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The study has been elaborated on the basis of a continuous analysis of economic results of a selected sample of agricultural enterprises operating in different climatic and productional conditions. Long-term tendencies and their influencing factors are defined on the basis of this analysis. The goal of this study is to evaluate the influence of external conditions on the economy of agricultural enterprises and on their economic results and to analyze the influence of the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU on the change of economic conditions of agricultural enterprises. On the basis of this study, the authors measures which would intensify the influence of agricultural enterprising on the rural development and which would improve the quality of life of rural inhabitants.

PATRIA Kobylí, Inc. is one of the traditional wine-growers and producers of quality wines based in southern Moravia. Farming on 152 hectares, PATRIA Kobylí supplies the market with more than 1 million litres of wine per year. It offers an assortment of 14 whites and 6 blue wines. The company focuses on wines designed for gastronomes and distributed to selected specialized wine-merchants. But since 2003, the sales of the company's wines have been declining. The sales in the individual months of 2006 were the lowest for the last 6 years. But the aim of the company will not be to increase the sales volume but the wine quality and services and sales techniques and so to maintain its position in the market. The company started to analyze its strengths and weaknesses and extended its portfolio of Saint Martin wine and special wines and sparkling wines.

Ditylenchus dipsaci, the stem nematode, is a migratory endoparasite of over 500 species of angiosperms. The main method of D. dipsaci control is crop rotation, but the presence of morphologically indistinguishable host races with different host preferences makes rotation generally ineffective. Therefore, a sensitive, rapid, reliable, as well as cost effective technique is needed for identification of D. dipsaci in biological samples. This study describes the development of species-specific pairs of PCR oligonucleotides for detection and identification of the D. dipsaci stem nematode in various plant hosts. Designed DIT-2 primer pair specifically amplified a fragment of 325 bp, while DIT-5 primer pair always produced a fragment of 245 bp in all D. dipsaci isolates. Two developed SCAR primer pairs were further tested using template DNA extracted from a collection of twelve healthy plant hosts; no amplification was however observed. The developed PCR protocol has proved to be quite sensitive and able to specifically detect D. dipsaci in artificially infested plant tissues.

An evaluation of the linear description of type in 494 horses of the Old Kladrub breed for 32 traits was used to analyse the effect of variety, stud, sex, year of birth and age at description. A linear model with fixed effects was used. The highest coefficient of variation was calculated for the forelimb side-view (40.14%), chest girth (36.25%) and height at withers (30.97%). 28 out of 32 traits were in the range from 7 to 9 utilized scores. The descriptor used a very high number of scores of the scale. Significant differences between both varieties were found in 13 out of 32 traits. Significant differences were found in 12 out of 32 traits between the Kladruby stud farm and the private studs. There is no reasonable explanation of this fact. A significant variety × stud interaction was recorded in only 7 traits. Significant differences between stallions and mares were recorded in a large number of front and body traits (in 11 out of 18 traits) and in 2 rear traits. Despite of a remarkable number of significant differences between the years of birth (in 18 out of 32 traits) and age at description (in 13 out of 32 traits) both factors are not the important ones for the selection of horses according to the type traits. The description of type traits, performance recording and selection are carried out in the population of four-years-old horses born in the given year. The age at description does not play a role because all horses are now described each year at a standard age of four years. The linear description of type is an important tool for the breeding and conservation of genetic diversity within the breed.

The root-plant ratio is one of the important parameters for planting stock quality. We suppose that the ratio is one of the driving variables for the growth performance of new plantation in the forest. The study summarises data on the volume of major parts of 4 years old wild cherry trees. An allometric analysis of different parts of plants in relation to the growth performance of wild cherry trees was done. The results show a close positive relationship between the volume of the whole root system and aboveground biomass. The same is true of the fine root proportion in the root system. Data also document that the efficiency of root system is not decreasing during the root development - at least in the investigated period. The same results were obtained for fine root efficiency. Data confirm the importance of the root-plant ratio for the growth performance of new plantation in the forest provided that harmful factors are not at a limiting level.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth potential of Carpathian birch (Betula carpatica W. et K.) at an environmentally harsh mountain site and a response of this species to altered soil chemistry after dolomitic limestone and basalt grit applications. The Carpathian birch proved to be a suitable species for the replanting of extreme acidic mountain sites. This birch shows a low mortality rate, grows well in the clear-felled patches and soon forms a cover which is necessary for the reintroducing of more sensitive tree species. The application of dolomitic limestone and basalt grit resulted in the slower growth of Carpathian birch plantations. Liming raised soil reaction, sum of exchangeable bases, base saturation, cation exchange capacity and reduced exchangeable Al content. On the other hand, liming decreased an amount of oxidizable soil organic matter and negatively affected soil N, exchangeable P and K. Basalt grit increased exchangeable P and K contents and raised soil reaction, however only slightly. The influence of basalt grit on the sum of exchangeable bases, base saturation and cation exchange capacity was also less pronounced compared to liming. Basalt grit elevated the proportion of exchangeable aluminium and reduced the content of soil N.

The research analyses the fundamental resources, farm structures, and composition by aim of farming, labour force and family income sources of the agricultural private holdings from the aspects of subsistence and income generation as well as of rural development. By processing the various databases, the research provides a clear picture on the situation of private holdings and groups of farms (self-supplying, marketing the surplus, commercial holdings). On the basis of the analyses, it is possible to estimate the number of competitive farms, that is, of professional farms, and the number of the producers who are not engaged in commercial production. This points out the need to extend the sphere of rural activities are connected to the other sectors of the national economy.

Wild potato species (genus Solanum, section Petota) represent a tremendously diverse gene pool which is traditionally utilized as a source of diverse traits for potato breeding. Abiotic and biotic stress tolerance and resistance belong to the most frequently utilized traits of wild species in potato breeding programs. This review provides an introduction to the taxonomy, centre of diversity, genetic characteristics, evolution and important tolerance and resistance traits of wild potatoes and their use for potato breeding. The review has been written for readers who are interested in the problems of finding and utilization of new resistance genes from the wild genetic resources.

The use of plants to remove heavy metals from soil (phytoremediation) is expanding due to its cost-effectiveness as compared to conventional methods and it has revealed a great potential. Since contaminants such as Pb or Cd have a limited bioavailability in the soil, methods to facilitate their transport to the shoots and roots of plants are required for successful phytoremediation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of different rates (0, 3, 6 and 12 mmol/kg) of ethylene diaminetetraacetate (EDTA) on heavy metal availability in soils contaminated with 50 mg/kg Cd (CdCl₂), 50 mg/kg Cu (CuSO₄), 50 mg/kg Pb [Pb(NO₃)₂] and 50 mg/kg Zn (ZnSO₄), and on the capacity of canola (Brassica napus L.) and Indian mustard (Brassica junceaL.) plants to uptake Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in a growth chamber. Results indicated that EDTA application increased heavy metal availability and uptake by plants. Significant differences were obtained in both species and plant parts. As for plant species tested, canola was more effective in the uptake of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn. Root heavy metal uptake of both species was higher than shoot heavy metal uptake.

The basic concept of malt barley production is to reach a dilution effect of nitrogen accumulated by grains at maturity. A three-year study was undertaken to establish time courses of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) in leaves as the prerequisite tool for total grain yield prognosis. Sulphur application at the lowest rate of 25 kg/ha significantly increased yields of grain in 2001 and 2003. The time course of N and S concentrations in leaves over the growing season showed declining trends for N and variable for S. At mid tillering (BBA-25) both N and S, but at BBA-31 only N concentrations significantly responded to S rates, and in turn affected patterns of N concentration in barley organs up to maturity. Sulphur concentrations and N:S ratios were useful tools to make reliable prognosis of total grain yield of barley at BBA-31 as indicated by the obtained regression equations. The threshold values for N and S in leaves in order to achieve the maximum total grain yield are 0.4% for S and 8.0 for the N:S ratio as presented by the graphical procedure.

The aim of the study was to compare physiological statuses of stripped and not stripped tench females with ovulation induced by GnRHa or carp pituitary extract (CPE). The comparison was based on selected biochemical stress indices (cortisol, glucose), condition (TP, TGA), and cell membrane characteristics (ALT, AST, CK). In the first and in the second year, 37 and 29 tench females were monitored, respectively. No differences in the values of biochemical parameters in either period were found between the two groups of stripped female tench whose ovulation was induced by GnRHa and CPE, respectively. No significant differences in TP, TGA, ALT, AST and CK values were found between the groups of stripped and not stripped females with ovulation induced by GnRHa or CPE. Different values were found in stress indices, specifically in glucose concentrations. A significant increase (P < 0.01) in glucose concentrations was found in tench females immediately after stripping and, in not stripped females, about 48 hrs after ovulation induction. Both artificial stripping and the inability to release eggs are important stress factors for female tench.

Treatment with the water and tropical lemon juice extract powders from acerola fruit purees and leaves (100 mg/kg) significantly ameliorates the hepatic inflammatory responses such as increased serum levels of AST, ALT, and GGT in rats subjected to acute D-galactosamine (GalN) intoxication. The protective effects of their constituents could be related to their antioxidant activities to neutralise free radicals to attenuate hepatic lipid peroxidation and thus can protect liver damage. The effect of the water extract powder from fruit purees (100 mg/kg) was moderately stronger than that of ascorbic acid (10 mg/kg), but weaker than that of cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoglucoside (13.3 mg/kg). The water and lemon juice extract powders from Acerola fruit purees possess the 18.6 and 24.1-fold higher DPPH radical scavenging activities, respectively, than those from leaves, the higher so for those extracted with lemon juice than for those extracted with water. The vitamin C contents were much more higher in the extract powders from fruit purees compared with those from leaves. γ-Tocopherol predominated in the extract powders from fruit purees and α-tocopherol in those from leaves. Polyphenolic compounds were identified and analysed by GC/MS-SIM after acid hydrolysis, extraction and derivatisation to trimethylsilyl ethers.

Reaction conditions for evaluation of the photochemical activity of isolated chloroplasts in the Hill reaction of Karwinskia humboldtiana (Roem & Schut) Zucc. and Karwinskia parvifolia Rose species were determined. Hill's reaction activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 630 nm as the amount of DCPIP reduction by the chloroplast suspension at an irradiance of 400 µmol/m²/sPAR. A significant difference was observed between the activity of chloroplasts isolated at 2°C and 25°C amounting to 27% in Karwinskia humboldtiana and 18.5% in K. parvifolia. After 24 hours of storage of chloroplasts at a suspension of 2°C, a significant decrease of chloroplasts activity was noted in both species, e.g. 38% in Karwinskia humboldtiana and 45% in K. parvifolia. The photochemical activity of chloroplasts increased also with the length of irradiation of the reaction mixture and the content of chlorophyll (a + b) in chloroplast suspension. The activity of chloroplasts was found to be significantly higher in the species K. humboldtiana than in K. parvifolia and it proved higher in both when these were grown under field conditions rather than in a greenhouse.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a major target for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. a. paratuberculosis) in cattle. Culture examination was achieved in tissue samples obtained from 10 different regions of the GIT (proximal and distal parts of the duodenum, proximal, middle and distal parts of the jejunum, proximal and distal parts of the ileum, the ileocecal valve, the caecum and the rectum) and their adjacent lymph nodes. The culture results were statistically analysed to elucidate the distribution of M. a. paratuberculosis in the GIT. A total of 63 cows older than 24 months were diagnosed with paratuberculosis by faecal and tissue cultures. The better detection rate of M. a. paratuberculosis was found in the mucosae from the jejunum to the ileocecal valve and in the lymph nodes from the jejunum to the caecum. The mean number of colony forming units (CFU) in the mucosae and the lymph nodes of the distal jejunum and the proximal ileum was significantly higher than that in the mucosae of the duodenum, the caecum and the rectum, and in the lymph nodes of the duodenum and the rectum, respectively (p < 0.05). Laparoscopic biopsy attempted out on 4 animals to test its potential use for sample collection from the statistically optimal mesenteric lymph nodes; but resulted in an abortive attempt because these targets were encircled by the intestines, the pressure of which complicated the laparoscopic approach.

The effect of temperature on the development of the 1^st instar of Periplaneta australasiae (Fabr.) was studied at the four constant temperatures of 21°C, 24°C, 27°C and 30°C in temperature-controlled chambers. Mortality was 50% at 30°C, and 10% at 21°C, 24° and 27°C. Thermal constants were established by plotting linear regression to development rate. The thermal threshold for the development was 17.1°C and the thermal constant for 1^st instar larvae was 147.1 day-degrees. As "safe temperature" (t_s) - the temperature to be maintained in stores or food premises to prevent the development of a pest species - we recommend 16°C.

A five-year study was conducted to study the correlations between chemical analyses and sensory properties of wine during bottle aging. Chardonnay grapes were harvested as a normal and late harvest. After separate vinification, bottles were put in an underground cellar at12°Cand 75% of humidity. Chemical and sensory analyses were carried out after bottling (0), after 12, 24 and 36 months of bottle aging. The results of chemical and sensory evaluation show a strong correlation between a young wine bouquet and decrease in the concentration of isoamyl and 2-phenethyl acetates, and between an increase in diethyl succinate and bottle bouquet.

To evaluate the forage effects on performance and metabolic parameters, 24 Holsteins were randomly fed one of the diets containing a forage mixture with majority of alfalfa hay (AH), alfalfa silage (AS), or corn silage (CS) during the peripartum period. Milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) were recorded daily; body weight (BW) was measured and blood/urine samples were collected on day -21, 1, and 15 relative to parturition. The diets did not affect prepartum and postpartum BW changes and milk production. During the prepartum, DMI for cows fed hay was higher than for cows fed silages. During the postpartum, DMI was the highest for cows fed diet AH, followed by cows fed diets CS and AS. The diets did not affect serum glucose, Ca, P, and K concentrations. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration for cows fed diet CS was lower than for cows fed diet AS. Cows fed diet AH had the highest alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Serum cation-anion difference (SCAD) for cows fed AS was lower than for cows fed CS. Serum Ca concentration was not correlated with SCAD and ALP values, but Ca : P ratio was negatively correlated with serum K concentration. The diets did not influence urine pH and urine cation-anion difference (UCAD) value. Urine Ca concentration and Ca : P ratio for cows fed CS were higher than those for cows fed AS. Urine pH was positively correlated with urine K concentration and UCAD value. In conclusion, the forage type did not affect prepartum performance. Silage, regardless of the kind, was advantageous over hay during the postpartum.

The α-galactosides negatively affect of digestibility of grain legumes. The most effective way of α-galactosides decreasing is germination. The content of α-galactosides in chick-pea was decreased by 4 days germination up to 24% of original value in dry seeds. The 2 days germinated chick-pea seeds were treated by pressure 500 MPa for 10 minutes. The α-galactosides content was decreased by this treatment up to 31% of value before pressurisation and during 21 days storing decreased up to 7% of value before pressurisation.

Manipulation of corn seed from harvest throughout processing to disinfections is associated with seed damage. Such damage causes lower germination and germination energy. Seed damage, especially in the embryo and crown, are factors that decrease germination, especially under low temperatures. Also, damaged seed is inclined to infections by soil pathogens (Aspergillus, Pythium, Penicillium), causing seed and germ rotting. In some cases, plant density is seriously reduced by infestations so that resowing is required. Seed of five corn-inbred lines differing in form and type (A: shallow and round form of the dent type MO-17, Os6-2; B: deep and uniform of the semi-flint type B-73, Os84-28 and Os87-24) were tested for their quantity and damaged spots (crown, germ, back side and belly side). Seed damage following the manipulations ranged as follows: from 3.8 to 7.2% (harvest), from 36.2 to 52.8% (husking) and from 38.4 to 54.0% (the end of processing). Also, damage of different parts of seed following their processing was as follows: from 17.8 to 29.2% (crown), from 4.1 to 6.7% (germ), from 6.3 to 9.8% (back side) and from 5.7 to 8.3% (belly side). High negative correlation (from r = -0.620 to r = -0.960) between damage of seed and seed quality (germination energy, germination) and high positive correlation between germination energy and germination were found over the investigated years and for both lines.

The aim of the present study was to correlate the milk production and the kinetic variables in milk of cephalothin administered to goats. Twenty healthy creole goats in milk production were used. Cephalothin was administered by intravenous route (20 mg/kg b.w.). Milk samples were collected at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 12.0 hours postadministration of the antibiotic. Cephalothin concentrations were measured in milk samples by high performance liquid chromatography. The values (mean ± standard error) of milk production collected during 24 hours previous to the administration of the antibiotic were 761.5 ± 111.1 ml. The results of the kinetic variables (mean ± standard error) of cephalothin in milk were: AUC = 5.4 ± 1.6 µg/ml/h; C_max= 1.1 ± 0.3 µg/ml and t_max = 1.7 ± 0.1 h. The correlation coefficients AUC-milk production, C_max-milk production and t_max-milk production were: 0.602 (P < 0.01), 0.596 (P < 0.01) and 0.398 (P < 0.1), respectively. In conclusion, the areas under the curve and the maximum concentrations and the time to reach them in milk are in fact related to the volume of milk produced by the goats

The health state of firethorn, Pyracantha coccinea, was evaluated in different types of functional urban greenery at locations in Slovakia during 2001 (34 sites) and 2002 (18 sites). The occurrence of scab disease, caused by the fungus Spilocaea pyracanthae, was recorded. The degree of damage to firethorn fruits was evaluated; it ranged from 3.6% to 98.8% (2001) and from 9.1% to 38.5% (2002). Germination of conidia of the fungus ranged between 42 and 50% at 24-25°C after 24 h, and from 49% to 61% after 48 h. The germination of conidia collected on different parts of the plants from July to September was compared. Conidia taken from olive-green spots on fruits in September had the highest germination (53-89%).

The influence of various ways of regulation in weed infestation of silage maize stands was studied in 1999-2001. Four variants of stands were compared: 1. without weed eradication (check), 2. mechanically weeded throughout the whole vegetation period, 3. mechanically weeded from the beginning of vegetation till the phase of 5^th leaf and later on without protection, 4. chemical weeding. The yield of dry mass and morphological characters (height of plants, stem diameter, number of ears per plant etc.) show the substantial negative effect of weed infestation upon the studied parameters. The yield from the check variant reached 8.09 t/ha, from the 2^nd variant 13.24 t/ha, from the 3^rd variant 11.46 t/ha and from the 4^th variant 12.34 t/ha. The decrease of mass in individual parts of plants were observed but their percentage portions were not affected by the level of weed infestation. A high dependence ( = 0.01) between the mass of the whole plant and the ear mass (r = 0.98) was proved. The total number of leaves was not affected by the level of treatment. The results show that the mechanical cultivation of stands at the beginning of vegetation cannot prevent the yield depression cost by weed infestation and the studied parameters cannot reach the level of fully weeded variants.

The effects of feeding a high level of organic selenium on the level of selenium, antioxidative status of m. longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) and m. semimembranosus (MSM) and meat quality of pigs (defined on malignant hyperthermia status, DNA based test) were investigated. Treatments consisted in supplementation of organic selenium (0.3 mg Se/kg diet) for the last 97 days to finishing pigs (basic diet with 0.18 mg Se/kg diet) before slaughter. MLLT was further examined for pH (45 min, 24 h), colour and conductivity (24 h), drip loss (48 h) and myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI, 5 days). Chemical composition (protein, intramuscular fat) was also estimated. Concentration of Se (spectrofluorometric method) and antioxidative status (rate of oxidation by stimulation with Fe²⁺/ascorbate, production of malondialdehyde - MDA) were estimated in muscle samples obtained post mortem. The level of selenium was more than twice higher (P < 0.05) in muscles from pigs treated with higher selenium than in controls (0.377 vs. 0.922 mg/kg - MLLT and 0.377 vs. 0.836 mg/kg - MSM). The rate of oxidation was positively (P < 0.05) influenced by Se supplementation. Tendencies to lower drip losses were observed in MLLT of pigs supplemented with Se but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). We concluded that dietary organic Se supplementation (0.3 mg Se/kg diet) to basic diet (0.18 mg Se/kg diet) of finishing pigs significantly increased the selenium concentration and improved the antioxidative status of muscle tissue.

The flow properties were determined for two groups of food powders used in industry: cereal powders and non-starch powders. Materials were different in mean sizes of particles d* ranging from 0.033 mm for potato flour to 4.449 mm for oatmeal. Experiments were performed in 60 mm in diameter direct shear tester (Jenike shear tester) for four values of consolidating stress _r: 30, 60, 80 and 100 kPa. The highest values of flow function (FF) and the widest range of its variability (ranging from 0.5 kPa to 35 kPa) were found in the case of pearl barley groats. For the non-starch powders values of FF were more stable and did not exceed a limit characteristic for easy flowing materials. The highest values of FF in the group of the non-starch materials were obtained for icing sugar (from 19 kPa to 24 kPa) while the lowest found were values of FF for salt (from 3 kPa to 7 kPa). Powdered milk and potato flour showed the widest variability of FF values within the non-starch materials.

The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of nutrition on the urinary excretion of Amadori products, pyrraline and pentosidine in a dietary study involving 18 healthy volunteers. Starting with day two, participants had to avoid Maillard product containing food for a period of 7 days, followed by day nine without dietary restrictions. Samples of 24 h-urine were collected and analysed for free furosine, pyrraline and pentosidine using dedicated chromatographic methods. For all MRPs, a significant decrease in the amount excreted with urine was observed due to the MRP-free diet. Urinary excretion of free pyrraline and fructoselysine, which was calculated from furosine analysis, were lowered about 90% from 3.9 ± 1.4 mg/d to 0.4 ± 0.3 mg/d and 7.2 ± 4.1 mg/d to 0.9 ± 0.2 mg/d, respectively. Urinary excretion of free pentosidine was only in the μg/d range and its decrease added up to 50% from 7.3 ± 3.7 μg/d to 3.4 ± 1.1 μg/d. These results indicate that renal excretion of MRPs is directly affected by dietary intake of those. With respect to the daily intake via heated foods, mainly as proteinbound derivatives, pyrraline seems to be of better bioavailability than the Amadori product and pentosidine. This points to different metabolic pathways. Whereas metabolic transformation of AGEs may quantitatively be of little importance, the major part of ingested Amadori products seems to be degraded in vivo.

Flax seedlings were decapitated above the cotyledons. After one cotyledon was removed the growth of the bud of the remaining cotyledon was stronger in 90% of the plants. However, the application of the cytokinin benzyladenine (BA) to the bud of the removed cotyledon caused a growth correlative reversal and, by contrast, in 65% of the plants the bud of the removed cotyledon grew out. On the other hand, in sunflower seedlings, which have epigeal cotyledons similar to flax, after the removal of one cotyledon the growth of the axillary of the removed cotyledon was more intensive in 59% of the plants. Not even an application of BA to the remaining cotyledon of sunflower resulted in more intensive growth of the axillary of this cotyledon. When both cotyledons were left on the seedling, BA applied to one of the cotyledons of decapitated flax plants resulted in a highly significant stimulation of growth of the axillary of this cotyledon; in sunflower; however, the effect of the BA was insignificant. After decapitation of the stem of pea seedlings where both cotyledons remained, both axillaries grew out, but after a certain period of time one of them (the dominant one) achieved a growth correlative dominance over the other (inhibited). The present study is focused on whether an application of plant hormones onto the inhibited shoot is able to cause a growth correlative reversal, i.e. to change the inhibited shoot into a dominant one. The application of 0.12% BA can cause such a reversal virtually in all plants if the original difference in the length between the inhibited and dominating axillaries is 12-24 mm. A 0.12-0.5% concentration of gibberellin causes a reversal in 13-75% of the plants, but only if the difference between the dominant and inhibited shoot is 1-12 mm. A 0.03-0.25% concentration of IAA causes a reversal in 34-57% of the plants, if the difference in the length of the axillaries is 1-4 mm.

Temperatures of the northern wall, ceiling and floor of a 2 × 12 milking house as well as of a waiting area in front of the milking house were measured for 24 hours a day in the winter season with an average external daily temperature of -8.6°C. The influence of low external temperatures on the temperatures of cows' mammary glands was measured with a non-contact thermometer RAYNGER ST 6 equipped with laser. The analysis showed that the low external temperatures and insufficiently warmed external walls [average 24-hour temperatures: (t_st = +1.32°C), ceiling (t_s = +2.65°C), floor (t_p = +3.29°C)] as well as the waiting area in front of the milking house (t_d = +1.9°C) produced unsuitable temperature conditions despite of the use of heaters in the milking house, resulting in the undercooling of mammary glands and the traumatising of dairy cows. The temperatures of mammary glands of tested dairy cows were evaluated by a multifactor analysis of variance. The time and place of measuring were statistically significant on the significance level 0.05. The F -test value for the factor of time was 12.342, with probability 0.0007. The F -test value for the place of temperature measuring was 1061.979, probability 0.0000. Among the equations of curves of the dependences of teat end temperature on the milking time, the closest seemed to be the logarithmic function with determination index R² = 0.7404.

The efficacy of lidocaine, fentanyl, combination of both (2 mg/kg of lidocaine, along with fentanyl in the dose of 0.005 mg/kg) and saline (as a control) administered epidurally to 40 healthy dogs was under investigation, regarding their influence on minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of halothane. Basic vital parameters, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen and end-tidal partial pressure of CO₂ were recorded. Minimum alveolar concentration of halothane after administration of lidocaine (0.75 ± 0.24%), or the lidocaine/fentanyl combination (0.43 ± 0.08%) was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.05) compare to control group (1.15 ± 0.20%). However, we have not found significant difference in the group given fentanyl alone (0.95 ± 0.35%) compare to control group. Mutual relationship between epidurally given lidocaine and fentanyl (same route of administration) can be called as simply additive. There were no significant deviations in basic parameters within groups. We conclude that epidural administration of combination of these drugs we are able to reduce the dose of general anesthetics, which is important in management of critically ill patients.

Resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis (DC.) E. O. Speer f.sp. tritici Em. Marchal) in Aegilops crassa Boiss., Ae. ventricosa Tausch, Ae. biuncialis Vis., Ae. triuncialis L. and Ae. cylindrica Host was tested at the stage of primary leaves in the years 2000 and 2001. All plants of Ae. ventricosa, Ae. biuncialis and sample No. 9 of Ae. cylindrica repeatedly showed a susceptible reaction after being inoculated by all powdery mildew isolates used. In contrast, plants of Ae. crassa, sample No. 8 of Ae. cylindrica and all samples (No. 13, 21, 22, 24 and 26) of Ae. triuncialis were resistant to all isolates. Samples No. 5, 6, 7, 19 and 23 of Ae. cylindrica contained resistant and susceptible plants in both years. Virulence to these samples ranged from 3% to 18%. Cluster analysis using DNA microsatellite markers showed that the accessions are arranged in groups based on taxonomic relationship but not on basis of resistance. Plants susceptible to powdery mildew at the juvenile stage showed satisfactory adult plant resistance.