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Cadmium mobility in sewage sludge amended by four types of ameliorative materials (lime, limestone, bentonite and zeolite) incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for eight months was studied in the experiment. The most statistically significant decrease of available Cd extracted by 0.01 mol/l CaCl₂ was recorded in sludge between second and fourth months of incubation. As most effective stabilizers were found limestone and bentonite added into the sludge incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions respectively. The presence of air reduced Cd mobility in individual sludges more than lack of air. Cadmium was separated by sequential extraction into five fractions as water soluble, exchangeable, bound with Fe and Mn oxides, organically bound, and residual fraction. Sequential analysis showed decrease of Cd in exchangeable and oxide fractions in sludge treated by lime and limestone at the end of aerobic incubation. Cadmium was found in water soluble and exchangeable fractions in small portion, even so its content in these fractions was higher than determined in slighter 0.01 mol/l CaCl₂ solution.

In the years 1999-2003 the effect of covering rows of early potatoes with non-woven fleece on the yield formation, dry matter content in tubers, temperature of soil and of air in ground layer was investigated. Covering of rows enhanced the market yield of tubers at early harvest 60 days after planting in average by 35.8% in comparison with the uncovered control. At harvest 67 days after planting the difference in advantage of the covered variant were 17.2% and 85 days after planting the difference in yield between variants was already non significant. The yield effect of the fleece was affected by year (higher effect in the years with cold spring) and by variety (Impala responded at 60 days after planting by yield increase under fleece 43.7%, Adora 27.9%). Higher dry matter content of tubers by 0.87% was found in covered plants 60 days after planting in comparison with control. Cover enhanced average air temperature in ground layer by 2.0°C, in soil in depth 100 mm by 1.8°C.

Three groups of Brown fattened young bulls were studied, comparing the effects of rearing method (suckled vs. bucket reared) and of slaughter weight (400 vs. 480 kg). Suckled animals had higher fatness scores (2.2 vs. 1.3), more dissectible fat (14.5 vs. 9.1%), and higher intramuscular fat content (7.8 vs. 4.6%DM), accompanied by better scores in sensory tenderness (5.2 vs. 3.8) than did the bucket-reared ones. Animals slaughtered at a heavier weight showed a higher dressing percentage (57.5 vs. 53.8%), conformation score (9.2 vs. 6.2), and fat content (fatness score, dissectible fat and intramuscular fat). The meat from animals in the heavier group had lower a* (12.4 vs. 14.2) and higher b* (10.8 vs. 12.9) indexes, as well as higher scores in most sensory traits than the lighter ones.

Two-year data from terminal study conducted to evaluate post-weaning growth and carcass traits of Texel, Suffolk and Columbia sired offspring were used to evaluate the effect of breed on cultural energy expenditure of lamb production. Each year whiteface ewes (n = 82) composed of primarily Polypay × Dorset ewes were exposed to Texel, Suffolk or Columbia rams for 35 days in the breeding season. The ewes were wintered outdoors on average-quality lucerne hay according to NRC (1985) requirements and were not provided any concentrate during late gestation or lactation. A total of 279 lambs were born with an average of 1.7 lambs per ewe and weaned lambs were used in the study. The lambs were weaned on average at 70 days of age and lambs from each sire breed were placed either in feedlot or on pasture. Texel and Suffolk sired lambs had higher weaning weight than Columbia sired lambs (P < 0.01). Lambs in the feedlot were fed shelled maize and pelleted protein supplement. Lambs on pasture grazed for 63 days and received 455 g concentrate daily and later they were placed in the feedlot. For the cultural energy analysis, pasture establishment and maintenance, feed in feedlot and on pasture, transportation, labour, machinery, electricity and other inputs were calculated and corresponding values for each input were obtained from literature. It was assumed for the analysis that 20 percent of ewes were culled and lambs sold after weaning were included in the analysis. Texel and Columbia breeds had a higher energy input per kg live weight than Suffolk breed (P < 0.04). There was no difference between breeds in terms of energy input per kg carcass (P > 0.4). Suffolk breed had a lower cultural energy ratio for the protein energy output than Columbia and Texel breed (P < 0.02). Energy output ratio defined as kjoule input/kjoule output was better for Suffolk breed and it was different from that of Columbia and Texel breed (P < 0.03).

To determine specific characteristics necessary for the computation of the C factor in RUSLE for timevariable crops, measurements were carried out in fields with selected agricultural crops grown by conventional practices. Sloping plots on an experimental area in Třebsin locality and farm fields were used to measure surface runoff and soil loss by erosion in conditions of natural and simulated rainfall. Basic characteristics to compute the C factor were determined in the particular growth phases of selected crops - sunflower, flax, poppy and rape. Effective root mass, canopy cover and fall height of rain drops were measured.

An extent of the damage of Austrian pine trees was evaluated in urban greenery in selected sites in Slovak Republic during the years 2004-2005. Fungi Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.: Fr.) Dyko & B. Sutton (syn. Diplodia pinea (Desm.) J. Kickx fil) and Pestalotia sp. were diagnosed on all observed trees. Symptoms of the disease were recorded. S. sapinea was isolated successfully from needles and from cone scales. The growth rate of hyphae of mycelium and the mean daily growth were evaluated on three types of cultivated media at different temperatures. The highest mean daily growth of mycelium was recorded on maltose agar at 25°C after 24 hours of cultivation (31.7 mm). Conidia of S. sapinea and Pestalotia sp. on water agar began to germinate after 3 and 2 hours, respectively. After 6 hours the mean germination rate of conidia of S. sapinea was 81.75% (from cone) and 89.3% (from needles); for Pestalotia it was 88.5%.

The aim of the study was to verify under experimental conditions the hypothesis that a reliable protection of piglets against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) infection can be obtained by colostrum-derived antibodies and/or a low-dose infection from sows naturally infected with App. Twenty-eight piglets were allocated into four groups. Piglets of groups 1A and 1B were the progeny of App-seronegative sows, piglets of groups 2A and 2B originated from App-seropositive sows. At the age of 4 weeks, piglets in groups 1A and 2A were exposed to a low infection dose with the pathogenic strain of App serotype 9 (4 × 10⁴ CFU/ml). At the age of 8 weeks, all four groups of piglets were exposed to the App serotype 9 challenge (2.5 × 10⁷ CFU/ml). We compared the differences in clinical, radiological, pathological changes and cytological findings in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples between groups with different levels of antigen-specific immunity after challenge. Piglets that obtained colostrum-derived antibodies and experienced a low-dose App infection were best protected against App challenge. More apparent clinical and pathological changes were observed in groups protected with either only colostrum-derived antibodies or active immunity induced by a preceding low-dose infection. However, none of the types of protection prevented developing of the disease and characteristic changes in the lungs. Cell counts changes in blood and lavage gave evidence of only bacterial infection in progress; however, between-group differences were not marked. Antibodies (IgG, IgA) present in the respiratory tract at the time of challenge played a major role in protection against App infection.

3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) is a tissue bound toxic metabolite derived from the nitrofuran antibiotic, furazolidone. AOZ is detected in the derivatised form of 3-{[(2-nitrophenyl) methylene] amino}-2-oxa-zolidinone (NP AOZ). 3-{[(3-carboxyphenyl)-methylene] amino-2-oxazolidinone (CP AOZ) was used as the immunising hapten for the production of monoclonal antibodies against NP AOZ. Monoclonal antibodies were produced using hybridomas from the fusion of murine myeloma cells and spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice immunised with CP AOZ-ethylenediamine-human serum albumin (CP AOZ-ed-HSA). The antibody production in ascitic fluids from clones 3B8/2B9 and 2D11/A4 was monitored during a 16 month period. Repeated cultures of these hybridomas, followed by injection into mice and cloning did not change the assay parameters. Clone 2D11/A4 exhibited long term stability in antibody production throughout the experiment whereas clone 3B8/2B9 demonstrated variability in particular antibody yields whilst retaining assay sensitivity. Reasons for this production variability in clones are discussed. In an optimised direct ELISA format, the antibodies exhibited a 50% binding inhibition in the range of 0.52-1.15 ng/ml with NP AOZ (0.22 -0.50 ng/ml, respective AOZ equivalents) and showed high specificity towards this analyte. The sensitivity of monoclonal antibodies incorporated into the ELISA is compatible with the European Union MRLP and is currently in use for routine analysis.

The first purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of ad libitum feeding of peat as a supplement to piglets from the age of five days up 23 days of age on their growth performance and health status. The second purpose was to assess the risk of the occurrence of conditionally pathogenic mycobacteria (CPM) in peat treated with ionizing radiation (Group PI) or per acetic acid (Group PP) and fed as a supplement to piglets. In respective experimental periods (at the age of 4, 23, 41 and 67 days), no significant differences in the average body weight between control group (C) and experimental Groups PI and PP were detected. Levels of selected biochemical (total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, Ca, P, Fe and I) and haematological (erythrocytes, leukocytes and immunoglobulin - Ig) parameters of the health status of the piglets from all three Groups C, PI and PP were comparable at the age of 41 and 67 days. Mycobacteria were detected by culture in one diet sample (Mycobacterium intracellulare), in all 10 peat samples (7 M. a. hominissuis isolates, 2 M. intracellulare isolates and 1 M. xenopi isolate) and in 4 samples of biofilm from the drinking water pipeline system in the stables (M. xenopi, M. a. hominissuis, M. gordonae and Mycobacterium sp., one isolate in each). In 15 slaughtered pigs (at 67 days of age), no gross lesions that would give evidence of tuberculosis were found either in lymph nodes or parenchymatous organs. In Group C, mycobacteria were detected in tissues from two piglets (Mycobacterium sp. and M. a. hominissuis), Group PI in four piglets (M. a. hominissuis) and in Group PP in all five piglets (Mycobacterium sp., M. a. hominissuis, M. terrae and M. intracellulare). High positivity for CPM in both types of treated peat caused disseminated infection of the digestive tract of piglets from Groups PI and PP. Based on these results, feeding peat treated with ionisation or per acetic acid may be viewed as risky.

The Delta Group with its daughter company Delta Pekárny, a.s., belongs to the most significant firms in the Czech food processing industry and it is number one baking company in the Czech market of fresh, long-shelf-life and frozen bakery products. The Delta Group associates eleven industrial bakeries in the Czech Republic and four in Slovakia, in addition to mills, Delta Frozen Products frozen-pastry plant, Delibake and Harry's Delta sweet long-shelf-life bakery products' plant, Vegilife company producing healthy food, Eureca Shops running Paneria, Fr. Odkolek fast-food outlets and Le Patio restaurants. In order to consolidate its status of a strong and successful Central-European company capable to meet all requirements of its customers, the company must perform a continuous analysis of external and internal environment.

The article deals with the usage of the information systems and expansion of the portals. In the part "results", there is elaborated a questionnaire applied on the agrarian sector. Today, the approach to the development of the information systems is oriented to the implementation of the portal solutions, which enables us a web access to the information and applications with an effective possibility of management and administration. Here, we are able to find typical user groups with quite specific information needs, who would find the specialized web portal very useful. This is because such kind of portal could offer them "everything at once and at one place", it means all of their needs would be satisfied immediately and users do not have to waste time with an information search at other places.

Fertilization with tannery materials positively influenced the soil pH and increased the content of alkaline cations in soil. After four years of investigations organic carbon content decreased most in the soil fertilized with untreated sludge, mineral salts and in the control soil. Irrespective of fertilization used and year of studies cadmium occurred mainly in most mobile fractions (mobile, exchangeable and bound to manganese oxides). Copper was mainly bound in fractions less available to plants. After four years of studies an increase in mobile copper forms was registered in all treatment soils. Lead in the soil was present mainly in the form bound to organic matter and amorphous iron oxides. Distribution of lead points to the small share of this metal in the mobile and exchangeable forms, both immediately after fertilization applied and after four years of studies. Chromium became fixed in fractions less available to plants, mainly bound to iron oxides and in residual fraction. On the other hand, an apparent effect of fertilization with materials of tannery origin on this element total forms content was registered.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is the most important grass species used in temperate grassland agriculture. Our objective was to obtain an overview of the genetic relationships between 20 individual genotypes of perennial ryegrass of diverse origins, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and two sets of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. All 20 individuals were uniquely fingerprinted by all four marker systems and comparisons were made on the basis of 85 markers each. Mean genetic similarities were estimated at 0.31, 0.43, 0.23 and 0.15 for AFLPs, ISSRs, RAPDs and SSRs, respectively. Cophenetic values resulted in good (AFLP and SSR-B = 0.88) to moderately good fits (ISSR = 0.76, RAPD = 0.70, and SSR-A = 0.79). Comparing the four marker systems to each other, AFLP and SSR-A were correlated best (r = 0.57). All other comparisons revealed rather low correlation coefficients in the Mantel Z test. With twice as many markers cophenetic values increased to a very good fit for AFLPs (0.90) and SSRs (0.92).

In vitro study of the rumen fluid (RF) and hindgut content (HC) fermentation by microbiota taken from sheep grazing in an area atmospherically polluted from the non-ferrous metal industry was conducted and compared with controls from an uncontaminated area (UA). The experimental sheep were exposed to the prolonged intake of heavy metals by grazing in the contaminated area (CA) for one year. Soil and grass from that area and the rumen content of sheep were analyzed for heavy metal levels. Based on the levels of mercury (4.752 mg/kg), copper (232.9 mg/kg), cadmium (1.167 mg/kg), lead (92.509 mg/kg) and arsenic (74.59 mg/kg) the soil was categorized as profusely contaminated. Meadow hay (MH) from UA was used as a tested substrate of fermentation activity; it was incubated with buffered RF and HC inocula from CA and UA for 24 h. The gas volume in CA was significantly decreased by 50 and 36% in RF and HC, respectively. The methane production in CA was significantly decreased by 77 and 71% in RF and HC, respectively. The significantly decreased values of the fermentation parameters in CA in comparison with UA were accompanied by the reduced (P < 0.01) total concentration of rumen ciliate protozoa.

Live body measurements of weight, height, length, girth, stifle- and hip-width and a measure of muscularity (ratio of stifle to hip width) were monitored on 258 Yankasa sheep stratified into age categories of 1 to over 3 years determined mostly from records and partly by dentition. These animals are from purebred Yankasa sheep kept as a part of the open nucleus-breeding scheme of the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. The effect of sex, type of birth and age group of lambs on live measurements and muscularity were analyzed by least-squares procedures. All variables examined, except sex, had significant (P < 0.001) effects on all body measurements. At birth, male and single-born lambs were significantly heavier than female and twin-born lambs. At early age, most factors significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the body weight, body dimensions and muscularity traits with single-born lambs being 31% heavier, 10% taller and 11% bigger in girth; more highly muscled than the twin-born lambs. This advantage of male over female born lambs (except in hip-width and girth) for growth and developmental traits was maintained reasonably well to the advanced ages. All phenotypic correlations between body measurements were positive and significant (P < 0.001). The highest correlation coefficient was found between chest girth and body weight. The polynomial equation using chest girth as an independent variable predicted body weight more accurately as compared to the linear equation.

In this study, the compatibility of the pear cultivars PI1/6 and BC Williams with 49 quince genotypes was evaluated. The results showed that the cv. PI1/6 had a good compatibility with several of the quince genotypes, and the cv. BC Williams only with a few of them. Differences were also found in their susceptibility to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora). The cultivar PI1/6 was very susceptible, while the cultivar BC Williams was relatively tolerant.

Nitrite is an intermediate in the oxidation of ammonium to nitrate. An elevated ambient nitrite concentration is a potential problem for freshwater fish since nitrite is actively taken up across the gills in competition with chloride. Nitrite is a well-known toxicant for fish as well as a disrupter of multiple physiological functions including ion regulatory, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and excretory processes. One critical consequence of nitrite accumulation is the oxidation of haemoglobin to methaemoglobin, compromising blood oxygen transport. Nitrite toxicity to fish varies considerably and depends on a large number of external and internal factors. Among the most important ones are water quality (e.g. pH, temperature, cation, anion and oxygen concentration), length of exposure, fish species, fish size and age, and individual fish susceptibility. Chloride concentration in water is considered one of the most important factors influencing nitrite toxicity to fish. The importance of individual factors is assessed and re-evaluated continuously.

A six year old male iguana (Iguana iguana) was brought to our clinic after a fall from a height of 1.5 meters. The patient showed apathy, dehydration, and paresis of all the limbs. Postural reflexes, palpebral reflex, and response to painful stimuli were minimal. The patient had extremely high levels of uric acid (1 734.0 µmol/l) and phosphorus (9.80 mmol/l), ratio of calcium to phosphorus (0.18), leucocytosis (23.3×10⁹/l) with heterophilia (17.10×10⁹/l), and high activity of ALT, AST and CK (2.09, 6.59, and 260.0 µkat/l). Tracheoscopy and pneumoscopy revealed presence of blood clots in the trachea and lungs with haemorrhage within the parenchyma. Based on the results of the clinical examination, endoscopy and laboratory diagnostics, the clinical diagnosis was chronic kidney failure, liver lipidosis and lung haemorrhage. Because of a very poor prognosis, the patient was euthanised. At necropsy, the signs of visceral gout and hepatomegaly with diffuse yellowish white discoloration and with dotted brown pigmentation were also observed. The kidneys were enlarged, and stained brown grayish. The gross and histopathological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of visceral gout, chronic kidney failure, liver steatosis and granulomatous pneumonia, with lung haemorrhage associated with urate deposits in lung tissue and posttraumatic status.

The paper evaluates the growth, structure, production, quality, leaf area index and dendrochronology of 100 years old Austrian pine (Pinus nigra ARNOLD) monoculture situated in the forest type group Fageto-Quercetum in the locality Horné Lefantovce (Nitrianska Streda Forest District, Topoľčianky Forest Enterprise). Codominant trees, trees with stem of high quality, with medium-sized crown, medium dense and straight crown are the most abundant in the stand. The tree number in the stand is 1,024 trees/ha, basal area 51.75 m2/ha, growing stock 571.56 m3/ha, aboveground biomass stock 348.76 t/ha and leaf area index 21.85 ha/ha. Dendrochronological analyses examined the response in individual sample trees and minimum annual ring width was found in 1920, 1922, 1925, 1929, 1933, 1938, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1954, 1963, 1968, 1976, 1982, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2001. Marked maximum values of annual ring width in the years 1919, 1923, 1926, 1930, 1936, 1937, 1941, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1997 were found as a positive productive feature. Beginning in the year 1993, dry Austrian pine trees occurred in the stand as a result of the fungal infection by Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.) Dyko et Sutton.

European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) is one of the most important tree species in substitute stands of the Krušné hory Mts. (northern part of the Czech Republic). At present, young larch stands have dynamic height growth and their canopy is closing. Therefore, the proper forest treatment with respect to all functions of these stands is an urgent issue. The aim of the study is to recognise when it is possible to start with thinning and what types of thinning regimes are more suitable in larch stands with respect to their functions as substitute tree species stands. Research was conducted on experimental series Kalek established in a larch monoculture in 1999 (stand age of 12 years) at an elevation of 780 m above sea level in the category Piceeto-Fagetum oligo-mesotrophicum - Calamagrostis villosa. The presented analysis has two main parts: (a) effect of closing canopy on growth of larch - comparison of the groups of trees from border and inside rows and (b) effect of opening canopy on growth and development of young larch stands - comparison of two partial plots (500 m² each): the one without thinning and the other with thinning (negative selection mainly from above at the age of 13 years). Comparative analyses of trees from border and inside rows showed high growth dynamics of these young larch stands, and therefore the first thinning is necessary in this stage (by 15 years of age). In spite of air pollution, the growth of experimental stands is supernormal and exceeds the data from growth tables, but 60% of individuals showed some malformations, mostly one-sided or two-sided stem curvature. Five years after the first thinning we found a significantly lower h/d ratio of mean stem on the thinned plot in comparison with the plot without thinning. On the other hand, the applied thinning had no effect (five years after realisation) on the h/d ratio of dominant trees (200 thickest trees per hectare).

Fertilization represents a measure, used as exceptional treatment managing forest stands and ecosystems as a whole. It is used since the beginning of the 20^th century worldwide, starting in the Central Europe. The beginnings were on empirical basis, later on, the scientific background was developed profoundly. Several forms and methods, as well as aims are topical at present: - Since the beginning, restoration of degraded sites and amelioration of primarily extreme soils was the aim. In the poorest regions, e.g. in the NE Germany, different means were used to increase site productivity and stability. Also in the Czech countries, amelioration played important role restoring degraded and devastated localities. - To increase site productivity, commercial fertilization was used worldwide, as well as it was applied in all continents with intense forestry practices. It became a part of the "silviculture" sensu stricto in the commercial, industrial forestry. - Supporting the growth and prosperity of forest plantations, on sites of different characters, was a broadly intended target of fertilizers application. - Since the air pollution calamity, fertilization is one of the main counter-treatments for improvement of the situation, lowering and preventing the soil acidification and nutritional degradation. Both direct as well as indirect methods are used. At the direct fertilization, nutrients in the fertilizers increase and improve the nutrient cycles over the degraded or natural level. This causes an increase in the forest ecosystem production as the main aim of such a treatment. In the indirect way, the amelioration material accelerates the bio-cycles by improving biological activities of the soil - liming is the best example of these activities. Nutrients are mobilized by enhanced activity of the soil biota, increasing organic matter mineralization and decay. This also represents the main ecological risk of these activities: the enormous and non-natural organic matter decay. Different types of fertilizer can be used: liquid, firm, powdered, pelletized, based on natural substances such as carbonates or silicate nutrient-rich (basic) rocks. In all cases, the uses of all these treatments have to be based on the detailed ecological analysis of the locality, of the site and of the forest stand. Only in this case, fertilizer effects can be optimized and the risks minimized.

Sustainable development in regarded as the issue and method of solution of a number of global problems, which origined namely in relation to dynamic industrial development and the prominent growth of world population. Sustainable development is, above all, the concept closely related to human attitudes and values. The contribution presents the definition of sustainable development, its modern concept, sustainable development dimensions.

In the last two decades, the EU trails behind the USA in both the rate of economic growth and the rate of growth of productivity. In addition, in the next 25 years, the EU will experience demographic challenges in the form of the rapidly ageing population and a substantial increase in the dependency ratio. To answer these challenges, the EU needs economic policies which will facilitate the utilization of new technologies. To do that and to alleviate the growing pressures on the European social and economic model, the significant economic reforms are necessary. The key to that is the EU-wide integration of the financial sector.

The separation of stillage was tested by means of the pilot plantARNO600-BIO using three-channel ceramic membranes with the pore diameter range from microfiltration to ultrafiltration (1.4 µm-5 kDa). The permeate from the last membrane step was able to be recycled as technological water. The best results were achieved in the arrangement of series using 0.2 µm membrane as the first step supplemented by ultra-filtration membranes (50 kDa and 15 kDa), predominantly, where the reduction of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) extended 80%. With this process, we try to get some advantages over the conventional process in terms of eliminating both land and energy costs for the wastewater treatment process and improving the quality of the discharge water. The main goal in this study is to analyse different separation steps and conditions to find both the best separation options for the decrease of the final volume of distillery stillage, and the way how to make the bio ethanol production more profitable.

Biofertilizers have been used as sources to improve plant nutrients in sustainable agriculture. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum and potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) Bacillus mucilaginosus inoculated in nutrient limited soil planted with pepper and cucumber. Results showed that rock P and K applied either singly or in combination did not significantly enhance soil availability of P and K, indicating their unsuitability for direct application. PSB was a more potent P-solubilizer than KSB, and co-inoculation of PSB and KSB resulted in consistently higher P and K availability than in the control without bacterial inoculum and without rock material fertilizer. Integrated rock P with inoculation of PSB increased the availability of P and K in soil, the uptake of N, P and K by shoot and root, and the growth of pepper and cucumber. Similar but less pronounced results were obtained when rock K and KSB were added concomitantly. Combined together, rock materials and both bacterial strains consistently increased further mineral availability, uptake and plant growth of pepper and cucumber, suggesting its potential use as fertilizer.

Uptake of mineral nutrients in chickpea cultivars might be an important response in drought tolerance. An experiment under controlled conditions was carried out to study the genotypic response of 11 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars to drought and its relations with N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn and B uptake and uptake efficiency. Plants were grown either optimal or drought stress implemented at pre- (early drought stress, EDS) and post-anthesis (late drought stress, LDS) stages. Growth reduction of the cultivars as a response to drought significantly differed. The results of the study indicated that EDS had less detrimental effects on growth and nutrient uptake than LDS conditions. In general, drought tolerant chickpea cultivars accumulated more N, P, K, Ca, Zn, Mn and B in both drought stress treatments except for Zn and Mn uptake in LDS treatment. The total nutrient uptake efficiency of the cultivars were also very significantly correlated with the growth reduction ration (GR) both in EDS and LDS treatments giving correlation coefficients (r) of -7859 and -0.7678, p < 0.01, respectively.

The objective of the study was to quantify differences in the carcass composition of pig carcasses with different lean meat proportions. Totally 132 carcasses with lean meat proportions ranging from 45 to 65% were analysed. The average lean meat proportion in the analysed set of carcasses was 55.38% (s = 4.319). The carcasses were classified into the groups according to their lean meat proportion (R, 45.0 to 49.9%; U, 50.0 to 54.9%; E, 55.0 to 59.9%; S, more than 60.0%). Carcasses from each group were cut into primal cuts and the main cuts (leg, loin, shoulder and belly with bones) were further separated into different tissues. Carcass value was markedly enhanced by the increasing carcass lean meat proportion. Average leg percentages in the groups R, U, E and S were 17.88% (s = 0.918), 19.32% (s = 0.889), 20.88% (s = 0.817) and 21.88% (s = 0.827), respectively. Average proportions of fat over leg expressed as percentages of leg weight in these groups were 5.82% (s = 0.402), 4.87% (s = 0.556), 4.05% (s = 0.479) and 3.21% (s = 0.321), respectively. Lean meat proportions of leg weight were improved from 84.93% (s = 1.136) in the group R to 88.12% (s = 0.986) in the group S. The most distinct differences were found in lean proportions of belly weight. The observed averages in the group R and S were 43.90% (s = 2.729) and 62.10% (s = 2.219), respectively. Actually, in carcasses with a high classification score the belly can be considered as a cut with the predominant muscle tissue. The results of the study proved the efficiency of carcass evaluation based on the lean meat proportion. Such a method can significantly contribute to the overall improvement of pig production.

Nowadays soils for vegetable growing are poor in humus because the possibility of using stable dung is limited. The application of Lignofert organic carbonaceous fertilizer made of ground lignite seems to be a solution. It is intended as a fertilizer for the field or greenhouse growing of vegetables, as a component to composts, soil substrates and likewise. Lignofert effects on the formation of lettuce yield, weight of heads and NaNO₃ content were studied in 2003 to 2005. Head lettuce grown in a greenhouse and in field conditions was a biological material. Average lettuce yields and average weight of heads in 2005 were statistically highly significantly higher in variants with Lignofert in comparison with the control variant grown in the greenhouse and in the field. The Lignofert effect on nitrate content in lettuce heads was not proved statistically.

Concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in porcine and bovine kidney, liver, lung, muscle and adipose tissue samples, and in eyeballs (lens and vitreous humour) in fattener pigs and cows. The total average PAH concentrations in individual organs were: 5.4, 6.3 (kidney); 3.8, 2.7 (liver); 4.6, 5.4 (lung); 3.6, 5.1 (muscle tissue); 0.05, 0.11 (adipose tissue); 57.9, 16.3 (lens) and 14, 6.4 (vitreous humour) for pigs and cows in ng/g of wet weight, respectively. Phenanthrene, naphthalene, pyrene and fluoranthene were predominant PAH present in samples. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found among distribution of PAH in animal bodies from several localities with various PAH exposure or between their levels in porcine and bovine organs and tissues, except for eyeballs. On the contrary, significant variations of PAH concentrations (P < 0.01) were found between species in the same tissues from the same stable. The highest total concentrations of PAH were found in porcine and bovine lenses. Analyses of porcine and/or bovine lenses for PAH content could be used for determination of animal exposure to these compounds.