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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.

We describe Dirofilaria immitis occurring in the peritoneal cavity of a dog from Korea. Two worms were found in the fat of the umbrical cord area during operation for an umbrical cord hernia in a dog (four year old, female, Maltese). In gross findings, the worms were slander white and measured 132 mm (female), 111 mm (male). The tail of the male was spirally coiled. In light microscopy, the uterus was filled with not fully developed eggs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the cuticule was smooth on the head but those of the tail exhibited complex cuticular striation in the male. Head papillae were located in a cephalic plate forming a rectangular pattern dorsoventrally, with 4 inner labial papillae and four outer cephalic papillae. The mouth opening was very small and the bursal cavity was absent. Laterally there was a pair of amphids.

The paper presents the results of laboratory tests aimed at the study of storage place, storage manner and storage time in relation to mechanical properties of briquettes made from spruce shavings. A BrikStar 50 briquetting press with a pressure chamber 65 mm in diameter of the Briklis firm was used for the briquette production. All briquettes were made at the constant adjustment of all parameters of the briquetting press. The briquette properties were evaluated by determination of their density and rupture force. Moreover, mechanical durability, gross calorific value, total mois­ture and ash content were determined. It follows from the results of tests that at briquette storage in a well closed plastic bag neither place nor storage time influenced significantly their life time. At briquette storage in a net plastic bag various intensive damage to briquettes occurred, mainly depending on their storage place and storage time.

This study attempts to use the analytical hierarchy process to choose the most appropriate earthwork machine for slope classes of 30-50% and 50-70%. Required data were collected by pairwise comparison as questionnaires filled by experts of forest engineering. Results showed that cross-sections and grade line (Technical criteria), soil excavation and displacement (Environmental criteria), production rate and multi-application (Operational criteria), production cost (Economic criteria) with the respective weights of 0.345, 0.345, 0.136, 0.058, 0.058 and 0.058 were the most important criteria for choosing the earthwork machines in the slope class of 30-50%. These coefficients for the slope class of 50-70% were 0.329, 0.329, 0.174, 0.056, 0.056 and 0.056, respectively. Overall priority of bulldozer in slope classes of 30-50% and 50-70% was 0.51 and 0.48, respectively. Therefore, in slope class of 30-50% bulldozer and in slope class of 50-70% hydraulic excavator must be selected for earthwork operation.

In Europe, glyphosate resistant populations have developed in some weed species in perennial crops, including three species of the genus Conyza documented by the International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds. Conyza spp. biology is reviewed in this paper and related to population dynamics and the development of resistant populations. Suboptimal growth stage at application, improper agricultural practices such as overreliance on glyphosate and long-term use of sublethal doses are identified as the most important factors of resistance development. Current control methods in perennial crops including mixtures of glyphosate with other active ingredients are discussed and effective weed management strategies are described to manage the development and spread of glyphosate resistant Conyza spp. in Europe.

Fertilization of crops with pig manure is a common practice throughout the world. Nevertheless, due to the relatively high copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) contents in pig manure, continuous application of pig manure could have negative effects on soil and plant. The study aimed at the impacts of long-term applying different pig manure rates (equivalently 0, 100, 250 and 500 kg total N/ha/year from 2002 to 2008 and 0, 10, 25 and 50 t fresh weight/ha/year from 2009 to 2011, respectively) on Cu and Zn accumulation in soil and plant. During the 10 years of the experiment, a total of 2.04 to 10.20 kg/ha/year for Cu, 3.15 to 15.73 kg/ha/year for Zn were applied to the soil. Results from this study showed that long-term pig manure application resulted in serious accumulation of Cu and Zn in soil, total Cu and Zn concentrations increased by 204% and 107% at high application rates, respectively. Although topsoil Cu and Zn concentrations were below concentrations considered phytotoxic to crops, according to current Chinese legislation, it would take only less time than 16 and 27 years of high application rates to reach the allowable limits. Our result also suggested that Cu and Zn leaching occurred in the tested soil. The Cu and Zn concentrations in stalks and grains were not affected by the application of pig manure, and these values were lower than the threshold values for animal and human ingestion.

A three-year-old male western black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus molossus), which was refusing food and losing weight was presented with a swelling on the right side of the head below the eye. An abscess was suspected and treatment with subcutaneous enrofloxacin was started immediately. After identification of the causative agents as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and following susceptibility testing, enrofloxacin treatment was replaced with marbofloxacin, intralesional gentamicin/betamethasone treatment and gentamicin administered subcutaneously at an increased terrarium temperature of 35 °C. Seven days later, the formed pus plug was debrided and a combined marbofloxacin/gentamicin/betamethasone treatment was continued for an additional seven days. The swelling disappeared. Marbofloxacin was continued for ten more days, after which time microbiology tests were negative for S. maltophilia and P. aeruginosa. The animal began to eat and gain body weight. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an abscess treatment in a rattlesnake and the first to demonstrate the effective treatment of a S. maltophilia-induced infection with a combination of marbofloxacin and gentamicin.

Root net primary productivity (RNPP) was assessed in the wet submontane meadow in the highland region of the Czech Republic. RNPP was studied from 1992 to 1995 with help of the in-growth core technique. The effect of different intensities of fertilization on root growth was covered. In comparison with unfertilized stands, the application of fertilizers (90 kg N/ha) resulted, mostly significantly, in greater root productivity (297 g/m²/year and 2.08 g/m²/day, on average). This represented an increase by 72% and 71%, respectively. Variability in the fraction of RNPP to total net primary productivity was examined. Results indicate that this fraction varied from 0.18 to 0.25 across the compared treatments and decreased with increasing fertilization. Data show how different roles can grasslands play in accumulation of plant matter due to different levels of fertilization.

Tumours of the mammary gland were diagnosed in one female Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungaros) and in two of her daughters from two litters. Altogether, five tumours were diagnosed. Three of them were adenocarcinomas, one was adenoma with disseminated foci of adenocarcinoma and one was diagnosed as an atypical fibrosarcoma derived from cutaneous ganglion cell-like cells. This was a recurrent tumour in the proximity of the previously extirpated adenocarcinoma. Using specific PCR primers for conserved regions of the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) no endogenous provirus DNA could be detected in DNA samples isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections.

Thirty-nine multiparous ewes (19 Pelibuey and 20 Romanov × Pelibuey) treated with fluorogestone acetate impregnated intravaginal sponges were used to evaluate the effects of low pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) doses and genotype on their reproductive efficiency under heat stress conditions. The sponge treatment lasted for 12 days, and 24 h before sponge removal, ewes of each genotype were injected with 140 or 280 IU of PMSG. Ewes showing estrus were naturally mated twice. Reproductive performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by the dose × genotype interaction. All treated ewes presented estrus signs within a 48-h period after sponge removal. Shorter (P < 0.05) estrus interval and higher (P < 0.05) fecundity were observed in ewes treated with 280 IU of PMSG compared to those treated with 140 IU. Pelibuey ewes exhibited shorter (P < 0.01) estrus interval and greater (P < 0.01) fertility as compared with Romanov × Pelibuey ewes. The response to estrus, gestation length, prolificacy, and percentage of single and multiple lambing were not affected (P > 0.05) by dose or genotype. In conclusion, under heat stress conditions, low PMSG doses as 140 or 280 IU can be used to successfully induce and/or synchronize the estrus in Pelibuey ewes and their crosses with Romanov, regardless of reduced fertility observed in crossed Pelibuey ewes. If a more predictable and compact estrus is required, administration of 280 IU of PMSG is recommended.

Increasing productivity and reducing cost in long-distance transportation have become increasingly important in the logistics of forest harvesting operations. This paper presents the research results of the performance of loading with Volvo 4500 BM and timber trucking using two types of common trucks in the Nav watershed in Iran. Both trucks can carry logs shorter than 7.8 m in length. The study used a time study based on empirical data for loads collected from one procurement district in the Nav watershed. The models included the following explanatory factors: driving distance, number of logs, and load volume. The time consumption and productivity of loading and timber trucking depends on several variables such as volume and number of logs per cycle. To evaluate the current transportation system in the Nav watershed, the empirical time study was conducted. Since transportation includes several phases and since many factors affect the work performance, significant variation in the total transportation time was observed. This makes planning and cost accounting more difficult. The models developed in the study are a promising way to support route planning and optimization, and cost and profitability calculation for trucking en­trepreneurs and the forest industry. The average productivity of log transportation was 2.84 and 3.4 m3.effective h-1 for the dump truck and chassis truck, respectively. The average hauling unit cost was 18 and 15 USD.m-3 in the dump truck and chassis truck, respectively.

Six crucial questions for lucerne breeders are set up and discussed in relation to the available information. (i) Which width of adaptation? Genotype נlocation interaction is region-specific and may be wide enough to justify breeding for specific adaptation. Genotype נexploitation interaction requires contrasting plant types for mowing and intensive grazing. (ii) Can we breed very drought-tolerant varieties? One drought-tolerant landrace exhibited a drought-avoidance, water-conservation strategy based on limited root development, while large root featured material adapted to favourable environments and/or frequent mowing. (iii) Which selection scheme and variety type? Many schemes were proposed for synthetic varieties, but empirical or theoretical comparisons were limited in number and inference space. Non-additive genetic variation may be exploited by free hybrids (semi-hybrids) through procedures varying in complexity, possibly assisted by marker evaluation. Previous selection of exotic germplasm for adaptation is essential. (iv) How to improve the forage quality? Selection for modified stem morphology (increased internode number, decreased internode length) proved effective. Combined selection for forage yield and leaf/stem ratio seems also feasible. (v) Which opportunities for marker-assisted selection? Linkage maps for lucerne are available but useful markers for forage yield may be site-specific. Bulk segregant analysis is promising in breeding for stress tolerance. (vi) How to exploit genomic information from M. truncatula? This model species can help in developing markers and locating genes which control metabolic pathways, such as saponin content and composition. Information from M. truncatula on marker-trait association for forage yield or tolerance to abiotic stresses may be little exploitable.

The aim of this study was to provide the first account of fish and macroinvertebrate communities in a heavily degraded river basin in the Czech Republic. Fish and macrozoobenthos were surveyed at 18 sites in the Bílina River and 11 sites in tributary streams during June-July 2007. Fish were sampled by electrofishing and macrozoobenthos were collected by kick-sampling using a sweep net. The composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages in headwater and reference sites in the upper Bílina River indicated clean water with saprobic index (SI) 1.31-1.43 followed by a transitional stretch downstream the Kyjická reservoir (SI 2.05-2.32) and dramatic decline of water quality to SI 3.18 in the river stretch downstream of industrial and municipal pollution at Litvínov-Záluží. Despite several minor pollution sources on the subsequent downstream river stretch until its mouth into the Elbe River, the water quality indicators fluctuated in the range of lower betamesosaprobity (SI 2.06-2.58). Species richness and biodiversity indices followed a similar pattern as river saprobity. Twenty-three fish species were documented in the Bílina River basin. Chub (Leuciscus cephalus), gudgeon (Gobio gobio) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) were the most frequent species at the Bílina sites. Chub was the most numerous fish in the tributaries. Fish species richness in the longitudinal profile did not increase downstream in the Bílina mainstem, most likely because the presence of reservoirs and water pollution interrupted the river continuum pattern. Qualitative data on fish assemblages corresponded to the course of environmental stress. A sustainable fish community was documented only in the lowermost site in Ústí nad Labem near the confluence with the Elbe River. The Bílina River tributaries constitute potential refuges for fish in this basin.

Detailed research is necessary to better understand ecological adaptations of Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel as a species, whose biological properties are vital for its survival. In the Svyatoi Nos Peninsula, three sites differing in altitude were selected. At all sites the growth form of P. pumila was determined. At the high and medium sites, the following parameters were measured: linear increment on terminal branches, leaf mass per area and the content of nitrogen per unit leaf area. Anatomical studies were carried out on shoots and four needle-year classes. It was found that needles were longer and narrower at the medium site when compared to the high site. Leaf mass per area was higher and a substantial increase in older needles occurred at the high site. Nitrogen content per unit leaf area served as an indicator of assimilation capacity and was higher at the high site. We can conclude that P. pumila has xeromorphic needles, higher assimilation capacity, better protection ability against pathogens and slower growth rate of terminal branches at the high site. Important is also a significant increment of the growth rate of terminal branches at the high site in recent years. Therefore, data obtained from sites at the upper forest limit are valuable in assessing the climate changes and are useful for the forest management practice in mountain areas.

Koch method of ornamental trees evaluation is based on interest paid on costs invested in tree-growing up to their maturity stage minus deductions for age, defects and damage. The aim of this paper is to apply the above mentioned method in the economic conditions of the Czech Republic. The paper presents essential economic data generated in accordance with the technological model of tree growing at a permanent site. We also describe the mechanism of the so-called base tree price calculation as a basis for the subtraction of deductions derived from its current condition. The calculated base tree prices are illustratively compared to prices based on the to-date applied calculating techniques and the relevant regulation. We also refer to the method of base price adjustment based on the criterion of landscape tree value. The mechanism of price calculation applied for Koch method testing included two modifications. The first relates to due consideration of growth qualities when calculating development care costs; the other introduces landscaping value indicator as the only base price adjustment to achieve the resulting price, corresponding with the current tree condition.

Biological and chemical (fertilising, liming) amelioration are among the principal tools used to restore degraded sites. These techniques were also used on the Ore Mts. plateau on plots prepared by bulldozing. We evaluated the impact of these amelioration techniques by measuring tree species primary production and humus form restoration. Begun in 1983-1985, this project studied growth reaction of forest stands by measuring height and diameter increment, for the following species (blue spruce Picea pungens Engelm., European larch Larix decidua Mill., lodgepole pine Pinus contorta Dougl., Eastern white pine Pinus strobus L., alder Alnus incana Moench., European beech Fagus sylvatica L.) during the period 1994-2000. The growth potential by species decreases in the following order: larch, alder, lodgepole pine, white pine, blue spruce. Beech was almost exterminated by red deer browsing and the harsh climate; pines suffered heavily from browsing and bark stripping. Holorganic horizons were measured and basic soil chemical and mechanical characteristics were determined - pH, soil adsorption complex characteristics (using Kappen's methodology), content of the humus and total nitrogen, exchangeable acidity and plant available macronutrients, granulometric composition of mineral soil horizons. Our results confirmed the relatively long-lasting effects of soil amendments, as well as the amelioration effects of alder, and the relatively inhibiting effects of larch and blue spruce.

This paper focuses on Eremanthus incanus Less. (Asteraceae), a common species of highland regions in Brazil. The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation on plant growth (height and diameter) was evaluated. Roots were examined from individuals randomly selected from undisturbed areas of highland vegetation and from an experimental restored site. Results showed that E. incanus presented high AM colonization both in restored and undisturbed sites. Moreover, AM colonization was significantly higher in the inoculated treatment than in the non-inoculated one. The species presented Arum-type colonization and frequent production of vesicles, especially in the restored site. Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation stimulated plant growth (height and diameter). Ten AM fungi (AMF) taxa were found in the studied rooting zones: Acaulospora spinosa, A. elegans, A. foveata, Acaulospora sp., Gigaspora margarita, Glomus sp., Dentiscutata biornata, D. cerradensis, Dentiscutata sp. and Racocetra verrucosa. These results revealed that AMF is a common and important component in highland vegetation in Brazil, and should be included in future restoration programs.

Natural regeneration and its relationship to micro-relief and weed competition were studied on 6 research plots in mountain spruce forests in the Šumava Mountains. The data on density regeneration, total height and height increment of each seedling were recorded on 50 by 5 m transects. The position of each seedling was adjusted by a satellite system "Field map". The data show that an elevation is a significantly (significance level P = 0.99) preferable micro-relief for seedlings in most cases (7 of the total 9 cases). The regeneration density is low in a high-competition environment, i.e. in grass and ferns, where the number of seedlings is significantly low on all surveyed plots. But dead wood, which is also an elevation in terms of the micro-relief, is the most preferable micro-site. The data show no significant differences in seedling heights due to differently dominant competing plants. Neither was the hypothesis about the beneficial influence of stem or stump in close surroundings on seedlings confirmed by our data.

Field trials were conducted at two sites Troubsko near Brno and Prague-Ruzyně in 1996-1999 with three varieties of safflower (Gila, CW-74, Sironaria). Three rates of nitrogen fertilization were used: N0 = no fertilization, N₁ = 40 kg/ha, N₂ = 80 kg/ha. Sowing rates were 50 and 70 germinable seeds per m2. The average values of oil content were highest in seeds of CW-74 variety (27.2%). Gila had on average the lowest oil content (24.5%). Linoleic acid was dominant in all three safflower varieties. Variation in content of linoleic acid in different years was not so high as in oil content. The highest average content of linoleic acid was found in Gila variety (81.2%), the lowest in Sironaria (77.4%). At Ruzyně average seed yield on dry basis was 2.7 t/ha and average straw yield was 7.56 t/ha. At Troubsko seed yield was 2.56 t/ha and straw yield was 3.69 t/ha (by 50% lower than at Ruzyně). The effect of year of growing and site on seed yields and on other parameters was highly significant. N fertilization increased safflower seed yield at Troubsko site only, where the dose of 40 kg/ha N increased the yield by 0.08 t/ha on average of years and the dose of 80 kg/ha N increased the seed yield by 0.2 t/ha in comparison with no nitrogen fertilization treatments. Increased N rates and especially higher plant density resulted in an increase in straw yields. Neither were thousand seed weight nor number of flower heads influenced significantly by different N rates or the above-mentioned differences in plant density.

Arterial occlusion due to thrombosis caused by ruptured atherosclerotic plaques (Baba et al., 1975) has been recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in western populations. Thrombosis may occur in various sections of arterial circulation, peripheral arteries of the limbs, coronary arteries, brain arteries, or both major and minor vessels within the abdominal cavity. The ultimate consequence is varying degrees of organ failure, mostly of ischemic origin. Arterial thrombosis represents a continuous problem, debilitating patients and decreasing their quality of life. Moreover, along with chronic heart failure, it can significantly decrease patient life expectancy. Arterial thrombosis results in ischemia, with serious systemic consequences, such as metabolic breakdown. The major goal of treatment remains fast and efficient recanalization - surgical, interventional or thrombolytic. To be able to prevent acute reocclusion with severe consequences (rhabdomyolysis, compartment syndrome, excessive tissue necrosis leading to limb amputation, etc.), several adjunctive treatment regimens have been advocated. Among others, thrombin inhibitors and platelet inhibitors have been widely used for both prophylaxis and adjunctive treatment. Direct thrombin inhibitors and antithrombin stimulators have been recognized as typical antithrombotic drugs. Direct (antithrombin-independent) thrombin inhibitors can be divided into two main categories: monovalent, active site inhibitors (argatroban, efegatran, inovastan, melagatran) and bivalent (hirudin, hirugen, hirulog, bivalirudin), while antithrombin stimulators represent standard (unfractionated) heparin (UFH) and its depolymerizing products - low molecular weight heparins (LMWH's). Recently, a clear change in the main use of heparin, as well as low-molecular weight heparins has been advocated representing a shift from treatment and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis to prophylaxis of thromboembolic disease following vascular, cardiovascular or orthopedic surgery, treatment of unstable angina and prevention of acute myocardial infarction. The main effect of heparins lies in their anticoagulant activity. Heparins are involved in different pathways of the coagulation cascade with anticoagulant, antithrombotic, profibrinolytic, anti-aggregative, as well as anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, there is a little doubt about their anti-proliferative and anti-ischemic activity (Penka and Bulikova, 2006). Unlike standard heparin, low-molecular weight heparins do not affect the patient's general coagulation profile. Obviously, the difference in molecular weight results in different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the agents.

The paper evaluates snow accumulation and the intensity of snow melting in a young spruce and beech stand. The study was carried out at the Deštné field research station in the Orlické hory Mts. (altitude 900 m, WSW aspect) in winter seasons 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. The process of snow accumulation and melting was markedly affected or disturbed by the nearly total damage to the spruce stand by top breakage due to the extreme load of wet snow. Winter 2005/2006 was characterized by extreme parameters of snowpack (maximum depth of snow in spruce 157 cm, in beech 164 cm, maximum snow water equivalent in spruce 819 mm, in beech 833 mm). From the aspect of the snow cover duration, winter 2006/2007 was below the average, winter 2007/2008 was average. With respect to the significant reduction of the spruce crown biomass after snow breakage in winter 2005/2006, no significant differences were noted either in snow depth or in snow water equivalent in the spruce and beech stands. The rate of snow melting in the spruce and beech stands was never higher than 50 mm per day. If the spring final stage of snow melting is not accompanied by intensive rainstorms, mountain coniferous and broadleaved forest ecosystems reduce the danger of stormflows and floods within the required degree.

Fast-growing woody plants that can be grown under short-rotation systems offer an alternative to food production on arable land, and serve as a potential source of renewable energy. In order to establish the feasibility of future large scale production under the conditions of the Czech-Moravian highland, a high density experimental field plantation including a range of available clones of Populus sp. and Salix sp. with the total area of 1.5 ha was established in early 2001 in Domanínek (Czech Republic, 49°32'N, 16°15'E and altitude 530 m). The clone experiment of Populus sp. covered 0.3 ha in the center of the plantation and included 13 clones in total, with hardwood cuttings of only 6 clones available in numbers allowing 4-replicate experiment. The plantation was established on agricultural land and the trees were planted in a double row design with a density of 10 000 trees/ha. The trial was weeded by mechanical methods, and no irrigation, fertilization, or herbicides were applied. The experiment site was harvested at the end of 2006. It was found that the biomass yields of the tested clones of Populus sp. were in the higher range of results from national and European studies in case of hybrid clones. The satisfactory survival rate in the first year, when mortality tends to be highest, was supported by relatively wet weather conditions after plantation establishment. At the end of the first rotation, the highest yields were obtained from clones J-105 and J-104 (P. nigra × P. maximowiczii) and P-494 (P. maximowiczii × P. berolinensis) with J-105 showing a mean annual increment of dry matter close to 14 t/ha. Additional experiments seem to suggest that well managed poplar plantation might produce even better values if higher survival rates can be achieved.

www technologies are developing very fast. The new technologies make possible the easier creation of the web applications, which support business activities. Small and medium size enterprises, which serve as the driving force for innovations and thus for economic development, can utilize these technologies for the creation of relatively inexpensive applications, which can be tailor-made for the given enterprise by using the open source software (OSS). This contribution presents several practical examples of how to create - update - the web site of an enterprise and how to supplement it with an e-shop option. Examples from the area of flower selling have been selected.

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

The paper presents an attempt to determine conducting area (CA), relative conducting area (CA.k^-1) and mean ring conducting area (CAar) on discs cut at breast height from stems of larch trees growing in fresh mixed coniferous forest and fresh mixed forest sites, representing four age classes and the main crop according to Kraft's classification. The value of CA increases with an improvement of the social class of tree position in the community, while no such dependences were found for the value of (CA.k^-1). The parameter CAar, except for one case in age class IV in the fresh mixed coniferous forest site, increases with an improvement of the position a tree takes in the community and differentiates more markedly under the conditions of fresh mixed forest sites. Relative conducting area (CA.k^-1) decreases markedly with an increase in the age of trees, which is confirmed by high values of the coefficient of determination. Moreover, the significance of differences between individual trees in the main crop according to Kraft and forest site types was tested in terms of the values of CAar. Calculated values may be used to describe the relationships between conducting area and the size of the assimilating organ more precisely than the total sapwood zone.

This study presents results on the performance of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) genotypes in Central Serbia. The research included observation and recording of biological (i.e. phenological) traits and in situ sampling of fruits from 1,210 grafted trees for determination of pomological and sensorial traits. A total of 14 genotypes were selected and compared with Hungarian Best (control cultivar). The difference in blossoming time between two years was one month. In 2006, blossoming time was found to be earlier in three genotypes, simultaneous in five genotypes and later in six as compared to the control. In 2007, bloom was earlier in four genotypes, simultaneous in four and later in six genotypes. Average fruit weight ranged from 41.34 ± 0.8 to 81.50 ± 4.1 g, T-5 being the only genotype having the fruit weight lower than Hungarian Best (49.07 ± 2.2 g). The content of soluble solids, total sugars, and mineral matter ranged from 15.72-18.88%, 11.53- 4.99%, and 0.29-0.43%, respectively, and total acidity was 0.77-1.08%. The appearance and the skin colour of the genotypes were highly attractive. They have promising traits which suggest that they can be useful parents in apricot breeding programmes.

The aim of the study was to assess terrestrial ecosystem development (mainly vegetation and soil characteristics) in the area of a sand mine cast (located in southern Poland) that has been either reclaimed or left for natural succession. A total of 20 sites in a chronosequence of 5, 17, 20 and 25 years were set up in two site categories: reclaimed and non-reclaimed sites. Selected properties of initial soils and features of vegetation were measured and they included carbon accumulation in soil; biomass and diversity of communities were also estimated. Next, based on carbon accumulation, the energy trapped in ecosystem components was estimated. Although the results of plant community investigation did not show the same distinct differences between site categories, the case study suggests that reclamation significantly accelerates ecosystem development. In comparison with spontaneous succession, the complete forest reclamation was found to increase the amount of carbon accumulation, thickness of humus horizon, and energy trapped in soil organic carbon and plant biomass in the developing ecosystem 2-3 times and nitrogen accumulation 5 times.