SummaryThe main estimation and hypothesis testing procedures are presented for experiments conducted in row-column designs of a certain desirable type. It is shown that, under appropriate randomization, these experiments have the convenient orthogonal block structure. Due to this property, the analysis of experimental data can be performed in a comparatively simple way. Relevant simplifying procedures are indicated. The main advantage of the presented methodology concerns the analysis of variance and related hypothesis testing procedures. Under the adopted approach one can perform these analytical methods directly, not by combining results from analyses based on some stratum submodels. Practical application of the presented theory is illustrated by four examples of real experiments in the relevant row-column designs. The present paper is the third in the projected series of publications concerning the analysis of experiments with orthogonal block structure.

Solid-stemmed spring wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) are resistant to the stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus Nort.) and lodging. Anthers of 24 spring wheat cultivars with varying content of pith in the stem were used in the experiment. All were classified into three groups: solid, medium–solid and hollow stems. There was considerable influence of the cultivar on callus formation and green plant regeneration. The highest efficiency of green plant regeneration (24%) was observed for the solid-stemmed AC Abbey cultivar. There was no regeneration from the explants of four cultivars: CLTR 7027, Alentejano, Marquis and Bombona. Principal component analysis showed no differences between the cases under observation (callus induction and green plant regeneration) in their response to pre-treatment temperatures (4 and 8°C). The examination of the effects of various auxin types in the induction medium on callus formation and green plant regeneration revealed that the strongest stimulation of these processes was observed in the C17 medium with 2,4-D and dicamba. The efficiency of callus formation and green plant regeneration was greater in solid-stemmed cultivars than in hollow-stemmed cultivars.

A study was carried out to estimate the effect of trophic degradation on the diversity of aquatic plants in rivers, with the application of rarefaction and extrapolation. The purpose of rarefaction was to standardise the uneven number of samples, while extrapolation enabled prediction of the real diversity considering the expected number of species undetected by the sampling effort. Both methods were based on three Hill's numbers: q = 0 (species richness), q = 1 (Shannon index) and q = 2 (inverse Simpson index). The macrophyte survey was carried out at 96 river sites of a uniform abiotic type (medium lowland rivers with sandy substrate). Macrophyte diversity was evaluated based on survey data (the reference sample) as well as using a dataset standardised by rarefaction and extrapolation. Trends in species richness along the trophic gradient were depicted differently by analysis based on the reference sample and on the extrapolated dataset. Based on the reference sample, the increases of river trophy led to diminishing macrophyte richness, whereas use of the extrapolated dataset revealed that the highest plant diversity can be found in mesotrophic rivers. The extrapolated dataset showed that most oligotrophic pristine rivers were poorer in species than mesotrophic watercourses, and the most limited pool of macrophytes was found in highly eutrophic watercourses. Rarefaction/extrapolation methods enable the precise comparison of plant diversity across sites, by predicting the occurrence of rare species. Moreover, the extrapolation method allows assesses of the total biodiversity basing on a smaller number of trials (survey samples).

Accurate log processing by harvesters during bucking is of great importance if round timber is to be fully exploited for maximum value recovery. Logs that exceed the target length can cause difficulties in further processing (e.g., in the pulp industry), while logs which are too short may not be of further use (e.g., boards for pallets). It can be difficult to achieve accurate log lengths due to irregular tree trunk shapes or errors in the measurement system in the harvester head. The objective of the research was to investigate how tree species and log diameter affect bucking length accuracy. The research was carried out in a premature broadleaved stand of birch and aspen in the third age class in the Zaporowo Forest District, northern Poland (54°24′47″N, 20°8′50″E). The thinning operation was carried out in early spring before the start of the growing season and after the snow cover had melted. Trees were cut using a UTC 150-6LS harvester, equipped with a CTL 40HW harvester head designed for hardwood. Pulp wood was harvested from the trees with an intended length of 2.50 m and a tolerance of ±0.05 m. The on-board harvester computer was set to a length tolerance of between 2.46 m and 2.54 m. More than 80% of the thicker birch and aspen logs (d1/2 > 14 cm) met the target length (2.50 ± 0.05 m), while only 70% and 50% of the thinner birch and aspen logs (d1/2 ≤ 14 cm) reached the target. For top logs, a different length tolerance should be applied compared to butt logs in order to achieve higher efficiency in length accuracy.

In recent years, there has been a dynamic development of alternative energy sources and the use of plant biomass for the production of bioenergy is one of the possibilities of improving the energy mix. Therefore, it is worth reaching for new, less popular and perspective solutions, which certainly include sorghum, a drought-resistant plant with a high yielding potential and various applications in the bioeconomy. The aim of the research was to determine the amount of bioethanol obtained from the biomass of three sorghum varieties (Rona 1, Santos, Sucrosorgo 506) grown in the main and second crop for three years in the temperate climate typical of Central and Eastern Europe. The yields of sorghum cultivars grown as main and second crops, chemical components of sorghum biomass (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) and the amount of ethanol per a ton of dry matter of straw and ethanol yield per hectare were evaluated. The experiments and research carried out show, especially in the second year, that the Sucrosorgo 506 variety can be recommended for the cultivation of biomass and its use for the production of lignocellulosic ethanol is effective, both in main and second crop cultivation. The discussed results were confirmed by detailed statistical analysis, incl. principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. To sum up, the production of bioethanol from sorghum biomass is possible in temperate climate and it does not compete with the production of food due to the possibility of growing sorghum after rye.