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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.

Market varieties of hops are classified to several groups according to their use in the brewing industry - aroma, bitter (dual-purpose), high-alpha ones. Saaz and other genetically related varieties form a separate group among the aromatic hops. The group called fine aroma hops has a low content of a-bitter acids (3-4% w/w), its content of b-bitter acids is in the range of 4-7% w/w and cohumulone ratio in the interval of 23-26% rel. The composition of hop oils is characterised by the content of b-farnesene in the range of 15-20% rel. and trans-a-bergamotene at the amount of ca. 1% rel. Most market varieties of hops are of hybrid origin. It holds true about the Czech varieties Sládek, Bor, Premiant and Agnus. The content of a-bitter acids in bitter varieties is in the range of 7-10% w/w while the content of a-bitter acids in high-alpha hops is higher than 10% w/w.

The aim of the study was to observe the influence of different ploidy levels in fish on micronucleus occur­rence. Twenty minutes after fertilization, one group of rainbow trout eggs was exposed to water temperatures of 26°C in duration of 20 minutes to induce triploidy. Second group was kept in water temperature of 10°C, which is optimal for development of rainbow trout. The frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was determined in the peripheral circulation of rainbow trout 67 days (following absorption of the yolk - swim-up stage) and 128 days (fry stage) post fertilization. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes of diploid (1.10 ± 0.96‰) and triploid (2.41 ± 1.28‰) fish at swim-up stage. Increased mean values of micronucleus in diploid (1.80 ± 1.57‰) and triploid (5.92 ± 3.80‰) fry were also recorded.

The interaction between Plasmodiophora brassicae and its host Brassica rapa is investigated by two strategies. (1) IAA-conjugate hydrolases: Root hypertrophy in club root disease is dependent on increased auxin levels and these could result from auxin-conjugate hydrolysis. So far we isolated 5 different cDNA fragments out of various tissues which revealed high identity to IAR3/ILL5, ILL2, ILL3, ILL6 and ILR1 genes from Arabidopsis by comparison with database entries. (2) Random priming: Using this method, we have so far obtained 26 clones from clubroot tissue, from which several sequences may be components of plant signal transduction chains, metabolic pathways and transcriptional regulation.

During 1997-1999, occurrence of hymenopteran parasitoids of cereal aphids was observed in different localities in Slovakia. Altogether, seven species of aphid parasitoids were recorded. The total numbers of particular species over the last three years were as follows: Aphidius uzbekistanicus (160 individuals - 42.4%), Aphidius ervi (83 individuals - 22.0%), Aphidius rhopalosiphi (66 individuals - 17.5%), Ephedrus plagiator (40 individuals - 10.6%), Praon volucre (26 individuals - 6.9%), P. gallicum (1 individual - 0.3%), and Aphidius picipes (1 individual - 0.2%). The abundance of the parasitoids in each year was: 185 individuals (49.1%) in 1999, 122 individuals (32.4%) in 1998, and 70 individuals (18.6%) in 1997.

The objectives of our study were to describe the variation of quarter milk flow parameters and to determine the factors that affect these parameters the most. Additionally, repeatabilities (r₂) of the quarter milk flow traits (duration of milk flow, time to reach peak flow, peak flow rate, and duration of milk flow in single phases - increase, plateau, decline and blind phase) were calculated. Repeatability of total milk yield and milk yield in single phases was calculated, too. The data from 39 Holstein cows, in their first to third lactation and free of clinical mastitis, were used for statistical analysis. A total of 1 656 curves of quarter milk flows were recorded during six consecutive days. At the last evening and morning milking samples of milk from each quarter were collected for determination of somatic cell count (SCC). Peak flow rate, quarter position, time of milking (morning and evening) and SCC significantly affected most of the measured traits. The highest r2 were for total milk yield and yield of plateau phase 0.53 and 0.50, resp. The lowest r2 were calculated for the duration of increase phase, and milk yield of the increase and blind phase 0.26, 0.12 and 0.21, resp. Peak flow rate, SCC, time of milking and front-rear position influenced the values of r2 of traits to various extent.

The paper is a part of solution of a post-doctorate grant awarded by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (GAČR No. 402/02/P059) connected with the research plan of the FBE MUAF in Brno (GAMSM 431100007), and it focuses on environmental analysis of the brewing industry in the Czech Republic with a focus on the key driving forces in this industry. The basic types of analysed driving forces are the following: long-term growth rate of the industry, character of customers and how they use the product, product innovation, process innovation, marketing innovation, entry/exit of major firms, diffusion of proprietary knowledge, changes in cost and efficiency, buyer preferences for a differentiated product, regulatory influences and government policy changes, changing societal priorities and lifestyles, uncertainty and business risk, and globalisation. Factors identified in the above-mentioned areas are examined also owing to their period of influence, and the possible implications on actions and strategies of breweries are discussed.

Rice yellow mottle virus genus sobemovirus (RYMV) was first reported in Kenya in 1966. The disease caused by this virus is fast becoming a major limiting factor in the rice production in Africa and neighbouring islands. It is known to occur in eastern, western and southern African countries and, since very recently, in Central Africa. It is transmitted by insect vectors such as Chaectonema spp., Sesselia pusilla Gerst. and Trichispa sericea Guerin (all Coleoptera) and also by mechanical means. About six strains of the virus now exist. Yield losses caused by the virus range from 20 to 100%. Integrated pest management has been suggested to minimise damage caused by this disease to rice. This paper reviews the characteristics of the virus, symptomatology, host range, distribution, strains, transmission, vector dynamics and virus spread, the economic importance, and management strategies. The need of future research of RYMV is also highlighted.

In the period 1996-1999 field trial was performed in Obory near Kwidzyn on heavy textured Fluvisols. The experiment was aimed to determine yield, chemical composition, heat value of wood of six genotypes of willow coppice in relation to cutting frequency and on determining the costs and profitability of willow production on arable land for purposes of energy generation. Yield of wood dry matter in one-year cutting cycle amounted to 14.09 t/ha/year 1 and significantly increased to 16.05 and 21.55 t/ha/year when harvesting was performed in two and three years cycle, respectively. The highest yield was found for Salix viminalis 082 form cut in three years cycle and it amounted to 26.44 t/ha/year 1. Stems of Salix sp. cut every three years showed the lowest water content (46.05%), high heat value 19.56 MJ/kg dry matter and the highest content of cellulose (55.94%), lignins (13.79%) and hemicelluloses (13.96%). High yielding potential of Salix sp. and high content of cellulose and lignin in wood make this crop very prosperous as a feedstock for bioenergy production. The highest profit from the willow plantation was obtained in case of harvest every three years at 578.76 EUR/ha/year.

In total the samples of blood and kidneys of 379 small rodents and 154 wild swine were analysed. The antibodies to different serovars of leptospires were determined in 12.7% of small rodents, most often in the species Mus musculus (34.4%), A. agrestis (14.8%), A. flavicolis (10.8%), C. glareolus (9.4%) and A. sylvaticus (6.5%). Most frequent were the findings of antibodies to sv. pomona (27.1%), sv. sejroe (20.8%), and sv. australis (14.6%), and the antibodies to sv. hardjo, sv. saxkoebing, sv. tarassovi, sv. grippotyphosa, sv. bataviae and sv. icterohaemorrhagiae were also established. Seventeen (4.5%) isolates were identified, belonging to the serogroups sejroe (10 isolates), pomona (4 isolates) and australis (1 isolate) and one isolate was not identified. In wild swine positive reactions were estab­lished in 26% of the blood sera analysed. Most frequently the antibodies to sv. pomona (47.5%), sv. australis (40%), sv. grippotyphosa (10%) and sv. icterohaemorhagiae (2.5%) were established. Thirteen (8.4%) isolates belonging to the serogroups pomona (10 isolates), australis (2 isolates) and icterohaemorhagiae (1 isolate) were identified.

A total of 307 blood sera of the wild boar from different localities of the Břeclav district (Czech Repub­lic) were examined in 1999 to 2002. Antibodies against leptospires were found in 16.9% of blood sera examined. The incidence of antibodies in the wild boar varied both in individual years (26.1, 5.3, 25.0 and 12.0%, respectively) and age categories (7.8, 17.3 and 35.7%, respectively) with older individuals being more often positive. There were found no differences in relation to sex (18.2 and 15.0% of positives in males and females, respectively). Positive reactions at low titres (i.e., 100 and 200) predominated in 71.3%. Higher titres (3 200) were only exceptionally found in older individuals (3.8%). All positive reactions concerned only the L. grippotyphosa serotype (100%). The other 11 serotypes tested were negative. On the basis of the results it can be stated that the wild boar is susceptible to infection by leptospires and the occurrence of specific antibodies correlates to a large extent with the presence of leptospires in the environment. In our opinion, the wild boar could be used for purposes of monitoring natural foci of leptospirosis.

In a two-pot experiment of Phaseolus vulgaris L., the influence of K and Mg gradated doses upon K, Mg and Ca content in the pods, stem and leaves was studied. The content of cations changed significantly in individual parts of the plant. The highest content of potassium was found within the dry matter of the pods (it exceeded 4%) and stalk (3-4%). The highest content of calcium (3-4%) and magnesium (0.4-0.8%) was found within the dry matter of the leaves. The effects of K gradated doses were revealed significantly in its higher content increase mainly in the leaves (by as much as 83%) and the decrease of calcium content (31%) and magnesium content (37%) was observed in the leaves and less in the stalks. The effects of Mg gradated doses were revealed in the non-significant increase in its content in the leaves and stalks and the decrease of the potassium content in the leaves (by 19%) and in stalks (11%) and even in the decrease of the calcium content (52%) mainly in the pods.

Laboratory experiments were carried out with seeds of Galinsoga ciliata and Chenopodium album in 1998, 2000 and 2001. The study involved germination of non-dormant seeds in the light and the dark at 5-30°C, the germination energy at 15, 24, and 33°C, and the primary dormancy of seeds matured during the period from July to October. Both weeds germinated better in the light compared to the dark. Seeds of G. ciliata germinated at 10-33°C. Germination exceeding 85% was recorded at 12-28°C. Ch. album germinated in a wider temperature interval (5-33°C). Maximum germination (75%) was obtained at 18°C. A very high germination energy of G. ciliata seeds was found at 24°C. At this temperature, 89% of seeds germinated during the second and third day of the germination test. Seeds of Ch. album had a low germination energy at 15 and 24°C. The germination energy was high only at 33°C, however, the total germination reached at this temperature was only 26.5%. Both G. ciliata and Ch. album formed primary dormant seeds during all three testing years. The length of primary dormancy varied from 10 to 100 days depending on the date of ripening and on the year. The longest primary dormancy was found with early ripened seeds (July and August).

Sources of mycobacterial infections in 50 pig herds in the Czech Republicwere investigated during the years 1996 to 2002. A total of 2 412 samples from the external environment (feeds, bedding materials, drinking water, biofilms on drinkers, scrapings from the walls, floors and pen barriers, dust, spider webs, peat, kaolin, faeces, organs of rodents, and birds, etc.) were examined. After staining by the Ziehl-Neelsen technique, acid-fast rods were detected in 95 (3.9%) samples by direct microscopic examination and mycobacteria were cultured from 575 (23.8%) samples. From Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), M. avium subsp. hominissuis (genotype IS901-, IS1245+) of serotypes 4, 6, 8, and 9 (272; 47.0% isolates), M. a. avium (genotype IS901+, IS1245+) of serotype 2 (13; 2.2% isolates) and M. intracellulare (genotype IS901-, IS1245-) of different serotypes (2; 0.3% isolates) were detected most frequently. Other isolates from among 14 other mycobacterial species ranked as follows: 64 M. gordonae, 47 M. fortuitum, 17 M. chelonae, 14 M. flavescens, 11 M. terrae, seven M. phlei, seven M. scrofulaceum, three M. diernhoferi, three M triviale, three M. smegmatis, two M. xenopi, one M. szulgai, one M. gastri, and one M. ulcerans. The remaining 111 isolates of unidentified species did not contain specific sequences IS901 and IS1245 characteristic for the pathogenic members of MAC (M. a. avium and M. a. hominis­suis). Peat, drinking water, biofilms on drinkers, bedding materials, feeds, free living birds, kaolin and charcoal were identified as potential sources of mycobacterial infections for pigs. Peat given to piglets as a feed supplement was the most important source of mycobacteria (65.1% positive of 327 examined samples); 81.2% of them were positive for M. a. hominissuis of serotypes 4, 6, 8, and 9. By contrast, mycobacteria of other species (M. gordonae, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, M. flavescens, etc.) were the main isolates obtained from drinking water and biofilms on drinkers for pigs. By culture examination, the detection rate was higher in the biofilm samples (36.4%) than in the samples of drinking water (29.6%). The third group of sites with detected high levels (26.4%) of mycobacterial contamination were various types of beddings of woody material. M. a. hominissuis of serotypes 6, 8, and 9 were the most frequent isolates from sawdust; M. a. avium serotype 2 was sporadically detected. Mycobacterial findings in other samples from the external environment (wall and floor scrapings, dust, soil from the runs, and invertebrates) gave an indication of the pressure of infection in the herds. High contamination levels in faecal samples (15.6%) and in scrapings (18.4%) from respective parts of pens and stables indicated exposure of pigs to mycobacteria. In those materials, isolation of M. a. hominissuis of serotypes 4, 6, 8, and 9 prevailed. Mycobacteria were also detected in 7.9% of 430 samples of various invertebrate species. Various mycob

Ditylenchus dipsaci is one of the most harmful parasitic nematodes in Central Europe. It is able to survive for long time in soil without its host plants and that is why it belongs to organisms with quarantine importance. Nothing is known about D. dipsaci distribution in the Czech Republic. The aim of the study was to collect samples of D. dipsaci from the Czech Republic and to identify them by molecular methods. Region of rDNA including 3'end of 18 S gene, ITS1, 5,8 S gene, ITS2 and 5'end of 26 S gene was amplified using general primers designed according to the DNA sequence of Caenorhabditis elegans. The amplicon (900 bp) was analyzed by RFLP and SSCP. Restriction endonucleases Eco R1, Hinc II and Alu 1 can be used for differentiation of certain bioraces of D. dipsaci. At the same time methods for DNA extraction from plant material and contaminated soil were optimized.

In the first part of the study, 70 aquarium fish of different species, originating from stocks from the CzechRepublic, were pathomorphologically examined for the presence of granulomatous lesions. Granulomas were diagnosed in 44 (62.9%) fish. From these, acid fast rods (AFR) were found in 29 (65.9%) by staining according to Ziehl-Neelsen (Z-N). In the remaining 26 (37.1%) fish without granulomatous lesions, the presence of AFR was microscopically proven in 3 (11.5%) fish. In the second part of the study, direct microscopic examinations accord­ing to Z-N and culture examinations for the presence of mycobacteria were carried out in 17 randomly selected fish of the Apistogramma cacatuoides, Trichogaster leeri, Trichogaster trichopterus, Pterophyllum scalare, Paracheirodon axelrodi species with the pathomorphological discovery of granulomas. Mycobacteria were culturally found in 12 (70.6%) fish. Mycobacterium marinum, pathogenic for fish, was isolated from 6 fish, of which in one M. triviale was found at the same time and in two M. avium mixed serotypes 6, 8 and 9 (genotype IS901-, IS1245+). M. gordonae was isolated from a further 6 fish, of which in two M. avium mixed serotypes 6, 8 and 9 (genotype IS901-, IS1245+) was also isolated at the same time. A mixed infection of more species of mycobacteria was therefore found in five fish. In these it may be assumed that the mycobacteria of the M. triviale and M. avium mixed serotypes 6, 8 and 9 (genotype IS901-, IS1245+), non-pathogenic for fish, came from the water environment and "merely contaminated" the tissues of the fish.

Sugar beet seeds of three varieties (Jastra, Jamira, PNMono1) were rubbed, primed, washed and primed after rubbing. All used methods of seed treatment changed pericarp characteristics such as water potential, density, moisture and content of chemicals resulting in electrical conductivity of water extract from the seeds. Seed treatments also improved the ability and rate of germination. Their efficiency was more significant in an excess and shortage of water in germination medium than in optimum water conditions. The lower the initial seed vigour, the larger the vigour improvement. Seed priming had the best effect on the course of germination. Primed seeds were most resistant to different moisture conditions during germination. The largest differences in germination ability after four days in different water conditions were 5.1 and 7.4% for primed and primed after rubbing seeds, respectively, while the difference for control ones was 26.8%. Priming also caused an increase in seed respiration intensity. Rubbing and washing removed chemicals from the pericarp, which resulted in an increase in water potential, and consequently in vigour improvement.

The results of meat inspection classification of pig carcasses reflect long-term aspects of health status in pig production farms and the quality of transport and handling of animals at slaughterhouses. Veterinary inspec­tors recorded the data obtained from meat inspection classification of 36 028 821 pig carcasses at slaughterhouses in theCzechRepublicduring the period of 1995-2002 together with the reasons for classification. The trends were evaluated by a comparison of two periods (Period I: 1995-1998; Period II: 1999-2002) by means of calculating the indexes of values from Period II compared to those of Period I. Pig carcasses classified as capable for human con­sumption (edible) were found in 97.28% of cases (97.26% during Period I and 97.31% during Period II, index 1.00), while those classified as capable for processing (conditionally edible) were found in 2.15% of cases (2.28% during Period I and 2.02% during Period II, index 0.89), and those condemned in 0.57% of cases (0.47% during Period I and 0.67% during Period II, index 1.43). The reasons for classifying the carcasses as condemned were as follows: sensorial changes in meat - 0.33% (0.26% during Period I and 0.41% during Period II, index 1.56), lesions due to non-infec­tious diseases - 0.12% (0.12% during Period I and 0.12% during Period II, index 0.97), added deleterious substances - 0.05% (0.03% during Period I and 0.07% during Period II, index 2.50), lesions due to respiratory infections - 0.03% (0.03% during Period I and 0.04% during Period II, index 1.70), boar taint - 0.02% (0.02% during Period I and 0.03% during Period II, index 1.36). Other reasons to condemn the carcasses included tuberculous lesions, lesions due to miscellaneous infections, digestive infections, parasitic diseases, and Salmonella infections. The occurrence of these conditions was on the level of mere hundredths of per cent. No case of Aujeszky's disease was found. According to the results of meat inspection classification, the risk of food-borne diseases originating from pig carcasses tends to be greater in the lesions due to non-infectious conditions with a long-term increasing trend. A considerable increase in the numbers of pig carcasses condemned due to added deleterious substances (index 2.50) is an alarming finding with regard to potential food safety hazards.

More than 2000 wheat collection samples were studied for seedling resistance to 4 diseases. Noncoincidence of results obtained after inoculation of leaf segments placed on water solution of benzimidazole (60 ppm) and intact plants was found for 3 foliar diseases (leaf rust - Puccinia recondita, dark brown leaf spot blotch - Bipolaris sorokiniana and septoria glume blotch - Septoria nodorum). Sixty-three entries were resistant to leaf rust; 26 of them have gene for resistance Lr26 (non-effective under field condition), 25 - gene Lr24, 4 - gene Lr19, 8 - gene Lr9 and 2 - gene Lr41. Samples 181-5, Fielder, Butte 66, Raj 1972 and Soisson were moderately resistant to spot blotch; 181-5 - to common root rot and Moking and MN 81330 - to glume blotch. Very high level of partial resistance to 3 diseases was found in late generations of somaclonal lines of weakly and moderately resistant initial genotypes: to leaf rust in lines of cv. Spica, to leaf spot blotch - in lines of 181-5, to common root rot - in that of 181-5 and cv. Vera; moderate resistance to glume blotch was identified in lines of cv. Spica.

Thousand seed weight (TSW, g), achene size (mm) and fertility were evaluated in polyploid plants of C₀ (1999) and C₁ (2000) generations. The fertility of polyploid plants was usually very low (more than 10× compared to diploid plants). Only one plant (genotype A (tm) 1) was found as a tetraploid individual with anomalously high fertility, high TSW and large size of achenes. TSW in polyploid plants was 2.6-4.13 g, in diploid plants 2.0-2.3 g. The achene size was mostly about 3.7 mm (diploid plants) and 4.0-4.8 mm (polyploid plants). Achene (seed) size and thousand seed weight (TSW) can be classified among indirect identification methods (size of stomata, number of chloroplasts in guard cells, etc.) of polyploid plants.

The paper points out the importance of exploring human potential not only in countryside, but also of local communities as such. We emphasize the significance of the endogenous model of territorial development for the development of countryside and human capacities as the decisive factor of territorial development. Second part of the paper focuses on changes happening in the characteristics of human potential since 1989 in Slovak municipalities. It points out to the transformation changes overcome by local communities during the important social changes. It compares situations in various types of municipalities as well as various regional differentiations in this area.

Hop downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora humuli) and hop powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis) are the most important pathogens of hop (Humulus lupulus). The early detection and identification of these pathogens are often made difficult by symptomless or combined infection with another pathogens. Molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA is a novel and very effective method of species determination. Therefore, specific PCR assays were developed to detect the pathogens Pseudoperonospora humuli and Podosphaera macularis in naturally infected hop plants. The specific PCR primer combinations P1 + P2 and S1 + S2 amplified specific fragments from Pseudoperonospora humuli and Podosphaera macularis, respectively, and did not cross-react with hop DNA nor with DNA from other fungi. PCR primer combinations R1 + R2 and R3 + R4 could be used in multiplex PCR detection of Pseudoperonospora humuli, Podosphaera macularis, Verticillium albo-atrum and Fusarium sambucinum. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred for 42 species of the Erysiphales from nuclear rDNA (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2). The molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the species identification of hop powdery mildew. The PCR assays used in this study proved to be accurate and sensitive for detection, identification, classification and disease-monitoring of the major hop pathogens.

Amino acid content before and after heat treatment was assessed in grain of six selected amaranth varieties and four species: Amaranthus cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus and A. hybridus, cultivated in the Czech Republic. High content of Lys and Arg was detected in both heat treated and untreated grains, as well as satisfactory content of Cys and lower levels of Met, Val, Ile and Leu. The latter three amino acids appear as limiting. Chemical scores of essential amino acids and essential amino acid index (EAAI) were determined. EAAI value of 90.4% shows the favourable nutritional quality of amaranth protein, which is almost comparable with egg protein. Heat treatment by popping at 170 to 190°C for 30 s resulted in decreased EAAI to 85.4%. Of the essential amino acids under study, Val and Leu contents decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The relatively high content of essential amino acids in amaranth grain predetermines its use as a substitution of meat-and-bone meals.

This contribution is oriented on the field of dynamic loading analysis of three-point hitch of tractor hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is placed in circuit of three-point hitch of the tractor ZTS 160 45. Obtained data from operation experiments will be applied for simulation of dynamic loading of the tested hydraulic pump. The measurements were realized during position control with ploughing sets: tractor ZTS 160 45 + plough 5-PN-30 and tractor ZTS 160 45 + plough 7-PHX-35. During the test physical and mechanical properties of soil and operating parameters of ploughing sets were investigated. Pressures of hydraulic system were in range from 3.2 to 7 MPa at aggregation with plough 5-PN-30 and hydraulic pump was loaded. Pressures of hydraulic system during ploughing with ploughing set tractor ZTS 160 45 + plough 7-PHX-35 were in range from 1.8 to 14 MPa and two times hydraulic pump was unloading in time 2 seconds.

Two potato cultivars Kufri Bahar and Kufri Jyoti were stored in heaps and pits under ambient conditions of sub-tropical plains of northern India and their chipping quality was determined after 90 days of storage. During storage there was a significant reduction (33.84%) in the reducing sugar content of potatoes and improvement (31.63%) in chip colour. Sugar levels in stored potatoes were within the acceptable limit for processing and table purposes indicating that potatoes stored up to 90 days on the farm in heap and pits are suitable for these two purposes.

Porcine corneas were frozen with Me₂SO, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol and PEG-400. The effects of the range of concentrations (5% and 10%) and temperature regimen (1ºC/min and 5ºC/min) were investigated. The integrity of corneal endothelial cells was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and trypan blue staining. The presence of 5-10% PEG-400 in the protective medium was the most effective in minimizing changes in the integrity of the corneal endothelium during freezing-thawing procedures.

The study deals with the influence of the structure, texture and dynamics of a spruce-beech primeval forest on the bird community in Skalná Alpa National Nature Reserve in the Veľká Fatra Mts. (West Carpathians, Slovakia) in the years 1982-2002. The abundance of Norway spruce (Picea excelsa Lam.) was highest both in the optimum and decomposition stage. In the growth stage the number of Norway spruce (Picea excelsa Lam.) trees was quite low. The texture of spruce-beech virgin forest was very variable. Percentage ratios of individual stages on the area of 42.16 ha were as follows: growth stage 38.3%, optimum stage 20.1% and decomposition stage 41.6%. Altogether 46 bird species were represented in the bird community during the spring season. Mean total density was 85.8 ind/10 ha. The bird community consisted of 52 species in the summer season, 45 in the autumn migration season, 34 in the winter season, and of 47 in the spring migration season. The highest density was found in the bird community during the autumn migration season (109.8 ind/10 ha), the lowest in the winter season (24.6 ind/10 ha). During the spring migration season, both the spectrum of bird species and total density of bird community increased by the number of migratory species that came back from winter habitats.

Horizontal Rural Development Plan is one of the programme documents for taking advantage of the EAGGF - European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. One of the measures are payments for farmers producing in less-favoured areas. The payments contribute to sustainable use of agricultural land, maintaining of land and support of sustainable agriculture in these areas. This contribution concerns the support for less favourable areas in the CR in 2004-2006 and analyses their impact on the use of land fund in confrontation with the proposed changes of the Regulation of the Commission on support for the development of countryside through European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development for next programme period 2007-2013.

Virtual portal (VIPO) is designed to provide users with a single-point access to information, and tools to support their decision-making. VIPO illustrates the best practice presented in terms of case studies coded along three dimensions: field, domain and objectives. The second major source of knowledge is based on software packages made available to users including tutor support. The third part of the portal provides useful links to the existing databases which have the potential to facilitate decision making in agribusiness. All three pillars of the VIPO are complemented by on-line consultancy services.