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Microbial quality of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk is usually ascertained by a total bacterial count (TBC) cultivation. But this is time consuming, so there is a tendency to search for faster and simpler methods. We compared three instruments, focusing on shortening the detection time and their suitability for practical use in dairy plants. Two of them, RapiScreen Dairy 1000 and Promilite III, detect microbial contamination by measuring adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence; the third, GreenLight, is based on oxygen consumption analysis. In the laboratory experiments, samples of UHT milk, were spiked with low concentration of microorganisms and then the level of microbial contamination was evaluated using the above-mentioned instruments together with cultivation method as a control. The instruments were also applied in a dairy plant to test 182 real samples. All investigated methods determined microbial quality faster than the TBC, but in some cases false positive and false negative results were obtained. Therefore, precise testing including optimizing pre-incubation time for bacteria enrichment is needed prior to industrial use.

The objective of the study was to evaluate stress invoked by a temperature decrease in the common carp (n = 56). After acclimatisation to laboratory conditions at a temperature of 27.8 ± 1.0 °C, the fish (n = 28) were transferred to 16.8 ± 1.0 °C water (group T2; temperature difference Δ -11 °C); the rest of the fish were kept at the original water temperature (group T1). The examination of individual fish was made after 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours (h). The impact on the haematological and biochemical indices was evaluated. Furthermore, the effect on the food content passage speed was investigated and a histopathological examination was performed. The changed haematological indices in the T2 group returned to the T1 values 48 h after a temperature decrease, except for the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio which was found to be higher in all the T2 samplings. Most of the monitored biochemical indices decreased in the T2 group and some of them remained that way at 48 hours. On the contrary, the liver enzymes increased in the T2 group at 48 hours. The passage of food through the digestive tract was mostly finished after 48 h for both groups. However, in the warmer water, the intestine was empty in 71.4% cases after 24 h already, while in the T2 group, the food content passage was only completed in 14.3% of the fish at the same time. Local gill and skin necrosis, and mononuclear cell infiltration were found in the T2 group. A sudden change in the temperature can affect various parameters of the common carp, however, these changes can mostly be eliminated within 48 hours.

Sustainable cropping systems require efficient usage of fossil energy. This study performed on a long-term field experiment in the Pannonian Basis investigated the energy efficiency of four tillage systems (mouldboard plough (MP), deep conservation tillage (CT_d), shallow conservation tillage (CT_s) and no-tillage (NT)) for sugar beet and soybean production, taking fuel consumption, total energy input (made up of both direct and indirect inputs), crop yield, energy output, net-energy output, energy intensity and energy use efficiency into account. The input rates of fertiliser, chemical plant protection, and seeds were set constant across years; whereas measured values of fuel consumption were used for all tillage treatments. NT required a considerably lower energy input than MP and CT_d as no fuel is needed for tillage and just slightly more fuel for additional spraying of glyphosate. Anyhow, the energy efficiency parameters did not differ between tillage treatments, as theses parameters were mainly determined by energy output, which was considerably higher than the energy input. However, year effects on the energy efficiency were observed for both crops. Nitrogen fertilisation and diesel fuel consumption were identified as the most energy-intensive inputs. Consequently, the energy input for sugar beet was higher than that for soybean, which was identified as a low-input crop. But sugar beet attained a more than 4 times higher net-energy output, a 2.5 times higher energy use efficiency, and an energy intensity for yield production of less than 3 times those of soybean.

Peatlands, as important global nitrogen (N) pools, are potential sources of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. We measured N₂O flux dynamics in Hani peatland in a growing season with simulating warming and N addition for 12 years in the Changbai Mountains, Northeastern China, by using static chamber-gas chromatography. We hypothesised that warming and N addition would accelerate N₂O emissions from the peatland. In a growing season, the peatland under natural conditions showed near-zero N₂O fluxes and warming increased N₂O emissions but N addition greatly increased N₂O absorption compared with control. There was no interaction between warming and N addition on N₂O fluxes. Pearson correlation analysis showed that water table depth was one of the main environmental factors affecting N₂O fluxes and a positive relationship between them was observed. Our study suggests that the N₂O source function in natural temperate peatlands maybe not be so significant as we expected before; warming can increase N₂O emissions, but a high dose of N input may turn temperate peatlands to be strong sinks of N₂O, and global change including warming and nitrogen deposition can alter N₂O fluxes via its indirect effect on hydrology and vegetation in peatlands.

To meet rapid and non-destructive identification of selenium-enriched agricultural products selenium-enriched millet and ordinary millet were taken as objects. Image regions of interest (ROI) were selected to extract the spectral average value based on hyperspectral imaging technology. Reducing noise by the Savitzky-Golay (SG) smoothing algorithm, variables were used as inputs that were screened by successive projections algorithm (SPA), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), uninformative variable elimination (UVE), CARS-SPA, UVE-SPA, and UVE-CARS, while sample variables were used as outputs to build support vector machine (SVM) models. The results showed that the accuracy of CARS-SPA-SVM was 100% in the training set and 99.58% in the test set equivalent to that of CARS-SVM and UVE-CARS-SVM, which was higher than that of SPA-SVM, UVE-SPA-SVM, and UVE-SVM. Therefore, the method of CARS-SPA had superiority, and CARS-SPA-SVM was suitable to identify selenium-enriched millet. Finally, 454.57 nm, 484.98 nm, 885.34 nm, and 937.1 nm, which were obtained by wavelength extraction algorithms, were considered as the sensitive wavelengths of selenium information. This study provided a reference for the identification of selenium-enriched agricultural products.

Exogenous carbon (C) not only regulates plant growth but also provides energy for microbes and improves the soil environment. We hypothesised that exogenous C could improve plant growth by affecting the soil environment. Therefore, pot experiments were conducted and peanut cvs. Huayu 22(H) and NN-1(B) were used under three different treatments (the control, single nitrogen (N), and N combined with glucose (CN)). The results showed that the abundance and diversity of N-fixing bacteria are obviously influenced by the C and N, and exogenous C can promote the restoration of microbial diversity. The relative abundances of Burkholderiales were increased under HCN and BCN to 9.8% and 9.5%, respectively, compared to the control (3.9%, 2.5%). The abundance of N fixation bacteria increased mainly due to the soil nutrient change. In comparison with the single N treatment, the addition of the C significantly decreased the soil NH4+-N and NO3--N contents by 31.0% and 13.3%, respectively. And the activities of soil urease and nitrogenase were significantly increased. Compared to the control, single N significantly limited the root development, while the addition of C played a promoting role in root growth. Plant N accumulation increased compared with the control, but there was no significant difference between N treatment and CN treatment. These results indicated that exogenous C promoted soil microorganism activity and strengthened plant growth by changing the soil environment.

Myclobutanil is a chemical pesticide commonly used in the production of some vegetables and fruits like greenhouse peppers, grapes, and apples. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of myclobutanil fungicide on the Allium cepa plant, the model organism. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and inter simple sequence repeat-PCR techniques were performed on the DNA of A. cepa exposed to the different myclobutanil doses and time periods. The nucleus anomalies and abnormal anaphases were investigated using a light microscope. PCR analyses showed that myclobutanil causes some DNA sequence changes on the onion genome depending on the increase in the fungicide dose and exposure time. It was determined that myclobutanil has a serious genotoxic effect, even in low doses like 25-50 ppm.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of feed restriction on the growth performance and carcass composition of chicken, rabbit and nutria males and females. Feed restriction was applied at a rate of 70% ad libitum from 14 to 21 days of age in chickens, 70% ad libitum from 42 to 49 days of age in rabbits, and 70% ad libitum from 12 to 15 weeks of age in nutrias. Animals were fed ad libitum prior to and following restriction. Carcass composition was evaluated at common slaughter ages, i.e., 31 days in chickens, 70 days in rabbits, and eight months in nutrias. The results showed stronger effects of feed restriction, sex, and their interaction in broiler chickens than in rabbits and nutrias. In chickens, feed restriction increased the sex differences in final body weight, which were associated with interaction of feed restriction and sex (P = 0.009). Feed restriction as a fixed factor significantly affected growth and feed conversion in chickens and it was with no effect in rabbits and nutrias. The effect of feed restriction on carcass composition was negligible in all selected species. With respect to sex, significant differences were observed in chickens in final body weight, daily weight gain, dressing out percentage and breast percentage, in rabbits in loin percentage, and in nutrias in growth and perirenal fat percentage. Results of the study indicated that interactions of feed restriction and sex in growth might be associated with a short realimentation period.

The aim of the study conducted in 2019-2021 was to determine the effect of biostimulants and growth regulators on the yield size and structure, as well as the chemical composition of edible potato tubers. The cultivar evaluated was Vineta. Asahi SL, Kelpak SL, Aminoplant, Tytanit, gibberellic acid (GA3) and Moddus 250 EC were applied in potato cultivation. The application of biostimulants Asahi SL and Tytanit increased the total and marketable tuber yield, as well as the average tuber weight. Aminoplant had a beneficial effect only on the marketable yield, while Moddus 250 EC decreased tuber yield and mean tuber weight, especially under conditions of high rainfall. Biostimulant Asahi SL caused a decrease in the number of tubers formed, while gibberellic acid stimulated tuberisation. Both preparations increased the share of deformed tubers in the total yield. The effect of biostimulants and growth regulators on the formation of the chemical composition of potato tubers was multidirectional. Tytanit increased protein content in tubers, while the remaining preparations, with the exception of the growth regulator Moddus 250 EC, decreased the amount of this component. GA3 and Moddus 250 EC decreased the content of crude fibre and, in the case of Moddus 250 EC, also the content of mineral components. The highest concentration of nitrates (V) was characteristic for potato tubers treated with Asahi SL and the lowest for those treated with Moddus 250 EC.

An 8-year-old, neutered male Yorkshire Terrier dog presented with left ventromedial canthus swelling over a one-month period, refractory to pharmacological therapy. There was no history of trauma. On ultrasonography, the lesion had a cystic character filled with anechoic fluid and hyperechoic sedimenting debris. The computed tomography (CT) and CT-dacryocystography showed a cystic lesion protruding from the lacrimal sac fossa and occupying a defect in the orbital plate and an ethmoidal ectoturbinate surrounded by a bony structure with an intact nasolacrimal system. The dog underwent the surgical resection of the cyst and its fluid content was aspirated. Ethmoid mucocele was diagnosed based on the CT, cytologic examination, bacterial culture and histopathologic findings. This case describes the imaging characteristics of an ethmoid mucocele and highlights the importance of CT and CT-dacryocystography in dogs with ventromedial canthus swelling that had poor response to medical treatment.

An 11-year-old intact female Pomeranian dog was referred for jaundice, anorexia, and vomiting. The blood analysis revealed increased alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity was within the normal reference range. The radiography revealed no significant findings. On ultrasound, the gallbladder was enlarged with a markedly distended common bile duct (CBD) measuring up to 6 mm in diameter. The pancreas had an irregular contour, a hypoechoic peripheral rim, multiple hyperechoic foci with acoustic shadowing, and showed increased echogenicity of the adjacent mesentery. Based on these results, an extrahepatic biliary obstruction secondary to the presumed chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed. The computed tomography (CT) images showed a hypoattenuating pancreatic parenchyma compared to the liver in the early phase, as well as multiple calcifications. A laparotomy was performed to reserve the patency of the CBD. The histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma. While various appearances of exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma on CT have been reported in humans, CT features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma have not been well-established in dogs. The purpose of this report is to describe the atypical imaging features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma that are similar to those of chronic pancreatitis in a dog.

Several toxicological centres have reported ailments, mainly digestive inconveniences, following the intake of provably edible mushroom species. The causes of such complaints have not been explained yet. We, therefore, tested levels of biogenic amines (BAs). Fruit bodies of widely consumed wild-growing species, Imleria badia and Suillus variegatus were stewed, then preserved by freezing or canning and stored for up to 12 months. Contents of six amines were determined in the fresh matter, in each step of preservation and during storage. Histamine (HIM) and cadaverine (CAD) were not detected at all. Putrescine (PUT) occurred in fresh fruit bodies at levels of 700-1 500 mg kg^-1 dry matter (DM), however, its contents considerably decreased, particularly during stewing. Undesirable phenylethylamine (PEA) and tyramine (TYM) occurred at lower levels. Stewing, the technological step necessary in both the tested preservation treatments, reduced the contents of all the amines alike as sterilisation, whereas following storage showed a limited effect. PUT seems to be the only amine that could participate in the reported ailments.

In human medicine, skin grafting is an innovative surgical technique widely used in reconstructive surgery to repair skin loss. This case evaluated the effectiveness of a treatment with dermal micro-grafting obtained through the Rigenera^® technology in a chronic open wound resulting from a suture dehiscence of a limb amputation in a cat. Significant differences were observed between the aesthetic aspects of the injury using traditional treatments (cleaning and curettage) and the regenerative technology. The results showed that the healing periods were significantly reduced after the Rigenera^® treatment and that, moreover, a perfect skin status and a complete reduction in the wound area (100%) were achieved in one month. Given these results, Rigenera^® has proven to be a simple yet highly effective method in the treatment of inactivated chronic wounds.

Competitiveness is one of the key concepts in economic sciences, andit is defined as the ability of businesses to compete in the market. The aim of this study was to assess the competitiveness of dairy products in Poland. The competitiveness was evaluated in a macroeconomic approach by analysing the exports, imports, and the trade balance. The results were processed and presented with the use of tabular, graphic, and descriptive methods. After Poland joined the European Union (EU) in 2004, one of the key goals was to improve the quality, storage, and applicability of dairy products, and to promote trade in milk and dairy products. The Polish dairy industry reported a positive balance in the foreign trade of milk and dairy products, which contributed to positive values in the competitiveness indicators of dairy products. The values of the export specialisation index (SI), export revealed comparative advantage (XRCA), relative import penetration index (MRCA), foreign trade coverage ratio (CRK), and the Grubel-Lloyd intra-industry trade index (IITk) were positive, which attests to the competitiveness of Polish dairy products. We proved that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the competitiveness of dairy enterprises in Poland.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and proper fertilisers are used to increase quality of the Salak Pondoh, such as in the plant production, fruit number and size. This study aims to determine the type and dosage of PGRs and the best type of fertiliser to increase the production bunch and fruit of Salak Pondoh. The method used was a Factorial Completely Randomised Design (FCRD) with 36 treatments (excluding the control) and 3 replications. Three treatments were conducted: first, as a control, no PGR treatment + fertilisation (no fertilisation, manure, and NPK). Second, a 3 × 3 factorial scheme. Treatment of PGR GA3 (50, 100, 150 ppm) + fertilisation (no fertilisation, manure, and NPK). Third, a 3 × 3 × 3 factorial scheme was used. Treatment of PGR Gracilaria sp. extract (50, 100, 150 ppm) with different solvents (n-Hexane, methylene-chloride, ethanol) + fertilisation (no fertilisation, manure, and NPK). The parameters observed were the number length, area of the bunch, length and area of the fruit. The results showed the highest number of bunches was found in PGR GA3 50 ppm. While, the highest bunch area was found in PGR Gracilaria sp. ethanol 150 ppm. The PGRs only increased the formation of the bunches and did not increase the length and width of the bunches and the fruit size. Fertilisation affected the Salak production in the form of the number, length and width of the bunches, and the fruit size. In addition, the fertiliser increased the number of the bunches, bunch area, and length and area of the fruit. The interaction of the PGR and fertilisation had no significant effect on increasing the Salak Pondoh production. The best result in increasing the Salak Pondoh production was PGR Gracilaria sp. ethanol 100 ppm with manure fertilisation.

This study was conducted to examine the epidemiological characteristics of two Pseudomonas syringae pvs. - syringae (Pss) and morsprunorum race 1 (Psm) on the sweet cherry in both field and laboratory conditions. Cycled inoculations of one-year-old branches indicated that the sweet cherry became sensitive to Psm race 1 earlier in the season (October) compared to Pss (November). The most severe infections occurred in the dormancy period (November), while the necroses formed in January and March were less in their length. Inoculations of the two-/three-year-old branches performed in November resulted in necrosis, with those induced by Pss being more aggressive. The January inoculations, however, resulted in less formed necroses in length. Laboratory tests performed on excised sweet cherry branches confirmed the results yielded by the field experiments, indicating that the dormancy period poses the greatest risk for the P. syringae pvs. infection. The isolation of Pss and Psm bacteria from naturally infected sweet cherry samples (cankers) during the summer indicated that the bacteria that persists in cankers in low numbers became active during autumn. Significant Pss and Psm race 1 epiphytic bacterial populations were noted during the spring, but decreased in the summer and increased again in the autumn, indicating the presence of inoculum reservoirs. The greater understanding of the control strategies aimed at the epidemiological factors should, thus, facilitate better disease outbreak management.

This study was conducted to evaluate the sufficiency of food safety practices in a catering company. The presence of some pathogenic and indicator bacteria was monitored in the samples collected from raw materials, food, food contact surfaces and workers' hands and various steps of the tas kebab (a Turkish meat stew) and salad processing lines. Bacillus cereus was found in ready-to-eat (RTE) tas kebab and RTE salad, while Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from RTE salad. Furthermore, it was observed that RTE salad contained coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus without staphylococcal enterotoxin production. The swab samples obtained from cutting board surfaces, knives and workers' hands contained high counts of total aerobic bacteria and some samples were contaminated with coliforms and coagulase-positive/negative staphylococci. The presence of B. cereus and L. monocytogenes in RTE foods is a serious threat to public health, especially in the catering business. Preventing the presence of toxin-producing bacteria in RTE food is a fundamental action. Also, the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in RTE salad and B. cereus in RTE tas kebab/salad samples showed insufficient cleaning/disinfection practices. As a result, hygiene practices and regular monitoring in the catering business are necessary for food safety.

Twelve adult Slovak warmblood sport horses were used to study the effect of dried grape pomace (DGP) on health through blood serum biochemical indicators, and on apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). The digestibility analysis was carried out by two in vivo methods, total faeces collection (TFC) and using lignin as a marker (ADL). Animals were divided into 3 groups: control group (C, without supplementation), experimental group 1 (E1, feed rations + 200 g of DGP) and experimental group 2 (E2, feed rations + 400 g of DGP). In animals, no health problems were detected during the trial. Of the blood serum indicators, only the concentrations of potassium (increase in E2 group compared to C group) and alanine aminotransferase (decrease in E2 group in comparison with E1 and C group) were affected (P < 0.05). The ADL method resulted in underestimated digestibility coefficients due to low recovery rates of lignin (less than 90%) in C group and E1 group. According to TFC, in E1 group higher digestibility coefficients were detected for DM, OM and CP (P > 0.05) compared to C group. However, in E2 group lower digestibility of all the studied nutrients was found (P > 0.05) in comparison with C group and E1 group. These results suggest that DGP could be used in horse diets up to 200 g without negative effect on their health and for a possible digestibility improvement of some nutrients.

Dog barking, which reaches around 100 dB, often becomes a noise issue in urban environments. One potential solution, a simple soundproof cage, has recently been marketed. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted to investigate what sort of stress burden is imposed on dogs kept in cages, and it may raise animal welfare concerns. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to reveal whether staying in a soundproof cage caused stress for the dogs or not. Ten healthy domestic dogs (5 males, 5 females) of small body size were evaluated. The heart rate variability (HRV), behaviour, and internal and external temperature during confinement in a soundproof cage for each dog were analysed. The HRV analyses revealed no significant differences for any variables between confinement and non-confinement (HR, P > 0.999 9; rMSSD, P = 0.359 4; SDNN, P = 0.359 4; LF, P = 0.652 3; HF, P = 0.128 9; LF/HF, P = 0.222 7). Overall, in our behavioural analysis, there were no significant differences between confinement and non-confinement (P = 0.105 5). In conclusion, the HRV and behavioural analyses did not indicate an increased stress burden on the dogs during confinement in the soundproof cage compared with non-confinement. The inner temperature of the cage was not elevated either. Nevertheless, the stress imposed on dogs caused by a soundproof cage should always be considered on an individual basis, and the time spent in such a cage should always be kept to a minimum.

A two-year-old female Prague Ratter dog was presented for evaluation of cough, exercise intolerance and worsening dyspnea. A previous treatment with antibiotics did not resolve the clinical signs. A diagnostic approach revealed peripheral eosinophilia, endoscopic bronchial changes, and bronchoalveolar lavage with eosinophilic inflammation. Thoracic radiographs revealed a solitary mass and bilateral interstitial lung pattern. These radiographic findings were confirmed by computed tomography and ultrasound-guided biopsy of the lung mass. Treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine was initiated. Two months afterwards, the granuloma was no longer detectable radiographically. All medication was gradually discontinued after nine months and currently, after almost three years, the dog remains free of clinical signs.

This study aimed to produce yogurt with Ganoderma lucidum residues and selected probiotic bacteria. To select the most potent GABA-producing strain (GABA - γ-aminobutyric acid), nine probiotic bacteria were subjected to the glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity assay. Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was selected and used in preparing fresh yogurts, with and without supplementation of Ganoderma residues obtained after water extraction [GW (Ganoderma waste) 2% (w/v)]. A decrease in pH during fermentation and the occurrence of syneresis were investigated. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) viability and anti-Escherichia activity were estimated. Further, the cytotoxic effect of yogurt extracts on the human colon cancer cell line (HCT116) was surveyed. Besides functionality, the sensory attributes were evaluated. The pH values did not significantly change with the GW addition while increasing the LAB counts [up to 9.76 ± 0.11 log colony-forming units (CFU) mL^-1] and the cytotoxic effect on HCT116 cells. Yogurt produced with selected bacteria and GW had the most valuable anti-coli effect against E. coli 0157: H7 and E. coli ATCC 35218 (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Maryland) (4.81 ± 0.62 and 5.64 ± 0.29 CFU mL^-1, respectively). Although the added GW increased the yogurt functionality, it had a slightly negative effect on the taste and texture of the partially modified recipe. Yogurts fortified with GABA-producing strain and GW could potentially reduce relapse rates of depressive disorders.

The effect of soil selenate application to two different soils (Phaeozem and Cambisol) on biomass yield and selenium (Se) uptake by spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated in a pot experiment. Additionally, organic amendment (fugate, i.e. liquid by-product from the biogas plant) was applied to assess (i) the effect of organic matter on the bioavailability of Se and (ii) the fugate (containing 2.3 mg/kg of Se) as a potential source of Se for plants. Selenium was applied at two levels: 6.4 µg/kg (Se1) and 32 µg/kg (Se2) of soil. The efficiency of biofortification and the distribution of selenium within individual plant compartments were assessed in this case. The highest Se contents in the grain were achieved in the treatments receiving NPK fertiliser together with selenate, 455 µg/kg (Se1) and 2 721 µg/kg (Se2) when wheat was planted in Phaeozem. Fugate in co-application with selenate significantly reduced Se content in wheat plants as compared to treatments enriched solely with selenate. The lower Se contents in the wheat plants growing in Phaeozem were due to the biodilution effect, whereas in Cambisol, the decrease in wheat Se uptake was not clearly driven by a particular factor.

Agriculture has lost its importance in many parts of the world, leaving peasants in a state of uncertainty regarding their social status and identity. This article uses both quantitative and qualitative data to present the changes experienced by Romanian peasants as a result of an entire series of processes which led to the loss of their place within society. Statistical data are used to illustrate the evolution of the most relevant agriculture-related indicators over the last three decades. Qualitative data are presented in order to explain how developments in agriculture were perceived by peasants. While the changes might be irreversible, the story of the 'old' class of peasants should constitute a starting point for redesigning national policies and avoiding the disintegration of an entire social class.

The functional role of the insect pathogen fungus Metarhizium anisopliae strain NCAIM 362 against the white grub cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) larvae and southern European marshland pyralid (Duponchelia fovealis) larvae in a sweet potato cultivation was tested under greenhouse conditions. As a positive control, the effect of the same strain of M. anisopliae were compared with the effect of the synthetic insecticide alpha-cypermethrin. According to the results, alpha-cypermethrin was more effective against both the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera larvae, a lower number of surviving individuals as well as less damaged tubers were detected after the chemical treatment, compared with M. anisopliae.

Soil and water losses in purple soil area is becoming an increasingly severe problem, bringing enormous challenges to environmental protection in rural areas. In this study, simulated rainfall experiments were conducted to analyse the effects of rainfall and the slope conditions on the soil and water loss. Purple soil from a typical slope in the Beibei District of Chongqing was selected as the experimental soil. Twenty rainfall scenarios with varying rainfall intensities and slope conditions were created in the simulation. The results indicate that the runoff initiation time shortened with an increased rainfall intensity and slope gradient. There was a logarithmic relationship between the effect of the rainfall amount on both the runoff intensity and sediment yield intensity. Generally, both the runoff and sediment yield showed a positive linear relationship with the rainfall intensity under different slope gradient conditions. In terms of the same rainfall intensity, both the runoff intensity and sediment yield intensity increased with the slope. Furthermore, a critical slope gradient for the soil and water loss was found between 20° and 25°. This study aimed to provide a reference for soil and water conservation research in a purple soil area.

Xylotrechus arvicola is an emerging grape pest that generates serious sanitary problems in vineyards and is currently expanding its range throughout Spain. The increasing prevalence of this pest in Spanish vineyards has been detected since 1990. In this study, the relationship between the climate and the actual distribution of the beetle was analysed, as well as how this distribution might change in the future according to several climate change models. The methodology was based on predictive models (SDM; species distribution modelling) using climate variables as explanatory factors, although the relationships were not necessarily causal. Maxent was used as the SDM method. The current climatic niche was calculated, and the actual potential distribution area was estimated. The relationships between the climate variables and the species probability of the presence were projected to various future climate change scenarios. The main conclusions reached were that climate change will favour the expansion of X. arvicola and that the potential infestation zones will be extended significantly. Although the results, because they were based on hypothetical climate frameworks that are under constant revision, were not conclusive, they should be taken into consideration when defining future strategies in the wine industry.

Acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) is a key metabolite produced by the acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) gene in energy metabolism and biosynthetic pathways. ACS is speculated to be the branching site of monacolin K (MK) and citrinin production and related to the metabolite production of Monascus. In this study, the ACS expression was inhibited by ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi). T7 was selected for a follow-up analysis of the lowest ACS expression, which was 0.401 times higher than that of the wild-type strain. The effects on the colony morphology of Monascus were determined. The morphological characteristics of mycelia and spores were observed under a scanning electron microscope. The contents of secondary metabolites, namely, MK and citrinin, were determined through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Colour values were measured with a spectrophotometer. Results showed that the low ACS expression could inhibit the growth of Monascus colonies and the hypha and affect the formation and morphology of Monascus M1 spores. It could also inhibit the production of the main secondary metabolites, namely, MK, citrinin, and pigment.

Many studies showed that afforestation increases carbon storage and it can have effects on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Afforestation can affect local and regional climate and these effects differ between tropical, temperate and boreal areas. Forests are also efficient in protecting soils against erosion and their flood mitigation functions or other benefits are described in different publications. In this study, the pattern of air temperatures (20 cm, 40 cm and 60 cm above the surface) was studied 10 years after the afforestation of agricultural land (warm, mild dry region of the Czech Republic) with a mixture of broadleaved tree species (Quercus robur L., Quercus rubra L. and Acer platanoides L.) or monospecific Pinus sylvestris L. stand. The aim of our study was to find out the pattern of air temperatures (20 cm, 40 cm and 60 cm above the surface) on two plots (one of the plots ‒ old beech trees, the other plot ‒ clearing) in a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest in a mildly warm, mildly wet region of the Czech Republic. The afforestation of agriculturally used land led to air temperature cooling and to a reduction of the amplitude of maximum and minimum temperatures. The average air temperature (from April 2021 to the beginning of November 2021) decreased by 0.7-1.1 °C on the afforested plots compared with the agriculturally used plot. In the beech forest, the average temperature decreased on the plot with clearing compared with the old beech trees (from the middle of September 2021 to the middle of November 2021). Our results confirm the benefits of afforestation to climate change mitigation; buffering of extreme temperatures is important for the human thermal comfort.

The exact determination of the rotation period is still a current and important essential issue of forestry. It attracts the attention of forest economists, managers and owners worldwide, not only of forest economists but also of forest managers. The rotation period is defined by physical, technical or financial parameters of forest management. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between the biological and the economic optimal rotation period. A fundamental challenge in forest management is the need for appropriate determination of the rotation period. The primary interest of our research was to compare the effective legislation for the determination of the rotation period in the Czech Republic and in the Slovak Republic. Scientific methods such as document analysis and questionnaire survey were applied. The results of the legislation analysis and other related documents were compared with the expert opinions of the relevant stakeholders. Those who affect the decision process related to the problem and those where are "affected" by the problem were involved in the study. Results show that respondents do not agree with the regulation of rotation period according to effective law. Moreover, they consider it as not usable as the conditions in forest ecosystems have changed recently, which is not considered in the legislation.