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The power function was used to show the dependence of gross, final and sold output on the gross value of total fixed assets and on the ratios of this value to the productivity of these three production categories. Further elaboration included the characteristics of variable features. The system of independent variables employed in the study allowed for the estimation of both extensive and intensive utilisation of fixed assets in Polish agriculture from 2002-2005. The study showed the diminishing impact of the productivity of fixed assets and the decreasing productive efficiency of Polish agriculture from 2002-2005. This situation was caused by the relative stability in the generic structure of fixed assets and by a slow average annual rate of increase in new fixed assets (8.74%).

Fluorescent Maillard compounds measurement provides more specific information on the extent of the Maillard reaction than other unspecific tools to monitor the reaction, and is suitable, as the first approach, to assess the nutritional quality of foods as related to protein damage. This work presents an optimised laboratory procedure for the measurement of total fluorescent intermediate compounds (FIC) associated with Maillard reaction, described and evaluated in a cereal-based product. Total FIC are evaluated using increased pronase E concentrations and different incubation times for the enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as three different sample clean-up steps after the enzymatic digestion. The effects of basic/acid media are considered for the stability of the fluorescent compounds. The standardised procedure is finally applied to breakfast cereals as a model of cereal-based products, analysing the correlation between total FIC production and fibre and protein contents. It is demonstrated that fluorescent compounds are mainly linked to the protein backbone in ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Fluorescence measurement is presented as an inexpensive, rapid and accurate procedure to study the extent of Maillard reaction in breakfast cereals.

Otiorhynchus sulcatus is considered as an important pest of strawberry fields and on potted ornamental plants. The efficacy to control this pest by new Polish products containing azadirachtin and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria brongniartii were tested. The aim of the laboratory investigation was to assess the influence of different forms of azadirachtin (A and B) and the entomopathogen on mortality and physiological development of the insect. Mortality after treatment ranged between 86-93%. There were significant differences in the mean number of surviving stages of the insect between Beauveria and neem treatments, but the final total mortality was not statistically different. Sensitivity of all developmental stages to the fungus was observed. In the neem treatments the physiological development of larvae was completely stopped. The level of control achieved by Beauveria and neem for use in outdoor containers is acceptable for practical application.

An outbreak of koi herpesvirus (KHV) infection associated with high mortality of common and koi carp was recorded in the USA and Israel in 1998. At present, this disease is viewed as one of the most significant factors that can adversely affect common and koi carp breeds. The disease has spread worldwide including European countries neighbouring with the Czech Republic (CR), i.e. Germany, Poland, and Austria. To monitor the situation in the CR, samples were collected from a total of 138 common and koi carps in seven and eight locations in CR respectively, and were examined between 2005 and 2006. Locations owned by the major producers of common and koi carp were selected with respect of potential occurrence of the KHV virus. No records of increased mortality and morbidity were noticed there. Preferentially carps with non-specific symptoms of disease were sampled, often with isolated skin erosions. To obtain detailed picture about health condition of examined fish the bacteriological and haematological examinations were accomplished. The next part of the examined samples were carp and koi carp for export from professional breeders, imported koi carp and fish from breeds with increased mortality (45 and 21 fish in 2005 and 2006, respectively) The only virological testing was done in this case. The culture and PCR method, according to Gilad et al. (2002) showed negative results for virus KHV in all years. Retrospective investigation by PCR method according to Bercovier et al. (2005) showed positivity in five locations in 2005. In 2006, KHV virus was not detected in any of the selected locations. The aim of our study was to find out the presence/absence of KHV in selected locations and potential correlation of virological, bacteriological and haematological findings. The results of first testing for presence of koi herpesvirus indicates the necessity of regular KHV monitoring in the Czech Republic in the next period.

The evaluation of the effect of the stage of lactation on milk composition, its properties and the quality of rennet curdling was carried out over the period of three successive years using milk samples (n = 162) obtained from a total of 27 ewes of the East Friesian (EF) breed, reared on a small sheep farm in Juřinka in the region of Wallachia. The stage of lactation had a highly significant effect on the contents of all milk components. However, only the contents of total solids (TS), solids non-fat (SNF), fat (F), protein (P) and casein (CN) gradually increased with the advancement of lactation. The stage of lactation also had a highly significant effect both on all the properties of milk and the rennet curdling quality (RCQ). All phenotypic correlations between the particular contents of TS, SNF, F, P, CN and urea nitrogen (UN) were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001). On the other hand, all phenotypic correlations between milk yield and particular contents of TS, SNF, F, P, CN and UN were negative and high (P ≤ 0.001). The majority of phenotypic correlations between rennet clotting time (RCT) and the other particular parameters was insignificant. However, the phenotypic correlations between lactose (L) and RCT and between pH and RCT were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001) whereas the phenotypic correlation between titratable acidity (TA) and RCT was negative and high (P ≤ 0.001). The majority of phenotypic correlations between the rennet curdling quality (RCQ) and the other particular parameters was insignificant. Nevertheless, the phenotypic correlations between pH and RCQ and between RCT and RCQ were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001) whereas the phenotypic correlation between TA and RCQ was negative and high (P ≤ 0.001).

Forty female chickens were allocated to four groups of ten birds each. The control group (K) was fed a basal diet without supplementation. The second control group received a basal diet with humic acid (HA) at a dose of 0.5 g per chicken/day. The first experimental group was fed the basal diet with methyl-mercury (MeHg) at a dose of 0.02 mg per chicken/day and the group of chickens MeHg + HA received 0.5 g HA per chicken/day. After slaughter, mercury levels were assessed in liver, kidney, brain and muscle tissue samples. After 10-day treatment of the chickens with MeHg, significantly increased (P < 0.001) Hg concentrations were detected in all examined tissues in comparison with the groups K and HA. The average concentrations in liver, kidneys, brain and muscle tissues were 424, 398, 81.6 and 79.2 µg Hg/kg, respectively. After concurrent treatment with HA and MeHg, Hg concentrations were lower by 20.6%, 23.8%, 23.0% and 18.6% in liver, kidneys, brain and muscle tissues (P < 0.001). Biological accumulation of Hg was 25.5% and 20.4% in MeHg and MeHg + HA groups, respectively.

The submitted work deals with the relation between the sum of active temperatures above 7°C and important phenological phases in peach tree cultivation. The aim of the paper is to provide information for growers, especially regarding anticipated harvest dates, which is important for marketing. Data has been compiled for the period 1998-2007 for the variety Catherine, grown in the locality of Velké Bílovice in the Czech Republic. A relationship between the sum of active temperatures above 7°C from the beginning of the year up to the start of blossoming has been identified, and a model determining the harvest date on the basis of the sum of active temperatures in the periods of 30 days and 60 days after blossoming has been tested.

Important parts of the forest sector are forest engineering constructions and capital construction of forest road network which improve the optimal management of forests and forest stands and their reasonable opening by a forest road network. The basic frameworks of forest road network are forest transport roads of various grades and categories. The paper discusses the basic parameters of forest transport roads such as the length of forest transport roads and their density outspread to the area of a particular district above all. The conditions of forest opening in 41 Natural Forest Regions of the Czech Republic and in the Czech Republic as a whole are shown and confronted on the basis of these parameters. A dilemma of the double division of forest transport roads according to the standard ČSN 73 6108 - Lesní dopravní síť (Forest Transportation Network) and according to the methodology used by Forest Management Institute in Brandýs nad Labem is also described in the paper. Although it is not suitable to use two methods of evaluation, there is no tendency to unify it.

The paper evaluates the development of the tree numbers, secondary stand and species composition on eight partial control plots in Klepačov where the conversion of even aged forest managed under the system involving coupes to selection forest has been implemented within the framework of a long-term project. The plots capture various stages of conversion. Plots A, D, and H still possess structures nearing the forest of age classes. The assessment was made of the measurements taken in 1974, 1994, and 2004. Tree numbers on the partial control plots in the diameter degrees 10-70+ decreased in the first inventory period as compared with both the model situation and the initial situation in 1974 due to increased felling volumes in that period. The felling and the subsequent opening of stands resulted in a rapidly developing regeneration, which manifested itself by the increase in the number of trees in diameter degrees 2 and 6 above the values given by the model curve for these diameter degrees. In the second inventory period, tree numbers in these diameter degrees were lower by 11% as compared with the model situation and slightly lower as compared with the initial situation. Moreover, the results of the survey show that the forest stands under the selection system of management are massively invaded by broadleaved species, namely the beech and that danger exists that broadleaves will dominate in the future. This is generally considered undesirable because the quality of broadleaved stems in the stands under the selection system is low.

The common denominator of all rather different names and understandings of it (the problem of the "model of man and society development", problem of the "lack of the civilisation concept" etc.) is that there is no clear understanding regarding the question of the perspective approach (or approaches), the relevant basic development trends of humankind in the material as well as non-material sphere, i.e. in the basic question of many philosophers "Who are we, whence and where are we going". We mention only some of the problems, which are at present directly connected to the "problem of the future of man". These are the problems from the sphere of all-human social, ethical, humanitarian and cultural aspects of the human civilisation development, which are today (but need not be already in the near future) in the centre of attention: the problem of social inequality extension, the problem of spreading epidemics and drug abuse, the problem of the uncontrollable migration and city agglomerations growth, the problem of terrorism.

In this study, the circulus arteriosus cerebri of the squirrel was investigated. Ten squirrel were used. Coloured latex was given from left ventriculi of the all squirrels. Circulus arteriosus cerebri was examined after the dissection was made. The basilar artery was formed by merge of the right and left vertebral artery. The caudal communicans artery which was caudal part of circulus arteriosus cerebri was formed by the basilar artery on sulcus pontocrurale. From caudal to cranial, the branches originated from the basilar artery and circulus arteriosus cerebri to cerebrum and cerebellum were as follows: the caudal cerebelli artery,rami ad pontem, the rostral cerebelli artery, the caudal choroidea artery, the caudal cerebral artery, the internal ophtalmic artery, the rostral choroidea artery, the media cerebral artery, rami striati and the rostral cerebral artery. In squirrels a variability was observed in the branches that the rostral cerebral artery gives, and their endings. It was determined that the internal carotid artery didn't exist in 4 animals when the right and left vertebral artery were ligatured. It was found that the internal carotid artery didn't contribute to the arterial blood to circulus arteriosus cerebri and the arterial blood to circulus arteriosus cerebri of squirrels is provided via only the basilar artery.

A new probiotic, bacteriocin-producing strain of Enterococcus faecium EF9296 (isolate of our laboratory) was used in grass ensiling as an inoculant. The antimicrobial effect as well as the nutritive quality of silage was evaluated along with the aerobic stability test. Grass was ensiled with EF9296 strain (10⁹ colony-forming units per gram of fresh material) and the silage without EF9296 was also prepared. The silages were processed in 1-litre plastic bottles. The samples were collected at days 0-1 (start of experiment), 7, 14 and 105 of ensiling to check the microbial status and chemical parameters of silage. At the end of ensiling period (day 105) the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test for 7 days. The EF9296 strain survived and colonized the silage in sufficient counts (10⁹-10¹⁰ cfu/g). The total counts of enterococci and lactic acid bacteria were increased. In the silage inoculated with EF9296 strain, a reduction in E. coli, enterobacteriae, staphylococci and Bacillus-like bacteria was noted mainly at day 7 and 14 of ensiling. Moreover, the counts of Listeria and moulds were reduced during the aerobic stability test. The silage inoculation resulted in a more rapid drop of pH, higher level of lactic acid and in a decrease in the concentration of acetic and butyric acid. The effect of E. faecium EF9296 on the value of pH was prolonged until the end of the experiment (including the aerobic stability test, below 4.3). During the whole ensiling period an increase in DM content in the experimental silage was detected. The E. faecium EF9296 strain represents a promising silage additive to produce silage of good quality and/or to prevent silage contamination.

The population dynamics of wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) was studied in three forest complexes differing in food supply in the intensively managed landscape of southern Moravia. They included an old semi-natural floodplain forest dominated by oak (HL), production broadleaved forest with the predominance of oak and robinia (HA) and a pheasantry with various forest stands consisting of diverse species and age categories of trees with a quantity of additional food for additional feeding of pheasants and roe deer (RB). The population fluctuation within six-year monitoring was affected by seed years (acorn crops in 2003 and 2006), which resulted in an increase in the species population density in the next year. Statistically significant effects of the crop of acorns on the body weight of monitored species were also detected (P < 0.01, F = 1.44). Relative abundance differed significantly between the floodplain forest (HL) and RB and HA (P < 0.01). The two last-mentioned sites did not differ and only a trend of greater preference to the most variable biotope in RB was noted. It evidences the unsuitability of floodplain forest for the species. In spite of the food specialization in small seeds significant effects of the excess crop of acorns can result in a rapid increase in the Apodemus sylvaticus population which can then cause damage to the natural regeneration of oak or artificial regeneration by seeding although to a substantially smaller extent than the more harmful A. flavicollis.

This scientific paper shows the partial results of the research project GAČR 402/05/2697, focussing on the analysis of a questionnaire survey and the creation of strategic thinking models of decision making. The partial analysis of the questionnaire survey results was used for designing the basic structure of the required dependencies in the form of a decision tree. On the basis of the tree, requirements for designing the system of strategic thinking models were deduced. These requirements are reflected in the functional model, the data model and in the status diagram. These models will present an instrument suitable for supporting strategic decision making.

The paper addresses the LEADER approach in the Czech Republic. Using documentary research and content analysis of the appropriate documents and the Local Action Groups information sheets, the paper firstly outlines the evolution of the LEADER approach in the Czech Republic (the paper points out the difference in understanding LEADER in the EU /focusing on capacity building and the use of intangible forms of capital/ and in the Czech Republic EU /focusing on investments/). The paper also analyses the participation of farmers and the farming related actors in the LEADER approach (approx. 30% of local action groups are composed by those actors, however, they mostly do not aim /similarly like non-farming actors/ at developing partnership but want to achieve the investments into production; that is why the Czech local action groups are rather quasi-partnerships; it is also reflected in a very low number of strategies aiming at the "adding value to local products" which is the closest to farmers /but it is the less opted theme: only 6% of projects/). The paper ends with the analysis of projects implemented under the LEADER scheme where the farmers participate. It shows that more than the integrated strategies, the Czech local action groups prefer the strategies of the multi-sector type. The paper also points out that the publicly available information about the activities of the local action groups is not sufficient, although the groups are funded from the public budgets. This fact makes the analysis more difficult as for the scientific merit but also contradicts the principles of democratic governance.

Two different models (WBS FLAB, WaSiM-ETH) were used in the project HochNatur (flood prevention and nature conservation in the Weißeritz catchment in the Eastern Ore Mts. - Erzgebirge) to determine risk areas with quick runoff processes and to simulate the discharge. It was done in different scales, in the mesoscale Weißeritz catchment as well as two selected subcatchments with different natural and urban conditions, the Weißbach subcatchment with a well-structured landscape, the Höckenbach subcatchment with a greater part of arable land. On the basis of selected scenarios, the effect of land use changes on the runoff generation processes of an area and on the hydrograph is described. Land use changes are able to reduce the portion of quick runoff components, the water erosion and the discharge. The effect occurs especially in smaller catchments and with short heavy rains (events with a frequency of occurrence of 5-50 years). Depending on the present situation the changes have to include areas of more than 25% of the catchments area to cause a significant effect. It became apparent that nature conservation and flood prevention agree well in their requirements with the land use. A rich structured landscape proved to be extraordinarily positive for both, flood prevention and nature conservation.

Grape anthocyanins not only play an important role in the colour quality of red wines but they also have many beneficial effects on human health, e.g., reduction of coronary heart disease incidence, or anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. Therefore, a rapid and efficient extraction technique prior to chromatographic analysis is of primary interest. Pressurised Fluid Extraction (PFE) presents a fast, effective, and environmentally friendly extraction method for the analysis of red grape pigments. In this study, PFE in static mode was utilised for the extraction of 3-monoglucoside anthocyanins from the grape skin of highly pigmented variety Alibernet. The effects of the type of the extraction solvent and the extraction temperature were studied. The identification of the above given compounds were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) based on Synergi C-12 column separation. The wavelength was set at 520 nm. All compounds were determined and identified during 50 minutes.

Spirocerca lupi is accepted in Veterinary Medicine as the cause of true malignancies in dogs. Aortic lesions and esophageal nodular granulomas are pathological lesions of spirocercosis that are considered to be pathognomic for this disease. Post mortem and histopathological studies of 105 stray dogs both male and female of different age groups from various residential areas were performed and their esophagus were examined for any lesions and helminthic parasites. Twenty dogs (19.04%) were infected with S. lupi. The infection rate was significantly higher in dogs greater than one year old (23.5%) and in western areas (36.4%) with similar prevalence rate in males and females. At histopathologic level, two isolate but closely related fibrosarcoma masses were situated at the distal portion of the thoracic esophagus of one dog and in the site of junction of esophagus and stomach of another one. Metastasis were observed in the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes of one of the dogs. Despite presence of large population of stray dogs little information is available about S. lupi in this country, so this study was undertaken to obtain an overall picture of this infection in stray dogs of Shiraz area, southern Iran.

Crop yields are reduced by 70-80% due to a water stress situation specifically during the reproductive stage and are not able to fulfil the needs of food requirement in developed and developing countries of the world. Earlier work was mainly focused on the use of morphological or physiological and molecular aspects for improved stress tolerance. Efforts are being made to overcome this problem with the help of today's sophisticated and advanced technology through genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The presented model summarizes our work in the last five years to mine anatomical parameters as a novel approach to further improving introgression or exploitation of stress adaptive traits. We have focused on some key anatomical traits playing a substantial role in water stress tolerance. This new conceptual model encompasses increased palisade mesophyll height, higher leaf strength index (LSI), higher number of conducting tissues with increased diameter in leaf, stem and root and controlled transpiration rate due to a lower number of stomata per unit leaf area along with the increased guard cell size. Different plants viz. Lycopersicon esculentum, Capsicum annuum, and Calotropis gigantea were screened by developing polyploids to validate this model approach. Genotypes of Vitis vinifera and Solanum melongena were also screened. Wild relatives like Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme and Solanum khasianum were evaluated for comparison. These observations were further correlated with various stress adaptation traits like yield under stress, in vitro screening, chlorophyll content, transpiration heating and cooling, molecular markers etc. A new scoring method is proposed which will be helpful to screen a large set of germplasms on a preliminary basis to discriminate genotypes for drought tolerance. There is an urgent need to study the genetics of these stress adaptive traits using high throughput molecular markers to make them more useful for a higher magnitude of genetic gain.

Formerly arable luvic chernozem set aside for ten years (1997-2006) with different herbaceous cover (grass, legumes and their mixtures) and agronomical practices (mulching and cut/harvesting) was studied. The experimental plot was maintained as black, spontaneous and controlled fallows from 1997 until July 2003 (BD period). In July 2003 the plots were desiccated by glyphosate herbicide and were run as a black fallow until August 2004 (AD). The last period (AG) was characterized by monoculture of Italian ryegrass cut/harvested twice a year until October 2006. The experimental soils were characterized with 18 parameters. Mulched plots in all periods (BD, AD and AG) were evaluated as highly microbial active plots. The black fallow (BD) permanently maintained by glyphosate herbicide was the lowest in biological parameters. The desiccation caused a highly significant increase (P < 0.01) of nitrates in topsoil, but in following period (AG) their significant decrease was detected. Desiccation enhanced carbon immobilization into microbial cells especially on mulched and cut/harvested sites (BD, AD). Due to mulching accumulation of soil organic matter highly significantly increased (P < 0.01). This induced a highly significant (P < 0.01) increase in the basal respiration (AD, AG) as the soil organic matter accumulated in the period BD was intensively mineralized.

The milk urea concentration (MUC) is a respected indicator of the health and nutrition status of dairy cows. It is in relation to their reproduction performance, longevity and technological milk indicators. The accuracy of the interpretation of results depends on their reliability, which is so important. There are a lot of principles of MUC analyses. Their results can be affected by a number of interferential factors. Many disproportions were noticed for the above-mentioned reasons in laboratory practice. That is the reason why relevant result variation sources are studied. The goal of this paper was to search the relationships between different methods of MUC determination with the use of specifically modified samples on a milk basis with the absence of dissolved components such as lactose. The results of two methods (photometric BI with diacetylmonoxime and FT-MIR (mid infrared)) were disqualified for a large shift and variance of values, unsatisfactory recovery and paralysed relation to other methods (BI r = from 0.184 to 0.213; P > 0.05). Therefore the second BI method was retained in the evaluation, and it was probably a local defect in the performance at disqualification. Nevertheless, the procedure showed poorer recovery (75.5 ± 14.3%) and necessity for methodical modifications for support of result reliability such as increase in the number of calibration points as compared to the contemporary procedure. The results of FT-MIR method were strongly systematically displaced due to lactose absence in particular (by 33.824 ± 3.794 mg/100 ml). Nevertheless, the correlations with results of other relevant methods were tight (from 0.991 to 0.999; P < 0.001). The photometrical method with Ehrlich's agent (para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, EH) showed acceptable values of all the evaluated indicators of reliability. The specific Ureakvant method (UR; with conductivity difference measurement) showed the most proper results in combination with all the reliability indicators (recovery as much as 93.2 ± 10.2%; correlation from 0.989 to 1.0; P < 0.001; acceptable ratio of systematic and random error components). It is possible to use the tested specific standard samples for the control or calibration of all methods (BI, EH and UR) with the exception of FT-MIR.

The resistance of Chinese asters to Fusarium wilt was tested by artificially inoculating the root systems. A mixture of Fusarium isolates was prepared with a concentration of about 10⁴-10⁹ propagules per litre of the pathogen. 63 cultivars of both domestic and foreign origin were evaluated in the 1^st year, 95 in the 2^nd year and 89 in the 3^rd year. Clear, statistically valid differences in mortality, both with experiments involving artificial inoculations and considering natural infections, make it possible to divide aster varieties into three groups based in their resistance to infections. The first set can be described as resistant. This includes the Matsumoto, Einf. Madeleine and Americká kráska series, and several others. The second set can be described as being moderately resistant. This includes the Chryzantémokvěté and Standy series, and the cultivars Matsumoto Pink, Princes Armida and Jitka. The third set can be described as sensitive. This includes the Průhonický trpaslík, Jehlicovité and Pastel series and several others. A statistical analysis of the results shows that the Einf. Madeleine series of cultivars is the most resistant to Fusarium wilt. This series is phenotypically similar to the original botanical species. Resistance was evaluated by recording the differences in mortality rates between artificially-inoculated plants and non-inoculated group (controls).

The Bohemian-Moravian Upland shows a large-scale decline and dieback of Norway spruce up to the forest altitudinal vegetation zone (FAVZ) 5. This phenomenon has been observed in the last 7 years and its progress is rapid. Healthy, declining and standing dry trees of equal height were mutually compared in nine forest stands (aged 3-73 years). These parameters were measured: increment dynamics, root system architecture, biomass, fine root vitality and mycorrhiza, infestation by biotic and abiotic agents. Analyses were done for 414 trees, soil characteristics and weather course data covered the period 1961-2004. Warming and precipitation deficit are the predisposition factors. Weakened trees are aggressively infested by the honey fungus (Armillaria mellea), and they die from root rots. In this paper we describe the mechanism of damage to and dieback of the spruce trees concerned.

Zemspol, Dešná, Ltd is a large corporation engaged in various aspects of agriculture in the Czech Republic, including agricultural production, the assembly, maintenance and repair of agricultural machinery, the production of feed stuffs and feed mixtures,special agricultural services demanding special entitlement, business related matters and accounting. This paper focuses on agricultural production. The farm manages 2 100 hectares of agricultural land suitable for growing potatoes, although the largest area is used for growing wheat. The range of produce remains constant. Regarding livestock, the corporation specializes in cattle with the steady head count 250 for the past 15 years. These are predominantly red and white cattle, optimized for both milk and meat production. The average annual production is 1 350 000 litres of milk and 250 tons of beef. The agricultural farm can be described as being a strong perfomer with a very stable base, good reputation and very attractive products, both of crops and livestock. In order to keep this enviable status, frequent internal and external environmental analyses are undertaken.

The image of a shop is the perception of the attributes of trade chains which are stated by consumers or the target market. The part of the shop image can be the assortment, the production quality and price, services of the shop, organization, the location and atmosphere of the shop, advertising and the shop reputation. The basis for conceiving this paper was an assumption that the image of a shop is one of the determining factors of the shopping place choice. The individual attributes of a shop can affect the perception of a consumer and therefore affect his decision about the choice of a shop and buying goods. The image analysis of trade chains was processed on the basis of a 5-point scale which shows the respondents' attitude toward each and every of 29 attributes of the researched trade chains. The basic data were gained by the means of a questionnaire research in the field of Slovak consumers' behaviour and the results were analysed by the means of the semantic differential method. The shop image analysis hands out information which can be a starting point for understanding the importance of the attributes of the trade chains from the point of view of the consumer perception and attitude. Based on the image analysis of the foreign trade chains in the Slovak market, we can say that the consumers are satisfied with the opening hours, shops location, cleanliness and appearance of shops and the sufficient number of shopping trolleys. Minuses were noticed in the field of promotion activities and the waiting time at the registers.

The study compares two methods for modeling the potential distribution of pests when applied to the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalisHubner). The development of the European corn borer (ECB) is known to be closely correlated with daily air temperature as well as other climate variables. The climatic parameters are, therefore, used to predict the potential geographical distribution using tested tools such as CLIMEX or ECAMON. These models consider the climatic suitability of a given site/region for the pest's development and, thus, the possible establishment of a population at a given location. In this study, meteorological data from 1961 to 2000 and from 45 meteorological stations were used to characterise the current climate conditions in the Czech Republic. Validation was based on available field data of the occurrence of ECB in the same period. The climate parameters were later modified according to the estimates based on the combination of three SRES emission scenarios and three global circulation models. Under all climate change scenarios, we noted a marked shift of the pest's potential niches to higher altitudes, which might lead to an increase in the infestation pressure during the first half of this century. The present area of the univoltine population will increase due to temperature increases even above 800 m a.s.l. In addition there is a risk of the establishment of a bivoltine population in the main agricultural areas and 38% of arable land in the Czech Republic before 2050.

The effects of different concentrations of copper (0-800 μmol) on growth, protein contents, peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in Jatropha curcas L. seedlings were assessed by means of pot experiments. Results suggested that increased copper concentrations lead to decreased shoot elongation and seedling biomass. Protein content in the leaves and roots reached their highest levels at the copper concentrations of 400 μmol, while the highest protein content in the stem was observed at 800 μmol copper. POD activity in leaves and stems was unaffected at low copper concentrations, but showed a considerable variation at high copper concentrations. In roots, the highest POD activity was observed at 200 μmol copper. Under copper stress, SOD activity in leaves increased concomitantly with increasing copper up to 400 μmol, and SOD activity in stems and roots showed a slight increase. Catalase activity significantly elevated in leaves and roots but showed no significant changes in stems of the seedlings exposed to copper. A gradual increase of PAL activity in leaves and roots at the copper concentration of 400 and 200 μmol was observed, while PAL activity remained unchanged in stems.

Milk urea concentration (MUC) is a suitable indicator of the health and nutrition state of dairy cows. MUC is in relation to their reproduction performance, longevity and technological milk indicators. The interpretation correctness of results depends on their reliability. There are a lot of principles of MUC analyses. Their results can be affected by a number of interferential factors. Disproportions were noticed in practice. Therefore the sources of variation in results are studied. The goal of this study was to investigate relationships between different methods of MUC determination with the use of standard samples of native milk with an artificial urea addition. After evaluation I (n = 7) the results of methods BI-1 and BI-2 (photometrical ones with diacetylmonoxime) were disqualified because of poor recovery (R), poor correlation (C) with other methods, higher random error (RER) and highest systematic error (SE). Evaluation II is more effective with stricter discrimination limits. Cs of all methods mutually (0.977 up to 0.998; P < 0.001) confirmed the methods as effective with the exception of BI-2 with poor Cs (0.713 up to 0.774), poor R (16.0 up to 69.0%) and high RER ±5.292 mg/100 ml. R of better methods was 44.0 up to 96.7%. The BI-1 method had good Cs (0.986 up to 0.994; P < 0.001), higher SE -7.546 mg/100 ml and poorer R (48.5 up to 75.3%). BI-1 method was a case of mistaken performance. BI method could be improved by the use of more samples in calibration. FT-MIR method (infra-analysis) has good addition R 69.5 up to 95.0% and Cs 0.981 up to 0.994 (P < 0.001). EH method (photometrical one with Ehrlich's agent) has good R 59.0 up to 96.7%, higher SE 4.755 (I) and 2.556 (II) mg/100 ml and close Cs 0.977 up to 0.994 (P < 0.001). UR method (ureolytical difference-conductometric) showed the best combination of results about R, C, SE and RER. MUC measurement was almost independent of fat in milk (r = 0.16 for UR and 0.01 for FT-MIR; P > 0.05) and MUC of both the methods did not increase significantly with lactose increase ((r= 0.16 and 0.27; P > 0.05), which increased logically ((r = -0.88; P < 0.001) during the fat concentration increase. The relationship of MUC results between UR and FT-MIR was significant (validation (r = 0.96; P < 0.001) at average difference -0.93 ± 1.663 mg/100 ml. It is possible to see the result reliability as good after calibration performance of FT-MIR according to results of UR. It is not necessary to see the effects of fat, protein and lactose on MUC methods as substantial. FT-MIR method for MUC has good result reliability at the use of native milk samples, incidentally with urea additions. It is suitable to calibrate the FT-MIR method according to specific determination of MUC (UR). However, the most important for elimination of disproportions is the calibration method with concrete audited R, though nonspecific.

The frequent presence of rye translocation 1B/1R in common wheat is well known as well as its unfavourable effect on bread-making quality. These translocated materials make up more than one tenth of all wheat varieties registered in the Czech Republic and due to their lower technological value they are predominately used for livestock feeding in spite of the lack of information about their desirability for monogastric animals. Our study was aimed at a general effect of 1B/1R translocation, including other grain characteristics in model feeding tests with laboratory rats. Triennial evaluation of selected chemical and technological characteristics of winter wheat grain, including feeding characteristics in the model set of 18 DH lines with/without 1B/1R translocation, confirmed a highly significant effect of year on evaluated parameters. Wheat lines with the presence of 1B/1R translocation showed a significantly higher value of relative viscosity, crude protein content and higher proportion of the albumin + globulin fraction. This was manifested negatively in the technological characteristics of the gluten index (GI) and the Zeleny sedimentation test of these wheat lines. Detected values of relative viscosity, grain hardness (PSI) and albumin-globulin fraction were significantly influenced by the genotype of the wheat line. The relationships of evaluated grain characteristics to the results of feeding test were not unequivocal. The presence of 1B/1R translocation significantly decreased the values of balance in these characters: net protein utilization (NPU) and biological value of proteins (BV), however the effect of the 1B/1R translocation on protein efficiency ratio (PER) was not confirmed. Correlation analyses showed low mutual relationships among the parameters of balance and growth tests. A lower but significant positive correlation of the albumin + globulin fraction and a negative correlation of storage proteins with growth parameter PER were also observed. It is possible to summarize that individual relation between albumins + globulins and gluten protein composition of grains influenced the values of PER more significantly than the presence of 1B/1R translocation.

In 2001, galls were analysed of Pemphigus spyrothecae Pass. taken in one- to three-week intervals from Populus nigra and P. nigra var. italica at 4 localities in Brno. Fundatrices matured in the first half of June and during the first half of summer produced about 50 offsprings. Virgines produced about 10 offsprings which grew up in winged sexuparae. The winged individuals started to occur in galls from the beginning of August. In galls with intact development, on average 500 aphids developed. Galls with intact development on P. nigra var. italica reached larger average dimensions and contained at least by 4% more aphids than galls on P. nigra. About 5% of fundatrices died already in the 1st instar and other 3 to 6% in higher instars by the beginning of reproduction. At localities under investigation, 7.5 to 39.0% of galls on P. nigra and 3.9 to 13.7% of galls on P. nigra var. italica were occupied by the fly Leucopis puncticornis Meig. (Chamaemyiidae). About 24.3 to 32.2% of galls on P. nigra and 23.3 to 49.3% of galls on P. nigra var. italica were occupied by the bug Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Anthocoridae). Hover flies Heringia heringi (Zett.) and Pipiza festiva Meig. (Syrphidae) killing aphids in 3.8 to 30.4% of galls on P. nigra and 6.5 to 6.8% of galls on P. nigra var. italica were an important regulator. In August (i.e. at the beginning of the formation of winged sexuparae), the majority of galls opened through primary slit-shaped or oval emergence holes. A part (7.8 to 19.5%) of galls with so far intact development, however, remained closed and all aphids contained in them died. Diseases (particularly mycoses) often participated in the accelerated dying of aphids. The effect of mortality factors on the gall size differentiation was evaluated in details. The galls do not cause any leaf area reduction. In the case of mass outbreak, they decrease decorativeness of poplars in street alleys. In August and September, liquid excrements fall out from the galls (honeydew) polluting the environment in villages and housing estates.