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The effect of thinning on litterfall and decomposition of biomass was investigated in Norway spruce IUFRO thinning experiment (CZ-13), Czech Republic. The experiment was established in 1971 in an 8-year-old spruce stand on former farmland. Quantity and quality of litterfall and biomass from humus horizons were analysed in two treatments (1C - no thinning, 2T - heavy thinning at the young age). Forest floor was investigated in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2009 and litterfall was observed in the period 2002-2009. Accumulated dry mass in forest floor after 39 years of existence of spruce stands continually decreased until the age of 46 years (from 80-100 to 30-50 Mg.ha^-1). Under thinned stand, a lower amount of dry mass was observed compared to the control. Although mean total annual litterfall was the same in both treatments (5.3 Mg.ha^-1), the observed trend indicates a possible effect of thinning on the higher rate of decomposition. With the exception of calcium (2002-2005 samples) we found the forest floor lower in nutrients and litterfall higher in nutrients in thinned plot compared to the control. Our results supported the theory that early thinning is an appropriate silvicultural strategy helping spruce to cope with growth conditions on sites naturally dominated by broadleaves.

Current British Columbia forest regulations drive the regeneration management towards pure conifer stands rather than remaining in a mixed-species condition. This approach may result in unnecessary vegetation control. The main objective of this investigation was to study the impact of variable paper birch densities on white spruce growth in 15-20 years old stands for management implications. Regression analysis was used to examine the effect of birch density and two competition indices to predict spruce growth. A mixed model ANOVA showed that spruce mean annual DBH and basal area increment differed significantly among sites and density. From the regression analysis it appears that birch density up to 4,000 stems.ha^-1 had no significant influence on spruce growth which is much higher than the current BC reforestation guideline (1,000 stems.ha^-1 broadleaves). Similarly, birch relative density index (RDI) had to exceed 3 to affect spruce DBH growth significantly on all sites except one. On most sites, spruce had a larger DBH than birch. Our results also suggest that rather than following the current broadcast approach to vegetation management, a targeted approach could enhance forest productivity and stand diversity.

The onset and course of selected vegetative phenological phases of beech along the altitudinal gradient in Slovak Republic were studied. Observations were done in the Burda Mts. (200-300 m a.s.l.), Kremnické vrchy Mts. (500 m a.s.l.) and in the Poľana Mts. (900-1,000 m a.s.l., 1,200-1,400 m a.s.l.). Selected spring phenological phases (budburst and leaf unfolding) as well as autumn phenological phases (autumn colouring and leaf fall) were investigated over the period of 5 years (2007-2011). The earliest onset of spring phenological phases during the period of study was found at the lowest-lying sites in the Burda Mts. By contrast, the latest one was observed at the uppermost site in the Poľana Mts. The dynamics of autumn phenological phases had the opposite course compared to spring phenophases. The earliest onset, observed in the uppermost locality in the Poľana Mts., was gradually delayed with decreasing altitude. The phenological gradient, expressing a shift in the onset of spring phenophases along the gradient, reached the mean values of 2.83-3.00 days per 100 m of an increase in altitude. In the case of autumn phenological phases the gradient ranged from -1.00 to -1.78 days per 100 m. On average, the growing season of beech lasted from 128 to 181 days along the altitudinal gradient. Significant correlations (P < 0.001) were calculated between the date of the onset of phenophases and altitude.

This research compared roadside chipping and road side processing systems. Two sites planted with Eucalyptus globulus were selected to study these harvesting systems. A time and motion study was applied to collect the data for both harvesting systems. The working cycles for each machine were recorded as well as the variables af­fecting the working productivity. Using the multiple regression method the appropriate models were developed. The results showed that the productivity of feller-buncher and processor was significantly affected by tree size. Productivity of skidders was dependent on extraction distance and load weight. Productivity for road side processing was higher than for road side chipping, which resulted in a lower unit cost. The unit cost (from stand to the mill) for road side processing and road side chipping averaged 22.68 AUD.t-1 and 21.07 AUD.t-1, respectively.

We evaluated the research on silviculture-production in the last 45 years in a 105-year-old beech stand, not tended up to its stand age of 60 years. Four alternatives (tending regime) were studied for development of the target (crop) trees. These were: (i) plot with heavy thinning from below (C degree according to the German Forest Research Institutes from 1902), (ii) plot with free crown thinning (thinning interval of 5 years), (iii) plot with free crown thinning (thinning interval of 10 years), and (iv) control plot (with no thinning). Target trees in the stand were selected and marked at the beginning of the study. Their development was analysed in relation to the method of tending. Based on the 45-year research period, we conclude that the most favourable results were obtained on plots tended by free crown thinning (thinning interval of 5 or 10 years) in comparison with plots tended by heavy thinning from below or with the control plot (without any tending).

Forest ecosystem and in particular forest soil biodiversity and stability could be jeopardised by the impropriate tree species composition. Douglas fir is a species which has a high potential in Europe both from economic and biodiversity aspects of forest management. A more detailed analysis of Douglas fir effects on the humus forms and forest soil under different conditions is needed to evaluate the future use of this species in central European forests. The study plots cover acid sites with natural hardwood, spruce monoculture and Douglas fir stands. The soil analysis proved favourable effects of this species on soil chemistry, organic matter as well as nutrient dynamics. When compared with domestic coniferous species, Douglas fir proved to have lower acidifying effects on upper soil layers and contributes to better humus forms, recycling nutrients more effectively and producing litter which could be easily decomposed.

The transformation process of even-aged forest stands to irregular forest stands on waterlogged sites after 20 years effort was analysed. Data from two 1-ha PRP was analysed with special focus on structural (Shannon Evenness Index, Simpson Index and Gini Index) and species (Shannon Evenness Index and Simpson Index) diversity. Different development on study plots confirmed that the highest structural diversity is not often compatible with the concept of species diversity. On PRP 1 high diameter differentiation has led to lower values of species diversity, while on PRP 2 rather moderate diameter differentiation supported higher species diversity in lower DBH classes. The Gini Index was confirmed to be the best indicator for monitoring the diameter differentiation in the course of stand transformation.

Ornamental nurseries, garden centres, public gardens and urban greenery in the Czech Republic were surveyed in 2006-2009 for the presence of Phytophthora spp. and the diseases they cause on ericaceous plants. Diseased plants such as Rhododendron spp., Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium sp., and Azalea sp. showed various symptoms including leaf spot, shoot blight, twig lesions or stem, root and collar rot. Nearly 140 Phytophthora isolates were collected from symptomatic plants in different areas of the country. Of the Phytophthora spp. on ericaceous plants or in their surroundings, P. plurivora appeared to be the most common species. Herein, we focus on the most frequently occurring species, P. plurivora, and describe its morpho-physiological and pathogenicity features and confirm its identity based on ITS sequences of rDNA. In addition, we give a list of other Phytophthora spp. including P. cactorum, P. cambivora, P. cinnamomi, P. citrophthora, P. megasperma, P. multivora, P. ramorum, and P. gonapodyides that we identified on the basis of their cultural and morphological characteristics and DNA sequences. We also discuss their importance in cultivated and natural ecosystems.

Ten-year results of the practical immunity investigation of apricot cv. Harlayne are presented. Two-year-old trees of cv. Harlayne were inoculated by chip-budding with six different strains and isolates of Plum pox virus (PPV). PPV inoculated trees grew in the field and were evaluated from 2001 to 2011. No PPV symptoms appeared in the leaves of cv. Harlayne within ten years (2002-2011), and within eight years (2004-2011) in the fruits and stones. None of the six isolates of three different PPV strains was detected in the leaves and fruits by ELISA. Suckers of the rootstock Prunus myrobalana developed around cv. Harlayne trees in 2005-2011 were symptomless and ELISA was negative within seven years. New trees of cv. Harlayne obtained from tested trees by budding on PPV susceptible apricot rootstock MVA-2 in 2007 were PPV free from 2008 through 2011. The presence of PPV was proved by ELISA neither in leaves of cv. Harlayne nor in rootstock MVA-2.

We compared three control strategies against European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner) in maize with respect to carabid beetles, beneficial epigeal arthropods. The impact of the focal treatment (insect resistant Bt maize MON 810) was compared with conventionally farmed and Trichogramma-treated plots at two sites (Prague-Ruzyně and Ivanovice na Hané) in the Czech Republic, replicated in three cropping seasons (2002-2004). The sampled assemblages were species-poor. The species were unevenly distributed in terms of their catch size - the communities were dominated by 7 (Ruzyně) or 3 (Ivanovice) species. No differences were found in species richness or species composition between treatments, seasons or sites, suggesting no effect of planting transgenic insect resistant Bt maize MON 810 on the assemblages of carabid beetles in the study fields.

Pyrenophora semeniperda is abundant in soil seed banks of Bromus tectorum, where it kills a fraction of seeds throughout the year. The pathogen engages in a race with host seeds for endosperm resources; the pathogen success is negatively correlated with seed germination speed. We developed a deterministic model to predict pathosystem outcomes (seed death versus seed escape), using seed bank data from 80 sites collected over a 13-year period. The response variable (killed seeds in the spring seed bank) was regressed on multiple predictor variables (pathogen and host densities at seed dispersal, amount and timing of precipitation). Increased mortality was associated with high seed rain, high pathogen density, and low autumn precipitation. On xeric sites, a positive feedback loop between pathogen and host is created by a large carryover seed bank containing secondarily dormant seeds vulnerable to fungal attack and results in higher inoculum loads at seed dispersal the following year.

The main aim of this study was to determine the intensity of hydrophobic/hydrophilic components of the soil's organic matter as well as its hydrophobicity. Non-destructive Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used for the diagnosis and characterization of the basic classes of the chemical groups (hydrophilic and hydrophobic components) from which the organic matter in the soils is formed. Soil samples (depth 0-30 cm) were taken from the topsoil of the 70 sampling sites from the experimental field at Prague-Ruzyne (Czech Republic) during 2007-2009, where a conventional soil tillage technology was used. It was found that the variability of the intensity of the hydrophobic components is greater (27.6%) than that of the intensity of the hydrophilic components (6.2%), which correlated significantly with the C_org (r = 0.58; P < 0.05) and N_t (r = 0.65; P < 0.05) in the soil. It was proven that the soil samples with a higher proportion of coarse grains are more hydrophobic than those with higher proportions of clay. Data about soil hydrophobicity can help to evaluate the soil quality parameters as well as the soil fertility.

The adverse effect of the application of phosphorus (P) on arsenic (As) adsorption by soils can result in increasing mobility and availability of As. However, in different soils, P might influence As adsorption differently. In this study, the arsenate [As^(V)] adsorption capacities of six soils with different properties and the effects of P application were studied. The results indicated that the adsorbed As^(V) contents all increased as a function of the As^(V) content in equilibrium. When analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich equations, the maximum As^(V) adsorption capacity of 0.72 mg/g was found for an Alumi-Plinthic Acrisol, while the minimum capacity of 0.09 mg/g was observed for an Epigleyic Cambisol. The adverse effects of P application on As^(V) adsorption by the six soils were observed to be variable. When the P/As molar ratio in a culture experiment was increased from 0 to 10, the maximal and minimal decreases in the As^(V) adsorption capacity of 0.086 and 0.014 mg/g were found in the Alumi-Plinthic Acrisol and Epigleyic Cambisol, respectively. P was relatively more effective in competing for adsorption sites with As^(V) in the Alumi-Plinthic Acrisol and Luvi-Endogleyic Phaeozem due to their higher A/P values (decrease in adsorbedAs/added P) of 1.143 and 1.135, respectively. These results will help decrease the environmental risk of some As-contaminated agricultural soils through the controlled application of P.

Influence of the nitrogen injection fertilization 'controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition' (CULTAN) on winter rape yield and seed composition was studied in 2009 and 2010 at two sites with different soil-climatic conditions in the Czech Republic. Two conventional treatments consisted of fertilization using the system of divided doses applied on soil surface. Two CULTAN treatments used injection fertilization with the whole dose of nitrogen applied once in the vegetation period, in early spring at the BBCH 26 stage (6 side shoots detectable). The trial compared conventional and CULTAN treatments. The overall dose of nitrogen was 200 kg N/ha in each treatment. The seed yield in a two-year average was 4.83 t/ha at conventional and 4.80 t/ha at the CULTAN treatment. This difference was not statistically significant. The higher nitrogen content in seed was recorded mainly at CULTAN treatments at the Hněvčeves site in 2009. An inconclusively higher phosphorus content was recorded in winter rape seed fertilized with the CULTAN method at both sites in 2010. Content of K, Ca, Mg and S did not show statistically significant differences between the two treatments during both experimental years. In oiliness no differences between conventional and CULTAN methods were observed.

The leaf dehydration was accompanied by the highest increase in the content of cell wall-bound phenolics (CPh) during heading (148.3% C; % of control) and in course of drought applied twice during propagation and flowering (130.5% C) of triticale. A statistically significant correlations were obtained only for CPh and parameters of leaf water status and chlorophyll fluorescence. An increase in the content of free phenolics (FPh) under drought conditions was only noticed during the flowering (111.4% C) of plants. Drought application exhibited most spectacular decrease in the ratio of FPh to CPh during propagation (48.5% C) and heading (58.8% C). It was found that the cell wall increases at the expense of free phenolic compounds.

The effect of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylphyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on N-fertilized crop growth and soil N₂O emissions were studied at two experimental sites in Southern Italy, characterised by a Mediterranean climate and different soil texture. The experiments were a randomized block design of two treatments: crop fertilized with NH₄NO₃ (considered the control treatment) or amended with DMPP plus NH₄NO₃ (considered the DMPP treatment). ANOVA was performed to assess differences between treatments and fertilization periods whereas simple and multiple linear regressions were performed in order to assess the effect of the soil-related in-dependent variables on soil gases emissions. Growth of potato plants fertilized with DMPP-added nitrogen was enhanced compared to control plants, whereas no benefit on maize plants grown during summer was observed. N₂O emissions measured from soil to potato after the first fertilization with DMPP-added nitrogen was reduced during winter, but was higher than control after the second fertilizer application in spring, leading to comparable N₂O emission factors (EF1) between treatments. In maize N₂O emissions and EF1 were lower for DMPP compared to control treatment. The effectiveness of reduction in soil N₂O emission was influenced by soil temperature and water-filled pore space (WFPS) in both experimental sites. However, the overall effect of WFPS was contrasting as N₂O emissions were decreased in potato and enhanced in maize.

Three most frequently used methods for fat transesterification were compared using rendering plant fat (RPF) as model. Acid-catalysed transesterification was found to be the most effective (conversion 90%) at optimum conditions (fat: methanol ratio 1:10, sulphuric acid amount of 2% v/v, temperature 95°C). Base-catalysed transesterification of RPF on the other hand, results in much lower conversion (45%) at optimum conditions (fat:methanol ratio 1:20, NaOH amount 8% w/v, optimum temperature 95°C). The difference is done (among others) by the fact that RPF has high concentration of free acid (high acidity number) compared with the fats usually used for transesterification and that free acids are not esterified in alkaline media. Enzyme-(lipase) catalysed reaction could lead to partial esterification of free fatty acids, but with much lower reaction velocity. This fact leads to higher conversion in the case of enzyme-catalysed transesterification of RPF compared with base-catalysed reaction; nevertheless, even in this case the conversion is much lower in comparison with acid-catalysed reaction. The optimum conversion in enzyme-catalysed reaction was 55%.

North Bohemia belongs to one of the most heavily industrialized and polluted regions in Europe. The enormous acid deposition which culminated in the 1970s has largely contributed to the accelerated acidification process in the soils and consequently to the wide forest decline in North Bohemian mountains. In this paper we map the active topsoil pH and humus quality with ordinary, universal, and regression kriging and compare the accuracy of resulting maps with cross-validation. For the regression kriging we use two types of spatially exhaustive auxiliary information, first the altitude derived from digital elevation model and second the land cover classes derived from satellite imagery. The leave-one-out (cross-validation) statistics, i.e. mean error, root mean squared error, and mean squared deviation ratio, are taken for comparison since they are widely accepted as measurements of the accuracy of digital soil maps. The results show that the regression kriging is superior over other kriging methods in this case. Out of 97 sampling sites the regression kriging with land cover classes is the best predictor at 32 sites for pH and at 30 sites for humus quality, the regression kriging with altitude at 31 and 25 sites, the universal kriging at 21 and 23 sites, and the ordinary kriging at 13 and 18 sites. The highest number of best predictions for regression kriging implies that the topsoil pH and humus quality are driven approximately equally by land cover and altitude and little less by pure geographic position. Furthermore, the universal kriging maps show a northeast to southwest spatial trend of topsoil pH and a northwest to southeast spatial trend for humus quality.

In the current study, intracellular (neutrophil and monocyte) concentrations of free and liposome encapsulated ampicillin in sheep were investigated. Free ampicillin (5 mg/kg b.w.) and liposome encapsulated ampicillin (5 mg/kg b.w.) were administered as a bolus intravenous injection to sheep. After the injections, blood samples (5 ml) were collected into tubes from v. jugularis at 10, 30, 60 minutes and 2, 4 and 8 hours. Neutrophils and monocytes were isolated, and lysed in distilled water. Ampicillin concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The results indicate that liposome encapsulated ampicillin caused the higher intracellular concentrations within neutrophil (ratio of liposome encapsulated ampicillin/free ampicillin; from 1.393 to 5.416) and monocyte (ratio of liposome encapsulated ampicillin/free ampicillin; from 0.973 to 2.906) cells than free ampicillin, and liposome encapsulated ampicillin existed a longer length of time within neutrophil (4 hours) and monocyte (4 hours) cells than free ampicillin (60 minutes), as well. This formulation may be beneficial, in that the treatment of intracellular infections are caused by sensitive bacteria.

This clinical case report deals with a very rare case of the detection of Trypanosoma theileri in the peritoneal fluid of a seven-year-old eight month pregnant cross-bred cow in fourth parity showing frank peritonitis. Peritoneal tab cytology revealed chronic active peritonitis and the presence of polymorphic T. theileri organisms. The parasite was also occasionally detected in blood smears. The protozoan, considered by and large non-pathogenic, has previously been detected in aberrant body sites, other than the peritoneal cavity. A perusal of the available literature indicates that this is the first report of this large stercorarrian trypanosome associated with peritonitis, which was characterized by infiltration of mononuclear cells and neutrophils, as well as a significant number of intact and degranulating eosinophils, not usually seen in protozoan infections.

Claw lesions and lameness in sows are an important welfare concern as well as a cause of considerable economic loss. These problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Given that group housing for gestating sows will become mandatory in the EU from 2013 onwards, the aim of the present study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in sows housed in groups during gestation, and (2) to analyze whether the type of group housing system and sow-related factors were associated with lameness and claw lesions. Eight Belgian pig herds with group housing of gestating sows were selected. Four herds used pens with electronic sow feeders (dynamic groups), the other four herds kept their sows in free access stalls (static groups). All sows were visually examined for lameness at the end of gestation. Claw lesions were scored after parturition. Information about feed, housing conditions and culling (strategy) was collected, as well as information about parity and breed. Of all 421 assessed sows, on average 9.7% (min. 2.4%, max. 23.1%) were lame. Almost 99% of the sows had one or more claw lesion with overgrowth of heel horn (93%) and cracks in the wall (52%) as the most prevalent lesions. Neither for lameness nor claw lesions was significant differences found between the two types of group housing. Lameness decreased while the mean claw lesion score increased with ageing. These results suggest that lameness can be caused by reasons other than claw lesions, especially in older sows. Although no difference was found between the two types of group housing, a huge variation between herds was observed. Moreover, as the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in group housing is quite high and group housing will become mandatory in 2013, further investigation on risk factors of locomotor disorders in sows is necessary.

Mycobacterium pinnipedii causes tuberculosis in free-living and captive pinniped species throughout the world. We report on the isolation of this M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) member from an imported male Southern sea lion (Otaria flavescens) in a zoo in the Czech Republic. Nodular granulomatous lesions were found in the lungs, pleura and mesenteric lymph nodes of this animal and M. pinnipedii was isolated from lung, mesenteric and submandibular lymph nodes. Identification of the isolates was confirmed using two independent molecular methods. Direct IS6110 PCR amplification confirmed the presence of an MTC member in these samples. Faecal and oral swabs from three living female sea lions were examined using direct IS6110 PCR and were all found to be negative. Twelve environmental samples were examined using direct microscopy after Ziehl-Neelsen staining and culture methods along with direct IS6110 PCR examination, all yielding negative results. Seven people that came into close contact with the infected animal were examined using a skin tuberculin test and chest x-ray, revealing no evidence of infection by a MTC member.

We studied the effectivity of a commercial antibiotic kit Mycokill AB for the elimination of mycoplasma contamination in virus strains. The contaminated virus strains were first filtered, treated with Mycokill AB for three hours and repeatedly passaged in its presence in the cultivation medium in pure cell lines. Three passages in the presence of Mycokill AB were invariably followed by three passages without Mycokill AB. The effectivity of purification was then checked by PCR. Twenty-four out of 28 tested virus strains became free of mycoplasma after a first or second cycle of the treatment with Mycokill AB. The other four strains remained positive even after repeated passages. In these cases of a likely resistance to Mycokill AB, we managed to eliminate the mycoplasma contamination through a subsequent treatment with the antibiotic combination BM-Cyclin. Mycokill AB was shown in the elimination of mycoplasma from virus suspensions as successful as other known most effective antibiotics.

Transmissible venereal tumours (TVT) are normally seen on the genitalia of both male and female dogs, and at times may be observed on extra-genital sites such as lips, oral mucosa, and peritoneum, or in organs such as the tonsils, eye, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, and musculature. The present communication deals with two rare cases of primary extragenital TVT involving the mammary glands of dogs and their pathology and immunohistochemistry. The study indicated that apart from routinely used markers such as vimentin, p53, PCNA, Ki-67 and c-myc, the oncogenes Rb and cyclin D1 proved to be novel markers of TVT in dogs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of extra-genital mammary TVT in canines.

In several European countries (e.g., Poland) blood glucose level is the main indicator of feline diabetes mellitus. We describe a case of an adult domestic cat (Felis catus) that exhibited no symptoms of diabetes except high glucose level in blood (≈200 mg/dl) that indicated a possibility of early stage of this disease. However, further investigations including serum fructosamine level determination, systematic urine monitoring as well as comparative analyses of glucose level in blood samples collected at the veterinary clinic and at home revealed that the cat was suffering from stress-induced hyperglycaemia brought on by the car ride and visit to the veterinary clinic. This case highlights the fact that determining blood glucose level alone is insufficient in feline diabetes mellitus diagnosis and can lead to unnecessary treatment with potential adverse effects on feline health.

Despite some progresses in the political situation, the effects of the economic crisis and widespread food insecurity are expected to persist. Humanitarian assistance is now needed to support the needs of the most vulnerable. In the longer term, countries have the significant goal of consolidating peace and security and strengthening the overall governance, while at the same time, reconstructing and rehabilitating their economy.

In the European Union, the support of Less Favoured Areas (LFA) has a long tradition as a part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Above all, it is the objective of the subsidies to maintain the agricultural production in LFAs, but also to consider the environmental aspects in LFAs and its funding schemes. Investigations of the latter are subject of this article. After having discussed the theoretical possibilities to influence environmental impacts by the funding scheme, several analyses are compiled and complemented by own calculations. The research has shown that agricultural practices within Less Favoured Areas are more environmentally friendly than in other areas. Environmentally friendly in this regard means e.g. a lower use of fertilisers and pesticides, but also a higher participation rate in agri-environmental measures. In addition, the crop structures of farms are analysed, e.g. the share of maize and wheat in farms inside and outside the LFAs. While the results presented in this paper relate mainly to Germany, the information on the European level is also taken into consideration. Finally, based on these investigations, recommendations for the revision of the funding programmes following 2013 are given.

Sustainable food consumption is a core policy objective of the new millennium in the national and international agenda, as a consequence, the attention towards sustainable consumption has significantly increased in the last decade. However, the consumer attitudes and buying behaviours of sustainable food are still not completely understood. In this context, this paper aims to investigate the factors affecting consumers' attitudes towards food products with sustainable attributes. The first part of the work presents an overview of the theoretical concepts of sustainable consumption. Subsequently, the results of an empirical analysis with a sample of 300 consumers aimed at assessing factors' affecting consumer attitudes towards food products with sustainable attributes, such as Organic, Fair Trade and typical products, are presented. The results presented in this paper are valuable for both producers in the formulation of marketing strategies and for public institutions in the planning of the programs of education and information for the promotion of sustainable consumption.

The contribution follows the development of Czech wine exports to Slovakia, depending on the development of the wine industry attractiveness in Slovakia. Wine export from the Czech Republic to Slovakia in the terms of volume and value of exports, both globally and in the division of export bulk and bottled wine, is confronted with the development of factors influencing the wine sector attractiveness in Slovakia. The Slovak wine market is a market in the phase of growth, the wine consumption per capita in 2011 reached 14.7 Lt.; the domestic production covered only 46% of the domestic consumption. The level of the industry concentration is high, the 6 largest companies produce more than 18.5 mill. Lt. of wine - 50% of the total domestic production. Wine legislation is comparable to the Czech legislation, the purchasing power of the customers shows a positive development, but the cheap table wine imports still represent more than 50% of the total domestic consumption. The opportunity for Czech exporters is the factor represented by the size and growth of the market and the legislation, too. The situation is rather more positive for the re-export of cheap wine from other countries than the direct export of Czech wine to Slovakia in case of other analyzed factors.

The goal of the paper is to analyse the potential for the innovation of cross border clusters from the sector of agriculture. The methodology which is used is the research of intellectual property (IP) of the clusters' members and clusters by using a specific questionnaire for clusters in two countries: Hungary and Serbia. The analysis of results shows a high level of innovativeness within the clusters' members and the need of protection of their intellectual achievements. The similar results were achieved in both countries. They show that the IP rights at the level of clusters should be protected as the cross border trademark and the name of origin. The scientific contribution of this paper is to introduce the concept of the joint cross border IP protection for two or more clusters from different countries which might be applied across the EU.