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The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and the extent of lipid peroxidation of carp meat with plant additives. The research was conducted in two stages: January and April. Fish meat was mixed with additives, put into bags and held in refrigeration conditions for two weeks. Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) values on the first day of research in January ranged from 2.46 µM TE/g (w/w) to 4.60 µM TE/g (w/w). In April it was from 1.75 µM TE/g (w/w) to 3.21 µM TE/g (w/w), depending on the additives and method of storage (air-stored or vacuum-packed). TEAC values were higher in air-stored groups. The highest peroxide value was indicated in the control group at the end of research in January (6.06 mEq O₂/kg lipids). The Totox index of meats on the last day of research was higher in April (18.24) than in January (max. 17.22). The antioxidants present in herbs prevent from the formation of secondary lipid oxidation products.

The effect of foliar application of selenium (Se) fertilizers (sodium selenite and selenate) in two different Se doses (10 and 20 g/ha) on grain yield, Se content and mechanical and technological parameters of winter wheat grain was investigated in the field fertilization experiment. Foliar spray application of Se was applied at the growth stage of the 2^nd node on the main stem (32 BBCH). Selenate foliar applications in dose 10 g Se per ha showed a significant increase of grain yield in comparison to control treatment without Se application. The mechanical and technological parameters of wheat grain were not significantly affected by both selenite and selenate foliar application. The average Se concentration was significantly lower in 2007/2008 (grain yield 8.72 t/ha) than 2006/2007 (yield 6.35 t/ha) growing season (0.133 versus 0.189 mg Se/kg dry matter). The grain Se absorption efficiency at foliar application of 10 and 20 g Se/ha of selenite and selenate were 1.35-1.45% and 13.24-15.14%, respectively.

In 4-year trials, soybean seeds were treated with the following biologically active substances: Lignohumate B (a mixture of humic acids and fulvic acids); Lexin (a mixture of humic acids and fulvic acids enriched with auxins); brassinosteroid (a synthetic analogue of natural epibrassinolide 24) and so-called 'Complex seed treatment' (a mixture of a saturated solution of sucrose, Lexin, the fungicide Maxim XL 035 FS and an adjuvant on the basis of pinolene). After harvesting soybean seeds from the individual treatments, they were analysed for oil, protein and fibre contents. The results show that the most effective method was the 'Complex seed treatment' which, compared to the untreated variant, significantly increased not only the yield but also the oil content of the seeds.

From the aspect of probiotic properties and bacteriocins, Enterococcus faecium belongs to the most frequently studied species among enterococci. This study deals with testing the strain of the species Enterococcus durans ED 26E/7 in broiler rabbits. The strain ED 26E/7 isolated from ewes lump cheese produces an antimicrobial substance durancin. Forty-eight post-weaned rabbits (aged 5 weeks) of both sexes were divided into experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) per 24 animals each, and kept in standard cages, two animals per cage. EG group rabbits were additionally administered the ED 26E/7 strain (500 µl/animal/day) into water for 21 days. CG group rabbits were fed a commercial feed. The experiment lasted 42 days. Faeces and blood samples were taken on days 0-1 (experiment onset), 21 (after a 3-week application), and 42 (3 weeks after ED 26E/7 strain cessation). On days 21 and 42, rabbits were slaughtered and caeca and appendix were sampled. The rabbits' digestive tract was found to be sufficiently colonized by the strain ED 26E/7; the antimicrobial effect was demonstrated in caecum and appendix (e.g. decrease in coliforms). Reduction of Eimeria sp. oocysts in EG compared to CG rabbits was detected on day 21, when also a significant (P < 0.05) increase of phagocytic activity in EG was registered. Values of glutathione-peroxidase were lower in EG than in CG rabbits on day 21 implying that the ED 26E/7 application had not evoked oxidative stress. Biochemical blood parameters and quality of meat were not negatively influenced. First time tested in animals, E. durans ED 26E/7 seems to be a new candidate for use in rabbits husbandry.

This study was aimed at comparing the postoperative analgesic effects of tolfenamic acid and meloxicam in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in 24 female dogs. All dogs were administered pre-anaesthetic medication comprised of 0.02 mg/kg i.m. acepromazine, and general anaesthesia was induced with i.v. propofol (4-6 mg/kg) and maintained with 1.5-2.0% isoflurane. Dogs were divided into three groups (n = 8). Following induction of anaesthesia, group C received 0.05 ml/kg sterile saline i.m.; group T received 4 mg/kg tolfenamic acid i.m.; group M received 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam s.c. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, mean arterial pressure and arterial oxygen saturation of haemoglobin were monitored intraoperatively. Pain was assessed using the short form of the Glasgow composite pain scale (SF-GCPS) by two observers who were blinded to the treatment groups; pain was assessed at the time of pre-medication (baseline), and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after extubation. Rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg i.m. methadone) was administered to any dog with an SF-GCPS score of greater than or equal to six during postoperative monitoring. The pain score in group C was significantly higher compared with group T and group M at 4, 6 and 8 h, while there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups. The mean pain score in group C was also higher than that in group M at 2 h. Rescue analgesia was first administered at 4 h in group C. Rescue analgesia was required by significantly more dogs in group C (n = 8) compared with groups T (n = 0) and M (n = 1), but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Thus, tolfenamic acid and meloxicam provide adequate postoperative analgesia to similar degrees over 24 h in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Time consumption and productivity of a Valmet 890.3 8 wheel forwarder were evaluated on an Australian radiata pine clearfell site with a slope of 21 to 45% (12 to 24°). Cycle time was significantly related to extraction distance. Productivity was significantly related to extraction distance and load volume. Slope did not have a significant effect on cycle time or productivity. Productivity was considerably greater than that for many published studies, which was likely to have been the result of many factors at the study site affecting load sizes and cycle times, including the large load capacity of the studied forwarder, larger mean log volumes, larger log volumes per loading stop, fewer log assortments, potentially larger forwarder grapple volume capacity, log lengths suited to efficient loading and higher travel speeds.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of trehalose and cysteine on sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity during liquid storage of Merino ram semen. Ejaculates were collected using artificial vaginas from five Merino rams, microscopically evaluated and pooled at 37 °C. The pooled semen samples were diluted in a Tris-based extender, including cysteine (2 mM and 4 mM), trehalose (10 mM and 25 mM) and no antioxidant (control). Diluted semen samples were kept in tubes and cooled from 37 to 5 °C in a cold cabinet, and maintained at 5 °C. Cooled samples were evaluated for sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Extender supplemented with trehalose (10 and 25 mM) and cysteine (2 and 4 mM) led to higher motility in comparison to the control at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of liquid storage (P < 0.05). Trehalose at the doses of 10 mM, 25 mM and 2 mM cysteine led to higher viability between 24-48-72 h and at 96 h of liquid storage (P < 0.05). Further, 4 mM of cysteine improved sperm viability rates at 24 and 48 h of storage compared to the control group (P < 0.05), and resulted in improved acrosome integrity rates compared to the control group at 72 and 96 h of storage (P < 0.05). Extender supplemented with 10 and 25 mM trehalose at 24 and 72 h and 4 mM cysteine at 24 and 96 h of storage led to higher sperm mitochondrial activity rates when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study show that trehalose and cysteine provided significant protection to ram sperm parameters during liquid storage.

Row covers are usually used to protect plants from insects and cold temperatures, and to accelerate plant growth. But they could also serve as an erosion control strategy. For this reason, fleece (FC) and net covers (NC) in white cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata (L.) Alef. var. capitata L. f. alba) cultivation were tested in a two-year field experiment to determine effects on soil erosion, plant growth and plant diseases. Soil loss under FC was reduced on average by 76% and under NC by 48% compared to the non-covered control treatment (CO). Soil temperature did not differ significantly in either of the experimental years between the treatments and ranged from 17.2-18.2°C in 2012 and from 18.7-18.9°C in 2013. Soil moisture content, air temperature and relative humidity were always highest under FC, followed by NC and CO. Leaf area index was also highest under FC across all sampling dates. The fresh matter head yield under FC and NC was significantly higher (80 t/ha) compared to CO (66 t/ha) in 2012. An opposite result was detected in 2013, with the highest yield in CO (64 t/ha) and lowest under FC (53 t/ha). Overall, for moderate climate conditions, the row covers seem to be beneficial as a suitable erosion control strategy.

Spermatozoa morphology, ultrastructure, and spermatozoa motility traits were studied in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) after activation in various media (AM 1 - 45mM NaCl, 5mM KCl, 20mM Tris, pH 8.5; AM 2 - 100mM sucrose, 20mM Tris, pH 8.5; AM 3 - 100mM sucrose, 1mM CaCl₂, 20mM Tris, pH 8.5) during a 48-hour storage period. The spermatozoon was acrosomeless and differentiated into a spherical nucleus (head), midpiece, and flagellum. The nucleus length and width measured 1.83 ± 0.03 and 1.63 ± 0.02 mm, respectively. The midpiece was located laterally to the nucleus and possessed proximal and distal centrioles and 2-4 mitochondria. Flagellar length was 33.2 ± 0.90 µm, and a pair of lateral fin-like structures projections was observed. The axoneme consisted of nine peripheral doublet microtubules and a single central pair. After a 24 h storage in all activation media at all sampling times post-activation (15, 45, 90, and 120 s), spermatozoa motility was significantly decreased. Spermatozoa were motile after the 48-hour storage at all sampling times post-activation only in AM 3. After the 48-hour storage, no motile spermatozoa were observed in AM 2 and AM 1 at 90 and 120 s post-activation, respectively. Differences in spermatozoa velocity varied with activation medium during storage. After the 48-hour storage in AM 1 and AM 2, decrease of spermatozoa velocity at 15 s post-activation was observed, while in AM 3, velocity was decreased only after the 48-hour storage. Pikeperch spermatozoa morphology and ultrastructure was found similar to that of most freshwater teleosts, with differences in the arrangement of midpiece, number of mitochondria, and position of centrioles. Viable pikeperch sperm was observed after the 48-hour storage. Motility of spermatozoa was improved by addition of Ca²⁺ to the activation medium, where higher spermatozoa velocity was observed.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of four anaesthetics on haematological and biochemical blood profiles in burbot Lota lota L. Blood profiles of burbot were evaluated 10 min and 24 h after anaesthesia with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS 222) (100 mg/l), clove oil (33 mg/l), 2-phenoxyethanol (0.3 ml/l), Propiscin (1 ml/l) and compared to non-anaesthetized control. The tested anaesthetics had no effect on haematological profile of burbot. The exposure to clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol, and Propiscin significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the level of ammonia and glucose. The level of lactate was significantly (P < 0.01) increased following anaesthesia with 2-phenoxyethanol and Propiscin. The levels of total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, and calcium were higher (P < 0.01) with clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol, and Propiscin compared to control. The use of MS 222 showed the lowest effect on haematological and biochemical blood profile and is recommended as a suitable anaesthetic for burbot.

In this study, we evaluated the phylogenetic diversity of the cecal microbiota of 3-week-old ducklings fed three diets differing in metabolizable energy. The contents of the ceca were collected from ducklings of different groups. The ceca bacterial DNA was isolated and the V3 to V4 regions of 16S rRNA genes were amplified. The amplicons were subjected to high-throughput sequencing to analyze the bacterial diversity of different groups. The predominant bacterial phyla were Bacteroidetes (~65.67%), Firmicutes (~17.46%), and Proteobacteria (~10.73%). The abundance of Bacteroidetes increased and that of Firmicutes decreased with increasing dietary energy level. The diversity decreased (Simpson diversity index and Shannon diversity index) with the increase in dietary energy level, but the richness remained constant. Notably, Brachyspira bacteria were detected with a very high relative abundance (4.91%) in ceca of ducks fed a diet with 11.30 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, suggesting that low energy content may affect their colonization in cecum.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) are platelet concentrates which have been used to improve healing and regeneration of damaged tissues. The concentration of growth factors greatly influences the final outcome of the treatment. For studying the effects of PRP and PRF, an animal model is required. The New Zealand White rabbit appears to be a good candidate for studying the features of these blood derivatives. This article presents for the first time the various preparation methods of blood derivatives with regard to concentration of growth factors - insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. There was no statistically significant difference among the methods in the case of the first two factors. In the case of vascular endothelial growth factor, the lowest amount was detected in PRF. This study, even though performed on a limited number of animals, reports novel characterisation of the rabbit as an animal model for in vivo studies of the action of these blood derivatives.

The reaction of ten winter wheat cultivars grown in the Czech Republic to inoculation with Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis was evaluated in a small plot trial. In a parallel field trial the natural occurrence of stem-base disease complex in six of the tested cultivars was assessed. Lower severity of eyespot (and/or stem-base diseases) was observed in cultivars possessing the resistance gene Pch1 (cvs Hermann, Annie, Princeps, Manager, and Rebell) in plots inoculated with Oculimacula spp. as well as in natural field conditions. A total of 468 wheat stem bases from the Czech Republic was screened by PCR to study the frequency of eyespot causal agents. The plants were colonised significantly more often by both species Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis together than separately.

In search for botanicals as an alternative remedy to synthetic chemicals in the pest control of tea plantations, ferns such as Adiantum raddianum, Asplenium aethiopicum, Cyclosorus interruptus, Dicranopteris linearis, Diplazium polypodioides, and Pteridium aquilinum were evaluated against the two major pests of tea, red spider mite Oligonychus coffeae Nietner and tea mosquito bug Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse, which are the foremost seasonal pests in tea fields, causing severe crop loss. Apart from synthetic chemicals, only the neem kernel extract is recommended in tea fields. The aqueous extracts of ferns were screened at different concentrations against these pests under laboratory and field conditions. The extracts of P. aquilinum and D. linearis showed good contact toxicity at a 5% concentration to O. coffeae. The acaricidal activity was observed in the order P. aquilinum > D. linearis > C. interruptus > A. raddianum > D. polypodioides > A. aethiopicum. Under field conditions, the extract of D. linearis and P. aquilinum showed a 50% reduction in the population of red spider mite and caused no phytotoxic effect to tea leaves. But their insecticidal activity was less pronounced against H. theivora. They exhibit antifeedant activity, which was sustained only for 24 hours. The photochemical screening of extracts showed a qualitatively increased level of saponins in P. aquilinum, D. linearis, and C. interruptus. The study shows that the aqueous extracts of D. linearis and P. aquilinum can be incorporated in the mite control programme in tea.

The chemical, microbiological, and texture characteristics and rheological properties of sourdoughs were studied in the course of fermentations at 25 and 35°C over a period of 72 hours. After 6 h of fermentation, pH decreased rapidly in the sourdough at 35°C. However, after 72 h the pH values were slightly lower in the sourdough at 25°C. To obtain sourdough with an optimum pH, 11 h were required at 25°C and 9 h at 35°C. Acidity increased more slowly in sourdough at 25°C. However, values were similar in both types of dough after 24 h, but higher in dough at 25°C after 72 hours. Counts of lactic acid bacteria were slightly higher in sourdough at 35°C after 6 h, but after 24 h the sourdough at 25°C showed higher counts. Sourdough evinced elastic behaviour, with a larger elastic modulus in dough at 25°C. Both the phase angle and the relationship between elastic and viscous modulus indicated that dough was an elastic solid that lost elasticity over time. The best mechanical characteristics were noted in dough fermented at 25°C during 24 hours. Bread made with sourdough was rated more highly.

Epifluorescence microscopy (EFM) was used to study the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 6, 24, 30, 48, 54, 72, 78, and 96 h growth in a chamber slide system. For this purpose, the biofilm was stained with the Live/Dead BacLight, wherein live and dead cells were visualised based on the cell membrane integrity. With the use of EFM we described 8- of 9-stage biofilm characteristics after 78 h of growth, since the majority of microscopic fields were fully covered with attached cells. However, the 96-h growth resulted in the cell detachment and revealed 30% of dead cells of all those cells that remained on the surface. The susceptibility testing of planktonic and biofilm cells to two disinfectants, chlorine-based and quaternary ammonium compound-based, revealed that biofilm cells were more tolerant to a chlorine-based sanitiser than planktonic counterparts. P. aeruginosa was inhibited by lower concentrations of the quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitiser than the chlorine-based sanitiser, which on the other hand was more effective in cell inactivation, as both the MIC/MBC (inhibitory/bactericidal) measurement and the CFDA/PI (carboxyfluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide) staining indicated.

Among Meliaceae derivatives, neem cake is usually used as a fertilizer; however its origin and industrial processing are often unknown, so that its effect on soil fertility is not predictable. In this study, the effect of soil incorporation of 6 commercial neem cakes and leaves of Melia azedarach L. on nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) dynamics was investigated in a 118-day laboratory incubation experiment. Neem cake at a rate of 8 g/kg of soil and melia leaves at 16 g/kg were incorporated into the soil and their net N and C mineralisation were evaluated 2 h after application and at day 1, 2, 6, 12, 26, 54 and 118, by analysing a 50-g soil sample placed in 250 glass jars. The apparent net N mineralisation was well predicted by N concentration and C/N ratio of derivatives. The derivatives with a C/N ratio < 24 caused a net N mineralisation, whereas those with a C/N ratio ≥ 24 caused net N immobilisation. C mineralisation ranged between 15% and 25% and was not related to chemical composition of the derivative. Neem cake with a C/N ratio < 24 can be used to add N, while neem cake with a C/N ratio > 24 can be used to reduce soil mineral N.

Utilization of waste suitable as a fuel for small combustion devices is a very important issue. Therefore, this article analyzes selected waste materials from agriculture and maintenance of municipal vegetation. The pellet samples from composting had very high ash content (22.39 and 36.85% wt.), which resulted in low values of net calorific value (12.66 and 10.24 MJ/kg), but also in bad properties of these samples in high concentration of harmful emission. Other problematic fuel samples were pellets from maintenance of city vegetation and reed canary grass, for which high concentration of carbon monoxide was measured during combustion process. The device used for these experiments is based on burner furnace. Combustion conditions could be improved by more uniform fuel supply to the burner and better control of combustion air. Boiler with advanced combustion control can reach better results during combustion process. Results in this article are valid for tested materials combusted in simple pellet burner with limited ability to control combustion process.

As a new rebuilding agricultural soil on the North China plains, the salt-affected soil had a short soil-forming process of about 30 years. This paper describes the effect of different fertilization systems on phosphorus (P) dynamics in saline-alkali uncultivated land, in the reserved natural salt-vegetation back zone, and in different phases of fertilization for 24 years on the North China plains. The treatments included control (or check, CK), N₁, N₂, P₁, P₂, N₁P₁, N₁P₂, N₂P₁, N₂P₂. The contents of total phosphorus (TP) showed a significantly decreasing trend from 1.32-1.38 gP/kg to 0.40-0.96 g P/kg. The contents of rapidly available P (RP) were low in the no-P fertilizer treatments and the RP concentrations increased with P fertilizer applications. Corn was the crop that used the most P, especially in the no-P and P fertilizer-only treatments. The treatment with 270 kg N/ha/year and 59 kg P/ha/year represents the most economical fertilizer rates for these salt-affected soils on the North China plains.

The aim of this study was to characterise the genera and species of Gram-positive aerobic and microaerophilic microorganisms isolated from pathological processes and lesions in horses. In the period 2009-2014, 449 clinical samples from horses were examined. Of these, 229 (51%) were collected from the respiratory tract, 121 (26.9%) from the skin, 40 (8.9%) from the gastrointestinal tract, 40 (8.9%) from the eyes, 8 (1.8%) from the urinary tract, 6 (1.3%) from the musculoskeletal system, 4 (0.9%) from the lymphatic system and 1 (0.2%) from milk. The isolates were presumptively identified phenotypically, and identification was confirmed by molecular phenotypic MALDI-TOF. The most frequently detected strains (n = 330) were Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp. with prevalence rates of 37.2%, 23.4% and 7.6%, respectively. In addition, 24 other taxa were identified, including Enterococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Trueperella pyogenes, Aerococcus viridans, Dermatophilus congolensis, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Nocardiopsis alba and Streptomyces spp. Most of these are described as opportunistic pathogens of animals, including horses. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disc diffusion method. Florfenicol and amoxycillin with clavulanic acid were the most effective antibiotics. The susceptibility to florfenicol was 100% for tested strains of Bacillus spp., Lysinibacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., Dermatophilus congolensis, Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Aerococcus spp., Nocardiopsis alba and Trueperella pyogenes. The susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococci to florfenicol were 96.2% and 98.5% in tested strains, respectively. Amoxycillin with clavulanic acid exhibited 100% effectiveness against Corynebacterium spp., Dermatophilus congolensis, Streptococcus spp., Aerococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Streptomyces spp., Nocardiopsis alba and Trueperella pyogenes tested strains. The susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus, other staphylococci and Bacillus/Lysinibacillus spp. to amoxycillin with clavulanic acid were 89.8%, 98.8% and 20.0% of tested strains, respectively.

The effects of defatted hemp cake added to corn grits (at ratios of 0, 5, and 10% DM), the moisture content of the mixtures (15, 20, and 25%) and the temperature in the extruder ejection zone (150, 165, and 180°C) on the physical properties of extruded products have been investigated. Statistical optimization of investigated extrusion conditions using the response surface methodology was performed. The hemp cake was completely defatted by means of a supercritical CO2 extraction. The extrusion was performed on a laboratory single screw extruder and regulated by the following parameters: temperature in the dosing and compression zone (120 and 150°C), screw compression ratio (4 : 1), round die (4 mm). The change of extrusion process conditions significantly affected the physical properties of produced snacks. The expansion ratio ranged between 1.38 and 3.11, bulk density between 0.14 and 0.49 g/cm3, hardness between 18.15 and 70.62 N, fracturability from 3.65 to 10.38 mm, and the total colour change between 3.25 and 24.73.

The study evaluated the effects of sire breed (SB: Vienna Blue (VB) and Burgundy Fawn (BF)), parity order (P: 1 = nulliparous, 2 = primiparous, ≥3 = multiparous), slaughter season (SS: spring, summer), and gender (G: males, females) on the meat quality of rabbits reared under an organic production system. They originated from VB and BF sires mated with females derived from a mix of crossbreds (medium- to large-sized breeds). Rabbits were 46 ± 6 days old, they were housed in groups of five in collective cages, fed a pelleted diet, and slaughtered at a live weight of 2.8 ± 0.13 kg. The hind leg meat samples (from 30 VB and 28 BF crossbred rabbits) were divided into two sub-samples: one was freshly packed in plastic bags, and the other was freeze-dried. Samples were stored at -20°C until analysis. The fresh hind leg samples were analyzed for heme iron and cholesterol contents, and fatty acid (FA) profiles. The freeze-dried hind leg samples were analyzed for proximate composition. Moisture and protein contents were affected by SS. The hind leg meat of rabbits slaughtered in summer showed lower moisture (P < 0.01), higher protein (P < 0.01), and lower cholesterol (P < 0.05) contents than that of rabbits slaughtered in spring. Meat of rabbits slaughtered in summer had less C14:0 (P < 0.05) and C16:0 FA (P < 0.01) and a higher proportion of total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) (P < 0.001) due to n-6 FA (P < 0.01). The proportion of total saturated FA, C18:3 n-3 and C20:3 n-6 (P < 0.05), was influenced by gender. The BF crossbreed showed higher levels of total PUFA (P < 0.05) when reared in summer, primarily due to significant differences in C18:2 n-6 (P < 0.01) and C18:3 n-3 (P < 0.01). This study demonstrates that when rabbits are slaughtered in summer, their meat quality is better because the animals require longer time to reach the fixed slaughter weight; the meat is therefore characterized by a higher degree of maturity, with higher total PUFA and lower cholesterol contents.

In an attempt to investigate the potential of using cassava stalk as a biomass material and determine the design requirements for developing a cutting machine, this study aims to investigate physical and mechanical properties of cassavas stalk, under the influence of moisture content and region of cut using statistical techniques. Moisture contents were ranged into three different levels; 54.19, 43.05 and 24.93% wet basis (w.b.) while cutting regions were classified as top (tip of cassava stalk), middle and bottom. Mechanical properties were represented by shearing stress. Physical properties, on the other hand, were represented by length, diameter, and mass. By decreasing moisture levels, all parameter values were reduced, except shearing stress. Moreover, it was found that shearing stress increased when lowering the cutting line. Maximum and minimum shearing stress occurred at bottom and top regions of the stalk, respectively. Most importantly, moisture content and region of cut both had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on shearing stress, although the latter had much larger impact.

Available budgets for the inventory of non-commercial woodlands are small. Therefore, there has been increased interest in using distance methods, such as k-tree sampling, which are faster than fixed plot sampling. In low-density woodlands, large search areas for k nearest trees contradict any practical advantage over sampling with fixed area plots. Here, a modification of a k-tree sample plot with an empirical approach to estimating the number of trees per unit area in low-density woodlands is presented. The standard and modified k-tree sample plots have been tested in one actual and three simulated forests with different spatial patterns. The modified method was superior to other combinations of methods in terms of relative bias and relative efficiency. Considering statistical and practical aspects of sampling for tree density, the modified method is more promising than is the standard one.

Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau is among the most problematic rice weeds in Malaysia and is also reported to have developed multiple resistance to AHAS inhibitor bensulfuron-methyl and synthetic auxin 2,4-D. In this study, resistance across different AHAS inhibitors was characterised in a L. flava population infesting rice fields in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Dose-response experiments were conducted to determine the level of resistance to sulfonylureas, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, and pyrimidinyl-thiobenzoate. Cross-resistance across different AHAS inhibitors was observed in the resistant L. flava population, exhibiting a high level of resistance to bensulfuron-methyl, while exhibiting a moderate level of resistance to metsulfuron-methyl and a low level of resistance to pyrazosulfuron-ethyl and pyribenzoxim. However, all resistant L. flava individuals were still sensitive to imazethapyr, penoxsulam, and bispyribac-sodium. Based on the results, it is likely that resistance to AHAS inhibitors in L. flava is conferred by target-site resistance mechanisms.

Symptoms of non-specific bark necroses in beech trees of all ages have lately been described. We investigated the occurrence of bark necrotic disease in beech thicket and health status of the trees. Our objective was to examine how bark necrotic wounds persist and the regenerative potential of young beech thicket. The research experiment was carried out at two isolated localities in the Western Carpathians in the period 2015-2017. A terminal shoot (stem) and a lateral shoot (branch) of each of the 30 sampled beech trees were examined. Young beech stands were affected by the necrotic disease in 87-94% cases (stems 69-83%, branches 33-56%). Shoot diameter and age had a significantly negative linear correlation (P < 0.05) with the development of all analysed disease characteristics on the beech bark. The encouraging finding is a positive regenerative capacity of young beech trees. Over the same period more annual shoots were healed in comparison with those that were newly infected (10.8% on stems and 0.6% on branches).

Sweet cherries are self-incompatible, which is determined by a gametophytic self-incompatibility system (GSI). The self-incompatibility is controlled by a multi-allelic S-locus. Knowledge about the S-allele constitution of the cultivars is essential for fruit growers and breeders. Recently, molecular PCR-based methods have been developed to distinguish all S-alleles in sweet cherries. In our work, we analysed S-locus genotypes by 13 universal and allele-specific PCR primer combinations within 117 registered, old and local sweet cherry cultivars from the Czech genetic resources of the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology in Holovousy, the Czech Republic. We confirmed the previous S-genotyping for 66 accessions except for Drogans Gelbe, Hedelfinger, Erika, Meckenheimer Frühe, Badeborner, Bing, Alfa, Gamma, Huldra, Rivan, Valerij Tschkalov, Viola and Winkler's Frühe. It could be due to either mislabelling or mistakes in the previous analyses. Newly, S-genotyping was determined for 51 accessions in which we found 4 new S-loci combinations. We detected the S-locus combinations in 19 incompatibility groups. The most frequent incompatibility groups were III (S₃S₄), II (S₁S₃), IV (S₂S₃), and VI (S₃S₆) with 22, 20, 12 and 12 genotypes, respectively.

Ticks are common ectoparasites of animals; they also carry many tick-borne pathogens that are often detrimental for the health of both animals and humans. These parasites have been found in subcutaneous tissue, mainly in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), but the reason for this is unknown. In this study we report the first occurrence of the tick in an unusual location in the subcutaneous tissue of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides. The study was carried out on two adult male raccoon dogs, hunted in Western Poland. After the necropsy, one was found to have a partially decomposed tick, a female Ixodes ricinus, in the groin region.

Common wheat, a fundamental commodity on international markets, is increasingly differentiated into commercial types on domestic markets to meet the demand of processing companies. Improver wheat, biscuit wheat, ordinary and superior bread-making wheat are commercial varieties with specific technological characteristics. Wheat farming systems are constantly evolving, and as a result, related environmental issues emerge. We applied an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) analysis, where the functional unit was 1 tonne of grain for each typology and system boundaries were from cradle to farm gate. Primary data were used in the study, and special attention was paid to fertiliser use. From an LCA perspective, our findings show that nitrogen (N) plays an essential role in plant production although producing different waterborne and airborne emissions and nitrate leaching, for the 4 commercial typologies studied. Furthermore, the impact can be differentiated based on the technological features of the commercial types. Our results led us to observe that the four wheat types show contrasting economic and environmental performances.

Manganese (Mn) is an important micronutrient for growth and development in plants, however, excess Mn is harmful by disrupting photosynthesis system and inducing oxidative damage in leaves. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in regulating Mn toxicity tolerance in plants. Here, we identified Mn toxicity-responsive miRNAs in Arabidopsis by using small RNA sequencing. Eighteen differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings in response to Mn toxicity. These differentially expressed miRNAs are involved in regulating nutrition homeostasis, transport, stress response, and developmental processes. Our results indicated that these miRNAs play a key role in Mn toxicity response in plants.