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In the paper, the results of the long-term field experiment on soil depletion from potassium on yields and selected indices of nitrogen use efficiency of maize and spring barley were presented. The factors of the experiment were potassium fertilization (K plus and K minus treatment) and increasing nitrogen rates. Maize responded for soil exhausting from K in yield reduction over all the range of nitrogen rates applied in the experiment, and spring barley only through the highest rates. The greater values of nitrogen use efficiency indices were proven for barley as compared with maize. Potassium fertilization slightly increased agronomic efficiency and physiological efficiency of barley.

Claw horn disorders, infectious diseases of hooves and leg injuries cause lameness in dairy cows. However, such diseases as sole haemorrhages, sole ulcers or white line diseases, cause clinical lameness. Lameness reduces milk production, the fertility of cows and also causes earlier culling of cows, as well resultings in a deterioration of their welfare. In this review we focus on the impact of lameness on bovine behaviour. The time spent lying down is an important behaviour of dairy cows. As an increased locomotion score is associated with an increased percentage of cows lying down, also the position of cows within the milking parlour is associated with lameness. Lame cows are more likely to present toward the end of milking. Clinical lameness is a chronic stressor, reducing progesterone concentrations prior to oestrus, and resulting in reduced sexual behaviour; however, lame cows have the same potential period of oestrus when compared with non-lame cows. Hoof diseases, particularly those which are a source of pain, also reduce animal welfare. A high standard of cow welfare may be achieved by improving the lives of animals and the people who work with them. A lack of comfort while lying presents a significant risk for lameness. Improvements in comfort on more than 75% of farms (32 out of a total number of 53 farms) reduced the incidence of mastitis, while on 42 farms it reduced the prevalence of lameness. The keeping of cows on the straw bed of stalls does not only improve animal welfare, mainly through the greater comfort of the floor, but has also been showed to increase eating and ruminating behaviour. Cows also prefer straw to sand bedding and lay down longer on straw than on sand; however, cleanliness and hoof health have been shown to be better on sand. Apart from comfort, the main factors which promote improvements in bovine welfare and health, include good management of dairy farms, keeping cows in free stalls with accompanying regular exercise, and a long time spent at pasture. The prevalence of clinical lameness was demonstrated to be higher on farms using mattresses when compared with farms using deep-bedded stalls. No differences were found in behaviour among cows with different degrees of lameness housed in mattress stalls. Hence, measures of laying behaviour are not good indicators of lameness.

Functional capacity is the physical ability to perform a defined task. In humans it can be evaluated by using exercise testing, for instance sub-maximal exercise tests. Walking tests are widely used variations of sub-maximal exercise tests and in human medicine are considered to be realistically related to daily physical activity and prognosis in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to assess a sub-maximal exercise test in dogs with varying degrees of heart disease. The 6-minute walking test was used to test the functional capacity in healthy dogs and dogs with heart disease (degenerative mitral valve disease). Three groups of untrained owned dogs were compared. Two groups were dogs had mild and moderate degenerative mitral valve disease (ME-1 and ME-2, respectively) and the third group comprised healthy dogs with the same age and size conditions. Both groups of dogs with mitral valve disease walked shorter distances during 6 min (control 448.92 m; ME-1: 406.89 m; ME-2: 350.04 m). The influence of the test on the heart rate, electrocardiography and blood pressure was also evaluated. Although the 6-minute walking test has already been tested in healthy dogs, dogs with chronic pulmonary disease and dogs with artificially induced heart disease, this is the first time that this test has been validated in elderly dogs with naturally acquired heart disease. Thus, we demonstrate here that this test can be used reliably for assessing functional capacity in dogs with heart disease.

The aim of EU legislators with respect to experiments on animals was to reduce to an absolute minimum both the number of animals used in experiments and their suffering. This study presents, from a historical point of view, expectations related to the coming into force on 1 January 2014 of Directive 2010/63/EU adopted on 22 September 2010. At the same time, it points out that, in some situations, carrying out experiments on animals in practice is different than in theory. The study calls attention to the issue of mere literal conformity of the Polish law with EU directives, illustrating it with examples and takes a critical view of the omission of veterinarians (Veterinary Inspection) from the supervision of experiments.

A study was conducted of the kidneys of adult mole rats (Spalax leucodon) to describe the macro- and mesoscopic morphology of the renal arterial distribution and some additional anatomical features. The kidneys of the mole rat lay alongside the vertebral column in the abdominal region, the right kidney situated more cranial than the left. Covered by a thin connective tissue capsule, the kidney was bean-shaped, smooth, and reddish-brown. The mean live weight of the studied mole rats was 203.6 ± 15.05 g. The mean kidney weight was 0.636 ± 0.048 g. The mean weight of the right kidney (0.641± 0.039 g) was significantly (P < 0.01) heavier than that of the left one (0.630 ± 0.057g). Sixteen three-dimensional endocasts of the renal artery and intrarenal arteries were prepared using standard injection-corrosion techniques and examined. A single renal artery was observed in 100% of the specimens. The renal arteries divided, forming a dorsal and a ventral branch; these bifurcated forming cranial and caudal segmental branches. No anastomoses were observed between any of these branches.

There are only two known methods for determining the sex of Ips typographus (L.) - dissection that can­not be used with live beetles and by distinguishing between the density of the hairs on the head, a less reliable method that requires experienced personnel. As a result, we have sought to find a more reliable method of sex determination for I. typographus which can be used with live specimens but is still reliable and easy to conduct. The aim of the article is to explore the inner structure in data from measurements of morphological parameters of spruce bark beetles and to find correlations which could be used for sex determination. The number of beetles in our sample was 110, all from the first trapping of one pheromone trap. The statistical methods of principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CLU) were used to support any correlation between the sex parameter and other morphological parameters (weight, elytra length, elytra width, pronotum length, pronotum width). As no correlation was found in the case of sex, we can claim that it is not possible to determine sex according to the examined morphological parameters. However, we have found an interesting inner structure in the data and it was confirmed that even weight is slightly correlated with other morphological parameters.

Food allergy is an adverse immune response to some proteins in some foods. Probiotic, health promoting bacteria have gained much importance because of their innumerable benefits, particularly in the treatment of diarrhea, hypercholesterolemia, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and gastrointestinal disorders by strengthening the immune system. The current paper reviews recent advances made in the treatment of food allergy through employing probiotic or synbiotic therapy. The results of several reports are very promising suggesting probiotics can influence the immune system to curtail the allergic responses.

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of sodicity induced changes in soil physical properties on paddy root growth in the normal agriculture, semi-reclaimed and sodic soils. The root growth (length, length density, biomass and distribution pattern) were unfavourably affected by the soil physical properties (bulk density, soil aggregate stability, available water content, hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention potential) in the case of sodic soil. The microbial biomass carbon, bacterial, fungal population and dehydrogenase activity showed the lower values in the case of sodosol compared to the normal soil. These soil biological properties tend to sustain paddy root growth in normal and semi-reclaimed soils. Principal component analysis revealed that soil physical properties accounted for 98.2% of total variance in root growth. The study revealed that salt stress induces changes in soil physical properties limiting paddy root growth in the salt affected soils. It is important to reclaim sodosols to alleviate salt induced physical stress for optimum paddy root growth.

The aim of this work was to compare herbicide efficacy and reduction of weed reproduction after the application of three frequently used soil residual herbicides during pre-emergent (PRE) and early post-emergent (EPOST) application in maize. Plot field trials were carried out in Central Bohemia during two growing seasons (2010 and 2011). Good efficacy (88%, resp. 83%) was found in isoxaflutole + thiencarbazone (ISF + THC) and terbuthylazin + S-metolachlor (TBA + SMC) on Echinochloa crus-galli, especially in PRE application use. Efficacy on Amaranthus retroflexus was 91% at both tested application periods and there were no significant differences between experimental years. Significant differences in A. retroflexus control were recorded among all tested herbicides (ISF + THC > TBA + SMC > pendimethalin (PEM) + dimethenamid (DMA)). No significant differences between PRE and EPOST were recorded in efficacy on Chenopodium album. Significant differences in efficacy on C. album were recorded among all tested herbicides (ISF + THC > TBA + SMC > PEM + DMA). Mercurialis annua was the most tolerant tested weed, which was significantly better controlled at EPOST herbicide application (73%) compared to PRE application (32%). TBA + SMC showed a significantly higher efficacy on M. annua compared with other tested herbicides. Seed production of all tested weeds was strongly effected by weather conditions, which were significant during 2011, when there was higher than average precipitation during May and June. The most seeds were produced by A. retroflexus > C. album > E. crus-galli > M. annua. ISF + THC best reduced seed production of E. crus-galli, A. retroflexus and C. album, especially when applied at PRE. TBA + SMC best reduced seed production of M. annua. Weed competition on untreated control plots caused yield loss by 90%and 47% in 2011 and 2012, respectively, compared to treatments with the highest yield (ISF + THC).

A 13-year-old spayed bitch was referred for evaluation of an abdominal distension with a palpable, continuously growing mass. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a 30 × 20 cm mass directly connected to the spleen. Surgical exploration confirmed the sonographic diagnosis with adhesions to the omentum and the liver. Pathohistological samples revealed well differentiated adipose tissue and variably differentiated collagenous and myxomatous tissue. Immunohistochemically, vimentin and in some regions alpha smooth muscle actin were expressed indicating smooth muscle differentiation. The results support the diagnosis of a malignant mesenchymoma composed of liposarcoma, mixosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. No local recurrence or metastasis occurred during a nine month follow-up. So far, only two pathological retrospective studies describing the common prevalence and properties of canine splenic malignant mesenchymomas were found in the literature. However, this rare tumor entity has to be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of large splenic masses.

Radiographic contrast studies have been recommended to identify the thoracic duct (TD) and its branches before and after surgery for total occlusion. The macroscopic identification of the TD and its branches during surgery usually involves injection of methylene blue (MB). Radiographic contrast and methylene blue can be injected into different anatomical structures (lymph node, lymph vessel, s.c.). The purpose of this study was to compare two different techniques (radiographic and thoracoscopic) for visualisation of the TD after intrapopliteal lymph node injection in the pig. Six piglets from the same litter (two males and four females), two months of age were used. Iohexol at 245 mg/ml was injected into the left popliteal lymph node (LN) under general anaesthesia; hindlimb, abdominal, and thoracic radiographs were taken. A 0.25% methylene blue solution was injected into the right popliteal lymph node and the thoracic duct colouration was assessed thoracoscopically. The thoracic duct was visualised radiographically in one out of six pigs after iohexol injection and thoracoscopically in five out of six pigs after methylene blue injection. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.040). Popliteal LN lymphangiography using iohexol at 245 mg/ml in piglets should not be the recommended method for TD visualisation. Intrapopliteal injection of a 0.25% solution of methylene blue is recommended as a method of TD visualisation prior to thoracic duct ligation.

Contamination of Pansky Pond, in March 2013, with 119 mg/l aluminium, and 87 mg/l iron by acidic (pH 3.17) inflow from a nearby quarry caused fish die-off, while exhibiting symptoms of suffocation. Transformation of soluble forms of aluminium and iron into insoluble forms occurred on fish gill where the content of aluminium and iron was 100-fold and 12-fold, respectively, that found in control fish in an unaffected pond. In addition to insoluble aluminium and iron, gills showed presence of iron bacteria. Histopathology was characterised by expression of reactive processes and regressive alterations resulting in gill tissue necrosis. Impairment of the excretory function of gills was reflected in significantly (P < 0.01) higher concentrations of ammonia in the blood plasma of exposed fish compared to the control. Damage to parenchymatous tissues (kidney, liver, spleen) of the exposed fish was manifested as dystrophic alterations, higher aluminium and iron content, and enhanced activity of transaminases in blood plasma compared to the control.

Results of all public consumer preference testing sessions included in this study were to be divided into 3 time periods. During the oldest period (1979-1990), with regard to overall qualities and appearance of fruits, the cv. Rubín was the most preferred. Next, it was followed by the cvs Fantazie, McIntosh, Gloster, and Melrose. In the subsequent period (1991-2001), the cv. Bohemia was in the first position in all respects including taste and fruit appearance. Following it in downward sequence were the cvs Rubín, King Jonagold, Jonagold, McIntosh and Melrose. In the latest period (2002-2013), again both in the total scoring and fruit appearance, Bohemia was the most preferred. It was followed in descending order by cvs Orion, Meteor, Jomured, HL 623 and Gold Bohemia. Considering fruit taste alone, however, the most preferred cultivar was Orion. According to the overall results of studies from thirty-three years, in which a total of 198 cultivars or genotypes were included, the most preferred was cv. Bohemia, followed by cvs Meteor, Rubín, HL 623, Andera, Gold Bohemia, King Jonagold and Jomured. Regarding fruit taste itself, the top cv. Bohemia was directly followed by cv. Gold Bohemia and by the selection HL 1834.

Litterfall, an important component of the nutrient cycle in forest ecosystems, was measured for 9 years in young oak stands on two localities classified as beech-oak climax (Fageto-Quercetum). We estimated that about 4 Mg of dry mass per hectare fell each year. Nutrient content in the litterfall represents annually per hectare approximately 40-55 kg of nitrogen, 2-3 kg of phosphorus, 7-16 kg of potassium, 41-73 kg of calcium and 6-7 kg of magnesium. The amount of litterfall is positively correlated with stand basal area and with the death of suppressed tress with small crowns. We found a positive correlation between annual litterfall and the sum of precipitation and a negative correlation between annual litterfall and temperature in summer.

The article focuses on selected aspects of risk management in agricultural business with the aim to discuss and compare different hedging methods which are relevant for managing the commodity risks associated with agricultural production. The article provides a broader context for understanding the risks and possible responses to it and analyses four basic hedging strategies - commodity futures, forward contracts, options and option strategies. The substance, advantages and disadvantages of each hedging technique are pointed out and compared to each other with the conclusion that there is always some kind of trade-off between the advantages and disadvantages of the particular strategies. The farmers shall, therefore, consider both all aspects of the relevant strategies and their expectations, before they make the final decision which instruments to use.

Eretmocerus mundus Mercet is one of the key natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). In this study, the sublethal effects of LC₂₅ of imidacloprid and field-recommended concentration of buprofezin on the functional response of E. mundus to different densities of second instar B. tabaci nymphs were evaluated. The results revealed a type III functional response in the control and imidacloprid treatment. The type III functional response was altered into a type II by buprofezin. Although imidacloprid did not alter the type of functional response of E. mundus compared to the control, it negatively affected the handling time and maximum attack rate of the parasitoid. Therefore, the use of this insecticide should be evaluated carefully in IPM programs.

The effects of refrigerated storage on the microstructure and physicochemical properties of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treated onion were evaluated. Onion was submitted to 100 MPa at 50°C or 400 MPa at 25°C for 5 min, and stored for 28 days at 4°C. Electron microscopy techniques and light microscopy were used for the microstructural study. Total soluble phenolics, soluble protein percentage, and shear force were also studied. HHP treatments affected the cell wall and membrane permeability, favouring the diffusion of soluble material to the apoplast. Storage at 4°C also caused important structural degradation in the HHP-treated samples, which was higher when 400 MPa at 25°C were applied and led to physico-chemical changes during the first week of storage. Interactions between phenolics and solubilised cell wall material or proteins could explain the decrease in soluble phenolics and proteins during storage.

Potential application of a metal oxide semiconductor based electronic nose (e-nose) as a non-destructive instrument for monitoring the change in volatile production of banana during the ripening process was studied. The proposed e-nose does not need any advanced or expensive laboratory equipment and proved to be reliable in recording meaningful differences between ripening stages. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) techniques were used for this purpose. Results showed that the proposed e-nose can distinguish between different ripening stages. The e-nose was able to detect a clear difference in the aroma fingerprint of banana when using SVM analysis compared with PCA and LDA, SIMCA analysis. Using SVM analysis, it was possible to differentiate and to classify the different banana ripening stages, and this method was able to classify 98.66% of the total samples in each respective group. Sensor array capabilities in the classification of ripening stages using loading analysis and SVM and SIMCA were also investigated, which leads to develop the application of a specific e-nose system by applying the most effective sensors or ignoring the redundant sensors.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of tractor wheeling with a light tractor on the root growth and soil properties of smooth brome in South Estonia. Field experiment was conducted on sandy loam Haplic Luvisol in 2007. Data were collected during September 2008 in both an uncompacted and compacted area. Because of the compaction, the precompression stress increased in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm) by 12.6% and 15.2% at a depth of 10-20 cm. Compaction had only a minor effect on the bulk density, values increased 4.7% in the upper soil layer and 1.8% in the deeper layer. Differences in the saturated hydraulic conductivity (k_s) were not significant; however, the decrease in the k_s was 26.6% in the upper level and 12.5% in the deeper (10-20 cm) layer. At a depth of 0 to 30 cm compaction decreased the root length by 44.7% and the root mass by 60.5% compared with the uncompacted soil. Altogether, this study confirms the unfavourable effect of wheeling on grasslands even when the wheeling is performed with a light tractor on dry soil.

A practical technique for isolation and cryopreservation of tench (Tinca tinca) (Cyprinidae, Teleostei) early stages of germ cells (GC), including spermatogonia and spermatocytes, is reported for the first time. The germ-line cells possess the ability to differentiate into functional gametes of both sexes. These early stages of germ cells are small enough to be well-suited to cryopreservation, which, together with their high level of plasticity, makes their preservation a promising tool for maintaining genetic resources. Testicular cells were distinguished and separated by Percoll gradient, with the highest proportion of GC (62.2%) obtained from the 30% layer. The concentration and viability of GC were determined, and specific staining (DDX4) for germ cells was used to distinguish GC from somatic cells. Early stages of germ cells were cryopreserved in an extender composed of phosphate buffered saline (pH 8) with 0.5% BSA, 50mM d-glucose, and containing 1.5M cryoprotectant in the pre-programmed PLANER Kryo10 series III using a cooling protocol from +10°C to -80°C at a rate of 1°C/min. The effect of six cryoprotectants - methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfoxide + propanediol (1 : 1), glycerol, ethylene glycol, and dimethylacetamid was assessed, and the results were evaluated by comparing the percentage of viable frozen/thawed GC by ANOVA, Tukey's HSD test (P < 0.05). Almost the same viability rates were obtained with no significant differences among tested cryoprotectants, indicating high stability of GC in cryoprotectants. Nevertheless, glycerol at a concentration of 1.5M was associated with the highest survival rate of thawed tench GC (57.69 ± 16.85%).

This article describes two cases of augmentation of ruptured tendon with fresh frozen Achilles tendon allograft (FFATA) in dogs. Case 1 was a two-year-old crossbreed dog (29 kg) that presented with an open wound on the right forelimb and with complete rupture of the flexor carpi ulnaris and superficial digital flexor tendons. Case 2 was a four-year-old crossbreed dog (4 kg) with partial ruptures of the patellar tendon and detachment of the tibial tuberosity in the right hind limb. In both cases, the ends of the ruptured tendon were sutured and apposed after debridement. To minimize suture failure, FFATA (cut to sufficient size) was placed across the primary suture with tension and sutured to the host tendon. In addition, Case 2 received a Krackow suture through a transverse bone tunnel made in the tibia to fix the patellar tendon along with the tibial tuberosity in situ. The surgical areas healed without any evidence of exaggerated inflammatory response or clinical signs consistent with rejection of the allograft. Both the dogs had normal ambulation and weight bearing on the affected limb 12 weeks postoperatively. No postoperative complications were observed during a one-year follow up period except for slight contracture of the carpus and digits of the affected limb in Case 1. Thus, ruptured tendons can be successfully repaired using suture and augmentation with FFCTA. Augmentation with FFATA may provide additional stability, which counters tension on the primary repair and reduces the chance of gap formation or suture failure in case of reconstruction of the damaged tendon in dogs.

In northwestern Algeria, the production of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seedlings in four nurseries is hindered by the damping-off disease. Results obtained indicated that Fusarium spp. are commonly found on diseased seedlings, in most containers and bare-root nurseries. Twenty-one isolates of Fusarium, belonging to seven species, were previously isolated from diseased seedlings, and identified based on their morphological and molecular characteristics and their sequences had been deposited in NCBI-Genbank. These isolates were tested for their pathogenicity to local Aleppo pine seeds. The highest inhibition was observed with F. redolens and F. solani, with 75 and 69.3%, respectively. The root growth inhibition of the Aleppo pine seedlings was significantly different for each isolate. The influence of various isolates of Fusarium spp. on seed germination, shoot and root length and vigour index was significantly different. The disease incidence caused by F. redolens and F. solani was 91 and 90%, respectively.

In the period 2009-2011 monitoring of the incidence of phoma stem canker was carried out at selected sites of the Czech Republic (Šumperk and Opava regions in North Moravia). The risk of infection was evaluated by assessing the autumn release of Leptosphaeria spp. ascospores and with the proPlant prediction model. In recent years, the incidence of phoma stem canker has been relatively low and this corresponded with the total count of ascospores released in the autumn period but not with an increased level of infection risk announced by the proPlant model. During the monitored period the ascospore concentration reached maximally 2 ascospores/1 m³ per day. Maximum ascospore release was recorded in 2010 as a result of favourable weather conditions. The first incidence of phoma leaf spot has been observed in mid-October. The higher values of ascospores concentration were recorded in the Opava region, but the total number of the trapped ascospores was more often higher in the Šumperk region.

2-(tert-Butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,4-diol and 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol were synthesised by Friedel-Craft reaction of 2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol and 4-methylbenzene-1,2-diol, respectively, with tertiary butanol providing reasonable yields. The antioxidant activities of these two products, mother compounds and 2-(tert-butyl)benzene-1,4-diol were investigated and compared by means of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and Rancim at test; 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol is the most potent antioxidant tested by using Rancimat test experiment. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging abilities of 2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol, 4-methylbenzene-1,2-diol and 2-(tert-butyl)benzene-1,4-diol are almost equal and more than twice as strong as 2-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,4-diol and 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol. The antioxidant activities of the five compounds evaluated by Rancimat test mainly depend on their steric synergist effects between the two phenolic hydroxyl groups in their molecules. The antioxidant activities of the five compounds mainly depend on how many 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals can be scavenged by one mole of them in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. One mole of 2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol, 4-methylbenzene-1,2-diol and 2-(tert-butyl)benzene-1,4-diol can scavenge four moles of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, but one mole of 2-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,4-diol or 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol can only scavenge two mole 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals because 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals are very bulky.

In field experiments over three vegetation periods (2010-2012) we studied impact of the CULTAN (controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition) method on yield and yield parameters of kernel maize. The field experiments were conducted at three sites with different soil-climatic conditions. CULTAN treatments were fertilized once with the total amount of nitrogen using an injection machine (at the canopy height of 20 cm) and compared to conventional fertilization with calcium ammonium nitrate application at pre-sowing preparations. In all treatments the amount of nitrogen was the same, 140 kg N/ha. In 2010 at Humpolec site, CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate + inhibitor of nitrification treatment gave by 20.5% higher number of ears compared to CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate treatment. In 2011 at Ivanovice all CULTAN treatments reached statistically significantly higher number of kernels per ear. The higher 1000 kernel weight at CULTAN treatments was observed in 2012 at the Ivanovice site; a statistically significant difference between conventional and CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate + inhibitor of nitrification treatment was observed. Fertilization of maize with nitrogen using the CULTAN method under the conditions of the Czech Republic provides the same yield certainty as the conventional surface application and the CULTAN method of fertilization increases the yield certainty at delayed sowing. Harvest index was statistically significantly influenced by year, fertilization treatment and site.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of P, Ca, S, and/or K and/or Mg application at different rates on the botanical composition, herbage yield and its nutritive value in dehesas developed on calcareous soils. In two growing seasons, 2009/10 and 2010/11, five surface-broadcast fertiliser treatments were applied once in autumn. Two grazing periods were simulated by cutting the pasture in mid-spring and late-spring. Treatment K1, with the highest amount of Ca and without K in its composition, provided higher crude protein values in the herbage than controls in 2009/10. When the effect of each nutrient was analysed separately, a strong and highly positive response of Mg application on herbage production was recorded. A surface application of fertilisers containing 25 kg Mg/ha in autumn could increase herbage yield by 40% under the studied conditions. However, Mg was not applied alone, and thus this increase could be due to an effect of Mg by itself or to a synergistic effect between Mg and other nutrients applied. The application of Ca, P and Mg may also favour the production of high-quality forage by yielding a greater cover of legumes and digestible protein.

The objective of the study was to estimate the heterozygosity and phylogenetic relationship between horse breeds in Poland, according to erythrocyte antigens and protein polymorphisms. The study included 15 434 horses: Polish Coldblood, Małopolski, Wielkopolski, Hucul, Polish Konik, Biłgorajski, Felin Pony, and ponies of Shetland origin. A total of 14 loci were studied: seven blood groups and seven protein polymorphism systems. Phylogenetic trees obtained for the erythrocyte antigens and protein variants were mostly alike which suggests that both kinds of markers may be equally used in estimating the similarity of animal populations. The lower polymorphism of the structural and enzymatic proteins, as compared with the erythrocyte antigen, resulted in a lower number of alleles per locus, lower heterozygosity, and closer genetic distances. The level of heterozygosity and phylogenetic trees of the breeds turned out to be mostly concordant with the known history of the populations. Małopolski and Wielkopolski horses are the most homozygous, the Huculs, Polish Koniks, and Biłgorajskis have a middle position, while the Polish Coldbloods and the ponies are the most heterozygous. The Polish Koniks are the most related to other breeds which shows that all the breeds studied, Polish Coldbloods included, have many indigenous ancestors. The Huculs, Polish Koniks, and Biłgorajskis are closely related. In spite of different histories, the Małopolski and Wielkopolski horses have the closest relationship. The Felin Ponies cluster together with the Shetlands. According to the blood groups and protein variation, the genetic diversity of the studied horse breeds is low and mainly due to individual differences. The low genetic variability of the breeds suggests reconsidering the long-term strategies of horse breeding in Poland, particularly of the conserved breeds.

The usefulness of compression anastomotic clips (CAC) for small bowel anastomosis in animals was evaluated. Implants made of nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi) in the form of elliptical double-coil springs with one-way and two-way shape memory were applied. The studied animals were subjected to jejunal resection and side-to-side bowel anastomosis with the use of CACs. The experiment was conducted on 10 pigs divided into three groups. The speed and ease of the surgical procedure, implant excretion time and leak tightness were evaluated by macroscopic observations and X-ray examinations. Tissue samples from the anastomotic site were subjected to histopathological analysis. The applied method was characterised by tight connections between fused tissue, the absence of complications and ease of use. The results of the study indicate that shape memory NiTi clips are a promising tool in veterinary gastrointestinal surgery.

One of the ways of increasing the efficiency and safety of work is the implementation of navigation systems in agricultural practice. Satellite navigation as a means of reducing the unit costs and increasing the safety can have a significant economic impact on a company when properly used. The objective of measurement was to assess the accuracy of a satellite system AutoTrack working with a correction signal SF2. Its provider specifies an accuracy of ± 5 cm for this signal type. The accuracy of machine work was compared for two scenarios, i.e. with and without satellite navigation. Further, the navigation of machines focused predominantly on AgGPS EZ-Guide Plus and AutoTrac Universal. The FMEA method was used to determine the risk of probable failures that can occur on machines while working. This work describes the individual failures that can occur on navigation systems of machines and analyses their impact on operator's safety.