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This study was designed to evaluate basic tree characteristics of Quercus dalechampii Ten. and Quercus polycarpa Schur and to find out differences between them. Total height, height of crown base and diameter at breast height were measured before tree felling. Cut stems were visually checked for heart rot on their basal parts. Diameters were measured on each stem in 1 meter long sections from the base to the point of life crown setting. Average values for both species were compared by t-test. The total height was proved to be statistically different; the height of crown base and diameter at breast height were quite similar for both species. Q. dalechampii Ten. was proved to be of larger stem diameter from the tree foot to the 3^rd height meter; the diameter of Q. polycarpa Schur was superior from that height upwards. However, the most significant interspecies difference was found in a number of stems affected by wood-rot fungi as Q. polycarpa Schur turned out to be less resistant than Q. dalechampii Ten.

The apparent uptake of mineral nitrogen (N_min) from top- and subsoil layers during the growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in Prague-Ruzyne on clay loam Chernozem soil in years 1996-2003. Two (N0, N1) and three treatments, unfertilized (N0), fertilized with 100 kg (N1) and 200 kg (N2) nitrogen per hectare were observed in years 1996-2000 and 2001-2003, respectively. The apparent uptake of nitrogen from soil layers was calculated from the changes of N_min content between sampling terms. Most of available mineral N in the soil down to 90 cm was almost fully depleted between tillering and anthesis in treatment N0. The uptake from subsoil layers was delayed and it continued during the period of grain filling in fertilized treatments. Nitrogen fertilization reduced utilization of N from subsoil. The apparent uptake of N from the zone 50-120 cm ranged from 21 to 62 kg N/ha in N0 and from 15 to 60 kg N/ha in N1 in years 1996-2000. In years 2001-2003 the corresponding values (50-130 cm) were 24-104 kg, 43-130 kg and 29-94 kg N/ha in treatments N0, N1 and N2, respectively. The uptake from 120 (130)-150 cm was around zero in a half of experimental years, and it reached at maximum 12 kg/ha in N0 in 1997. There was a strong linear relation between the amount of N_min in spring and the depletion of nitrogen from the zone 50-120 (130) cm, R² = 0.94, 0.91 and 0.99 in N0, N1 and N2, respectively.

This scientific paper shows the partial results of the research project GAČR 402/05/2697, focussing on the analysis of a questionnaire survey and the creation of strategic thinking models of decision making. The partial analysis of the questionnaire survey results was used for designing the basic structure of the required dependencies in the form of a decision tree. On the basis of the tree, requirements for designing the system of strategic thinking models were deduced. These requirements are reflected in the functional model, the data model and in the status diagram. These models will present an instrument suitable for supporting strategic decision making.

Crop yields are reduced by 70-80% due to a water stress situation specifically during the reproductive stage and are not able to fulfil the needs of food requirement in developed and developing countries of the world. Earlier work was mainly focused on the use of morphological or physiological and molecular aspects for improved stress tolerance. Efforts are being made to overcome this problem with the help of today's sophisticated and advanced technology through genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The presented model summarizes our work in the last five years to mine anatomical parameters as a novel approach to further improving introgression or exploitation of stress adaptive traits. We have focused on some key anatomical traits playing a substantial role in water stress tolerance. This new conceptual model encompasses increased palisade mesophyll height, higher leaf strength index (LSI), higher number of conducting tissues with increased diameter in leaf, stem and root and controlled transpiration rate due to a lower number of stomata per unit leaf area along with the increased guard cell size. Different plants viz. Lycopersicon esculentum, Capsicum annuum, and Calotropis gigantea were screened by developing polyploids to validate this model approach. Genotypes of Vitis vinifera and Solanum melongena were also screened. Wild relatives like Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme and Solanum khasianum were evaluated for comparison. These observations were further correlated with various stress adaptation traits like yield under stress, in vitro screening, chlorophyll content, transpiration heating and cooling, molecular markers etc. A new scoring method is proposed which will be helpful to screen a large set of germplasms on a preliminary basis to discriminate genotypes for drought tolerance. There is an urgent need to study the genetics of these stress adaptive traits using high throughput molecular markers to make them more useful for a higher magnitude of genetic gain.

The aim of this study was to determine if the activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the synovial fluid (SF) and serum can be used as a marker for diagnosing the early stages of osteoarthritis (OA). We also wished to determine if identifiable differences in the concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) could be detected in SF between normal joints and OA joints for the diagnosis of early OA. Ten skeletally mature beagle dogs underwent a unilateral surgical transection of the cranial cruciate ligament and medial meniscectomy. Five sham-operated beagle dogs were used as controls. The synovial fluid was collected in 1, 2 and 3 months and examined by western blotting for MMP-2 and ELISA for TIMP-2. The activity of TRAP in the SF and serum was measured using a spectrophotometer. In addition, the presence of TRAP positive cells in the synovium was identified by enzyme histochemistry. The level of the activity of TRAP and MMP-2 in the SF from the induced OA dogs was significantly higher than that of the control over a three-month period (P < 0.05). The TIMP-2 level in the SF was significantly lower in the induced OA dogs than in the control. However, there was no difference in TRAP activity in the serum. Histochemistry revealed a higher number of TRAP positive cells in the synovium from the induced OA dogs. Based on these data, we conclude that the activity of TRAP, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in SF can be used as a biomarker to diagnose and monitor the early stages of OA.

Artificial regeneration of autochthonous target tree species plays an important role in the process of conversion of forest stands. The European beech is one of the most suitable and most frequently used tree species in this process. Modern technologies of intensive methods of the cultivation of the European beech seedlings provide, among others, a possibility to increase the proportion of this tree species in reforestation more quickly. It is however necessary to test at what types of sites this planting material can be used. The health status and growth of intensively grown beech seedlings in the first years after planting were studied on 2 research plots. Proper intensive fertilisation of the beech seedlings affected positively both the initial height and growth. Even the slow-release fertiliser did not negatively influence the beech after planting. The health status of the beech is excellent after 4 years, the average height of plants with different fertilisation treatments having become equal. It is to conclude from the hitherto obtained results that a slow-release fertiliser in the substrate has a positive effect on the plant growth, and that different fertilisation variants did not cause any serious root deformations of the beech planting stock samples taken 4 years after planting. The impacts of prior nursery fertilisation upon the beech planted under the conditions of extreme sites are further investigated.

The paper deals with the possibilities of arsenic analysis in the soil. The aim is the selection and verification of the methods for analysis of As in the soil, which seem to be suitable for risk evaluation based on the increased As soil load. Economical and analytical availability of the methods is an important criterion. A sample set of 6 heavily contaminated soils was used to compare application potential of prevalent as well as less common procedures for determination of arsenic forms in soils. The results showed that substitution of analytically more demanding As total content analysis and sequential analysis for simple extraction using one-off agents seemed to be promising in many cases. The comparison and evaluation of statistical correlation of used methods of As analysis in the soil was realised. The results suggested that using the combination of simple 1M NH₄NO₃ extraction and determination procedure for amorphous Fe forms in the soil (the Tamm method) was suitable for the risk assessment stemming from the As contamination without necessity of the application of more complicated sequential extraction procedures.

A survey of forest nutrition was carried out in Natural Forest Region (NFR) No. 40 Moravskoslezské Beskydy. The reason for this survey was the gradually worsening state of forest stands in this region and especially in a part of it - in the Jablunkov Pass. Air pollution was the suspected cause of the unfavourable development. According to methodology established for the survey of forest nutrition, the samples of soil and assimilatory organs were collected at 375 sampling sites. The spatial distinctness of Jablunkov Pass was expressed on the basis of selected soil characteristics (quantity of organic material, exchangeable pH, content of total nitrogen, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium) and of the contents of chemical elements (total nitrogen, magnesium, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium) in two-years-old Norway spruce needles. These analyses were done by the software Statistica. The medians of concentrations of elements in two-years-old Norway spruce needles in the area of NFR except Jablunkov Pass are: Zn - 34, Pb - 0.71, Cd - 0.15 and Cr - 0.38 (mg/kg). In the area of Jablunkov Pass: Zn - 43, Pb - 12.1, Cd - 0.25 and Cr - 0.41 (mg/kg). Particular attention was paid to the content of heavy metals both in the whole area of NFR and in the area of Jablunkov Pass particularly. The spatial homogeneity is disturbed by the influence of air pollution there. Markedly higher contents of zinc, lead and cadmium are found in the whole soil profile, in the case of chromium in the forest floor only. The distribution of heavy metal contents in the soil profile is influenced by the quantity and quality of organic matter and by the altitude of sampling sites. The higher values of medians of zinc, lead and cadmium contents are found in the area of the Pass. Chromium is an exception with the highest contents found in the southern part of NFR. The medians of concentrations of elements in the forest floor of Norway spruce stands in the area of NFR except Jablunkov Pass are: Zn - 70.6, Pb - 88.6, Cd - 6.4 and Cr - 0.69 (mg/kg). In the area of Jablunkov Pass: Zn - 103, Pb - 138, Cd - 8.8 and Cr - 1.02 (mg/kg). The spatial distinctness of the area around the Jablunkov Pass is confirmed by the evaluation of the data of forest nutrition survey. Particularly, it consists in the high contents of phytotoxic heavy metals. The exceptionally high pollution of this area can be a cause of the physiological weakness of trees with following attack of the honey fungus.

The paper characterizes the natural conditions and current state of floodplain forests in the area of Litovelské Pomoraví and proposes the protective management of the area in accordance with the European Natura 2000 system. The paper describes the geographical location and the natural conditions of the area of interest (climate, geology, geomorphology, hydrology and flood regime, soils, and vegetation). Six groups of geobiocene types were identified, classified and described in detail. Assessment of the ecological stability of the forest stand was carried out using biogeographical differentiation of the landscape and the outline of the forest ecosystem management is drawn based on the differentiation of the protected landscape area into zones with various levels of protection.

Several fusarioid microorganisms were isolated as potential pathogens of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) but their virulence was not proved in inoculation trials in field conditions. Molecular search for other possible pathogens was then performed. Using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP), Gibberella pulicaris (anamorph: Fusarium sambucinum) was identified as a probable cause of the hop wilting. The primary cause of the disease is wounding of hop crowns by feeding of rosy rustic moth (Hydraecia micacea) caterpillars or by defect pruning and other unfavourable circumstances. The specific primer HLf1 was designed that can be used to detect the pathogen in soil and in damaged plant tissues.

A mixed infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) in one naturally infected red deer stag from a game park is described. The animal was euthanized because of symptoms of poor condition, weight loss and chronic diarrhoea. In spite of that, pathological lesions were observed only in the mesenteric lymph nodes, which were five to ten times enlarged with confluent caseous granulomas of 1 to 10 mm in size. Mycobacteria were isolated from all studied samples: a mixed infection of MAP and MAH was confirmed by multiplex PCR for the detection of IS 900, IS9011, IS1245 and dnaJ. MAP of the identical IS900 BstEII RFLP type C1 was isolated from all tissue samples and faeces. MAH isolates were detected in six examined tissue samples, including three mesenteric lymph nodes with caseous granulomas. Only minor differences in the band numbers and position of four different IS1245 PvuII RFLP patterns of MAH isolates were found. It follows from these results that red deer may potentially be infected with MAH, when a MAP infection is under way.

Social and habitual changes of guests and a more difficult competitive situation are forcing the gastronomy industry to change. As one necessary reaction, restaurant operators need to apply a more specific and therefore a more effective communication policy. This research proves that there exist categories of guests, which react strongly positively to a certain mix of information content and information channel. Thus, communication policy is most effective, when such a communication mix is used. The explored factors are dimensions, not types; which means that each guest will show a different rate of interest in each of the defined dimension. The theory behind these dimensions is adopted from the applied personality theory, which has led to the development of the Big Five personality dimensions. The empirical analysis was exclusively conducted on the basis of the existing guests (189) of two pizzerias in Germany. The analysis mainly presents results for the relationship marketing, which focuses on the satisfaction of the already existing customers.

In this work, the effects of double, triple and quadruple combinations of gibberellic acid, kinetin, 24-epibrassinolide and polyamines (cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine) on the stomata movements in the leaves of barley seedlings grown under saline conditions were studied. In the control seedlings, the stomata number, stomata index and stomata length increased in the upper surfaces of leaves in comparison with their lower surfaces. In addition, the epidermis cell number in the leaves of control plants were fewer in the upper surface than that in the lower surface, but the stomata were statistically in the equal width in both surfaces. As for the applyings, they generally decreased stomata number, stomata index, stomata length and epidermis cell number, while they increased the stomata width in the upper and especially in the lower surface according to the control. The growth regulators used may have served to adaptation of barley seedlings to saline conditions by causing a decrease in most of the mentioned parameters.

The purpose of the pilot project Senotín (1993-2000) was to prove the methods of revitalization of sub-mountain headwater area (0.38 km²) in the Novobystřická Vysočina Highland (610-725 m a. s. l.) in the Czech Republic. This area was tile-drained and ploughed in 1985. Seven underground clay shields newly constructed in 1995 stopped the function of the tile drainage. Four balks prevented the surface and subsurface runoff. These adaptations improved water retention capacity of the whole catchment, which is demonstrated using an example of runoff formation in the revitalized area. A typical storm rain (total 15 mm, duration 5.6 h, max. intensity 4 mm/20 min) and the consequent runoff was analysed, including the role of the soil in the runoff retardation and water retention. The runoff started in two hours since the rain beginning. The retention reached 98% of the rain total. The runoff lasted for 85 h. The concave-upward shape of the falling hydrograph limb indicates that the maximum retention capacity of the studied catchment is high.

To determine the countryside, different criteria can be used from the simplest one - the population density - to more complex ones like the economic indicators or the combination of factors characterizing the particular types of municipalities or regions. Generally, it is possible to divide these indicators into subjective and objective ones and further to categorize them according to other properties. The objective of this article is to collect as much information as possible about the methods of defining the borders of rural areas used in the Czech Republic and to set these criteria into a system. We would like to evaluate the applicability of these criteria and to state the advantages and disadvantages of their use. The article also compares statistical data related to the selected features characterizing countryside.

The paper evaluates the development of the tree numbers, secondary stand and species composition on eight partial control plots in Klepačov where the conversion of even aged forest managed under the system involving coupes to selection forest has been implemented within the framework of a long-term project. The plots capture various stages of conversion. Plots A, D, and H still possess structures nearing the forest of age classes. The assessment was made of the measurements taken in 1974, 1994, and 2004. Tree numbers on the partial control plots in the diameter degrees 10-70+ decreased in the first inventory period as compared with both the model situation and the initial situation in 1974 due to increased felling volumes in that period. The felling and the subsequent opening of stands resulted in a rapidly developing regeneration, which manifested itself by the increase in the number of trees in diameter degrees 2 and 6 above the values given by the model curve for these diameter degrees. In the second inventory period, tree numbers in these diameter degrees were lower by 11% as compared with the model situation and slightly lower as compared with the initial situation. Moreover, the results of the survey show that the forest stands under the selection system of management are massively invaded by broadleaved species, namely the beech and that danger exists that broadleaves will dominate in the future. This is generally considered undesirable because the quality of broadleaved stems in the stands under the selection system is low.

Three hundred and thirty-one (331) horses out of 371 cases (i.e. 351 individuals discharged from the clinic) were followed up in order to evaluate long-term survival rate and complications after colic surgery. Twenty horses were subjected to surgery twice during the period of this study. Out of the sample of 331 patients, 302 animals (91.2%) survived at least 11 months after the operation. Twenty-nine horses (8.8%) died or had to be euthanized. Colic episode was considered to be the cause of death in 23 (79.3%) out of 29 patients. Seven colic patients had to be reoperated. The remaining six patients died of a cause unrelated to the gastrointestinal disease. Seven out of 302 long-term surviving patients needed the second operation within the first 11 months after the first surgery. Colic episode was reoperated in another 15 patients after 12 months to 4 years after the first operation. Conservative treatment was necessary in another 10 long-term surviving horses. In eight long-term surviving horses and in one patient that did not survive 11 months, incision hernias were identified as the postoperative complication. Twenty-one horses out of 331 were subjected to relaparotomy during their first hospitalization. Eighteen out of these (85.7%) survived 11 months after the surgery; the remaining three were euthanized within six months due to colic.

Important parts of the forest sector are forest engineering constructions and capital construction of forest road network which improve the optimal management of forests and forest stands and their reasonable opening by a forest road network. The basic frameworks of forest road network are forest transport roads of various grades and categories. The paper discusses the basic parameters of forest transport roads such as the length of forest transport roads and their density outspread to the area of a particular district above all. The conditions of forest opening in 41 Natural Forest Regions of the Czech Republic and in the Czech Republic as a whole are shown and confronted on the basis of these parameters. A dilemma of the double division of forest transport roads according to the standard ČSN 73 6108 - Lesní dopravní síť (Forest Transportation Network) and according to the methodology used by Forest Management Institute in Brandýs nad Labem is also described in the paper. Although it is not suitable to use two methods of evaluation, there is no tendency to unify it.

The population dynamics of wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) was studied in three forest complexes differing in food supply in the intensively managed landscape of southern Moravia. They included an old semi-natural floodplain forest dominated by oak (HL), production broadleaved forest with the predominance of oak and robinia (HA) and a pheasantry with various forest stands consisting of diverse species and age categories of trees with a quantity of additional food for additional feeding of pheasants and roe deer (RB). The population fluctuation within six-year monitoring was affected by seed years (acorn crops in 2003 and 2006), which resulted in an increase in the species population density in the next year. Statistically significant effects of the crop of acorns on the body weight of monitored species were also detected (P < 0.01, F = 1.44). Relative abundance differed significantly between the floodplain forest (HL) and RB and HA (P < 0.01). The two last-mentioned sites did not differ and only a trend of greater preference to the most variable biotope in RB was noted. It evidences the unsuitability of floodplain forest for the species. In spite of the food specialization in small seeds significant effects of the excess crop of acorns can result in a rapid increase in the Apodemus sylvaticus population which can then cause damage to the natural regeneration of oak or artificial regeneration by seeding although to a substantially smaller extent than the more harmful A. flavicollis.

Leaves from uncultivated and unsprayed hazelnut shrubs, Corylus avellana, were sampled from June to August 2005 to obtain information on the phytoseiid mite taxocenoses, population density and intraleaf distribution. Six phytoseiid mite species were identified, of which three, Kampimodromus aberrans, Euseius finlandicus and Neoseiulella tiliarum, were more abundant. The eudominant, slowly moving K. aberrans was found on all leaf samples. Phytoseiid population density averaged 3.16 mites per hazelnut leaf. While on most leaves only one phytoseiid species was found, on some there was cohabitation of two (rarely three) species. The three frequent species mostly inhabited the sheltered microhabitat at the veins of leaves of C. avellana.

The appearance of fruits and vegetables has a major influence on the perceived quality. Therefore, colour is one of the most important quality parameters in consumers' preferences. Fruits differently exposed to the sun differ in colour, frequently looking unripe and reach full maturity just on handling or transport, some still green and appearing unripe. Oranges, carrot, red beet, and parsley were used for the study of the quality estimation. Different nets used for the packing of fruits were tested. The measurements of lightness and chromaticity parameters were performed according to L*a*b* system. The red net used for the packing of oranges caused a decrease of the lightness parameter L* for all stages of fruits maturity. However, some unripe and bright oranges, through the use of a red net, looked more mature. The chromaticity parameter a* is the most influential factor affecting the human perception of the fruit colour. The red net improves this parameter significantly, thus unripe yellow oranges become more saturated, changing the perception of colour to the predicted range. The colour is insignificant for the net, however, it is important for the classification and quality assessment by humans.

Congenitally deformed tibia-fibulas of both hind limbs were diagnosed in a four-month-old, female, domestic shorthair cat that was unable to bear weight and whose movement was painful on both stifle and hock joints. Bleeding was observed repeatedly from the wound made by deformed tibias at the cranial sides of hock joints where the bones were exposed. Radiography and computed tomography revealed a corn-shaped tibia and bow shaped fibula which extended cranio-distally without formation of the hock joints. Femoro-tarsal arthrodesis was successfully executed on both hind legs after exclusion of the deformed and pliable tibia-fibulas. Follow-up radiography showed that bone fusions had gradually improved and were without complications. Postoperatively, the cat was capable of walking on the corrected hind legs and running on the movement of hip joints. To the authors' knowledge, this is the 1st reported case of femoro-tarsal arthrodesis in a cat. In this case, femoro-tarsal arthrodesis resulted in a satisfactory outcome for congenitally deformed tibia-fibulas in cat.

The article starts with the theoretical definitions of various concepts (rural space, endogenous approach to the rural development, the actor operating in the particular locality for its development). Concerning the know-how of the rural/local actor, the information acquired also through extension service takes important position there. The methodological approach explains the use of sociological methods and techniques employed in research in two localities. This is continued by the analysis of the data gathered. The conclusions of the paper evaluate the knowledge from the group interviews and discuss the necessity of establishing an "institute" the task of which would be to provide and roof the extension service and the sufficient information level for the local, often rural actors. These actors then would use such information/extension service not only for a more efficient development of their localities, but also for a higher valorisation of their efforts in the "animation" of the rural localities.

The uniqueness of limestone soil-forming substrate was assessed with respect to the classification of forest ecosystems. 50 soil profiles from the Bohemian Karst were studied and the results were confronted with previously published works from other karst areas. The evaluation of soil profiles was based on a macroscopic description, on the results of chemical and physicochemical analyses, and on a micromorphological study. The carbonate bedrock was a cause of specific genesis of soils in these sites - both recent and relict ones (terrae calcis). However, it does not always condition the unique characteristics of these sites whose differentiation would call for an a priori special edaphic category. Unique geochemical characteristics of the substrate are modified on the gradient of advanced pedogenesis (Holocene up to mid-Pleistocene soils were assessed) by a very intensive soil-forming process connected with the impact of allochthonous, mostly aeolian material. Two possible approaches were designed for the classification of these sites: (i) wider conception - distinction of the basic edaphic category with small limitations for the quality of soil-forming substrate, (ii) narrower conception - limestone edaphic category with a number of limitations to distinguish this edaphic category.

Altitudinal studies has become of interest to ecologists concentrated on functional alterations aiming to clarify the effects of limiting factors. Nutrient element release from forest floor (FF) decomposition is suppressed by those factors such as low temperature, shortened vegetation period concluding FF accumulation at high elevation fields. To draw out a response to the FF decomposition issue, FF layers as leaf + fermentation (L + F) and humus (H) were collected from 37 representative sample plots along an altitudinal gradient (from 1,400 m to 1,710 m) on Kaz (Balikesir-Turkey) mountain. Mass, pH, organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (Nt) contents of FF were investigated to explain the relation between decomposition and altitudinal effects. The results revealed that total FF mass and (L + F), (H) sub-fraction masses through elevation show an insignificant relation with the altitude. No significant difference was found between the altitudinal groups in the OM content of L + F. Besides there are significant negative correlations between OM contents (%) of L + F and H layers and altitude with the coefficient values 0.342 (P< 0.05) and 0.597 (P < 0.01), respectively. The Nt content of L + F layer also increases through the elevation revealing a medium correlation with altitude (0.368; P < 0.05). The increasing Nt and decreasing OM contents show better decomposition rates at higher sites regardless of the altitude induced climatic changes. We assume that the forest floor accumulation under tree canopies provides a better decomposition relying on the microclimatic environment mediated by tree canopies, in spite of the altitude.

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on root length (RL) distribution of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated. The study was conducted in Prague-Ruzyne on clay loam Chernozemic soil in the years 1996-2003. Two (N0, N1) and three (N0, N1, N2) treatments, unfertilized (N0), fertilized with 100 kg (N1) and 200 kg N/ha (N2) were studied in 1996-2000 and 2001-2003, respectively. Nitrogen rate 100 kg/ha had no effect on RL in soil layers (P > 0.1) in years 1996-2000 and 2002-2003 and there was not significant interaction between N treatment and soil layer except for year 1998 (P < 0.01). Nitrogen fertilization affected RL distribution significantly (P = 0.013) only in 2001 due to reduction of root growth in subsoil layers in treatment N2 (200 kg N/ha) in comparison with N0 and N1. The effect of N fertilization on total RL in rooted soil volume was insignificant. There was a significant effect of year on total RL (P < 0.01) but not of interaction of year and N treatment. Roots reached, with the exception of two years, the depth between 100 and 130 cm. Nitrogen fertilization (N1) had no effect (P = 0.59) on rooting depth (RD) in years 1996-2000 but there was a significant effect of interaction between year and N fertilization on RD (P < 0.01). In the second experimental series (2001-2003) N fertilization rate 200 kg N/ha significantly reduced maximum RD (P < 0.01) in comparison with N0 and N1. The year had highly significant effect on RD.

he study was undertaken to determine a possible role of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) as antioxidants in salt tolerance of Chamomilla recutita and Origanum majorana. Salinity generally induced variable changes in growth, contents of oil and flavonoids of both plants; foliar application of any polyamines counterbalanced the effects of salinity. In general, the degree of stimulation differed according to the type and concentration of the used additive and the type of the plant.

The article presents an overview and brief characteristics of the selected soil information systems in the Czech Republic. It suggests synchronisation of their development, particularly some convergence of the Land Evaluation Information System and Soil and Terrain Digital Database. In the pilot area of Litoměřice district, it demonstrates the application of the SOTER methodology for the construction of middle- and detail-scale soil maps, using the data from the General survey of agricultural soils. It not only shows the variety of the district soil conditions, but it also supplements them with the data gathered in the 2006 soil survey.

We tested the germicide activity of 1% Chloramin BM, 1% Incidin Plus, 1% Lysoformin 3000, 0.2% Mikasept KP, and 2% Sekusept Forte against viruses in suspension (suspension test) and dried onto a surface (carrier test). The agents of the porcine encephalomyelitis (Porcine teschovirus, strains CAPM V-86, CAPM V-37), Aujeszky's disease (strains CAPM V-166, CAPM V-327) and vesicular stomatitis (strains CAPM V-499, CAPM V-331) were used as model viruses. After 30 min contact time in both the suspension and carrier tests, the Porcine teschovirus was 4 lg inactivated only by Mikasept, which was thus the only disinfectant to meet the standard. The other disinfectants decreased the viral titre insufficiently. Under the same conditions, Aujeszky's disease virus was inactivated by at least 4 lg by all the tested disinfectants except for Chloramin BM which decreased the titre of CAPM V-166 only by 3.75 lg in the carrier test. For the inactivation of Vesicular stomatitis virus Chloramin BM and Mikasept KP were tested. Both the disinfectants reliably decreased the viral titre in both the suspension and carrier tests. Our results show that the inactivation of a surface-bound virus is more difficult than its inactivation in suspension. We confirm the high resistance of non-enveloped viruses (Porcine teschovirus) to chemical inactivation.