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26 herds with 71 586 individual records were used. We tested a hypothesis that milk efficiency was influenced by the elevation of the farm, housing system, breed, area of altitude, and by the cooling of dairy cows. There were 20 herds from lowlands and 6 herds from mountains, 20 herds from free-stall housing, 6 herds from tie-stall housing. 8 herds consisted of Slovakian Pied cattle, 4 herds of Red Holstein cattle, 11 herds of Black-Pied Lowland cattle and 3 herds of Slovakian Pinzgau cattle. The herds were divided into 4 groups according to the nearest meteorological station, and they were distributed according to the type of cooling. 10 herds were cooled by misting, 16 herds by fans. We recorded from 96 to 117 summer days and from 49 to 63 tropical days in lowlands for this summer period. Ninety days with temperature-humidity index (THI) above 72.0 were found in the lowest-elevation area. During 55 days we recorded the values higher than 78.0. Production of milk was higher in lowlands than in mountains (8 761.4 kg vs. 6 372.0 kg; P < 0.01). Differences were also recorded in the evaluation of fat and protein production (346.0 kg vs. 275.9 kg; P < 0.01; 282.6 kg vs. 205.9 kg; P < 0.001). Milk and protein production was higher in free-stall housing than in tie-stall housing (8 656.3 kg vs. 6 722.1 kg; P < 0.05; 278.7 kg vs. 218.9 kg; P < 0.05). The highest milk production was recorded in Black-Pied Lowland cattle (8 832.7 kg) and the lowest in dairy cows of Slovakian Pinzgau cattle (6 058.0 kg). The mist cooling of dairy cows increased (P < 0.05) the amount of produced milk and protein (9 234.4 kg vs. 7 569.7 kg; 293.5 kg vs. 247.1 kg).

The objective of this paper was to obtain information about the effect of interactions and different agronomical measures on autumn saved herbage of different sites in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland). Within the different sites, the effect of the factors pre-utilisation (accumulation since June, July or August) and winter harvest date (November, December or January) on dry matter (DM) yield and digestibility of organic matter (DOM) was investigated over three consecutive years. All results were examined by analysis of variance and least-significance differences (LSD) were calculated (with P < 0.05). For all years, date of winter harvest was the most important source of variance. The highest yields were attained in November (varied from 2.3 to 0.8 t/ha), the lowest in January (from 1.5 to < 0.2 t/ha). The highest DOM concentration (from 70.4 to 52.4% of dry matter) was reached in November, and it decreased until January (from 59.6 to 35.2% of dry matter). Predominantly caused by the prevailing climatic conditions, the DM yields of the sites varied considerably during winter, showing a significance for the interaction winter harvest date × site as well as for the factor site. The utilisation of autumn saved herbage, pre-utilised in July, might be the best opportunity providing an adequate quantity and DOM for suckler cows until the end of the year, but the prevailing climatic conditions at different sites inCentral Europe finally decide on the practicability of winter grazing.

In addition to the results published in the first communication (Opitz von Boberfeld et al., 2006) this paper presents crude protein, energy (ME) and ergosterol concentrations of autumn saved herbage at different sites in Central Germany, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Within these sites, the influence of the factors pre-utilisation and winter harvest date was tested over three consecutive years. Related to the different climatic conditions of the sites, crude protein concentrations of the growths pre-utilised in July varied from 149 g/kg in November to 134 g/kg of dry matter (DM) in January. The influence of climatic conditions was different on each location and varied depending on the year. Generally, the consistent effect of the factor "site" related to altitude could not be observed. While the energy concentrations decreased with advancing winter and partly reached the values below 6 MJ ME/kg of DM in January, the ergosterol concentrations increased. The results demonstrate that under Central European conditions autumn saved herbage, pre-utilised in July, could provide adequate quantity and quality for suckler cows until December. Afterwards, the utilisation of preserved forages becomes essential.

Fish fauna and macrozoobenthos were surveyed at 51 and 32 sampling sites, respectively, in mountain and submountain streams of the Vlara stream drainage area in the Bílé Karpaty Mountains. The aim of the study was to bring wide knowledge of their aquatic communities with their indicative value of the ecological quality of particular sites. Fish were sampled by electrofishing and macrozoobenthos was collected by kick-sampling using a bottom net (mesh size 500 μm) at the majority of the respective sites. In total, 15 fish species were registered in all profiles. At four headwater sites no fish were recorded at all. Brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario) and stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) were the most frequent species at the sites under study (73% and 67%, respectively). A similar frequency (41%) was documented for chub (Leuciscus cephalus), gudgeon (Gobio gobio) and minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus). The species richness increased downstream in the mainstream of the Vlára stream with the maximum of 10 species found at the lowest study site. Qualitative data on fish assemblages did not fully correspond with the environmental stress. On the other hand, macrozoobenthos indicated a minor decrease in water quality downstream of small villages and farms. Larvae of dipterans (Chironomidae and Simuliidae in particular) and mayflies (Ephemeroptera) dominated among the temporary water macroinvertebrates while numerous populations of Gammarus fossarum (Amphipoda) and in some cases also of Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda) were recorded as permanent inhabitants of clean and polluted stretches, respectively.

In this paper we have evaluated the health condition of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch and Prunus armenia-ca L. for the occurrence of the parasitic microscopic fungus Cytospora cincta Sacc. Apricot trees in 5 localities with 10 sites and peach trees in 5 localities with 8 sites were evaluated. We identified symptoms of the disease in host plants, conditions for isolation and cultivation of the fungus and the growth rate of the mycelium hyphae on various substrates. The damage degree was evaluated in 330 trees in four localities while most trees were characterised by degree 1-3. We have derived conclusions for protective measures to prevent further spreading of the infection.

An extent of the damage of Austrian pine trees was evaluated in urban greenery in selected sites in Slovak Republic during the years 2004-2005. Fungi Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.: Fr.) Dyko & B. Sutton (syn. Diplodia pinea (Desm.) J. Kickx fil) and Pestalotia sp. were diagnosed on all observed trees. Symptoms of the disease were recorded. S. sapinea was isolated successfully from needles and from cone scales. The growth rate of hyphae of mycelium and the mean daily growth were evaluated on three types of cultivated media at different temperatures. The highest mean daily growth of mycelium was recorded on maltose agar at 25°C after 24 hours of cultivation (31.7 mm). Conidia of S. sapinea and Pestalotia sp. on water agar began to germinate after 3 and 2 hours, respectively. After 6 hours the mean germination rate of conidia of S. sapinea was 81.75% (from cone) and 89.3% (from needles); for Pestalotia it was 88.5%.

The aim of this study was to analyze both the morphological and chemical characteristics of Acorus calamus plants collected from the natural sites in the Czech Republic and to compare them to the sweet flags growing in Finland, Slovenia and Canada, which are concentrated in the Gene Bank collections in Finland. The sweet flags of Finnish, Slovenian and Czech origin were found to be phenotypically and chemically very similar. They all represent the European triploid type of Acorus calamus var. calamus. The average essential oil content was established at the value of 1.50% of dry material in Finland and 1.91% in the Czech Republic. This amount is not sufficient according to the Czech norm for Radix calami quality (minimal amount is 2%) but the content of carcinogen β-asarone, which was established at 9-21% in the essential oil in all the analyzed sweet flags, did not exceed the maximal recommended value 0.5% of dry drug mass.

The research has been conducted in several phases for 10 years on existing intensive roof gardens in the Trencin district. The first phase was carried out within the GP 1/4419/47 Adaptability of Cultural Vegetation in Consequence of Global Draining and Warming. Roof gardens are a good place for simulating natural phytocenose sites that are able to accumulate rainfall without taking it to drainage. The second phase of research was conducted within a continuation of GP 1/1316/04, verifying xeric plants for conditions of changing climate in a urbanized environment on different construction systems. For a statistical evaluation it was necessary to select taxa in at least three roof gardens. The basic hypothesis was that all plants are conditionally suitable for roof gardens. Another assumption was that the maintenance of all roof gardens is uniform. Results have shown that some plants are more adaptable and drought-tolerant even if the maintenance of roof garden is not appropriate.

The red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was found for the first time in China in Yangcheng and Xinshui counties, Shanxi province in 1998, and in Hebei province in 1999. The beetle mostly attacks the oil pine Pinus tabulaeformis Carriére. By 2003 the beetle was found in 85 counties of three provinces in north China and the area of infested pine forests covered more than 700,000 ha. The elevation above sea level of forests infested is more than 800 m. The beetles most frequently attack trees on hilltops and at the forest edge, fewer attacks occur in the centre of the stand. This correlates with the damage done to the trees by wind or man. Weak and dying trees are more vulnerable to attack than healthy ones. The most attractive breeding sites are fresh stumps. The population density of the beetles is higher in the forests on northern slopes than on southern slopes. Most of the bores in the trunk are less than 0.5 m above ground; the galleries are found also on roots.

The paper is a contribution to the research on problems of thinnings in mixed (spruce-fir-beech) stands situated in the 5^th forest altitudinal zone (beech with fir) in the central part of Slovakia. The research was carried out on two series of permanent research plots established in 1972. Each of the series consists of three partial plots where one plot was tended by free crown thinning in the framework of whole-area tending. On the second plot a non-whole-area tending was realised while the third ones were left without planned silvicultural treatment as controls. Dynamic changes in tree species composition, stand structure, qualitative and quantitative production including silvicultural analysis of seven thinning interventions were evaluated for a period of 29 years. A special attention was paid to development of future crop trees which are the main bearers of stand quality and quantity. The changes were compared with respect to differences between the plots with whole-area and non-whole-area long-term silvicultural treatment and the control plot (without treatments).

Toxic pollution of soils is a major environmental problem in the Czech Republic. Most contemporary remediation approaches do not provide acceptable solutions. For environmental clean-up, the use of specially selected and engineered plants capable of effective restoration and stabilization of contaminated sites is an emerging technology called phytoremediation. Aspen (Populus spp.) trees represent optimal plants for absorption, accumulation, storage, and degradation of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and other waste products. The first aim of this study was to verify possibilities of micropropagating selected elite European aspen (Populus tremula) and hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides) mature trees growing in polluted areas. The primary cultures were established from 24 years old trees from provenance plots. Dormant buds were sampled from selected trees in spring. After sterilization of dormant buds, the shoot tips were extirpated and put on nutrient media. MS medium with a higher concentration of BAP (1.0 mg/l) and IBA (0.1 mg/l) showed to be suitable for induction of organogenesis. MS medium with lower concentration of BAP (0.2 mg/l) and higher concentration of glutamine (100 mg/l) in agar medium was used for multiplication. A high number of adventitious shoots (20-30) was produced per multi-apex culture. The losses during rooting and acclimatization were minimal, around 2%. Currently, the plantlets grow on the outside bed of the experimental nursery. Twenty-five clones were established in the gene bank. Secondly, standardization of the efficient transformation of hybrid aspen was investigated with the aim to facilitate production of transformed hybrid aspen with valuable genes for increased capability of phytoremediation in the near future. Four gene constructs of Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising different promoters (bearing two genes, NPTII coding resistance to kanamycin, and GUS coding glucuronidase synthesis allowing histochemical and fluorometrical identification) were used for transformations of aspen hybrid stem segments. A promoter suitable for transformations was selected on the basis of GUS activity assay. The highest activity was estimated in transformants with construct 148 controlled by promoter CAMV 35S.

In this paper we present recent findings about the beech bark necrotic disease in selected localities situated in the mountain ranges Vitosha and Stara planina in Bulgaria. The resulting values of necrotic disease expressed by the necrotisation index (I_SN) ranged from 0.72 to 1.12. In Slovakia such low values of I_SN were obtained only for seven out of 52 examined localities. The I_SN results are more favourable than the results obtained using the same methods for four localities situated in Northern Hungary (I_SN values ranging from 1.11 to 1.18). The results of monitoring of three selected biotic vectors of beech necrotic disease were follows: the focus of occurrence of the species Bucculatrix ulmella was in submountain beech forests. Considerable affinity to lower situated sites was found in Ectoedemia liebwerdella. We also found that the boundary of the occurrence of this species is approximately at 1,000 m a.s.l. The frequency values of Cryptococcus fagi were significantly influenced by the altitude. In four out of six localities we recorded the occurrence of three species of the genus Nectria: Nectria cosmariospora, Nectria galligena and Nectria coccinea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate organic carbon content (SOC) in the surface layers of forest soils in the two Natural Forest Regions situated in Southwest Bohemia, namely Západočeská pahorkatina (NFR 6) and Český les (NFR 11). The study is based upon on two consecutive soil sampling campaigns during autumn 2003 and 2004. While the sampling of 2003 was inadequate to estimate bulk density, the consecutive campaign used a defined sample volume to permit an estimation of bulk density and quantification of soil organic carbon (SOC) for soil organic layers and the upper mineral horizon. The total sampling depth was 30 cm including both organic and mineral layer. SOC of organic horizon was on average 1.99 kg C/m². It differed by stand site type ranging from 0.70 to 3.04 kg C/m². The organic layer SOC was smallest under beech (1.03 kg C/m²), whereas it was higher under pine (2.19 kg C/m²) and spruce (2.09 kg C/m²). SOC in the mineral layer was in average 7.28 kg C/m². SOC differed significantly by the major tree species and reached 10.6; 5.67 and 7.5 kg C/m² for beech, pine and spruce sites, respectively. The average SOC for the total soil layer (0-30 cm) reached 9.33 kg C/m². The methodological aspects of regional estimation of SOC and the potential of utilization of the national forest inventory program are also discussed.

Holorganic layers belong among the key ecosystem components of forest soils at higher altitudes. Increased biological activity of the surface humus is very often observed after forest decline and/or forest cut and removal at these sites. The forest removal or tree layer extinction was studied in the flat, water affected terrain: its effects on the soil chemical characteristics and on the soil respiration, ammonification and nitrification activities. The standard methods of analyses were used. The study proved the increased intensity of nitrification and ammonification in stands with decreased ecological as well as environmental function potentials, further decreased concentrations of magnesium. Due to the concentration effects, the concentrations of some macroelements - nitrogen, calcium - increased in these stands (in the humus form layers), as well as the base content and base saturation.

Norway spruce yellowing and defoliation caused by Mg deficiency was frequently recorded on many sites of the Šumava Mts. (Bohemian Forest Mts.) since 1980's. A forest experiment aimed at investigation response of spruce to Mg application (commercial fertilizer SILVAMIX^® Mg NPK) was set up in 1998. Fertilizer was applied manually in a dose of 96.5 kg Mg/ha in spruce (S) and beech-spruce (BS) vegetation altitudinal zones in spring 2000. Immediate decrease of yellowing was revealed in fertilized plots in both vegetation zones and yellowing almost completely disappeared at the end of the investigation in 2005. Further, fertilization resulted in stabile foliation while marked defoliation was reported from control plots in both vegetation zones. Mg deficiency can be effectively eliminated by appropriate fertilizer application. Balanced nutrition contributes to long-term vigour and stability of forest stands.

Fertilization represents a measure, used as exceptional treatment managing forest stands and ecosystems as a whole. It is used since the beginning of the 20^th century worldwide, starting in the Central Europe. The beginnings were on empirical basis, later on, the scientific background was developed profoundly. Several forms and methods, as well as aims are topical at present: - Since the beginning, restoration of degraded sites and amelioration of primarily extreme soils was the aim. In the poorest regions, e.g. in the NE Germany, different means were used to increase site productivity and stability. Also in the Czech countries, amelioration played important role restoring degraded and devastated localities. - To increase site productivity, commercial fertilization was used worldwide, as well as it was applied in all continents with intense forestry practices. It became a part of the "silviculture" sensu stricto in the commercial, industrial forestry. - Supporting the growth and prosperity of forest plantations, on sites of different characters, was a broadly intended target of fertilizers application. - Since the air pollution calamity, fertilization is one of the main counter-treatments for improvement of the situation, lowering and preventing the soil acidification and nutritional degradation. Both direct as well as indirect methods are used. At the direct fertilization, nutrients in the fertilizers increase and improve the nutrient cycles over the degraded or natural level. This causes an increase in the forest ecosystem production as the main aim of such a treatment. In the indirect way, the amelioration material accelerates the bio-cycles by improving biological activities of the soil - liming is the best example of these activities. Nutrients are mobilized by enhanced activity of the soil biota, increasing organic matter mineralization and decay. This also represents the main ecological risk of these activities: the enormous and non-natural organic matter decay. Different types of fertilizer can be used: liquid, firm, powdered, pelletized, based on natural substances such as carbonates or silicate nutrient-rich (basic) rocks. In all cases, the uses of all these treatments have to be based on the detailed ecological analysis of the locality, of the site and of the forest stand. Only in this case, fertilizer effects can be optimized and the risks minimized.

The aim of this paper is to show the application of pine bark to indicate the level of air contamination by cement-lime dust and to determine the impact range of cement plants. The pine bark was analyzed in the forested formed around three cement plants in the Świętokrzyski administrative district (South of Poland). The test results were compared with the results gained from the controlled forested areas, free from alkali contamination. The strongly alkali areas show high pH_H2O of bark in the range of 7.2-8.5 and low coefficient of change v% = 2.2. The pine bark values of pH_H2O in the alkali areas are on average 2.5 times as high as those achieved in the controlled area (natural pH of bark shows the range of 2.8-3.5). On the basis of the measurements of pH_H2O there are five alkali-forested spheres determined. The existence of the forest spheres confirms the variable mineral composition of the bark, and first of all the variable content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, aluminium, manganese, zinc and iron as a function of the distance from the emitter and real dust fall.

The present paper deals with data obtained from fifteen years old Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) progeny test established at three sites in the Sázava River region. Parameter under the evaluation was a tree height in 15 years following the establishment of the trial. Genetic parameters were estimated using the REML (Restricted Maximum Likelihood) procedure followed by the BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction). Genetic parameters estimates were used to predict genetic gain in three alternative selection strategies. The value of gain depends on target value of gene diversity. 10-15% gain is due to selecting breeding population composed of 50 individuals. Based on these quantitative findings, current and future research orientation is discussed.

A 6-year-old clonal trial with 13 clones of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) was evaluated during the summer of 2004 at 6 different sites in the Czech Republic. Observed traits were the stem height, stem diameter, health status, and mortality. The mixed linear model was implemented with either independent or the autoregressive error structure. The later provided better fit to the data. At this age, only one clone outperformed the remaining ones in volume production. Suggestions for future research activities are provided that should lead to the establishment of long-term breeding programs with wild cherry in the Czech Republic.

The soil is an irreplaceable component of forest ecosystems. Soil-forming processes directly influence element cycling (EC). Plant-soil interaction is a specific part of EC. Plant-soil interactions were observed on an example of natural spruce stand (NSS), semi-natural spruce stand (SNSS) and allochthonous spruce stand (ASS) in conditions of the spruce forest altitudinal zone (1,140-1,260 m a.s.l.; +3.0°C; 1,200 mm) of the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. (Czech Republic, Central Europe), where Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) is the main edificator and stand-forming tree species. We evaluated the soil properties of H- and Ep-horizons at selected sites with Haplic and Skeletic Podzols and they were compared with the nutrient status of spruce. A method of the principal component analysis was used for definition of the basic hypotheses: (1) each forest stand is in specific and topically individual interactions with soil and these interactions influence its state, (2) the influence of forest management reflects in humification and in the nutrient status in plant assimilatory tissues. Cluster analysis calculated results comparable with the multivariate analysis of variance. The results show that the continuity of linear and multivariate statistical methods gives the approach to detection of the forest stage based on soil and plant tissue data.

In Moravia in 1995 to 2006, the abundant occurrence of Galerucella lineola (F.) was used to study its occurrence, biology and harmfulness. An "alder" biological form was studied in Alnus glutinosa and A. incana mainly in Polnička Forest District (Žďár region) and a "willow" form in Salix viminalis, S. triandra and S. caprea in riparian and accompanying stands of the Svitava river near Bílovice nad Svitavou (Brno region). Imagoes leave their sites usually in the 1st half of May. In the course of 2.5 to 3 months, they damage on average 22.6 cm² leaves of A. glutinosa and S. caprea (of this value, males 3.2 times less than females). Males eat on average 15 times during 24 hours for a period of 3.5 minutes, i.e. in total 52 minutes (3.6% day). Females eat on average 36 times for a period of 7 min, i.e. 252 min (17.5% day). Imagoes copulate on average 10.2 times per day for a period of 67 min. For the whole period of reproduction (about 42 days), they copulate on average 428 times, i.e. for 20 days. Eggs are laid into groups of 3 to 20 (on average 14) pieces. Females lay 457 to 791 (on average 612) eggs, i.e. about 15 eggs per day. Medina collaris (Fall.) (Tachinidae) and Townesilitus fulviceps (Ruthe) (Braconidae) belong, among others, to the enemies of imagoes.

Infestation density of four the most common spruce bark beetle species was estimated on 15 study sites (10 trees per site) in the Kysuce model region in 2006. Five half-metre long sections of the stem were selected and dissected at the base of the stem; midway between the base of the stem and the base of the crown; just below the base of the crown; in the middle of the crown; and in the upper part of the crown. The infestation density of bark beetles, expressed as the number of mating chambers per dm², was determined. Ordinary kriging was then used to produce smooth maps and visualize spatial distribution of study species. Maps with isolines indicating high infestation were produced for study species (I. Typographus over 0.38; (I. amitinus over 0.15; (I. duplicatus over 0.11; and P. chalcographus over 0.415 nuptial chambers per dm²). Ips typographus L. remained dominant species on majority of sites having high intensity of infestation. Lower altitudes in the south-eastern part of the region were often infested by I. duplicatus Sahlberg and also by I. typographu and Pityogenes chalcographus L. Higher elevations in the north-eastern part of territory in the vicinity of border with Poland were heavily infested by I. amitinus Eichhoff (often with I. typographus). P. chalcographus was abundant on majority of territory - mainly in southern half of area. However locally, it was found in extremely high abundance. The results suggest the need for control measures set up jointly against the most abundant bark beetle species in study region.

In the present study, the defoliation status of spruce stands is related to mycorrhizal conditions and presence of mycorrhizal macromycetes fungi in two localities at the highest sites of the Krkonoše Mts. In the long-term view, the defoliation and the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi have improved but the number of active as well as nonactive mycorrhizae has decreased while their ratio has not changed. Statistically significant is the correlation between the total number of mycorrhizae and pH. The results within last years of observations as well as in comparison to the conditions in the last decade show that mountain spruce stands growing at non-exposed sites are tolerant to a degradation of mycorrhizal conditions resulting from the long-term air pollution impact. The studied parameters of mycorrhizal symbiosis have not shown a clear trend; their results however indicate the stabilized mycorrhizal state. Positive changes can be seen in the total increase of macromycetes diversity as well as in the apparent increase of percentage of macromycetes in the studied localities, which correlates to the moderately improving defoliation.

The reactions of five commercial varieties of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, to A. gossypii were evaluated under semiarid field conditions. Each experimental plant of varieties Clemson spineless, Clemson spineless 80, Lee, Perkins dwarf, and Local was infested 60 days after emergence by three late-nymphal instars of the aphid. The results showed that aphid populations increased constantly on the varieties, except for days 42 and 49 after infestation, attaining a peak at about the end of the growing season. Differences in aphid densities were recorded between varieties. The aphids were most numerous on var. Local, while lowest in number on var. Lee. Infestation by aphids on okra varieties reduced yield by 57% on var. Perkins dwarf, 56% on var. Lee, 24% on var. Clemson spineless, 21% on var. Clemson spineless 80, and 5% on var. Local. Reduction in the number of pods produced per plant followed the same pattern as observed for total yield. Aphids had not altered significantly the vegetative plant growth at day 37 following infestation. At day 66, a substantial decrease in shoot fresh and dry weights and also leaf area was evident on var. Perkins dwarf while on var. Clemson spineless only the leaf area was significantly reduced. Moreover, aphid-free controls varied widely in their growth and productivity at the end of growing season. Varieties Clemson spineless and Clemson spineless 80 produced the highest total yield and pod numbers, var. Local the lowest. The varieties Perkins dwarf and Clemson spineless produced significantly higher shoot fresh and dry weight, as well as leaf area, than vars. Lee and Local.

The aim of the study was to determine the response of soil enzymes such as dehydrogenases, urease and acid and alkaline phosphatases to heating oil contaminating (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5% of soil) the experimental soil supplemented with lime and used for cultivation of yellow lupine of the Markiz variety. An increasing contamination of soil with heating oil stimulated the activity of dehydrogenases and acid and alkaline phosphatases but had a toxic effect on yellow lupine. Lime supplements did not have a significant effect on an average activity of soil dehydrogenases. However, such soil treatment had a significant effect on urease. Increasing heating oil doses in lime-supplemented soil stimulated urease activity, whereas in lime-free soil urease activity was inhibited. The activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was lower in limed soil than in lime-free soil. The activity of dehydrogenases, urease and alkaline phosphatase in the soil with lupine cultivation was significantly higher than in the unsown soil.

It is evident that the presence of organic matters in soil considerably influences by its microbial oxidation to CO₂ the requirement for calcareous compounds as well as the necessary amelioration dose of lime to reduce incurred soil acidity as the impact of balanced buffering CO₂-HCO₃^- system, the more labile the organic matters are. If we take into consideration that the content of soil water per hectare of topsoil is, at the total weight of 6 × 10⁶ kg, approximately, in analyzed sandy-loam soils 1.2 × 10⁶ litre, in the given experiment soil water is just able to use up to 220 kg CaCO₃/ha for the fixation of free surplus CO₂ to the value of equilibrium CO₂, at zero elution! From this process, even 300-400 kg water-soluble Ca(HCO₃)₂ result. Of course, the ion exchange and the buffering system of the soil have further requirements for Ca compounds. Consequently, an unambiguous conclusion is: doses of calcareous compounds cannot be calculated only with the aim of reducing soil acidity and consumption of Ca nutrient by plants as it is common in the other nutrients. In a practical experiment in watersheds of nine Šumava brooks of the total area of 78.5 km² we studied changes in the stability of soil organic matters in the soils of these brooks in relation to variations in calcium carbonate equilibriums in waters from these watersheds in 1986-2004. The loss of the least stable fraction of soil organic matters, and the associated loss of the microbial activity of soils, were found to lead to a decrease in Langelier saturation index I_s in the waters, hence to a reduction in water corrosivity against CaCO₃, and so to a smaller need of liming to establish the calcium carbonate equilibrium in soil solutions even though exchange and active acidity of soil increased.

The effect of foliar application of kinetin on the growth and some physiological processes of pea plants growing in soil supplemented with 25 or 50µM Cd were studied. Cadmium treatment inhibited the growth rate, chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthesis (P_N), content of soluble sugars and free amino acids of either shoots or roots. The application of kinetin (kin) enhanced the growth rate, Chl content, P_N, soluble sugars and free amino acids content of shoots and roots; dark respiration rate (R_D), contents of soluble protein and proline were increased by cadmium treatment. The addition of kinetin to Cd-stressed plant reduced R_D, soluble protein and proline content. Considerable variations in the content of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were induced by Cd-treatments. Foliar application of kinetin exhibited a favorable effect on the accumulation of some ions and antagonized or ameliorated the inhibitory effect of Cd stress on some others.

Soil hydraulic properties are needed as input data to describe and simulate the transport of water and solutes in the soil profile. The most important characteristics are the soil moisture retention curve (SMRC) θ(h) and the hydraulic conductivity function k(θ) or k(h), where θ is the soil moisture content, h is the pressure head and k is the hydraulic conductivity. SMRC represents the amount of water remaining in the soil under equilibrium conditions and is unique for each soil. The measurement of SMRC is laborious and time-consuming and so there are not enough data available sometimes. Various SMRC estimation models have been proposed and used extensively to overcome this problem. Other more easily available soil properties, such as particle size distribution, organic matter content, soil structure and bulk density, were used for the estimation of SMRC. Bouma and van Lanen (1987) called these models "transfer functions", and later on they were called "pedotransfer functions". This study is based on European works by Wösten et al. (1998, 1999), and others. The pedotransfer functions derived by Wösten et al. (1998) were used in the first part of the study. In the second part, the authors derived their own pedotransfer functions for the sites where all necessary data were available. The methodology of data processing was similar to that used by Wösten et al. (1998) for continuous pedotransfer functions. The use of continuous pedotransfer functions was tested on data sets from several sites in the Czech Republic (Cerhovice, Černičí, Brozany, Ovesná Lhota, Tupadly, Džbánov, Podlesí and Žichlínek). Unfortunately, the available Czech data sets are not as large as the data sets used in Wösten's work. Quite good new estimates of SMRC (expressed as pF curves) were found e.g. for the Cerhovice and Černičí sites; the estimates for a man-made soil profile in Brozany and for natural soils in Ovesná Lhota, Tupadly, Džbánov, Podlesí and Žichlínek were less successful, partly because of insufficient input data. The applications of continuous pedotransfer functions derived by Wösten et al. (1998) for the Czech data sets were not very successful, either. The quality and size of the input data sets are critical factors for a successful use of pedotransfer functions.

Colonization of Azotobacter chroococcum Mac 27 strain on wheat roots was monitored using double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS ELISA) and immuno-fluorescence in terms of colonization sites, migration and survival of the bacteria. Furthermore, the effectivity of inoculation of A. chroococcum and Pantoea agglomerans D5/23 strain on wheat plant parameters under greenhouse conditions was investigated. Studies with DAS ELISA revealed that root tip had significant titre of inoculants as compared to the basal root parts. A. chroococcum colonized roots as well as soil and also migrated along with roots. An overall increase in plant growth was observed with inoculation of these bacteria. Both A. chroococcum and P. agglomerans were found to increase plant dry matter, nitrogen and phosphate uptake.

The glutamate kinase activity was investigated as a plant stress response to Cd, Zn, As or sewage sludge application to soil in the pot and field experiments with spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Allosteric regulation of glutamate kinase activity by free proline creates a possibility for an increase in glutamic acid content due to the synthesis of glutathione and phytochelatines in plant cells. For this reason the high rates of As, Cd and Zn applied into soil strongly decreased the glutamate kinase activity. Allosteric regulation of the glutamate kinase activity did not inhibit the synthesis of proline and hydroxyproline under stress condition caused by organic pollutants after application of sewage sludge. Formed proline was bound to stress proteins and therefore glutamate kinase activity was not inhibited.