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Soils harbour enormously diverse bacterial communities that interact specifically with plants generating beneficial interactions between them. This study was the first approach to assess bacterial communities before sowing with three cotton genotypes, including both transgenic and conventional ones. The structure of bacterial communities was identified using the next generation sequencing analysis, ion torrent PGM (Personal Genome Machine™) sequencer technology, based on the V2-V3 16S rRNA gene region. Quantitative insights into microbial ecology pipeline were used to identify the structure and diversity of bacterial communities in bulk soil samples collected in the northeast of Mexico. Bulk soil textures and chemical properties, including most nutrients, were homogeneous in these bulk soil samples. Relative abundance analysis showed similar bacterial community structures. Dominant taxonomic phyla were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes and Bacteroidetes, whereas the main families were Bacillaceae, Chitinophagaceae and Rhodospirillaceae with an abundance average of BS1 (bulk soil sample), BS2 and BS3 (24.85, 19.74 and 19.71%, respectively). Alpha diversity analysis showed a high diversity (Shannon and Simpson index) and a large value of the observed species found in bulk soils samples. These results allowed establishing the previous bacterial structural community in an unused soil before sowing it with a transgenic crop for the first time.

In this study, the effect of tine type, adding wing, operating depth and forward speed on the draft requirement of subsoil tillage tines was investigated in clay loam soil. Three subsoil tillage tines (subsoiler, bentleg and paraplow), four levels of forward speed (1.8, 2.3, 2.9 and 3.5 km/h), three levels of depth (30, 40 and 50 cm) and winged and no-wing tines were examined with the exception of bentleg as it would not be winged. It was revealed that draft of the tines is less affected by forward speed but is much affected by tine type, depth and wing. It was observed that an increase of speed and depth plus adding wing results in an increase of draft in all tines. Additionally, it was found that in all depths and speeds, subsoiler required more draft than paraplow and paraplow required more draft than bentleg. Multiple regression models including the studied parameters were developed to predict the draft requirements for each tine with high accuracy.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus represents a major threat to the swine industry worldwide. This study describes the transmission of a European strain of PRRS-1 to a pig farm leading to the spread of the virus to different age categories of pigs and the development of clinical signs in pregnant sows and piglets. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome aetiology was confirmed by serological tests and by virus isolation and subsequent sequencing. Repeated mass vaccination using modified live virus was used to synchronise the level of PRRS-specific immunity in all age categories of animals and to hinder virus circulation in the herd. Four months after the second mass vaccination, regular modified live virus vaccination of sows and gilts was implemented. Introduction of sentinel animals demonstrated cessation of virus circulation and the success of the control programme.

Ditylenchus weischeri was recently reported in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada. Populations of D. weischeri from creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense L.) in Manitoba and D. dipsaci from garlic (Allium cepa L.) in Ontario were examined for their potential to grow on callused carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) disks, alfalfa (Medi- cago sativa L.) and creeping thistle callus tissues, and pure cultures of eight fungal species, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillium dahliae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Chaetomium spp. Ditylenchus weischeri and D. dipsaci could not be reared on any of the fungal isolates nor in the callus tissues of creeping thistle. In contrast to D. weischeri, D. dipsaci was successfully reared on the alfalfa callus tissue. On the callused carrot disks, with no media, an increase of 54 and 244 times the initial density of 80 nematodes was obtained for D. weischeri and D. dipsaci, respectively. Monoxenic rearing was performed using callused carrot disks to provide sufficient D. weischeri inoculum for the microplot study. The effect of D. weischeri on yellow pea varieties Agassiz and Bronco was determined in a microplot trial using initial densities of 0, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 nematodes/plant. While it had no impact on pea grain yield, D. weischeri slightly reduced plant height, aboveground biomass, and pod length at the population densities of 1600 and 3200 nematodes/plant. The final population densities at harvest were not significantly different from the initial densities indicating the pea varieties were poor hosts to D. weischeri. The results of the present study indicate that D. weischeri is unlikely to be a pest of yellow pea for weather conditions of the Canadian Prairies.

In Hawaii, past use of arsenical pesticides has left elevated levels of arsenic (As) in some soils. Sorption isotherms of an Andosol and an Acrisol showed that the former required 1100 mg/kg, and the latter 300 mg/kg of added As to maintain 0.20 mg As/L in solution, the maximum allowable As level in streams/rivers in Hawaii. Greenhouse experiments were conducted on an Andosol (315 mg/kg total As), which was amended with 0, 5 g/kg compost, 5 g Fe/kg as amorphous Fe(OH)₃, or 250 mg P/kg as Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, and on a low-As (15 mg/kg) Acrisol, which was spiked with 0, 150 or 300 mg As/kg as Na₂HAsO₄.7 H₂O. Brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) was used as the test plant. Arsenic concentration in the fern fronds averaged 355 mg/kg in the Andosol, and 2610 and 1270 mg/kg (from consecutive plantings, 2 and 12 months after As addition, respectively) in the Acrisol spiked with 300 mg/kg of As. Chemical reactions, as suggested by sequential extractions, likely controlled the availability and uptake of soil As. Mehlich-3 extraction could be used to identify As-contaminated soils and potential phytoremediation as it correlated well with bioaccessible As and with As in fern fronds.

Relieving perioperative pain can reduce postoperative suffering and improve recovery from anaesthesia in animals. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of nefopam and tramadol in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-four adult mixed-breed female dogs were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8) and received their respective treatments immediately after surgery: Group T (2 mg/kg tramadol, i.v.), Group C (1 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.) and Group D (2 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.). The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured and the level of analgesia was assessed using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF). The CMPS-SF was performed at least two days before premedication (baseline), every 2 h for the first 8 h (post-extubation), at 12 h and at 24 h. Results showed that the HR in all groups was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 2 and 6 h than at baseline. The RR in Group T was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 0 and 2 h than at baseline. Rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg morphine, i.v.) was provided if CMPS-SF pain scores greater than or equal to six. Four dogs required rescue analgesia: one dog in Group T at 2 h and three dogs in Group C at 2 and 6 h. No dogs in Group D required rescue analgesia. The CMPS-SF pain scores of dogs in Group C were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group C at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 2 and 4 h. However, the scores in Group D were not significantly different compared with Group T. In conclusion, this study suggests that nefopam at 2 mg/kg i.v. produces better postoperative analgesia compared with tramadol at 2 mg/kg i.v. or nefopam at 1 mg/kg i.v. in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Severe symptoms of root rot on sugar beet have been observed in Poland and Germany since 2001. The symptom classification suggested girth scab as it was mistakenly classified on the basis of current classification, e.g. in LIZ. However, the cause of the disease was Aphanomyces cochlioides infection, not Streptomyces spp. According to these findings we cannot call the symptoms caused by A. cochlioides as 'girth scab'. The typical scab (girth scab) symptoms can be promoted by A. cochlioides infections. In many cases, A. cochlioides developed at the beginning of the season, during the seedling stage. Its further development was due to rainfall and was not routinely recognised in disease-changed tissues if in the middle of the summer the rainfall level was reduced. According to the described findings, renewed description and differentiation of the girth scab symptoms caused by Streptomyces spp. and root rot caused by A. cochlioides on sugar beet roots are suggested. Typical symptoms of the disease caused by A. cochlioides occur mainly on the upper part of the root but can also occur on its lower part, if weather conditions are favourable for the pathogen. The coexistence of A. cochlioides and Pythium spp. in the same niches is also possible. Currently the illustrations showing these symptoms are included in the 'girth scab' descriptions.

A two-year old male Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was brought to the Surgery Clinic at the Istanbul University, Veterinary Faculty, Research and Practice Hospital, with a non-healing wound on the right upper eyelid. An ulcerated, bleeding wound was observed and diagnosed as an eyelid mass. The eyelid mass was excised and submitted for histopathological examination, which resulted in a diagnosis of meibomian adenoma. After excision of the mass, the right upper eyelid became deformed and adopted an abnormal shape. The surgical site was examined two weeks later. No abnormality was observed and the appearance of the right eyelid had returned to normal. Although there are many reports on benign tumours such as polyps, adenomas, haemangiomas and papillomas in hamsters, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on a meibomian adenoma in a Syrian hamster which was resolved by surgery.

The graduates of tertiary education level are one of the risk groups in the economically active age, who have a significant problem to find a job in the labour market. The research has been focused on defining the key factors influencing the creation of competitive advantages of the tertiary education graduates entering labour market as well as to identify the effectiveness of these factors in the process of entering the tertiary education graduates in the labour market. The methods of analysis were used in the processing of a survey of graduates from three universities of the Czech Republic, namely: the Masaryk University Czech Republic, the Mendel University in Brno, and the Brno University of Technology, at all levels of the higher education degree (Bachelor, Master, PhD) completed by the respondents graduating no earlier than two years ago. The data were collected through an online questionnaire, published in the February and March 2013 on the server http://rela.mendelu.cz, at the number of 150 returned filled questionnaires. Based on the analysis of secondary sources, there were for the research purposes defined five key factors influencing the efficiency of entering the labour market. These factors are the analysis of the current labour market situation and the rational preference of specialization, the active search and participating in programs and the internships focused on gaining the practical experience, the acquisition of professional skills, the use of institutional support and professional assistance and the factor of the building and use of networking.

Traditional land use has shaped the Mediterranean region for a long time and has resulted in present-day complex landscapes. The land abandonment dating from the 19^th century at a site located in the southwestern Alps (France) makes it possible to analyse how present-day forest stands inherit from past land uses. Tree composition and tree age structure were analysed in three stands resulting from different former land uses, i.e. ancient coppice, formerly grazed area and formerly tilled area. The ancient coppice contains the densest tree cover and is dominated by Fagus sylvatica, whereas the formerly ploughed and grazed areas are less dense, both dominated by Pinus sylvestris. Forest stand in the ancient coppice is older than in the formerly grazed area, and forest stand is the youngest in the formerly ploughed area. These stand differences are largely explained by former land use and the abandonment process. Albeit strong changes result from the land abandonment, these landscapes inherit aspects of their land use during the 19^thcentury at least and the dynamics does not match the expected pattern of soil fertility.

The main goal of work was to compare the flight activity of Trypodendron lineatum, T. domesticum and T. laeve in Central Europe. Field trapping experiments were conducted in 70- to 100-year-old Norway spruce stands located at three study sites in the Czech Republic. At each study site five pheromone traps were used. Pheromone-baited, black, window-slot traps (Theysohn, Germany) were used. Traps were placed at log landing areas 10-15 m apart from the nearest forest edge. Each trap was baited with a standard synthetic pheromone lure, XL Ecolure (Fytofarm, Slovakia). Three species of Trypodendron were recorded. T. lineatum was the most abundant, followed by T. domesticum and T. laeve. Flight activity began at the end of March or in mid-April. Only one another peak of the flight activity of T. lineatum and T. domesticum was observed at one study site in May 2011. Statistically significant relationships were found between catches of all species with the exception of T. lineatum vs. T. laeve and T. domesticum vs. T. laeve at one site. Males were more abundant than females mainly in T. lineatum samples. On the other hand, T. domesticum and T. laeve abundances of males and females were more equal, but in all cases of all Trypodendron species these abundances were not significantly different at all sites.

The efforts to introduce the micro irrigation system in Iran go back as far as the year 1990. The area under micro irrigation system in Iran covers about 400 000 ha and it is estimated to double (800 000 ha) during the next five years. The field performance of micro irrigation systems was studied in ten Iranian sites. Physical, chemical, and biological analyses of water samples derived from each site included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, and bacterial number (BN). In this study relative emitter discharge (R), percentage of completely clogged emitters (P_clog), emission uniformity (EU), absolute uniformity emission (EU_a), statistical uniformity (Us), coefficient of variation due to emitter performance in the field (V_pf), and sector emission uniformity (EUs) were evaluated. Results showed that performance of micro irrigation systems in Iran is low and poor. Average EU, Us, and V_pf values in different sites were 52.8, 61.3, and 38.2%, respectively. Most frequent problems detected in irrigation units were: inadequate working pressure, emitters clogging, and lacking farmers' training.

The most common way of pedunculate oak regeneration on the floodplain sites in the Czech Republic is artificial regeneration by clear-cutting. However, what is the real potential of natural regeneration of pedunculate oak? In our research object (3,355 ha of floodplain forest in the southern part of the Czech Republic - Zidlochovice region), we inventoried about 8 ha of successful natural regeneration of pedunculate oak with density ranging between 15,000 and 100,000 individuals per ha on the plots after final cut. All harvested oak dominated parent stands showed a lower stock density that ranged between 0.5 and 0.8. In the next analysis of the survival of oak natural regeneration spontaneously established in different light conditions under the shelter of parent stands we observed the highest occurrence of saplings closer to the forest edge. A sufficient density of regeneration (above 10,000 individuals per ha) was found at the distance up to 18 m from the edge, where more than 24% of direct and 30% of indirect site factor were discovered. In the stand with the full canopy closure (DSF about 10% on average and ISF about 24%) the oak regeneration is missing and was replaced by other tree species (especially ash and field maple). In the examined area the natural regeneration of pedunculate oak should be one of the possible alternatives of floodplain forest regeneration if certain conditions are met.

The issues related to appropriate management methods of beech stands have been considered as a crucial topic from the past up to now. Although the positive effect of tending on wood quality in beech stands is a generally known fact, the results from long-term experiments are very scarce. We investigated the qualitative production of beech forests, treated by different thinning methods during a long-term period of 53 years. For this purpose two long-term (lasting 53 years with a measurement interval of 5 years) series of research plots were used. On each plot three different thinning methods were applied: i) heavy thinning from below (C-grade according to the German forestry research institutes in 1902), ii) free crown thinning (original thinning method developed in Slovak Republic), and iii) control plot (without treatments). As much as 6,316 trees at the beginning of research and 864 trees at the last measurement were assessed and measured. Chi-squared test was used to quantify the effect of different thinning methods on qualitative wood production. The results showed the highest proportion of target trees, as well as the best average quality of the stem and crown on plots where the free crown thinning was applied followed by the plots with heavy thinning from below and control ones. We found that the proportion (expressed out of the total growing stock of crop trees) of veneers was the highest on plots managed by the free crown thinning (30 and 36%) and the lowest on control (unthinned) plots (10 and 19%). It is concluded that no significant differences between the two studied sites were found, which demonstrates a similar effect of the investigated thinning methods at different places across the region of Slovak Republic, but with similar site conditions. On the other hand, the most appropriate and hence successful thinning method was proved to be the free crown thinning, which is also recommended for management of beech forests from the aspect of silvicultural wood quality.

The aim of this study was to evaluate nitrogen (N) efficiency from different organic and mineral fertilizers applied to the spring barley. Dry matter yield, N content and N uptake of spring barley from 16 years of experiments at two sites in the Czech Republic with different soil and climatic conditions were analyzed. For assessing of nitrogen efficiency nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE, kg/kg), recovery efficiency of applied N (%), agronomic efficiency of applied N (kg/kg) and summary N balances (ΣΔN, kg/ha) were observed. Six fertilization treatments were utilized: no fertilization (control); sewage sludge; farmyard manure (FYM); N in mineral fertilizers (N); NPK in mineral fertilizers (NPK) and N in mineral fertilizers + straw (N + ST). Yields were about 68% higher at NPK (S1 site) and 55% at N + ST (S2 site) in comparison with control. The highest NUtE was recorded at both locations after application of FYM. Higher NUtE from mineral fertilizers was obtained at low productive S1 site. At both sites a trend of decreasing ΣΔN over time was observed. At both sites a trend of decreasing negative N balance was observed. At lower productive site the decline of N balance was minimized for mineral fertilizers treatments in last experimental years. At higher productive site the differences between treatments with mineral nitrogen and control were lower and the decline of N balance continued over all 16 years of experiment duration.

Milk electrical conductivity is employed for mastitis detection in cows due to its automation, low cost, and infection detectability at early stage. Nevertheless, the number of publications about its use in dairy goats is scarce. The aim of this study was to check and compare the detectability of goat mastitis (sensitivity and specificity) using different algorithms, constructed with individual daily conductivity data from glands, in order to improve the know how about the potential of this variable for goat mastitis detection. A total of 18 goats (8 primiparous and 10 multiparous) free of mastitis were used, and gland milk conductivity was daily monitored. After 16 days of monitoring, some unfavourable situations for gland health were simulated in order to increase the cases of infection. Once infection was established (9 goats and 12 glands got infected), the experiment continued for further 16 days. A total of 19 different algorithms that employed conductivity data from gland were designed; they were tested using gland milk conductivity (EC) and ratio of EC of collateral glands in the same goat (RAT_EC). The algorithms were tested in all the animals and intramammary infection detection ability characteristics (sensitivity (SENS), specificity (SPEC), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV)) were recorded. All clinical cases were detected (n = 2, 100% SENS) with all the algorithms. Best global SENS (clinical and subclinical, 33.3-58.3%) and SPEC (77.8-100%) were similar to results reported in previous studies in cows, and obtained with algorithms ARIMA and Rule 1 (3 standard deviations of data). The best algorithms to use in mastitis detection depend on the prevalence and type of mastitis. EC ARIMA and Rule 1 algorithms detected the most severe cases on-line and quickly, with a low proportion of false positives.

The geomembrane market for waterproofing ground ponds used to isolate olive mill wastewaters offers a wide choice both in terms of the material used and liner thickness and size. With regard to the physical and mechanical properties of the material forming the geomembrane, this paper proposes a method for the assessment and design of the waterproofing system. This method foresees the calculation and analysis of geomembrane stress caused by the most stressful conditions, also taking into consideration the physical characteristics of the material within the pond, the elastic and elastic-plastic behaviour of the geomembrane and the physical characteristics of the soil. Criteria and graphs for the rapid dimensioning of the waterproofing system are also proposed. In addition to the environmental and climatic characteristics of the site, the results presented also take into consideration the dimensional characteristics of the ponds and the physical properties of the olive mill wastewaters.

Adapting forests to climate change involves silvicultural measures such as use of a range of species and the fostering of mixed stands. We tested these in a Sitka spruce forest in southern Scotland, employing the Ecological Site Classification to match suitability of 24 species to six climatic and edaphic variables under values of accumulated temperature and moisture deficit projected for a medium emissions scenario for the present century. Both median and 90^th percentile values were contrasted. In the first case there was a small change in species suitability with Sitka spruce, noble fir, downy birch, sycamore and aspen being the most suitable species. When the 90^th percentile values were employed, the suitability of Sitka spruce and similar conifers had declined by the 2050's due to soil moisture deficits. The actual performance of a range of species in a long-term experiment on a similar, warmer site showed several productive conifers including Sitka spruce that maintained reasonable growth when planted in mixture. Mixed plots were developing into pure stands of the most productive species. Species diversification was the most practical adaptation measure for this forest and should concentrate on areas of the greatest risk like south-facing slopes with free-draining soils.

Density of regeneration in European subalpine Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests is typically low with regeneration primarily located on dead or decaying wood. The post-disturbance development of this regeneration is crucial for natural forest succession. The aim was to identify the influence of disturbance on regeneration on decaying logs immediately after a severe disturbance event. Study plots were established in two subalpine spruce forests: the first, an undisturbed site located in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. and the second site in the Šumava Mts. that has experienced recent severe disturbance. Regeneration density increased between 2008 and 2011 by 7% (0.29 individuals per square meter of log) at the undisturbed site and by 33% (3.24 individuals per square meter of log) at the disturbed site. The increased regeneration density observed at the disturbed site was mostly associated with the smallest saplings. The highest increase in regeneration density was observed on logs with the largest diameters. Three years after severe disturbance caused 100% mortality of the parent stand in the Bohemian Forest, no significant effect was recorded on the growth rate and survival of established spruce saplings on dead wood.

Poplars grown in short rotation coppice on agricultural land are a promising bioenergy crop. This study aimed to evaluate the soil organic matter (SOM) quality and viable microbial consortium under six-years-old poplar (Populus maximowiczii) and under wheat (Triticum aestivum) at a test site in central Germany. The SOM molecular composition and stability was determined by pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS). The microbial consortium was assessed in terms of microbial phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles. Py-FIMS and the PLFAs agreed in showing crop-specific differences in the SOM quality and in the associated microbial communities. Higher proportions of carbohydrates, long-chained fatty acids, sterols and suberins at the expense of N-containing compounds under poplar than under wheat were associated with lower concentrations of microbial PLFAs in the organic matter. A higher ratio of total fungal to bacterial (f/b) PLFAs, a lower ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacterial PLFAs and lower biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the organic matter were revealed under poplar than under wheat. Lower N- and increased C-availability in the SOM promoted fungal vs. bacterial colonization, increased the SOM stability by a lower decomposability and caused SOM accumulation under poplar.

The results of a fifteen-year period of investigations conducted on Norway spruce in the upper plateau of the Jizerské hory Mts. were summarised. The objectives were to evaluate the growth performance of an experimental plantation under harsh environmental conditions and assess the effects of amendments as well as the influence of the forest site variability on growth performance and survival of young spruces. The following treatments were distinguished: (1) lower control, (2) limestone and (3) amphibolite treatments on a less exposed slope of the ridge and (4) upper control on a summit of the mountain ridge. Principle characteristics such as mortality rate, height, annual height increment, stem base diameter, crown diameter and nutritional status were summarized and evaluated. Significant differences between treatments were recorded in heights. The trees fertilized with amphibolite were significantly taller than the control ones in thirteen out of the fifteen evaluated years and the applied limestone improved heights in ten years out of the fifteen evaluated years. A positive effect of amphibolite treatment on stem base diameter was proved in three of the four assessed years and was persisting till 2007 (last measurement of this characteristic), the positive effect of limestone was lasting up to 2006. The considerable role of the site variability was apparent from a comparison between the upper and lower control although they were in a very close position to each other, growth increment of the spruces on the ridge was significantly lower. Temporarily lower N concentration was recorded in the fertilized treatments in comparison with their respective control. The concentration of P was low and decreased to the limit of deficiency in all treatments, P seems to be the most limiting macroelement in the area.

The aim of this study was to verify the high resolution melting (HRM) method in the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in pea (Pisum sativum L.). A recombinant inbred line population, Carneval × MP1401, was tested for three SNP and 103 SSR markers. HRM analysis was conducted on a LightScanner 96 instrument with LC Green dye. The melting curve shape permitted two polymorphic genotypes to be distinguished. The results were confirmed by gel electrophoresis. Three SSR markers were sequenced and analysed by the melting prediction software. The results confirmed the presence of one polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product with two melting domains. Sequence tagged site (STS) markers produced specific products: Psat_EST_00189_01_1 (300 bp), Pis_GEN_18_2_1 (400 bp), Pis_GEN_7_1-2_1 (600 bp). Amplicons contained one, four and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms, respectively. Melting curve differences enabled the population genotyping except for Psat_EST_00189_01_1 where resolution was too low. Primers for Psat_EST_00189_01_1 were redesigned to obtain a shorter (100 bp) PCR product which increased the resolution. The number of SNPs and amplicon length are crucial for HRM resolution. The HRM method is fast and has a high throughput. The melting analysis of 96 samples takes less than 10 min. Agarose gel analysis confirmed the reliability of HRM, which eliminates laborious post-PCR analysis.

Of the grapevines grown in the Nordic countries, cv. Zilga, bred in Latvia, has proven to be very winter resistant and fast-maturing, and produces abundant harvests. In Finland, it is grown as horticultural and agricultural plant unprotected on open land even at 63 degrees latitude. In Southern Finland (60°24'10''N, 25°01'45''E), the growth cycle of cv. Zilga from bud break to harvest lasted 116 days and to leaf fall 125 days. At the beginning of the harvest, the total sugar content was 19°Bx. Tracking the phenology of the growth cycle and the environmental conditions of the growth site shows that cv. Zilga is well placed to make use of the high ambient temperatures and high solar radiation energy of Northern Europe in May, June, July and August.

Theileriosis is a serious animal disease that is transmitted by ticks. Theileria species are tick-borne obligate intracellular protozoan parasites that cause severe and mild infections in their hosts. Two of them, Theileria annulata and Theileria parva, cause lymphoproliferative disease with high mortality and morbidity in cattle commonly known as tropical theileriosis and East Coast fever, respectively. Currently available antiparasitic drugs are effective in animals but animals may remain carriers and treatment is most effective in the early stages of the disease. The isolation, cloning and analysis of lactate dehydrogenase from T. annulata was the goal of the present study with the ultimate aim of designing new antiparasitic drugs that will hopefully have a wider mode of action in animals. Blood samples were taken from a four year-old Brown Swiss cow showing signs of acute tropical theileriosis and genomic DNA was extracted following the confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. For the first time, in this study, the lactate dehydrogenase sequence was isolated from from a Theileria species. Following extraction from genomic DNA by PCR the sequence was cloned into the vector pGEM-T easy. Sequencing of the whole gene from both directions indicated that the open reading frame was interrupted by two introns. Several single nucleotide exchanges, deletions and insertions were also observed in the T. annulata lactate dehydrogenase sequence compared to the host. The most remarkable difference between the parasite and host enzyme is a five residue insertion in the active site loop region that might be an attractive target for inhibitors of the enzyme. This study opens a new route to further kinetic and structural studies towards the development of novel inhibitors of T. annulata lactate dehydrogenase.

N-fertilization type affected differently tomato growth. In the field experiment, hydroponic cultures were conducted using NO₃-N (5 mmol); mixture of KNO₃-N (3 mmol) and (NH₄)₂SO₄-N (2 mmol); NH₄⁺-N (5 mmol) or urea (5 mmol) as nitrogen source. Compared to nitrate, ammonium and urea had negative effects on morphology and dry matter production. Effects of the different nitrogen forms were investigated by measuring several photosynthesis parameters and chl a fluorescence. Two different significant types of reaction were found. When nitrogen was added as ammonium or urea, dry weight, chlorophyll tenor, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic activity were inhibited. Supply of ammonium or urea, reduced the ratio (F_v/F_m), photochemical quenching and enhanced the non photochemical quenching. These data suggest that the adverse decrease in tomato growth under ammonium or urea supply may be related principally to inhibition of net photosynthesis activity. The high non photochemical quenching shown in tomato fed with ammonium or urea indicated that PS II was the inhibitory site of NH₄⁺-N which was directly uptaken by roots, or librated via urea hydrolysis cycle.

Colluvial soils, resulting from accelerated soil erosion, represent a significant part of the soil cover pattern in agricultural landscapes. Their specific terrain position makes it possible to map them using geostatistics and digital terrain modelling. A study of the relationship between colluvial soil extent and terrain and soil variables was performed at a morphologically diverse study site in a Luvisol soil region in Central Bohemia. Assessment of the specificity of the colluviation process with regard to profile characteristics of Luvisols was another goal of the study. A detailed field survey, statistical analyses, and detailed digital elevation model processing were the main methods utilized in the study. Statistical analysis showed a strong relationship between the occurrence of colluvial soil, various topographic derivatives, and soil organic carbon content. A multiple range test proved that four topographic derivatives significantly distinguish colluvial soil from other soil units and can be then used for colluvial soil delineation. Topographic wetness index was evaluated as the most appropriate terrain predictor. Soil organic carbon content was significantly correlated with five topographic derivatives, most strongly with topographic wetness index (TWI) and plan curvature. Redistribution of the soil material at the study site is intensive but not as significant as in loess regions covered by Chernozem. Soil mass transport is limited mainly to the A horizon; an argic horizon is truncated only at the steepest parts of the slope.

An assessment of soil compaction caused by machinery used in stump and/or logging residue extraction for energy on soils typical of Ireland. We determined unaffected soil conditions and to find the compaction grade after timber harvesting and bundling activities, and to compare those results with stands where timber harvesting was followed by stump extraction for energy. The investigation was carried out in Ireland on three different locations which had a slightly different proportion of stones in their soils. Two of the soils were purely mineral soils, and the third was a mineral soil affected by anthropogenic activities. To ensure comparable results as much as possible, the moisture content of the soil on wet basis was investigated. Each location was purposely treated. Therefore, on each location plots were identified as follows: plots unaffected by operation (reference area), plots after timber harvesting, plots after timber harvesting and bundling operation, and plots after timber harvesting and stump extraction operation. According to the experimental design 40 repetitions on each of the three different treatments were set. The results showed that the compaction of soil occurred on plots after timber harvesting, but there was not a significant difference between compaction grades with and without logging residue bundling operation. However, once the site was extracted of stumps, the soil became too loose and no significant difference was found compared to unaffected soil.

Monitoring of species spectrum of true bugs (Heteroptera) on apple trees without pest management was conducted in 2010-2011. Two sites were selected - an abandoned orchard and a road alley near the village of Velké Bílovice (Břeclav district, Czech Republic). The capture of true bugs with a fogger device (Pulsfog) on five selected trees in each site was performed. The effective substance deltamethrin at concentration of 0.0025 g/l was applied to the tree crowns. Three collections (28/4, 20/5, and 9/7) in 2010 and two (11/5 and 23/6) in 2011 were done. Out of 55 detected species of true bugs, 43 species occurred in the alley and 29 in the orchard. Thirty-two species were predatory or partly predatory (58.18%), 22 species were phytophagous (40%), and one mycetophagous (1.82%).

A one-year-old, 2.6 kg, spayed female Maltese dog was referred with passage of faeces coming from the vulva, repeated vaginal discharge and vaginitis. Through physical examination, contrast radiograph and vaginoscopic exploration, the dog was diagnosed with rectovaginal fistula which was surgically corrected. After midline perineal incision, the rectovaginal fistula was isolated and transected. The vaginal and rectal defects were closed separately, but dehiscence of the surgical region took place three days after surgery. For the second operation, the rectal segment containing the fistula was removed by transanal rectal pull-through, and anastomosis was performed. Total follow-up time was 10 months and no sign of recurrence was reported. Early postoperative complications included perineal soiling and wound dehiscence, but the long-term outcome was good. This case is the first report of surgical correction of a rectovaginal fistula in a dog with a normal anus.