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Here, we describe a case of a wild female badger (a sow) with disseminated serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary which corresponds to a group of low grade serous carcinomas of the ovary in humans. Beside grossly apparent dissemination of the disease we observed a scale of histological features classifiable as a precursor lesion - borderline serous tumour of the ovary with implant metastases at the peritoneum, and features of the borderline tumour transformation in the carcinoma. The latter features included invasion of some of the metastatic peritoneal implants into the adipose tissue of the mesentery, retroperitoneum, and in the muscle of diaphragm with lymphangioinvasion and with blood-borne metastatic disease in the lungs. The primary tumour and its metastases had a uniform cytological appearance without atypia of the tumour cells. Mitotic activity was exceptional. The proliferation activity as demonstrated by immunohistochemical investigation of Ki-67 protein expression (revealing all active phases of the cell cycle - G1, S, G2, M) showed a low proliferation activity of the tumour cells, comparable with findings in low grade carcinomas or borderline tumours of the ovaries in women. WT1 protein was expressed in the whole tumour cell population. All these features were diagnostic of serous carcinoma of the ovary with low grade malignant potential. Tumours of the ovaries in wildlife have been described previously but they are infrequent and are rarely classified histopathologically. This case report offers a parallel with serous carcinomas in human pathology including features of transformation from a precursor lesion of a borderline serous tumour into a serous low grade carcinoma.

The aetiology of Crohn's disease and paratuberculosis are the subjects of intensive study and also frequently, of dispute. However, a number of other nosological entities have a similar history, namely type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, asthma, psoriasis, spondylarthritis, Blau syndrom etc. The zoonotic risk of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has been discussed for more than one hundred years. "The problem remains open, further research is needed", is the sentence which seems to be obligatory in the conclusions of many scientific articles. A number of hypotheses have been suggested, all with a grain of truth in them. The infection hypothesis has many supporters and opponents, but it does not fit to all Crohn's disease cases. The contribution of the genetic factor has been admitted a long time ago and has been experimentally confirmed by recent excellent studies. An environmental factor is expected and has been often mentioned, but has yet to be discovered. Muramyl dipeptide, derived from peptidoglycans of the bacterial cell wall is one of the triggers, mentioned in connection with chronic inflammatory diseases. The immunomodulatory ability of this compound has been recognised for decades and is exploited in Freund's adjuvant. A critical amount of muramyl dipeptide can affect immunity during some bacterial infections but the long latent period between infection and onset of the clinical form of the disease could explain why a causative relationship between the primary infection and chronic inflammation is not considered. Different species of mycobacteria can be found in the environment, in water, dust, soil and aerosol. Although severe infections with mycobacteria have been described, these species are not thought to be typical zoonotic pathogens. Muramyl dipeptide derived from mycobacteria obviously plays a starring role as a bacterial trigger in the aetiology of many autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Paratuberculosis in cattle and other ruminants is a source of enormous contamination of the environment but also of milk and meat by MAP. Muramyl dipeptide from mycobacteria, namely MAP, and Crohn's disease as a representative of diseases often called civilization threats, are important pieces of the gigantic puzzle. Mycobacteria in the environment and foodstuffs have to be acknowledged as a public health risk, which can never be completely eliminated. There is no reason to push the panic button, but we must learn how to live together with this microorganism, how the pool of immunomodulator sources can be diminished, and how the pathogenic relationship between triggers and target tissues can be disrupted. The dissemination of knowledge, the availability of rapid and inexpensive tools for identification of mycobacteria in different matrices, and the establishment of a maximal allowed limit for mycobacteria in milk and meat should contribute to food safety and consumer protection.

Communities of xylotrophic fungi were studied in wood of Pinus mugo of different qualities: (i) living stems, (ii) cut stumps, (iii) burned snags, (iv) cut burned stumps, (v) stems recently killed by root rot, and (vi) old snags of root rot-killed trees. A total of 277 isolates representing 58 fungal taxa were obtained from 300 wood samples (50 samples per each substrate category). Results of the present study suggested that following different disturbances (tree felling, forest fire or root rot), fungal communities likely evolve in different directions: depending on its origin (cut, burned or killed by the disease), dead wood might be inhabited by principally different microbial assemblages, and that fire has less effect on community structures than tree felling or root rot.

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of sodicity induced changes in soil physical properties on paddy root growth in the normal agriculture, semi-reclaimed and sodic soils. The root growth (length, length density, biomass and distribution pattern) were unfavourably affected by the soil physical properties (bulk density, soil aggregate stability, available water content, hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention potential) in the case of sodic soil. The microbial biomass carbon, bacterial, fungal population and dehydrogenase activity showed the lower values in the case of sodosol compared to the normal soil. These soil biological properties tend to sustain paddy root growth in normal and semi-reclaimed soils. Principal component analysis revealed that soil physical properties accounted for 98.2% of total variance in root growth. The study revealed that salt stress induces changes in soil physical properties limiting paddy root growth in the salt affected soils. It is important to reclaim sodosols to alleviate salt induced physical stress for optimum paddy root growth.

An eleven-year-old, 3-kg, intact female Maltese was presented for depression, anorexia and dyspnoea. Thoracic radiographs showed right-side pleural effusion, a vesicular emphysema pattern and consolidation of the right middle lung lobe. A presumptive diagnosis of lung lobe torsion (LLT) in the right middle lobe was made using a computed tomography scan. Thoracoscopic exploration was performed without one-lung ventilation in the right hemithorax. Pleural fluid and engorgement of the torsed lung lobe were observed. A total lung lobectomy of the right middle lung lobe was performed with a thoracoscopic-assisted procedure using hem-o-lok clips applied to the hilus. The dog was discharged three days after surgery, and no recurrence of the clinical signs of disease related to the respiratory system was observed during the follow-up time period of six months. Based on these findings, we conclude that thoracoscopic-assisted lung lobectomy using hem-o-lok clips is a minimally invasive surgical alternative to thoracotomy and successful operative intervention for lung lesions in small breed dogs.

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.

Potential application of a metal oxide semiconductor based electronic nose (e-nose) as a non-destructive instrument for monitoring the change in volatile production of banana during the ripening process was studied. The proposed e-nose does not need any advanced or expensive laboratory equipment and proved to be reliable in recording meaningful differences between ripening stages. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) techniques were used for this purpose. Results showed that the proposed e-nose can distinguish between different ripening stages. The e-nose was able to detect a clear difference in the aroma fingerprint of banana when using SVM analysis compared with PCA and LDA, SIMCA analysis. Using SVM analysis, it was possible to differentiate and to classify the different banana ripening stages, and this method was able to classify 98.66% of the total samples in each respective group. Sensor array capabilities in the classification of ripening stages using loading analysis and SVM and SIMCA were also investigated, which leads to develop the application of a specific e-nose system by applying the most effective sensors or ignoring the redundant sensors.

Wild boar is a native species in the fauna of the Czech Republic. It is becoming a problematic game species both in the Czech Republic and in other European countries due to its harmful impacts. So far no suitable method of its sustainable management has been devised. Yet, a correct abundance estimate is essential for proper management, field crop damage prevention and proper hunting planning. This paper employed faecal pellet group count to estimate the wild boar density in a forest environment. The research was conducted in a study area covering 12.83 km², which is surrounded by farmland. The count was done under ideal conditions in early spring, after snow had melted. The study area was organised into several differing environments in which different dung densities were expected. The presence of feeding sites, where wild boars concentrated, was taken into account. The conducted count confirmed differences in the utilization of different habitats within the study area. The resulting wild boar abundance was estimated at 64.3 (± 8.9; 95% CI) indd.km^-2.

A long-term experiment was used to evaluate the effects of different nutrient management practices on the distribution of soil organic N fractions and their contribution to N nutrition of a rice-wheat system. Continuous rice-wheat cultivation for 13 years without any fertilization was unable to maintain total soil nitrogen level to its original level and resulted in a decrease at 8.3 mg N/kg/year. Likewise, amino acid N, amino sugar N, ammonia N, hydrolysable unknown N, total hydrolysable N and non-hydrolysable N decreased by 37.2, 29.6, 33.7, 10.4, 26.6 and 20.4%, respectively over their initial status. However, application of inorganic fertilizers alone or in combination with organic manures led to a marked increase in total N and its fractions. The increase in total N with the application of farmyard manure, press mud and green manure along with inorganic fertilizer over treatment with inorganic fertilizer alone was 23.1, 34.4 and 7.0%, respectively. These results imply that integrated use of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures represent a sound practice for sustaining N reserves in soil. On average, amino acid-N, amino sugar-N, ammonia-N and hydrolysable unknown-N constituted about 27.9, 10.7, 28.7 and 32.7% of the total hydrolysable-N, respectively.

Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a degenerative polyneuropathy affecting postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic neurons. The major clinical signs relate to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and the condition is frequently fatal. EGS has been reported in different parts of the world including Europe. This paper describes the first case of equine dysautonomia in the Czech Republic. The ante mortem diagnosis was based on typical clinical signs and a positive phenylephrine eye-drop test and was confirmed at necropsy following observation of pathognomic histopathological lesions in the enteric neural system of the ileum.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are based on co-operation between the public and private sector. The reason for using it is a lack of public financial sources. For this reason, in most PPPs the management and financing of the project is entrusted to the private sector. In the Czech Republic, the widest development area for PPPs in the scope of the Ministry of Agriculture is probably water supply. The further areas for using of PPPs in the scope of this Ministry are the following: forestry, flood protection, adjustment of water flow, security of water sources, builging of the strategic foodstuff store. Important attempts have been made within the last year to increase the implementation of PPPs in water supply. These attempts are based on operation models similar to the BOT (Build Operate Transfer) and the DBFO (Design Build Finance Operate). In addition, the Czech Parliament adopted a law No. 139/2006 Coll., on concessions procedure and concession treaty which entered into force in July, 1^st, 2006 and which brings the legal framework for realisation of the PPPs. There are some legal barriers which limited wide using of the PPPs. It is in the case of public-private venture companies (the limitation is in public procurement law). Public-private venture companies - which refer to the situation where both the private and the public sector holds equity, and, consequently, the company is controlled by the private as well as the public sector - should be the ideal form of PPPs in the areas which are in the scope of the Ministry of Agriculture.

We measured the long-term (28 years) sustainability of rice-wheat cropping system under integrated nutrient management practices emphasizing the trends in grain yields, sustainable yield index (SYI) and nutrient budgeting. The data of long-term experiment revealed that grain yield of both rice and wheat declined under control and sub-optimal fertilizer inputs (50% or 75% recommended fertilizer NPK). Negative yield trend (slope) was observed in control plots for rice (-0.0296) and wheat (-0.0070); whereas positive yield trend was observed under treatments receiving organic supplements. The SYI values indicate that rice yields are more sustainable than wheat. Data on apparent nutrient balance showed a deficit of N (-42.2 kg/ha/year), P (-9.1 kg/ha/year) and K (-52.2 kg/ha/year) under control plots. Surprisingly, there was net depletion of K under the organic supplemented plots. Correlation study revealed that apparent balance of K was negatively correlated with SYI (r = -0.921 for rice; r = -0.914 for wheat) and yield slope (r = -0.870 for rice; r = -0.896 for wheat). If the trend of K imbalance is not reversed, the potential to improve N and P fertilizer use efficiency and crop yields will be limited.

A 13-year-old spayed bitch was referred for evaluation of an abdominal distension with a palpable, continuously growing mass. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a 30 × 20 cm mass directly connected to the spleen. Surgical exploration confirmed the sonographic diagnosis with adhesions to the omentum and the liver. Pathohistological samples revealed well differentiated adipose tissue and variably differentiated collagenous and myxomatous tissue. Immunohistochemically, vimentin and in some regions alpha smooth muscle actin were expressed indicating smooth muscle differentiation. The results support the diagnosis of a malignant mesenchymoma composed of liposarcoma, mixosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. No local recurrence or metastasis occurred during a nine month follow-up. So far, only two pathological retrospective studies describing the common prevalence and properties of canine splenic malignant mesenchymomas were found in the literature. However, this rare tumor entity has to be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of large splenic masses.

Patterns of biomass allocation were determined for seedlings of five provenances of Quercus castaneifolia from west to east of the Hyrcanian forest along a rainfall gradient. Experimental design was executed under controlled conditions at seven different light levels (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 100% full light). We quantified the biomass allocation patterns to leaves, stems and roots. For all provenances total mass increased with irradiance at low light levels, reaching an optimum at an intermediate level but decreasing at a high irradiance level. As results show, in drier provenances and at high light levels, the seedlings invest more biomass into root mass to facilitate water uptake and to alter their leaf size to prevent overheating. In contrast, at wetter provenances and low light levels, towards increased light interception, more biomass is allocated proportionally to leaves and the stems but, accordingly, less to roots. The leaf to root ratio (L/R) was negatively correlated with light, with high correlation at wetter provenances compared to drier ones. In contrast, the relationship between the root to shoot (R/Sh) ratio and light was positively correlated with light, but it was weak at drier provenances and became gradually stronger at wetter ones. Such relationships indicated that chestnut oak seedling growth strategies are different along a rainfall gradient to irradiance levels. Despite similar growth conditions in the greenhouse, different growth strategies may be the result of genetic adaptation to the ecological conditions, especially when precipitation regimes prevail in the native habitat.

Changes of soil organic matter (SOM) parameters were investigated in a haplic Luvisol with medium-heavy texture. Soil samples were taken from several layers at minimum (MT) and conventional (CT) tillage plots of a field experiment in Sitzenhof (Germany). All cultural practices except for tillage (crop rotation, fertilizing, protection measures, etc.) were identical over the whole time of the experiment. The concentrations of oxidizable carbon C_ox and its constituents (humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA), and hot-water soluble carbon) are comparable in layers 15-20 cm in both variants. In 0-15 cm and 30-55 cm layers, these concentrations were higher in the MT variant. A similar trend was observed in the colour quotient values of humic substances Q4/6, which indicates increasing condensation of humus substances (HS) at deeper layers in both variants, and it is also confirmed by a humic to fulvic acids ratio HA:FA. Concentrations of SOM fractions were higher (except 15-20 cm layers) in the MT than CT treatment throughout the profile, especially below the 30 cm depth. The SOM did not accumulate markedly in the surface layer of long-term MT treatment.

A seven-month old common myna with a history of ingesting a wire was transferred to the Iranmehr companion animal clinic in Mashhad, Iran. The bird's symptoms included anorexia, retching, intermittent vomiting, a lack of vocalisation, fluffing, and nervousness lasting for two days. X-rays confirmed a radiopaque foreign body in the proventriculus. Initial attempts to remove the wire thorough the oral route were futile; however, surgical removal using ventriculotomy (ventral midline celiotomy) under general anaesthesia proved successful. Slight haemorrhaging occurred when the incision was made in the caudal aspect of the ventriculus, but overall, the procedure was performed with no serious complications. A follow-up after three month revealed no complications. Despite the negative views associated with this technique, our study shows that ventriculotomy can be recommended for the removal of ventricular and proventricular foreign bodies, at least in this species.

The inter-related causes of food insecurity in these countries are mainly the long lasting civil wars, a limited access to land, environmental degradation, climatic shocks and the rapid population growth resulting from the high birth rates and the return of refugees.

Litterfall, an important component of the nutrient cycle in forest ecosystems, was measured for 9 years in young oak stands on two localities classified as beech-oak climax (Fageto-Quercetum). We estimated that about 4 Mg of dry mass per hectare fell each year. Nutrient content in the litterfall represents annually per hectare approximately 40-55 kg of nitrogen, 2-3 kg of phosphorus, 7-16 kg of potassium, 41-73 kg of calcium and 6-7 kg of magnesium. The amount of litterfall is positively correlated with stand basal area and with the death of suppressed tress with small crowns. We found a positive correlation between annual litterfall and the sum of precipitation and a negative correlation between annual litterfall and temperature in summer.

The fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi (FOP), the pea wilt pathogen, causes appreciable yield losses under favourable environmental conditions in Algeria. Studies on the pathogen variability and distribution of races are essential to identify effective sources of resistance to this disease. In this study, a survey was conducted during the period 2007-2011 in four different agro-climatic zones. Pathogenic variability in 52 isolates of FOP, collected from different pea-growing areas of western Algeria, were evaluated using 7 genotypes as differential hosts. Results indicated that the disease was prevalent in all fields prospected and isolates obtained were assigned to Races 1, 2, 5 or 6 by their pathogenicity. It was found out that Races 1 and 2 were more common in all areas with 61.5 and 19.2%, respectively. This study is the first report of pea Fusarium wilt races distribution in Algeria.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of tractor wheeling with a light tractor on the root growth and soil properties of smooth brome in South Estonia. Field experiment was conducted on sandy loam Haplic Luvisol in 2007. Data were collected during September 2008 in both an uncompacted and compacted area. Because of the compaction, the precompression stress increased in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm) by 12.6% and 15.2% at a depth of 10-20 cm. Compaction had only a minor effect on the bulk density, values increased 4.7% in the upper soil layer and 1.8% in the deeper layer. Differences in the saturated hydraulic conductivity (k_s) were not significant; however, the decrease in the k_s was 26.6% in the upper level and 12.5% in the deeper (10-20 cm) layer. At a depth of 0 to 30 cm compaction decreased the root length by 44.7% and the root mass by 60.5% compared with the uncompacted soil. Altogether, this study confirms the unfavourable effect of wheeling on grasslands even when the wheeling is performed with a light tractor on dry soil.

The following case report describes the diagnosis and surgery of bilateral polydactyly of unknown origin in a dromedary camel. A two-year-old, 290 kg, intact female camel was admitted for surgical removal of bilateral supernumerary digits associated with the medial aspects of the metacarpi and proximal to the fetlock joints. Radiographic examination revealed bilateral polydactyly with complete fusion of metacarpal bones. Surgery consisted of an osteotomy of surplus metacarpal bones combined with amputation of the supernumerary digits. The follow-up at 12 months after surgery revealed a sound camel with an excellent cosmetic outcome.

In precise field trials in the CR in the years 2004 and 2005 the effect of site conditions, yellow- and purple-fleshed varieties and fertilization on the content of total polyphenols (TP) in potato tubers was investigated. Comparing four localities, significantly highest TP content (by 5.7 to 13.4% higher than in other localities) was determined in the locality Stachy in both years, which we ascribe to apparently lower temperatures in the vegetation period in this locality of high altitude. In comparison to yellow flesh varieties, in the case of purple flesh Valfi variety TP content higher by 52 to 153% was recorded as the average of both years. As for the group of eight yellow flesh varieties, Karin variety had the highest TP content and showed a significant increase in comparison to Agria, Saturna and Asterix varieties by 67, 60 and 37%, respectively. TP content was not demonstrably affected by fertilization with mineral fertilizers, but we recorded a tendency to lesser TP content (by 3 to 9.9%) in the variant with higher potassium and magnesium fertilization (166 kg K/ha and 60 kg Mg/ha).

In Central Asia, stem rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici) causes considerable damage, especially during growing seasons with high rainfall. Ug99 is a race of stem rust that is virulent to the majority of wheat varieties. To develop disease-free germplasm, wheat material was screened using the predominant stem rust races of Kazakhstan and tested in two nurseries; CIMMYT-Turkey and the Plant Breeding Station at Njoro, Kenya. A total of 11 pathotypes of P. graminis f.sp. tritici were identified in Kazakhstan from the stem rust samples collected in 2008-2009. In particular, pathotypes TDT/H, TPS/H, TTH/K, TKH/R, TKT/C and TFK/R were highly virulent. Of the 170 advanced lines of wheat, 21 CIMMYT lines resistant to 5 aggressive Kazakhstani pathotypes of P. graminis were identified. A high level of resistance was observed in 11 wheat cultivars and advanced lines: Taza, E-19, E-99, E-102, E-572, E-796, E-809 (Kazakhstan), Ekinchi (Azerbaijan), Dostlik, Ulugbek 600 (Uzbekistan) and Umanka (Russia). Based on data obtained from Turkey-CIMMYT and the Plant Breeding Station Njoro, Kenya nurseries, out of 13 tested entries, 6 wheat breeding lines which were resistant to both stem and yellow rust and 10 wheat lines which showed high and moderate levels of resistance to Ug99 were selected. Using the sequence tagged site (STS) molecular marker Sr24#12, associated with Sr24/Lr24, seven wheat entries resistant to stem rust were identified. These results will assist breeders in choosing parents for crossing in programmes aimed at developing varieties with desirable levels of stem rust resistance in Kazakhstan and they will also facilitate stacking the resistance genes into advanced breeding lines.

Differences between the oak lepidopteran communities were studied in Slovakia in 1993 and 1994. Sampling was undertaken between April and October on 3 oak species. Biological traits of larvae were examined in order to explain differences in seasonal guilds among oaks. Cluster analysis shows similarities between communities in the flush feeder guild where the results were influenced mainly by temporal variability; in the late spring guild mainly by site; factors influencing summer feeder and autumn feeder similarities remain unclear. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was used to investigate the main gradients explaining variability in communities. Results indicated that the host specificity along axis 1 (A1) and larval ballooning along axis 2 (A2) were important in the flush feeder guild; larval feeding strategy along A1 and the degree of defoliation by Lymantria dispar along A2 were important in late spring feeders; the year of study along A1 and host specificity along A2 were important in the summer feeder guild; and adaptation to lower quality of food along A1 and host specificity along A2 for the autumn feeder guild. The results are discussed.

The paper deals with environmental risk assessment in prevailingly unnatural spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) forests in three regions with different patterns of forest damage in the Slovak part of the West Carpathians. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of 7 site-related, 5 stand-related and 2 anthropogenic factors on the probability that critical forest damage will occur. The results show that regression models can describe cause-effect relationships in regions with different regimes of forest decline. Stand age, proportion of spruce, and distance from the focus of biotic agent activity predicted decline in two regions with generally lower elevation in northern Slovakia (Kysuce and Orava). In a mountain region (Low Tatras), the importance of factors contributing to the static stability of trees and position towards dangerous winds increased significantly. The quality of the derived models and prospects for their usefulness in risk assessment are discussed.

The aim of this study was to investigate tree-ring width variability and to distinguish groups of trees with similar growth trends in order to study tree growth responses to various stand and site conditions. The methods of cluster analysis were employed for this purpose. Four distinct groups of trees were identified. For each group, the mean tree-ring curve was calculated in order to look for the main signals that distinguish the groups from one another. The idea behind this was to divide the samples into homogeneous groups with similar growth trends, representing typical examples of variability of the studied Norway spruce population. In the next step, several regression functions were studied and compared for their ability to fit the ring-width-age data applied to the mean ring-width curve of each group. Fischer's F-test was used to test the differences in goodness of fit between the equations in each group. From all examined/applied equations, smoothing spline, polynomial of degree 5, and Šmelko-Burgan functions were found to be the most universal and suitable for detrending of all examined ring width curves. Hugershoff function was found to be suitable for curves with one local maximum only. Exponential and Korf's functions were unsatisfactory for the purposes of tree ring curves detrending.

Bioluminescent ATP determination has been applied at a ready-to-eat meals producer plant as a screening tool to evaluate the cleaning procedures and identify possible sources of microbial contamination. Luminescent ATP test revealed the risk situations in few minutes, any time it was supposed useful, and on site. All data were confirmed by the plate count method and immediate interventions were undertaken in risk situations, concerning not perfectly cleaned surfaces and cross-contamination between the areas for different types of foods. Various departments have been checked: cold stores, raw food manipulation areas, kitchens, coolers, and packaging areas. Critical situations were revealed in the fresh foods cold storage areas, which were consequently treated by more intensive cleaning procedures, and the raw food manipulation areas, which were physically separated by walls, were more intensively cleaned with exchanges between the various areas strictly regulated. Intervention effectiveness was confirmed by repeated controls using portable ATP assay, since the evaluation of the relationship between CFU and RLU gave good results, with an r² value of 0.83.

The plateau of the Krušné hory Mts. belongs to areas that suffered the greatest damage caused by air-pollution stresses in Europe. A part of cultural practices aimed at the reconstruction of local mountain forests was the inconsiderate use of bulldozer technologies for the preparation of sites for forest stand restoration. In the course of large-scale scarification the top-soil horizons were moved into line windrows, which caused marked degradation of the soil environment. The present revitalization of the soil environment is based on the principle of spreading these man-made windrows. Experimental plots were established in localities affected by scarification; the organomineral material from windrows was superimposed on them and subsequently they were reforested with Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). In 2005 the point application of fertilizer tablets of Silvamix type in three treatments and calcic dolomite was performed into the rhizosphere of plants. Before fertilization and after three years of the experiment soil samples were taken from the organomineral zone of the root balls of plants, and the condition of the soil environment on spread windrows and changes in pedochemical properties as a result of applied fertilization were evaluated. Three years after the windrow spreading the content of the majority of soil macrobiogenic elements (N, K, Ca, Mg) is at the level of medium-high to high reserves, and only the low phosphorus reserves pose a certain hazard. The organomineral substrate of spread windrows is a suitable growth environment for the root systems of target tree species. The proportion of humus substances is the most important factor in spread windrows from which the characteristics of the other parameters of soil are derived. Along with the higher proportion of humus substances in Špičák locality significantly higher reserves of major macrobiogenic elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) were determined. The applied fertilizers of Silvamix type significantly increased the reserves of soil P, K, Ca, Mg and are a suitable means for the stimulation of spruce plantations in the restored environment of the Krušné hory Mts. Silvamix Forte fertilizer tablets are the most complex fertilizer with the most balanced effects that significantly increases the reserves of soil P, Mg and K. This fertilizer has a high effect on an increase in the reserves of soil phosphorus that may be deficient in conditions of spread windrows. Silvamix R is the most efficient fertilizer to increase potassium reserves. A positive effect of calcic dolomite on an increase in Ca and Mg content was observed while no such effect on the other elements was recorded.

Forest ecosystems of the Krušné hory Mts. affected by long-term air pollution were finally disintegrated. The tree species composition has been changed in ecosystems disturbed in this way. Liming applied for the long-term revitalization of air-polluted areas partly decreased the effects of acid depositions on soil in spite of the reduction of air pollution; however, it did not cause any expected necessary changes yet. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the chemical composition of humus horizon H and organomineral horizon Ah (soil reaction, sorption complex, C/N ratio, available nutrients) in stands of substitute tree species differently affected by liming and site preparation in the area of Klášterec nad Ohří Forest District in the Krušné hory Mts. (Czech Republic). Based on our evaluations, we found out that pH values increased by 0.3-0.5, which was evident in stands with repeated liming at sites without soil preparation and with the site/soil preparation using an excavator or bulldozer. The majority of soils always showed an unsaturated base-exchange complex (< 50%). Increasing values of the sorption complex saturation were evident in stands with repeated liming, which is related to the favourable condition of pH in H and Ah horizons. C/N ratios in the H (Ah) horizon were always below a critical limit (< 24). The content of available nutrients in the H (Ah) horizon was insufficient. Among the particular elements phosphorus content decreased, that of magnesium reached optimum or even surplus, calcium was in surplus (optimum or even surplus), potassium in optimum (surplus). Forest management in the Krušné hory Mts. will be dependent on the effectiveness of the biological and chemical revitalization of soils also in the future.