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The hypothesis that relocation of cows with a housing change temporarily decreases their milk production and affects cows' behaviour in the milking parlour has been proved. Forty-one Holstein cows on the 1^st and 2^nd lactation were relocated from the tie-stall barn into the free-stall barn. Cows were milked in a 2 × 5 herringbone parlour twice a day. Individual milk yields, order, and used parlour side were recorded electronically during 50 (milk) or 22 (order and side) milking sessions. Milk yield after cows' relocation (23.76 kg) significantly decreased if compared to that reached on the day preceding relocation (30.97 kg; P < 0.001). Milk production approached the level of the last day on days 3 and 4 (30.72 and 30.72 kg, respectively) after relocation. Milk yield exceeded that before relocation on day 13 (31.82 kg). There were significant differences between parities during the whole observation period except for the first day after relocation - cows on the 2^nd parity yielded more (P < 0.001). Multiparous cows entered the parlour earlier than primiparous, equally during morning and evening milkings (P < 0.01). Generally a left-side preference was found in the observed cows, while it was more prominent in primiparous than in multiparous cows during evening milkings (P < 0.05). Relationships between milking order and milk performance were on days 5-11 negative and significant (P < 0.01). We may conclude that although temporarily, relocation with housing and milking changes significantly affected the milk yield.

Heart lipomatosis represents a group of diseases leading to fatty tissue changes and their accumulation in the heart. Though the morbidity is relatively low, fatty changes are believed to take part in many processes that can cause death, and in fact fatty tissue is a normal component in healthy human and animal hearts. Several diseases that produce fatty changes in human hearts may possibly cause the same syndromes in animals but many of these conditions remain undiscovered. The aim of this paper is to review the typical conditions leading to fatty changes in human hearts and to delineate their relationship with animal pathologies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricular (RV) remodeling and right heart failure associated with different causes of elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in dogs. In total, 169 client-owned dogs with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and 40 client-owned clinically healthy dogs were included. Dogs with TR were further categorised as suffering from chronic respiratory disorders (CRD), heartworm disease (HWD), mild/moderate chronic degenerative mitral valvular disease (CDMD), and severe CDMD. Among the echocardiographic indices of the right heart, no significant difference in the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to aortic root diameter ratio was found among the clinical healthy controls and the four different TR categories. No significant differences in TR peak velocity and pulmonic regurgitation peak velocity were found among dogs in the four different TR categories. The ratio of the right to left ventricular basal diameter in the right ventricular-focused view was significantly higher in dogs with chronic respiratory disorders and dogs with heartworms. Left ventricular compression quantified using the eccentricity index and the ratio of the main pulmonary artery to aortic root diameter were significantly higher in dogs with HWD. Their right ventricular acceleration to ejection time (AT/ET) was significantly lower in dogs with HWD. Based on these findings, we conclude that right heart indices are affected by CRD, HWD, and moderate to severe CDMD. However, right heart indices derived from left heart measurements might be underestimated in dogs with CDMD.

The felling and skidding damage to residual trees was investigated in a selectively cutting operation in the Caspian forest of Iran. The logging operation was performed by chainsaw and cable skidder. Prelogging, after felling and skidding operations residual tree injuries (species, DBH and damage) were inventoried by systematic plot sampling. Two types of tree damage were observed: destroyed and injured. In this study felling operations mainly injured trees whereas skidding was the main cause of destruction. The percentage of destroyed and injured residual trees by felling operations was 1.4% and 3.4%, whereas the percentage of destroyed and injured residual trees by skid­ding operations was 5.2% and 11.1%. About 87% of destroyed trees were found in the DBH class smaller than 22.5 cm. Maple and Alder were the most damaged trees among the other trees species. Damage to the lower bole and wood damaged intensity were the most common type of injury. To reduce the stand damage, skid trails should be planned before felling and felling directions should be predetermined. In the selection cutting management, limiting logging damage to residual trees must therefore remain a major objective.

The study was focused on the wild pathosystem Lactuca serriola-lettuce downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) and lettuce powdery mildew (Golovinomyces cichoracearum). Observations were focused mainly on recording natural infection of prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) by downy and powdery mildews in the East Bohemia and Moravia (the Czech Republic) in the May-September period of 2007-2011, and on the influence of environmental conditions on disease incidence. Only data for July and August were used for the detailed comparisons of occurrence of both pathogens, because intensity of disease in this period was the highest. Data were linked with the average monthly temperature and rainfall rate in the Czech Republic. G. cichoracearum prefers rather low levels of precipitation and temperatures around 20°C, therefore significantly higher incidence of this pathogen was recorded in August 2007. On the other hand in July 2009 and 2010, when the intensities of precipitation were higher, incidence of Bremia lactucae prevailed. In August 2010 and 2011 incidence of both pathogens were more or less similar at all locations. Our observations showed that climatic conditions influence the incidence and prevalence of both pathogens in weedy growing populations of Lactuca serriola.

The objective of this work was to verify the effect of the lean meat proportion on the chemical composition of the meaty parts (loin and ham) of pork. A total of 116 finishing hybrid pigs commonly used in the Czech Republic were fattened for this purpose. The pigs were divided according to the lean meat proportion criterion into 3 groups, i.e. more than 60.0%, 55.0-59.9% and 50.0-54.9%. Representative muscle samples were taken from the right halves of these pigs. They were then homogenised and submitted to chemical analysis. The results of the measuring showed that the values of the water content, intramuscular fat (IMF), crude proteins, and ash matter ranged in the loin between 72.50-72.80%, 1.56-1.96%, 23.20-23.40%, and 1.37-1.40%, respectively, and in the ham between of 70.43-71.59%, 3.52-4.26%, 21.67-21.95%, and 1.42-1.56%, respectively. The ascertained values of the water content and crude proteins with regard to the increasing lean meat proportion in the carcasses did not show any developmental tendencies. As for the content of IMF, it was determined that the higher was the lean meat proportion, the lower was the IMF content. Concerned of sensoric quality traits it means that pork meat from supermeaty hybrid pigs shows lower quality. Concerning the content of ash matter, it was observed that the ash content increased with an increasing lean meat proportion. In the carcass part of the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT), it was demonstrated that the higher was the lean meat proportion, the lower was the content of amino acids - threonine, isoleucine, lysine, aspartic acid, serine, and proline. From point of the production of exceedingly meaty pigs (over 60%), it can be expected a worse nutritional pork meat value. In the carcass portion of the musculus semimembranosus (MS), the contents of valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, serine, proline, and glycine increased with an increasing lean meat proportion. Within the framework of statistical evaluation of differences between the groups, the values of IMF ((P ≤ 0.01) in MLLT, water content, IMF, ash matter, threonine, valine, phenylalanine, lysine, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, and alanine in MS were highly significant ((P ≤ 0.05; (P ≤ 0.01 and (P ≤ 0.001).

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

Thymol's antimicrobial properties urged researchers to study its effect on animal performance and intestinal health in pigs. However, thymol has the characteristic sharp odor of thyme and a bitter, aromatic, and sometimes burning sensation which may elicit feeding aversions. The objectives in the current study were: (1) to determine the effect of dose of thymol and camphor on palatability and (2) to test the hypothesis that supplemental flavours or camphor, the latter as a known Transient Receptor Potential A1 blocker, could mitigate feed avoidance caused by thymol. Two analogous choice-feeding trials were conducted. Feed intake of the test diet was expressed as proportion of the total intake and tested by means of a one-sample Student's t-test against a set value of 50%. The preference for feed supplemented with 125, 500, 1250 and 2000 mg/kg thymol was 53.7 ± 6.0% (P > 0.05), 47.5 ± 5.1% (P > 0.05), 36.8 ± 4.9% (P = 0.022), and 3.9 ± 7.9% (P = 0.005) respectively. When feed containing 2000 mg/kg thymol with either flavour A (containing intense sweeteners) or flavour B (containing the same intense sweeteners and a caramel aroma) was opposed against a control diet, the relative intake of the test diets was 19.9 ± 5.8% and 14.0 ± 4.9% (both P < 0.05) respectively. When animals were offered one of these test diets and a reference diet with 2000 mg/kg thymol, animals exhibited a preference for the feed with 2000 mg/kg thymol + flavour A, but not for the feed with 2000 mg/kg thymol + flavour B. Thus, supplemental flavours containing intense sweeteners partially overcame feed avoidance caused by thymol which was less pronounced when the caramel aroma was present. Exposure to camphor (50 and 200 mg/kg) did not improve feed preference for a diet containing 1250 mg/kg thymol. Thymol's bitter taste might be largely responsible for the recorded feed refusal at high inclusion rates.

The study investigated the consequences of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on hormonal status and metabolic changes in neonatal lambs. Four ewes out of twenty-eight multiparous ewes mated at a synchronized oestrus were slaughtered at day 90 of pregnancy to collect fetal blood to serve as an initial comparison group. Twenty-four animals were divided into three groups and offered 0.18 MJ ME.kg^-0.75per day (restricted group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJ ME.kg^-0.75per day (restricted group 2, RG2), and control group (ad libitum CG) during late pregnancy, respectively. Immediately after parturition, blood was collected from the neonatal lambs in each group and analyzed for growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-II, insulin (INS), thyroxine (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃), glucose (GLU), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and total amino acid (TAA), respectively. The results indicated that the maternal undernutrition during late gestation decreased the average lamb birth weight in both RG1 (P < 0.01) and RG2 (P < 0.05) compared to CG. During the late fetal development period, the concentrations of T4, INS, and IGF-I of neonatal lambs in CG were increased (P < 0.05) compared to those at day 90 of pregnancy; the secretions of T₄, INS, and IGF-I in RG1 and RG2 during restriction were suppressed. The neonatal INS concentrations in RG1 and RG2 were decreased (P < 0.05), but the neonatal GH concentration in RG1 was greater than that of CG (P < 0.05). The GLU concentrations of neonatal lambs in RG1 were lower than those of CG (P < 0.05). However, the neonatal NEFA (P < 0.05) and TAA (P < 0.01) concentrations in RG1 were greater than those of CG. Thus, maternal undernutrition can change the hormonal and metabolic status of neonatal lambs, which may have significant implications on postnatal growth and adult health.

Hydrocephalus is a multifactoral disorder that was rarely diagnosed in dogs until the availability of advanced imaging techniques in veterinary practice. This article reviews recent advances in the understanding of canine hydrocephalus including pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment solutions. The advantages and disadvantages of USG, RTG, CT and MRI as advanced diagnostic methods are discussed. For now Low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the most useful tool in investigating hydrocephalus. The recommended sequences for MRI are T1-weighting images Spin echo, Field echo 3D with TR 380-750 ms, TE 12-25 ms, slice thickness 1-6 mm and with an interslice gap of 0-2 mm. The evaluation of cerebral ventricular system morphology in obtained MRI scans involves measuring the height, area and volume of the brain and lateral ventricles. The results are classified as normal state if the ratio of ventricular height to the brain height is above 14%, the ratio of ventricular area to the brain area amounts to above 7%, and the ventricular to brain volume ratio is above 5%. However, there are still problems relating to inter- and intrabreed comparison among examined dogs. Treatment solutions in hydrocephalus are also discussed in this review. The medical treatment of hydrocephalus aims to decrease CSF production and is based on using acetazolamide, furosemide and prednisone. Surgical management aims to place the ventriculoperitoneal shunt for CSF flow control. Postsurgical complications are also described in this review.

Differentiating between the Cryptosporidium species and their subtypes using only microscopy is impossible. Therefore, molecular tools are indispensable for accurate species and subtype diagnosis. However, if these tools are to be used correctly and accurately, the techniques used must be standardised. In the present study, two molecular techniques for diagnosing Cryptosporidium infection in cows were compared to determine the optimal methods. For each technique, we tested two DNA extraction methods, several annealing temperatures for nested PCR reactions targeting the 18S, SSU rRNA (small subunit ribosomal RNA), and the GP60 (60 kDa glycoprotein) genes, and two types of DNA staining reagents, ethidium bromide and GelRed^TM. We determined that one of the tested protocols yields a higher purity of extracted DNA. Additionally, optimised temperatures for the nested PCR of the 18S and GP60 genes were established. Finally, we determined that the GelRed^TM dye was more sensitive than ethidium bromide, and its low toxicity facilitates handling and disposal and reduces environmental contamination.

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

Effect of beauvericin on root cell transmembrane electric potential (E_M), electrolyte leakage and respiration of roots were studied in two maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) with different susceptibility to this toxigenic metabolite produced by Fusarium. Beauvericin treatment induced rapid and significant depolarisation of membrane potentials of the outer cortical cells of maize roots of tolerant cv. Lucia. The range of depolarisation was dose dependent with maximum depolarisation of 55 mV (55 ± 7 mV, n = 7) at 200µM beauvericin. In contrast, membrane potentials of beauvericin susceptible cv. Pavla was only slightly depolarised by identical concentrations of beauvericin and the value of depolarisation represented only half of the value of tolerant cv. Lucia (27 ± 6 mV, n = 8). The values of membrane potentials of root cells of tolerant cv. Lucia were higher (137 ± 9 mV, n = 26) and more electrogenic (60 ± 2 mV, n = 3) than in susceptible cv. Pavla (125 ± 7 mV, n = 28), (47 ± 2 mV, n = 3), respectively. Our results confirmed that 2 h treatment with 50µM beauvericin does not cause irreversible changes in plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase, because fusicoccin, an H⁺-ATPase activator diminished the depolarizing effect of beauvericin on the E_M. Further experiments revealed beauvericin-induced increase of membrane conductivity in root cells of Pavla but not in root cells of Lucia. Time-coarse experiments showed that 25µM beauvericin induced slight, but significant inhibition of root respiration in both cultivars during the first two hours of treatment, and the inhibition was higher in cv. Lucia than in cv. Pavla. The depolarisation of E_M in the outer cortical cells of maize roots may be the result of a cumulative effect of beauvericin on ATP supply, activity of H⁺-ATPase and mainly on the permeability of plasmalemma. Increased beauvericin tolerance in maize might be associated with the increased ability of tolerant plant to maintain normal ion fluxes and membrane potentials across the plasmalemma of root cells in the presence of beauvericin.

A litterbag experiment was conducted to investigate the changes of tannins and nutrients in branchlets at different decomposition stages of Casuarina equisetifolia in southern subtropical coastal zone, China, using the colorimetric assays. The time required for the loss of half of the initial dry weight (t₅₀) was 9.13 months. Total phenolics (TP), extractable condensed tannins (ECT), protein-bound condensed tannins (PBCT), total condensed tannins (TCT) and protein precipitation capacity (PPC) of branchlets litter decreased rapidly, while fibre-bound condensed tannins (FBCT) increased during decomposition. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of the branchlet litter both increased gradually during decay. Negative correlations between TP and nitrogen or phosphorus, as well as TCT and nitrogen or phosphorus were found. These chemical changes enhanced the current knowledge on the potential ecological role of nutrient transformation in tannins in C. equisetifolia plantations.

One of the factors frequently affecting yields is topography. Topographic data can be obtained from various sources with different precision. This work evaluates suitability of airborne laser scanning data for use as another source of topographical characteristics creation in a smaller scale in regards to precision agriculture needs. Simple models of elevation, slope and flow accumulation were created and the correlation between yield and topography was determined over a seven-year period in relation to precipitations and temperature. The suitability of airborne laser scanning data was proved with certain limitations. Flow accumulation model derived from original airborne laser scanning data indicated the right trend of flow accumulation but not as clearly compared to other models. In drier years the correlation coefficients between flow accumulation and yield reached up to 60-70%.

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) which belongs to the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster, a group of five closely related Mycoplasmas, pathogenic to ruminants. The true lesions of CCPP are restricted to the alveolar tissues of infected goats, which distinguish it from other respiratory diseases of small ruminants caused by members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. The typical signs of CCPP are an accumulation of pleural fluid, unilateral hepatisation, adhesions, pleurisy and pleuropneumonia which clearly differentiate it from "MAKePS" syndrome caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc). The available literature on CCPP shows that so far in Pakistan, the true causative agent (Mccp) of this disease has only been isolated in the Pashin District of Balochistan and that the disease is more frequently confused with other respiratory diseases of goat caused by the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. The lack of suitable techniques and extensive knowledge in the field is a big limitation for the isolation and characterisation of Mccp from prevailing CCPP-like cases in the goat population of Pakistan.

A growing need for the evaluation of prospects and sustainability of forest resources calls for the availability of harmonized data on forest distribution. We described and evaluated nine datasets providing such information: Corine LandCover, four European forest maps and four tree species distribution maps. Apart from providing a condensed overview of these datasets, we focused on the match between selected forest maps and forest management plans (FMPs) of Slovakia, which can be thought of as highly accurate information on forest distribution. The degree of match between forest and species area, within 306 forest administrative districts of Slovakia, was used as an indicator of accuracy. In addition, the match between the total forest and species area in Slovakia, given by FMPs and by evaluated datasets, was addressed. We found a high degree of match for the datasets on forest distribution (R-square 0.77-0.93, depending on the dataset), as well as strong agreement in total forest area (± 5%). Both indicators are worse in the case of forest type evaluation (coniferous and broadleaved). Poor results were obtained for tree species maps, which under- or overestimated species areas by tens of per cent, although differences were highly variable among species. The obtained results are valid mainly for temperate forests.

The study uses the fuzzy Delphi and FANP (fuzzy analysis network process) methods to integrate the views of experts from enterprises and academia regarding the future direction of the agricultural biotechnology industry in Taiwan, in order to extract the critical success factors influencing its transformation. This study compares the differences in the "cross-domain" and "non-cross-domain" critical success factors, and expects that the research results could be a decision-making reference for both the industry and the government. The research results show that the cross-domain critical factor that influence the transformation of the agricultural biotechnology industry in Taiwan are sequentially: a stable source of raw materials, control of the trend of market demand, a new production equipment, the capability in supporting upstream and downstream industries, the integration of the human resources of the upstream, midstream, and downstream industries, and the capability in marketing and promotion. The non-cross-domain critical factors are sequentially: the capacity to establish the system of product technology, the capacity to control intellectual property rights, a perfect educational system, the capacity to carry out risk management of the new product development, the competence in cultivating the capacity of technical and R&D personnel, and laws and regulations.

In 2007-2012 the first detailed study of P. halstedii distribution and severity was performed in the Czech Republic by monitoring altogether 128 localities. Incidence of the pathogen was recorded at seven localities in south-eastern (Central and South Moravia) and central parts (East and Central Bohemia) of the country; at only four localities the occurrence of sunflower downy mildew symptoms and pathogen sporulation were recorded repeatedly. In all cases the primary infection prevailed, and the severity of infections was rather low. The majority of records were for sunflower experimental fields (e.g. fields of Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture. Brno-Chrlice, Czech Republic), one record came from a commercial field and one record from a hobby field. Results of surveys indicate that reservoirs of primary inoculum likely exist in the soil contaminated by P. halstedii oospores in these habitats, but additional transfer by infected seed may be possible. Historical and geographical consequences of recorded infections are discussed, as well as virulence variation in the Czech pathogen populations which is currently in the process of investigation.

The Lactobacillus species by 16S Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (16S-ARDRA) was identified. Lactobacilli are bacteria often found in foodstuffs of both animal and vegetable origins. On one hand, they play an important role in the food spoilage and, on the other hand, they are used as starter cultures in food fermentation processes. The species-specific identification by traditional biochemical methods is time consuming and not always fully effective. Therefore, more efficient techniques are searched for. We focused on rapid identification of Lactobacillus isolates from different habitats. Forty-nine collection strains and isolates belonging to the genus Lactobacillus were discriminated. ARDRA was carried out with two restriction endonucleases. For the comparison of similarity, the Jaccard coefficient and clustering by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) were used. The percentages of similarity between profiles varied from 22% to 100% (AluI) and from 27% to 100% (MspI). This method proved applicable to the differentiation of 10 species.

A four-year field experiment was conducted in north-eastern Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the direct and residual effects of increasing doses of meat and bone meal (MBM) on the available phosphorus content of soil and the total phosphorus content in crops above ground biomass or grain. Experimental factor I was MBM dose (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 t/ha/year, and 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 t/ha/every second year), and experimental factor II was the year of the study (four consecutive years). The application of increasing MBM doses to slightly acidic soil insignificantly decreased its pH, but it did not change soil classification. The use of MBM as a fertilizer increased the levels of available phosphorus, compared to the treatments with mineral fertilization. The grain of winter triticale and winter wheat and the green matter of maize contained higher concentrations of phosphorus after the MBM application, in comparison to the plants receiving mineral fertilization. Phosphorus uptake by winter wheat and maize plants (dry matter basis) was higher in treatments with MBM (in particular applied every second year) than in treatments with NPK fertilization. Irrespective of the frequency of MBM application, phosphorus uptake by winter rapeseed was considerably lower, compared to the control plants.

Genetic parameters for total number of piglets born per litter, number of piglets weaned per litter, lean meat content, and average daily gain from birth till the end of the field test were estimated for Czech Large White (445 589 records) and Czech Landrace (149 057 records) pigs using a four-trait animal model. The following heritabilities were estimated (first number: Large White, second number: Landrace): 0.10 ± 0.004 and 0.09 ± 0.007 for total number born; 0.09 ± 0.005 and 0.07 ± 0.008 for number weaned; 0.39 ± 0.004 and 0.36 ± 0.009 for lean meat content; 0.21 ± 0.004 and 0.18 ± 0.006 for daily gain. The highest genetic correlation (approximately 0.85 in both breeds) was estimated between both litter size traits. In Czech Landrace, all remaining genetic correlations were < 0.20 in their absolute value. Negative correlations of approximately ‑0.25 were estimated in Czech Large White between daily gain and both reproduction traits. All remaining correlations in Czech Large White were also < 0.20 in their absolute value. The estimated non-zero correlations between production and reproduction traits are, besides of other arguments, one reason to recommend a joint genetic evaluation of production and reproduction traits. If more than one litter trait is included in the genetic evaluation, repeatability models should be used instead of separate treating the first and the second and subsequent litters; this is because of the high correlations among litter size traits which are expected to cause numerical problems if multi-parity models are used.

Plant's nitrogen (N) requirement that is not fulfilled by available N in soil has to be supplied externally through chemical fertilizers. A reliable estimate of soil N-supplying capacity (NSC) is therefore essential for efficient fertilizer use. In this study involving a pot experiment with twenty acidic soils varying widely in properties, we evaluated six chemical indices of soil N-availability viz. organic carbon (C_org), total N (N_tot), acid and alkaline-KMnO₄ extractable-N, hot KCl extractable-N (KCl-N) and phosphate-borate buffer extractable-N (PBB-N), based on their strength of correlation with available-N values obtained through aerobic incubation (AI-N) and anaerobic incubation (ANI-N), and also with the dry matter yield (DMY), N percentage and plant (maize) N uptake (PNU). In general, the soils showed large variability in NSC as indicated by variability in PNU which ranged from 598 to 1026 mg/pot. Correlations of the N-availability indices with AI-N and ANI-N decreased in the order: PBB-N (r = 0.784** and 0.901**) > KCl-N (r = 0.773** and 0.743**) > acid KMnO₄-N (r = 0.575** and 0.651**) ≥ C_org (r = 0.591** and 0.531**) ≥ alkaline KMnO₄-N (r = 0.394** and 0.548**) > N_tot (r = 0.297** and 0.273*). Of all the indices evaluated, PBB-N showed the best correlations with plant parameters as well (r = 0.790** and 0.793** for DMY and PNU, respectively). Based on the highest correlations of PBB-N with biological indices as well as plant responses, we propose PBB-N as an appropriate index of N-availability in the acidic soils of India and other regions with similar soils.

The objectives of present study were to determine the residual and cumulative effects of zinc (Zn) fertilizer on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a silt loam Typic Haplocambid soil (< 0.05 mg/kg diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Zn). The study comprised of two years field experiments where first cotton crop received zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄∙H₂O) at five rates (0, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 kg Zn/ha) in a randomized complete block design with four replications. After harvest, each plot was divided into two sub-plots. To study the residual effect, one sub-plot of all plots did not receive Zn fertilizer for the subsequent crops; however, the other sub-plot received all Zn rates for 2005-06 wheat, 2006 cotton, and 2006-07 wheat. Fresh applied, residual as well as cumulative Zn application significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased crops production for both experimental years. Residual effect of 5.0 kg Zn/ha optimized the 2006 cotton yield; however, wheat productivity was optimized with residual effect of 7.5 kg Zn/ha in 2005-06 and of 10.0 kg Zn/ha in 2006-07. Optimum yield of both crops was attained with a lesser fresh-applied and residual Zn rate than cumulative Zn rate. Total Zn uptake by wheat (134.9-289.6 g/ha) was much greater than by cotton (92.3-192.5 g/ha). It is concluded that one application of 7.5 kg Zn/ha proved adequate for optimizing two cycles of the cotton-wheat production system. Two-year repeated use of 5.0-7.5 kg Zn/ha did not depress crop yields.

The study aimed at an evaluation of fattening and slaughter performance as well as meat quality of the native Złotnicka Spotted (ZS) pigs and its crosses with Duroc pigs. The experimental material comprised 60 fatteners, divided into three genetic groups of 20 animals (100% ZS, 75% ZS and 50% ZS). The specific character of conservative breeding results in low values of fattening and slaughter performance traits observed in ZS breed. Among the analysed groups, animals with 100% share of ZS genes in their genotype were characterised by low daily weight gains (0.59 kg), considerable backfat thickness (34.96 mm), slight muscle thickness (48.05 mm), and low leanness (41.83%). These parameters were higher in both groups of crosses. Differences between the 100% ZS group and the 50% ZS group were significant for backfat thickness and highly significant for leanness. Acidity and colour parameters analysis showed that meat from all the genetic groups analysed was characterised by a good quality. The highest pH₄₅ values were in the 75% ZS group, and meat from this group had the darkest colour (L* = 49.73) and the highest red colour share (a* = 5.11). Statistical analyses showed that ZS breed retained its original traits through the years of breeding. It was confirmed that meat of Złotnicka Spotted breed is characterised by excellent quality. The results indicate that ZS and Duroc breeds crossing improves fattening and slaughter performance, while maintaining good meat quality in their crosses. Results of this study may also be used by breeders. They indicate that crosses of both the breeds kept in extensive breeding may be successfully used in high quality meat production. Pork from such animals may be a raw material for market niche production, such as regional products. The use of meat from crosses in meat processing may improve both quality of the processed products and efficiency of production based on the native Złotnicka Spotted breed.

In this study we assessed the normal physiological and dynamic thoracoabdominal distribution of ¹⁸F fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) uptake and the standardized uptake values (SUVs) of the major parenchymal organs in five normal young adult domestic short haired cats. Dynamic PET data were acquired with a transaxial field-of-view (FOV) PET/CT scanner, Regions of interests (ROIs) were manually drawn over the left ventricular free wall, left ventricular blood pool, liver, spleen, and left and right renal cortices. The SUVs of these organs were calculated for 5-min frames over the 90 min acquisition. The uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG within the major organs, showed a tendency to gradually decline, except for the left ventricle and blood pool. The decrease in SUV was rapid after injection with a plateau occurring after 30 minutes. The uptake of ¹⁸F -FDG within the hepatic parenchyma was low compared to that in the kidney at the beginning of study. A steady decline in the hepatic parenchyma SUV was quite similar to that observed for the kidneys .The SUV of ¹⁸F-FDG within the spleen was low. Uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG within the myocardium was minimal. These SUV data from the parenchymal organs of normal cats compares favourably with those of normal humans and dogs and can be used in feline studies using PET/CT for the evaluation of various diseases. Furthermore, PET/CT can provide higher quality images over shorter examination times than conventional PET.

Earlier breeders used phenotypic selection based on morphological characteristics to improve tree varieties. These selections often take many cycles of breeding and backcrossing in order to place desired characteristics. But today the knowledge has paved the way for a much deeper understanding of the mechanics of cell biology and the hereditary process itself. Breeders are presented with numerous possibilities of altering the behaviour of existing varieties. Linkage between molecular markers can be translated to genetic linkage maps, which have become an important tool in plant genetics. They may choose to use marker-assisted approaches in order to facilitate the selection of favourable combinations of genes that occur naturally within a tree species.

Biochar (BC), the carbon-rich by-product resulting from pyrolysis of biomass, is used for bioenergy and increasingly as a soil additive for carbon sequestration and soil improvement. However, information about the effects of BC on forest productivity and reforestation success, especially on boreal and temperate forest soils, is scant. We examined the effects of two BC types (Canadian and Finnish) added in proportions up to 60 vol.% into a common alluvial silty soil on the growth of transplanted Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings in a growth chamber. We found no marked differences in seedling growth among the binary growing media mixes used. Seedling growth attributes (seedling height, terminal shoot growth, root volume) differed consistently only between the BC types in the highest proportion used. The terminal shoot growth differed overall among the two BC types. These results suggest that BC may be applied into mineral soils without detrimental chemical effects on tree plantation success. Our results provide foundation for further field research on the longer-term impacts of adding BCs to boreal forest soils.

Most of the vegetable crops are known to depend upon arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AM) symbiosis for growth and development, since AM fungi provide nutrients and water in exchange for photosynthates. The influences of AM fungi (Glomus intraradices (G) and Acaulospora laevis (A)) with Trichoderma viride (T) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (P) alone and in combinations on growth, mycorrhization, chlorophyll content, nutrient uptakes, and yield of broccoli plants were studied in pot culture under glasshouse conditions. The obtained results demonstrated that the single inoculation of broccoli plants with T. viride significantly increased the above ground fresh weight, root length, chlorophyll b, head diameter, root phosphorus, and shoot nitrogen in comparison to uninoculated control plants. On the other hand, consortium of G+A+T+P significantly increased plant height, above ground dry weight, root fresh weight, chlorophyll a, head fresh weight, and root nitrogen content. Similarly, G+T showed maximum leaf area, and P alone showed maximum uptake of shoot phosphorus. Whereas when P was supplied along with T, early flowering was recorded. AM fungal colonisation was negligible and only root tips were found infected in G or A treated plants which confirms low dependency of broccoli on AM fungi.

Biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, cadaverine) including biologically active polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) were determined by HPLC method after 7, 21, 35, and 49 days of ripening in the core (C) and edge (E) samples of a blue-veined cheese, popular in the Czech Republic under the trade mark Niva, produced in the three consecutive months (October, November, December) from pasteurised cow milk using Penicillium roqueforti spores; two vats were produced in each month. The cheese vat, including the production period, accounted for (P < 0.05) one third and two thirds of the explained variability of the sum of biogenic amines and the sum of polyamines, respectively. The ripening time was significant (P < 0.05) from this viewpoint only in the case of the sum of biogenic amines (nearly half of the explained variability). Putrescine and spermidine contents in cheese did not change (P > 0.05), spermine content even decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing time of ripening. Tyramine content (Y, mg/kg) in the core samples increased linearly with increasing time of ripening (X, days), Y = 6.3 + 11.69X, R² = 0.26, P < 0.001, contrary to the edge part where tyramine content did not change (P > 0.05). At the end of ripening (49 days), tyramine was quantitatively the most abundant amine (the mean and median 380 mg/kg and 289 mg/kg, respectively), its content in different cheeses (vats) varying from 10 mg/kg to 875 mg/kg. Cadaverine concentration varied between 3 mg/kg and 491 mg/kg (the mean 114, median 56 mg/kg). The levels of other biogenic amines and polyamines (with the exception of putrescine in the edge part of one of the December vats: 117 mg/kg) were very low even at the end of ripening. Tyramine contents at the end of ripening in the core-samples were higher (P < 0.01) in comparison with those in the edge-samples, contrary to histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, and spermine contents.