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In view of the strengthening demographic trend of ageing of the population and the pension reform underway in the Czech Republic, the problem of Age Management, which focuses on the management taking into account the age of employees, has become very current from the perspective of securing manpower. The agricultural sector has also long been facing problems in the area of manpower. Therefore, the aim of the article is to analyse and evaluate the costs for supporting the Age Management in agricultural businesses and to propose measures leading to the effective utilization of these analysed financial means. The data were acquired on the basis of a quantitative survey with the aid of a questionnaire survey in agricultural businesses in the Czech Republic (the number of businesses: n = 436, the number of agricultural businesses: n_z = 103). One of the conclusions of the article is that 24.3% of the approached agricultural businesses are implementing the Age Management. These are primarily small and medium agricultural businesses with up to 50 employees, which incur in average 6 to 10% of operational costs in relation to the gained profits on the application of the Age Management principles.

Grapes from two varieties - Franc (red) and Green Veltliner (white) were processed using UV radiation at selected powers and times. Irradiated grapes were stored for 24, 48, and 72 h at room temperature. A second set of grapes was dipped into ozonised water. We tested the influence of ozone concentration, dipping time, and storage time. All experiments were performed using grapes harvested in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The two treatments were compared relative to trans-resveratrol content in grape skins and juices (prepared from treated grapes).

Weighing lysimeters are used to measure crop evapotranspiration (ETC) during the growing season. A ratio of crop evapotranspiration to reference evapotranspiration (ETo) determines a crop coefficient (Kc) value, which is related to a specific crop growth development stage. Determination of Kc is important for estimating crop irrigation requirements using meteorological data from weather stations. The research was conducted to determine growth-stage-specific Kc and compare them to existing FAO Kc values by investigating water use of maize (Zea mays L.) at the Water Technology Center Research Field in the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India in 2010. Three lysimeters, weighing about 3.5 t, contained undisturbed 1.5 m deep soil monoliths. Accumulated seasonal crop water use was about 411 mm and the Kc values determined for maize during the growing season varied from 0.53 to 1.21. The calculated and measured evapotranspiration values were compared to assess the performance of the crop coefficient. The Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), the ratio of the root mean square error to the standard deviation of measured data (RSR), the root mean square error (RMSE) itself, and the coefficient of determination (R²) values indicated that the Kc performed 'Good' in estimating the seasonal evapotranspiration of maize. However, with respect to particular growth stages, the agreement between the calculated and measured values varied from 'Satisfactory' to 'Very Good'. The Kc values for the initial, crop development, mid-season, and late stages were 0.40-0.60, 0.70-0.80, 1.1-1.21, and 0.50-0.65, respectively, while the values reported for maize by FAO are 0.3, 1.2, 0.3-0.6 for the initial, mid-season and late stage, respectively. The measured Kc values were different up to some extent from the FAO reported values; the cause might be that FAO Kc values are generalized ones and recommended for a wide range of climatic conditions. Other causes might be that different maize varieties have different crop water use and evapotranspiration patterns. So, determination of Kc for crops in different regions and climates is important to improve irrigation water management.

The purpose of this research was to examine potential bio-active substances in the lyophilisate of Pectinatella magnifica biomass and its focus was on primary screening of the biomass. Extracts of lyophilisate were applied to murine cells and their effects on cell population growth, cell morphology and cell distribution were monitored. The inhibition of cytoskeleton repair reached its maximum after a 24-h exposure of the cells to the extract prepared at a temperature of 37 °C, whereas the 1-h application of the extract leached at a temperature of 37 °C resulted in quick repair of cytoskeletal function. When compared with the control, in which no extract was applied, the application of all treatments of the extract reduced the time needed for the duplication of cells. The lowest growth rate was found in the cells in the extract prepared at 37 °C for 24 h. The mitotic activity reached its maximum when using the extract prepared at 37 °C for 1 h. Under such conditions, the process of cell duplication was even faster than in the control sample, while it was the slowest using the extract prepared at 37 °C for 24 h. The study of potential biologically active substances of Pectinatella magnifica is highly topical due to the frequent occurrence of this organism in the water-supply and recreational reservoirs.

Florfenicol is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat infectious diseases in veterinary medicine. Limited information is available on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of florfenicol in dogs. This study was conducted in six healthy dogs to determine the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of florfenicol following a single intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) dose of 30 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were taken over the course of 24 h post-treatment and the recovered plasma was extracted and analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a two-compartment open model. After i.v. administration of florfenicol, elimination half-life (t_1/2b), volume of distribution at steady state (V_dss), total body clearance (Cl_T) and area under curve (AUC_0-24) were 3.09 ± 0.13 h, 1.19 ± 0.15 l/kg, 0.37 ± 0.04 l/h/kg, and 59.44 ± 5.27 µg/h/ml, respectively. The peak plasma concentration (C_max), time to maximum concentration (t_max) and bioavailability (F) were 3.05 ± 0.43 µg/ml, 1.50 ± 0.35 h, and 44.70 ± 6.75%, respectively, following i.m. administration. In this study the time that plasma concentration exceed the concentration of 1 µg/ml was approximately 8 h. Therefore, florfenicol should be given twice daily at a dosage of 30 mg/kg b.w. to maintain therapeutic concentration. The pharmacokinetic profile of florfenicol in dogs reveals that it may be therapeutically useful against susceptible microorganisms involved in most common infections in dogs.

Over the course of Ross 308 hybrid broiler chick cock and hen rearing, whole chicken bodies including feathers were monitored for changes in the levels of nitrogenous substances, essential amino acids (EAA) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA). At five-day intervals (Days 1, 5, 9, 15, 20, 26, 30, 35 and 40 of rearing), randomly selected chickens were slaughtered after 24 h of fasting. Over the course of rearing, N-substance levels ranged from 629.1 to 429.0 g/kg dry matter in hen bodies and from 616.0 to 477.3 g/kg dry matter in cock bodies. N-substance levels were statistically significantly different in the two sexes on rearing Days 35 and 40 (P ≤ 0.01). The levels of all amino acids (AA) in dry body matter of chickens up to 15 days of age dropped significantly over time, while in the period from Day 20 to Day 40, some AA levels increased or reached the baseline. With most AA, the levels were lower in hens than in cocks over the course of the trial. At the end of the trial (Days 35 and 40), statistically significant differences between the sexes were found for most EAA (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05). NEAA, except for Ser and Ala, were also significantly higher in cocks on Days 35 and 40 (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05). Among the monitored EAA, the dry matter of the bodies of hens exhibited the highest levels of Leu, 8.70% on average, followed by Val 6.54%, Lys 5.26%, Ile 5.25%, Thr 4.84%, Phe 4.30%, Tyr 2.51% and Met 2.21%. Leu was also the most abundant in the cock bodies, 8.42% on average, followed by Val 6.30%, Lys 5.36%, Ile 5.06%, Thr 4.57%, Phe 4.45%, Tyr 2.88% and Met 2.17%. Knowledge of the levels of nitrogenous substances, EAA and NEAA in the whole bodies of broiler chickens including feathers will help to determine optimal rearing conditions.

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Persian oak (Quercus persica) were studied in relation to altitude and slope variations in Ilam province. A total area of 1,500 m2 (30 × 50 m) was covered in five altitudinal classes ranging from 800 to 1,800 m a.s.l. Samples were taken based on a systematic random sampling method with 24 sample plots at each class. In total, 120 sample plots (in five classes) were collected covering four gradient categories ranging from < 20 to > 60%. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to compare differences between group means in gradient categories and Duncan's post-hoc test was performed to reveal differences between the means of various quantitative characteristics (e.g. growing stock, basal area, diameter at breast height, tree height and regeneration) and the altitudinal classes. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine the differences between the means of qualitative variables and different altitudes and slopes categories. The results indicated that variations with altitudes may have a higher impact than slopes on the quantitative characteristics of the oak stands in the region while the qualitative variables of the native species were influenced by both altitudes and slope variations.

The effect of surgical castration with local anesthesia using lidocaine on neopterin, biopterin, and cortisol blood plasma concentrations in piglets was studied. Three groups of 12 piglets were investigated: one group castrated without lidocaine, one group castrated with lidocaine, and one group left as an uncastrated control group handled in the same way as castrated piglets. Blood samples were collected 4 min before castration, and 1 h and 24 h after castration. The time × treatment interaction (P < 0.01) was detected for neopterin concentrations, yielding the result that neopterin was higher (P < 0.01) in castrated piglets without lidocaine 1 h after surgical castration compared with all other groups. The time effect (P < 0.05) was detected for biopterin concentrations. The time × treatment interaction (P < 0.01) was detected for plasma cortisol concentrations, yielding the result that neopterin was higher (P < 0.01) in castrated piglets without lidocaine and in castrated piglets with lidocaine 1 h after surgical castration compared with pre-treatment and concentrations 24 h after surgical castration. The study showed that the use of lidocaine for the surgical castration of piglets may significantly influence the activation of the immune system. This is corroborated by a significant difference in blood plasma neopterin concentrations between piglets castrated with anesthesia and those castrated without it. The use of lidocaine had no effect on cortisol concentrations in comparison with the group castrated without lidocaine.

In the framework of an international IUFRO provenance research of grand fir (Abies grandis/D. Don/ Lindl.), a series of research plots was established in the Czech Republic in 1980-1982. This paper focuses on an evaluation of experimental plot No. 213 - Habr (Western Bohemia), where 24 provenances of grand fir are investigated. Results of the evaluation of height, diameter at breast height, volume of large timber (diameter outside bark > 7 cm), and some qualitative parameters are presented for the age of 31 years. Results of the plot evaluation showed the best growth in provenances originating from the Washington state coastal region. Individuality of growth pattern was confirmed for different Vancouver provenances and those from Idaho and Montana states. These areas cannot be considered as homogeneous. The growth of all provenances originating from the Cascades, Washington, is below average.The lowest growth rates were documented for the Cascades, Oregon state provenances; superior characteristics of some of them probably result from the high mortality of others at earlier stages and larger growth space available at present.

The growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) and kefir was studied in substrates containing pomegranate juice, molasses, and cheese whey, at various conditions such as fermentation temperature, air supply, initial sugar concentration, and substrate composition. The results showed that, in the case of kefir, the highest production yield of biomass (0.24 g/g of utilised sugar) and productivity (6.5 g/l/day) was obtained in 40/60 and 20/80% of pomegranate/cheese whey. S. cerevisiae grew easily on all substrates with higher cell mass yields (0.34 g/g) and productivities (13.1 g/l/day) compared to kefir, with the best results obtained at the ratio of 40/60 and 20/80% of pomegranate/molasses. These results are promising regarding the exploitation of non-conventional substrates, such as the juice from discarded pomegranate fruits of a currently significantly increasing market, for microbial biomass production.

Growth and development of nuts and kernels were measured in 18 hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars from cluster appearance until nut maturity and drop. At harvest, shell thickness and force to penetrate the shell were determined and related to the incidence of nut weevil damage. The force to penetrate the shells started to increase when nuts reached 80-90% of their final size, and continued until kernel full size. During nut growth, shell hardness and kernel size were highly correlated (R² = 0.921). At maturity, values of force ranged from 46.7 to 185.7 N. Values of nut weevil damage ranged from 0.6 to 24.4%. At harvest, the force to penetrate the shells was highly correlated with the shell thickness (r = 0.945) and negatively correlated with the nut weevil damage (r = -0.564). Late onset of nut development was associated with a high percentage of nut weevil damage (R = 0.638). These information can be used to model nut development and provide important tools for planning orchard management activities.

Many European agricultural landscapes have been abandoned facilitating the comeback of large ungulates. In Portugal, the increase in red deer numbers caused local conflicts with landowners reporting economic losses in forest and agricultural plantations. A great effort is needed to mitigate human-red deer conflicts through management strategies. Successful management strategies require reliable information on population trends. Here we propose an easy and readily applied method to estimate an increasing ungulate population. We estimated the red deer population density in a Mediterranean environment located in northeastern Portugal: Lombada National Hunting Area (LNHA) and Serra de Montesinho (SM), using pellet group counts coupled with distance sampling to account for pellet detectability. The estimated red deer density using a stratified detection function was 5.81 indd per 100 ha for LNHA and 1.34 indd per 100 ha for SM (95% CI: 3.65-9.25 and 0.74-2.42, respectively). For the entire area, the estimated density was 3.38 deer per 100 ha (95% CI: 2.18-5.24). Monitoring population trends is crucial to assess the impact of methods aimed at reducing the population size or impact and here we provided an example of a robust method that can be implemented to continuously monitor expanding populations.

We investigated the suitability of rice flour for fermented beverage production using various strains of lactic acid bacteria. Fermentation led to a decrease in pH from 5.04-5.17 to 3.74-4.35. At the same time, total acidity increased (1.28-2.59 g/l) due to lactic acid (0.59-2.76 g/l) and acetic acid (0.11-0.30 g/l) production. Fermentation of rice beverages also caused a gradual decrease in glucose and fructose concentration. Lactic acid bacteria proliferated in the first phases of fermentation, and cell counts reached a maximum after 12 h. The highest growth rate (v_LAB = 0.44 Log₁₀ CFU/ml/h) was observed in a sample with the culture of Lactobacillus brevis CCM 1815. Viscosity of beverages decreased significantly after 24 h of fermentation. The highest values of sensory parameters were observed in a monoculture of Lactobacillus plantarum CCM 7039 and in a sample with a mixed culture of Lactobacillus plantarum CCM 7039 and Bifidobacterium longum CCM 4990.

This paper evaluates the response on the rate of photosynthesis (P_n), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g_s) and water use efficiency (WUE) in 15 genotypes of young hop plants (19 BBCH) grown in greenhouses in the conditions of water deficit for the period of 9 days. On the 9^th day, the relative content of water in the experimental plants fluctuated between 70.14-75.20%. The levels of P_n and g_s evidently dropped in the monitored species as a result of the water deficit. The decrease of P_n in the experimental plants compared with the control group was largest in the Saaz Os. cl. 72 (by 77.5%), Magnum (by 73.3%) and Columbus (by 62.3%). To the contrary, the lowest P_n decrease was noted in the case of genotypes Saaz Late (by 15.7%), Vital (by 23.9%) and Premiant (by 24.2%). All genotypes except for cv. H16 showed an evident decrease of E. Judging by the highest values of WUE, the most effective water management was shown by Premiant, Vital and Saaz Late genotypes. A significant stomatal limitation of photosynthesis due to water stress was identified in the most widely used Czech cultivar, Saaz Os. cl. 72, with low values of stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate and transpiration.

The effect of different levels of corn oil (CO) and flaxseed oil (FO) on growth performance, blood characteristics, fatty acid composition, and expression of lipogenic genes in the liver of broiler chickens was studied. Two hundred forty female Cobb-500 broiler chickens at the age of one day (body weight (BW) = 46 ± 4 g) were fed a corn soybean meal based diet containing 5% CO (LC), 3.75% CO + 1.25% FO (FO1), 2.5% CO + 2.5% FO (FO2) or 5% FO (FC). Chickens fed FO1 diet had better BW gain (P = 0.049) and gain/feed ratio (P = 0.006) than those fed LC and FC diets during days 1-21 of age. However, for the whole experimental period (1-42 days of age), the dietary lipid source had no effect on the growth performance. On day 42 of age, the hepatic percentages of 18:3n-3 (P = 0.001) and 20:5n-3 (P < 0.001) were higher in FC than in LC group, which led to a higher content of total n-3 PUFA and lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The contents of 18:2n-6 (P < 0.05) and Σ n-6 PUFA (P = 0.009) were lower in FC than in LC group. Chickens fed FO1 and FO2 diets had higher Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and lower lipoprotein lipase activity than those fed LC and FC diets, whereas activities of lactate dehydrogenase and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase were increased by FO2 than by LC diet (P < 0.05). The relative mRNA expression level of lipin 1 in chickens fed FO2 and FC was higher (P < 0.01) than in those fed LC and FO1 diets. Our results demonstrated that higher levels of FO led to hepatic enrichment of n-3 PUFA content and lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios in liver and increased the expression of lipin 1 whereas the expression of lipin 2, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2, Δ-6 fatty acid desaturase, WD and tetratricopeptide repeats 1, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was not affected.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Cyperkill 25 EC (a.i. cypermethrin 250 g/l) on cumulative mortality, growth indices, and ontogenetic development of embryos and larvae of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). An early-life stage toxicity test was used. Liver, intestine, kidneys, and gills of surviving larvae were examined, and the activity of the detoxifying and antioxidative enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as lipid peroxidation (TBARS) was determined. Eggs of common carp 24 h post-fertilisation were exposed for 35 days to Cyperkill 25 EC at concentrations of 7.2, 36, 72, 144, and 360 μg/l containing the active ingredient cypermethrin at concentrations of 1.8, 9, 18, 36, and 90 μg/l, respectively. All larvae exposed to concentrations higher than 144 μg/l showed signs of damage after five days and died in the next two days; at concentrations of 72 and 36 μg/l total mortality was observed several days after hatching. Larvae exposed to 7.2 μg/l survived to the end of the test but showed significantly lower growth (P < 0.01) and retarded ontogenetic development compared to controls. Examination of these larvae did not reveal histological changes. Activity of GST, GR, and GPx in the exposed group was significantly lower (P < 0.01), while CAT and TBARS did not show significant differences from controls. Exposure to Cyperkill 25 EC affected hatching and survival at tested concentrations above 7.2 μg/l. Alterations in oxidative stress parameters and retarded growth and ontogenetic development were evident at 7.2 μg/l.

Irrigation efficiency improvement requires optimization of its parameters like irrigation scheduling, threshold and amount of water usage. If these parameters are not satisfactorily optimized, negative consequences for the plant-soil system can occur with decreased yield and hence economic viability of the agricultural production. Numerical modelling represents an efficient, i.e. simple and fast method for optimizing and testing different irrigation scenarios. In this study HYDRUS-1D model assuming single- and dual-porosity systems was used to evaluate a triggered irrigation module for irrigation scheduling in maize/soybean cropping trials. Irrigation treatment consisted of two irrigation regimes (A2 = 60-100% field capacity (FC) and A3 = 80-100% FC) and control plot (A1) without irrigation. The model showed a very good fit to the measured data with satisfactory model efficiency values of 0.77, 0.69, and 0.93 (single-porosity model) and 0.84, 0.67, and 0.92 (dual-porosity model) for A1, A2, and A3 plots, respectively. The single-porosity model gave a slightly better fit in the irrigated plots while the dual-porosity model gave better performance in the control plot. This inconsistency between the two approaches is due to the manual irrigation triggering and uncertainty in field data timing collection. Using the triggered irrigation module provided more irrigation events during maize and soybean crop rotation and consequently increased cumulative amounts of irrigated water. However, that increase resulted in more water available in the root zone during high evapotranspiration period. The HYDRUS code can be used to optimize irrigation threshold values further by assuming different scenarios (e.g. different irrigation threshold or scheduling) or a different crop.

The objective of this study was to compare the performance, egg quality, and microbial contamination of egg shells from hens maintained in different housing systems, such as conventional and enriched cages, litter, and aviaries. The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the performance characteristics. The highest egg production, lowest daily feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were measured in conventional cages compared to litter and aviaries. Higher egg shell and albumen qualities were observed in conventional cages, whereas hens housed in enriched cages and aviaries laid eggs with a higher yolk index (P < 0.001). The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the total count of bacteria on the egg surface and the microbial contamination of Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. The lowest values for the total count of bacterial contamination (P < 0.001) were found in eggs from conventional cages (4.05 log colony-forming units (CFU)/egg) and enriched cages (3.98 log CFU/egg). Eggs from aviaries had 5.49 log CFU per egg, and the highest level of contamination was observed in eggs that were laid on litter (6.24 log CFU/egg). The level of the microbial contamination of egg shells from litter and aviaries was by 2 log CFU higher than in eggs from cages. It could be concluded, from the viewpoint of egg safety, a more suitable substitute for conventional cages are enriched cages and aviaries than litter.

Hydroxymatairesinol (HMR) is the main lignan found in spruce knots. This lignan has been used for enrichment of musts and wines. Quality parameters of these products have been studied for several years and for storage times up to one year. Parameters included HMR concentration, antioxidant activities expressed as ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-difenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, total polyphenols, and sensory parameters, i.e. consumer acceptability. The main goal of this work was to study and provide relationships between the above mentioned quality parameters. We analysed cross-correlations of all these parameters and found statistically significant correlations between lignan concentration and consumer acceptability, which can be phrased as a warning against high lignan concentrations. The strongest correlations were found between antioxidant parameters and total polyphenol content that supports the antioxidative behaviour.

The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of chitosan (CHI) on immune and antioxidative function in beef cattle. A total of 24 fattening Simmental cattle with similar body weight and age were divided randomly into three dietary groups, and the three diets contained 0, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CHI, respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 84 days. It was found that: (1) the addition of CHI in diets improved (P < 0.05) the levels of IgA and interleukin-1, and decreased (P < 0.1) the levels of soluble cluster of differentiation 4 receptor in serum at middle stage except that IgA remained unchanged in 1000 mg/kg CHI group. The levels of IgM and IgA tended to be increased (P < 0.1) by dietary CHI at later stage of the experiment; (2) the addition of 500 mg/kg CHI in diets increased (P < 0.1) total superoxide dismutase activity and decreased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde content in serum at early and later stages, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicated that addition of 500 mg/kg CHI affected humoral and cellular immune responses, and improved the antioxidative function of beef cattle.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the electrical resistance values of the cervical mucus and/or blood οestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations at mating, after oestrous synchronisation during the anoestrous or oestrous period in ewes, are related to fertility. Oestrus was induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate-impregnated intravaginal sponges (Veramix, Upjohn, USA), either for 12 days (12-day group; 24 Kymi and 28 Chios) or for 14 days (14-day group; 24 Kymi and 28 Chios), plus 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (Intergonan, Intervet, the Netherlands) i.m., at the time of sponge removal. In each case, one blood sample was collected from all ewes at sponge insertion, at sponge removal and at oestrus, for the determination of serum οestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations, using a radioimmunoassay. The electrical resistance of the cervical mucus was measured once, just after oestrus detection by teaser rams, using a digital heat detector. All ewes found to be in oestrus were mated to fertile rams. Pregnancy was determined by transabdominal ultrasonography 35-40 days after mating. Kymi ewes were in anoestrous, while those of Chios were in the oestrous period. The 14-day treatment resulted in better outcome as concerns oestrus detection and pregnancy rate than the 12-day treatment, in either oestrous or anoestrous period ewes. Oestradiol-17β concentrations at sponge removal and at oestrus were lower (P < 0.05) in the 14-day group than in the 12-day group, in both oestrous or anoestrous period ewes. Progesterone concentrations at sponge insertion and removal were higher (P < 0.05), while progesterone concentrations and electrical resistance values of the cervical mucus at oestrus were lower (P < 0.05) in ewes of both groups who conceived compared to those that did not, either in oestrous or in the anoestrous period. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive relation between the electrical resistance values of the cervical mucus and blood serum progesterone concentrations in both oestrous or anoestrous period ewes. The electrical resistance of cervical mucus could be useful for the detection of the proper time for mating after oestrous synchronisation in ewes.

Structural parameters of Scots pine stands (129-191 years) on their natural sites (270-600 m a.s.l.) are described on 6 permanent research plots (PRP; 3 in managed stands using near-natural silvicultural practices and 3 in stands without active forest management for 3 decades at least) in areas of western, central and eastern Bohemia and in the Polish part of the Krkonoše Mts. In the framework of the study structural and growth parameters, horizontal and vertical structure and biodiversity were evaluated on the plots. A comparison of the plots, and of managed and unmanaged plots showed a relatively high variability in different parameters. Nevertheless, the results document that managed stands, compared to forest stands without management, mostly have significantly higher standing volumes (1.5 times in total and 1.7 times in pine), which is caused by more extreme sites. An opposite trend was found out in dead wood volume, which is distinctly higher in unmanaged stands. Differences in the other parameters are not so pronounced, probably because small-scale management is used and because a relatively short time since the stands were left to spontaneous development has elapsed (30-52 years).

The effect of wetting in the density and volume of seeds of barley, rye and two cultivars of wheat was determined. Two levels of wetting were used: (i) 6 h wetting close to the end of imbibition; (ii) 24 h wetting close to the beginning of germination. The experimental results show that the variability of the seeds' volume and density in all tested states can be well described by the Gaussian distribution. The changes of the seed's volume and the seed's density caused by wetting can be then easily expressed via the changes of the distribution parameters. The increase in the seed's density and the seed's volume was the main effect of the wetting, but the level of the observed changes was variable for different crops and different degrees of wetting. Density increase was observed mainly in the case of imbibition, whereas longer wetting was connected mainly with changes of the seed's volume.

In three-years experiments soya seeds were treated with biologically active compounds: Lignohumate B (mixture of humic and fulvic acids), Lexin (mixture of humic and fulvic acids enriched by auxins), brassinosteroid (syntetic analogue of natural 24 epibrassinolide) and so-called complete seed treatment (mixture of saturated solution of sucrose, Lexin, fungicide Maxim XL 035FS and adjuvant on the base of pinolene Agrovital). During vegetation following characteristics were observed: field germination, density of vegetation after germination and before harvest, height of plants, height of apical part of the lowest pod from the ground and yield. The results imply that the most effective way of seed treatment is the complete seed treatment, which ensured the yield of 3.29 t of seeds per hectare (average for three years), the second best was the treatment with the compound Lexin, thanks to which the achieved yield was 3.18 t of seeds per hectare.

Control of the nosema disease poses a major challenge, and therefore, treatment of this serious parasitic disease using natural preparations could be of great benefit. The aim of this study was to test the performance of zeolite clinoptilolite as a curative measure against honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) naturally infected by Nosema ceranae. The histopathological structure, and the content and distribution of mucosubstances and histochemical activity of aminopeptidase and non-specific esterase in the midgut mucosa of honeybees originating from colonies fed sugar syrup supplemented with zeolite minerals was studied. A decline in the number of spores in honeybees fed with zeolite clinoliptolite was observed on the first sampling day (Day 10; 53.25 ± 15.15 million spores/bee), though a statistically lower number of spores in comparison to the control was confirmed on Day 20 (41.08 ± 9.4 million spores/bee), Day 30 (28.42 ± 7.79 million spores/bee) and Day 40 (24 ± 6.25 million spores/bee). The possibility of using natural zeolites as a dietary supplement for honeybee colonies as a preventative measure and for the reduction of the deleterious effects of nosemosis is discussed.

Forest soils in western parts of Iran are being degraded by inappropriate management. The soil organic carbon (SOC) stock was dominantly affected by this type of degradation. On the other hand, SOC is an important sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and can play a key role in global warming. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 15 different physical and 8 different management factors on the SOC content and to determine relative importance of these exploratory variables for SOC estimation in a semiarid forest using multiple least-squares regression, tree-based model, and neural network model. Results showed that the CART model with all physical and management variables and 24-2-1 neural networks had the highest predictive ability that explained 81 and 76% of SOC variability, respectively. Neural network models slightly overestimate SOC content. ANNs have a higher ability to detect the effects of management variables on SOC variability and the advantage of CART was to distinguish the effects of physical variables. In both methods the management system dominantly controlled SOC variability in these semiarid forest conditions.

The effects of serotonin (5-HT), GnRH analogue (D-Ala⁶ LHRH, GnRH-A) and dopamine antagonist - pimozide (PIM), on luteinizing hormone (LH) release in mature Prussian carp female (Carassius gibelio Bloch) were examined at the time of gonad recrudescence. Fish were intraperitoneally injected with 5-HT (10 mg/kg), GnRH-A (20 μg/kg) or PIM (5 mg/kg) or the combinations: 5-HT+GnRH-A, 5-HT+PIM, 5-HT+GnRH-A+PIM. Before the injection and 3, 6, 12 or 24 h after treatment blood samples were collected for LH levels determination by ELISA method. The analysis of LH concentrations, expressed as the percentage of pre-treatment, showed that serotonin alone had no influence on the spontaneous LH release, however the additive effects of serotonin and GnRH-A was observed. Serotonin potentiated the GnRH-A-stimulated LH release and potentiated also the effect of PIM. Extremely strong response to PIM and also to the combination with GnRH-A masked the participation of serotonin in the process of LH release in fish with recrudescing gonads. The interaction of serotonin GnRH-A and PIM in the control of LH release is discussed.

The Khuzestan province in south-western Iran is the centre of Persian Arab horse breeding and training. The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Theileria equi in the equids of this province. A total of 165 blood samples from healthy Persian Arab horses from twenty four stables were examined for the presence of T. equi infection using molecular methods. For detection of T. equi, primers targeting the 18SrRNA gene were selected. The PCR method gave 47 (28.5%) positive results. Age (P = 0.68), sex (P = 0.88), contact with cattle (P = 0.26) and type of activity (P = 0.06) were not determined as risk factors for T. equi infection in this study. However, there was a significant geographical variation in the prevalence of T. equi infection ranging from 8.3% (2/24) in Shushtar to 55.6% (10/18) in Ramhormoz (CI, 2.46-76.82) (P = 0.003). In conclusion, equine theileriosis has the potential of posing a significant problem for Iran's Persian Arab horse industry and should remain a major concern to the horse community and regulatory agencies.

The analysis of soil compaction with chassis of a wide-span irrigation machine Valmont was determined. The sprinkler had 12 two-wheeled chassis (size of tyre 14.9'' × 24''). During the evaluation of soil compaction, we monitored the values of penetration resistance and soil moisture during the operation of the sprinkler. Considering the performance parameters of the pump, the sprinkler was only half of its length (300 m) in the technological operation. In this area, also field measurements were performed in 19 monitoring points spaced both in tracks and outside the chassis tracks. The analysis showed the impact of compression with sprinkler wheels. The correction of obtained results of penetration resistance was applied in connection with soil moisture (mass) values according to Act No. 220/2004 (Lhotský et al. 1985). The results of average resistance ranged from 1.2 to 3.26 MPa. The values of the max. resistance ranged from 2.3 to 5.35 MPa. The results indicated a shallow soil compaction; however, it is not devastating.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of administration of oxytocin, in combination with dinoprost or ergometrin, after parturition on the occurrence of clinical endometritis and subsequent reproductive performance in dairy cows. The cows, without retained foetal membranes, were assigned to one of three groups. No treatment was performed in the control group (Group C, n = 229). However, intramuscular administrations of oxytocin (30 IU) on Days 1 and 2 post partum, in combination with dinoprost (25 mg, Group D, n = 123) or ergometrin (15 mg, Group E, n = 130) administered on Day 7 post partum, were performed in experimental groups. Vaginal discharge score (VDS, 1-5), uterine content score (UCS, 1-3) on Day14 to 21 post partum, number of treatment interventions (TI), proportion of non-treated cows (NT) because of endometritis, calving to first insemination interval (CI), first insemination conception rate (CR), and proportion of pregnant cows by Day 150 post partum (PC), were compared among groups. There was no significant difference among groups for any parameter. Average values were 2.08, 2.24 and 2.06 (VDS); 1.49, 1.51 and 1.45 (UCS); 0.86, 0.93 and 0.74 (TI); 59.4, 54.2 and 54.7% (NT); 73.9 ± 15.2, 75.4 ± 17 and 74.2 ± 17 days (CI); 41.4, 38.9 and 44.3% (CR); and 75.4, 77.7 and 80.5% (PC) for Groups C, D and E, respectively. There was no significant benefit of preventive administration of oxytocin, in combination with dinoprost or ergometrin, after parturition on reproductive performance in dairy cows.