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Agriculture ensures the physical existence of the population and it creates a fund of basic foodstuffs. In addition, it produces non-food commodities as well as being a region forming and political element. It fulfils the function of an internal political stabilising factor and it is a requirement for an overall, balanced, development. The article puts into context: global agriculture; agricultural production within the expanded EU, which is developing under the conditions of the integrated Common Agricultural Policy. It also draws attention to the current trends characteristic of agriculture within the EU. Emphasis is also put on how the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is perceived, as well as its consequences for the agrarian production and the position of the EU in the international trade of agricultural products.

A previously developed method of HPLC-DAD-Fl has been used for the determination of phytochemical profiles in different types of drinks: instant coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, and different types of tea (green, white, black, and red tea). Using data on the concentrations of 20 main phytochemicals (phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones, and alkaloids) it was possible to identify most of the sample types. Chlorogenic and caffeic acids, and caffeine are the main target compounds in instant coffee; in soft and energy drinks, only caffeine was found. Tea has a more complex phytochemical composition. Unfermented tea is mainly composed of flavan-3-ols and alkaloids, with a high caffeine concentration. Black tea is composed of alkaloids and low levels of flavan-3-ols, which are affected by oxidative reactions during the fermentation. Flavonols are present in lower concentrations in all kinds of teas. The identified phytochemical distribution patterns were used to correctly differentiate instant coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, unfermented tea and fermented tea (within fermented tea, black tea from red tea can also be differentiated).

Subsoil compaction can result in unfavourable soil physical conditions and hinder the root growth of maize. The effects of deep tillage and conventional tillage on soil physical properties and root growth of maize were studied during 2010-2011 at two sites (loam at Hebi and clay at Luohe) in central China. The results showed that soil penetration resistance, bulk density, water content and root length density were significantly affected by tillage, soil depth and year. Deep tillage had lower penetration resistance and lower soil bulk density, but higher soil water content than conventional tillage across years and depths. Averaged over the whole soil profile, deep tillage not only significantly decreased penetration resistance and soil bulk density, but significantly increased soil water content and root length density on loam, while deep tillage only significantly increased the root length density on clay. We conclude that deep tillage on the loam is more suitable for the root growth of summer maize.

A 7-year-old female, German Shepherd with urinary and faecal voiding difficulties was admitted to the clinic. The patient was subjected to neurological, ultrasonographic and radiological examinations as well as blood and urine tests. Based on clinical observations and test results, the dog was diagnosed with detrusor-urethral dyssynergia. The prescribed pharmacological treatment consisted of alpha adrenergic receptor antagonists and skeletal muscle relaxants. The patient was catheterised daily, and Foley's catheter was temporarily inserted. Pharmacological treatment was not effective, however, and the patient was subjected to an MRI examination of the lumbosacral spine which revealed L6-L7 dyscopathy. The dog was then subjected to percutaneous laser disc decompression. Pharmacological treatment was continued, and the catheter was left in place after surgery. Active urination was restored four days after surgery despite the presence of the catheter. The catheter was subsequently removed, and pharmacological treatment was gradually discontinued. The symptoms of dyssynergia subsided completely.

Bromus tectorum is a highly invasive annual grass. The fungal pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda can kill a large fraction of B. tectorum seeds. Outcomes in this pathosystem are often determined by the speed of seed germination. In this paper we extend previous efforts to describe the pathosystem by characterising secondary dormancy acquisition of B. tectorum. In the laboratory approximately 80% of seeds incubated at -1.0 MPa became dormant. In the field, seeds were placed in the seed bank in late autumn, retrieved monthly and dormancy status determined. The field study confirmed the laboratory results; ungerminated seeds became increasingly dormant. Our data suggest that secondary dormancy is much more likely to occur at xeric sites.

The effects of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on P loss potential, soil Olsen-P and neutral phosphatase activities in paddy soils fertilized with superphosphate or pig manure (PM) were evaluated in this paper. Data were collected from a field experiment in the Tai Lake Basin, China. Superphosphate rates were 0, 17.5, 26.7, and 35.0 kg P/ha, and PM rates were 0, 1.4, 2.1, and 2.8 t/ha for each crop, respectively. Soil Olsen-P in the plow layer increased to a greater extent with PM than with superphosphate. Pig manure increased neutral phosphatase activities in the plow layer compared with PM-free treatment. In contrast, superphosphate inhibited neutral phosphatase activities compared with superphosphate-free treatment. Spring application of P fertilizer markedly increased the total P of surface water in November (< 0.01 vs. 0.10 mg/L) compared with P-free treatment. The total P of shallow groundwater at a 75 cm depth was ~0.01 mg/L. Phosphorus fertilizer did not influence Olsen-P or neutral phosphatase activities under the plow layer. Downward movement of P did not occur. Appropriate rate of P application of 26.2 kg P/ha for each crop in this soil reduced the risk of P loss in the paddy wetland ecosystem.

Mountainous areas represent regions with specific soil cover pattern that is naturally given by an altitudinal gradient. The objective of our study was to describe the soil cover development on the altitudinal gradient under changed environment given by man-planted vegetation and acidification. The studied area is characterized by spruce monoculture planting that replaced the original broadleaf natural vegetation and high load of anthropic acidification. The common hypothesis considering the sequence of Dystric Cambisol-Entic Podzol-Haplic Podzol with increasing altitude was not proved. The results of our study indicate that the influence of spruce vegetation causes the occurrence of Haplic Podzols at low altitudes where the natural soil formation does not induce their development. Results showed that the vegetation type can overrule other altitude-related soil-forming factors. The conversion of natural broadleaf and mixed forests to spruce monocultures leads to the expansion of podzolization process to lower altitudes.

The spreading of bulldozer-formed windrows represents a second stage of the site restoration with bulldozers utilization in the Ore Mts. In the first period, bulldozers were used to create windrows for mechanized reforestation of immission-declined stands, causing profound devastation of forest sites, because removed surface humus was the only source of nutrients and environment for tree species roots. Preparatory stands have been established, and have to undergo re-construction in the coming years. Nowadays, the windrows are spread by the bulldozers again, covering 1/3 f the whole area between windrows by the rest of holorganic matter. This substratum is impoverished by the extensive mineralization and connected nutrient (especially N) losses, representing differently suitable space for tree rooting. Presented paper documents the effects of fertilization by different types of the SILVAMIX fertilizer on the growth and prosperity of new spruce plantations. Effects of fertilization are visible very soon and they are significantly beneficial for the new forest plantations.

The Bohemian-Moravian Upland shows a large-scale decline and dieback of Norway spruce up to the forest altitudinal vegetation zone (FAVZ) 5. This phenomenon has been observed in the last 7 years and its progress is rapid. Healthy, declining and standing dry trees of equal height were mutually compared in nine forest stands (aged 3-73 years). These parameters were measured: increment dynamics, root system architecture, biomass, fine root vitality and mycorrhiza, infestation by biotic and abiotic agents. Analyses were done for 414 trees, soil characteristics and weather course data covered the period 1961-2004. Warming and precipitation deficit are the predisposition factors. Weakened trees are aggressively infested by the honey fungus (Armillaria mellea), and they die from root rots. In this paper we describe the mechanism of damage to and dieback of the spruce trees concerned.

A road network in forest lands provides easy access to forest resources for extraction, regeneration, protection and recreation activities. Erosion from forest roads and skid trails is a major concern in forest management due to the capability to cause adverse environmental effects. The objective of this paper is to introduce two methods for reducing erosion on forest roads and skid trails: water diversion and vegetation cover. Factors affecting erosion on forest roads and skid trails are climate, quality of forest road surfacing material, traffic, slope and vegetation cover. There are several management practices to mitigate the impact of logging and forest road and skid trail construction on stream water quality. Sediments delivered to streams from roads and skid trails lead to a number of dramatic effects on water quality and aquatic life. These management practices were found to be effective in controlling and reducing the runoff volume and soil erosion. Therefore, management and maintenance of forest roads and skid trails are essential elements to mitigate erosion.

Forest fires under conditions of the Czech Republic are evaluated from the aspect of their frequency of occurrence in 1992-2004 at a level of particular years, seasons, days and daytime, and causes of their origin. They are confronted with a situation in the CR in 1974-1983. Effects of climatic conditions are a limiting factor not only for the frequency of their origin but also for the size of the burnt area. Spring (April) and summer (August) culminations were balanced. The burnt area of the best part of forest fires (88.9%) was < 1 ha. The increased frequency of forest fires was noted in afternoon hours and during weekends. Areas threatened by fires are characterized by the increased visit number. In the spectrum of causes, a dominant position is taken up by fire raising, smoking and management in the forest. Railway operation and lightning represent minority causes of the origin of forest fires. In the course of the year, the structure of forest fire origin changes depending on activities in the forest and visit number.

Mechanical load on the bone influences bone tissue and its inner tension, subsequently affecting bone formation and its histological structure. A precise understanding of this load and the development of strategies to influence it would contribute to principles of fracture management and to solving other bone pathologies of both humans and animals. The long bones of the thoracic and pelvic limb of a pig were here used as possible models to test new devices and implant materials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the thickness of compact bone of the diaphysis of porcine long bones and to establish ideal insertion points for tensometer probes, where 2.3 mm is the minimal required thickness, and to evaluate the histological structure of the compact porcine bone. A total number of 96 long bones from 12 pigs was investigated. The investigations consisted of morphometric assessment of the diaphysis of the bones by measuring thickness of the compact bone in different segments of the diaphysis and of microscopical evaluation of the compact bone. Macroscopical assessment of the bones revealed that the minimal required thickness of 2.3 mm of compact bone was found only in the middle and distal segment of the humerus, middle segment of the femur, proximally only on cranial aspect. The radius showed suitable thickness on the medial aspect of its proximal segment and on the lateral and caudal aspect of the middle segment. Tibial compact bone is suitable across the whole middle segment and on its lateral and medial aspect of the distal segment. Microscopical structure of the compact bone revealed characteristics of growing/immature bone characterised by both lamellar and osteonic bone. This study confirms the suitability of porcine radius and tibia for tensometer testing. However, one needs to take into account the different thickness of different parts of the bone planning experiments using tensometers.

Liming was and still is carried out in many European forests since the beginning of the 1980s. Main objectives of compensation liming is to neutralize actual acidic deposition in order to prevent further soil acidification, to increase base saturation and acid buffering capacity of the soil. This paper evaluates results from long-term liming experiments throughout Europe using different amounts and forms of liming materials. Differences in forest ecosystem reaction to liming can be caused by amount, form and frequency of the application, and by the solubility, reaction kinetics, contents and composition of the material used. Furthermore, other factors like climate, site history, management, environmental conditions (e.g. actual and historical deposition rates), humus form, C/N ratio, nitrogen stores, and the soil chemical properties (e.g. pH, base saturation, CEC) may strongly influence the effects of liming treatments. Element budgets of forested ecosystems on a plot or watershed scale provide a very useful tool to integrate the various effects of additional Mg inputs via liming/fertilization.

A field experiment was conducted in 2008-2010 at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Zamość (50°42'N, 23°16'E), University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of cropping method and weed control methods on the content of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn in maize and on their uptake. Two cropping methods were studied - sole cropping and strip cropping (common bean, dent maize and spring barley in adjacent strips) and two weed control methods - mechanical and chemical. Strip cropping reduced Mn content in maize, did not significantly affect Zn content, and increased accumulation of Cu and Fe. The content and uptake of the elements by maize depended on the position of the row in the strip and on the adjacent plant species. Placement next to beans resulted in higher Fe and Zn content, while placement next to barley increased Cu content. The highest Mn content was noted in maize from the centre row. In general, micronutrient uptake by maize was lowest in the middle row. These results indicate that strip cropping can be an effective agricultural practise for plant biofortification.

Currently, recreation is the most common use of protected areas and there are scarce data on the users and their opinion. The research was focused on visitors to the Blaník Protected Landscape Area (hereafter referred to as PLA), a well-known recreational area where data on visitors, important for PLA management, are missing. Therefore, the aim of the paper is find out: what kind of visitors comes to the study area; the type of forest trails and tourist facilities the visitors prefer. A questionnaire survey of forest visitors was used. Results show that the visitors mostly prefer maintained trails. According to forest visitors' opinion, the most convenient facility to place near the forest tourist trail is the nature trail panels. Furthermore, based on the acquired data, it was possible to create a visitor's profile which is important for respective research and other case studies in similar areas, and for managers of protected landscape areas to comply with both the visitors' needs and the needs of the protected area.

In our routine surveys for the powdery mildew disease in greenhouse tomatoes, we detected a new pathogen that forms pseudochains consisting of 12 conidia. To identify the original plant that dispersed this pathogen, wild plants infected with powdery mildew were monitored. The pathogen on Japanese mallotus, Mallotus japonicus, produced a similar type of pseudochain, and conidia were infectious to tomatoes. Inversely, the conidia on the tomato leaves infected M. japonicus. Infectivity assays and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogenetic analyses indicated that the two pathogens on the tomato and M. japonicus were identical. These results suggest that the conidia on M. japonicus can be transmitted to greenhouse tomatoes. This work documents the ecological transmission of conidia between wild plants and greenhouse tomatoes

The development of Podzols is conditioned by many factors. One of them is vegetation cover. The aim of this study was to examine in detail special chemical properties, micromorphological features and water retention ability of Podzols under two different vegetation covers (spruce forest and grass). The study was performed in the Jizerské hory Mts., which were strongly influenced by atmospheric acidificant depositions in the past. The study was focused on the assessment of a 30-year grass amelioration impact on soils on the former forest land. It was shown that larger differences in the studied chemical properties (pH_KCl, pH_H2O, eCEC, content of Ca, Mg, Al_KCl, Al_H2O, Al(X)¹⁺, Al(Y)²⁺ and Al³⁺ species) were in the surface organic horizons and decreased with depth. Podzolization intensity was higher under the spruce forest than under the grass cover. Higher amounts of potentially dangerous Al forms were detected in the soils under the spruce forest than under the grass. Grass expansion on clear-cut areas (former forest) as a natural amelioration step results in the particular restoration of soil conditions. The micromorphological features studied on the soil thin sections using the optical microscope and soil water retention curves measured on the undisturbed 100 cm³ soil samples showed a significant influence of the organic matter presence on the soil structure and retention ability of H and Bhs horizons. Soil under the grass cover had denser structure (e.g. greater fraction of small capillary pores) and higher retention ability than soil under the spruce forest. Very similar retention curves were measured in the Ep and Bs horizons under both vegetation covers. Micromorphological features studied on the thin soil sections clearly documented a podzolization mechanism (e.g. organic material transport and its accumulation, weathering process and Fe oxidation and mobilization).

Hydrocephalus is a multifactoral disorder that was rarely diagnosed in dogs until the availability of advanced imaging techniques in veterinary practice. This article reviews recent advances in the understanding of canine hydrocephalus including pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment solutions. The advantages and disadvantages of USG, RTG, CT and MRI as advanced diagnostic methods are discussed. For now Low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the most useful tool in investigating hydrocephalus. The recommended sequences for MRI are T1-weighting images Spin echo, Field echo 3D with TR 380-750 ms, TE 12-25 ms, slice thickness 1-6 mm and with an interslice gap of 0-2 mm. The evaluation of cerebral ventricular system morphology in obtained MRI scans involves measuring the height, area and volume of the brain and lateral ventricles. The results are classified as normal state if the ratio of ventricular height to the brain height is above 14%, the ratio of ventricular area to the brain area amounts to above 7%, and the ventricular to brain volume ratio is above 5%. However, there are still problems relating to inter- and intrabreed comparison among examined dogs. Treatment solutions in hydrocephalus are also discussed in this review. The medical treatment of hydrocephalus aims to decrease CSF production and is based on using acetazolamide, furosemide and prednisone. Surgical management aims to place the ventriculoperitoneal shunt for CSF flow control. Postsurgical complications are also described in this review.

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) Christmas tree plantations in North Carolina are infested by root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. This disease kills almost 100% of Fraser fir material and leaves the soil permanently infested. Control crossings of Mediterranean fir hybrids Abies cilicica × Abies cephalonica with Abies fraseri were performed to ensure possibly resistant hybrid material of desired Christmas tree parameters. Pollen of various clones of A. fraseri was shipped to the Czech Republic by NCSU. Control pollinations were performed in April/May 2010 and 2011 in our hybridization seed orchards. Female strobili were isolated in the period of their highest receptibility. Cones were collected during September. Cones were dried and completely disintegrated. Basic parameters of cones and seeds were assessed for each seed lot. Seed samples of the individual seed lots were X-rayed for assessment of the final share of full seeds. In 2010, the most successful combination CZ2 × NC81 brought 7% of viable seeds. In 2011 the most successful combination was CZ2 × NC26 with 18% of viable seeds.

A growing need for the evaluation of prospects and sustainability of forest resources calls for the availability of harmonized data on forest distribution. We described and evaluated nine datasets providing such information: Corine LandCover, four European forest maps and four tree species distribution maps. Apart from providing a condensed overview of these datasets, we focused on the match between selected forest maps and forest management plans (FMPs) of Slovakia, which can be thought of as highly accurate information on forest distribution. The degree of match between forest and species area, within 306 forest administrative districts of Slovakia, was used as an indicator of accuracy. In addition, the match between the total forest and species area in Slovakia, given by FMPs and by evaluated datasets, was addressed. We found a high degree of match for the datasets on forest distribution (R-square 0.77-0.93, depending on the dataset), as well as strong agreement in total forest area (± 5%). Both indicators are worse in the case of forest type evaluation (coniferous and broadleaved). Poor results were obtained for tree species maps, which under- or overestimated species areas by tens of per cent, although differences were highly variable among species. The obtained results are valid mainly for temperate forests.

Cattle slurry is frequently used fertilizer on grasslands, but little is known about its effect on plant species composition. The aim of this study was therefore to assess effect of different application rates of cattle slurry (S0 - 0, S1 - 60, S2 - 120, S3 - 180, S4 - 240 kg N/ha/year) on the plant species composition of three-cut grassland. The study was performed over 6 years on moderately moist upland Arrhenatherion grassland in the Czech Republic dominated by Alopecurus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, and Poa spp. Species composition recorded in treatments with application of cattle slurry in rate up to 120 kg N/ha/year was similar to the unfertilized control. During first three years, species richness was similar in all treatments and then decreased the most in S4 followed by S3 treatment. Cover of short forbs increased in S0 and decreased with an increase in slurry application rate which supported tall grasses. Application of cattle slurry up to 120 kg N/ha/year can be considered as suitable compromise between maintenance of species rich grasslands and requirements of farmers for sufficient forage production.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a triple anti-Helicobacter therapy using omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (OAC) in dogs. A total of 15 healthy adult stray dogs with naturally acquired Helicobacter infection were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction and rapid urease test. Subsequently, they received a 21-day triple regimen. One day after the discontinuation of treatment, a second molecular analysis of gastric biopsies revealed complete eradication of Helicobacter DNA with negative quantitative urease testing in all 15 dogs. Our results confirmed the high prevalence of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) in the stray dog population of Shiraz, Iran, and the effectiveness of our therapeutic regimen for the complete eradication of these microorganisms in stray dogs. In conclusion, for the complete elimination of non-pylori Helicobacter spp. from the gastric mucosa of dogs, a 21-day three-drug regimen with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin is suggested.

The paper documents the effects of forest stands of different species composition on the humus form state and soil profile chemistry. It compares the situation in mixed broadleaved (ash, oak, hornbeam), basswood and spruce stands. Spruce demonstrates the site degradation effects: raw humus accumulation, soil acidification, negative effects on nutrient dynamics. Both broadleaved stands were similar as for site effects, lower litter accumulation, more rapid organic matter mineralization and more rapid nutrient cycling and intense uptake were documented in the basswood stand.

Little attention has been paid to the effect of long-term fertilizer application on concentrations of elements in grain of barley produced on the metal non-contaminated agricultural soil. In 2010, we analyzed yield and concentrations of elements in grain of spring barley in unfertilized control, mineral fertilizer application (N₄P₂K₂ - 70, 60 and100 kg N, P and K per ha) and combinations of farmyard manure or poultry litter with mineral fertilizer (FMN₄P₂K₂ and PLN₄P₂K₂) treatments in the Ruzyně Fertilizer Experiment established on Luvisol in 1955 in Prague (Czech Republic). The yield of grain ranged from 4.03 to 9.74 t/ha in the control and FMN₄P₂K₂ treatment. There was a positive effect of fertilizer application on concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorusand potassium, but no effect on concentrations of calcium and magnesium. With the exception of iron, concentrations of micro (copper and zinc) and risk elements (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel) were not significantly affected by the fertilizer treatments. Long-term use of organic and mineral fertilizers with appropriate application rates does not represent any risk for contamination of barley grain by risk elements on mineral rich and metal non-contaminated agricultural soils.

Three dogs were evaluated due to the presence of unilateral adrenal gland masses with or without clinical signs. Case 1 showed a unilateral non-functional adrenocortical adenoma, discovered accidentally while Case 2 presented a unilateral cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenoma; a pheochromocytoma was accidentally discovered in Case 3. The adrenalectomy was the treatment of choice in all cases. The development of diagnostic imaging techniques, mainly ultrasonography, and its application to routine abdominal examinations, have allowed the detection of adrenal gland masses more frequently. However, there is no pattern of echogenicity or architecture which would help in the differentiation in a functional tumour from a non-functional tumour, a pheochromocytoma, a metastatic lesion to the adrenal or a granuloma. A complete description of history, clinical signs, laboratory analysis and imaging studies is included. Moreover, a revision of the different types of adrenal gland tumours, with their clinical presentation, a standardised diagnosis protocol and options for treatment are discussed.

The paper deals with the issue of mapping the age composition of stand groups using hyperspectral imagery acquired by the AISA Eagle VNIR sensor in the Bílý Kříž locality in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids Mts. An object-oriented approach was employed through segmentation and subsequent classification by means of Nearest Neighbour (NN) algorithm in the environment of eCognition Developer 8 and artificial neural network (ANN) classification provided by ENVI 4.7 software. Because of the dominant occurrence of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) monocultures in the studied locality the work focuses primarily on the distinguishability of two selected age classes of Norway spruce (10-20 years and 70-80 years). It studies possibilities of a more detailed age estimation of stand groups aged from 10 to 80 years based on the classification into the boundary classes, which shows similarity to dithering based on random algorithm. Comparison with the outline map of the Forest Management Plan shows a correlation (r² = 0.83) between the spectral characteristics of Norway spruce stands and their age composition.

The foliar nutrient status was examined in a degraded Greek fir (Abies cephalonica Loud.) forest in Mount Parnitha near Athens, Greece. The examination lied in comparing the foliar concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu with the critical values referring to conifers and the elemental percentages with regard to N of the forest with the corresponding percentages of a healthy Bulgarian fir (Abies borisii regis) stand, the closest relative of the Greek fir. It was found that the needles of the Greek fir had significantly lower concentrations from the N and P critical values. Significant differences were found for the Ca/N, Mg/N, P/N, Fe/N and Mn/N percentages. Significant correlations for the Greek fir were found between needle weight and foliar N as well as between needle weight and the percentages Ca/N and Fe/N. It is highly probable that N and P in the Greek fir are in short supply.

Combined application of organic and inorganic amendments was known to play a significant role in improvement of soil properties. A field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of gypsum, farmyard manure and commercial humic acid application on the amelioration of salt affected (saline sodic) soil. During this study, soil pH, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, responses of root length and rice paddy yield were examined. Application of gypsum with or without farm manure and commercial humic acid decreased soil pH (8.26%), electrical conductivity (from 6.35 dS/m to 2.65 dS/m) and sodium adsorption ratio (from 26.56 to 11.60), and increased root length (from 9.17 cm to 22.6 cm) and paddy yield (from 695.7 kg/ha to 1644 kg/ha). A negative but significant correlation was observed between root length and electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio (r = -0.93; -0.94, respectively, P ≤ 0.05), whereas positive and significant correlation with paddy yield (r = 0.96; P ≤ 0.05).

Sow batch management systems have become more popular due to advantages in labour planning, piglet batch sizes, all-in all-out practices and health management. The present study investigated the potential health advantages of 10 selected farrow-to-finish pig herds before and after transition from a one week batch management system to a four or five week batch management system. Five different animal categories (gilts, sows, piglets, growers and finishers) were sampled at three time points (T0, T1 and T2) before and after transition to a four or five week batch management system. Different matrices of the animals were collected: blood, nasal swabs and faeces. Several economically important diseases were monitored through serology: Lawsonia intracellularis, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae; and PCR-testing: Pasteurella multocida dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) and Brachyspira species, especially the major pathogenic Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. Following serological analysis, the percentage of positive animals per category and sampling occasion were calculated. Health improvement based on serology was defined as the reduction in the percentage of positive animals for a specific disease in a specified animal category. All samples were negative for P. multocida DNT and B. hyodysenteriae. Little to no improvement could be observed for PRRSv. For L. intracellularis an improvement could be observed in piglets (71%) and growers (56%; P < 0.05). For both of the respiratory pathogens, M. hyopneumoniae and A. pleuropneumoniae, significant improvement was observed in finishers (34 and 24%, respectively). In growers, only M. hyopneumoniae showed a significant improvement (34%). In conclusion, the transition from a one week batch management system to a four or five week batch management system in the present herds resulted in a reduction of the percentage of seropositive animals for three of the monitored economically important diseases: L. intracellularis, M. hyopneumoniae and A. pleuropneumoniae.