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The plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Streptomyces sp. TOR3209 induces plant tolerance in a wide range of stress conditions. However, the protection of photosystem under cold stress has not been fully understood. Here we reported that the photochemistry activity of photosystem II (PSII) was increased in tomato plants receiving TOR3209 treatment, including the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), PSII operating efficiency (ΦPSII), PSII maximum efficiency (Fv’/Fm’), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Microscopic study revealed that the integrity of chloroplast structure was greatly improved by TOR3209, which was damaged at low temperature. Moreover, TOR3209 treatment resulted in good protection on leaf stomatal and guard cell size. In response to TOR3209 treatment, the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) and stomatal limitation values (Ls) were decreased while the mesophyll conductance (g_m) and chloroplast CO₂ concentration (Cc) were increased. The carotenoid content in TOR3209-treated tomato was accumulated at a higher level, which was involved in photoprotection and biosynthesis of abscisic acid (ABA), as well as the increased amounts of ABA in the leaves were subsequently verified in the plants treated with TOR3209. These results demonstrated that TOR3209 treatment comprehensively protected tomato photosynthesis at low temperatures.

Drought stress severely impairs seed germination and early seedling establishment, and disrupts the uptake and distribution of essential mineral nutrients in plants. This study investigated the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought and Na2SeO3 application on the accumulation and redistribution of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) in wheat roots and shoots. Under PEG-simulated drought, increasing PEG concentrations resulted in a progressive decline in nutrient concentrations in both roots and shoots, with significant reductions in K, Ca, S, Zn, and Mn in roots, and K, Ca, Mg, and Mn in shoots. However, Na₂SeO₃ application mitigated these adverse effects by enhancing nutrient redistribution during early seedling growth. Specifically, under 15% PEG-simulated drought stress, Na₂SeO₃ treatments significantly increased shoot K, Mg, Fe, and Cu concentrations, highlighting selenium’s role in facilitating the translocation of these key elements. These results demonstrate that Na₂SeO₃ effectively mitigates drought-related nutrient imbalances and promotes ion remobilisation from germinating seeds to developing roots and shoots under water-deficient conditions.

Protecting sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seeds from rodents is crucial to ensure successful germination and emergence in activities such as artificial regeneration, afforestation, and seedling production. This study examined the effects of 12 natural or nature-identical substances, believed to have repellent properties, on the germination, emergence, and survival of sessile oak acorns under both laboratory and field conditions. Acorns were coated using a diatomaceous clay-based pellet system, and a Y-maze experiment was conducted to evaluate rodent behaviour. As a result of the research, among the tested substances, Ferulago confusa and Foeniculum vulgare were recommended as rodent repellents due to their success in laboratory and field trials. Diesel fuel + hair, a conventional repellent, showed poor performance and is not recommended. This study underscores the potential efficacy of natural or nature-identical coatings for protecting seeds from pests in forestry applications.

A 4-year-old domestic long-haired cat presented with acute, progressive, non-weight-bearing lameness of the left pelvic limb and reluctance to climb. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed decreased T2-weighted signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus in all lumbar intervertebral discs except L7-S1, with far-lateral T2-weighted low-signal material at L6–L7 surrounding the sixth lumbar nerve root. A diagnosis of far-lateral intervertebral disc extrusion at L6–L7 was made. Clinical signs resolved almost completely within 15 days of conservative management. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing MRI findings of far-lateral intervertebral disc extrusion in a cat, highlighting the importance of considering this condition in the differential diagnosis of acute unilateral pelvic limb lameness.

In this study, the evaluation of soil quality was realised using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, and the obtained values were integrated with Evaluated Soil Ecological Units (BPEJs). Different maps of the Czech Republic were elaborated with BPEJs classified into five soil protection classes based on the obtained model values (with or without the values for production potential), the ratio of 80% (production potential values) to 20% (model values) or 60% (production potential values) to 40% (model values) and 40% (production potential values) to 60% (model values). The evaluation of BPEJs based on the mentioned criteria showed differences in their classification into individual soil protection classes and possibilities of their use or withdrawal from the agricultural land fund. Compared with the existing categorization of BPEJs into soil protection classes (according to Decree No. 48/2011 Coll.), the use of presented model (plus production potential) values, the ratio of 80 : 20%, 60 : 40% or 40 : 60% (production potential: model) caused the numbers of BPEJs increased in those soil protection classes where the withdrawal of soils from the agricultural land fund is possible only exceptionally or it is possible to use the soils for building purposes only under certain conditions.

The meat industry is actively trying to replace synthetic antioxidants with natural counterparts. Sea buckthorn is an excellent source of polyphenols and its high antioxidant properties. Various authors tested the antioxidation effect of sea buckthorn on lipids in meat products. The problem of sea buckthorn addition to food is its effect on sensory parameters. Our study incorporated sea buckthorn extract into pork sausage, stored for 21 days, and observed sensory properties and their changes. We mechanically measured the pH, colour, and textural properties of pork sausage samples with minimal variability observed. Also, sensory analysis by informed panellists was conducted on multiple storage days. Sensory evaluation revealed significant deterioration of sensory quality. Sea buckthorn remains an interesting option for the meat industry. However, further multidisciplinary research is still needed.

The resilience of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in commercial probiotic products remains a critical area of investigation, particularly regarding their capacity to survive the harsh gastric environment. Scientific guidelines indicate that at least 6 log CFU·g–1 of viable probiotics must reach the intestines to achieve therapeutic benefits, which often requires an initial concentration of 8–9 log CFU·g–1 in the product. However, national regulations may specify lower thresholds; for example, Turkish Food Legislation requires 6 log CFU·g–1 for probiotic products and 7 log CFU·g–1 for kefir products. This study evaluates the in vitro gastric survival of LAB in 20 probiotic-labelled foods and 5 supplements available in the Turkish market using a simulated gastric model. Results reveal that 75% of the marketed probiotic-labelled foods comply with their label claims. Additionally, 55% of the samples demonstrate LAB strains fully resistant to gastric acidity. Dairy-based products exhibit significantly better survival rates under simulated gastric conditions compared to supplements, highlighting their potential for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence, severity, and risk factors associated with gastric lesions in fattening pigs across all four seasons in Slovakia. A total of 1 944 porcine stomachs were examined post-mortem at commercial slaughterhouses, focusing on the non-glandular region (pars oesophagea). A macroscopic evaluation was conducted using a standardised scoring system (0–3), in which gastric lesions, including parakeratosis, erosions, and ulcerations, were observed in 48% of the examined stomachs. Significant seasonal variation was detected, with the highest lesion prevalence recorded during the summer months, likely due to heat stress and reduced feed intake, and the lowest incidence of pathological changes seen in autumn. The gastric fullness had a notable impact: empty and liquid-filled stomachs were more frequently associated with severe mucosal damage, while full stomachs exhibited a protective effect. Furthermore, the feeding regimen played a crucial role: the pigs receiving wet feed had a significantly lower prevalence of gastric lesions than those on a dry feeding regimen. These results underscore the multifactorial nature of gastric ulceration in pigs and highlight the importance of nutritional and environmental management strategies in intensive production systems.

Pulmonary fibrosis is not only a consequence of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, but is increasingly recognised by both human and veterinary healthcare providers. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive condition that leads to a decline in respiratory function and even death. In this work, we compared MSC-derived exosomes with conventional anti-inflammatory drug treatments. Exosomes from stimulated MSCs displayed higher miRNA concentrations (in particular, miRNA-30b was significantly increased). A set of rats with induced lung fibrosis were divided into four groups: NC (control – no treatment), A2 (exosome infusion), A3 (exosome infusion combined with ultrasound stimulation), and F1 (tamoxifen/metformin drug treatment). The rats’ lungs were subjected to histological analysis; the fibrosis scores for groups F1 and A3 were very similar and decreased significantly compared with group NC. Ultrasound-facilitated diffusion of exosomes from the capillaries into the lung tissue could represent an innovative therapeutic approach for slowing fibrosis and prolonging the active life of the organism.

Coinfection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) causes major worldwide economic losses within the swine industry. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of a bivalent vaccine containing PCV2d and M. hyo antigen (Cirbloc^® M Hyo) under field conditions. Two studies were performed under the GCP (Good Clinical Practice) requirements on farrow-to-finish farms in Hungary and Cyprus. On both farms, the presence of both PCV2 and M. hyo infection was demonstrated. For both studies, safety parameters were observed and measured from inclusion at 21 (±3) days of age until 14 days after vaccination. Efficacy parameters were observed and measured from inclusion until slaughter. Administration of the vaccine was safe in both studies, as no general, immediate, or local reactions were observed. The efficacy of the vaccine was confirmed in both studies as the following parameters were significantly reduced in the vaccinated groups compared to the control groups: viraemia, faecal shedding, viral load in lungs and in all collected lymphoid tissues, M. hyo-specific lung lesions, and average daily body weight gain. These results collectively support the vaccine’s potential as an effective tool for disease control.

Encapsulation technology offers an effective strategy to enhance the bioavailability and stability of vitamin C by addressing its sensitivity to environmental factors. This study investigates the impact of formulation parameters, particularly lecithin concentration and high-pressure processing conditions, on the physicochemical properties, gastrointestinal stability, cytotoxicity, and shelf life of liposomal vitamin C formulations. Among the tested samples, Sample 1, prepared with 20% soybean lecithin and 20% ascorbic acid and processed at 400 bar with a single cycle, demonstrated superior performance. It exhibited a high zeta potential (−23.17 mV), uniform size distribution (317.5 ± 8.863 nm) and encapsulation efficiency of 77.6%, along with 85% vitamin C retention under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells reached 30%, and structural integrity was preserved for 240 days at 40 °C, indicating strong thermal stability. The results underscore that lecithin concentration had the most significant influence on encapsulation efficiency and liposome stability, compared to pressure intensity or the number of processing cycles. Furthermore, modulating the zeta potential through lipid composition and the energy applied to phospholipid solutions was found to be critical for improving bioavailability and ensuring long-term dispersion stability. In conclusion, the optimised liposomal formulation offers a promising vehicle for advanced vitamin C delivery with enhanced protection, bioaccessibility, and storage potential.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of harvest timing on the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, in addition to the total antioxidant capacity in the berries of ‘Žilavka’ and ‘Vranac’ varieties grown in the Trebinje vineyard area. Grape samples for both varieties were collected at three distinct points during their ripening. The chosen harvest dates were set 10 days apart, and the optimal date for grape harvesting was determined by assessing the sugar content and titratable acidity present in the grapes. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and total antioxidant activity of grape samples were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminium chloride method, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, respectively. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, along with the total antioxidant capacity in the ‘Vranac’ grape, increased from the first to the second harvest date, but a decline was noted at the third harvest. ‘Žilavka’ grape exhibited an increase in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as total antioxidant capacity from the first to the second harvest date, with no decrease recorded by the third harvest. As expected, the red grape variety ‘Vranac’ contained higher levels of phenolics and flavonoids than the light-skinned grape variety ‘Žilavka’.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an economically significant food crop in China, and increasing tuber yield is a national priority. We conducted a meta-analysis utilising 180 studies and 1 583 pairs of observations to quantify the effects of fertilisation on potato tuber yield using data on climate, soil nutrients, and planting strategies. Compared with no fertilisation, fertilisation increased tuber yield by 33.64% overall. Applying single N, P, or K fertilisers increased yield by 33.64, 23.37, and 16.18%, respectively; combined NP, NK, and PK applications increased yield by 33.64, 36.34, and 19.12%, respectively. The greatest yield increase (49.18%) was achieved when NPK fertilisers were applied together. Average annual precipitation had the strongest effect on tuber yield, followed by cultivar identity and the availability of soil potassium. Under appropriate fertilisation regimes, tailoring planting strategies to local climate and soil nutrient status can maximise potato yield and improve economic returns. These findings have implications for future potato cultivation in China.

While the benefits of using futures to manage price risk are widely recognised, only certain groups of farmers have suitable futures at their disposal. This paper discusses an innovative instrument, developed in the Belgian-Dutch pear market, that provides an alternative to futures markets by creating a market for price swaps. Thus, the instrument provides some benefits of market-traded derivatives (like futures) while remaining a relatively simple instrument, which requires fewer market transactions. The paper describes key properties of the swap contracts and the platform used to trade them. In addition, it compares the conditions required for establishing price swap markets and futures markets. Thus, our study informs the design of similar risk management instruments for commodities and contexts where futures are absent.

Farms generally produce products with low differentiation. To reach an increase in the profit and sales, product differentiation is one of the potential strategies that could be successfully applied. This paper identifies "Intermediate Consumption/Total Output" as a simple and user-friendly indicator for farm product differentiation performance and comparison assessment in the Czech Republic, based on a two-step cluster analysis performed on 1 225 farms with different operating conditions and reproduction process characteristics in the Czech Republic. The data are sourced from Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN CZ). Four farm clusters based on product differentiation levels are identified and described from the point of view of the production process and conditions. The resulting cluster profiles, in general, indicate the production conditions and process affecting the resulting product differentiation. Nevertheless, farms deliver extraordinary product differentiation values in fields with less favourable conditions and production processes. Those have the potential to be an inspiration for farms with lower product differentiation values. The result of this paper provides hope, less favourable conditions are not a limit for formidable performance. This paper result can be practically applied by anyone aiming to easily identify, evaluate, and compare farm product differentiation levels.

The research article's primary aim was to provide a comprehensive and systematic view of a new dimension of logistics in the form of logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. The intention thereof was to define and then analyse selected logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises. The research object was formed by 95 agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. MS Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 20 were used to process the data in the questionnaire. The univariate descriptive statistics and multivariate descriptive statistics were used to interpret the data. The research results were tested and evaluated by means of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Medium-sized agricultural enterprises in Slovakia represented the largest segment (68%) of the study. The agricultural enterprises mostly understand the use of smart technologies as an innovation in logistics (mean = 4.43). The results of the research showed that the analysed agricultural enterprises intend to innovate mainly the production logistics (mean = 3.20). Out of the logistics processes, the agricultural enterprises want to innovate mostly the inventory management (mean = 4.55). Lean logistics is the most frequently implemented logistics innovation in agricultural enterprises (mean = 3.64). The hypothesis testing has proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of lean logistics and production logistics innovation. In addition, it was proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of radio frequency identification (RFID) and the logistics process innovation - inventory management.

The aim of the paper was to define the effect of the pandemic on employee motivation. Following the questionnaires, the level of motivation in agricultural and forestry organizations before the COVID-19 pandemic in the years 2018-2019 and after the crisis in the years 2020-2021 was defined. The hypotheses were tested using the variance analysis with interactions. The analysed field (financial, social, work, and career-related) was presented by the dependent variable. The categorical independent variables were used to describe the age, gender, and the time before or after the COVID-19 pandemic. A reduction in the level of the requirements in all areas of motivation in terms of age and gender is the result of the study. The needs and requirements of the employees of agricultural and forestry organizations are reduced. The order of importance of the groups stays almost the same. The finding that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has, besides others, effect on human resource management, especially on employee motivation, is considered the main contribution of the study. The results of the study result in enhancing the knowledge about economic development through human resource management at the time of the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cyclical nature of hop market pricing has been recorded since the 16^th century, but the effect had never previously been documented or quantified. Using Bayesian inference in an analysis of data regarding the US hop industry collected and published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) it was possible to measure the change of inventory and acreage responsiveness to price during periods of free and markets regulated through the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR). The data demonstrated a delayed, reduced, or total lack of responsiveness in the change of direction of acreage and inventory in response to directional changes in season average price (SAP) during free market periods. This reaction was referred to as the delayed surplus response (DSR). The data also demonstrated the absence of the DSR during periods in which proprietary varieties reached greater than 50% of US acreage and production. Patented plant varieties offer a legal monopoly over that intellectual property (IP). The absence of the DSR during periods in which a majority of US acreage and production were proprietary indicated a strong degree of control over supply. By extension, the owners of proprietary varieties demonstrated the ability to influence price at desired levels.

In this paper, free amino acids, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds in buckwheat of different hull colour were quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV), respectively. A total of 20 free amino acids, 8 fatty acids, and 6 phenolic compounds were detected in Tartary buckwheat flour and bran. The data on concentrations were subjected to common chemometric analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), to gain better understanding of the differences between the tested samples. Results indicated that most of the free amino acids, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds were higher in bran than in flour, and there is no significant difference in respect to the hull colour. Our results may be helpful for quality control in Tartary buckwheat and its products in the future.

Between 2014 and 2019, a total of 361 commercially available Czech beer samples (103 brands) were analysed for gluten content using a competitive enzyme immunoassay. The gluten levels in different types of beers ranged from < 10 mg L^-1 to 3 380.0 mg L^-1. The percentage of samples that can claim the gluten-free status (< 20 mg L^-1) were in categories gluten-free (99%), radler (84.6%), non-alcoholic beer (44.2%), lager beer group I (16.6%), lager beer group II (16.3%), special beer (25%) and wheat beer (0%). The important finding from this work was that 2 out of 196 beer samples with a gluten-free label contained more gluten than allowed under the guidelines established by the European Union and the Codex Alimentarius Standard. From a consumer point of view, it is also significant that in addition to gluten-free samples, 15.4% of radlers, 55.8% of non-alcoholic beers, 71.4 to 75.5% of all lagers and 66.6% of special beer samples could be labelled as very low gluten (21-100 mg L^-1).

The aim of the study was to examine the contents of nitrates and nitrites in raw beef coming from cattle of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed, black-and-white type, originating from different parts of Poland. The research material comprised semitendinosus and longissimus thoracis muscles obtained from 176 heads of cattle. The content of nitrites in the examined muscles ranged from 0.6 to 13.3 mg kg^-1 in rump muscles and from 0.8 to 13.7 mg kg^-1 in muscles of the back. The most samples were characterised by the presence of nitrites in the range from 1 to 5 mg kg^-1, and the least samples from 11 to 14 mg kg^-1. The contents of nitrates were significantly higher, ranging from 10.2 to 73.5 mg kg^-1 in the semitendinosus muscle and from 10.4 to 74.3 mg kg^-1 in the thoracis longissimus muscle. Such and higher level of contamination may be the cause of meat discolouration after heat treatment despite the absence of curing ingredients. It is necessary to continuously monitor the concentration of nitrates in raw materials, water and feed to ensure the complete safety of food of animal origin.

The article presents the results of homogeneity assessments for selected food mixes based on computer image analysis. The study was conducted on müsli and condiment mixes standardly available on the consumer market. A total of 40 different ready-for-use products were analysed. Collected samples from three package of each product were placed in a special chamber and then photographed. Photographs were then subjected to computer image analysis to acquire information on the percentage content of individual components. Homogeneity assessment was based on the contents of a selected component called tracer and the coefficient of variation (CV). Lower CV values (3.02-27.31%) and thus better homogeneity was observed for condiment mixes as compared to müsli mixes (3.57-59.15%). Fourteen of twenty condiment mixes had adequate (acceptable at CV ≤ 10%) mixing degree. For the müsli, only six of the tested mixes had appropriate homogeneity. The presented results are a preliminary to developing an image-based methodology for determining the uniformity of granular dry food mixes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of essential and toxic elements between the orange juice and orange flesh of various orange cultivars. Different orange cultivars, such as Abousorah [Citrus sinensis (L.)], Aseear (Citrus aurantium), Afandi (Citrus reticulata Blanco), Helo (Citrus sinensis), and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), were collected from local markets. Elemental analysis was carried out after microwave-assisted digestion using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in 18 samples. Eleven elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, and Pb) were analysed. Their average concentrations ranged from 0.006 µg g^-1 to 7.13 µg g^-1 in both orange juice and flesh (wet weight). There was a high increase in the average concentrations of all elements in the juice compared to the flesh of up to 40-fold.

This study aimed to examine consumer satisfaction and repurchase intention for a chicken soup meal kit. Thus, this study was conducted on 135 Korean adults in their twenties and older who purchased a chicken soup meal kit from August 1 to August 31, 2021. In this study, after excluding 7 questionnaires who responded insincerely, the questionnaires of 128 people were finally analysed. For the collected data, frequency analysis, reliability analysis, factor analysis, and correlation analysis were performed using the statistical package SPSS 20.0, and multiple regression analysis was performed to test the hypothesis. Convenience (β = 0.442) and price (β = 0.337) among the selection attributes of chicken soup meal kit products had a significant effect on satisfaction, while diversity (β = 0.0.27) and quality (β = 0.047) were not significant. Also, convenience (β = 0.504) and price (β = 0.337) affected repurchase intention among the purchasing attributes of the meal kit. However, diversity (β = 0.101) and quality (β = 0.045) did not exert any significant effects on repurchase intention. Finally, it was confirmed that satisfaction with the meal kit had a significant effect on the repurchase intention. Therefore, this study predicts that enhancing convenience and price competitiveness rather than quality or variety among chicken soup meal kit purchasing attributes will increase consumer satisfaction and repurchase intention.

Polyamines are closely associated with environmental stresses and melatonin pretreatment enhances the resistance of fruit to chilling stress. However, a mechanism underlying melatonin-mediated chilling resistance remains to be answered. This research aimed to illuminate whether polyamines would be involved in melatonin-mediated chilling resistance. Therefore, in the experiment, the polyamines conjugated to the plasma membrane from the melatonin-pretreated apricot flesh cell were examined under chilling stress. Chilling resistance was judged by four parameters: fruit browning degree, plasma membrane permeability, malondialdehyde content and plasma membrane protein sulfhydryl level. Results showed melatonin pretreatment led to obvious rises in the levels of non-covalently conjugated spermine and spermidine, and covalently conjugated putrescine and spermidine in the plasma membrane. Methylglyoxyl-bis (guanylhydrazone) pretreatment could inhibit the melatonin-induced increases of non-covalently conjugated spermidine and spermine by inhibiting S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activity and free spermidine and spermine contents in flesh, coupled with the decrease in chilling resistance. Similarly, phenanthroline pretreatment could inhibit the melatonin-induced increases in covalently conjugated putrescine and spermidine in the plasma membrane through inhibiting transglutaminase (TGase) activity and simultaneously could aggravate chilling damage. The results suggested melatonin pretreatment could enhance chilling resistance by increasing non-covalently conjugated spermidine and spermine, as well as covalently conjugated putrescine and spermidine in the plasma membrane of apricot fruit.

Yams are staples in West Africa. They are propagated from tubers in an informal seed system. This encourages a build-up of diseases, and necessitates the rapid development of a formal seed system where certified seeds are functional. Although few reports exist on the use of meristem culture to generate pathogen-free yam, the success rate for the most economically important species in the sub-region, Dioscorea rotundata, for the most prevalent viruses is inadequate. To generate pathogen-free yam planting materials, the relative efficiency of tissue culture and positive selection was compared. Twenty-one asymptomatic yam plants were positively selected from 8187 stands of five landraces. Five of these stands were tested virus-negative by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Yam mosaic virus (YMV), Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and by PCR for the genus Badnavirus (BV), giving 0.08% success. Single nodes of the positively selected stands were used to establish in vitro plantlets, which were screened onto bacteriological indexing medium. The same was done for meristem- and node-derived plantlets of the improved variety TDr 95/19158. Incidence of endophytes ranged from 18 to 32% in the nodal plantlets while it was 0% in the meristem-derived plantlets. The effect of meristem culture combined with thermotherapy on the virus infection status was determined using virus-tested, one week old in vitro plantlets of eight improved genotypes. These in vitro plantlets were incubated at 36 ± 0.5°C and 16 h photoperiod for 21 days, after which meristems were excised, regenerated into plantlets and re-tested for viruses. Seventy-three percent of the samples were recovered from YMV but the effect on BV was inconsistent. Positive selection can be used as a palliative in generating quality declared seed but meristem culture combined with thermotherapy is more efficient for generating certified seed tubers of yam.

In vitro meristem cultures have been used for the production of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) virus-free rootstocks worldwide, because multipropagation is considered to preserve the genetic stability of the produced plantlet. Nevertheless, in vitro tissue cultures can cause genetic and epigenetic changes. Therefore, we studied the genetic and epigenetic variability of Saaz Osvald's clones, Sládek and Premiant cultivars on the DNA methylation level by methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP). In vitro propagated plants, acclimatised glasshouse rootstocks as well as derived mericlones and control plants under field conditions were used for the analyses. A total of 346 clearly and highly reproducible amplified products were detected in the MSAP analyses within the studied hop plants. We found 16 polymorphic products (4.6% of products) and 64 products with methylation changes (18.5% of products) in the analyses. The demethylation events were comparable to the de novo methylation events. Most demethylation changes were found in the in vitro plants, but only a few of them were found in the derived mericlones under field conditions. In contrast, the de novo methylation changes persisted in the acclimatised plants under glasshouse or field conditions. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used for the evaluation of the molecular genetic variability within the individual samples. The dendrogram showed that the individual samples of the same variety, more or less, clustered together. Because the methylation status varied during the virus-free rootstock production process, we suppose that de/methylation process is a natural tool of epigenetics and evolution in vegetatively propagated plants.

Recently, consumers have paid an attention to animal-friendly meat. The aim of the study was to evaluate the meat quality of breast muscles in indoor and free-range chickens with respect to the stocking density of outdoor chickens (8.3 or 4.15 birds per m²) fed feed with rapeseed oil. The free-range chickens reached 96 and 97% of the final live weight of the indoor chickens and their feed : gain ratio was by 7 and 9% higher. The pasture intake had a small effect on the breast meat quality and was presumably associated with rapeseed oil in the basal diet which strongly influenced meat monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid content and reduced the effect of pasture. The free-range system and lower stocking density led to an increase in muscle fibre cross-sectional area and diameter and a higher meat shear force (P = 0.003). Concerning the meat sensory properties, the total acceptability of the meat of free-range chickens with a lower stocking density was found to be lower compared with the other groups.esults indicate a minor effect of the rearing system and free-range stocking density on chicken meat quality, and also that meat quality in experiments with free-range housing can be affected by a fat source in basal diet.

Current animal breeding approaches are strongly associated with the development of sophisticated molecular genetics methods and techniques. Worldwide expansion of genomic selection can be achieved by the identification of genetic DNA markers and implementation of the microarray ("chip") technology. Further advancement was associated with next-generation sequencing methods, high-throughput genotyping platforms, targeted genome editing techniques, and studies of epigenetic mechanisms. The remarkable development of "omics" technologies, such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, has enabled individual genomic prediction of animal performance, identification of disease-causing genes and biomarkers for the prevention and treatment and overall qualitative progress in animal production.

Ornamental cabbages are cultivars of cabbages grown for decorative purposes due to the varied shape and colour of their internal leaves. The aim of the study was to determine the course of growth and to assess the decorative and nutritional value of two cultivars of ornamental cabbage ('Pigeon Red', 'Coral Prince') grown in a flowerbed along with annual plants: the French marigold (Tagetes patula nana L.) and flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum Mill.), using a pine bark mulch. The impact of the marigold and flossflower on the cabbage height and foliage changed with the plant growth. Cabbages growing without the proximity to the other species had the smallest diameter and formed the least leaves; and the plant's height was lower in September. The cabbage height, foliage and leaf colour were modified by the weather in the subsequent years of research. The proximity of the marigold or flossflower and mulching of the soil with bark did not affect the colour of the leaves. The nutritional value of the ornamental cabbage was high, and the content of the mineral components in the leaves depended largely on their colour. The coloured leaves were more abundant in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, while the green leaves contained more calcium and sulfur, and slightly more dry matter.