Com o objetivo de se estudar os efeitos do enriquecimento com CO2 sobre as características fisiológicas da cultura da batateira e a sua influência na produtividade e qualidade dos tubérculos, foi conduzida a pesquisa em condições de campo na área experimental da Fazenda Areão pertencente ao Departamento de Engenharia Rural da Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” - USP, localizado no município de Piracicaba - São Paulo. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos. No primeiro, trabalhou-se com o cultivar Itararé e as concentrações de CO2 foram: T1=0 (sem aplicação de CO2); T2= 205,20; T3= 279,36; T4= 353,52; e T5= 427,68 Kg ha -1 de CO2. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: número de folhas (NF), número de estolões (NE), área foliar (AF), índice de área foliar (IAF), número de tubérculos (NT), massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), massa seca de raízes (MSR), massa seca de tubérculos (MST), relação parte aérea/raízes, produção de batata, teor de matéria seca (TMS) e teor de sólidos solúveis totais (TSST). O delineamento estatístico para os parâmetros avaliados durante o desenvolvimento fisiológico foi de parcelas subdivididas no tempo; o delineamento utilizado para análise da produção foi de blocos ao acaso. Já no experimento II, trabalhou-se com os cultivares Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje e Monalisa e as concentrações de CO2 foram: T1= 0, T2=145,36 e T3=290,72 kg ha -1 . Os parâmetros avaliados foram os mesmos que no experimento I e também: pH do solo, pH da polpa, acidez titulável (AT), firmeza da polpa (FP), TSST, cor da polpa (CP), TMS, teor de açúcares redutores (TAR) e amido dos tubérculos. O delineamento estatístico para os parâmetros avaliados durante o desenvolvimento fisiológico foi o de análise de regressão múltipla, enquanto o delineamento utilizado para análise da produção, pH da polpa, AT, FP, TSST, CP, TMS, AR e amido foi de blocos ao acaso, com arranjo fatorial 3 x 3. Do experimento I conclui-se que o cultivar Itararé não apresentou variação de produtividade total com o aumento das doses de CO2; mais de 50% da produção comercial do cultivar Itararé foi classificada como classe especial independente das doses de CO2; o TSST nos tubérculos do cultivar Itararé decresceram com o aumento das doses de CO2. Do experimento II conclui-se que a produtividade total de batata dos cultivares Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje e Monalisa diminuiu com doses crescentes de CO2; o cultivar Monalisa apresentou maior produtividade do que os cultivares Jatte-Bintje e Atlantic, respectivamente, independente das doses de CO2; a aplicação de CO2 nos cultivares Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje e Monalisa não alterou significati vamente a acidez, o TSST e o TMS dos tubérculos. Entretanto, os tubérculos dos cultivares Monalisa e Atlantic perderam firmeza, e o cv. Jatte-Bintje não sofreu impacto do tratamento. Os cultivares Atlantic e Jatte-Bintje apresentaram variação do teor de amido com a aplicação de CO2. Além disso, houve aumento de TAR no cultivar Jatte-Bintje com a aplicação do tratamento. / With the objective to study the effects with CO2 enrichment on the physiological characteristics of potatoes and its influence in the productivity and quality of the tubers, this research was carried out in field conditions at the experimental area “Fazenda Areão” of the Department of Rural Engineering of the “Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz – Universidade de São Paulo”, in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. Two experiments was carried out. In the experiment 1 with cultivar Itararé the CO2 levels were: T1=0 (without application of CO2) T2 = 205,20; T3 = 279,36; T4 = 353,52; and T5 = 427,68 kg ha -1 . The appraised parameters were: leaves number, stolons number, area foliate, index of the area foliate, tubers number, dry mass of the aerial part, dry mass of the roots, dry mass of the tubers, aerial/roots ratio, potato productivity, content of dry matter, content of soluble solids. The statistical design was of split-splot in the time for the appraised parameters during the physiologic development and randomized blocks for the analysis of the productivity. In the experiment 2, with Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje and Monalisa cultivars; the CO2 levels were: T1 = 0, T2=145,36 and T3=290,72 kg ha -1 . The appraised parameters were the same ones that in the experiment 1, including the soil pH, pulp pH, acidity, firmness of the pulp, the content of soluble solids, color of the pulp, content of dry matter, reducers sugars and starch of the tubers. The design statistical was analysis of multiple regression for the appraised parameters during the physiologic development and randomized block design with factorial arrangement 3 x 3 for the analysis productivity, pulp pH, acidity, pulp firmness, content of soluble solids, pulp color, content of dry matter, reducers sugars and starch of the tubers. From the experiment 1 it was concluded that cultivar Itararé did not present variation of total productivity with the increase of the CO2 levels; more than 50% of the commercial production of the Itararé cultivar was classified as special class independent of the CO2 levels; content of soluble solids in the tubers of the Itararé cultivar decreased with the increase of the CO2 levels. From the experiment 2 it was concluded that the total productivity of potato in Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje and Monalisa cultivars decreased with increasing of the CO2 levels; Monalisa cultivar presented larger productivity than Jatte-Bintje and Atlantic cultivars, respectively, independent of the CO2 levels; Atlantic cultivar presented larger percentage of tubers of special class than the Monalisa and Jatte-Bintje cultivars, respectively, independent of the amount of applied CO2; the application of CO2 in Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje and Monalisa cultivars did not alter the acidity significantly and the content of soluble solids and the content of dry matter of the tubers. However, the tubers of the Monalisa and Atlantic cultivars lost firmness and the Jatte-Bintje cultivar did not suffer impact of the treatment; the Atlantic and Jatte-Bintje cultivars ranged the content of starch with the application of CO2. Besides, the content of reducers sugars in Jatte-Bintje cultivar increased with the treatment application.

Com o objetivo de se estudar os efeitos do enriquecimento com CO2 sobre as características fisiológicas da cultura da batateira e a sua influência na produtividade e qualidade dos tubérculos, foi conduzida a pesquisa em condições de campo na área experimental da Fazenda Areão pertencente ao Departamento de Engenharia Rural da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" - USP, localizado no município de Piracicaba - São Paulo. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos. No primeiro, trabalhou-se com o cultivar Itararé e as concentrações de CO2 foram: T1=0 (sem aplicação de CO2); T2= 205,20; T3= 279,36; T4= 353,52; e T5= 427,68 Kg ha -1 de CO2. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: número de folhas (NF), número de estolões (NE), área foliar (AF), índice de área foliar (IAF), número de tubérculos (NT), massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), massa seca de raízes (MSR), massa seca de tubérculos (MST), relação parte aérea/raízes, produção de batata, teor de matéria seca (TMS) e teor de sólidos solúveis totais (TSST). O delineamento estatístico para os parâmetros avaliados durante o desenvolvimento fisiológico foi de parcelas subdivididas no tempo; o delineamento utilizado para análise da produção foi de blocos ao acaso. Já no experimento II, trabalhou-se com os cultivares Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje e Monalisa e as concentrações de CO2 foram: T1= 0, T2=145,36 e T3=290,72 kg ha -1 . Os parâmetros avaliados foram os mesmos que no experimento I e também: pH do solo, pH da polpa, acidez titulável (AT), firmeza da polpa (FP), TSST, cor da polpa (CP), TMS, teor de açúcares redutores (TAR) e amido dos tubérculos. O delineamento estatístico para os parâmetros avaliados durante o desenvolvimento fisiológico foi o de análise de regressão múltipla, enquanto o delineamento utilizado para análise da produção, pH da polpa, AT, FP, TSST, CP, TMS, AR e amido foi de blocos ao acaso, com arranjo fatorial 3 x 3. Do experimento I conclui-se que o cultivar Itararé não apresentou variação de produtividade total com o aumento das doses de CO2; mais de 50% da produção comercial do cultivar Itararé foi classificada como classe especial independente das doses de CO2; o TSST nos tubérculos do cultivar Itararé decresceram com o aumento das doses de CO2. Do experimento II conclui-se que a produtividade total de batata dos cultivares Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje e Monalisa diminuiu com doses crescentes de CO2; o cultivar Monalisa apresentou maior produtividade do que os cultivares Jatte-Bintje e Atlantic, respectivamente, independente das doses de CO2; a aplicação de CO2 nos cultivares Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje e Monalisa não alterou significati vamente a acidez, o TSST e o TMS dos tubérculos. Entretanto, os tubérculos dos cultivares Monalisa e Atlantic perderam firmeza, e o cv. Jatte-Bintje não sofreu impacto do tratamento. Os cultivares Atlantic e Jatte-Bintje apresentaram variação do teor de amido com a aplicação de CO2. Além disso, houve aumento de TAR no cultivar Jatte-Bintje com a aplicação do tratamento. / With the objective to study the effects with CO2 enrichment on the physiological characteristics of potatoes and its influence in the productivity and quality of the tubers, this research was carried out in field conditions at the experimental area "Fazenda Areão" of the Department of Rural Engineering of the "Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - Universidade de São Paulo", in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. Two experiments was carried out. In the experiment 1 with cultivar Itararé the CO2 levels were: T1=0 (without application of CO2) T2 = 205,20; T3 = 279,36; T4 = 353,52; and T5 = 427,68 kg ha -1 . The appraised parameters were: leaves number, stolons number, area foliate, index of the area foliate, tubers number, dry mass of the aerial part, dry mass of the roots, dry mass of the tubers, aerial/roots ratio, potato productivity, content of dry matter, content of soluble solids. The statistical design was of split-splot in the time for the appraised parameters during the physiologic development and randomized blocks for the analysis of the productivity. In the experiment 2, with Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje and Monalisa cultivars; the CO2 levels were: T1 = 0, T2=145,36 and T3=290,72 kg ha -1 . The appraised parameters were the same ones that in the experiment 1, including the soil pH, pulp pH, acidity, firmness of the pulp, the content of soluble solids, color of the pulp, content of dry matter, reducers sugars and starch of the tubers. The design statistical was analysis of multiple regression for the appraised parameters during the physiologic development and randomized block design with factorial arrangement 3 x 3 for the analysis productivity, pulp pH, acidity, pulp firmness, content of soluble solids, pulp color, content of dry matter, reducers sugars and starch of the tubers. From the experiment 1 it was concluded that cultivar Itararé did not present variation of total productivity with the increase of the CO2 levels; more than 50% of the commercial production of the Itararé cultivar was classified as special class independent of the CO2 levels; content of soluble solids in the tubers of the Itararé cultivar decreased with the increase of the CO2 levels. From the experiment 2 it was concluded that the total productivity of potato in Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje and Monalisa cultivars decreased with increasing of the CO2 levels; Monalisa cultivar presented larger productivity than Jatte-Bintje and Atlantic cultivars, respectively, independent of the CO2 levels; Atlantic cultivar presented larger percentage of tubers of special class than the Monalisa and Jatte-Bintje cultivars, respectively, independent of the amount of applied CO2; the application of CO2 in Atlantic, Jatte-Bintje and Monalisa cultivars did not alter the acidity significantly and the content of soluble solids and the content of dry matter of the tubers. However, the tubers of the Monalisa and Atlantic cultivars lost firmness and the Jatte-Bintje cultivar did not suffer impact of the treatment; the Atlantic and Jatte-Bintje cultivars ranged the content of starch with the application of CO2. Besides, the content of reducers sugars in Jatte-Bintje cultivar increased with the treatment application.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diploma work was performed on a total of six lots in Vysočina County, where he measured the effect of the separation, the effect of weather and temperatures, and comparing technologies casing Rock removal of soil and techniques of planting and harvesting on quality, yield potato starch content and yield and mechanical damage of potato tubers. The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the effect of casing Rock removal of the content and starch yield and mechanical damage of potato tubers. Were evaluated three varieties of potatoes destined for processing into starch. Ornella varieties, Susan and Eurostarch. All three varieties were investigated on land záhonovým odkameněním without Rock removal. In the reporting year for all three varieties to odkameněných land has been greater yield of starch and up 2% and damage decreased by 20%. In parallel, it was found that the difference in tuber yield per hectare of the land is záhonovým odkameněním and land without casing Rock removal were influenced by variety.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The potato plant is highly demanding regarding the presence of phosphorus (P) readily available in soil solution. To achieve high yields of tubers, large applications of phosphate fertilizers are made, which consequently reduce the sustainability of the potato chain and cause possible environmental contamination. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the management of fertilizer use and develop potato clones that have high yield and quality, even in limiting conditions of P. In order to identify efficient clones in P acquisition and use, this study aimed to characterize the physiological aspects of potato clones under different levels of P availability and production systems available. In the first experiment, the Asterix, Atlantic, SMIC 148-A and SMINIA 793101-3 clones from micropropagated plants were grown in soilless system under low and high P level (2.32 and 23.2 mg P L-1) during the spring and autumn seasons of Rio Grande do Sul state. In the P utilization efficiency, we found that the potato clones differ between the spring and autumn season of Rio Grande in soilless culture system with the use of sand as substrate. Furthermore, we also compared the P efficiency of these clones between soilless system and field cultivation under low and high P level (70 and 560 kg P2O5 ha-1) in the spring crop. We observed that each clone responds differently to cultivation systems used as nutritional efficiency to P, and the closed cultivation soilless system with use of sand as substrate overestimates the responses of potato clones in relation to P availability. Nevertheless, we sought to differentiate micropropagated potato plants of plants produced from minitubers as nutritional efficiency to P in closed cultivation soilless system with use of sand as substrate under high and low P level again. The data suggest that the propagative origin of the potato plants interferes, in the biomass ratio between root and shoot, and in the harvest index and P utilization efficiency for all clones. The Asterix, Atlantic and SMIC 148-A clones suffer interference of the type of propagation material in use efficiency and P response, while the SMINIA 793101-3 clone is P efficient in the use of nonresponsive in fresh mass production and tubers total dry mass, regardless of propagativa type of the plants. Furthermore, the clones were also evaluated with plants from tubers when grown in pots with soil as substrate in low and high P level (0.025 and 0.11g kg-1) in a greenhouse, we observed based on the total dry mass, the SMIC 148-A and SMINIA 793101- 3 clones are efficient in the use of P, while Atlantic and SMINIA 793101-3 are responsive to the increase of P. / A planta de batata é altamente exigente quanto à presença de fósforo (P) prontamente disponível na solução do solo. Para atingir altas produções de tubérculos são feitas grandes aplicações de adubos fosfatados, reduzindo assim, a sustentabilidade da cadeia produtiva da batata, além de causar uma possível contaminação ambiental. Portanto, é preciso melhorar a gestão do uso dos fertilizantes e desenvolver clones de batata que tenham alto rendimento e qualidade, mesmo em condições limitantes de P. Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar aspectos fisiológicos de clones de batata submetidos a diferentes níveis de disponibilidade de P e sistemas de produção disponíveis para identificar clones eficientes na aquisição e no uso do P. No primeiro experimento os clones Asterix, Atlantic, SMIC 148-A e SMINIA 793101-3 provenientes de plantas micropropagadas foram cultivados em sistema fechado fora do solo sob baixo e alto nível de P (2,32 e 23,2 mg P L-1) durante a primavera e o outono do Rio Grande do Sul. Verificou-se que os clones de batata diferem quanto à eficiência de utilização do P entre os cultivos de primavera e outono do Rio Grande do Sul em sistema de cultivo sem solo com o uso de areia como substrato. Em outro momento, avaliou-se a eficiência ao P desses clones no cultivo fora do solo e à campo sob baixo e alto nível de P (70 e 560 kg P2O5 ha-1) na safra de primavera. Observou-se que cada clone responde de uma maneira diferente aos sistemas de cultivo utilizados quanto a eficiência nutricional ao P, sendo que o sistema fechado de cultivo fora do solo com o uso de areia como substrato superestima as respostas dos clones de batata em relação à disponibilidade de P. Ainda, buscou-se diferenciar plantas de batata micropropagadas de plantas produzidas a partir de minitubérculos quanto a eficiência nutricional ao P em sistema de cultivo fechado fora do solo com o uso de areia como substrato novamente sob alto e baixo nível de P. Os dados sugerem que a origem propagativa de plantas de batata interfere, tanto na relação de biomassa entre raiz e parte aérea, quanto no índice de colheita e na eficiência de utilização do P para todos os clones. Os clones Asterix, Atlantic e SMIC 148-A sofrem interferência do tipo do material propagativo na eficiência de uso e resposta ao P, enquanto o clone SMINIA 793101-3 é eficiente no uso e não responsivo ao P na produção de massa fresca de tubérculos e massa seca total, independente da origem propagativa das plantas. Os clones de batata também foram avaliados a partir de tubérculos em vasos tendo solo como substrato com baixo e alto nível de P (0,025 e 0,11g kg-1) em casa de vegetação, sendo observado com base na produção de massa seca total, que os clones SMIC 148-A e SMINIA 793101-3 são eficientes no uso de P, enquanto que Atlantic e SMINIA 793101-3 são responsivos ao incremento de P.

Traditional irrigation was practiced in Ethiopia since time immemorial. Despite this, water productivity in the sector remained low. A survey on the Godino irrigation scheme revealed that farmers used the same amount of water and intervals, regardless of crop species and growth stage. In an effort to improve the water productivity, two traditional irrigation scheduling methods were compared with two scientific methods, using furrow irrigation. The growth performance and tuber yield of potato (cv. Awash) revealed that irrigation scheduling using a neutron probe significantly outperformed the traditional methods, followed by the SWB model Irrigation Calendar. Since the NP method involves high initial cost and skills, the use of the SWB Calendar is suggested as replacement for the traditional methods. SWB is a generic crop growth model that requires parameters specific to each crop, to be determined experimentally before it could be used for irrigation scheduling. It also accurately describes deficit irrigation strategies where water supply is limited. Field trials to evaluate four potato cultivars for growth performance and assimilate partitioning, and onions' critical growth stages to water stress were conducted. Crop-specific parameters were also generated. Potato and onion crops are widely grown at the Godino scheme where water scarcity is a major constraint. These crop-specific parameters were used to calibrate and evaluate SWB model simulations. Results revealed that SWB model simulations for Top dry matter (TDM), Harvestable dry matter (HDM), Leaf area index (LAI), soil water deficit (SWD) and Fractional interception (FI) fitted well with measured data, with a high degree of statistical accuracy. The response of onions to water stress showed that bulb development (70-110 DATP) and bulb maturity (110-145) stages were most critical to water stress, which resulted in a significant reduction in onion growth and bulb yields. SWB also showed that onion yield was most sensitive to water stress during these two stages. An irrigation calendar, using the SWB model, was developed for five different schemes in Ethiopia, using long-term weather data and crop-specific parameters for potatoes and onions. The calendars revealed that water depth varied, depending on climate, crop type and growth stage. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá návrhem dvojtlakého horizontálního kotle využívající teplo spalin za spalovací turbínou na zemní plyn. Zahrnuje návrh a výpočet jednotlivých výměníků, jejich základní uspořádání s ohledem na požadované parametry výstupní páry a dané vstupní a výstupní parametry spalin. Dále tato práce zahrnuje výpočet a konstrukční návrh parních bubnů, zavodňovacích trubek a převáděcích potrubí. Tato práce je zakončena výpočtem a prověřením tlakových ztrát mezi vstupem a výstupem kotle. Důležitou součástí této práce je přiložena výkresová dokumentace.

Una amplia variabilidad microbiológica es la característica principal de la microbiota donde diversos factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos pueden afectar la composición de esta, y alteraciones de la misma pueden llevar a diversas patologías. En particular, la dieta alta en alimentos crudos y fermentados puede modular la microbiota intestinal de las personas. En el Perú el consumo de fermentados de tubérculos, Tocosh, es característico y tradicional. Si bien se inicia a conocer su composición bacteriana y su potencial benéfico, se desconocen las condiciones que podrían permitir el cultivo de una o más de las especies coexistentes en el Tocosh. Con el objetivo de estudiar como la microbiota del Tocosh varía durante cultivos controlados, en el presente estudio se evaluaron tres medios de cultivo no selectivos (Luria Bertani, Brain-Heart Infussion y Caldo Nutritivo) y se analizó la variación de la composición de la microbiota del tocosh en el tiempo mediante secuenciación de próxima generación (NGS, por sus siglas en inglés) de ADN bacteriano. El análisis de la muestra inicial del tocosh crudo utilizado para este estudio presentó 335 especies diversas, distribuidas principalmente en 29 filos. Los tres medios evaluados promovieron un desarrollo cualitativamente variado de microbiota mostrando entre 14 y 61 especies representadas. El análisis cuantitativo mostró que las especies que abundaban en la muestra inicial, Clostridium neuense group y Prevotella, disminuyeron notoriamente a lo largo del tiempo de cultivo en los tres medios. De manera contraria, nuestros resultados indican una clara predominancia para las familias Bacillaceae y Paenibacillaceae y específicamente para la especie Bacillus cereus en los tres medios estudiados. En conclusión, se evidenció que la variación de la microbiota de tocosh se ve afectada por el tiempo y las características de los medios de cultivo utilizados. Se encontró que los tres medios de cultivo evaluados no favorecieron el crecimiento estable y variado de la microbiota de Tocosh, observándose una preferencia al desarrollo de Bacillus cereus, presente inicialmente en la muestra de microbiota, y potencialmente nociva para la salud. Estudios futuros con miras al desarrollo industrial de tocosh deberían prestar particular atención a evaluar otros factores como temperatura, pH, oxigenación, entre otros. / The main characteristic of the microbiota is a wide variety of microbiological variability. However, various intrinsic and extrinsic factors can affect its composition, where alterations of it can lead to various pathologies. In particular, diets high in raw and fermented foods can modulate people's gut microbiota. In Peru, the consumption of fermented tubers, Tocosh, is characteristic and traditional Although its bacterial composition and its beneficial potential are beginning to be known, the conditions that could allow the cultivation of one or more of the coexisting species in Tocosh are unknown. In order to study how the Tocosh microbiota varies during controlled media cultures, in the present study three non-selective culture media (Luria Bertani, Brain-Heart Infussion and Nutritive Broth) were evaluated and the variation in the composition of Tocosh microbiota over time through the use of next generation sequencing (NGS) of bacterial DNA. The analysis of the initial sample of the raw tocosh used for this study presented 335 diverse species, distributed mainly in 29 phylum. The three- culture media evaluated promoted a qualitatively varied development of microbiota, showing between 14 and 61 species represented. However, the quantitative analysis showed that species that were abundant in the initial sample, Clostridium neuense group and Prevotella, decreased markedly throughout the culture time in the three media. On the contrary, our results indicate a clear predominance for the Bacillacea and Paenibacillaceae families and specifically for the Bacillus cereus species in the three media studied. In conclusion, it was evidenced that the variation of the Tocosh microbiota is affected by time and the characteristics of the culture media used. It was found that the three culture media evaluated did not favor the stable and varied growth of the Tocosh microbiota, observing a preference for the development of Bacillus cereus, initially present in the microbiota sample, and potentially harmful to health. Thus, future studies focused on the industrial development of Tocosh should pay particular attention to evaluating other factors such as temperature, pH, oxygenation, among others. / Tesis

A population of a critically endangered species Spiranthes spiralis was discovered in 1980 in the National Natural Monument Pastviště u Fínů near village Albrechtice, close to Sušice city. Since 1985 the number of flowering individuals in this population has been annually monitored. Since autumn 1998 all the specimen found there have been marked and biometrically measured. During these periods (12 or 26 years, respectively), large year-on-year fluctuations in the number of flowering plants and in the survival of the individual rosettes have been recorded. The main aim of my work was to assess the effect of weather conditions (temperature, precipitation, the number of days of snow) on the population dynamics and on the fitness of plants (leaf area, probability of flowering and probability of death). The year-round lower temperature and the wet end of autumn during the previous year (t-1) together with the wet spring of the following year (t) had a positive effect on the leaf area during the period of maximal rosette growth (end May in the year t). The probability of flowering was positively affected by the lower temperatures in May and June in the previous year (t-1) and in August just before flowering (year t). The probability of death (in the year t) was increased when the March precipitation (in t) and October temperatures (in t-1) were low. The average number of seeds in the capsule was 1528 ? 885 (s.d.). The number of flowers was positively correlated with the number of mature capsules. However, it did not affect the ratio of mature capsules. Capsules developed on average from 44% ? 24.6 % (s.d.) of the flowers. The average life time of individual plant cohorts was 4.7 years. The number of rosettes per each position was variable from 1 to 7 rosettes (73.2% positions had only 1 rosette). The annual life cycle of the underground organs is described at the end of the thesis.

No description available.