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: A glasshouse pot experiment tested the effects of 14 different combinations of substrate type, pH and nutrient treatments on the occurrence and severity of leaf chlorosis in a susceptible variety of petunia. Plants grown at optimal pH level (4.7) in peat substrate with low limestone dose were symptom-free even without added micronutrients. Severe chlorosis occurred in plants grown at high pH in peat substrate with high limestone (pH 6.7) and in peat-bark-compost (pH 6.2); it was associated with decreased Fe and Mn content in leaves. Regular application of nutrient solution with low concentration of Fe, Mn, and other micronutrients as EDTA chelates greatly reduced chlorosis in plants grown in peat-bark substrate and in peat-bark-compost, and it improved Fe uptake. An exception was peat substrate at high pH level and high limestone where chlorosis was only partially reduced by this treatment. Regular application of Fe, Mn, and other micronutrients as sulphates or citrates had no substantial effect; only application of three additional substrate drenches of 30 mg/l Mn from Mn-EDTA and 90 mg/l Fe from either Fe-EDTA or Fe-EDDHA substantially corrected chlorosis and increased foliar Fe and Mn in cases where plants were grown in high limestone peat substrate.

The use of skidding machinery in logging operations causes destructive effects especially on soil but has many advantages such as extracting long and heavy logs, optimum use of useful logging time and absence of defect in wood production quality and thus an increase in the added value of wood. In this research compartment 40 of the second district of Nav-Asalem in northern Iran at an altitude of 1,050-1,450 m above sea level was chosen in order to assess the amount of displaced soil volume and depth of ruts due to the traffic of Timber Jack 450C rubber wheeled skidder along the skid trail. Therefore, the correlations between two independent variables, longitudinal slope and soil texture, with two dependent variables, displaced soil volume and average depth of rut, along the skid trail were examined after 20 passes of skidder machinery. The results of this research showed a significant difference between the longitudinal slope increase of skid trail and the amount of soil volume displaced (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between the mean rut depth and different classification of longitudinal slope along the skid trail. The highest measured rut depth was 22 cm and occurred in the slope class of more than 25%. There was no significant correlation between the amount of displaced soil volume and rut depth with changes in soil texture along the skid trail.

A young speckled alder (Alnus incana [L.] Moench) stand was planted on a tract clear-felled due to air pollution and located on a summit plateau of the Jizerské hory Mts. (Central Europe, Czech Republic) at an altitude of 950 m a.s.l. The aim of the experiment was to test the suitability of Alnus incana to form preparatory stands covering the site and thus enabling the reintroduction of more sensitive target species. A potential of Alnus incana to respond to slow-release fertilizing was tested as well. The control treatment showed sufficient growth dynamics, nevertheless, the fertilization significantly promoted the growth (documented by height, height increment and stem-base diameter). If some limitations of alder such as high light requirements are respected, the speckled alder can be recommended as a suitable species for preparatory stands even in the 7^th and 8^th altitudinal (vegetation) zones, especially when fertilized.

The article describes the competitiveness of Slovak agricultural and food products after the accession of the Slovak Republic into the EU. The analysis has shown that even despite the increased subsidization and full liberalisation of trade, the competitiveness of our products still needs to develop. The main reason behind this is the poor efficiency of production and the lack of innovation activities. Most agricultural commodities are profitable only because of subsidies. Processing industry is the main contributor to the worsening deficit of trade balance. Specific commodities with good sales potential in the EU market include cereals, malt, wheat flour, dairy products, live cattle and sheep meat.

In this work the Cd, Cu and Zn accumulation in potatoes, their influence on starch, water-soluble (WSS) and water-insoluble saccharide (WIS) contents and content of heavy metals in various saccharide fractions of potatoes were determined. The fraction of WSS was isolated by Somogyi method, the WIS fraction was obtained from delipided portion of potatoes. Enhanced pseudototal Cd contents in relationship to limit value 0.7 mg/kg of soil were determined in 13 soil samples (0.72-1.06 mg/kg). Contents of Zn and Cu were lower than their limit values in all observed soil samples. Observed heavy metals have not influence on their accumulation in potatoes, the Cd content in potatoes (0.0015-0.0042 mg/kg f.m.), Cu (0.0590-0.1780 mg/kg f.m.) and Zn contents (0.1887-0.3517 mg/kg f.m.) were also lower than their limit values. The proportion of observed heavy metals in selected saccharide fractions: Cd (mg/kg): 0.017-0.140 (starch), 0.0133-0.2293 (WIS), 0.8711-109.7713 (WSS); Cu (mg/kg): 0.067-1.433 (starch), 0.2844-6.9877 (WIS), 18.0134-1070.5216 (WSS); Zn (mg/kg): 6.667-66.300 (starch), 0.7869-23.3673 (WIS), 101.4842-4020.790 (WSS)

Citrulline has been recently shown to behave as a novel compatible solute in the Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) growing under desert conditions. In the present study we have investigated some aspects of the relationship which might occur in leaves of melon seedlings, also known to produce citrulline, between the capacity to accumulate this ureido amino acid and salt tolerance. With this end in view, salt-induced changes at the citrulline level have been compared in two melon genotypes exhibiting contrasted abilities to withstand the damaging effects of high salinity. Progressive salinization of the growing solution occurred at 23 days after sowing. The final 250 mmol/l external NaCl concentration was reached within 5 days and further maintained for 16 days. In response to this treatment, it was found that the citrulline amount increased in fully expanded leaves of both genotypes according to different kinetics. The salt tolerant genotype Midyat was induced to accumulate citrulline 4 days before the salt sensitive Yuva and as a consequence the final amount of this amino acid was twice higher in the former than in the latter. Compared with citrulline, the free proline level was found to be relatively low and the changes induced in response to the salt treatment exhibited different trends according to the genotypes under study. Thus at the end of the treatment mature leaves of the salt sensitive Yuva contained higher amount of proline than those of Midyat. The changes in the calculated molar ratio between citrulline and free proline suggested that salt tolerance might be associated with high values for this ratio and vice et versa for sensitivity. The interest of citrulline as a biochemical marker for salt tolerance of melon genotypes is discussed.

Simple balance of Cd input by different treatments and removal by agricultural crops was investigated in an ongoing precise long-term field experiment with application of sewage sludge (SS), farmyard manure (FYM), and mineral fertilizers (NPK). Potatoes, wheat and barley were grown in a rotation at 4 experimental sites of the Czech Republic with the aim to assess the risk of Cd accumulation in soil and plants under different soil and climate conditions. The results showed significant differences in Cd content of the input materials used, and in Cd inputs to soils under different fertilization managements. Three applications of sewage sludge during 1996-2005 resulted in total addition of 110 g Cd/ha into soil, which was by one order of magnitude higher than Cd addition in FYM or NPK treatments. From the total amount of sludge-borne Cd, only small portion was removed by harvests of crops (approximately 3.5%). Soil conditions significantly affected Cd input-removal balance. The highest Cd removals were obtained on soils with the lowest pH. The highest Cd removal was achieved by potato tubers followed by wheat and barley plants. The results showed that the risk of Cd accumulation in soils is high, especially with repeated sludge applications.

Visfatin encoded by the NAMPT gene (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, formerly also known as PBEF - pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor) is suggested to play a role in lipid metabolism and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus type 2. A new microsatellite SCZ004 was detected within intron 9 of the NAMPT gene. In Czech Large White (n = 95) frequencies of alleles 282, 286, 287, 299, and 304 were 0.02, 0.39, 0.07, 0.04, and 0.48, respectively. Allele 286 was predominant also in Landrace (n = 11) and Black Pied Prestice (n = 11) breeds. Association analysis was carried out between previously reported SNP AM999341:g.669T>C in intron 9 of the NAMPT gene and backfat thickness, average daily gain and lean meat content in Czech Large White (n = 215), Black Pied Prestice (n = 96) and Landrace (n = 105). The CC genotype was associated with higher backfat thickness (

The basis of the biogas production in agriculture is the processing of waste agricultural products (particularly excrements of farm animals but also phytomass). Different but rather similar is the biogas production from biologically degradable municipal waste (BDMW) and biologically degradable industrial waste (BDIW) coming mainly from food industry. The processing of these wastes in agricultural biogas stations could significantly improve their economy. It is necessary to note that all these biogas stations differ from the wastewater cleaning plants where municipal sludge water from public sewers is processed. The municipal sludge water processing to biogas by anaerobic fermentation is a classical technology introduced all over the world. At present, about 100 wastewater cleaning plants operate in the Czech Republic using regular sludge processing into biogas. Electricity produced is utilised mainly for the needs of own operation of waste water treatment plant (WWTP), partly it is sold into public power net. The heat energy is used for heating in the process and its surplus is utilised for operational and administrative facilities. Usually, the heat and electricity quantities produced do not cover the wastewater cleaning plant operation. Agricultural biogas stations and biogas stations for BDMW processing provide considerably higher gas yields because they work with higher dry matter contents in substratum, i.e. 8-12% (compared with waste water treatment plants - 2-6%), and are able to produce high gas surpluses for following applications. Frequently discussed issue are the processing of slaughter waste and grass (or public green areas at biogas stations).

A 3.5-year-old Boxer breed bitch was referred to our clinic with a history of progressive and painless inguinal mass on the left side with no significant general symptoms. Ultrasonographic examination of the inguinal mass and abdomen revealed a hypo echoic area covered with a hyper echoic capsule in inguinal mass and also two 40-day-old live foetuses, respectively. During ventral midline laparotomy, an incarcerated left uterus horn was detected in an inguinal hernia. A successful herniorraphy and ovariohysterectomy was performed in one session. A dead foetus was detected histopathologically in the herniated uterine horn. The main differential in this case was a severe incarceration and foetal death in the herniated uterus horn with no significant clinical and ultrasonographic findings. This condition did not affect either the general health condition of the bitch or the foetuses localized abdominally.

Segmentation of stands by tracks is often the first phase of forest tending. However, a suitable track width is still discussed in forest practice in the Czech Republic. This article deals with the effect of track width on the growth characteristics of young spruce stands. Research involves several variants of European thinning experiment IUFRO CZ 14 Machov situated in Eastern Bohemia. Totally 3 variants were analyzed: 1 - non-segmented control plot without thinning and plots with forest tending (at top height 10 and 20 m) and with different present width of tracks (plot 3 - originally 3.5 m, plot 4 - originally 5.0 m). The significantly positive effect of stand segmentation and tracks on dbh and crown length was found only for individuals growing in the first row next to a track. As regards the stand volume and volume of mean stem, differences between variants with skidding track (3 and 4) were found minimal and insignificant. Therefore, the observation did not reveal any evident losses of production caused by different widths of skidding tracks.

The aim of this paper is to show some empirical evidence of the sustainability and decision making in dairy production in Turkey. The main material of the study was obtained from the data collected by the survey conducted in the villages in Merkez, Manavgat and Serik districts of the Antalya province. Within the context of the research, 75 farmers were interviewed in the 2007 production season. The research results indicate that the households are the most important decision maker in terms of farming decisions. 56.3% of the farmers in the small farms, 61.5% of the farmers in the medium-size farms and 41.2% of the farmers in the large farm noted that they could quit dairy production activity if they received a fixed salary.

Industrial wine yeasts Saccharomyces bayanus and two interspecies hybrids (S. cerevisiae × S. bayanus) were checked for their suitability for fermentation of apple musts with different L-malic acid content (4, 7 and 11 g/l). The fermentation profiles including main organic acids, acetaldehyde, diacetyl, glycerol, esters and polyphenols were presented. The results were obtained by HPLC method (organic acids, acetaldehyde, glycerol, diacetyl), GC (esters), colorimetrically (polyphenols) and enzymatically (L-malic acid, ethanol). Although the fermentation profiles of wines were characteristic for specific yeast strains, similarities in organic acid profiles of wines fermented by S. bayanus and its hybrid S-779/25 were noted. In all the tested wines L-malic, pyruvic and citric acids were dominant. Statistical analysis of all wine parameters indicates that yeast strains respond individually to different acidities of the fermentation environment. In order to choose the right yeast strain for the fermentation of acidic musts, information about fermentation profiles should be included in the collection certificate of yeast strains.

Soil samples (from Czech and German long-term field experiments) were used to estimate different soil phosphorus (P) fractions. More than 200 topsoil (0-30 cm) samples from different fertilizing treatments were taken. These were analyzed for P in soil solution (P_CaCl2) [0.01M CaCl₂ extract], exchangeable sorbed P (P_ex) [anion exchange (AE) membranes] and bioavailable P [Doppel-Lactat and Mehlich 3 (P_DL and P_M3)]. Other fractions analyzed were total inorganic (P_in), total (P_M-tot) and organic (P_org) P [fractionation after Marks], P sorbed on Fe and Al (P_FeAl) [fractionation after Schwertmann] and residual P (P_ar) [aqua regia extract]. Comparison of medians appeared to be better for evaluating extraction abilities. Phosphorus fractions were in the following order: (P_ar = 100%); P_CaCl2 (0.2%) < P_ex (9%) < P_DL (10%) < P_M3 (16%) < P_in (24%) < P_org (37%) < P_FeAl (55%) < P_M-tot (59%). Low amounts of P_in, P_org and P_M-tot did not verify the applicability of the Marks' fractionation for the set of studied soils. Close correlations at P ≤ 0.001 were found for all methods for estimating the fractions of bioavailable phosphates (P_CaCl2, P_ex, P_DL and P_M3). Statistically significant relations were observed between P_in with P_ar, P_M-tot and P_FeAl.

Casein-protease activity assessed at 50°C and with adjustment of optimum pH conditions (PA), and casein-protease activity near soil pH and at field soil temperature (LPA) were studied one vegetation period in mountain meadow soils covered with moderately mown vegetation, and over which vegetation had been abandoned for thirteen years. PA peaked in the first part of the vegetation season whereas LPA increased throughout the season; in addition, LPA was not linearly related to temperature (r = 0.127 resp. 0.312; P > 0.05). The combined effect of field soil temperature and pH decreased a casein-protease activity by > 98.4%. A management of meadows had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on PA and LPA.

Northeastern part of Anatolia is a gene center of grapevine and a wide diversity of Fox grapes grow here. Viticulture and some grapevines in the Black Sea Region (in the north of Turkey) are on the verge of extinction; several types and varieties grown in this region have never been described and did not survive till present. For the past 10 years vineyards and grapevines in the Black Sea Region have been studied. In the present study, eighteen grapevines of foxy taste grown in the Artvin and Rize provinces were described. An ampelographic description of young shoot, mature shoot, young leaf, mature leaf, berry, bunch and seed were carried out using the OIV (Office International de la Vigne et du Vin) list for grapevine cultivars and Vitis species. However, several other parameters of the cultivars were measured for evaluation.

This report describes the diagnostic evaluation in a one-week-old, female Simmental twin-calf with the anamnesis of umbilical hernia. Weakness, anaemia, tachycardia and a systolic left sided murmur were significant clinical findings. Based on echocardiography, the animal was diagnosed with pentalogy of Fallot, whereas necropsy revealed the presence of Cantrell's pentalogy with Taussig-Bing syndrome and situs inversus of the liver. Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare condition described in humans but not yet reported in calves.

Wild cherry is one of the noble hardwood species that increase the biodiversity of our forests and at the same time it could increase the income for forest owners. The preconditions for achieving these goals are the high quality of stem and appropriate silvicultural management. This means that wild cherry should occupy the main crown layer in the stand. The height/frequency diagram depicts two groups of wild cherry trees in the stand belonging to dominant/codominant and suppressed tree classes. Height periodic increment (measured between the years 2001 and 2007) is significantly (p < 0.01) different in these two groups confirming that there is no transition chance for the trees from the suppressed group to become a part of the main crown layer and play the role of future crop tree. The same is true of the diameter/frequency diagram which also has a two-peak shape remaining also at the end of the surveyed period. Our result suggests that silvicultural care should be focused only on trees belonging to future crop trees.

Abstract: Services become an important participant of the international economic relationships during the last 20 to 30 years. Since the sector of services used formerly to be applied rather more on the national level, we speak of the internalisation of services, which become an important article of international trade. Compared to the dynamics of world trade with tangible goods, services reach higher year-to year increases and their share in the world trade turnover still increases. The explanation lies in the growing importance of services connected to the level of the economy development and in the foreign trade with services liberalisation. The value of the services export on the world level reached approx.1.5 trill. USD in 2000. The value of the world export of tangible goods was 5.5 trill. USD in the same year, so that export of services covered approximately one fifth of the total world tangible and non-tangible goods. The share of services in the world export (tangible and non-tangible) grew continually.

The paper identifies and analyses the main factors which influenced the wine demand. The average annual wine consumption per capita is the basic factor of the wine demand. The average annual wine consumption, one of the wine demand factors, grew between 2003 and 2007 from 16.3 l to 18.5 l per capita. Following this trend, we can expect the average annual wine consumption 19.0 l per capita in year 2010. A positive feature of this development is also the fact, that there grows the demand after the quality wines. At the same time, there grows also the consumption of the lower quality, cheap wines packed in boxes or PET bottles. A continuously growing tendency can be also noticed in the red-wine consumption. This change of consumer preferences has significantly influenced the growth of the share of the red varieties in the new-planted vineyards. However, there are critical factors in the development of the demand for wine demand here. Specifically, it is the daily feasible ration of alcohol in wine and other alcoholic drinks, especially beer that we can treat as the substitute of wine. The average annual beer consumption moves about 160 l per capita in the Czech Republic. The continuously growing tendency of wine consumption is reduced by the lower price of beer too, because beer is the cheapest alcoholic drink in the Czech Republic. The taste and preferences of consumers have been changing, that means, that the consumers are the ones who decide about the wine quality, and not producers. That is why this paper includes the partial results of the research oriented on the habits and behaviour of consumers in the wine market in the Czech Republic. It is concentrated on the wine sellers opinions on demand development in the wine market.

A collection of lactic acid bacteria (38 Enterococcus and 41 Lactobacillus strains) was tested for the antilisterial activity against 15 Listeria spp. strains (two L. monocytogenes, one L. ivanovii and 12 L. innocua strains) using agar spot method. Out of all 79 bacteria only six Enterococcus strains (1/3A, 3/3A, 6/4D, 6/1A, 1282 and EN3) exhibited antilisterial activity against almost all used indicator strains, when their live cells were tested. When their cell free neutralised supernatants (CFNS) were tested against four selected indicator strains (L. innocua Ln-03, Ln-06, Ln-10 and L. monocytogenes CCM5576) only two Enterococcus spp. strains were active - E. faecalis 6/1A strain from raw cow milk of minor interest due to the activity of its CFNS only against L. innocua Ln-06 and thermolability of the compound and E. mundtii 1282 strain from goat raw milk with CFNS active against 13 Listeria spp. strains including L. monocytogenes. E. mundtii 1282 strain produced probably a bacteriocin, because it completely lost the activity after treatment CFNS with proteinase K.

The study aimed at evaluating and comparing changes provoked by the water deficit on water relations and nitrogen fixation in two Vigna unguiculata cultivars, as well as at indicating which cultivar is more tolerant under water deficiency. The experimental design used was entirely randomized in factorial scheme, with 2 cultivars (Pitiuba and Pérola) and 2 water regimes (control and stress). The parameters evaluated were the leaf relative water content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, nodule number, nodule dry matter, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, ureide concentration and leghemoglobin in nodule. The stomatal conductance of the Pitiuba and Pérola cultivars under water deficit were 0.20 and 0.01 mmol H₂O/m²/s, respectively. The nitrate reductase activity of the plants under stress was significantly reduced in both cultivars. The leghemoglobin in the Pitiuba and Pérola cultivars under water stress had the concentrations of 58 and 41 g/kg dry matter, respectively. The parameters investigated in this study suggest that the Pitiuba cultivar under water deficit suffers from smaller changes, when compared with Pérola cultivar.

The objective of the study was to examine a possibility of predicting phosphorus leaching from the top layer of agricultural soils by rainfall simulations by means of three multi-nutrient soil tests: Mehlich 3, NH₄-acetate extraction and water extraction (1:5, w/v). Another objective was to determine parameters of maximum phosphorus losses after an extreme load of rainfall on the top layer. Forty soils from different localities of the Czech Republic were used for the experiment. A leaching experiment was conducted in pedological cylinders with a soil layer of about 1 cm and with the bottom from a glass microfibre filter with pores 1.2 μm in size. Within 15 days the soils were flooded ten times with 25 mm of simulated rainfall in a minimum interval of 1 day. The closest regression between the soil test and phosphorus leaching was computed for NH₄-acetate soil test (R² = 0.8831) and Mehlich 3 test (R² = 0.8572) after the first application of 25 mm of rainfall. In water extraction it was for the mean of 10 simulated rainfalls (R² = 0.8674). As leaching proceeded, the closeness of regression diminished due to fluctuations of P concentration in leachates (increases and decreases), mainly in soils with higher P-test. The increase in P concentration could be caused by the activation of phosphorus from Fe-phosphates under anaerobic conditions in wet soils. The steepest decrease in P concentration in leachates was observed in light soils with low CEC value and higher initial P-test.

: Nutrient digestibility and parameters of nutritive value for ruminants of two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were evaluated by means of an in vivo balance trial performed by the regression method on two groups of heifers with an increasing proportion of grain in DM (from 6 to 46%). Sulamit and Rapsodia, chosen on the basis of the in vitro test from a set of 25 cultivars (grown in 2002-2004) reached significant differences in DM fermentability in vitro (by 43.7-78.6 ml/g DM, P < 0.05). In vivo digestibility of crude protein, nitrogen-free extract, organic matter, parameters of N retention, energy concentrations (metabolisable energy, net energy for lactation and for fattening) and parameters in the PDI system (especially PDIE) increased along with the grain proportion in the diet. At the comparable proportion of grain in the ration the positive differences were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for Sulamit than Rapsodia.

Through data analysis of 7 571 883 pig carcasses slaughtered from 2004 to 2007 the means of quality classes (QC) 2.32, lean meat percentage (LM) 55.83%, carcass weight (CW) 87.21 kg, muscle thickness (MT) 61.95 mm and fat thickness (FT) 15.95 mm were determined. The highest correlation coefficients are between QC and LM (r = -0.920), LM and FT (-0.900) as well as QC and FT (0.828), the lowest between FT and MT (r = -0.084). Quality class as the dominant indicator is influenced mainly by LM, which explains from 77% to 89% of variability in the case of linear regression. Among the eight methods of pig carcass classification the FOM apparatus was used the most frequently (46.5% carcasses) followed by the ULTRA-FOM 300 apparatus (15.6%), another apparatus (13.2%) and by the IS-D-05 unit (9.8%). In the statistical models used all effects (differences) are statistically significant because of the large size of the data set. The results from the separate evaluation of each cross-classified effect are that EV has the largest influence and year-season and methods have a smaller influence. The time trend (42 months) documents stable CW and MT, a slight increase in LM and improvement of QC. The estimated results indicate the successful introduction of pig carcass classification in the CR after accession to the EU.

Koch method of ornamental trees evaluation is based on interest paid on costs invested in tree-growing up to their maturity stage minus deductions for age, defects and damage. The aim of this paper is to apply the above mentioned method in the economic conditions of the Czech Republic. The paper presents essential economic data generated in accordance with the technological model of tree growing at a permanent site. We also describe the mechanism of the so-called base tree price calculation as a basis for the subtraction of deductions derived from its current condition. The calculated base tree prices are illustratively compared to prices based on the to-date applied calculating techniques and the relevant regulation. We also refer to the method of base price adjustment based on the criterion of landscape tree value. The mechanism of price calculation applied for Koch method testing included two modifications. The first relates to due consideration of growth qualities when calculating development care costs; the other introduces landscaping value indicator as the only base price adjustment to achieve the resulting price, corresponding with the current tree condition.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of endothelin-1(ET-1) on pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS, ascites) morbidity in broilers. Two hundred and seventy of one-day-old Arbor Acre commercial broiler chickens were randomly allocated into two experiments. In Experiment 1, 40 broilers (28 days of age) were intravenously with five different dose groups of ET-1, and the PAP was measured from time 0 to 30 min. The results indicated that the PAP increased from time 0.5 to 5 min after the broilers were injected with ET-1 at concentrations of 24 ng/kg (Group T1), 120 ng/kg (Group T2), and 240 ng/kg (Group T3). When the broilers were injected with ET-1 at a concentration of 360 ng/kg (Group T4), the PAP decreased immediately from time 0 to 0.5 min but increased from time 0.5 to 10 min. The change from baseline (at time 0, before the injection) of PAP values from the four treatment groups were statistically compared with that from the control group (Group C). The statistical analysis has demonstrated that there is no significant difference of the changes from the baseline between Group T1 or Group T2 and control group (Group C). However, there are significant differences in the changes between Group T3 or Group T4 and control group (Group C). In Experiment 2, 230 broilers were divided into four groups: a control group (Group C, n = 50) and three treatment groups (Groups A, B, and D). The chickens in the two treatment groups (Groups A and B, nn = 60 each) were intravenously injected with ET-1 at 240 ng/kg and 360 ng/kg, respectively. Those in Group D (n = 60) were exposed to cool temperatures (10°C to 14°C). The PHS morbidity, right/total ventricular weight (RV/TV) ratio, PCV, plasma nitric oxide (NO), and PAP were recorded and statistically compared. The results showed that PHS mortality did not occur in Group C, and trends toward increases in PHS mortality in Groups A, B and D were not significant. The RV/TV ratio and PAP were higher in groups A, B and D than in group C. The values for PCV and plasma nitric oxide (NO) followed the same tendencies as the RV/TV ratio. The results suggest that ET-1 at higher doses (240 ng/kg to 360 ng/kg) can initiate pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy, leading to PHS in broilers.

The spruce-fir-beech dominated forest stands in Litschau in the Austrian part of the Bohemian Massif were converted by former forest management practices into pure Norway spruce stands and are now discussed to be reconverted into the potential natural vegetation type. The targeted potential natural vegetation type is usually defined by experts in vegetation sciences. Because meanwhile individual-tree growth simulators are a well acknowledged tool for predicting future forest stand development, in this study we investigate if PROGNAUS can also be used to predict the redevelopment of managed forest ecosystems into natural forest ecosystems regarding species composition. The development of 23 stands in Litschau has been simulated over 1,000 years under the "no-management" option. Generally, the simulated species distribution agrees quite well with the expectations of the potential natural vegetation type. However, the predicted amounts of silver fir and maple species are lower than expected, which probably is due to browsing and management effects represented in the parameterization data for PROGNAUS.

The fine root biomass represents 3,372 kg/ha in the intermediate stage of the beech virgin forest with different admixture of goat willow, where the vast majority of this biomass is located in the uppermost mineral soil layer 0-10 cm. The variability of the fine root biomass calculated from 35 sample points represents approximately 90% of the mean value and reaches the highest value within the humus layer. The total fine root length investigated in 10 cm thick soil layers decreases with increasing soil depth. A significant linear relationship between the fine root length (calculated per 1 cm thick soil layer and 1 m² of stand area) and the soil depth was confirmed, although the correlation is rather weak. The number of root tips decreases with increasing soil depth faster than the root length. As the number of tips per 1 cm of root length remains in the finest diameter class without significant changes, the reason is above all a decreased proportion of the finest root class (diameter up to 0.5 mm) from the total fine root length within the particular soil layer.

The article deals with the analysis of food market on the level of consumer prices structure, through the identification of margins in the selected food verticals and through the analysis of consumer behaviour associated with changes in prices and income of population. The article also discusses the factors which may affect the current growing trend in prices of food in the SR and worldwide and subsequently, the reduction of gap between the Slovak and the EU prices.