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For the period 2007-2013 LEADER became the fourth axis of rural development policy. One of the main characteristics of LEADER is that it adopts a bottom-up approach. Local Action Groups (LAGs) have to define and implement area-based local development strategies (LDSs). In this paper, we examine the relationship between variety in the LDSs implemented by LAGs and employment safeguarding over the programming period 2007-2013 in Andalusia, the most populated region of Spain. Firstly, we construct several indicators to capture differences in the number of projects carried out, the grants awarded, the investments made and the safeguarded employment. Secondly, we carry out an exploratory factor analysis. We use cluster analysis to classify LAGs applying similar LDSs. The results obtained show that there is no ideal strategy for employment safeguarding and that spending high amounts of money in a few numbers of projects does not guarantee success. Thus, most LAGs do not show any clear specialisation pattern but obtain moderate results in terms of employment safeguarding. This supports the idea that LAGs need to have sufficient flexibility to find a balance among the different objectives of the rural development policy and to translate this balance into the funding of projects.

To find out exactly how sowing density and sowing pattern affect soybean grain yield, quality and its components in non-traditional soybean growing regions, such as Germany, two field trials have been conducted at two locations in Bavaria in 2016 and 2017. The experiments were carried out with four sowing densities (30, 50, 70, 90 seeds/m²) and four cultivars from different maturity groups (Viola 000, Lissabon 000, ES Mentor 00, Orion 00) as randomized complete block design with four replicates. Almost all evaluated traits varied significantly depending on year × location. There was no interaction between the main factors (cultivar × sowing density). The results revealed that grain yield and height of the first pod increased with increase of sowing density. The number of pods per plant and branching decreased with increasing sowing density. At higher sowing densities at flowering leaf area index was significantly higher than at lower sowing densities. The cv. ES Mentor (00) with 70 seeds/m² has proved to be a suitable cultivar in terms of yield and quality in southern Germany (> 3.6 t/ha grain yield and 40% protein).

An 8-year-old intact male mixed-breed dog presented with tetraparesis, right side head tilt, and cluster seizure-like episodes. Based on the magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis results, meningoencephalitis of an unknown aetiology was strongly suspected. The patient survived for 963 days under mycophenolate mofetil plus prednisolone therapy and was ultimately diagnosed with necrotising leukoencephalitis. This report describes the clinical findings, the serial magnetic resonance imaging characteristics, and the histopathologic features of a case of necrotising leukoencephalitis and the long-term survival after mycophenolate mofetil plus prednisolone therapy.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of calf starters of different starch and fibre content on the growth, blood and rumen parameters of Holstein female calves during the pre-weaning period. A total of 60 calves were divided into two groups. Group A/B was fed according to a two-phase calf nutrition system: the calves received calf starter "A" (28.5% starch content, 16% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 9.2% acid detergent fibre (ADF)) in days 7-45 and then calf starter "B" (14.2% starch content, 32.4% NDF, 14.3% ADF) in days 46-70. Calves of group B received calf starter "B" throughout the experimental period. The calves were weaned between 52 and 61 days of life. The data on body weight, weight gain, starter feed intake, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation parameters were collected individually. In the first phase of experiment, the starter feed consumption of A/B group was higher than that of B group (P < 0.05), but it did not manifest in differences in body weight at weaning time. At some of the sampling times, the different composition of starter diets significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the plasma urea, albumin, glucose and triglyceride concentrations. The consumption of diet with different starch and NDF content had no significant effect either on the composition of the rumen microbiota or on the ruminal concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia. In some cases significant correlations (-0.83 and -0.93; 0.82 and 0.90) were found between the composition of rumen microbiota and ruminal VFA concentration. Feeding a diet of higher starch content (28.5 vs 14.2%) in the first 45 days of life did not affect rumen fermentation, rumen microbiota and the most important blood metabolites, apart from a few exceptions. The production parameters of calves, including total feed intake and body weight gain, were similar in the experiment.

Eight less-known juices are characterised and contents are monitored of selected substances and nutritional parameters. 100% juices were produced of Aloe Vera, Aronia, Blackcurrant, Black elder, Cranberry, Malpighia, Pomegranate and Seaberry by pressing, including the flesh. Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and ascorbic acid (AA) content were analysed as other parameters. The juices were measured on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as the content of trolox, where the highest levels were found for Malpighia 63.2 mM, when the value was significantly different (P < 0.05) compared with all the other juices, while Aloe Vera had lowest levels with 0.4 mM. The Aronia juice possessed the highest level of TPC (8297 mg of GAE/l). TAC levels very well corresponded with TPC levels while AA content actually did not correlate with TAC values. In addition to the objective analysis, the juices were subjected to a sensory evaluation. Blackcurrant presents an attractive product from the sensorial aspect as well as in terms of the nutritional value.

The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of breed on milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy (Brown Swiss, Holstein-Friesian, and Jersey) and dual-purpose cows (Simmental and Alpine Grey) in multi-breed herds. Information on individual milk samples was collected during routine cow milk testing between 2011 and 2014, and consisted of 285 606 observations from 17 445 cows in 617 herds. Fixed effects included in the mixed model were breed, parity, stage of lactation and the interaction between parity and stage of lactation, and random effects were cow, herd-test-date and residual. Contrast estimates for the studied traits were used to compare specific sets of breeds. Holstein-Friesian produced more milk than the other cattle breeds, with the greatest trans FA and C18:1 and the lowest C18:0 content. Comparison between the specialised dairy vs the dual-purpose breeds highlighted significant differences for all traits except for polyunsaturated FA and trans FA content. Specialised dairy breeds had greater milk saturated FA, short-chain FA, medium-chain FA, C14:0 and C16:0 content, and dual-purpose breeds produced milk with greater content of monounsaturated FA, long-chain FA, C18:0 and C18:1. Results demonstrated that, although specialised dairy produced more milk than dual-purpose breeds, milk FA profile of the latter was more favourable from a human nutrition point of view.

The promising branching agent cyclanilide [1-(2,4-dichlorophenylaminocarbonyl)-cyclopropane carboxylic acid] is not permitted in the EU and the low vigour rootstocks preferred by growers make the branching of young sweet cherry (Prunus avium) trees difficult in the temperate zone production regions. To increase the number and length of new branches ("feathers") on such trees, chemical (6-benzyladenine [BA], gibberellic acid [GA_4/7]), mechanical (leaf pinching, summer notching) and various combined treatments were tested from 2015-2018. The numbers of feathers divided into three different lengths (1-10 cm, 10-30 cm and > 30 cm) were assessed as the main indicator of quality, supplemented with other morphological characteristics. Summer notching induced an insufficient number of feathers and led to some negative effects on the trees. The number of feathers from BA or BA with GA_4/7 treatment also was insufficient. The effect of pinching alone was variable. The number of all feathers generally was highest when pinching was combined with BA, regardless of the year or cultivar.

The use of stable isotopes to label an insect species, the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephidae) (medfly) was investigated. Labelling allows mating and life history characteristics to be investigated experimentally. ¹³C₆-glucose was incorporated into the diet of medflies at various stages of development by adding it to larval media or providing adults with sugar water. Data was collected from egg hatching until the death of adults. The results show that stable isotopes successfully labelled medflies in laboratory conditions. There were significant differences between labelled and unlabelled treatments in terms of eggs hatching rates, larval development, pupae emergence, adult survival, and mating behaviour. Labelling during larval development, and combined labelling at the larval and adult stages, resulted in detectable values. Labelling in the larval stage had no effect on mating behaviour, but that in the adult stage did. This study demonstrates that it is possible to label adult medflies and to detect the label after mating.

Honey composition is mainly affected by botanical origin, however geographical factors as well as beekeeping practice and storage conditions can also influence its quality. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of geographical origin on physicochemical quality and biological activity of honey. For this reason Polish and Slovak varietal honeys, including per each country: 10 multifloral, 5 tilia, 5 rape, 5 acacia and 5 forest were compared according to their physicochemical parameters (free acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, and colour intensity), sugar profile, diastase activity, as well as antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP tests, as well as photochemiluminescence method). Moreover, total phenolics compounds and flavonoids content were determined. The most significant differences (P < 0.05) between Polish and Slovak counterparts were found for tilia while the lowest for rape honeys. The impact of geographical origin on overall quality of honey was proved by PCA statistical tool.

Optimal soil nitrogen management is vital to crop production and environment protection. Little knowledge is available on crop yield, nitrogen uptake, use efficiency and balance in paddy rice-upland wheat cropping system of China. A thirty-five-year long-term field experiment was designed with nine treatments, including an unfertilized treatment (control), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) fertilizer, manure (M), and manure combined with mineral fertilizer treatments. Crop yield, N uptake, use efficiency, and N surplus or deficit amount were determined. The results indicated that rice, wheat yield and N uptake amount in the manure combined with mineral fertilizer treatments were higher than that in the manure alone or mineral fertilizer alone treatments. N use efficiency was the highest in the treatment with manure alone. Soil N input indicated a surplus in the mineral fertilizer in combination with manure treatment, but soil N input indicated a deficit in the control, NPK and M treatments. Considering crop yields, N use efficiency and N balance, recommended N application amount is almost 220 kg N/ha/year in the paddy rice-upland wheat cropping system. Taking into account labour and fertilizer sources, half mineral N and half organic N applications were recommended.

The pathogenicity of bacterial strains isolated from pathological processes and lesions of horses, strategies for their treatment and the choice of appropriate antimicrobials are frequently a challenging problem for private veterinarians who seek help in our laboratory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to map genera and species of Gram-negative aerobic and microaerophilic microorganisms isolated from pathological processes in horses and to identify the most effective antimicrobial agents for therapy based on antibiotic susceptibility. Between 2009 and 2014 a total of 449 clinical samples (n = 449) were examined; 229 (51%) of them were obtained from the respiratory tract, 121 (27%) from the skin, 40 (8.9%) from the digestive tract, 40 (8.9%) from the eyes, eight (1.8%) from the urinary system, six (1.3%) from the musculoskeletal system, four (0.9%) from the lymphatic system and one (0.2%) from milk. The examination was performed using conventional microbiological culture methods. The identification of isolates was confirmed using MALDI-TOF molecular phenotyping (Bruker Daltonics GmbH, Bremen, Germany). From the 276 Gram-negative isolates (prevalence of 61.5%), the most frequently detected strains were Enterobacter spp., Escherichia spp., Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Actinobacillus spp. with prevalence rates of 7.6%, 6.7%, 6.7%, 6.0% and 5.8%. In addition, another 20 genera of microorganisms were detected. Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was determined using the disc diffusion method. The most effective agents were gentamicin (94.1%), enrofloxacin (91.7%), colistin (87.0%), florfenicol (86.2%), neomycin (85.5%), streptomycin (82.4%) and tetracycline (78.5%). A good knowledge of the spectrum of bacterial species participating in pathological processes and lesions in horses and their antimicrobial susceptibility may be of great importance not only in treatment but also in deciding which prophylactic antibiotics to administer after surgical interventions.

The use of sludge in agriculture within the European Union (EU) is currently regulated only by the limits of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) listed in Council Directive 86/278/EEC. This document is now more than 30 years old. Several European countries have introduced more stringent requirements in comparison with the directive, and have adopted limits for concentrations of other heavy metals, synthetic organic compounds and microbial contamination. The paper provides an overview of the current limits of these substances in sewage sludge and concentration limits of heavy metals in soil intended for sludge application, together with applicable laws and regulations in European Union countries. There is a need to update these regulations taking into account the current risks associated with the application of sludge to agricultural land, with the possibility of using ecotoxicological tests to assess the risks. A wide range of technologies for sewage sludge processing is used in EU countries. The predominant choice is a direct application in agriculture followed by composting. The use of sewage sludge in agriculture in 2014 and 2015 in 13 EU countries that provided data amounted to 22.6% (2014) and 22.1% (2015) of produced sludge and 23.3% (2014) and 23.1% (2015) of sludge disposed. It is also highly variable within EU countries ranging between zero (Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia) and 80% (Ireland). Over 50% of sewage sludge is used in agriculture in Bulgaria according to 2015 data.

The results from 23 tasting sessions of experienced evaluators that took place during the last decade in May are presented in 4 periods which lasted 5 years except for the first one, which was seven-years long. The winner of the first testing period was 'Bohemia', 'Meteor' was the winner of the second period and 'Admiral' was the top rated in the remaining two testing periods. Across all the years, 'Meteor' had the highest total punctual value, but it was only about 0.4 points higher than 'Admiral'. In the next sequence, they were followed by the cultivars 'Andera', 'Rubin' and 'Andego'. In the aroma evaluation, 'Andera', 'Gold Bohemia' and 'Topaz' were the best. 'Admiral', 'Gold Bohemia' and 'Andera' were the top rated in flesh consistency. 'Admiral', 'Angold' and 'Andera' were the best in juiciness. 'Gold Bohemia', 'Admiral' and 'Meteor' had the highest values of the general taste. 'Admiral', 'Angold' and 'Meteor' were the most attractive.

The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Y1 strain was evaluated for its effects on soil properties, pepper seedling growth, rhizosphere bacterial flora and soil enzyme activities. Y1 solubilised insoluble phosphate, produced chitinase, and released siderophores in plate detection assay. In order to evaluate the plant growth promotion potential in vivo, strain Y1 was grown in media containing chitin powder and complex fertiliser. The pot experiment was conducted by treating pepper seedlings with C1/1 (Y1 culture, 50 ml), C2/3 (Y1 culture, 33 ml), C1/2 (Y1 culture, 25 ml), F1/1 (complex fertiliser, 50 ml), F1/2 (complex fertiliser, 25 ml), and W (water) at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 days after transplantation (DAT). Plants receiving Y1 had 52% (C1/2) and 68% (C1/1) more root and shoot biomass than W, and 14% (C1/1) and 18% (C2/3) more compared to F1/1 at 80 DAT. Total numbers of flowers per plant at 80 DAT were found significantly higher with the application of Y1 having 34 (C1/1), 35 (C2/3), and 22 (C1/2) compared to 4 (W), 12 (F1/1) and 10 (F1/2). In addition, chlorophyll content in pepper leaves was found to improve with the application of Y1. Furthermore, Y1 has significantly improved nutritional assimilation of total NPK, population of total culturable bacteria and chitinase producing bacteria and activities of chitinase and dehydrogenase in soil. At 60 and 80 DAT, the number of B. amyloliquefaciens at C1/1, C2/3, and C1/2 ranged from 2.3 × 10⁴ to 4.6 × 10⁴ CFU/g of soil. Our results concluded that B. amyloliquefaciens Y1 has positive effects on soil properties and can be suggested as a bio-fertiliser to minimise fertiliser application in modern agriculture.

The following updates have been proposed for the XYZ system for the production of hybrid wheat: The waxy characteristics of the grain were used as a classifying mark. The candidate pollen sterility gene TIP2 was detected in silico based on similarity to known pollen sterility genes in rice. In order to maintain a sterile maternal component, the addition chromosome 7H was proposed, carrying wild-type alleles Waxy-H and TIP2-H. The concept of practical production of the commercial F₁ seed was designed.

The poor state of health and increased mortality rate of young roe deer, as reported by South Moravian hunters, caused by the increasing numbers of adult nematodes in the lungs of roe deer prompted us to identify the parasites using a combination of morphological measurements and a phylogenetic SSU rRNA analysis. The study was conducted in a 294 ha game reserve in South Moravia, Czech Republic. Molecular and morphometric techniques were used to identify adult nematodes collected from the respiratory tracts of nine 4-5 months old roe deer in poor health (low body weight of 3-4 kg, poor haircoat quality, and, in some cases, symptoms of diarrhoea). The morphological identification was based on a combination of adult worm characteristics corresponding to Dictyocaulus capreolus. A small subunit rRNA (SSU) partial sequence analysis showed the highest identity scores (99%) corresponding to the sequences of D. capreolus from a roe deer (GenBank: AY168859) from Sweden and the outcomes of the phylogenetic analyses resulted in a tree with a high branch support for two groups, with our sequences forming a well-supported clade with D. capreolus and Dictyocaulus sp. ex Capreolus capreolus (FJ589016) and Dictyocaulus sp. ex Rupicapra rupicapra (FJ589019) sequences from Spain. The examined roe deer have shown symptoms of diarrhoea, anorexia, and respiratory tract inflammation indicating that there might be a connection to the clinical importance of the Dictyocaulus infection.

The paper is aimed at pointing out possibilities of using of dendromass for heating. The object of interest was heating of housing units with 75.27 m² of total area. The average value of dendromass moisture was 17.71%. The inserted fireplace Nordica Focolare 70 with a nominal output of 9 kW was used as a heat source. For temperature measurement, a non-contact infrared thermometer GM 900 was used. The total heat loss transferred through walls of housing unit (heat loss through thermal bridges and ventilation losses) were calculated at the value of 176.26 W/K. Based on the results of samples moisture the net calorific value of one kilogram of burned fuel wood was determined (14.791 MJ kg). The amount of thermal energy which is necessary to supply by the heating system for the whole heating period was 14,199.18 kWh. The weight of raw fuel wood was 5,450.97 kg (at moisture of 30%), dried at 17.71% (4,636.87 kg). Price of raw fuel wood of acacia for the year under evaluation was 64.80 €/m³ (the required amount of raw fuel wood for heating period was 10 m³). Total costs for the heating season was thus 648 €. The price of heat transmitted by the fireplace inset Nordica Focolare 70 inserted into heating system using fuel wood (white acacia) with 17.71% of absolute moisture was 0.045636 €/kWh.

It has been claimed that artificial insemination (AI) of cows with frozen-thawed semen treated with commercially produced kits, Heiferplus^TM (HP, in favour of female gender) and Bullplus^TM (BP, in favour of male gender), increases the birth chance of calves with desired sex ratio by at least 20-25% and pregnancy rates by at least 5-20%. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of HP and BP kits as combined with AI on the pregnancy rates, foetal sex ratios and some reproductive parameters in cows. For this, a total of 200 cows (100 Holsteins and 100 Simmentals) from three to five years old were used. Fifty Holstein and 50 Simmental cows served as controls. The other half of Holstein and Simmental cows was artificially inseminated with frozen-thawed semen treated with HP and BP, respectively. Findings showed that the AI of cows with frozen-thawed semen treated with HP had no significant effect on the pregnancy rate [52.0% (26/50) in HP group; 56.0% (28/50) in control group], female calf ratio [52.0% (13/25) in HP group; 44.4% (12/27) in control group], embryonic death, abortion, stillbirth, twinning and gestation length as compared to the control group. Similarly, AI of cows with frozen-thawed semen treated with BP did not lead to any significant effect on the pregnancy rate [64.0% (32/50) in BP group; 58.0% (29/50) in control group], male calf ratio [53.1% (17/32) in BP group; 39.3% (11/28) in control group] and other reproductive parameters as compared to the control group. In conclusion, HP and BP treatments of semen used in the AI provided only slight, non-significant increases in female (7.6%) and male (13.8%) calf ratios, respectively.

The field experiment was conducted in the years 2011-2014 at three localities (Przecław, Dukla, Lubliniec) of south-east Poland with changing environmental conditions. Population cultivars (Batuta and Bogatka) and hybrid cultivars (Hybred and Hymack) of winter wheat and cultivation technologies (extensive, low-input, medium-input, high-input) were studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cultivation technology levels and environmental conditions on the grain yield and protein composition in the grain of population and hybrid wheat cultivars. Higher grain yield, the contents of protein, gluten and fraction of gliadins and high molecular weight (HMW)-glutenins were observed in the case of wheat growing in gleic fluvisol and at precipitation of 453-776 mm than in haplic luvisol and at precipitation of 599-805 mm. The high-input technology affected an increase in grain parameters (yield, protein, gluten) and the amount of gluten proteins by 6.6 (medium-input) and by 26.5% (extensive). The population cv. Bogatka showed higher crude protein and gluten content, the grain yield amounted to 6.6 t/ha and the amount of gluten proteins was 51.7 mAU^.s. The hybrid cv. Hymack was characterized by the highest grain yield (7.2 t/ha) but the lowest amounts of protein, gluten and allergenic subunits α/β, γ, ω-gliadins.

Four clonal progenies of wild cherry obtained using an in vitro technique and control progeny of generative origin were tested on the Polná research plot in southeastern Bohemia. Growth characteristics of cherry trees were determined each year during the period 2000-2010. At the age of 15 years, the progenies reach mean heights of 4-9 m and diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5-10.5 cm. The determined differences in height and DBH between progenies are statistically significant. Cherry trees of generative origin and progeny of clone No. 14 grow markedly slower in comparison with clones Nos 24, 26 and 28. The values of growth characteristics for verified clones are comparable with similar findings from abroad. The in vitro plantlets of wild cherry achieve similar growth characteristics as generative seedlings.

Dermatophytosis is most frequently found in ruminants, in which non-pruritic periocular lesions are most typical, though generalised skin disease may develop. Accordingly, the infection causes major economic losses. The aim of this study was to measure the inflammatory status of Anatolian buffaloes with dermatophytosis by determining the serum concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) and -6 (IL-6). Anatolian buffaloes (n = 26), aged three to 11 month, were divided into two groups: 11 animals served as the clinically healthy control group and 15 animals clinically and microbiologically diagnosed with dermatophytosis formed the experimental group. Concentrations of tested proteins were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. In all cases, concentrations of measured proteins were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in infected animals when compared to healthy controls: SAA: 41.05 ± 0.01 vs. 7.43 ± 0.11µg/ml; Hp: 96.21 ± 0.18 vs. 8.49 ± 0.79 µg/ml; TNF-α: 0.90 ± 0.99 vs. 0.10 ± 0.26 ng/ml; IL-1α: 186.22 ± 0.22 vs. 74.04 ± 0.90 pg/ml; and IL-6: 55.94 ± 0.50 vs. 32.45 ± 0.20 pg/ml. It was concluded that the elevated values of variables under study were a result of the inflammatory response to dermatophytosis; thus, these markers may serve as an additional diagnostic tool.

The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in crops increases their yield but can modify their quality and lead to environmental problems by the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). One of the strategies for mitigating this emission is the use of nitrification inhibitors (NI) as 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP). Additionally, the increased persistence of N after the application of NI can reduce the amount of fertilizer applied. A field experiment with lettuce was conducted in the Savanna of Bogotá. N was applied as ammonium sulphate nitrate (ASN 26%) at a rate of 70 kg N/ha and as the combination of ASN with DMPP (ENTEC® 26) at 50 and 70 kg N/ha rates. GHG emissions, soil parameters, lettuce yield, its components, N, nitrate and mineral elements contents were measured. With high soil nitrate contents, a standard dose of N fertilizer with DMPP maintained the yield and N content of lettuce, while it had no effect on GHG emissions. A reduction of 20 kg N/ha using DMPP was able to keep the yield meanwhile improving the quality of the crop due to a lower nitrate accumulation in lettuce leaves.

The study was conducted to compare two plant ingredients as dietary protein sources for rainbow trout on the basis of feed acceptability, survival, growth, feed conversion, nitrogen and phosphorus utilization efficiency and loading. Two extruded diets were formulated with the inclusion of a soybean meal (DS) and a lupin meal (DL). The control diet was a fish meal (FM) based diet. All diets were isonitrogenous and isolipidic. Triplicate groups of 65 fish (5.10 ± 0.10 g) were assigned to each diet. At the end of the experiment (66 days), all groups of fish fed diets had a similar final growth and feed utilization efficiency (P > 0.05). Nitrogen retention rate was higher for the group fed the control diet and in consequence the calculated loading amount of this nutrient resulted lower when compared with the test diets. However, phosphorus retention was higher in the groups of fish fed the experimental diets (DL 26.58 ± 0.22 and DS 27.67 ± 3.05) when compared to the control diet (22.08 ± 1.12) (P < 0.05). This represents a phosphorus loading of 8.33 ± 0.23, 8.96 ± 1.02, and 11.55 ± 0.67 kg/t production for the diets DL, DS, and control, respectively. Therefore, the results indicate that lupin meal can be used as a possible plant protein source for the formulation of low-phosphorus loading diets for rainbow trout without affecting feed acceptability and growth performance. This legume represents a clear opportunity to supply the high demand for plant protein sources for aquaculture. Further studies are needed to evaluate and compare different lupin species and varieties.

Row covers are usually used to protect plants from insects and cold temperatures, and to accelerate plant growth. But they could also serve as an erosion control strategy. For this reason, fleece (FC) and net covers (NC) in white cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata (L.) Alef. var. capitata L. f. alba) cultivation were tested in a two-year field experiment to determine effects on soil erosion, plant growth and plant diseases. Soil loss under FC was reduced on average by 76% and under NC by 48% compared to the non-covered control treatment (CO). Soil temperature did not differ significantly in either of the experimental years between the treatments and ranged from 17.2-18.2°C in 2012 and from 18.7-18.9°C in 2013. Soil moisture content, air temperature and relative humidity were always highest under FC, followed by NC and CO. Leaf area index was also highest under FC across all sampling dates. The fresh matter head yield under FC and NC was significantly higher (80 t/ha) compared to CO (66 t/ha) in 2012. An opposite result was detected in 2013, with the highest yield in CO (64 t/ha) and lowest under FC (53 t/ha). Overall, for moderate climate conditions, the row covers seem to be beneficial as a suitable erosion control strategy.

The microbiological and hygienic quality of cow's, goat's and sheep's milk in the Czech Republic was evaluated. Milk (230 samples) was collected on 41 farms and investigated from May 2012 to October 2014. Milk was analysed for the presence of selected groups and types of bacteria: mesophilic microorganisms (total plate count - TPC), enterococci, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. Besides these indicators and pathogenic agents, somatic cell count was determined as one of the indicators of mammary gland health in cows. TPC ranged between 8.3 × 10² and 1.2 × 10⁹ CFU/ml and somatic cells between 1.6 × 10⁴ and 6.8 × 10⁶ cells/ml. The presence of E. coli was confirmed in 86.3% of samples and the colony counts ranged from 1.0 × 10¹ to 4.0 × 10⁶ CFU/ml. The presence of verotoxigenic E. coli was confirmed in 3 samples (1.3%) (cow's milk 0%; goat's milk 6.3%; sheep's milk 4.4%). The presence of S. aureus was confirmed in 29.1% of the samples (cow's milk 26.9%; goat's milk 34.4%; sheep's milk 39.1%), but the numbers were very low (< 5.0 × 10² CFU/ml). L. monocytogenes was confirmed in 3 examined samples (1.3%) (cow's milk 0.6%; goat's milk 3.1%; sheep's milk 4.4%). Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. were not detected in any of the samples tested.

The effect of pre-processing conditions such as speed, die sizes and moisture content on durability of cassava flour was investigated. Densification of cassava flour was done by pelletizing the flour through die and it is necessary to determine optimum conditions for designing and constructing a suitable processing plant. The flour was mixed with water at different blend ratios to form cassava mash of different moisture contents. The pellet quality was evaluated in terms of the durability of the pellets against the moisture content of the mash (18, 20 and 22% w.b.), die size (4, 6 and 8 mm) and the screw speed (90, 100 and 120 rpm). Test results showed that maximum durability of 84.437% was recorded at 20% (w.b.) moisture content using 4 mm die and low durability of 61.26% with using 8 mm die at 18% (w.b.) moisture content. The durability result shows that it decreased with increase in die size. Statistical analysis revealed that the die size had significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on the durability.

The nun moth (Lymantria monacha /L./) is a polyphagous pest feeding on coniferous and deciduous trees in Eurasia. This paper, based on a literature review, presents an overview of the nun moth outbreaks in Czech forests from 1784 to 2010 in terms of host tree species. At least 22 genera of host trees, bushes and herbs were recorded in the Czech Republic. On the other hand 2 genera were evaluated like non-hosts and 4 genera like indifferent. The nun moth defoliated mainly coniferous forests (almost 90 % of all recorded outbreaks with known data about host trees) in the Czech Republic. Forests with mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees were defoliated nine times less frequent, and only insignificant portion were recorded in clearly deciduous forests. Although wide host range, the nun moth has defoliated predominantly spruce forests (almost 70 %). Mixed coniferous (with mixture of spruce, pine, larch, fir) forests were attacked three times less frequently then the spruce forests. Pine and larch forests were defoliated in low range. Defoliations were sorted also according the intensity. Spatial distribution of the recorded outbreaks was displayed in maps.

The article describes the distribution of areas of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris Linnaeus) and Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia Linnaeus) stands within the Northern Steppe of Ukraine based on forest biometry data. The total area of Scots pine stands is 21,472.9 ha, of Black locust it is 17,683.7 ha, which corresponds to 24.6 and 26.9% of the total forest-covered area. Scots pine is partly naturally, partly artificially regenerated. Black locust stands are man-made forests only. Both species form mainly pure stands within the study area. Mean age of Scots pine is around 60 years with a mean wood stock of 292 m³.hа^-1. The dominant Black locust stands are overmature ones with a mean age of 43 years and a mean stock of 149 m³.hа^-1. Generally, for both species, an increase in mean wood stock was observed, reaching its maximum at 71 to 75 (Scots pine) and 81-85 (Black locust) years of age. It has been demonstrated that the largest area of Black locust stands is represented by relatively rich soil conditions (54.3%), whereas in Scots pine stands there are relatively poor soils (56.5%).

The chemical composition (nutritional and freshness parameters) and sensory characteristics were evaluated of escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) defrosted raw fillets and steaks that were marinated differently (pepper, onion, chilly, herbs, knusper, and hot) and packaged in a manner suitable for microwave heating (Darfresh^® Simple Steps^®). The study was carried out by using 8 skinless fillets of Lepidocybium flavobrunneum. The selected 18 parameters, i.e. dry matter/moisture, crude protein, net protein, collagen, net muscle protein, lipid, ash, saccharide, energy value, pH, water activity, salt content, total volatile basic nitrogen, trimethylamine, free fatty acids, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid assay were evaluated. The results indicate that the sample of Chilly marinated steaks was evaluated as the best one (90.29 ± 9.82), however, the samples of Herbs (89.6 ± 13.89) and Knusper (88.64 ± 15.59) marinated steaks also received more than 85 points for the overall impression. Control sample received the smallest number of points (71.7 ± 26.54) for the overall impression.

In this study, batch system experiments were carried out for evaluating the capability of persulfate (PS) to remediate fuel oil contaminated soils. Remediation was performed by spiking soil samples with fuel oil and then treating the mixture with sodium PS. Different controlling factors including pH (3, 6, and 9), PS concentrations (50-500 mmol/l), metal activators (ferrous sulfate, magnetite, and MnO₂), and temperature (25, 40, and 60°C) were considered. Results proved that PS oxidation is effective in fuel oil degradation. The best PS : Fe²⁺ molar ratios were reported 400 : 2 and 250 : 1 for silty clay and loamy sand soil samples, respectively. Lower pH was more of interest in removal of fuel oil by PS oxidation. MnO₂ improved fuel oil degradation when used together with metal activators. The results showed that when MnO₂ was used together with ferrous sulfate and magnetite at acidic condition (pH = 3), the removal efficiencies were the best. Increasing temperature from 25 to 60°C improved the fuel oil degradation in the PS oxidation batch system. The results showed that activating PS by using ferrous sulfate along with MnO₂ at acidic condition in 60°C could increase fuel oil degradation near to 58% in silty clay soil samples, while the degradation rate for loamy sand soil samples in similar conditions was 62%.