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The influence of yeast strain on the volatile profile of meads fermented from blossom honey using three different Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus strains was evaluated. Meads were analysed by methods of basic chemical analysis and gas chromatography after 15 days of fermentation. Individual yeast strains produced various metabolites in different concentrations under the same fermentation conditions which significantly influenced the final secondary aroma of mead. Higher concentrations of acetaldehyde and 1-propanol, associated with S. cerevisiae var. bayanus MM-R2 considerably distinguished this strain from the others, whereas the difference between strains S. cerevisiae var. bayanus FM-R-Fix1 and MT-R1B was characterised by the production of ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate (FM-R-Fix1), and isobutyl alcohol (MT-R1B).

Doubled haploidy breeding protocols have revolutionized the varietal development programmes in bread wheat, however, the protocols have not proved much efficient in durum wheat. Presently, the durum wheat × maize system is being widely followed for haploid induction but the frequency of haploid development is very poor which has limited its application in durum wheat improvement programmes. In order to formulate an efficient wide hybridization-mediated approach for haploid induction in durum wheat, different genotypes of durum wheat were subjected to hybridization with Imperata cylindrica, a wild perennial grass for the first time in this laboratory. The investigation was carried out for two seasons. During the 1^st year, the investigation was carried out on one genotype only, Langdon, in order to notice the development of haploid embryos and the factors that influence the haploid induction frequency. The most important factor influencing the embryo formation frequency was found to be the concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Upon pollinating the emasculated spikes of durum wheat genotypes, various concentrations of 2,4-D were injected into the uppermost internode of wheat culm for three consecutive days after pollination to find out the most responding concentration for haploid induction. During the next year, the protocol was applied to eight durum wheat genotypes. The frequency of haploid induction parameters varied with the durum wheat genotypes as well as 2,4-D concentration used. The mean pseudoseed and embryo formation frequency over all the genotypes ranged from 30.2 to 56.3% and 1.2 to 18.4%, respectively. The average embryo formation frequency over all the genotypes was found to be highest (18.4%) at 250 mg/l 2,4-D whereas it was superior for the genotypes WH 896 and Langdon over all the 2,4-D concentrations. At the most responding 2,4-D concentration (250 mg/l), the genotype A-9-30-1 exhibited the highest embryo formation frequency (32.1%). The ploidy status of the developed embryos was identified using cytological analysis carried out on the rootlets of the tissue culture generated plantlets.

We aimed to evaluate the extractability of different extractants for zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in soils of long-term field experiments covering different agro-ecological zones of India. The relationships between the amounts of Zn and Cu extracted by Mehlich 3, 0.1 mol/L HCl and AB-DTPA (ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) with those extracted by DTPA, the conventional extraction method widely used in soil testing laboratories in India, were elucidated. The treatments of the long-term experiments included control (no fertilizer), 100% NPK, 50%NPK + 50% N through FYM (farm yard manure) and a fallow soil. Some important physico-chemical properties of soil like pH, organic carbon, textural class, CaCO₃ content, etc. were analyzed. The NPK + FYM treatment was found to be the most effective treatment in terms of increased content of Zn and Cu in soils. The results showed that the amount of Zn and Cu extracted by Mehlich 3 were significantly correlated with that extracted by 0.1 mol/L HCl (r = 0.970** for Zn and r = 0.914** for Cu). Accordingly, Mehlich 3 and 0.1 mol/L HCl could be used effectively for estimating Zn and Cu availability in soils of India. However, Mehlich 3 was superior to all the other extractants used for the study.

This study evaluated the effects of three A. brasilense strains (i.e. Sp7, Sp7-S and Sp245) on the early seedling growth of lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Seeds were inoculated by soaking and drenching before and after sowing, respectively. Results show that inoculation effect varied greatly with plant species, inoculation methods and PGPR strains which could be dependent on inoculum concentration and IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) production. Generally, the magnitude of inoculation impact on the early growth of vegetables was more pronounced with Sp7-S, followed by Sp245 and Sp7. In particular, Sp7-S and Sp245 strongly enhanced root and shoot growth, germination value and vigour of tomato when inoculated by soaking. Sp245 increased the level of endogenous plant IAA of cucumber and lettuce. Despite the diverse crop responses to inoculation methods, soaking appeared to be a better technique, and majority of the strains demonstrated more consistent beneficial effects on tomato.

Sustainable food consumption is a core policy objective of the new millennium in the national and international agenda, as a consequence, the attention towards sustainable consumption has significantly increased in the last decade. However, the consumer attitudes and buying behaviours of sustainable food are still not completely understood. In this context, this paper aims to investigate the factors affecting consumers' attitudes towards food products with sustainable attributes. The first part of the work presents an overview of the theoretical concepts of sustainable consumption. Subsequently, the results of an empirical analysis with a sample of 300 consumers aimed at assessing factors' affecting consumer attitudes towards food products with sustainable attributes, such as Organic, Fair Trade and typical products, are presented. The results presented in this paper are valuable for both producers in the formulation of marketing strategies and for public institutions in the planning of the programs of education and information for the promotion of sustainable consumption.

Mastitis is an important cause of early culling of dairy heifers. The aims of this study were to identify microorganisms that cause subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Holstein heifers in northern Jordan, to estimate the relative importance of various microorganisms, and to examine the correlation between the somatic cell count (SCC) and the isolated microorganisms. Composite milk samples were collected aseptically from 133 Holstein heifers between Days 5 and 14 postpartum for bacterial culture and somatic cell counts. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in this study was 57.1%. Seventy six (76) of the 133 cows tested had SCC of > 250 000 cells/ml. Bacteria were isolated from 36 (27.1%) cows. About sixty six percent (66.7%) of these isolates were cultured from cows with subclinical mastitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent bacteria among isolates (50%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%), Corynebacterium bovis and coliforms (E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) (5.6% each), and Streptococcus uberis (2.8%). Interestingly, the majority of the negative-culture samples (53.6%) had elevated SCC. All isolates except for the CNS group exhibited strongly elevated SCC (> 1 × 10⁶cells/ml). However, the coagulase-negative Staphylococci did not have a distinct pattern with respect to SCCs. There was a strong correlation (P ≤ 0.05, correlation coefficient 0.213) between the results of bacterial culture (culture-positive vs. culture-negative) and SCC class but not between SCC class and the type of isolated bacteria. It is concluded that subclinical mastitis appears to be a significant health issue for dairy heifers in Jordan.

We examined the relationships between a number of sperm characteristics (motility, concentration and pH) and sperm fertility (egg fertilisation and hatching rate) in 10 mature females and four mature males of the beluga sturgeon, Huso huso. The fish were treated with luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists (LHRH-A2), at a dose of 5-10 µg/kg of body weight (BW) by injection into the muscle between the dorsal and lateral scutes. Significant linear relationships were found between sperm pH and fertilisation rate (R² = 0.82, P < 0.01) and sperm pH and hatching rate (R² = 0.75, P < 0.05). Highly negative relationships were also observed between sperm concentration and fertilisation rate (R² =-0.71, P < 0.05) and sperm concentration and hatching rate (R² = -0.83, P < 0.01). We suggest that understanding these correlations is critical in the evaluation of sperm quality and for the preparation of media (extender) for use in sperm dilution to improve sperm motility/fertility and therefore increase fertilisation success in beluga sturgeon production.

Field validation of spot-fumigation with phosphine (PH₃) applied by a subcontracted pest-control company in a farm grain store infested by pests was conducted. Inside and outside of the fumigated grain spot, containers with adults of 5 species of coleopteran stored-product pests were regularly spaced. The beetle pests were the internally feeding Sitophilus granarius and Rhyzopertha dominica, and the externally feeding Tribolium castaneum, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, and Cryptolestes ferrugineus. A 100% mortality of all pest species inside the fumigated spot under the sheet used for the application was stated. The efficacy (maximal) sharply declined with the increasing distance from the fumigated spot: 50% mortality was observed at 5 m from the spot, 38% mortality at 10 m, and a mortality of 23% was observed at 15 m. Mortality was different among the species, and the most sensitive was O. surinamensis, whereas the most tolerant were S. granarius, R. dominica, and T. castaneum. Although an efficient fumigation within the spot was found, the efficacy was low in the grains surrounding the spot. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Long-term field experiments are important for assessing the yield response of crops to different tillage systems and pre-crops. An experiment was established in 1996 in Raasdorf (Austria) on a chernozem with four tillage treatments (mouldboard ploughing (MP), no-till (NT), deep conservation tillage and shallow conservation tillage) and two crop rotations. Winter wheat yields were generally at similar levels with all four tillage systems in most years between 1998 and 2012. Yields increased with higher amounts of rainfall during the vegetation period (from October until June) with the smallest increase among tillage treatments in NT. This indicates that MP can be superior to NT regarding yield at higher amounts of rainfall. Pre-crops considerably influenced winter wheat with higher yields after maize, soybean and winter wheat than after sugar beet. In one year with high rainfall, a tillage × pre-crop interaction showed that yields were lower after maize in NT than in other tillage systems whereas yields after sugar beet tended to be higher with NT in years with low rainfall.

The aim of the research conducted on eutric brown soil on the experimental facility of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb in 2012 and 2013, was to determine the optimal sowing density for two cultivars of white lupin (Teodora and Energy) and a cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin (Arabella). The study included three sowing densities: 60, 75 and 90 germinated seeds/m². The cultivars of white lupin achieved significantly higher seed yield, higher 1000 seed weight, higher weight of seeds per plant and higher protein content in the seed, compared to the cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin. The sowing density had no effect on seed yield, but the increase in sowing density above 60 germinated seeds/m² significantly reduced the number of pods, the number of seeds and seed weight per plant.

The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that the crypto-tobiano horses which do not exhibit the full tobiano white-spotting pattern nonetheless transmit the dominant To gene to the progeny. The study was conducted on the Hucul population. Seven horses with white patches on their limbs, and with or without a small patch on the head, neck or trunk, were selected. At least one of the parents of the horses had to be tobiano or crypto-tobiano. Occasionally such horses produced a tobiano foal from a crossing with a solid-coloured horse. The white patches of the horses used in our study were divided into categories. To identify the To gene, DNA was tested in the Animal Genetics Laboratory (UK). The ratio of non-tobiano, crypto-tobiano, and tobiano foals born from 36 matings of the studied horses was analyzed. The study substantiates the occurrence of crypto-tobiano horses in the Hucul breed. Horses that have patches on their limbs as well as a small white or intermingled patch on the head, neck or trunk, are crypto-tobianos, although crypto-tobianos may have no white on the head, neck, and trunk. The crypto-tobiano pattern occurs in horses which have a tobiano parent or grandparent. The results suggest that the activity of an inhibitor gene suppresses the To allele penetrance in the crypto-tobiano horses. As in the case of many white-spotting patterns, the presence of the To gene in a horse's genotype should be documented by DNA testing or test matings.

The objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of different levels of phytase (0, 150, 250, and 350 phytase units (FTU)/kg; F) produced by Aspergillus niger in the diets of hens fed decreased contents of non-phytate phosphorus (1.8 and 2.1 g/kg; NPP) on the hen performance, egg quality, digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in the ileum, and representation of bacterial species in the ileum and caecum. The diet with 2.1 g/kg of NPP and 350 FTU/kg significantly decreased egg weight (P < 0.001) and egg mass production (P < 0.001). However, this treatment had the highest values for shell percentage (P = 0.002), shell thickness (P = 0.006), and shell index (P = 0.003). The supplementation with F at 350 FTU/kg to the diet with 1.8 g/kg of NPP increased the shell quality to a level that was comparable with the eggs from the hens fed the diet with only 2.1 g/kg of NPP. With the addition of F (350 FTU/kg) to the mixed feed with 1.8 g/kg of NPP, the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in the ileum increased by 6.1% and 7.4%, respectively, although the increases were not significant. Additionally, the frequency of Lactobacillus spp. was higher in the ileum and caecum of hens fed the diet enriched with F than in those fed a diet without F addition. The dietary manipulations with NPP and F improved some performance and shell quality characteristics, and the addition of 3-phytase at a level of 350 FTU per kg to the low-P diet increased the digestibility of minerals and changed the microflora of the digestive tract.

Compost leachate is produced by conversion of municipal waste to compost. It contains significant amounts of organic materials, nutrients, soluble salts and small amounts of some heavy metals. Adding compost leachate to the soil can pollute it, and also improve soil fertility. In this study, we investigated absorption and growth performance of Populus deltoides under irrigation with leachate of the Compost Plant of Rasht. At the beginning of the growing season, in mid-March 2013, cuttings were processed from young, one-year-old seedlings of Populus trees in the greenhouse of the Safrabaste Poplar Research Station. Cuttings were planted in pots filled with loamy-sandy soil in the vicinity of the area with 40cm depth. Compost leachate was taken from a collection reservoir where leachate from the open composting of organic municipal wastes and various gardening and plant wastes had been collected. Five treatments were applied to plants: (C) tap water (control), (P) pure leachate, (3:1) three units (by volume) of leachate mixed with one unit of tap water, (1:1) and (1:3). The growth of tree diameter and height was measured bi-monthly. Aboveground (stem, branches and leaves) and root biomass was inventoried at the end of the growing season. Concentration of elements was determined every three months. Overall, growth parameters in 1:1 and 1:3 treatments were similar together and there were no significant differences between them (P < 0.05). Pure treatment had minimum growth because of a high concentration of solvable salts in leachate such as sulphur that causes salinity and high EC in soil. Treatment1:3 exhibited the greatest overall aboveground and root dry mass. Total aboveground dry mass of leachate treatments and water was 202.25 and 47.58 g, respectively.

Forty six Holstein Friesian repeat breeding cows (the average AI/conception was 5.2 ± 0.2) were investigated using the progesterone assay after AI to determine possible differences in plasma progesterone profiles between summer and winter seasons. Twenty eight (60.9%) and 18 (39.1%) cows were followed in summer (June-August) and winter (December-February), respectively. In the summer season, the total progesterone concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in pregnant cows with normal luteal function compared to those in non-pregnant animals with abnormal luteal function. In contrast, in the winter season, there was no difference (P = 0.12) in total progesterone concentrations between pregnant and non-pregnant cows with normal or abnormal luteal functions. When the progesterone concentrations were compared, the pregnant and non-pregnant cows with normal luteal functions exhibited no difference (P = 0.92) in summer and winter seasons. Thus, the present study indicates that there is no effect of season on plasma progesterone profiles in repeat breeding cows; however in the summer season, the total progesterone concentrations were considerably higher in pregnant cows with normal luteal function compared to non-pregnant cows with abnormal luteal function.

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of pathogens and pesticide residues in rapeseed samples depending on integrated and organic cultivation systems and cultivars. No pesticide residue was detected in seeds coming from the organic production system. However, trace amounts of pesticide residues admissible in rapeseed protection were detected for samples from integrated pest management. Seeds from both cultivation systems were most frequently infested by fungi Alternaria brassicicola and A. alternata. The greatest number of Leptosphaeria spp. cultures was obtained from seeds from organic cultivation.

The availability of risk elements in soil can be possibly reduced by various soil additives. Among them, the attention has been recently focused on the research of unconventional soil additive - biochar. The aim of this study was (i) to observe the effect of biochar application on risk elements transport through the soil profile and (ii) to assess the availability of risk elements in biochar amended soil to willow growth. The experiment was established at greenhouse conditions and extremely contaminated soil, reaching 43 mg/kg cadmium (Cd) and 4340 mg/kg zinc (Zn), was used. To observe risk element content in leachate, the lysimeter cylinders were tested. The rates of biochar were 0 (control); 5, 10, and 15% per mass of soil. The results showed that biochar significantly increased biomass production whereas the plant Cd and Zn contents remained unchanged in most cases. In leachate, Cd and Zn content decreased by 99% at all the biochar treatments. We can summarize that biochar appears to be a very effective regulator of availability of observed risk elements and improver agent for biomass production of plants and remediation efficiency.

Intensive tilapia egg incubation techniques create favourable conditions for microbial proliferation which often leads to massive mortalities of fish larvae. The effects of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) eggs exposure to bronopol on decontamination of their bacterial surface and survival of larvae were observed. Immersion treatments of fertilized eggs were applied at 10, 25, 50, 100, and 250 mg/l of bronopol for 10, 20, and 30 min. This treatment substantially reduced the number of bacteria on Nile tilapia eggs. The greatest reduction in bacterial numbers (1.58 × 10³ colony forming units/g of egg) was observed at the maximum treatment dosage, i.e. 250 mg/l for 30 min, but this was not significant when compared with treatments of 100-250 mg/l bronopol for 10-30 min. Treatments of 50-250 mg/l bronopol provided better larval survival (89.33-94.67%) than those of < 50 mg/l (P < 0.05). The larval survival obtained from the Nile tilapia eggs disinfected with 10 and 25 mg/l bronopol for 10-30 min was similar to that of negative controls (79.33-80.97%). Additional in vitro test was performed to determine the inhibitory potency of bronopol against bacteria cultured from fertilized Nile tilapia eggs. Twenty-two bacterial isolates (Aeromonas hydrophila (n = 12), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 6), Escherichia coli (n = 2), and Micrococcus spp. (n = 2)) responded to minimum inhibitory concentrations of bronopol ranging from 64 to 128 µg/ml. The study demonstrates that the immersion treatment of Nile tilapia fertilized eggs with 250 mg/l for 10-30 min, the concentration proven effective against bacteria cultured from fertilized eggs, significantly reduced bacterial load and improved larval survival.

The work quality of selected tine cultivators that are suitable equally for deeper soil cultivation has been evaluated. The following implements were tested in a stubble field: Köckerling Vario 570, Simba Solo 450, Horsch Terrano 5 FX, Strom Finisher Mega 8000, Farmet Turbulent 450, Kverneland CLC 430, Väderstad TopDown 400. The cultivator evaluation criteria were the following: quantity of plant residues left on the soil surface, size distribution of clods, transverse elevation profile of the soil surface, elevation profile of the furrow bottom, cultivation depth, unit fuel consumption, travel reduction ratio, work-rate, and unit draft of a cultivator. All of the cultivators were equipped mainly with tine tools, followed further on by disc tools and either by levelling or by crumbling tools. Plant residues were well worked into the soil by Väderstad and Farmet cultivators. Horsch, Kverneland and Väderstad cultivators showed good crumbling effect. The highest work speed was reached by tractors with Strom and Horsch implements.

The nun moth (Lymantria monacha /L./) is a polyphagous pest feeding on coniferous and deciduous trees in Eurasia. This paper, based on a literature review, presents an overview of the nun moth outbreaks in Czech forests from 1784 to 2010 in terms of host tree species. At least 22 genera of host trees, bushes and herbs were recorded in the Czech Republic. On the other hand 2 genera were evaluated like non-hosts and 4 genera like indifferent. The nun moth defoliated mainly coniferous forests (almost 90 % of all recorded outbreaks with known data about host trees) in the Czech Republic. Forests with mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees were defoliated nine times less frequent, and only insignificant portion were recorded in clearly deciduous forests. Although wide host range, the nun moth has defoliated predominantly spruce forests (almost 70 %). Mixed coniferous (with mixture of spruce, pine, larch, fir) forests were attacked three times less frequently then the spruce forests. Pine and larch forests were defoliated in low range. Defoliations were sorted also according the intensity. Spatial distribution of the recorded outbreaks was displayed in maps.

The paper aims at the overview of the main approaches of state support implemented by developed and developing countries and the assessment of their distorting influences on the trade with agricultural commodities. The current state of state support is analyzed on the examples of EU-27, the USA and Japan. The experiences of developing countries are summarized on the examples of China, Russia and the CIS countries. State support tools are grouped according to the WTO classification. The alternative classification is implemented in order to compare the distorting effects caused by the state support. The EPACIS model is implemented to analyze the effects of trade liberalization for the distribution of agricultural commodities and trade policies in developing countries. The model is adjusted in order to assess the effects of state support for the production and trade with agricultural commodities in developing countries, recently accessed the WTO (the case of Russia). Imitation calculations allow formulating policies for the developing agricultural markets depending on the degrees of their sensitivity to foreign trade regulations and domestic support.

The high prophylactic doses of ZnO commonly used to control post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets have become an environmental problem. The possibility of partial replacement of ZnO by sodium humate (HNa) in PWD treatment was investigated in this study. Weaned piglets (32) were challenged with two enterotoxigenic E. coli strains (ETEC/O149/F4/LT and ETEC/O147/F18/LT) and allocated into four treatments maintained for three weeks: C (no supplementation); ZnO2.5 (2.5 g ZnO/kg diet); HNa + ZnO1.0; HNa + ZnO1.5; HNa + ZnO1.7 (20 g HNa and 1.0, 1.5 and 1.7 g ZnO/kg diet, respectively). The effects on incidence, severity and duration of diarrhoea, faecal shedding of total E. coli and both ETEC strains, growth rate and selected blood parameters were investigated. In contrast with ZnO2.5 and HNa + ZnO1.7, high daily diarrhoea scores, incidence and duration and mortality due to severe dehydration were seen in C, HNa + ZnO1.0 and HNa + ZnO1.5 groups. The administration of ZnO and HNa did not affect the faecal shedding of the challenged ETEC strains for eght days, even in clinically healthy piglets in ZnO2.5 and HNa + ZnO1.7 groups. Signs of growth depression were found in C; HNa + ZnO1.0 and HNa + ZnO1.5 groups during the first week. No difference in growth performance was observed in ZnO2.5 and HNa + ZnO1.7 piglets. Most of the selected biochemical and haematological parameters did not differ significantly among the treatments. However, a significantly higher serum Zn as a result of high dietary ZnO intake in the ZnO2.5 group compared to the control and HNa groups was detected. Significantly lower serum P in ZnO2.5; HNa + ZnO1.7 and HNa + ZnO1.0 groups compared to the control group was most likely induced by the increased Zn in serum. The results indicate the possibility of reducing the high pharmacological levels of ZnO in the prophylaxis of PWD through partial replacement with HNa. Such a treatment maintains the favourable prophylactic effect while lowering the Zn content in faeces.

In this work we compared two species of fish with different feeding habits: Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) and Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). The aim of this study was to evaluate total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and TOS/TAC ratio (OSI), in order to highlight the presence of any differences and correlations in these two different species of fish. Thirty adult fish of Mugil cephalus and thirty of Sparus aurata were used. From each fish 0.6 ml of blood was collected. TOS and TAC indicators were measured in serum obtained from samples previously clotted and centrifuged. Our results showed statistically significant differences between the two species in TAC. TOS and OSI did not show significant differences between Gilthead sea bream and Flathead mullet. A positive relationship between TOS and TAC was found in Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus), and a negative relation between TOS and TAC in Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Our study indicates that the oxidative status and the relationship between total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum are probably dependent on the fish species and are affected by different feeding habits.

Susceptibility of new host trees is an essential prerequisite for the alien pathogens. Today, an acute problem in Europe is ash dieback, caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Among the possible invasion routes of this fungus to Europe from its natural range in easternmost Asia, an arrival alongside the unbroken, passing the whole Eurasia chain of ranges of ash species should not be ignored, at least not before the determination of the western extent of the natural range of the pathogen. We established that in Estonia the ash species Fraxinus sogdiana, growing naturally in the "bottleneck" of that belt, in Central Asia, is susceptible to H. fraxineus. It is the first record of H. fraxineus on a Central Asian ash species.

The wheat stem rust pathogen, Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici, is a significant and devastating disease of wheat crops worldwide. Wheat has many wild relatives in which to source new resistance genes, including the cereal crop of rye in the tertiary genepool. The aim of this study was to assess the reaction of 1BL.1RS and 2RL.2BS double wheat-rye translocation lines to virulent stem rust races from Africa and North America. BC₁F₃ and BC₁F₄ populations from a cross between the line KR99-139 (a double wheat-rye translocation line with 1BL.1RS and 2RL.2BS) and the bread wheat cultivar Topper were used in the study. Several of the populations homozygous for 1BL.1RS and heterozygous for 2RL.2BS showed resistance and low severity adult plant resistance (20RMR-50MSS) to the African stem rust race TTKSK in the field. None of the tested populations with varying chromosome combinations showed seedling resistance to any of the tested stem rust races. Thus, these resistant populations likely carry gene/s effective at the adult plant stage since all stage resistance genes with major effect appear to be absent based on the seedling assays. Resistant lines combined three chromosomes (1RS, 2RS and 2BS) which make their direct use in breeding more complicated. Mapping studies followed by potential transfer of genes between 2R and 2B will make the identified minor genes more useful in wheat breeding.

The long-term effect of 87.3 kg/ha P on the yield elements and nutrient content of maize was studied at the National Long-Term Fertilization Experiment of the Karcag Research Institute in Hungary. The soil of the experiment site is non-calcareous Luvic Phaeosem, and its soluble phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) content in 0-20 cm soil layer are: ammonium lactate P: 141.1 mg/kg and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)Zn: 0.85 mg/kg, respectively. The effect of foliar Zn fertilization was studied at three levels of nitrogen (150, 200 and 250 kg/ha) and under 87.3 kg/ha P and 82.6 kg/ha K application in four replications. The applied Zn amount was 700 g/ha. We measured the grain yield and the thousand-kernel weight. Leaf and grain samples were analyzed for phosphorus, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese content. Foliar Zn application did not increase the yield significantly, but it enhanced the thousand-kernel weight. The element content did not change significantly - neither in leaves nor in kernels. Under the examined habitat circumstances even the long-term application of 87.3 kg/ha P dosage did not cause Zn deficiency to such an extent which would lead to significant yield depression of maize.

Low application of fertilizer potassium (K) in intensive agriculture leads to a gradual decrease and, afterwards, to a steady state of soil K determined by tests which are based on soil exchangeable K (K_exch) extraction. In this situation, non-exchangeable K (K_non-exch) is being released and therefore real plant availability does not necessarily correspond to soil test K. This incoherency was investigated in 14 agricultural soils with low K as determined by the Mehlich 3 method. Plant-available K released by exhaustive cropping of perennial ryegrass and K determined by the Neubauer seedling test were compared with 8 soil K extraction methods, with the total K content and with the relative content of soil K-bearing minerals. K determined by the ryegrass test (314 mg/kg on average) was more than 3-times higher than K based on K_exch extraction methods, but was from 2 to 3 times lower than K determined by K_non-exch extracting methods. The relative content of mixed-layer phyllosilicates was significantly related to K extracted by soil tests. The relative content of orthoclase correlated only with total K and mica-group minerals with none of the extractions. The best prediction of plant-available K in investigated soils was obtained with sodium tetraphenylboron and StepK methods.

The research aimed at the assessment of the influence of mineral nitrogen (CaNPK) fertilization and lupine cropping on the N₂O emissions from agricultural soil. Observations were collected from CaNPK and Ca fertilization systems (further referred to as NIL due to the absence of nitrogen (N) fertilizers) in two consecutive years (2012 and 2013) on a long-term (since 1923) field experiment in Skierniewice in Central Poland. N₂O emissions from the soil were measured in situ by the means of infrared spectroscopy using a portable FTIR spectrometer Alpha (Bruker). N₂O fluxes from soils treated under CaNPK and NIL treatments were similar. No significant influence of the current treatment or cropping on the N₂O emissions was noted in the CaNPK treated soil. N₂O emissions in 2012 (barley, ammonium nitrate application) and 2013 (lupine, no mineral nitrogen application) were similar (0.17-23.04 g N₂O-N/ha/day, median 4.29 and 0.09-19.46 g N₂O-N/ha/day, median 4.45, respectively). During the growing period of 2012 (barley, ammonium nitrate application), the N₂O-N emissions from the CaNPK treated soil (uncorrected for NIL) represented 1.02% of the applied N dose. In the growing period of 2013 (lupine, no mineral nitrogen application), the yield-scaled N₂O-N emissions from CaNPK and NIL treatments equaled respectively to 4.4 g and 5.4 g N₂O-N per 1 kg of nitrogen accumulated by lupine.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes with fatness traits in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs. The polymorphisms of genes were investigated, which included beta-3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3), heart fatty acid-binding protein gene (FABP3), and hormone-sensitive lipase gene (LIPE) as well as lipoprotein lipase gene (LPL). The intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid composition contents in Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were measured. Results showed that ADRB3, LIPE, and LPL SNPs were associated with IMF content (P < 0.05). ADRB3 AG heterozygotes exhibited higher IMF content. LIPE A allele was associated with greater IMF content. LPL CT heterozygotes exhibited the lowest IMF content. ADRB3 c.1192G>A had highly significant association with the total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (P < 0.01) and the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (P < 0.01). LIPE c.442G>A was significantly associated with the contents of C12:0 and C14:0 (P < 0.05). LPL c.624C>T was significantly associated with the percentage of C16:1 (P < 0.05) and the percentage of total saturated fatty acid (SFA) (P < 0.05). The pigs with ADRB3 G allele had more MUFA, and the pigs with LPL T allele had less SFA, implying that the ADRB3 G and LPL T in pigs may be beneficial to human health. In conclusion, the results suggest that these genetic markers are important sources of the variations for the pork selection to obtain favourable meat with higher IMF levels and appropriate fatty acid composition.

In this study, in vitro slow growth storage was investigated in four cultivars of two Sicilian (Southern Italy) plum species (Prunus domestica L. and Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. - two genotypes each). Established shoot cultures were preserved at 4°C in the dark in a Murashige and Skoog basal medium containing one of two different concentrations of sucrose (20 and 30 g/l) and with or without growth regulators. We tested the effects of cold storage, genotype and media on survival and re-growth capacity of explants after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of storage. Effective minimal growth under cold conditions occurred in all four genotypes. The media composition did not affect survival, which, instead, appeared to be genotype-dependent. P. domestica genotypes survived cold storage the longest, for 12 and 9 months; instead, P. cerasifera ones remained viable for up to 6 months. All genotypes retained proliferation capacity under standard conditions and their re-growth capacity seems to be strongly genotype-dependent, closely related to their individual performance in response to the experimental condition of storage.