Fulltext search in archive

Bakery characteristics of wheat dough and the final product and their predictability by NIR technique was investigated using 231 variety and commercial wheat samples (crop years 2003-2005). The behaviour of doughs was assessed with Brabender maturograph and OTG (Germany), the final product quality was evaluated by the baking test and image analysis. NIR spectra of flours were acquired on a NIRSystem 6500 spectrometer. Calibration equations for the selected rheological characteristics were computed by WINISI II using mPLS regression. The quality of prediction was evaluated by means of coefficients of correlation between measured and predicted values from cross and independent validation. A statistically significant dependence (with probability higher than 99%) was found with all rheological characteristics. The standard errors of cross-validation were achieved as follows: dough elasticity 16 BU, bread volume (11 min) 58 BU, specific loaf volume 34 cm³/100 g, bread cut area 2.6 cm^{2, penetration 4.1 mm, average cell area 0.4 mm2 and cells per cm2 7.4.}

We conducted a pot experiment to evaluate the Cd and Zn accumulation in leaves and roots of Salix smithiana (BOKU-03DE-001) and S. caprea (BOKU-01AT-004) clones grown on a metal-contaminated soil as affected by native microbes extracted from the same experimental soil, and the fungus Cadophora finlandica. Plant biomass production of S. smithiana was decreased in all the treatments compared to the sterilized control. In contrast, S. caprea grew best on the non-sterilized soil. Similar effects were observed for plant Zn and Cd contents. Microbial treatments affected metal accumulation differently in the two Salix species. The effects of the microbial treatments on biomass and metal content of leaves were not related to the degree of mycorrhization. A comparison with literature data suggests that the plant response to microbial inoculation in terms of metal accumulation may depend on the plant-internal metal concentration. Our findings also illustrate a difficulty of successful rhizosphere management using metal-tolerant microbial isolates to further enhance the phytoextraction process.

This experiment investigated the effect of olive cake in the feed of weaned Pramenka lambs on their daily gain, carcass traits and on the chemical composition of different groups of muscles. For that purpose, 45 male lambs were divided into three groups with 15 lambs each and fed separately for 50 days. The first group (control) was fed a commercial concentrate, while the second and third (test) groups were fed a concentrate with the addition of 15% and 30% olive cake, respectively. The results showed that the high level of olive cake inclusion (30%) decreased (P < 0.01) daily gain, final weight, empty carcass weight and (P < 0.05) dressing percentage of lambs. The olive cake resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0.01) proportion of stomach and intestines in the carcass compared to the control. The content of fat, proteins and dry matter in all the analyzed groups of muscles was lowest in the carcasses of lambs fed olive cake. The results of this research suggest that the addition of 15% of olive cake to the concentrate had no significant negative effect on daily gain, carcass weight and dressing percentage of lambs.

The object of an experiment was inorganic and organic forms of zinc, copper and manganese applied in mineral mixtures to dairy cows. The experiment was carried out on 90 cows with average milk yield for previous lactation of about 9 500 kg milk. The cows received mineral mixtures containing inorganic or organic forms of zinc, copper and manganese for 6 weeks before calving and during the first three months of lactation. The application of microelements as bioplexes in amounts covering 30% of daily requirements of cows had a positive effect on an increase in colostrum dry matter content from 20.9 to 23.35% as well as on the concentration of protein and fat, and the level of minerals - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and copper. In cows' milk in the 2^nd and 3^rd month of lactation there were no differences in contents of minerals. However in the blood serum of cows in the 1^st and 2^nd month of lactation an increase in calcium concentration from 1.96 to 2.14 g/kg was observed while the content of phosphorus also increased average from 1.76 to 2.22 g/kg in the first trimester of lactation.

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.

Nine plots on transect situated through the ridge of Nature Reserve (NR) Voskop (Protected Landscape Area Český kras) demonstrate local vegetation variability. Ordinations with some transformation phytosociological relevés showed possible development trends.

Long term experiments, which simulated storage of celery (Apium graveolens) under industrial (airconditioned store)/household (common cellar) conditions, were carried out. Several celery cultivars from both organic and/or conventional production were monitored for furanocoumarins levels for 16-26 weeks. The increase of furanocoumarin concentrations during the storage of all the tested celery cultivars was observed, nevertheless, the extent of toxicants accumulation differed among tested cultivars. The changes of furanocoumarin levels occurring during processing of vegetables were studied, too. Levels of both linear (psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, trioxsalen, isopimpinellin) and angular (angelicin, sphondin, isobergapten) furanocoumarins in tested vegetable were determined by validated GC/MS (SIM) method. The detection limits (LODs) obtained by this analytical method were around 0.003 mg/kg.

Feeding selectivity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) juveniles (9.3-20.9 g) to four aquatic macrophyte species and tilapia growth were studied in 4 consecutive experiments. Plant diet was provided to 8 tanks containing 20 fishes for 5 days. The fish were fed a carp diet between 4 experiments for 14 days. The consumption of 4 aquatic macrophyte species differed significantly [F(3,252) = 39.6; P < 10^-6]. Elodea canadensis was the most preferred plant (Chesson selectivity index = 0.50 ± 0.05, n = 4). Potamogeton pectinatus and Spirodela polyrhiza were consumed with about equal preference. Myriophyllum spicatum was the least preferred species. Elodea canadensis contained relatively more phosphorus, potassium and ash than the other three species. The daily plant dry weight intake ranged between 0.79 and 2.26% of body weight. The fish grew during the first two experiments (SGR = 2.54 and 3.18%/d, respectively), but lost weight during the 3rd and 4th experiments (SGR = -1.75 and -1.71%/d, respectively).

In this study experiments primarily aimed at the needs of specification of an adequate soil reserve of labile sulphur were extended by investigations of the impact on interactions in nutrient uptake by a test barley plant. Vegetation (18-day) experiments under controlled conditions of cultivation were conducted on a diverse set of 48 soils from agricultural lands. Before barley sowing the experimental set of soils was divided into two variants: A - control (with NH₄Cl application) and B - response variant [with (NH₄)₂SO₄ application], and a uniform dose of 26 mg N/kg soil was used. After the experiment terminated, concentrations of N, N-NO₃^-, S, S-SO₄^2-, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Mn and B were determined. Paired t-test revealed significant differences between the sets of data on variants A and B in barley yield and concentrations of sulphur, sulphate, nitrate, phosphorus and boron in barley plants. Sulphate variant (B) had higher yield of barley, higher concentrations of sulphur, sulphate and boron and lower concentrations of nitrate and phosphorus compared to variant A. The lower concentrations of nitrate and phosphorus could not be reasoned by the effect of dilution resulting from the higher barley yield. A substantial decrease in nitrate concentration was related to better utilisation of plant nitrogen after the nutrient status of soil was adjusted with sulphur. Phosphorus concentration in barley adequately corresponded to the soil reserve of labile phosphorus, but only after the phosphorus concentration in barley markedly decreased to the lower level in (sulphate) variant B. Higher concentration of boron in barley could potentially be related to the depression of phosphorus uptake after sulphate application.

Temperature plays a key role in the time needed for development of Tetranychus urticae. It developed fastest at 35°C (6.50 d) and 30°C (6.93 d), while at 15°C it took 16.23 d. The higher the temperature, the faster the development of the mite. As to host plants involved, T. urticae developed fastest on Phaseolus vulgaris (9.42 d), followed by Cucumis sativus (10.26 d) and Capsicum annuum (10.92 d). Fecundity was highest at a temperature of 30°C (89.1 eggs), and lowest at 15°C (58.6 eggs). The fecundity of female mites increased with temperatures up to 30°C, but at 35°C it had decreased (71.08 eggs). The host plant influenced female fecundity to a limited extent; the average on Phaseolus vulgaris was 79.28 eggs, 71.48 on Capsicum annuum and 71.22 on Cucumis sativus.

In the present paper genetic relationships of twenty varieties of cashew are described on the basis of morphological characters and RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers. Results obtained for the phenotypic characters based on similarity coefficient were divided into four clusters with 70% similarity. By means of similarity coefficients (SG), cluster I was found to consist of twelve varieties. Cluster II consisted of a single variety, NRCC-1, cluster III consisted of six varieties and cluster IV had only one variety, Vridhachalam-2. The analysis started by using RAPD markers that allowed us to distinguish 20 varieties. A total of 80 distinct DNA fragments ranging from 0.2 to 3.0 kb were amplified by using 11 selected random 10-mer primers. Genetic similarity analysis was conducted for the presence or absence of bands in the RAPD profile. Cluster analysis clearly showed that 20 varieties of cashew grouped into two major clusters based on similarity indices. The first major cluster comprised one minor cluster. The other major cluster was divided into two sub-minor clusters, one sub-minor cluster having three varieties and the other sub-minor cluster was represented by 15 varieties. Among the 20 varieties, Ullal-3 and Dhana (H-1608) showed the highest similarity indices (87%). It was noted that Vengurla-2 and Vengurla-3 were not grouped into a single cluster but Vengurla-4 has 82% similarity to Vengurla-3. The variety Vengurla-2 has very close similarity (85%) with variety Vridhachalam-3 (M-26/2). The analysis of genetic relationships in cashew using morphological traits and RAPD banding data can be useful for plant improvement, descriptions of new varieties and also for assessment of variety purity in plant certification programmes.

The influence of seed inoculation with a bio-preparation of nodule bacteria Rhizobium leguminosarum, fertilization of 0, 40, 80, 120 kg N/ha and molybdenum topdressing on the yield of green mass, dry matter, seed, average number of pods per plant, average number of seeds per pod, average nodule number per plant, nodule dry weight as well as plant and seed protein concentration were studied during the two years of investigations on two soils - Mollic Gleysols and Eutric Cambisols. The highest values of all investigated parameters were obtained in the inoculated seed variants with molybdenum application, except the average nodule number per plant where the highest values were achieved in variants without molybdenum. The effect of nitrogen fertilization depended on the soil type, i.e. its chemical properties. The largest number of the investigated parameters obtained the highest values as a result of fertilization with 40 kg N/ha on Mollic Gleysols (3.96% humus). Thus, seed yield was 4.02 t/ha, nodule dry matter 0.482 g per plant whereas seed protein concentration was 26.91%. The largest number of the investigated parameters on Eutric Cambisols (1.07% humus) obtained the highest values with fertilization of 80 kg N/ha where seed yield amounted to 3.65 t/ha, nodule dry matter 0.456 g per plant while seed protein concentration was 26.48%.

Five apple cultivars from the Czech Republic and 26 selections from the same country (a majority of them were resistant to scab) were included in the present study. M. robusta strain (Nr. 5) was used as a control with the highest level of resistance to fire blight. Another 7 cultivars with different levels of resistance or susceptibility to the disease were also evaluated. Selena and Nabella were found to be resistant, whereas Angold, Resista and Topaz were susceptible. Two HL selections were previously identified as highly resistant, 3 selections as medium resistant and 7 others as moderately susceptible. The rest of the 14 selections ranged from very high susceptible to medium susceptible. A high level of resistance was confirmed in 3 cultivars from Dresden-Pillnitz: Reanda, Remo and Rewena. Comparison of the parentage of the tested cultivars or selections with their level of resistance to fire blight suggests that most of the resistance comes from Malus floribunda, which was used in the course of their breeding as a donor of scab resistance. In one case, the source of the fire blight resistance was Starking Delicious cv.

Analysis of sperm parameters is very important for predicting the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques and is necessary for determination of fertility potential of males tested for artificial insemination. In our study we have determined the level of bull and boar sperm DNA damage by Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). This test is based on increased susceptibility of altered DNA (strand breaks) in sperm nuclear chromatinto in situ denaturation measured by flow cytometry after staining with acridine orange (AO). Sperm chromatin damage was quantified by percentages of spermatozoa with detectable DNA Fragmentation Index - DFI divided into moderate (m-DFI) and high (h-DFI) DFI. Percentage of immature cells (HDS; cells with High DNA Stainability) was also evaluated. We measured sperm SCSA parameters in a total of 37 bulls in two groups from different localities and 68 boar samples from one locality. Significantly higher percentage of spermatozoa with detectable DFI was detected in six bulls (16.2%) and a significantly higher percentage of immature cell forms (HDS) was found in other six bulls (16.2%) among all tested bulls. The mean percentages of spermatozoa with h-DFI and HDS of bulls from the second group were statistically higher than those from the first group (P < 0.01). Five boars (7.4%) of all tested boars had significantly higher percentage of spermatozoa with DFI and 18 boars (26.5%) had significantly higher percentage of sperm with HDS compared to the other boars. Both percentages of spermatozoa with DFI and HDS were significantly higher in one boar compared to the others. Boars had significantly higher percentages of spermatozoa with h-DFI and HDS (P < 0.0001) in comparison to bulls. For individual bulls, the highest percentages of spermatozoa with DFI and HDS were 20.8% and 3.5%, respectively while for boars these were 17.6% and 10.2%, respectively. No significant correlations were found between percentages of spermatozoa with DFI and HDS. This sensitive procedure seems to be convenient as additional method for semen quality detection in farm animals before their exploitation in breeding.

We performed intensive rearing of larvae of the nase Chondrostoma nasus (L.) in a feeding experiment until 21 days from the initiation of exogenous nutrition under laboratory conditions at a temperature 26°C. Two dry starter feeds (a feed for salmonids and a starter feed of the artificial plankton type) differing in the composition of nutrients (50% and 60% of proteins, 12% and 16% of fat, respectively) and natural food (Artemia salina nauplii) were used. Cumulative survival rate, individual weight (w), total length (TL), specific weight growth rate (SWGR), specific length growth rate (SLGR) and condition factor (CF) were assessed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical processing of data. High survival rate 99.3% and the highest (P < 0.01) growth rate of nase larvae (TL = 22.0 mm, w = 69.2 mg) were found when feeding the natural food. The application of dry feed of the artificial plankton type resulted in higher survival (98.8%) and significantly higher (P < 0.01) growth of both length and weight (TL = 17.5 mm, w = 42.5 mg) compared to the nase fed with dry feed for salmonids (survival rate 77.3%, TL = 15.9 mm, w = 24.5 mm). In the course of the experiment the value of Fulton’s coefficient increased from initial 0.57 to 0.79 in fish fed with artificial plankton to 0.65 in fish fed with natural food and to 0.61 if dry feed for salmonids was used. We conclude that with an appropriate starter feed the successful intensive rearing of larval nase can be carried out under controlled conditions.

Fifty-one grapevine cultivars registered in the Czech Republic were a subject of RAPD analysis. Nine grapevine varieties which were supposed to be genetically distant, were analysed by means of 120 Operon primers during the initial screening of RAPD method. Sixteen primers producing reproducible and polymorphic bands were then used for amplification of all registered varieties. A dendrogram of genetic relationships and a methodology of identification of each variety were created. The resultant dendrogram mostly corresponds with known information about the origin and genetic relationships of the varieties. It is necessary to use the combination of RAPD markers for identification of each variety. It was possible to identify 26 out of 51 varieties registered in the Czech Republic by RAPD markers without any problems. Nine varieties were identifiable only on the basis of present and absent markers. Some varieties were very close relatives - they formed remote clusters. It was not possible to distinguish between them by RAPD method. Two varieties were not identifiable by the designed key.