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Earlier breeders used phenotypic selection based on morphological characteristics to improve tree varieties. These selections often take many cycles of breeding and backcrossing in order to place desired characteristics. But today the knowledge has paved the way for a much deeper understanding of the mechanics of cell biology and the hereditary process itself. Breeders are presented with numerous possibilities of altering the behaviour of existing varieties. Linkage between molecular markers can be translated to genetic linkage maps, which have become an important tool in plant genetics. They may choose to use marker-assisted approaches in order to facilitate the selection of favourable combinations of genes that occur naturally within a tree species.

The aim of the paper was to evaluate the efficiency of winter rape growing which is based on the calculations and an analysis of production and economic indicators in the given branch. The development analysis of yields per hectare, costs, revenues and production profitability was carried out over the years 2003-2009 in the Agro Žlunice and it was compared with the results of the Czech Republic as a whole. In the enterprise, it deals with the traditional growing technology with a higher intensity of the intensification factors inputs in growing. Yields per hectare in the farm reached very favourable values which supported the stable position of the enterprise in the market with this agricultural commodity. It is possible to see a competitive advantage in the level of the per hectare yields. An average yield in the joint-stock company from 2003 to 2009 was 4.34 t/ha and an average yield in the CR over the last seven years was 2.9 t/ha. The enterprise's yield is by 1.44 t per ha higher compared to the average yields in the CR. In comparison of the average costs per hectare over the evaluated period in the enterprise and in the CR - in the enterprise, the costs were by 2.71% higher comapred to the CR (the enterprise 21 991 CZK/ha, the CR 21 394 CZK/ha). However, the enterprise Agro Žlunice, a.s. reached in comparison of the cost per 1 tonne of production by 31.31% lower costs than is the CR average. The amount of expenses incurred was compensated by high yields per hectare which the enterprise reached and thereby it improved the profitability of growing of this crop-plant. The highest share in the total costs belonged to direct material costs. The share of material costs in the enterprise over 7 years was 55.28%. Among the direct material costs, there are mainly seeds, fertilizers and chemical prophylactics. From the indicators of production profitability, there are expressed the profit achieved per 1 t of seedsfrom 1 ha of the area under crop and cost profitability. The profitability indicators considerably fluctuate during the evaluated years in the monitored enterprise and in the CR in dependence on the fluctuation of the seed price.

Globalisation is at the beginning of the new century a double-edged weapon: a strong driving force of economic growth, the development of new technologies and the growth of the level of living in the poor as well as rich countries, but also a controversory process which damages national sovereignty, undermines the local culture and traditions and presents a threat of the economic and social non-stability. The key question of the 21^st century then is, whether the states will be able to keep the process under control or whether they will become its victims.

The efficacy of Bt maize MON 810-YieldGard^® and of Trichogramma wasp against European corn borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) was evaluated in the period of 2002-2008 in field trials on three localities in the Czech Republic. The efficacy of Bt maize on the reduction of the number of tunnels caused by ECB per 100 maize plants before harvest was always 100% and that in Trichogramma treatment was on average 50%. The mean increase of the yield of 15% and 10% was obtained in Bt maize and Trichogramma treatments, respectively in comparison with the untreated control. The damage curve and economic injury level by ECB on maize was developed for the evaluation of the yield losses and management of the pest control. The higher economic efficacy of growing Bt maize as compared to other control measures is documented.

Twenty formulas of eggplant dip, motabbal al-bathinjan in Arabic (MB), using different percentages of grilled eggplant, tahina (sesame pulp), and yogurt with constant levels of salt and citric acid were prepared and evaluated for the overall acceptability. The formula composed of 84.2% pulp of peeled grilled eggplant and 14% tahina without the addition of yogurt was found the most acceptable. The cold point of the canned MB was found to be in the geometric centre of the can. Canning of MB was conducted using three time/temperature combinations at the centre (80°C/5 min, 85°C/4 min, and 90°C/3 min). It was found that all heat-processes applied resulted in a commercially sterile canned MB with a high sensorial quality, as evidenced by the results of microbiological examinations, incubation tests, and sensory evaluation. Based on Bacillus coagulans, that may grow and cause flat sour spoilage of canned MB, the sterilisation value (F₁₀₀) was estimated of the whole heat-process from the filling till cooling to about 70°C.

The whole buckwheat flour (WBF) was used in Turkish flat bread, lavaş, up to 30% level without gluten, and up to 40% level with gluten and sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) additions. Some physical, chemical, and sensory properties of lavaş bread samples were determined. While ash, crude fiber, phytic acid (PA), Fe, K, Mg, and P contents of lavaş breads increased with WBF addition, gluten supplementation caused an increase especially in protein and Ca contents. Leavening process decreased PA contents in the breads compared to raw material, but WBF substitution increased PA contents up to 729 mg/100 g. As a result, the utilisation of WBF in lavaş bread improved the nutrients contents of the bread except PA. The dark colour and slight bitter taste of the WBF affected the sensory score of lavaş bread negatively at 40% substitution level, but the overall acceptability values did not change significantly (P < 0.05) compared to control sample.

This review describes sources of structures of non-microspore origin observed in anther and microspore cultures. Various characteristics of these structures may cause a wrong diagnosis of these structures as embryos or cell/tissue clusters of microspore origin. Here we suggest such structures to be named as pseudo-embryogenic structures. The introduction of pseudo-embryogenic structures and their origins could be helpful to distinguish them from true microspore-derived structures. Prompted by certain environmental cues, somatic cells existing as a contamination in immature pollen (microspores) cultures can lead to the formation of 'pseudo-embryos' commonly known as embryoids. The pseudo-embryogenic structures may be classified in the following groups: (i) pseudo-star-like structures; pseudo-multicellular structures; (ii) pseudo-embryos with pseudo-suspensors; (iii) contaminating bacteria appearing as callus colonies; (iv) calli and embryos of somatic origin; (v) giant tetrad-like structures; (vi) anther wall cells. The exact origin of these structures is discussed in this paper, and some recommendations are proposed in order to avoid misinterpretation.

The influences of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence and water status of maize (Zea mays L.) plants were studied in pot culture under well-watered and drought stress conditions. The maize plants were grown in a sand and black soil mixture for 4 weeks, and then exposed to drought stress for 4 weeks. Drought stress significantly decreased AM colonization and total dry weight. AM symbioses notably enhanced net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate, but decreased intercellular CO₂ concentration of maize plants regardless of water treatments. Mycorrhizal plants had higher stomatal conductance than non-mycorrhizal plants under drought stress. The concentrations of chlorophyll were higher in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal plants under drought stress. AM colonization significantly increased maximal fluorescence, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry and potential photochemical efficiency, but decreased primary fluorescence under well-watered and droughted conditions. Mycorrhizal maize plants had higher relative water content and water use efficiency under drought stress compared with non-mycorrhizal plants. The results indicated that AM symbiosis alleviates the toxic effect of drought stress via improving photosynthesis and water status of maize plants.

Mongolian × Versicolor and common pheasants were investigated. Birds were kept in a confined, environmentally controlled facility without outdoor access and fed ad libitum commercial diets for slaughter pheasants. Body weight was determined at the end of 6, 10 and 13 weeks of rearing, and body weight and body measurements were determined in 16-week-old pheasants. At 16 weeks, 20 pheasants were taken from each genetic group for slaughter. After slaughter, pH₁₅ of muscles was determined and carcasses were dissected. Samples of breast and leg muscles were collected to determine water holding capacity, colour, and sensory properties of meat. Compared to common pheasants, Mongolian × Versicolor hybrids were characterized by similar body weight and body measurements except for length of trunk with neck in females. The carcasses of Mongolian × Versicolor pheasants of both sexes contained more breast muscles, leg muscles, skin with subcutaneous fat and abdominal fat. Differences in the values of these traits were not significant. Significant differences in the composition of carcasses from the groups under comparison were only found for the content of skin with subcutaneous fat and abdominal fat content in females, which were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in Mongolian × Versicolor females. The leg muscles had significantly higher pH₁₅ in Mongolian × Versicolor females and significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) redness (a*) in males. Compared to the common pheasants, the breast muscles of Mongolian × Versicolor pheasants received lower scores for aroma and tenderness and higher scores for taste, whereas leg muscles had higher scores for intensity of aroma and taste, and lower scores for taste and tenderness.

An experiment with laying hens and broiler breeders of two ages (young 22 vs. 36 weeks, old 83 vs. 64 weeks) and at temperatures of 20 and 28°C was carried out to evaluate the interactions between oviposition time (7:30; 11:30, and 15:30 h), age, and temperature on the one hand and egg quality on the other. A significant interaction (P ≤ 0.011) was determined in oviposition time. The highest number (25.8%) of eggs was laid at 7:30 h by young laying hens kept at 20°C and the lowest (3.7%) by young layers at 15:30 h kept in the same temperature. Time of oviposition was delayed by age and a higher temperature. Egg weight was significantly influenced by production type (P ≤ 0.001; 60.5 vs. 68.1 g), age (P ≤ 0.001; 59.4 vs. 69.3 g), oviposition (P ≤ 0.001; 66.5, 63.7, 62.8 g), and temperature (P ≤ 0.022; 65.1 vs. 63.6 g). The significant three-way interaction of age, oviposition, and temperature in Haugh unit score (P ≤ 0.013) and four-way interaction of production type, age, oviposition, and temperature (P ≤ 0.05) in specific gravity show that rather than by a single factor the valuable characteristics of egg quality are considerably affected by a combination of factors.

A five-year-old dog was referred with a five-month history of lethargy, decreased appetite, cough and intermittent forelimb lameness. Radiographs revealed an intra-thoracic lesion and a marked periosteal bone apposition of the second digit on the left forelimb. As it was palisading and circumferential, the latter appeared typical of hypertrophic osteopathy (HO). A grass awn in a sub-lobar ramification of the right caudal bronchus was identified and removed by bronchoscopy. At three months follow-up, the digit appeared clinically normal. On radiographs the periosteal bone reaction had decreased, indicative of resolving hypertrophic osteopathy. Thoracic radiographs showed no abnormalities five months after foreign body removal and the bone lesion on the digit had disappeared. Successful treatment of the pulmonary foreign body abscess led to spontaneous regression of HO and eventually to complete resolution of clinical signs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of HO secondary to a bronchial-pulmonary grass an abscess.

The paper presents the evaluation of data on precipitation totals and on SO₄^{2 -}concentrations and S-SO₄^{2 -} fluxes in lysimetric waters in a submontane beech stand. The records cover continually a 19-year period. The site is situated in the Kremnické vrchy Mountains, belonging to the West Carpathians Mountains. The material was sampled on two plots. The first had been clear cut immediately before the research started (1989), the second was covered with the original forest stand. In total, the highest SO₄^{2 -} concentrations on the open plot were measured four years after the intervention (1993) at the soil depth of 0.25 m (40.50 mg.l^-1). The lowest values were recorded in 1989 on the control plot at the soil depth of 0.25 m (4.54 mg.l^-1). The sulphate sulphur deposition was the highest in 1995 in the surface humus layer on the open plot (51.8 kg.ha^-1.year^-1). A very significant influence of precipitation totals on sulphur amounts deposited in the particular soil horizons was also confirmed. No interannual differences in SO₄^{2 -} concentration and S-SO₄^{2 -} fluxwere proved.

The notion of international relationships is supplemented by other phenomena during the last time. One of them is globalisation, called on by technological, social and cultural changes, which have shortened the economic distance among countries. The improvement of transport and communication technologies has decreased transport costs of goods, people and information. Traditional governmental policies limiting the cross-border transactions were liberalised or removed what in consequence brought about the growth of international trade and foreign direct investments (FDI). Globalisation changes the properties of the world economy and influences the core of the successful economic approaches to development, what increases the need to secure the sustainability of economic development.

The present study was undertaken to quantify changes in the status of soil nutrients, their depletion and build-up after continuous long intensive cropping for last 36 years in a permanent manorial trial which has been in progress since 1972 in an alfisol of western Himalayas. The rotation was maize-wheat which included various combinations of N, P, K, Zn and FYM (farmyard manure). Continuous cultivation influenced pH, OC (organic carbon), available N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus) and K (potassium). An increase in the status of organic carbon was observed in 100% NPK + FYM treatments for more than three decades from initial value of 7.9 to 12.0 g/kg. The use of either FYM or lime alongwith 100% NPK sustained crop productivity or improved nutrient status. However, imbalanced use of nutrients i.e. NP or N alone is adversely affecting the fertility of soil by aggravating the problem of soil acidity. Application of S free P fertilizer DAP (diammonium phosphate) drastically reduced the yield of both the crops. Thus, continuous use of balanced fertilizers is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and productivity of crops.

In association mapping, haplotype-based methods are generally regarded to provide higher power and increased precision than methods based on single markers. For haplotype-based association mapping most studies use a fixed haplotype effect in the model. However, an increase in haplotype length raises the number of parameters in the model, resulting in low accuracy of the estimates especially for the low-frequency haplotypes. Modeling of haplotype effects can be improved if they are assumed to be random effects, as only one parameter, i.e. haplotype variance, needs to be estimated compared to estimating the effects of all different haplotypes in a fixed haplotype model. Using simulated data, we investigated statistical models where haplotypes were fitted either as a fixed or random effect and we compared them for the power, precision, and type I error. We investigated five haplotype lengths of 2, 4, 6, 10 and 20. The simulated data resembled the Danish Holstein cattle pedigree representing a complex relationship structure and QTL effects of different sizes were simulated. We observed that the random haplotype models had high power and very low type I error rates (after the Bonferroni correction), while the fixed haplotype models had lower power and excessively high type I errors. Haplotype length of 4 to 6 gave the best results for random model in the present study. Though the present study was conducted on data structure more frequent in livestock, our findings on random vs. fixed haplotype effects in association mapping models are applicable to data from other species with a similar pedigree structure.

The objective of the study was to determine the relationships between age of the goat and faecal egg counts, liver enzymes, and minerals in the wet and dry seasons in male and female Nguni goats of South Africa. Fifty-six female and forty male Nguni goats were used for the study. Faecal and blood samples were collected once in the dry (August) and wet (January) season. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were determined by the modified McMaster technique while trematodes were determined by the sedimentation method. Blood was analyzed for phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels. Faecal egg counts were significantly higher in the wet compared with the dry season. Most (P < 0.05) of the goats were within the reference values for calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in both seasons. Phosphorus concentrations were significantly affected by age with higher levels in the young (2.1 ± 0.06) compared to the adult (2.0 ± 0.03) goats. Alkaline phosphate was significantly affected by age with higher levels in young than in mature goats. Higher AST, CK, and GGT concentrations were recorded in the wet compared to the dry season (P < 0.05). Higher CK and AST were recorded in male than in female goats while for ALP, the values were higher in female than in male goats. Linear negative relationships (P < 0.05) existed between age and ALP, phosphorus, and FEC, while quadratic relationships existed between age and strongyles and Strongyloides egg counts. Calcium was linearly related (P < 0.05) to FEC, while CK was related to FEC in a quadratic fashion. Age of the Nguni goats can be used to predict faecal egg counts, phosphorus, and ALP levels.

Mountainous areas represent regions with specific soil cover pattern that is naturally given by an altitudinal gradient. The objective of our study was to describe the soil cover development on the altitudinal gradient under changed environment given by man-planted vegetation and acidification. The studied area is characterized by spruce monoculture planting that replaced the original broadleaf natural vegetation and high load of anthropic acidification. The common hypothesis considering the sequence of Dystric Cambisol-Entic Podzol-Haplic Podzol with increasing altitude was not proved. The results of our study indicate that the influence of spruce vegetation causes the occurrence of Haplic Podzols at low altitudes where the natural soil formation does not induce their development. Results showed that the vegetation type can overrule other altitude-related soil-forming factors. The conversion of natural broadleaf and mixed forests to spruce monocultures leads to the expansion of podzolization process to lower altitudes.

We studied the effectivity of a commercial antibiotic kit Mycokill AB for the elimination of mycoplasma contamination in virus strains. The contaminated virus strains were first filtered, treated with Mycokill AB for three hours and repeatedly passaged in its presence in the cultivation medium in pure cell lines. Three passages in the presence of Mycokill AB were invariably followed by three passages without Mycokill AB. The effectivity of purification was then checked by PCR. Twenty-four out of 28 tested virus strains became free of mycoplasma after a first or second cycle of the treatment with Mycokill AB. The other four strains remained positive even after repeated passages. In these cases of a likely resistance to Mycokill AB, we managed to eliminate the mycoplasma contamination through a subsequent treatment with the antibiotic combination BM-Cyclin. Mycokill AB was shown in the elimination of mycoplasma from virus suspensions as successful as other known most effective antibiotics.

Some species of invertebrates especially bryozoans (Bryozoa syn. Ectoprocta) and marine sponges (Porifera) are very important sources of pharmacologically exploitable compounds. These substances are probably produced to protect themselves from fish predators and may be an advantage in competition. The real sources of compounds with these antipredatory effects are probably not marine invertebrates themselves, but microscopic symbionts or food which they feed on. Bryostatins from bryozoan species Bugula neritina are produced by a bacterial symbiont called Candidatus Endobugula sertula. They have significant anti-cancer effects, but also other therapeutic benefits. Compounds with the structure of bryostatins were also discovered in some other invertebrates. Sponges are a source of many compounds, e.g., ara-A (vidarabine), manzamine, lasonolides, spongistatins, peloruside and others with antimicrobial, anti-cancer, immunosuppressive and similar activities. Other important sources of compounds with medical effects are tunicates (Tunicata syn. Urochordata) and some snails (Mollusca). One drug was developed from tunicates - Yondelis against refractory soft-tissue sarcomas. Certain other drugs originate from snails: e.g., prialt, which acts against chronic pain in spinal cord injury.

The research was aimed to estimate above- and below-ground carbon stock in Tankawati natural hill forest of Bangladesh. A systematic sampling method was used to identify each sampling point through Global Positioning System (GPS). Loss on ignition and wet oxidation method were used to estimate biomass and soil carbon stock, respectively. Results revealed that the total carbon stock of the forest was 283.80 t.ha^-1 whereas trees produce 110.94 t.ha^-1, undergrowth (shrubs, herbs and grass) 0.50 t.ha^-1, litter fall 4.21 t.ha^-1 and soil 168.15 t.ha^-1 (up to 1m depth). The forest in the study area is a reservoir of carbon, as it has a good capacity to stock carbon from the atmosphere. To realize the forest sector potentiality inBangladesh, the carbon sequestration should be integrated with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) carbon trading system of the Kyoto Protocol.

The risk rate of sugar beet growing was analyzed by using the algorithm for modelling and generating the random numbers based on the conditions determined in advance and the statistical distribution of sugar beets yield, the total costs, earnings and gross profit. On the bases of results of the analysis of economic risks of sugar beet production in years 1995-2009, it follows that the sugar beet growing in all regions is highly risky in the Czech Republic. The subsidy SAPS and TOP-UP per 1 hectare of sugar beet have a positive impact on its economics though not sufficient enough. In practice, it means that it is highly probable that the break-even point will not be achieved and thereby it is highly probable that the fixed costs are not covered and the update of machines is significantly limited. This happens mainly in the marginal regions. If the agricultural companies count on the separate sugar payment, the sugar beet growing is in all regions of the Czech Republic with acceptable risk.

A downy mildew disease was observed on leaves of Dianthus chinensis L. cv. Scarlet in Brno in June 2011. Characteristics of visual symptoms and microscopic features are described. The morphology of the fungus was typical of Peronospora dianthicola, conforming to the published description by Francis (1983). P. dianthicola causing leaf spots on Dianthus has been recorded for the first time in the Czech Republic.

The prevalence, distribution, and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus was investigated in ready-to-eat (RTE) salads, the environment, and the personnel of a salad producing plant in Greece. Staphylococci were isolated from 27% of the samples. Apart from three isolates which were sensitive to all antibiotics, all the others exhibited resistance from two up to five antibiotics. None of the isolates was resistant to oxacillin. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis showed no genetic relation between the human and salad isolates while one RAPD clone of S. aureus predominated among the salad samples. The results suggest that an effective application of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is needed along the food production chain to prevent the contamination of RTE foods.

The aim of the study was to select wheat-Aegilops biuncialis addition lines carrying Aegilops biuncialis chromosomes differing from those which were introgressed into the wheat-Ae. biuncialis addition lines produced earlier in Martonvásár, Hungary. In the course of the experiments new wheat-Ae. biuncialis addition lines carrying chromosomes 2U^b, 6M^b, 6U^b; 5U^b, 3U^b, 7U^b; 5M^b, 6M^b and 7M^b were selected. The 2U^b disomic addition line is relatively stable, as 91% of the progenies contain this chromosome pair. The 6M^b disomic addition line proved to be dwarf and sterile, but it still exists as a monosomic addition line. Progenies analysed from the 6U^b monosomic addition line did not carry the 6U^b chromosome. One plant containing the 5U^b, 3U^b and 7U^b chromosomes and one plant carrying 5M^b, 6M^b and 7M^b chromosomes showed very low fertility. Each of the plants produced a single seed, but seeds of the parent plants are still available. Line No. 49/00 carried a submetacentric Ae. biuncialis chromosome pair and the chromosome number 44 has been constant for several generations. After FISH no hybridisation site was observed on the Ae. biuncialis chromosome pair using the pSc119.2 and Afa family repetitive DNA probes, so it was not possible to identify the Ae. biuncialis chromosome pair. However, the use of wheat SSR markers and the (GAA)_n microsatellite DNA probe allowed it to be characterised more accurately. These new lines facilitate gene transfer from Ae. biuncialis into cultivated wheat and the selection of U and M genome-specific wheat SSR markers.

The adverse effect of the application of phosphorus (P) on arsenic (As) adsorption by soils can result in increasing mobility and availability of As. However, in different soils, P might influence As adsorption differently. In this study, the arsenate [As^(V)] adsorption capacities of six soils with different properties and the effects of P application were studied. The results indicated that the adsorbed As^(V) contents all increased as a function of the As^(V) content in equilibrium. When analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich equations, the maximum As^(V) adsorption capacity of 0.72 mg/g was found for an Alumi-Plinthic Acrisol, while the minimum capacity of 0.09 mg/g was observed for an Epigleyic Cambisol. The adverse effects of P application on As^(V) adsorption by the six soils were observed to be variable. When the P/As molar ratio in a culture experiment was increased from 0 to 10, the maximal and minimal decreases in the As^(V) adsorption capacity of 0.086 and 0.014 mg/g were found in the Alumi-Plinthic Acrisol and Epigleyic Cambisol, respectively. P was relatively more effective in competing for adsorption sites with As^(V) in the Alumi-Plinthic Acrisol and Luvi-Endogleyic Phaeozem due to their higher A/P values (decrease in adsorbedAs/added P) of 1.143 and 1.135, respectively. These results will help decrease the environmental risk of some As-contaminated agricultural soils through the controlled application of P.

The present factorial experiment tested the thawed rumen fluid from frozen rumen contents against fresh rumen fluid from the same slaughtered cattle to estimate in vitro degradation of rapeseed meal (RSM) and grass nuts (GN) as two contrasting feeds at various times. Fresh rumen fluid showed higher (P < 0.05) in vitro dry matter (DMD) and crude protein (CPD) degradation than the thawed rumen fluid at most incubation times. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between fresh and differently prepared thawed rumen fluids for mean degradation constants (a, b, c) and effective degradability (P_0.02) of feeds. While the thawed rumen fluids had lower (P < 0.01) degradation than the fresh rumen fluid, their degradation values correlated very well (R² ≥ 0.95) with those for the fresh rumen fluid. It appeared that the thawed rumen fluid can be used to predict in vitro degradation of the selected feeds when frequent access to slaughtered or fistulated animals is restricted. Nevertheless it would be vital to improve the activity of thawed rumen fluid prior to testing its suitability for numerous feeds before recommending its routine use to estimate degradation of ruminant feeds.

Field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Engineering Experimental Farm of The Federal University of Technology, Akure, during 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 seasons to investigate the response of cassava under drip irrigation. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were based on four different water regimes; with T100 receiving 100% available water (AW), T₅₀ and T₂₅ receiving 50% and 25% of AW and T₀ with zero irrigation (control treatment). Disease free stems of the cassava cultivar TMS 91934 were planted at a spacing of 1 m by 1 m. The results indicated that T₁₀₀ full treatment produced the highest average total dry matter yield of 49.12 and 37.62 t/ha in 2006/07 and 2007/08 cropping seasons, respectively. However, the average total dry matter production in T₅₀, T₂₅, and T₀ showed significant differences in their values. Low total dry matter yields of 7.12 and 5.92 t/ha, respectively, were associated with T₀ for the two cropping seasons. The total water use of 1491.75 and 1701.13 mm was recorded for T₁₀₀, while total water use of 729.00 and 651.13 mm were obtained for T₀ in the two cropping seasons. The water use efficiency determined for the two cropping seasons ranged between 7.38 kg/ha and 32.93 kg/ha. The percentages of total water applied from total water use for T₁₀₀ were 51.11% and 61.72%, while 14.83% and 17.85% were recorded for T₂₅ for 2006/07 and 2007/08 cropping seasons, respectively.

A ten-month old, male Black and Tan Coonhound dog was referred with ocular bleeding due to gunshot injury. His mental state was normal. A computed tomography revealed that the bullet was planted in the left cranium. It was presumed that the trajectory of the bullet penetrated from the right medial angle of the eye to the orbit, and changed its track to caudo-dorsal by penetrating the cranium, ending up at the left cranium. The bullet was removed by lateral rostrotentorial craniectomy. No complications were observed during a one-year follow-up except the blindness in the right eye. This is a rare case of gunshot-induced traumatic brain injury featuring a bullet which went through the orbit into the cranium. The damaged frontal lobe seemed to show no neurological signs at the time of first examination in this case. In conclusion, a less aggressive surgical approach is recommended to remove bullets when they are accessible.

We describe the case of a nine-day-old female Holstein calf which had cheiloschisis, a moderate dome-shaped head, ataxia and opisthotonus since birth. No significant findings except the dome-shaped head were observed on survey radiography of the skull. Computed tomography (CT) images showed bilateral lateral ventriculomegaly, cerebellar hypoplasia and a cyst-like lesion communicating with the right lateral ventricle. Post-mortem examination revealed a cerebral defect in the frontoparietal lobe, which communicated with the right lateral ventricle, and cerebellar hypoplasia. CT provided a characteristic finding of porencephaly and was helpful for diagnosing the accompanying anomalies. We suggest that porencephaly should be included as a specific anomaly in the differential diagnosis of congenital brain malformation.