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A model of postmenopausal osteoporosis was used in the study. 107 days after ovariectomy the animals were subcutaneously applied 1.0 IU PRL/kg BM or 1.0 IU calcitonin/kg BM for 7 days in single doses. The application of the preparations started again 80 days after the first application. After 194 days the animals were narcotized, blood was collected, and lumbar (L2-L4) and femoral bones were prepared. The material obtained was subjected to densitometric analysis of bone mineral density (BMD). In ovariectomized rats the loss of osseous tissue was observed only in the lumbar bone. The application of prolactin to ovariectomized rats caused an increase in the mineral density of the lumbar bone up to a BMD value equal to that of the control group which had not been subjected to ovariectomy (control healthy group - SHAM). Similar results were obtained in the case of calcitonin. An increase in osteocalcin concentration and activity of isoenzyme alkaline phosphatase (BAL), with a decrease in the activity of isoenzyme acid phosphatase (TRAP) was observed in experimental groups compared to control ones.

This paper compares two different housing systems for laying hens producing table eggs, namely a conventional cage system and an aviary, during three summer months, starting from the 20^th week of the production cycle. Research was focused on airborne bacteria, fungi and dust levels and on the bacterial eggshell contamination. Levels of airborne bacteria determined in the aviary system were many times higher and ranged from 6.2 × 10⁴ CFU/m³ to 8.9 × 104 CFU/m3, and the levels of airborne fungi ranged from 1.6 × 10⁴ to 1.9 × 104 CFU/m³, while the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi determined in the conventional cage system ranged from 1.6 × 10⁴ to 2.5 × 10⁴ CFU/m3 and from 0.8 × 10⁴ to 1.3 × 10⁴ CFU/m³, respectively. Microbial air contamination was associated with eggshell contamination, with the levels in the aviary ranging from 5.4 × 10³ to 9.6 × 103 CFU/eggshell and those in the conventional cage system ranging from 2.3 × 10³ to 3.6 × 10³ CFU/eggshell. Airborne dust levels in the aviary and conventional cage system ranged from 3.2 to 4.6 mg/m³ and from 0.7 to 1.2 mg/m³, respectively. From the aspect of animal welfare and behavioural requirements, alternative systems, i.e. aviaries, appear more acceptable; however, they are not satisfactory from hygienic aspects because of a higher content of airborne pollutants which can represent a greater risk of horizontal contamination of the egg content.

PCR-SSCP was applied to analyze the polymorphisms of A-FABP gene in 4 lines of Beijing ducks (n = 400). The results showed that six SNPs were found in intron 3. There were no polymorphisms found in exon 3 or exon 4. The discovered SNPs were deposited in GenBank (Acc. No.: EU306611 and EU306610). The frequencies of haplotypes A/B in the Z4, Z2, Cherry Valley, Z4 × Z2 populations were 0.745/0.255, 0.764/0.236, 0.552/0.448, 0.672/0.328, respectively. The linkage disequilibrium was stated. The above described SNPs of A-FABP gene allow the incoming association analysis.

The optimal conditions for detecting Apple mosaic virus were assessed by determining relative concentrations of viral coat protein in different tissues (leaves, flower petals, dormant buds, and phloem) in five selected symptomless Apple mosaic virus-infected apple trees of two cultivars at different terms during the vegetation period. Relative concentrations of Apple mosaic viru were calculated as the reciprocal value of the Apple mosaic virus coat protein titer determined by ELISA. The highest relative virus concentration and therefore the highest reliability of virus detection was obtained with young leaves in April before flowering. The reliability of the detection was proved by repeating tests of 80 apple trees of four cultivars in the two subsequent years. The presence of Apple mosaic virus was tested in young apple leaves before flowering taken from 472 apple trees from selected orchards of the Czech Republic. The association of the outcome with climate is also discussed.

In 2008 and 2009 the effects of quassin and neoquassin (oxygenated triterpenes) on apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea Klug, 1814) were studied. In the Czech Republic, monitoring was carried out in small-plot trials and in one laboratory experiment. The extract containing quassin and neoquassin was made by boiling wood chips of a tropical shrub Quassia amara L. (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae). The experimental dosages were 3, 4.5, 6, and 9.25 kg of wood chips/ha. Spray treatment with the quassia extract was carried out just before most larvae hatched out. It was statistically proven that the extract from the wood of Q. amara reduced the apple sawfly infestation of fruitlets. Extract in the dosage corresponding to 3-4.5 kg of quassia wood chips for 1/ha appeared as optimal. The efficacy of these dosages was approximately 40-50%, and the efficacy above 80% was record.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the spruce natural regeneration growth and development in Modrava and Plechý areas, which represent the first and late bark beetle attack areas. Study was done on 13 permanent research plots, partly with vital tree layer and canopy cover and partly characteristic by open or none canopy, due to bark beetle attack. Actually amount of this regeneration is sufficient (average over 12,000 pcs/ha in the living stands and almost half of this amount in the declined stands) on the both types of plots. Faster growth is usually on the declined plots, with saplings larger amount and height increments, in the higher height classes. Particular interest was aimed to the microhabitat conditions, especially herbal cover influence. There were statistically important differences in the amounts and height growth of the first height class on the different microhabitats. As the most sufficient for the seedlings occurrence appeared to be the dead wood and the least suitable were fern and grasses. For the height growth the least suitable was vital tree foot with litter cover. The results indicate, that declined stands, without vital mature trees and without seed source, will likely develop into more or less even-aged forest.

The afforestation of agricultural lands was carried out under different site and ecological conditions, including lower and medium elevated localities. The present study documents the rapidity of accumulation of surface layers and their characteristics in stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies), birch (Betula verrucosa) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in the territory of the Training Forest Enterprise in Kostelec nad Černými lesy, at the altitude 430 m a.s.l., on the site of nutrient-poor gleyed soils. The plots were compared with the neighbouring continuously forested site covered with old pine-spruce stand and with near-situated arable field. During the first roughly 40 years, considerable changes were documented on the afforested plots. Forest-floor humus layers in the coniferous stands have already been formed, the humus forms being more favourable compared with the old forest site. Acidification and loss of nutrients run in the upper mineral horizons. These processes were also responsible for the less favourable character of the forest soil in the old stand. Birch showed minor shifts of soil properties in the mineral horizon compared to the conifers; the surface humus accumulation was not observed there yet. The lowest degradation among conifers was shown in Douglas fir, intensively taking up deficient nutrients on the other hand.

Like in other types of forests the greatest changes in the soil of floodplain forest stands occur during their regeneration. These changes are manifested as changes in the content and dynamics of organic matter in the soil. Research was conducted in oak and ash floodplain forests in the eastern part of Croatia and in southern Moravia in the Czech Republic. The results showed that the type and extent of these changes depended, in addition to environmental factors, also on the technology of forest regeneration. The natural regeneration of oak in floodplain forests of Spačva (eastern Croatia) protects soil from dramatic changes in soil by successive regeneration felling and that it retains the plant cover permanently. The weight of organic matter on the soil surface is increased after regeneration till the period when the effect of thinning becomes evident (about 70 years). In the surface mineral layer of soil the pH value increases after shelterwood felling. Stand regeneration with clear-cutting results in a rapid change in the conditions of surface humus accumulation and decomposition. The process of organic residue accumulation is interrupted in the clearings. In the preparation of soil/site by ploughing, the concentrations of nitrogen and carbon slightly decrease. The management impact depends on the method of site preparation for the establishment of a new stand. The selection of a method of the floodplain forest regeneration (particularly of oak) is markedly dependent on actual ecological conditions and on ecological and historical experience of the given region.

The fine root biomass represents 3,372 kg/ha in the intermediate stage of the beech virgin forest with different admixture of goat willow, where the vast majority of this biomass is located in the uppermost mineral soil layer 0-10 cm. The variability of the fine root biomass calculated from 35 sample points represents approximately 90% of the mean value and reaches the highest value within the humus layer. The total fine root length investigated in 10 cm thick soil layers decreases with increasing soil depth. A significant linear relationship between the fine root length (calculated per 1 cm thick soil layer and 1 m² of stand area) and the soil depth was confirmed, although the correlation is rather weak. The number of root tips decreases with increasing soil depth faster than the root length. As the number of tips per 1 cm of root length remains in the finest diameter class without significant changes, the reason is above all a decreased proportion of the finest root class (diameter up to 0.5 mm) from the total fine root length within the particular soil layer.

The influences of long-term flooding and Phytophthora alni subsp. alni infection on the growth and development of 4-year-old Alnus glutinosa (black alder) saplings were investigated. The black alder saplings were divided into four groups and then subjected to combinations of both factors - flooded and inoculated with pathogen, flooded non-inoculated, non-flooded inoculated, and control. The biomass of the living roots and actinorrhizae, increase in stem length, length of leaves, rate of chlorotic foliage, amount of foliage biomass and length of stem necrosis were assessed after seven weeks. Both factors, flooding and P. alni infection significantly affected the black alder. In addition, a significant effect of interaction was observed. The inoculated flooded group had a substantially lower biomass weight of living roots, actinorrhiza and leaves than the other groups. The necroses caused by the pathogen in the flooded group were more extensive than those in the non-flooded one. These findings demonstrate that the simultaneous incidence of stress caused by flooding and P. alni infection is highly dangerous for black alder.

Natural mixed beech-fir forests were quite widely replaced by spruce dominated stands in Slovakia. Given the demands on the assessment of the forest status as well as on stopping the biodiversity loss it is required to evaluate the influence of Picea abies (L.) Karst. on the species composition. In a case study from the Veporské vrchy Mts. natural beech dominated forests were compared to stands with different spruce proportion. Within three groups of relevés with no, less and more than a half proportion of Picea abies the species diversity and Ellenberg indicator values were compared. The response of particular species to the proportion of Picea abies was evaluated by partial relation in direct gradient analysis. The increasing spruce proportion causes particularly higher occurrence of acidophytes and a decrease in nitrophytes. Species with the highest positive response to spruce are mostly shallow-rooted or characteristic of natural spruce forests. Greater richness along with the highest diversity was found in mixed stands with less than a half proportion of Picea abies. The most significant difference in species composition was between natural and spruce dominated stands. However the proportion of Picea abies does not reduce the species diversity in general, it causes significant changes in the species composition. As the results show, to avoid the negative effect and loss of phytodiversity it is required not to grow spruce dominated stands out of the natural occurrence of Picea abies.

Dioszeghyana schmidtii (Diószeghy 1935), is forest species protected by European Union. Its distribution has been studied essentially by the use of light traps. However, its biology and habitat preferences are not sufficiently known and thus its habitats may be damaged by forest management. We suggest the beating method in order to collect larvae as an useful way to record and to survey D. schmidtii. Larvae of the species can be collected by beating branches of its host plants (Quercus and Acer species) in the lower canopy (below 3 m). Optimal survey time would be the second half of May and the first half of June. Differences between the larvae of D. schmidtii and 16 similar moth larvae, as well as, Tenthredinidae (Hymenoptera) species living at the same time on the same trees are described and figured in a key to identification. The method described in the paper allows one to identify larvae in the field. Results are discussed.

Surface ozone is considered to be a very phytotoxic gaseous air pollutant. Its negative impacts at both the cell and the organ level have been shown, mainly as a result of experiments. However, the demonstration of ozone negative impacts on native plants is not explicit. An assessment of ozone impact on vegetation and ecosystems using indicators based on ambient ozone concentrations is insufficient and assessment techniques based on internal ozone dose and on real plant damage are more appropriate. Such a possible technique is the mapping of ozone visible symptoms due to ozone influence. The ICP-Forest method concerning ozone visible symptoms and the assessment of ozone influence were applied for the purposes of this case study. The visible symptoms are characterized by a few typical signs. Nevertheless, the identification of visible symptoms in native conditions can be problematic and misleading conclusions could be drawn. Therefore it is necessary to complete the identification of visible symptoms with a validation in order to confirm ozone as the cause of plant injury.

The bark beetle Hylastes cunicularius was studied in the Tatra Mountains, West Carpathians, to clarify its role in transferring phoretic uropodine mites during dispersal in a mountain spruce forest. Emphasis was placed on the proportion of beetles vectoring deutonymphs of uropodine mites, and on assemblage structure, frequency distribution and placement of uropodids on the bark beetle vector. A total of 3,302 adults of H. cunicularius were caught into flight interception traps, of which 529 (16%) vectored a total of 1,020 individuals and four species of uropodine mites: Trichouropoda pecinai Hirschmann & Wisniewski, Trichouropoda obscura (C.L.Koch), Uroobovella vinicolora (Vitzthum), Uroobovella ipidis (Vitzthum). The uropodine mite assemblage was dominated by T. pecinai, which represented 94.6% of the collected mite individuals. T. pecinai and U. vinicolora were documented as new associates of H. cunicularius. Frequency distribution of uropodids on the beetle was L-shaped. The number of vectored mites and the number of dispersing individuals of H. cunicularius were positively correlated.

Small mammals cause serious damage to forests but there is only little knowledge of their ecology and possibilities of plantation protection. The objective of our study was to collect information on the damage caused by rodents to plantations of forest tree species. Data were obtained from a survey conducted in 2008 that was aimed at damage caused by small mammals. Questionnaires were sent mostly to foresters engaged in the Lesy CR state enterprise. We obtained usable data from 316 foresters. The response rate was 81%. It was confirmed that rodents cause significant damage all over the Czech Republic and that the occurrence of damage cannot be easily predicted with certainty as significant damage may appear perhaps in a small part of the threatened plantations where the key conditions for small mammals have been fulfilled. The main factors which affected probability of damage include: presence of a woody species attractive to rodents; suitable structure of ground vegetation enabling the pest species to breed sufficiently during the vegetation period; and also long-lasting snow cover. The current approach of forestry practice to damage by small mammals is considerably passive and we are missing an alert system of threat to stands and a methodology of dealing with problematic situations. Most of the foresters are uninterested in small mammals and many have only very smattering knowledge of the dangerousness of individual species and their ecological requirements. The use of rodenticides is expensive and the most effective and economic measure to lower damage by small mammals is to support forest management favouring natural regeneration of forest stands.

In the second half of 20^th century silver fir regeneration has been observed throughout all of the Europe, including the Czech Republic. The Bohemian Forest - Šumava Mts. is one of the regions where the silver fir percentage in forest stands is supposed to be increased from the present 2% to nearly 12%. During the period 2006-2007, in the Czech part of the Bohemian Forest, samples of silver fir were taken mainly in the upper altitudinal limit of silver fir occurrence. In the present paper the results of performed analyses are compared with similar surveys conducted in the other European regions. Samples from the Bohemian Forest, in contrast to other results, differ in higher phosphorus content and lower contents of calcium and manganese. Nitrogen content is slightly higher. Our values for the other elements (magnesium, potassium, zinc, sulphur) are comparable to those reported in Poland and Slovakia. In Germany, aside from the above mentioned differences, higher magnesium content was also found within the locality sampled.

This study provides new information on the distribution of the chestnut blight agent Cryphonectria parasitica and its vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) in the Czech Republic. This study has revealed the presence of the disease in six localities. The VCG tests showed that each locality was represented by a single distinct VCG, which was different from the others collected in the country. The tests with 31 European testers of C. parasitica VCGs (EU-1 to EU-31) had assigned Czech isolates to VCGs EU-1, EU-4, EU-12, EU-13, EU-15, and EU-19. Moreover, the study showed that in the Czech Republic chestnut blight attacks young trees, not exceeding 35 years of age, and that climatic conditions in the country are suitable for C. parasitica. As two of the diseased localities were ornamental tree nurseries, one might expect its further spread over the country as a result of plant trade. The origin of infection remains unknown in all the localities where C. parasitica was detected.

Bifenazate, a new selective carbazate acaricide, seems to be a very good substitute for propargite to control spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) on hops in the Czech Republic. To investigate the phenomenon of T. urticae resistance to this compound, 20 samples of field populations were taken in several Czech and Moravian hop-growing regions in 2006 and 2007 and subjected to laboratory tests in a Potter tower. Low values of C100 M (100% mortality) in comparison with the supposed registered concentration reveal that bifenazate may become a useful acaricide within the anti-resistant strategy against T. urticae not only in Czech but also in all European hop-growing regions.

The genetic diversity of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) was evaluated in 4 isolates sampled from naturally infected grapevines from South Moravia (Czech Republic) and 2 Italian isolates from Bari (Italy). Conserved regions within sequences in databases were found and new primers corresponding to these regions were designed and tested for RT-PCR amplification of the CP codifying region. After sequencing of obtained amplicons the similarity of isolates was analysed via alignments of sequences and by means of dendrograms

The occurrence of Monilinia on stone and pome fruit trees in Slovakia was studied. Commonly distributed species Monilinia laxa, M. fructigena, and American species M. fructicola were determined by the methods used. M. fructicola was identified on the fruits of peach and nectarine imported to our country and on domestic plum fruits as well. To our knowledge, this is the first report on M. fructicola in Slovakia and a new member for Slovak mycobiota.

In November 2009 the gall midge species Horidiplosis ficifolii Harris 2003 was detected in the Czech Republic on leaves of an ornamental fig Ficus microcarpa. The insect is native to South East Asia, where it lives on the genus Ficus. No information is currently available on the prevalence of the pest in the countries of its origin. Imported Ficus plants from China into the Netherlands are sometimes heavily infested with the gall midge. In Europe it is also known from Denmark and the United Kingdom. As Horidiplosis ficifolii is a tropical species, no environmental and social damage is expected.

The objective of this study was to examine and demonstrate how harvesting age (flower age) contribute to the variations in the quality of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. The effects of different flower developmental stages on caffeic acid derivatives and isobutylamide content are described. These phytochemicals were extracted from fresh plants with 60% ethanol and quantified by the HPLC analysis. The results revealed that the quality of Echinacea is strongly influenced by the flower developmental stages. The highest content of both hydrophilic and lipophilic components in the anthodium of Echinacea plants were found in the third (mature) developmental stage, which is regarded as the optimum one for the harvest to obtain optimum yield levels.

This paper addressed the spatial distribution characteristics of organic matter, total nitrogen, extractable phosphorus and extractable potassium in agricultural soils of Northeast China. The related factors were explored using geostatistics and geographic information systems. The results showed that the log-transformed data of the four soil nutrients followed a normal distribution. Soil extractable phosphorus had a higher coefficient of variation. The experimental variogram of the log-transformed data of soil organic matter, total nitrogen and extractable phosphorus was fitted with an exponential model, while soil extractable potassium was fitted to a spherical model. Soil samples from smaller slope gradients had higher organic matter and total nitrogen. Soil type affected the four soil nutrients significantly. Soil samples from dry farming land had significantly higher total nitrogen and extractable potassium than soil from paddy fields, while the contrary was found for extractable phosphorus. Along the Yinma River, soil samples from the western part have statistically higher values for organic matter, total nitrogen and extractable potassium than those collected from the eastern part.

The heavy metal contents and their bioavailability were monitored in soils of Central Spiš region of SR. This area belongs to long term contaminated and hygienically loaded areas. Soil contamination by heavy metals is caused especially by ore mining, processing and treatment. Soil samples from the Central Spiš contained higher proportions of mobile forms which corresponded to the following sequence Pb > Zn > Cu, while for mobilizable forms the sequence of investigated metals was as follows: Cu > Zn > Pb. Soil pH is one of the parameters that affect significantly the share of bioavailable forms of metals. Higher proportions of mobile fractions of metals were detected in samples taken from soils with acidic pH. Statistical processing confirmed a relationship between the percentage share of lead and zinc in the mobile form and the level of pH/KCl, which was significant for Zn: r = -0.53. The relationships for lead and copper were insignificant.

Microarray analysis is a cultivation-independent, high-throughput technology that can be used for direct and simultaneous identification of microorganisms in complex environmental samples. This review summarizes current methodologies for oligonucleotide microarrays used in microbial ecology. It deals with probe design, microarray manufacturing, sample preparation and labeling, and data handling, as well as with the key features of microarray analysis such as specificity, sensitivity and quantification potential. Microarray analysis has been validated as an effective approach to describe the composition and dynamics of taxonomic and functional microbial communities, in environments including soil, compost, sediment, air or humans. It is now part of the technical arsenal available to address key issues in microbial community ecology, ranging from biogeography to ecosystem functioning.

Spring wheat var. Vánek was cultivated in pots in a soil naturally contaminated with heavy metals. Experimental plants were treated with three different types of brassinosteroids (BRs; 24-epibrassinolide, 24-epicastasterone and 4154) during two different growth stages 29-31 DC (off shooting) and 59-60 DC (beginning of anthesis). Content of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) was determined using AAS method in the plant growth stages 47-49 DC (visible awns), 73-75 DC (30-50% of final grain size) and 90-92 DC (full ripeness). At the stages 47-49 DC and 73-75 DC, the content of the heavy metals was determined in the biomass of whole plants, while at the stage 90-92 DC it was determined separately in straw and grains. After the treatment of plants with BRs a decrease in heavy metals content was observed in the growth stage 73-75 DC (i.e. during the period when the plants are harvested for ensilage purposes. Likewise, a decrease of lead content in the grains by 70-74% in the plants treated at both stages 29-31 DC and 59-60 DC and by 48-70% in the plants of the third group (plants treated at stage 59-60 DC) was determined as compared with the untreated plants.

Mercury (Hg) is one of the major pollutants in soils because of the annual import of toxic Hg into the agricultural lands. The aims of the present studies are to investigate the effect of Hg on chlorophyll content in winter wheat var. jinan No. 17. Moreover, calcium (Ca) levels and bioaccumulation of Hg in wheat leaves were studied with the technique of inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SF-MS). The study conducted a range of Hg concentrations from 0~500 mg Hg/kg in the dry weight soil. The soil was artificially contaminated with Hg as follows: 0, 100, 200, and 500 mg Hg/kg as HgCl₂. At early stages of the wheat growth, both low and high concentration of Hg stimulates chlorophyll content, but inhibits chlorophyll content at later stages of the wheat growth. Furthermore, the concentrations of Ca and Hg in wheat leaves increased with the increasing concentration of Hg on the thirty-fourth day with the technique of ICP-SF-MS. The results indicate that Hg can accelerate the absorption of Ca in winter wheat and Hg stress may affect Ca levels in wheat leaves.

Soil microbial biomass is a dynamic force driving soil phosphorus cycling in soils. The temperature, time and method for killing soil organisms in soil biomass P determination are so important factors that affect the results. The aim of this study was to compare some methods of soil sterilization and soil microbial P (Pm) release in extraction with NaHCO₃. Five samples of calcareous soils in three replicates were incubated in field capacity and 28°C. The texture of soils differed from loamy sand to sandy loam. They had 10-15% equivalent calcium carbonate, 1-3% organic carbon and 40-90 mg/kg available P content. After 1, 10, 30, and 50 days of incubation a portion of each soil was sterilized by five methods (chloroform fumigation, autoclaving at 121°C for 0.5 h, oven drying at 70°C for 48 h, oven drying at 180°C for 2 h, and ultrasonification). Phosphorus of the sterilized and control soils were extracted with 0.5M NaHCO₃ (pH 8.5) and determined spectrophotometrically as blue molybdate-phosphate complexes under partial reduction with ascorbic acid. Results showed that the method of soil sterilization and soil type had significant effects on biomass P estimated in soils (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between extracted biomass P at chloroform fumigation, autoclaving at 121°C for 0.5 h, and oven drying at 70°C for 48 h. However biomass P was significantly more extracted from soil by oven drying at 180°C for 2 h and by ultrasonification. Fixation of Pm in soil during the extraction period can reduce the precision of biomass P estimates. This effect was more obvious in biomass P determination by fumigation and oven drying at 70°C for 48 h. Biomass P determined by these methods and autoclaving had positive and significant correlations with soil sand contents, respectively due to long sterilization period and temperature. Ultrasonification released more P from these calcareous soils especially at the start of soil incubation. It released higher microbial P and reduced P sorption in soils; biomass P determined by this method compared to other methods had relatively higher correlations with fungi, glumales spore and P solubilizing bacteria numbers in soil.