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The assay conditions needed to achieve maximal activity of liver and kidney arginase in diabetic and non-diabetic rats were investigated and compared. The physicochemical and kinetic properties of liver arginase in diabetic and control rats were very similar, those of kidney arginase were significantly different. It was found that preincubation temperature (68°C), preincubation period (20 min), optimum pH (10.1) of liver arginase and K_m (3.2) for its substrate, L-arginine, did not change in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. As a consequence of diabetes, the optimum Mn²⁺ concentration for liver arginase only changed from 1 to 2 mM. Although the preincubation temperature and period for activation of kidney arginase in control rats was unnecessary, they were found to be 56ºC and 12 min in diabetic rats. The pH profile of arginase in kidney of diabetic rats was different from that of control rats. The K_m value (6.7) of arginase for L-arginine in kidney is unchanged in diabetes whereas a marked decrease in V_max was found. Optimum Mn²⁺ concentration (2 mM) for kidney arginase was unchanged in diabetes. The activity of arginase in liver of diabetic animals was higher 1.5 to 1.7 times than that of controls. Diabetes caused an about 53% decrease of arginase activity in kidney of female rats, 26% in that of males. These findings may suggest an idea that encoded arginases by separate gene loci may be affected differently by the pathological and hormonal status.

The effects of the changeover from conventional parlour to an automatic milking system (AMS) on behaviour and physiological parameters in dairy cows with and without previous experience in AMS milking were investigated. Heart rate increase was higher in unexperienced cows (UC) than in experienced cows (EC) during the first AMS visit (31 ± 2 and 12 ± 2 beats per min, respectively, P < 0.05). EC entered the automatic milking stall voluntarily without any intervention by the staff. In contrast, in UC the rate of voluntary visits was 4, 26, 40, 49, 63, 72, 76, 89, 91 and 94% during the first 10 d of AMS milking, respectively. Faecal cortisol metabolites were not affected by the changeover. In UC milk ejection was disturbed during the first visits, i. e. mean milk yield at the first milking in the AMS was significantly lower as compared to that in the parlour (67 ± 7%, P < 0.05), whereas milk ejection in EC was not disturbed. The total milk yield of the first 15 milkings differed significantly in UC (87.3 ± 2.4%) and EC (108.8 ± 3.3%) as compared to previous parlour yields (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cows with previous experience to AMS milking did not need a new adaptation period in the AMS after a transient period of parlour milking. In contrast, UC do need an intensive adaptation to the AMS in order to minimise production loss. Data clearly demonstrate that an adequate adaptation is crucial for successful milk production in AMS.

The objective of this study was to obtain information about changes in cold hardiness of larch and silver fir seedlings during autumn and spring by help of measurements of electrolyte leakage from shoots (SEL) and root system (REL). The values of electrolyte leakage from the untreated (control) root system of silver fir decreased during autumn (from 28% on September 25 to 24% on November 27). Minimum values were reached on March 26. A decrease in electrolyte leakage was found for silver fir shoots (SEL) (the maximum was detected on October 2 - 12% and minimum on November 27 - 7%). Contrary to REL, SEL increased in March. The rate of electrolyte leakage from treated (after artificial frost) roots and shoots decreased during autumn (REL and SEL minimum on November 27). The change in the rate of electrolyte leakage from untreated larch roots was similar to that from silver fir roots during autumn. The values continually decreased from 26% (on September 25) to 12% (on November 27). The course of electrolyte leakage from the treated root system was similar for both species. The differences between electrolyte leakage from larch shoots (treated und untreated ones) were statistically significant, but without any clear tendency during autumn.

The paper deals with the occurrence, development and harmfulness of imported willow leaf beetle (Plagiodera versicolora Laich.) in riparian and accompanying stands of the Svratka and Svitava rivers in the region of Brno. Salix fragilis L. and S. × rubens Schr. are the most damaged species there. Imagoes leave wintering places usually at the beginning of May. During about a 60-day period, they damage ca. 23.3 cm² leaves of S. fragilis and lay 250 to 730 (on average 539) eggs. The whole egg-laying consists of 16 to 48 (on average 35.5) groups with 6 to 26 (on average 15.2) eggs. The fecundity of females hatched in the laboratory is minimally twice lower. Larvae hatch after 5 to 8 (in the laboratory after 4.3) days and damage about 282 mm² leaves. The development from laying eggs until hatching imagoes of the 1^st generation takes about 21 (in the laboratory about 15) days. Imagoes of the 1^st generation occur on trees from the end of May to mid-August and die after completing their reproduction. Plagiodera versicolora creates 3 to 4 (in the laboratory 4 to 6) generations during a year. The small part of imagoes of the 2^nd generation, predominant part (or all) imagoes of the 3^rd generation and under conditions of a tetravoltine development all imagoes of the 4^th generation enter a diapause. In the course of the growing season, the food consumption of imagoes and larvae decreases and fecundity of females markedly decreases. Schizonotus sieboldi (Ratz.), Medina melania (Meig.) and M. luctuosa (Meig.) rank among main enemies of Plagiodera versicolora.

The principal importance and global dimension of sustainable agriculture in frame of a strategy of civilization development is beyond discussion. The actual character of the topic of looking for ways to sustainable development is confirmed by the extensive worldwide program "Millennium Ecosystem Assessment" the purpose of which is to map and subsequently monitor the health of the planet Earth. The contribution is focused on various aspects of the non-substitutable role of agriculture regarding sustainable development on the level of developing and developed countries and on the regional and global level.

The effect of two commercially produced biopreparations on the originators of chestnut ink disease in Slovakia - soil fungi Phytophthora cambivora and Phytophthora cinnamomi was tested in laboratory conditions. Investigations of interrelations between Trichoderma harzianum (Pythium oligandrum) and isolates of Phytophthora sp. obtained from infected tissues of Castanea sativa Mill. proved more important inhibitive effects for Pythium oligandrum (biopreparation Polyversum); efficiency 25.3% (Ph. cambivora) and 26.2% (Ph. cinnamomi). Biopreparation Supresivit (Trichoderma harzianum) reached the efficiency 9.1% for Ph. cambivora isolates and 9.2% for Ph. cinnamomi isolates. Significant effect of the used bioformulas for inhibition of mycelial growth of both Phytophthora sp. and significant difference in the efficacy of two different bioformulas were confirmed statistically.

The paper is a part of solution of the grant awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture (NAZV) No. QF 3276 and analyzes the influence of the price level of imported bottled wine on the competition in the wine-production sector in the Czech Republic. The comparison of the industrial producers' prices in the Czech Republic with the average import prices of bottled wine in particular years brings us to conclusion that a threat for Czech producers is first the price of the imported table wine (white and red) at present. The average import prices of this wine category varied under the minimal average industrial producers' prices in 1998-2003. The average import price of the white table wine in containers up to 2 liters was 19 CZK per liter in 2003 and the minimal average industrial producers' price was 26.90 CZK per liter in the same year. The price level is higher in case of the red table wine in general, but the average annual import prices (in 2003, 23 CZK per liter) also varied under the minimal average industrial producers' prices in all analyzed years (in 2003, 29.70 CZK per liter). The situation is more positive for the Czech wine producers in case of the quality wine. There is a space for an increase in price. The average import prices were by 25 CZK per liter per year higher in average than the maximal industrial producers' prices in the Czech Republic in all analyzed years. However, while the average annual import price of the white quality wine increases (50 CZK per liter in 1998; 93 CZK per liter in 2003) and creates a bigger space for the Czech wine producers in the price policy, the average annual import prices of the red quality wine varied around 80 CZK per liter in all analyzed years.

In 1995-1997 seven varieties of potatoes were cultivated in field trials in twelve localities in the Czech Republic. Six of the twelve localities were situated in lower, warmer and drier areas with fertile, predominantly loamy soils. The other localities were situated in higher, colder and more humid areas. They represent traditional potato-growing areas in the Czech Republic. After harvest potato tubers of all varieties were analysed for resistance to mechanical damage, dry matter content, reducing sugar (RS) content, nitrate content, polyphenol content. Glycoalkaloid (GA) content was analysed only in Karin variety. In all experimental years potatoes cultivated at lower altitudes contained less RS (by 22%), less polyphenolic compounds (by 5.8%), higher percentage of tubers not mechanically damaged with the rebound pendulum (by 12.7%), compared to tubers from higher localities. On the other hand, tubers grown at lower altitudes contained more nitrates (by 26.8%) in all three years. Over the three years, the average of results in Karin variety did not demonstrate the influence of environmental conditions of the areas on GA content in tubers.

Twenty seven Pasteurella multocida rabbit isolates were characterised by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) generated by restriction endonuclease ApaI, and examined for the presence of capsule and fimbriae, and tested of haemolytic activity and endotoxin release in presence of rabbit plasma. Among the isolates a high number (n = 20) of different PFGE types was observed. All isolates were found to be encapsulated and four of them also possessed fimbriae. Although the presence of the aphA gene, conferring a haemolytic phenotype for Escherichia coli under anaerobic conditions, was indicated in all of the isolates by PCR, clear haemolytic activity was observed in only one isolate when grown anaerobically. All of the isolates grew easily in the presence of rabbit plasma which showed a high capacity to bind the released endotoxin.

Significance of a short-time survival test for the prediction of quality parameters of sperm obtained by gradient centrifugation was evaluated from an aspect of their functional resistance. Frozen semen samples from 27 bulls before and after separation were assessed by a 120-min survival test. The evaluation of morphological examination of ejaculates was carried out using the SASMO computer program. Statistically significant interrelationship between sperm quality parameters in the initial insemination doses, the amounts of obtained sperm after separation and their functional and vital resistance in the survival test was documented.

The paper presents the results of relatively long-term research focused on spoil bank revitalization pro-cesses in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin after the first three years of observations. The biological activity of soil (namely catalase and phosphatase activity), indicators of basal and potential soil respiration, ammonification and growth, development and nutrition status of forest plantations were selected as indicators of this revitalization process. These parameters were determined in five localities of different age of reclamation where different technological approaches and tree species compositions were used. The results confirm the distinct time dependence of revitalization processes. From the aspect of biological activity older reclamations are close to natural forest soil. The enrichment of top soil layer with organic matter before the plantation (by ploughing in cellulose fibres and peat addition) increased some parameters of soil biological activity. The positive amelioration effect of black alder (Alnus glutinosa) was also confirmed.

The effect of three seedling treatments: T₀, normal germination; T₁, cotyledons removed; T₂, cotyledons removed 5 days earlier than in T₁; and two phosphorus levels (P₀ and P₃₀) on nodulation and nodule function in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were investigated in nutrient solution culture. The number of nodules formed at P₀ was in the order T₂ > T₀ > T₁, but it was T₀ > T₂ > T₁ at P₃₀. Nodule dry weight per plant had the same tendency as the nodule number. Nodule size (dry weight per nodule) in seedlings ranged from 0.601 to 1.089 mg in the order T₀ > T₁ > T₂, regardless of P level. For example, nodule size in T₀ was larger by 86% and 52% than T₂ at P₀ and P₃₀, respectively. Furthermore, regardless of P level, a specific acetylene reduction activity (ARA, µM C₂H₄/h/g nodule) increased with P content in seedlings, but no significant difference was found (P < 0.05). Leghemoglobin (Lb) content was not significantly affected by P level; however, seedlings (T₀ and T₁) significantly affected the Lb content per unit plant biomass (P < 0.05). All these results suggest that seedling P content plays a key role in nodulation and nodule function of soybean.

Chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were carried out on two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars Arabi Abiad and Arabi Aswad at 8 and 14 days after emergence to identify their early tolerance mechanism for heavy metals (25 and 50μM of cadmium and lead). Transient fluorescence curves (OJIP curves) and energy flux models showed different specific reactions of photosystem II (PSII) of each cultivar to each type of stress. After 7 days of lead stress application plants of cv. A. Aswad showed weaker I and P peaks on the OJIP curve than control plants, and the appearance of a new K step; parameters of phenomenological energy fluxes for cv. A. Abiad were similar to those for control plants and only some silent reaction centers appeared. Generally, parameters of energy fluxes within PSII were directly shifted shortly (24 h) after the application of both heavy metals, especially in the case of plants grown under cadmium treatment. This suggests that these parameters could be good indicators for monitoring of these two pollutants in the environment at early stages of plant development.

An evaluation of the linear description of type in 494 horses of the Old Kladrub breed for 32 traits was used to analyse the effect of variety, stud, sex, year of birth and age at description. A linear model with fixed effects was used. The highest coefficient of variation was calculated for the forelimb side-view (40.14%), chest girth (36.25%) and height at withers (30.97%). 28 out of 32 traits were in the range from 7 to 9 utilized scores. The descriptor used a very high number of scores of the scale. Significant differences between both varieties were found in 13 out of 32 traits. Significant differences were found in 12 out of 32 traits between the Kladruby stud farm and the private studs. There is no reasonable explanation of this fact. A significant variety × stud interaction was recorded in only 7 traits. Significant differences between stallions and mares were recorded in a large number of front and body traits (in 11 out of 18 traits) and in 2 rear traits. Despite of a remarkable number of significant differences between the years of birth (in 18 out of 32 traits) and age at description (in 13 out of 32 traits) both factors are not the important ones for the selection of horses according to the type traits. The description of type traits, performance recording and selection are carried out in the population of four-years-old horses born in the given year. The age at description does not play a role because all horses are now described each year at a standard age of four years. The linear description of type is an important tool for the breeding and conservation of genetic diversity within the breed.

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

The aim of the study was to investigate the acute toxicity of 2-phenoxyethanol to sheatfish, and using the values of haematological and biochemical profiles of blood and histological tissue examinations to assess the effects of the fish exposure to that anaesthetic. The values of acute toxicity of 2-phenoxyethanol to sheatfish were found to be 10minLC50 0.77 ml/l, 10minLC0.1 0.42 ml/l, 10minLC99.9 1.90 ml/l, 96hLC50 0.29 ml/l, 96hLC0.1 0.20 ml/l, and 96hLC99.9 0.41 ml/l. The 10-min exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol at a concentration of 0.30 ml/l caused significantly higher values (P < 0.05) of packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), glucose (GLU) and albumins (ALB) immediately after anaesthesia. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the values of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were found 24 h post anaesthesia. Histological examinations showed capillary ectasia of gill filaments immediately after 2-phenoxyethanol anaesthesia. Twenty-four hours after anaesthesia, no ectasia was observed. No histopathological changes were demonstrated in other tissues (liver, spleen, cranial and caudal kidneys) following anaesthesia. The results of examinations suggest that the use of 2-phenoxyethanol at a concentration of 0.30 ml/l does not cause any irreversible damage in sheatfish.

The growth, survival, damage and provenance × environment interactions of 30 provenances of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) from Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, were analyzed at the age of 26 years. Significant effects of altitude and site quality but no geographic trends were dectected in the series of 5 provenance plots. Correlation of growth and survival appeared to be insignificant at individual plots and their series. The highest differentiation among provenances was revealed on the plots at the minimum and maximum altitudes (350 and 950 m). Several Slovak (Western-Carpathian) provenances proved to grow significantly better than the average at nearly all plots, and also exhibited insignificant provenance × site interaction. Indigenous provenances from the southern part of the Western Carpathians showed higher adaptability to sites in lower altitudes with longer vegetation but seasonal water deficiency.

Damage caused by bark peeling and browsing by red deer to Picea abies was investigated in two localities in the Českomoravská vrchovina Highlands. 127 experimental plots of 50 × 50 m in size were monitored in stands aged from 15 to 93 years. In total, 44% of 16,700 inspected trees were damaged by bark peeling and browsing. The area of gaping wounds varied from 50 to 1,650 cm². Stem decay affected 68% of the damaged trees. Some properties of the decay were analysed from 200 sample trees felled on the plots. Bark peeling damage occurred when the trees were 4 to 48 years old. Decayed wood accounted for 22-70% (mean 42%) of the merchantable stem volume of sample trees. The mean rate of the vertical decay spread was 17.4 cm per year (ranging from 4-63 cm per year). Mean decay volume correlated positively and mean spreading rate correlated negatively with the time elapsed from the bark peeling damage occurrence.

The article is dealing with the evaluation of socio-economic development in Slovakia from the point of view of urban and the rural regions in 1999-2005, based on analysis of regional socio-economic indicators. This development is characterised by deepening differentiation between the urban and rural districts in the demographic structure of population, employment, unemployment, level of wages and salaries and private enterprising activities. Demographic structure in the rural regions, compared to the urban regions, is characterised by the increase of the share of population in post-productive age, ageing index and the unfavourable index of economic burden. Employment in the rural regions decreased at a more rapid rate than in the urban regions. From the unemployment point of view, there are significant regional differences in the SR. The worst affected are the regions of Eastern and south of Central Slovakia which suffer from the underdeveloped economic infrastructure, lower level of education, bankruptcy of the dominant industrial employers and a large share of agrarian population, where impact of transformation measures was the most severe. Unemployment rate in the rural regions was 2.2 times higher than in the urban regions in 2005. Growth rate of average wages and salaries is slower in the rural regions compared to the urban ones and the average of the SR. In the period of 1999-2005, the level of average wages and salaries in the rural regions accounted for 62.4% of average wages and salaries in the urban regions, during which the time trend of increasing wage disparity was continuing all the time. The trend of utilisation of cheap labour force for short part-time jobs is evident, particularly in the rural regions, which is in contrast to the growth of the standard of living and sustainable development of underdeveloped regions. The differentiation of economic level between urban and the rural regions is expressed also in the share of entrepreneurial entities in economically active population which tells against the rural regions in spite of the diminished differentiation in this indicator in 1999-2005. The declining rate of growth in number of entrepreneurs in the urban regions is a consequence of the saturation of spatial and employment opportunities, while there is a substantially larger potential of acceleration of private enterprising in the rural regions. Continuation of this development leads to the socially unacceptable differentiation and undesirable development of dual economies in the country and that is why it is necessary to solve this issue as a priority within the framework of the strategy of economic development of the SR.

The basic concept of malt barley production is to reach a dilution effect of nitrogen accumulated by grains at maturity. A three-year study was undertaken to establish time courses of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) in leaves as the prerequisite tool for total grain yield prognosis. Sulphur application at the lowest rate of 25 kg/ha significantly increased yields of grain in 2001 and 2003. The time course of N and S concentrations in leaves over the growing season showed declining trends for N and variable for S. At mid tillering (BBA-25) both N and S, but at BBA-31 only N concentrations significantly responded to S rates, and in turn affected patterns of N concentration in barley organs up to maturity. Sulphur concentrations and N:S ratios were useful tools to make reliable prognosis of total grain yield of barley at BBA-31 as indicated by the obtained regression equations. The threshold values for N and S in leaves in order to achieve the maximum total grain yield are 0.4% for S and 8.0 for the N:S ratio as presented by the graphical procedure.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of MHS-genotype and feeding regime on the growth and development of muscle and fatty tissue in the whole body as well as in hams of hybrid pigs. The experiment was carried out on 72 barrows that were divided into 4 groups regarding the MHS-genotype (NN and Nn) and feeding regime (standard and intensive). Data necessary to determine the volume of examined tissues were obtained by means of magnetic resonance tomography. During the fattening period there were no statistically significant differences between pig groups with respect to total lean content of the body although the feeding regime effect in the finishing fattening phase was on the margin of statistical significance (P = 0.057). Differences between investigated groups with respect to the lean content in hams were not significant either. Results of this research lead to a conclusion that different feeding regimes and MHS genetic status of pigs do not have a significant influence on the growth of muscle and fatty tissue in hams.

Slow-Release Fertilizers (SRF) Silvamix Forte and Silvagen were tested in two-year experiments with container-grown woody plants (Pyracantha coccinea, Thuja occidentalis). Several fertilizing systems were compared: preplant application of SRF into substrate as the sole nutrient source for a two-year period, preplant application of SRF and soluble fertilizer (PG Mix), and preplant application of SRF and soluble fertilizer together with additional fertilizing by solution of nitrogen fertilizer during both growing periods. A system with controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) Osmocote 5-6 was chosen as a control variant; it was incorporated into substrate before planting in the first year and top-dressed in the second year. CRF Plantacote 6M (mixed into substrate before planting and top-dressed in the second year) and Osmocote 16-18 applied only before planting were tested, too. The experiments showed that SRF Silvamix Forte and Silvagen give results comparable with CFR provided that they were incorporated together with soluble ferti-lizer dose and plants were fertilized by solution of nitrogen fertilizer during both growing periods.

The contribution demonstrates gynaecomastia in an adult, noncastrated tom-cat, caused by an antiandrogenic preparation Androcur tablets (Schering AG, BRD), administrated at the dose of 5 mg/day for one week. Two months after the treatment, the enlargement of all mammary glands was apparent and one month later (i.e. three months after the end of drug administration) the mammary chains reached the size of 30 × 15 × 20 cm. The general health state of the animal was altered due to the conspicuous enlargement and inflammation of mammary glands. Radical mastectomy was done under general anaesthesia using Isoflurane Rhone-Poulenc inh. The weight of the extirpated mammary chains was 1.75 kg. The healing of operative wounds and convalescence occurred without complications. Fibroepithelial hyperplasia of mammary glands was diagnosed histologically.

In 2001-2005, the effects of game on the condition and development of natural regeneration of a floodplain forest were studied in three permanent transects in the Vrapač National Nature Reserve (NNR). Fraxinus excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer campestre and Acer platanoides predominated in the regeneration. The species were markedly damaged by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) browsing, the most affected being Acer pseudoplatanus. In spite of always newly occurring trees from self-seeding, the abundance of trees decreased during the studied period, self-seeding did not grow up from a height of 30-40 cm, the proportion of Acer pseudoplatanus decreased and that of Fraxinus excelsior increased. In addition to browsing, in 2003 and 2005 browsing damage to bark was noted in some places and in 2005 also the breaking of trees with subsequent browsing of terminal shoots, the causal agent of both types of damage being fallow deer. The development of natural regeneration is limited in principle by trophic preferences of game and by the tolerance of particular species to repeated damage. On the basis of these conditions it is necessary to consider the present game stock to be contradictory with objectives of area protection and preservation.

The authors elaborated a new complex methodical approach to the evaluation of necrotic disease of beeches. They used two evaluation scales: a scale for the evaluation of stems and a scale for the evaluation of beech crowns. A four-degree scale for the evaluation of necrotisation of crowns completed the existing five-degree scale for the evaluation of necrotisation of stems. Combination of both these scales into one methodical approach produced the third, complex scale for the evaluation of necrotisation of whole trees. The proposed combined scale is recommended for the monitoring of beech necroses.

The study has been elaborated on the basis of a continuous analysis of economic results of a selected sample of agricultural enterprises operating in different climatic and productional conditions. Long-term tendencies and their influencing factors are defined on the basis of this analysis. The goal of this study is to evaluate the influence of external conditions on the economy of agricultural enterprises and on their economic results and to analyze the influence of the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU on the change of economic conditions of agricultural enterprises. On the basis of this study, the authors measures which would intensify the influence of agricultural enterprising on the rural development and which would improve the quality of life of rural inhabitants.

This paper analyses the enforcement of the 2003 CAP reform in 5 countries of the West European Union: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom. The reform gives multiple possibilities of adaptation at a national or regional level. Two standard strategies are foreseen: that of the States which mobilized to the maximum the innovations that the reform allowed, and that of the States which have chosen the option of a minimal application, to limit the effects of reorientation of the productions (maximum sectors remain coupled) or of the redistribution of the payments (historical references). The great diversity of the conditions of agricultural production is one of the main explanations of the differences of enforcement of the reform. We analyse the first impacts of the reform. One can generally expect that the market of entitlements will be a priori limited, because of the links of the entitlements to land. The regionalisation of the calculation of the entitlements is incontestably the mechanism, which introduces the most redistributive effects, compared to the individual historical references. We examine also the consequences of the Single Payment System (SPS) on land rent and land market.

The contribution presents the findings of the third phase of an extensive survey, the main goal of which was the identification of factors stimulating or restricting the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises. It comprises the outcomes of the comparative analysis aimed at the comparison of groups of small and medium-sized enterprises and the model enterprise according to areas influencing founders' entrepreneurial activities.

The frequency of occurrence of four Fusarium spp. on wheat in the Moravia region, Czech Republic, was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Grain samples were collected during 2003-2006 at grain purchase centres. The dominant species was F. graminearum, which was recorded in all samples of the first 3 years of the study and in 88% of them in 2006. The previously more frequent F. culmorum was detected in 100 % of the samples only in 2005; in the preceding two years the frequency of its detection was lower, 84% and 60%, and in 2006 it was detected in 55% of the samples. Fusarium avenaceum had a very low occurrence in the years 2003-2004, but in 2005 it was recorded in 100% of the samples. In 2006 it was the opposite - total absence of this species. A quite different situation was found in the occurrence of the fourth species - F. poae. In the years 2005 and 2006 it was only detected in 10%, resp. 2% of the samples, compared to markedly higher occurrences in the previous years. A comparison of the current weather development with the long-term mean at the Troubsko locality suggests that years with a relatively long, wet and cold start of the growing season and warmer end of vegetation (late May-July) will favour F. graminearum.