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The effect of three different growing methods, and plant age on the yield of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.) Moench., Asteraceae are described. The weight of fresh and dry mass of rhizomes increased significantly with the age of the plants. Independently of the age, the highest yield of rhizomes (1779 g/m² FW - 589 g/m² DW in the third year) was found in the plants grown from root cuttings and the smallest (385 g/m² FW - 108 g/m² DW in the third year) from seeds sown directly into the soil. A similar dependence was obtained in the yield of flower heads. No relation was noticed between the growing method and the flavonoids and polyphenol acids contents neither in the flower heads nor in the rhizomes. The polyphenol acids content was slightly higher in the flower heads (2.85% in the third year) than in the rhizomes (2.22% in the third year). The results demonstrate that the experimental factors can stimulate increased yield of rhizomes and flower heads of E. purpurea.

In the territory of the Czech Republic there are more than 50% of agricultural soils exposed to water erosion; it is a very urgent problem both at present and for the future. It must be solved now when there is still something to be protected. It is rather complicated to describe the soil properties in terms of soil susceptibility to water erosion because it is a complex relation in which many factors participate. For the complex evaluation of all main factors participating in erosion origination it is possible to apply the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). It consists of six factors interacting with each other and participating in the origination of soil erosion. One of these factors is the soil erodibility factor (K-factor), the revision of which for soil conditions of the CR is the subject of this study. In total ca. 5000 soil pits from the whole territory of the country were processed and evaluated in detail. The main results of this study are K-factor values (means and variances) for the soil types, subtypes and varieties (represented in the database) according to the Taxonomic Classification System of Soils of the Czech Republic.

Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was developed for the detection and quantification of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in clinical samples from persistently infected cattle. qRT-PCR was optimized to quantify the number of BVD virus copies using Light Cycler^® detection system and intercalation fluorogenic dye SYBR Green I. A universal set of primers was selected from a highly conserved 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) to detect BVDV type I and II simultaneously. Quantification of BVDV cDNA was accomplished using a calibration curve generated from 10-fold serial dilutions of standard plasmid DNA in the range 1-10⁸ copies/μl. Analysis of 290 bp amplicons enabled monitoring of the viral RNA/BVDV level in a total of five BVDV strains (BVD-NADL, A03/3004, DB03/2943, KA04/3124, KV05/3412) and sixteen bulk milk samples, and in bovine sera of persistent carriers originating from Czech farms, as well as in a batch of calf serum for cell culture. Melting temperatures of amplicons (Tm) of BVDV strains of the same genotype group I as the NADL reference strain showed variability of the thermal points, however significant differences were observed in Tm values between the representatives of genotype group I and II. Low concentrations of BVD virus in bulk milk samples were also qualitatively identified by conventional RT-PCR. Highly reproducible data were obtained as the coefficients of variation of threshold cycles values in intra-assay and inter-assay were less than 0.85% and 2.76%, respectively. The results give enough evidence of suitability of qRT-PCR assay for quantitative analysis of BVDV in clinical samples.

In this study results of hydrogel application in reclamations are presented. The application of hydrogel affected the survival of pine seedlings during two vegetation periods after planting. Double application of STOCKOSORB AGRO (gel) on the root system after lifting caused an about 19% higher survival rate compared to control variants. The application of 7 g/planting hole of STOCKOSORB MICRO granules caused overdosage and plant mortality. The application of hydrogel granules is simple but it is very complicated not to cause the overdosage because of the very high swelling capacity of hydrogel. Research should be carried out to determine suitable hydrogel application rates for different environmental conditions and tree species. To design a technology with regard to the economic effectiveness of application will be a very important task.

In ornamental gardening, Spiraea × vanhouttei is a frequently planted spirea species in the Czech Republic. In 2003, there arose a suspicion of possible occurrence of fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora on spirea shrubs in Prague and its environs. This suspicion was disproved for a certainty. The absence of the fire blight pathogen in symptomatic spirea plants stimulates a further effort to tackle the problem of a cause of conspicuous fire blight-like symptoms or inflorescence blast occurring on some spirea shrubs. The subject of this paper is: (i) to describe symptoms, incidence and severity of inflorescence blast, bud and flower abnormalities occurring in Spiraea × vanhouttei shrubs; (ii) to find out differences in the occurrence of blasted inflorescences between Spiraea species and cultivars with the intention of verifying the hypothesis that the blast inflorescence and sterility of some spirea species are associated with hybrid species. Symptoms of inflorescence blast are every growing season. No seed is produced by blasted inflorescences. Besides inflorescence blast, aborted floral buds appeared sporadically on a small scale. Spirea species were split into four categories according to the incidence of blasted inflorescences. Out of 52 species evaluated, 10% showed no or scarce incidence, 52% medium incidence, 27% high incidence and 11% very high incidence. The scarce incidence of blasted inflorescences was connected with the high seed production. And vice versa, very high incidence of blighted inflorescences was closely connected with no or low seed production or with high incidence of sterility. Fifteen out of the evaluated spirea species are the result of hybridization. These hybrids occur in each of the four categories of spirea species distinguished by the incidence of blasted inflorescence. However, it is remarkable that the highest incidence of hybrid spireas occurs in the category with the highest incidence of blasted inflorescence (83.33%). In the remaining three categories of spirea species, the proportion of hybrids ranged from 18 to 21%. It might indicate some connection of spirea hybrids with sterility.

The effect of osmotic stress on oxidative injury, compatible solutes content and water relations was investigated in two maize cultivars (Zea mays L. cv. Ankora - drought-sensitive and cv. Nova - drought-tolerant). Relative water content in leaves of both cultivars decreased after drought treatment, leaf water loss of sensitive cv. Ankora was higher than that of cv. Nova. The 24 h water stress induced by 0.3M sorbitol (-1.4 MPa) resulted in a damage of cell membranes. Lipid peroxidation rose in all studied organs of cv. Ankora and electrolyte leakage in roots of cv. Ankora was much higher than in cv. Nova. Similarly, proline content increased significantly in all studied organs of cv. Ankora. Content of soluble sugars increased in all studied organs of both cultivars, but the mesocotyl of cv. Nova accumulated the highest amount of sugars. The electrolyte leakage was the highest in the roots of both cultivars. Osmotic stress had deep influence predominantly on the roots of both cultivars. It is apparent that stress impact on the drought-sensitive cv. Ankora was deeper than on the drought-tolerant cv. Nova.

It has been demonstrated that endophyte-infected (EI) ryegrass performed better in response to N deficiency than its endophyte-free (EF) counterpart. When P is considered, there is a lack of related information. In this study, Lolium perenne L. infected with Neotyphodium lolii was employed to establish EI and EF populations. Soil-grown EI and EF ryegrass were tested for their responses to P deficiency. The results showed that the endophyte infection improved the adaptability of ryegrass to P deficiency. When P was limited, EI roots were significantly longer (EI, 398.8; EF, 323.4 m/pot) and heavier (EI, 30.58; EF, 23.20 g/pot) than EF roots; the root: shoot ratio of EI plants was greater than that of EF plants (P < 0.05). The content of total phenolics and organic acids was significantly greater for EI roots than for EF roots at low P supply; the concentration of both, however, was not improved by the endophyte infection. This suggested that it was the higher root dry weight (DW) that contributed to the higher content of total phenolics and organic acids for EI plants, and the endophyte infection might have negligible effects on chemical modification of perennial ryegrass. Endophyte infection did not increase P uptake rate but did significantly improve P use efficiency of ryegrass in response to P deficiency (EI, 0.734; EF, 0.622 g DW/mg P).

The key focus of the project "Bringing the datawarehouse for agriculture into practice" is to develop an IT solution for the implementation of data integration in agriculture. This solution is elaborated in cooperation with a whole range of bodies in the Czech Republic; the lead partner is the Pardubice region where the pilot phase of datawarehouse implementation is being performed. Apart from Czech legal subjects, partners from Finland, Estonia and Poland are also participating in the eFarmer operation. The datawarehouse project is one of the biggest subprojects of the eFarmer operation and is directly connected to the subproject of "Analysis of data and information flow and storage in rural regions", which was carried out within the eFarmer operation in the last period.

This paper compares two Taiwanese high-tech enterprises, Acer and Trend Micro, which choose different international brand marketing strategies due to the diverse managing types and product characteristics. The hardware products and business software sold by Acer and Trend Micro are discussed to reveal their international brand development and marketing strategy. The research findings can be provided for different enterprises for decision-making when they consider their internationalization and brand strategy.

This experiment investigated the effect of olive cake in the feed of weaned Pramenka lambs on their daily gain, carcass traits and on the chemical composition of different groups of muscles. For that purpose, 45 male lambs were divided into three groups with 15 lambs each and fed separately for 50 days. The first group (control) was fed a commercial concentrate, while the second and third (test) groups were fed a concentrate with the addition of 15% and 30% olive cake, respectively. The results showed that the high level of olive cake inclusion (30%) decreased (P < 0.01) daily gain, final weight, empty carcass weight and (P < 0.05) dressing percentage of lambs. The olive cake resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0.01) proportion of stomach and intestines in the carcass compared to the control. The content of fat, proteins and dry matter in all the analyzed groups of muscles was lowest in the carcasses of lambs fed olive cake. The results of this research suggest that the addition of 15% of olive cake to the concentrate had no significant negative effect on daily gain, carcass weight and dressing percentage of lambs.

Forest soil acidification and depletion of nutrient cations have been reported for several forested regions in North America, predominantly in the eastern United States, including the northeast and in the central Appalachians, but also in parts of southeastern Canada and the southern U.S. Continuing regional inputs of nitrogen and sulfur are of concern because of leaching of base cations, increased availability of soil Al, and the accumulation and ultimate transmission of acidity from forest soils to streams. Losses of calcium from forest soils and forested watersheds have now been documented as a sensitive early indicator and a functionally significant response to acid deposition for a wide range of forest soils in North America. For red spruce, a clear link has been established between acidic deposition, alterations in calcium and aluminum supplies and increased sensitivity to winter injury. Cation depletion appears to contribute to sugar maple decline on some soils, specifically the high mortality rates observed in northern Pennsylvania over the last decade. While responses to liming have not been systematically examined in North America, in a study in Pennsylvania, restoring basic cations through liming increased basal area growth of sugar maple and levels of calcium and magnesium in soil and foliage. In the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California near the west coast, the pH of the A horizon has declined by at least 2 pH units (to pH 4.0-4.3) over the past 30 years, with no detrimental effects on bole growth; presumably, because of the Mediterranean climate, base cation pools are still high and not limiting for plant growth.

The risk of Pb contaminated soil after treatment with different remediation techniques was assessed. Soil vitrification (microwaves) reduced Pb orally available from the stomach and intestinal phase measured by a physiologically based extraction test. Solidification of Pb (Slovakite) did not reduce the concentration of orally available Pb and increased the Pb uptake by Thlaspi goesingens for 2-times compared to plants grown on the original soil. Soil extraction with 40 mmol/kg EDTA removed 57.6% of Pb. However, the concentration of orally available Pb and Pb uptake by T. goesingens increased. The concentration of mobile soil Pb also increased for 14-times measured by a toxicity characteristic leaching procedure. Soil leaching with 10 mmol/kg biodegradable chelator [S,S] ethylenediamine disuccinate and using a horizontal permeable reactive barrier for Pb accumulation from the washing solution removed 17.8% of Pb, but increased Pb uptake by T. goesingens by 3-times and slightly increased the concentration of Pb in the intestinal phase. Leaching did not significantly effects Pb availability from the stomach phase or Pb mobility.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most prevalent Fusarium toxin in Czech wheat samples and therefore forecasting this mycotoxin is a potentially useful tool to prevent it from entering into food chain. The data about DON content in wheat grain, weather conditions during the growing season and cultivation practices from two field experiments conducted in 2002-2005 were used for the development of neural network model designed for DON content prediction. The winning neural network is based on five input variables: a categorial variable - preceding crop, and continuous variables - average April temperature, sum of April precipitation, average temperature 5 days prior to anthesis, sum of precipitation 5 days prior to anthesis. The most important input parameters are the preceding crop and sum of precipitation 5 days prior to anthesis. The weather conditions in April, which are important for inoculum formation on crop debris are also of important contribution to the model. The weather conditions during May and 5 days after anthesis play only an insignificant role for the DON content in grain. The effect of soil cultivation was found inferior for model function as well. The correlation between observed and predicted data using the neural network model reached the coefficient R² = 0.87.

The reserve root nutrients influence the overwintering, regrowth, yield, and persistence of alfalfa plants. The total amount of the root reserves is considered more important than their concentration. One of the factors which can affect the reserve content can be the soil compaction. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of the soil compaction on the reserve root nutrients in relation to the stand density and the amount of the root biomass. In this experiment, the stand density ranged from 28 to 112 plants per m². The average soil bulk density in the uncompacted and compacted variants was found to be 1.38 and 1.52 g/cm³, respectively. In spring and autumn periods, the root samples were taken from an area of 0.25 m² (the depth 150 mm) in four replications. The number of plants, the root weight, and the concentrations of starch, saccharose, fructose, and crude protein were assessed in each plot. The total amount of the root reserves was calculated from the determined concentrations and the weights of roots of each sample. A higher soil compaction reduced significantly the stand density, root weight, total amount of all nutrients as well as the starch and crude protein concentrations. The concentration of the soluble non-structural saccharides was identical to or increased over that in the compacted variant. The negative significant effect of a higher soil compaction on the root weight and, consequently, on the total amount of all reserve root nutrients was explained by the changes in the stand density. When the root weight effect was excluded, the compacted variant provided a significantly lower density and crude protein amount and concentration. The significant effect of density on the reserve nutrients was explained by changes in the root weight.

Studies were carried out during 1987-1997 in four stands situated in the lower mountain zone, and representing the association Carici-Fagetum abietetosum (sample plots Facimiech and Walusiówka) and the community of a transitory character between Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum and Carici-Fagetum (sample plots Gródek and Przelecz Sosnów). The greatest volume increment was found in a pure fir (Abies alba) stand of Facimiech (9.4 m³/ha/year, i.e. 1.4% of actual stand volume determined in 1997) being in the optimum stage, phase of aging and regeneration, and the smallest one stand of Gródek (5.3 m³/ha/year, i.e. 0.9% of actual stand volume) being in the growing up stage, phase of selection forest. The stand of Przelcz Sosnów was characterized by the greatest mortality of trees (volume of loss, i.e. 13.5 m³/ha/year). In this stand of a transitory character between the growing up and optimum stages, due to rapid mortality of fir the break up of the stand took place, and in consequence the growing up stage, phase of a little diversified stratified structure was developed. Volume of recruitment was the greatest in the stand of Facimiech, i.e. 0.05 m³/ha/year. In three fir (Abies alba)-beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands the proportions of fir and beech in stand increment differed from their proportions in stand volume. The percentage of fir in volume increment was smaller, and that of beech greater, than their percentages in stand volume. Processes of increment and mortality of fir and beech pointed to a progressive process of changes taking place in stand species composition, expressed by the increase of beech and the decrease of fir. The knowledge about values of loss, recruitment, and increment, expressed by the number of trees and volume units, may be of help in determination of the amount of cut in productive and protective forests managed according to a close-to-nature silviculture.

Six wheat varieties/lines and six derived F₂hybrids were studied to ascertain and compare heritability and genetic advance for flag leaf osmotic pressure, flag leaf water potential, flag leaf venation, flag leaf area and flag leaf thickness. Most of these characters had high heritabilities and expected a genetic advance. Prospects of a genetic improvement for all the characters studied are evident. The most promising cross combinations are PASBAN-90 × SARC-5 and SH-2002 × SARC-5. These traits therefore deserve a better attention in future breeding projects for evolving better wheat for stress environments.

The influence of N-S fertilizers on the copper content in the inter oilseed rape plants was studied in field experiments. The evaluation involved two treatments of a single rate for the first spring fertilizer application with 100 kg N/ha in the AN treatment (nitrochalk) and 100 kg N/ha + 50 kg S/ha in the ANS treatment (ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate). A positive influence of the ANS fertilizer on the copper contents in different parts of plants was determined. The highest Cu concentrations were determined in the leaves and inflorescences, the lowest ones occurred in the stem. The concentration of Cu ranged within the interval of 1.56-8.75 mg Cu/kg of dry matter depending on the growth period and the part of the plant. No differences in copper content were determined in the seeds of individual treatment. The highest uptake in the above-ground parts of the plants was recorded in the green pod period and amounted to 57.4 g Cu/ha for the ANS treatment.

The aim of the study was to compare physiological statuses of stripped and not stripped tench females with ovulation induced by GnRHa or carp pituitary extract (CPE). The comparison was based on selected biochemical stress indices (cortisol, glucose), condition (TP, TGA), and cell membrane characteristics (ALT, AST, CK). In the first and in the second year, 37 and 29 tench females were monitored, respectively. No differences in the values of biochemical parameters in either period were found between the two groups of stripped female tench whose ovulation was induced by GnRHa and CPE, respectively. No significant differences in TP, TGA, ALT, AST and CK values were found between the groups of stripped and not stripped females with ovulation induced by GnRHa or CPE. Different values were found in stress indices, specifically in glucose concentrations. A significant increase (P < 0.01) in glucose concentrations was found in tench females immediately after stripping and, in not stripped females, about 48 hrs after ovulation induction. Both artificial stripping and the inability to release eggs are important stress factors for female tench.

This paper describes the automated classification of tree species composition from Ikonos 4-meter imagery using an object-oriented approach. The image was acquired over a man-planted forest area with the proportion of various forest types (conifers, broadleaved, mixed) in the Krušné hory Mts., Czech Republic. In order to enlarge the class signature space, additional channels were calculated by low-pass filtering, IHS transformation and Haralick texture measures. Employing these layers, image segmentation and classification were conducted on several levels to create a hierarchical image object network. The higher level separated the image into smaller parts regarding the stand maturity and structure, the lower (detailed) level assigned individual tree clusters into classes for the main forest species. The classification accuracy was assessed by comparing the automated technique with the field inventory using Kappa coefficient. The study aimed to create a rule-base transferable to other datasets. Moreover, the appropriate scale of common image data and utilisation in forestry management are evaluated.

Biofertilizers have been used as sources to improve plant nutrients in sustainable agriculture. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum and potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) Bacillus mucilaginosus inoculated in nutrient limited soil planted with pepper and cucumber. Results showed that rock P and K applied either singly or in combination did not significantly enhance soil availability of P and K, indicating their unsuitability for direct application. PSB was a more potent P-solubilizer than KSB, and co-inoculation of PSB and KSB resulted in consistently higher P and K availability than in the control without bacterial inoculum and without rock material fertilizer. Integrated rock P with inoculation of PSB increased the availability of P and K in soil, the uptake of N, P and K by shoot and root, and the growth of pepper and cucumber. Similar but less pronounced results were obtained when rock K and KSB were added concomitantly. Combined together, rock materials and both bacterial strains consistently increased further mineral availability, uptake and plant growth of pepper and cucumber, suggesting its potential use as fertilizer.

This review is a short introduction to phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis allows comprehensive understanding of the origin and evolution of species. Generally, it is possible to construct the phylogenetic trees according to different features and characters (e.g. morphological and anatomical characters, RAPD patterns, FISH patterns, sequences of DNA/RNA and amino acid sequences). The DNA sequences are preferable for phylogenetic analyses of closely related species. On the other hand, the amino acid sequences are used for phylogenetic analyses of more distant relationships. The sequences can be analysed using many computer programs. The methods most often used for phylogenetic analyses are neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference.

An outbreak of koi herpesvirus (KHV) infection associated with high mortality of common and koi carp was recorded in the USA and Israel in 1998. At present, this disease is viewed as one of the most significant factors that can adversely affect common and koi carp breeds. The disease has spread worldwide including European countries neighbouring with the Czech Republic (CR), i.e. Germany, Poland, and Austria. To monitor the situation in the CR, samples were collected from a total of 138 common and koi carps in seven and eight locations in CR respectively, and were examined between 2005 and 2006. Locations owned by the major producers of common and koi carp were selected with respect of potential occurrence of the KHV virus. No records of increased mortality and morbidity were noticed there. Preferentially carps with non-specific symptoms of disease were sampled, often with isolated skin erosions. To obtain detailed picture about health condition of examined fish the bacteriological and haematological examinations were accomplished. The next part of the examined samples were carp and koi carp for export from professional breeders, imported koi carp and fish from breeds with increased mortality (45 and 21 fish in 2005 and 2006, respectively) The only virological testing was done in this case. The culture and PCR method, according to Gilad et al. (2002) showed negative results for virus KHV in all years. Retrospective investigation by PCR method according to Bercovier et al. (2005) showed positivity in five locations in 2005. In 2006, KHV virus was not detected in any of the selected locations. The aim of our study was to find out the presence/absence of KHV in selected locations and potential correlation of virological, bacteriological and haematological findings. The results of first testing for presence of koi herpesvirus indicates the necessity of regular KHV monitoring in the Czech Republic in the next period.

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

In spruce windfalls incurred in the autumn and winter season the synusia of cambioxylophagous fauna was evaluated in the profile of a whole stem and crown branches according to the species spectrum, tree cover and intensity of attack. The fauna of windfalls in the area with the basic level of Ips typographus and in the gradation area differed by species diversity. In the gradation area, frequency of the occurrence of Ips typographus (L.) was higher by 20-40%. P. chalcographus (L.) showed decreased stem cover in the gradation area. In the area with the basic state of Ips typographus, windfalls were intensively colonized by secondary species Hylurgops palliatus (Gyll.), Isarthron fuscum (Fabr.), Monochamus sp. With the increasing dbh (diameter at breast height) of windfalls the colonization of stems by Ips typographus was positively affected, H. palliatus, I. fuscum, Polygraphus poligraphus (L.) responded the other way round.

The present distribution of forests and the degree of their transformation by man are the results of natural factors and cultural development. The limit between forested areas and open spaces, as well as differences between intensively used forests and those showing small or no traces of human intervention, is determined by social needs and values, economic opportunities, and political regulations. Forests are currently perceived by the population as physical and social spaces profoundly influenced by timber use and forest management. Their social and political significance is in full evolution. The multiple demands on forests in a rapidly evolving economic, social, and political environment require maintaining a high level of forest management standards and a flexible adaptation of multiple-use forestry to the complex interactions between the private and public sectors.

Field experiment demonstrated the benefit resulting from biological soil management including the use of N₂-fixing and growth promoting bacteria A. brasilense B-4485 for long-fibred flax. Seed inoculation by A. brasilense B-4485 was equivalent to the introduction of 15 kg/ha of N that provided the possibility of partial flax N requirement supply. Treatment A. brasilense + N₁₅P₆₀K₉₀ is considered to be the most profitable management in regard to flax yield and its quality, and is comparable to N₃₀P₆₀K₉₀ treatment. Biological management allows preventing high concentrations of N in soil, excludes lodging and negative effects on flax yield and its quality. Implementation of biological management for flax nutrition may be profitable for both ecology and economy of long-fibered flax growing.

To answer many questions of evolutionary developmental biology, it is necessary to identify genes which could be responsible for the studied traits. In this review, I have summarised the methods that are currently used to identify these genes. Mainly the PCR-based methods of gene cloning are discussed here, with the special attention given to the comparison of primer design strategies and PCR amplification strategies. In addition to the review of methods used by other authors, an overview of our experience with PCR-based gene cloning in dioecious model plant species Silene latifolia is included.

The root-plant ratio is one of the important parameters for planting stock quality. We suppose that the ratio is one of the driving variables for the growth performance of new plantation in the forest. The study summarises data on the volume of major parts of 4 years old wild cherry trees. An allometric analysis of different parts of plants in relation to the growth performance of wild cherry trees was done. The results show a close positive relationship between the volume of the whole root system and aboveground biomass. The same is true of the fine root proportion in the root system. Data also document that the efficiency of root system is not decreasing during the root development - at least in the investigated period. The same results were obtained for fine root efficiency. Data confirm the importance of the root-plant ratio for the growth performance of new plantation in the forest provided that harmful factors are not at a limiting level.

The paper describes the root system architecture of the forest tree species Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Pinus sylvestris L., Carpinus betulus L., Acer platanoides L., and Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. at the age of 80-220 years growing on the slopes of the Krušné hory Mts. at the altitude of 330 to 480 m above sea level. These species were influenced by open-pit mining of brown coal as well as by power engineeting. The investigation also involves the determination of soil properties of Ranker Cambisols.