (19.3%, 600 km²), followed by Eutric Cambisols on marl (12.7%, 398 km²). Eutric Cambisols on sandy gravel alluvial sediments, an important soil for crop production, cover 295 km² (9.4%). They have a favourable loamy texture and optimal pH. The flat terrain also contributes to this soil’s highest average weighted land-rating value (70 points). The average weighted land-rating value of all Eutric Cambisols is higher than the average weighted land-rating value of all agricultural and forest land in Slovenia, which is 36 points; this must be considered in spatial planning, as this type of land has a small share and above all, it must be protected from various degradations.

How Can We Advance Integrative Biology Research in Animal Science in 21st Century? Experience at University of Ljubljana from 2002 to 2022.

In this perspective analysis, we strive to answer the following question: how can we advance integrative biology research in the 21st century with lessons from animal science? At the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, we share here our three lessons learned in the two decades from 2002 to 2022 that we believe could inform integrative biology, systems science, and animal science scholarship in other countries and geographies. Cultivating multiomics knowledge through a conceptual lens of integrative biology is crucial for life sciences research that can stand the test of diverse biological, clinical, and ecological contexts. Moreover, in an era of the current COVID-19 pandemic, animal nutrition and animal science, and the study of their interactions with human health (and vice versa) through integrative biology approaches hold enormous prospects and significance for systems medicine and ecosystem health.

Prof. Dr. Katarina Čufar received the Jesenko Lifetime Achievement Award

In March 2021, Prof. Dr. Katarina Čufar received the Jesenko Lifetime Achievement Award, the most prestigious prize of the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. This is the third award for Katarina Čufar within just a few months, as at the end of 2020 she also received the Golden Plaque from the University of Ljubljana and the Zois Prize of the Republic of Slovenia for significant scientific achievements and exemplary teaching.

Analysis of decayed Norway spruce wood impregnated with CCB after 14 years of outdoor exposure

Wood in outdoor applications is exposed to abiotic and biotic factors. If we want to slow down the decay, the wood must be protected. In the past, biocidal products based on copper, chromium, and boron compounds (CCB) were one of the most important solutions for wood protection under extreme conditions. Although CCB is in practice no longer used in the EU, it can serve as a reference for the evaluation of new biocidal products. At the field test site of the Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, an experiment has been carried out under real conditions for 14 years, in which impregnated samples are exposed to the weather according to a double-layer test. In the case of treated wood, we often find that the wood decays faster than expected. In this work we want to determine what contributes to decay based on the analysis of decayed impregnated wood from the field test site. The results show that sufficient retention and penetration of the active substances into the wood ensures the planned service life.

Editorial

The year 2020, which is slowly coming to an end, was special in several respects. First and foremost, it was marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely limited physical contact and, more importantly, completely changed our work and business habits. Literally overnight, we were forced to switch to (almost) entirely digital communications and telecommuting. As it turned out, we were obviously working in the right direction in the past, because this transition did not stop us completely. We also proved our digital competence in the editorial board of Les/Wood and continued our work smoothly, and already in late spring, when the first wave of the epidemic was just ending, published the spring issue, as planned for that time. It was a similar story for this issue. All the editorial meetings, the work on common documents, all the communication with authors and reviewers went online without major issues. Many thanks to all those involved in this process for their willingness to take on new challenges.
 The year 2020 will also be remembered for its resounding events, which were very important for Slovenian wood science, as it gained recognition for its excellence and general social importance. The Zois Prize, the highest state award of the Republic of Slovenia for the most important scientific research achievements of the year, was at the end of 2020 awarded to Prof. Dr. Katarina Čufar for her achievements in the development of dendrochronology and wood science, which is a great confirmation of her excellence and years of hard work in these fields. At the same time, this was proof that achievements in wood science can compete with the most important achievements in other scientific fields, such as physics and chemistry. Prof. Dr. Katarina Čufar also received the Golden Plaque from the University of Ljubljana for outstanding scientific research, exemplary teaching and achievements in enhancing the university's reputation, a recognition that only confirmed her outstanding abilities. Another important recognition of Slovenian wood science was demonstrated by the appointment of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Nikolaj Torelli with the title "Professor Emeritus of the University of Ljubljana", which is awarded by to retired professors for their recognizable contributions to the operation, reputation and development of the University of Ljubljana. Of course, we also need to mention the prestigious "Donald Michie - Alan Turing" award received by Prof. Dr. Lidija Zadnik Stirn. As a proof of the excellence of our students, we are especially pleased to point to Eli Keržič,, who received the Jesenko Award for the best Master's student 2019 at the Biotechnical Faculty, which is also an important recognition of the high quality of study programmes related to wood science. All these awards and recognitions are presented in detail in this issue, as they are important evidence of the current academic excellence of Slovenian wood science, and also present a firm basis for its future development.
 At the Department of Wood Science and Technology, a number of very good, if not exceptional, diplomas were defended in September 2020. However, two graduates – Katarina Remic (Academic Study Programme in Wood Science and Technology) and Toni Šauperl (Professional Study Programme in Wood Engineering) – prepared the main findings of their diploma theses and co-authored them with their mentors in the form of scientific articles to be published in this issue. The articles are both extremely interesting. Among the co-authors of the scientific articles in this issue are some of our PhD students, Nina Škrk, Vanja Turičnik, Rožle Repič, Jaša Saražin and Jure Žigon. We are very happy when young people start writing articles, because it shows, on the one hand, the potential for scientific excellence in research, and it also represents a solid basis for the further development of technical terminology in Slovenian.
 Additionally, another event is undoubtedly important for the development of the journal Les/Wood. After pioneering the publication of original data and photographs at the Repository of the University of Ljubljana (RUL) in an earlier issue, Sebastian Dahle and co-authors, as well as Nina Škrk and co-authors, also used this practice in their articles in this issue. Thus, this approach seems to have caught on, keeping Les/Wood in step with the leading international journals.I am thus confident that you will find a lot of interesting reading in this issue. You are also welcome to prepare and submit your articles for publication in future issues so that Les/Wood can continue to develop. Thank you in advance.

Eli Keržič was awarded as the best M.Sc. student of the Biotechnical Faculty in 2019

Eli Keržič was awarded as the best M.Sc. student of the Biotechnical Faculty in 2019

Welcome to the -omics era of the 21st century: will Proteus anguinus finally reveal all its mysteries?

There are few milestones in speleobiology, and Proteus anguinus, commonly named the olm, proteus or “human fish”, is undoubtedly part of its (hi)story. The animal was first mentioned in 1689 by Johann Weikhard von Valvasor (Janez Vajkard Valvasor) in his The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola (Slava Vojvodine Kranjske). The scientific name Proteus anguinus was given by Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in 1768. The animal gained the interest of the scientific community later in the 19th century, culminating in 1859 in Charles Darwin's famous monograph On the Origin of Species as an example of evolutionary reduction of body structures through disuse. The study of this remarkable animal intensified in the 20th century. Its longevity, its general peculiarity and the mystery governing the underground world of the Dinaric karst triggered more systematic research. Much interesting data was obtained from study of proteus in captivity in various laboratories worldwide, including Slovenia, France, England, Belgium, Hungary, Germany and Italy. In the 21st century, the year 2019 represents another important milestone in the research of proteus. The draft genome of Proteus anguinus was first publicly presented on 25 November 2019 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The event coincided with 330 years since proteus was introduced to the scientific community by Valvasor, 160 years since its popularization by Darwin, and the 100th anniversary of Ljubljana University. This is undoubtedly an achievement with many superlatives, starting from excellent collaboration among different international laboratories and the very short period – one year – used to finish the sequencing of the huge proteus genome, which is 15-times larger in size than the human genome. On this occasion, we spoke with the two most important players in the story, prof. Nina Gunde-Cimerman and prof. Rok Kostanjšek, from the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty. Prof. Nina Gunde-Cimerman directs research of extremophiles adapted to extreme conditions, in particular fungi, at the Biotechnical Faculty. Prof. Rok Kostanjšek leads a research team that continues the investigation of proteus begun by his predecessors, prof. Lili Istenič and prof. Boris Bulog.

Editorial

Editorial

Life under Extreme Conditions: Aeropyrum pernix and Pernisine

Life under Extreme Conditions: Aeropyrum pernix and Pernisine

Pepelnica pšenice (Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer f. sp. tritici (Em. Marchal)) sve češći problem u usjevima pšenice na Unsko-sanskom kantonu u BiH

In 2018. wheat fields on the territory North-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina were regularly inspected. Occurrence of the causal agent of wheat powdery mildew, Blumeria graminis (DC) f. sp. tritici Speer (syn. Erysiphe graminis DC f. sp. tritici Marchal)) was registered in a large number of localities. In vegetation period, symptoms characteristic for this fungus were observed on all green plant organs, but it was most commonly present on leaves and basal leaf sheaths of wheat plants. Microscopic preparations were made from samples of diseased parts of wheat in the laboratory of the Biotechnical Faculty. Chasmothecia and conidia were observed under the microscope. Chasmothecia and conidia were registered under the microscope. In 2018, presence of the pathogen was registered on about 60% of the total wheat sowed. Disease Index (DI) was calculated using the McKinney formula. The disease index represents the percentage of the disease.The intensity of plant infection was ranged on a scale 0-9. The disease index above 35% was registered on about 56.6% of the infected plants and 40% total wheat plants. After harvest, grains from infected wheat plants were measured for absolute and hectoliter weigts, which were found to range from 25 to 42 g and from 60 to 67 kg, respectively. To improve the effectiveness of crop protection, it is necessary to apply the required agricultural practices: long-term crop rotation, control of volunteer wheat and grassy weeds of the family Poaceae, deep plowing, balanced fertilization, optimum sowing time and others. The main strategy to control powdery mildew is by using resistant cultivars the disease can also be controlled by fungicide treatments.

A Biogenerated Polymetallic Catalyst from Society's Wastes

Aims: Preparation of the new metals-polymeric composite, Metx-EPS (I), to be used as a green catalyst in water or in two-phase aqueous conditions.
 Study Design: Recovery and valorization of polymetallic wastes to obtain directly new catalysts using a microorganism to explore their application in removal of difficult and dangerous chemical pollutants present in aqueous environment.
 Place and Duration of Study: Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Venezia Mestre, Italy; University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Slovenia, Institut Jozef Stefan, Ljubljana, Slovenia and Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia, between February 2018 and January 2019.
 Methodology: For the preparation of Metx-EPS (I), the metals source was an exhausted catalytic converter that was grinded and treated with an acidic solution at 20-25°C. After filtration, the solution was concentrated, neutralized and added to a broth of Klebsiella oxytoca DSM 29614 to produce (I) where metals are embedded in a peculiar polysaccharide structure. The composite was easily recovered from the fermentation broth and purified. The process protocol was verified many times and was shown to be reproducible satisfactorily. The % recovery of metals, originally present in the converter, was good as determined by atomic absorption. The morphology and the chemical state of main metals in (I) were investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy methods (XANES and EXAFS). No metallic alloy seems to be evident.
 Results: As first application of (I) as catalyst, the hydrodechlorination treatment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was studied in water/methanol. A significant removal of higher chlorinated congeners was observed working at 1MPA of hydrogen and 60°C. This result improves significantly and surprisingly the methodology, previously studied by us using mono- or bi-metals embedded in the same polysaccharide moiety, indicating that positive synergies among the different metals were operating.
 Conclusion: The preparation of this new polymetallic species embedded in a polysaccharide moiety starting from spent catalytic converters represents an alternative valorisation of metallic wastes. Moreover, a synergic effect was exerted by the different metals when the catalyst Metx-EPS (I) was used in the hydrodechlorination treatment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water/methanol. Finally, a promising preliminary proof of concept for the removal of polychlorinated aromatic pollutants even in contaminated aqueous sites was carried out.

Editorial

Dear readers of Les / Wood,We present the second issue of Les / Wood in 2018. It contains one review and five scientific articles. The topics of the articles are related to wood anatomy, dendrochronology, wood properties, gluing of wood and composites, as well as questions of digitalization of education.The first author of two articles is Jaša Saražin, an early career researcher and doctoral student at the Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana (DWST). His first article on the dendrochronology of oak in the transition between the sub-Mediterranean and temperate continental climatic zones in Slovenia, is co-authored by two early stage researchers who are publishing in Les / Wood for the first time. Dr. Angela Balzano works at the DWST as a researcher, while Giulia Resente, who received her master’s degree at the University of Padua, worked at the DWST in the framework of an international praxis. For Giulia Resente this is the first publication in a scientific journal. Congratulations. In another article, Jaša Saražin and Milan Šernek present the quality of the adhesive bonding between wood and steel.Alan Crivellaro from the University of Padua and co-authors present new findings in the field of wood anatomy and special wood structures. Their article presents how »blue rings« record the lack of lignification due to the effects of environmental change and how this affects wood quality. For Marco Reverenna, this is also the first scientific article that has been published. Congratulations. The other co-authors are experienced scientists from various universities in Italy and from Cambridge University. Željko Gorišek and his co-authors present the less-known non-native and partially invasive wood species Ailanthus altissima studied in the framework of the ­APPLAUSE project. Bogdan Šega and Milan Šernek prepared a review article on cross-laminated wood. Jože Kropivšek highlighted a conceptual model of the digitalization of education, exemplified by higher educati­on in the wood sector in Slovenia. In this issue we also present news relevant in the field of the wood sector. Four articles are written in Slovene and two in English. According to the objectives of the journal, the articles in Slovene help to maintain and develop the Slovenian professional terminology and communicate new findings to a Slovene audience. With articles in English, however, we intend to address the wider international scientific and professional audience. The visibility of the articles is assured through indexation in bibliographic databases. Les / Wood is indexed by the CAB Abstracts database, and since 2017 all the articles have a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), which, among other things, enables their visibility on the World Wide Web. The articles are also referred to in the personal bibliographies of the researchers in COBISS and SICRIS databases. Furthermore, the authors can make them available through databases such as ResearchGate and Google Scholar. To increase their visibility, we are preparing for indexation in the Open Access Journals (DOAJ) database. This will be hopefully followed by inclusion in other databases, such as SCOPUS.The editors wish to thank all the authors for publishing in Les / Wood. We also gratefully acknowledge the referees who undertook their work professionally, ethically, quickly and with much care. We also thank the editors/proofreaders of the Slovene and English language, the INDOK - library service at the DWST, and the technical editor for their work. Last but not least, we thank the management of the DWST for great support. Many thanks!For the future success of the journal we still need high-quality articles, loyal readers and dedicated reviewers. We thus invite you to publish and cooperate with us in the future.

Vpliv globine obdelave tal z vrtavkasto brano na porabo energije in pripravo setvenega sloja pred setvijo koruze

In 2012 on the Laboratory Field of Biotechnical Faculty the field trial was carried out, trying to establish the influence of the soil cultivation on the fuel consumption, on the physical-mechanical soil properties of the seed bed and at the end on the field emergence of maize. A rotary harrow was used for soil preparation just before maize planting and it was adjusted to the soil cultivation depths of 5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm. The trial was designed as random blocks. A tractor with stepless transmission and nominal power of 73 kW and a rotary harrow with working width of 2.5 m were used. The speed of soil cultivation was 5.0 km h<sup>-1</sup> on the tractometer and the engine rotational frequency was 1900 rpm. The fuel consumption per hour, the fuel consumption per hectare and the energy consumption per hectare increased by increasing the adjusted soil depth cultivation from 5 cm to 15 cm using the rotary harrow. At the adjusted soil cultivation depth of 10 and 15 cm cm, the vertical soil resistance at depths between 8 and 13 cm was lower than at the adjusted soil depths of 5 cm. No significant differences were found regarding the soil physical properties in the seed bed and the field emergence of maize among three adjusted soil cultivation depths. The soil cultivation depth of 10 cm proved to be the most appropriate in view of the fuel consumption, energy consumption as well as the physical-mechanical soil properties of the seed bed and plant emergence.

CONFIRMATION OF PRESENCE OF A PREDATORY GALL MIDGE, Feltiella acarisuga, (Vallot, 1827) AND STAPHYLINID PREDATOR Oligota oviformis Casey, 1893 OF A TWO SPOTTED SPIDER MITE (Tetranychus urticae, Koch, 1836) IN SLOVENIA

The two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae C. L. Koch, 1836 is one of the most important pests of greenhouse crops worldwide. Due to its polyphagic range of hosts and rapid development it forms great populations and as such represents a suitable host/prey for lots of natural enemies usable in biological control. Most commonly used predators of Tetranychid mites are predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, 1962 ,…), but among most voracious predators is the larva of a predatory gall midge, Feltiella acarisuga (Vallot, 1827) that was found also in greenhouses of the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana on eggplant leaves in 2017. Besides the predatory gall midge also another predator, staphylinid Oligota oviformis Casey, 1893 beetles and larvae were found in great numbers. After positive identification of F. acarisuga found naturally in Slovenia, it can be added to the list of indigenous species of natural enemies and thus can be used in biological control programs in greenhouse crop protection against spider mites.