Fulltext search in archive

Due to ongoing climate change, the need for the application of adaptive strategies in agriculture is increasing, particularly in areas with insufficient rainfall, high temperatures and weather fluctuations during the vegetation period. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in 2020 and 2021 to determine the influence of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on morphological, physiological and production traits of maize. SAPs were applied using a method of seed coating, which is considered cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Due to the impact of SAPs, significantly larger weights of leaves and roots, as well as the length of roots in the initial growth stage, were found. Furthermore, the SAP treatment condition found significantly larger values of leaf relative water content and spectral indexes PRI (photochemical reflectance index) and NDVI (normalised difference vegetation index). Applying SAPs also led to a significant increase in spikes per plot and grain yield of maize. Moreover, the results significantly impact the interaction between year and treatment. The correlation analysis indicates a higher correlation between the observed traits in the SAPs treatment condition, which subsequently impacted the final maize production. These results confirm that applying SAPs can be considered a suitable strategy for mitigating the impacts of adverse weather conditions, especially in terms of sustainability and maintaining maize production.

Due to its positive effects, mulching with organic matter is a popular soil conservation tool. However, opinions are divided on the effects of mulching on pests and pathogens. Our research aimed to investigate the effect of organic mulch on potato tuber damage caused by soil-dwelling pests and soil-borne pathogens. Therefore, mulching trials were carried out at four sites over six years, comparing the effects of straw, walnut leaves, mixed leaves, compost and two sowing methods (in soil, on soil surface, and under mulch). The total yield of the mulched plots was equal (2013, 2014) or significantly higher (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) than the control, while the weight of damaged tubers did not increase. Total yield was higher in plots mulched with compost, walnut leaves and mixed leaves than in control and straw-mulched plots. The seeding method had no effect on yield or tuber damage for any of the cover crops. Mulching potatoes with organic matter, especially compost and leaves, is recommended, as their application positively affected yield but did not increase the number of damaged tubers. Sowing potatoes under mulch can reduce the digging work and cutting damage without reducing the yield.

This research aimed to optimise a pilot-scale formulation for seamless scale-up, considering critical variables such as the honey-to-maltodextrin ratio, temperature, and drying time. Employing response surface methodology with a central composite design approach, the investigation systematically assessed the impact of four key factors within predetermined upper and lower limits: honey volume (90–900 g % dry basis), maltodextrin (60–600 g), drying temperature (60–70 °C), and drying time (180–300 min). Subsequently, these factors were randomised and optimised using the Design Expert software system. The analysis of variance revealed the significant impact of each drying factor, their interactions, and squared squares on the honey-to-maltodextrin ratio, as well as the effects of drying temperature and time. Validation results underscored the model reliability, exhibiting narrow standard deviations ranging from 0.001% to 1.3%. These outcomes emphasise the efficacy of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Design (CCD) in refining formulations, offering valuable insights into appropriate product development and a seamless scale-up process.

Porang (Amorphophallus muelleri) is  an Indonesian parental plant tuber developed vegetatively from bulbils during dormancy and harvested through petiole detachment for the industrial production of glucomannan. Pathogenic fungi and whiteflies can cause infection during harvesting and storage, destructing plant cells as well as reducing seed quality and crop yields. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a calibration model for detecting infected and non-infected porang bulbils using a computer vision system. Image parameters such as colour (red, green, blue – RGB and hue, saturation, intensity – HSI), texture (contrast, homogeneity, correlation, energy, and entropy), and dimensions (width, area, and height) were evaluated on 90 samples in three positions. The results showed that the majority of image quality properties were significantly associated with non–infected and infected porang bulbils as showed by Pearson correlation values of 0.901 and 0.943, respectively. Discriminant analysis based on image attributes effectively classified non-infected and infected seedlings, achieving a model accuracy of 97.0% for correctly classified cross-validated grouped cases. Therefore, computer vision can be used for the preliminary detection of fungal infection in porang bulbils, as evidenced by its high accuracy and outstanding model performance.

New cropping practices such as single-grain seeding, lower seed densities with stronger cultivars, wide inter-row spacings and camera-guided side-shift control for weed hoeing facilitate mechanical weed control in oilseed rape. In a two-year field study in Southwestern Germany, camera-guided inter-row hoeing was compared to standard herbicide treatments and untreated control. Seeding with 12.5, 25 and 50 cm inter-row spacing was included as a second factor in the experiment. Weed and crop density were measured directly after treatment. Weed and crop biomass, oilseed rape root diameter and nitrogen uptake were assessed before winter. Seed yield was measured at harvest with a plot combine harvester. In 2021, hoeing in 50 cm inter-row spacing achieved equal weed control efficacy as the herbicide treatment (65–75%). In 2022, hoeing did not reduce weed density, probably due to heavy rainfalls during the first and second pass of hoeing. However, herbicide treatments controlled 92% of the weeds. In 2021, hoeing significantly increased oilseed rape shoot biomass and root diameter compared to the herbicide treatment and the untreated control. Hoeing in 50 cm inter-row spacing resulted in equal yield as the herbicide treatment. In 2022, weed control treatments and inter-row spacing had no effect on oilseed rape biomass, root diameter and yield. This study shows the potential and limitations of weed hoeing in oilseed rape. It also underlines the strong ability of modern oilseed rape cultivars to suppress annual broadleaved weeds.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae are causative agents of the porcine respiratory disease complex. However, information on the prevalence of these pathogens in wild boars is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the presence of antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in wild boars in Serbia. In this study 253 serum samples from wild boars were tested for antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia using the ELISA assay. The overall seroprevalence rates of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were 4.2% and 56.9%, respectively. Antibodies to both pathogens were detected in 20 sera samples (7.9%). The prevalence of wild boars that were seropositive for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae differed with age and ranged from 10.7% to 33.3%, and for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, it ranged from 51.8% to 83.3%. Wild boars are hard to control and are considered a high-risk infection source for outdoor and backyard pigs and eventually for commercial indoor farms as well. Thus, the result of this first serosurvey in Serbia should raise awareness of the importance of wild boars as potential reservoirs of bacterial pathogens such as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Our data revealed the circulation of both pathogens in wild boars in Serbia, drawing attention to the potential health risk they present for domestic swine health.

Grasslands are the predominant land use type in China, which is currently encountering significant desertification issues. Consequently, restoring grassland vegetation has important implications for terrestrial carbon (C) levels and, consequently, the global C balance. This study focused on Salix cupularis, the primary plant used for desert control on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We analysed the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil up to the depth of 60 cm after Salix cupularis growth for 0–24 years, examining soil total organic carbon (TOC) and its labile fractions. Following restoration, there was a gradual increase in TOC and its labile fractions, with the most significant changes observed in the rhizosphere soil at a depth of 0–20 cm. After 24 years of restoration, the TOC content in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil had increased by 141.74% and 39.44%, respectively. Labile organic C in the rhizosphere soil increased more rapidly and pronouncedly compared with the TOC. Specifically, dissolved organic C and easily oxidised organic C in the rhizosphere soil saw substantial increases of 211.03% and 217.65%, respectively. Meanwhile, compared with the 4 years of restoration, soil C pool management index of the 8–24 years soils increased, ranging from 15.70% to 132.21%. Therefore, long-term vegetation restoration on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau can significantly enhance TOC and its labile fractions, as well as improve soil C sink capacity and quality.

Kavurma is a traditional cooked meat product of Türkiye containing a high percentage of animal fat (30–40%). Therefore, kavurma can undergo lipid oxidation easily. This may cause a major problem in the storage and marketing of the product. Synthetic additives used in foods cause anxiety in consumers and this situation increases the search for natural alternatives. Plant essential oils can be reliable additives to extend the shelf life of foods. The protective effect of rosemary and clove essential oils on kavurma meat against microbiological and oxidative deterioration was investigated in this study. For this purpose, kavurma samples were divided into five groups after being produced by standard methods, the essential oils (rosemary and clove) obtained by distillation method were added to the kavurma fat in various proportions, alone or in combination. At the end of the study, the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and peroxide values of the groups containing plant essential oils were found to be lower than the control groups. The groups containing rosemary and clove essential oil showed that microbiological deterioration was delayed and, the sensory evaluation scores were higher than the control groups at the end of the cold storage period.

The breed can influence the results of haematological and biochemical blood tests, with sighthounds traditionally mentioned. It may also affect certain urinary parameters. This study aimed to compare urinary protein and creatinine concentrations and their ratio (UPC, urine protein to creatinine ratio) between sighthounds and non-sighthounds and to evaluate these parameters in various sighthound breeds. Urine samples from clinically healthy dogs were collected via normal voiding, representing both sighthound and non-sighthound breeds. The protein and creatinine concentrations in the urine samples were determined, and their ratio was subsequently calculated. A total of 191 urine samples from sighthounds and 90 urine samples from non-sighthound breeds used as a control group were evaluated in the study. In sighthounds, significantly lower urinary protein concentration (248.8 mg/l and 299.8 mg/l, respectively; P = 0.045) and significantly higher urinary creatinine concentration (23.0 mmol/l and 17.5 mmol/l, respectively; P = 0.000) and lower UPC values (0.13 and 0.18, respectively; P = 0.000) were observed in comparison to the entire control group. The UPC values were found to be significantly lower in Greyhounds and Spanish Greyhounds compared with non-sighthounds. Although statistically significant changes were identified, they are unlikely to be of great clinical importance.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects and mechanisms of glutamine (Gln) on the repair of acid-induced injury in dairy cow ruminal epithelial cells (RECs) in vitro. Dairy cow RECs were cultured in a medium with pH of 5.5 for 3 h and subsequently treated with various concentrations of Gln (4, 8, 12, 32 mmol/l) for 12 h. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of occludin (OCLN), claudin 1 (CLDN1), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and genes for inflammatory factors were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The results showed that cellular activity and OCLN expression were significantly highest at 8 mmol/l Gln (P < 0.05). CLDN1 expression was significantly higher at 4 mmol/l Gln compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). The relative expression levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1B (IL1B), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), TLR2 and TLR4 in the acid treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), but they were lower in the Gln-treated groups than in the acid treatment group (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that Gln promotes the proliferation of RECs, enhances the expression of epithelial cell junction proteins, and inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors and surface receptors. In conclusion, Gln shows a potential for repairing acid-induced injury in RECs.

Contour tillage is an agricultural practice that significantly contributes to enhancing water retention, reducing the risk of flooding, and mitigating soil erosion. Information about the tillage direction is used for modelling water and tillage erosion. In our study, we used Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) visualizations, originally developed for archaeological research, to visualise tillage traces and map tillage direction in the Nitra district (SW Slovakia). The tillage traces were visible in all agricultural parcels, on various agricultural fields, under various agricultural crops. The LiDAR visualisations also revealed pre-collectivization field patterns and even prehistorical field patterns in certain areas. Among the 5 961 investigated points, we recorded the application of contour tillage in 30.63% of the cases. The preference for contour tillage varied among farmers, with the highest reported percentage reaching 49.74%. Our analysis did not reveal a significant correlation between the preference for contour tillage and the slope steepness.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, agricultural commodities had significant price increases, which inevitably implies high risk. In this article, we try to mitigate the extreme risk of corn and soybeans by constructing multivariate portfolios with developed and emerging European stock indices. We measured extreme risk via conditional value at risk. To address different goals that investors might prefer, we produced portfolios with the lowest risk and highest return-to-risk ratio. According to the results, corn and soybeans had relatively high portfolio shares. However, they are the riskiest assets because they have a very low pairwise correlation with the stock indices. Portfolios with emerging European indices had better risk-reducing results, considering both agricultural commodities because these indices are less risky than developed indices. In particular, the risk reductions of corn were 38% and 50% in the portfolios with developed and emerging stock indices, respectively, whereas, for soybeans, the results were 28% and 41%, respectively. In optimal portfolios, emerging European stock indices had the upper hand in most cases.

The delightful pungency, aromatic compounds and phytochemicals in some spices make them indispensable in local food systems and native medicine, hence, driving a robust market in many parts of the world. The understanding of their drying characteristics is very important for processing and adding value, and a thin layer drying study is a proven method for achieving this. In this study, changes in the moisture content, moisture ratio, drying rate and effective diffusivity of alligator peppers, ginger and turmeric were investigated at three drying temperatures 50, 60, and 70 °C following standard procedures. Five models were proposed to simulate the drying process. Non-linear regression was used to establish the coefficient of determination (R²), sum of square error (SSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) for each model to determine the model of the best fit. The Page model gave the best fit for ginger while the logarithmic model was best fitted for alligator peppers and turmeric. The effective diffusivity ranged from 1.79–3.08 × 10^–9, 8.44–9.74 × 10^–9, and 4.06–6.49 × 10^–9 m²·s^–1 for alligator peppers, ginger and turmeric, respectively. The activation energy ranged from 16.5–22 kJ·mol^–1·K^–1 for the three spices. These findings promise improvement in the drying, processing and handling of spices, thereby boosting the obtainable income from the value chain.

In 2021, measurements were done at two international provenance research trials for silver fir originating from the same series of experiments. The investigation was carried out in the location Vítkov and Úsov, where both trials were established. Biometric data (tree height, diameter at breast height) were measured and qualitative traits (stem shape, occurrence of stem forking, stem damage, bark pattern, and defoliation) were assessed during the early mature stage of the experiment. Overbark stem volume and per-hectare standing volume were also calculated. Sixty-five provenances of domestic and foreign origin were evaluated in both trials. Although the results do not indicate unequivocally the most suitable or most productive provenance in the trials, provenances of Czech origin including the ones originating from the surrounding natural forest areas perform consistently better than the average. The least productive provenances, on the other hand, were those from parts of Bulgaria, Austria, and especially Italy, which achieved the poorest results even in stem shape. In Czech conditions, therefore, Italian fir provenances have not proved so successful as they have in the United Kingdom.

The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus associated with bovine mastitis to selected antibiotics and plant extracts. In the current study, 140 milk samples were collected from cows and buffaloes. Among the 140 samples, 93 samples were positive for sub-clinical mastitis based on the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Out of the total positive samples, 45 were confirmed for S. aureus on a Mannitol salt agar media. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that 44.82% of the isolates were resistant to cefoxitin (oxacillin) confirming methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with a higher percentage (51.61%) in the buffalo than in the cow samples. Furthermore, the PCR assay confirmed the presence of the mecA gene in all the MRSA isolates. Among the seven tested antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim showed high efficacy (71.1%) against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus isolates (MSSA). Oxytetracycline and sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim showed 20% efficacy against MRSA followed by enrofloxacin (10%). On the other hand, the tested samples from Pistacia chinensis revealed that the ethyl acetate extract of bark showed a maximum zone of inhibition of 21.3 mm against MSSA and MRSA isolates at 3 000 µg/disc. Moreover, the methanol extract of Cotoneaster microphyllus formed a 12.3 mm and 9.1 mm zone of inhibition against the MSSA and MRSA isolates, respectively.

The present study aimed to use a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate the energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in off-season cucumber-producing greenhouses in different farm level management systems in Iran. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed by 83 cucumber producers through face-to-face interviews. The results showed that the energy use rate was 75.1%, 82.6%, and 86.2% in small (0.5–0.9 ha), medium (0.9–2 ha), and large farms (≥ 2 ha), respectively. In all the farm levels, the greatest energy use shares belonged to electricity, chemical fertilisers, and human labour, respectively. The results of the DEA revealed that the technical, pure technical, and scale efficiencies of the large farms were 87.3%, 92.8%, and 97.1%, respectively, which were higher compared to other farm level management systems. The ratio of energy savings was estimated at 5.62% and 2.97% for small and large farms, respectively. The results also showed that electricity, chemical fertilisers, and diesel fuel were the most responsible for the GHG emissions. By optimising the energy use, pollution per one/ha one of off-season cucumbers can be mitigated by 1 614.5 and 1 315.0 kg of CO2/ha in small and large greenhouses; indicating more attention is required in managing the energy inputs in small-sized agro-ecosystems, especially for electricity.

Normal log lengths in Norway are 3–6 m (NL), but occasionally there is a demand for short timber with a 2.5 m log length (ST). There are concerns that ST could reduce the forwarders' productivity. Six type stands were created based on harvester data. Different assortment distributions, conditions, and forwarders were simulated in each type stand. It was found that an additional ST assortment almost always decreased productivity (from –15.5 to +4%). Increased forwarding distance (m), more difficult driving conditions, and increased log concentration [m³·(100 m strip road)^–1] decreased the productivity difference between sites with ST and NL and sites with only NL. Increased forwarder size increased the productivity difference between sites with ST and NL and sites with only NL. It is possible to load two stacks of ST on some forwarders. Such loading was more productive than loading one stack on longer forwarding distances, while the opposite was the case on short distances. However, loading two stacks of ST can lead to overloading.

Deep placement of controlled-release urea is an effective fertiliser management strategy for improving the maize productivity, but it is not clear whether and how controlled-release urea depth affects the stem and root lodging of spring maize. Two consecutive years of field experiments were conducted to elucidate stem and root lodging properties and their relationship between grain yield and lodging behaviours under various controlled-release urea placement depths. Results depicted that compared to broadcast nitrogen treatment (D0), deep controlled-release urea significantly decreased the stem lodging rate by 34.7–80.4%, which contributed to improving the mechanical characteristics of the internode by optimising the internode diameter and dry matter in the third basal internode as well as higher lignin content. In addition, due to a greater and deeper root system (root dry weight, root surface area, root length and root width) as well as larger angle, diameter, and tension of aerial root that significantly decreased root lodging rate (37.0–88.4%). Furthermore, deep placement of controlled-release urea significantly increased the 100-grain weight, grain number and harvested index by constructing a deeper and larger root system, which significantly improved maize grain yield by 14.2–38.5%, and the nitrogen use efficiency increased by 4.8–10.7%. The highest grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and lowest lodging rate occurred in controlled-release urea placement depths of 15 cm. Hence, our study suggests that controlled-release urea placement depths of 15 cm were an efficient nitrogen fertiliser management strategy to improve crop productivity as well as lodging resistance in spring maize.

The present study aimed to reveal intergenerational differences in the nutritional habits of the baby boomer, X, Y, and Z generations at a private college in Muğla, Türkiye. The study population included the students of the TED Bodrum College in Muğla province in the 2021–2022 academic year, including 311 participants: baby boomers (74), X (66), Y (43), and Z (128) generations. An online questionnaire was used to compare the eating habits among the generations. The data were evaluated using SPSS software. Most of the generations believed in healthy eating. Physical image and social media mainly influence the healthy eating habits of the Z generation. The baby boomers and X generations mostly skipped lunch, while the Y and Z generations skipped breakfast. Baby boomers, X, and Y generations mostly prefer healthy foods; however, the Z generation attaches importance to tasty foods. Z generation's interest in nutrition mostly concerns their physical appearance, not their health. Nutritional knowledge must be strengthened, particularly among young generations, and nutrition education programs need to be better supported by the government and educational sectors.

The effects of biogas residue as a substrate on ginseng growth and its feasibility for ginseng cultivation are unclear. The present study used biogas residue at different concentrations and maturity levels to cultivate ginseng. The biological characteristics of ginseng, soil physiochemical indices, and ginseng and soil microbial communities were investigated. The results showed that with increasing ginseng content and maturity, the total fresh weight, total length and saponin content significantly increased. The enzyme activities of soil, NO₃^–-N, and available phosphorus also increased. The microbiome analysis revealed that with the addition of biogas residue, microorganisms related to plant growth promotion, such as Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadota and Mortierellomycota, were more common in the plant or rhizosphere soil. The results based on the co-occurrence network showed that the structure of the bacterial community was more stable than that of the fungal community with increasing biogas residue content. Our results indicated that biogas residue could be used as a ginseng cultivation substrate and promote growth.

The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the incidence of spontaneous tumours of various origins and the localisation in dogs with sex, breed, and age factors. A total of 360 tumours with various localisation were studied pathomorphologically. Histopathologic data sets from 360 dog tissue samples were processed and statistically examined. A chi-square test of independence was conducted to examine the relationships among the various levels of the specified variables. Logistic regression models were employed for dichotomous outcomes to ascertain the influence of certain explanatory variables on the tumour types. Characteristic pathomorphological changes observed during examination of dogs with oncologic diseases were determined. The most common neoplasms were mammary tumours, accounting for 43% of the cases. The mammary gland tumours were most common in mongrel dogs (25%), with German Shepherds (17.3%), Poodles, Dachshunds, Central Asian Shepherds (6.7% each), and Rottweilers (5.7%) following. The highest frequency of these tumours appeared at 8 years of age, predominantly originating from the ductal epithelium, which represented 46.4% of all the malignant cases.

The issue of productivity and performance in agriculture is significant because it affects a country’s competitiveness, sustainability, and self-sufficiency in agricultural production and is reflected in European policy. This study aims to determine which country had the most efficient large farms compared to other V4 countries and whether efficiency in each country translates into the performance of large farms. The data were obtained from the EU FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) database from 2005 to 2019. These data were then evaluated using the statistical methods DEA: CCR-O (Data Envelopment Analysis: constant returns to scale), DEA: BCC-O (Data Envelopment Analysis: variable returns to scale), and Pearson correlation coefficient. Regarding international comparisons in achieving efficiency as measured by DEA, Hungary is the best performer among the countries compared, followed by Czechia, Poland, and Slovakia. The correlation between efficiency and performance measured by Farm Net Value Added was demonstrated only for Hungary. The international comparison provided information about which country had the most efficient large farms, what the ranking of countries was in terms of efficiency, and for which countries efficiency had / did not have a potential impact on performance. At the same time, the relationships regarding the efficiency and performance of farms with an economic size above EUR 500 000 of standard output were clarified.

Selenium (Se) is a beneficial element for plant growth and development. In this study, three-year-old potted ‘Qingcui’ plums were treated with Na2SeO4 (Se6+) or selenomethionine (SeMet Se2-) to explore the effect of Se on the plant growth, fruit quality, and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) metabolism. Flower and fruit numbers, fruit quality and yield, Se content, and 5-HTP metabolites and enzymes were detected. The results showed that the flower and fruit numbers, and yield were significantly increased by the Se application. There were no significant differences in the fruit diameters, fruit mass, edible part ratio, titratable acids, water content, and solid acid ratio among the treatments. The total soluble solids, soluble protein, and malondialdehyde contents under the Se6+ treatment showed no significant difference compared to the Se2- treatment, but they were significantly higher than these under control by 16.71%, 39.13%, and 36.27%, respectively. The Se application markedly increased plant the Se content, and Se contents in the roots and leaves, or the fruits were significantly larger by the Se6+ treatments than the Se2- treatment. The leaves’ pigment contents under the Se2- treatments were significantly larger than those under the control or Se6+ treatment. Tryptophan was not significantly influenced, the 5-HTP and 5-methoxytryptophan contents were reduced in the roots, and increased in the leaves, and the serotonin content was only significantly increased in the roots by the Se treatments. The tryptophan hydroxylase and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase levels were slightly influenced, and the tryptophan decarboxylase level in the roots or fruits was significantly increased by the Se treatments. The Se application had beneficial effects on the plant growth, fruit quality, and Se content, especially in the Se6+ treatment, and influenced the 5-HTP metabolism.

Species of the genus Xanthium (cocklebur) are invasive plants widespread all over the world. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Xanthium orientale L. was an invasive species, while Xanthium spinosum L. was an economically harmful weed species. The reason these species are spread over vast areas and across various climate conditions must be attributed to their biology, particularly the biology of their seeds. Germination of populations of X. orientale and X. spinosum at a temperature range of 15 °C to 40 °C over 2 to 20 days ranged between 15.0% (X. spinosum) and 90.0% (X. orientale). By means of the application of a statistical model, a positive correlative dependence of temperature and time on seed germination was determined (X. orientale = 80.70%, X. spinosum = 62.20%), which provided a possibility of modelling the seed germination of Xanthium species in various ecological conditions. The optimal germination temperature for both cocklebur species was 30−35 °C. As the germination of seeds was recorded at all researched temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C), it points to a wide ecological valence for the considered abiotic factor. These results suggest that the unique germination biological characteristics of the Xanthium genus made it extremely easy for the species to form monodominant communities in new habitats and climate-changing environments quickly.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a serious acute, highly contagious disease caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). This study aims to establish a qRT-PCR assay with an internal amplification control for the rapid and accurate detection of PPRV. The primers and probes for PPRV N were based on the national standard of the diagnostic techniques for PPR of China, and a pair of primers and TaqMan probes for the internal reference gene of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was designed. Optimisation of the reaction conditions, specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility tests, and clinical sample detection were conducted. The results showed that the optimal primers and probe concentrations of PPRV were 0.4 μmol/l and 0.4 μmol/l, respectively, and were 0.4 μmol/l and 0.2 μmol/l for the reference gene GAPDH, respectively. The established method has no cross-reaction with other viruses. The minimum detection limit was 6.8 copies/µl for PPRV and 190 copies/µl for GAPDH. The coefficients of variation (CV%) of PPRV and GAPDH were both lower than 2%. The results suggest that the PPRV qRT-PCR method containing internal reference genes has strong specificity, high sensitivity, and good reproducibility. The addition of internal reference genes for the sample quality control improves the accuracy of the detection.

Mediterranean Quercus forests have great ecological importance but face numerous threats, including pests. The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L., is a major oak defoliator across its geographical range and has a natural enemy complex that may control its population dynamics. This study aimed to investigate candidate predators (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae, Ichneumonidae, Pteromalidae, Braconidae, Bethylidae, Ceraphronidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae and Trichogrammatidae; and Diptera: Tachinidae), for the control of L. dispar in two areas in Andalusia (Spain). We studied 10 Quercus stands (Q. suber, Q. ilex, and Q. pyrenaica), with different L. dispar infestation level. Insects were collected using pitfall and cross-vane traps, during the defoliator's larval period. Four genera comprised 92.2% of all the Carabidae predators found: Steropus Dejean (34.1%), Carabus L. (28.4%), Calathus Bonelli (15.9%), and Platyderus Stephens (13.8%); and four Hymenoptera families comprised 93.7% of the parasitoid specimens collected: Encyrtidae (61%), Ichneumonidae (17.5%), Pteromalidae (10.7%), and Braconidae (4.5%). Both the natural enemy assemblage composition and the abundance per tree varied between geographical areas, as well as between levels of defoliator infestation. The candidate enemy complex was markedly diverse and abundant in stands not infested by L. dispar, where no insecticides had been applied. Our results suggest the importance of generalist predators as natural enemies of L. dispar.

The fatty acid (FA) composition of milk fat can be positively influenced by the modification of dairy farming and the possible selection of raw material for processing. The question arises as to whether the benefits of a better FA composition will be maintained even after processing dairy products. Thus, the aim was to obtain a more favourable FA composition by a targeted selection of cow’s milk (grazing vs stabled herds) and then compare FAs of milk and fermented product (yoghurt). Bulk tank milk of grazing herds had significantly better FA composition than milk of stabled herds (for example, C16:0 28.07% vs 32.27%, P < 0.001; C18:3n-3 0.83% vs 0.41%, P < 0.001; C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 (conjugated linoleic acid; CLA) 1.02% vs 0.41%, P < 0.01). The differences between the FAs in milk and yoghurt samples were negligible (in relative values from 0.04% to 5.21%). The correlations between milk and yoghurt for nutritionally important FAs were high, from 0.925 0 (C18:2n-6) to 0.998 8 (CLA; both P < 0.001). The minimal effect of milk fermentation on the original FA composition of milk fat was found. In conclusion, systematic selection of raw cow’s milk or modification of farming conditions can also provide a nutritionally desirable composition of final dairy products.

We compared the biological and economic effects of simultaneous artificial regeneration of mixtures of pioneers (birch – Betula pendula Roth or aspen – Populus tremula L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) with plots of monospecific beech. During the period of two years, the height of young beech trees, their mortality, and the regeneration cost were analysed in the following treatments: monospecific beech (9 000 pcs·ha⁻¹), monospecific beech (5 000 pcs·ha⁻¹), beech/birch (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha⁻¹) and beech/aspen (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha⁻¹). Four plots (differing in soil and altitude) were established in the region of the Czech Republic in autumn 2021. The positive biological effect of these pioneers was detected only in the treatments where the initial planting stock of the pioneers was substantially higher than in that of beech (on average 39 cm vs. 100 cm, respectively). However, the expenses of simultaneous regeneration were about 15% lower compared to plots with monospecific beech in densities like 9 000 pcs·ha⁻¹, and around 35% higher than in the monospecific beech plots with a density of 5 000 pcs·ha⁻¹.

Fractures of long bones in limbs are rare traumatic events in horses. This study investigates whether the incidence and types of fractures can be related to the histomorphometric features of the radius and tibia, which experience different biomechanical stresses and exhibit varying incidences and types of fractures. Clinical observations suggest that, in adults, slightly transverse and comminuted fractures are present in the radius, while the tibia shows a higher frequency of longitudinal and spiral fractures. Microscopic observations reveal no apparent distinctive characteristics between the radius and tibia, whereas the histomorphometric data highlight differences in the osteon density, eccentricity, and diameters of the osteons and Haversian canals. To sum up, tibial osteons are more numerous and smaller than those in the radius, resulting in a 15% higher total extension of the cement line in the tibia compared to the radius. These histomorphometric differences are an evolutionary adaptation to the different biomechanical stresses that involve the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Our results could help better understand numerous clinical realities detectable through retrospective analyses and aid in evaluating a specific bone’s predisposition towards traumatic events in all mammals, including humans.

This study uses micro-financial data to examine the efficiency of agricultural enterprises in Germany and its neighbouring countries. The aim of the study is to introduce a model for the agricultural sector and conduct an efficiency analysis using these data, interpreting the results with specific knowledge in the management of an agriculture company. Both technical and allocative efficiencies were determined, and the companies were ranked. Possible correlations between company size, measured by turnover, and the determined efficiency were analysed. At present, there is a lack of studies in the agricultural sector with high aggregated financial data, which are the basis and necessity for well-founded decision support to increase efficiency. The data envelopment analysis method was used, as a non-parametric procedure from operations research and economics field. Both the constant returns to scale (CCR) and variable returns to scale (BCC) models were used to calculate the efficiency values. The results showed that large and very large companies achieved the highest levels of efficiency. Interestingly, very large companies lost efficiency compared to large companies, suggesting that the optimal efficiency level lies with the latter. Furthermore, the Netherlands was the absolute efficiency leader, while the other countries achieved similar lower efficiencies. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive efficiency analysis in the agricultural sector based on financial data, thus offering a basis for future studies and political decisions.