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Three maize inbred lines (Os86-39, Os89-35 and Os87-24) were grown in pots with Eutric Cambisol using 9 fertilisation variants (control 10 kg/ha Zn - on soil surface; 5 kg/ha - foliar application; 61 kg/ha P; 61 kg/ha P and 10 kg/ha Zn - on soil surface; 61 kg/ha P and 5 kg/ha Zn - foliar application; 183 kg/ha P; 183 kg/ha P and 10 kg/ha Zn - on soil surface; 183 kg/ha P and 5 kg/ha Zn - foliar application). The effects of phosphorus and zinc fertilisation on the dry matter yield, plant height, stalk diameter as well as phosphorus and zinc concentrations in ear-leaves were investigated. Significant differences were found between the lines in all parameters investigated except for phosphorus concentration. Line Os87-24 was characterised by the best results in the total biomass production. Zinc fertilisation decreased while phosphorus fertilisation increased total plant dry matter mass. Phosphorus fertilisation increased its concentration in the ear-leaves. Zinc fertilisation, especially foliar, resulted in Zn concentration increase in the ear-leaf of the lines investigated.

Six Trifolium pratense L. cultivars, five diploid and one tetraploid, were grown in the lowland region (123 m altitude) and the mountain region (650 m altitude). Dry matter (d.m.) and green mass (g.m.) yield, stem height and leaf proportion were assessed from each of the three growing seasons. Chemical composition was assessed from the average samples of all cuts in the second year of the experiment. Greater green mass (54.14 t/ha) and dry matter yield (9.86 t/ha), stem height (0.61 m), crude protein (157.6 g/kg), crude fiber (222.9 g/kg), crude ash (100.68 g/kg) and crude fat (30.09 g/kg) content were observed in the mountain region, compared to the lowland region (45.61 t/ha g.m. 8.92 t/ha d.m. 0.59 stem height, 156.38 g/kg crude protein, 216.6 g/kg crude fiber, 94.85 g/kg crude ash, 24.98 g/kg crude fat). The greater leaf proportion (47.2%) and nitrogen free extract content (420.13 g/kg) were observed in the lowland region compared to the mountain region (42.95% and 402.99 g/kg, respectively). A significant location × cultivar interaction was found for all investigated parameters except for leaf proportion.

We performed intensive rearing of larvae of the nase Chondrostoma nasus (L.) in a feeding experiment until 21 days from the initiation of exogenous nutrition under laboratory conditions at a temperature 26°C. Two dry starter feeds (a feed for salmonids and a starter feed of the artificial plankton type) differing in the composition of nutrients (50% and 60% of proteins, 12% and 16% of fat, respectively) and natural food (Artemia salina nauplii) were used. Cumulative survival rate, individual weight (w), total length (TL), specific weight growth rate (SWGR), specific length growth rate (SLGR) and condition factor (CF) were assessed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical processing of data. High survival rate 99.3% and the highest (P < 0.01) growth rate of nase larvae (TL = 22.0 mm, w = 69.2 mg) were found when feeding the natural food. The application of dry feed of the artificial plankton type resulted in higher survival (98.8%) and significantly higher (P < 0.01) growth of both length and weight (TL = 17.5 mm, w = 42.5 mg) compared to the nase fed with dry feed for salmonids (survival rate 77.3%, TL = 15.9 mm, w = 24.5 mm). In the course of the experiment the value of Fulton’s coefficient increased from initial 0.57 to 0.79 in fish fed with artificial plankton to 0.65 in fish fed with natural food and to 0.61 if dry feed for salmonids was used. We conclude that with an appropriate starter feed the successful intensive rearing of larval nase can be carried out under controlled conditions.

We investigated 3 985 individually housed hens of five original laying lines of two breeds RIR and BPR. The proportion of abnormal eggs out of the eggs laid before the age of 240 days ranged between 7.0% and 9.7%, in dependence on the line. The average number of cracked eggs ranged between 2.5% and 4.4%, double-yolk eggs between 2.2% and 3.0% and shell-less eggs between 2.0% and 2.7%. The correlation between the number of eggs laid at the beginning of the laying period and during the period of observation, and the frequency of double-yolk eggs was positive (r_P = 0.00 to r_P = 0.21) and mostly statistically highly significant (P < 0.01). On the other hand, statistically highly significant negative correlations (P < 0.01) were found between the number of eggs laid during the period of observation and the frequency of cracked eggs, where the correlations in the individual lines ranged between r_P = -0.04 and r_P = -0.23. Positive correlations, mostly statistically highly significant (P < 0.01), were found between the number of eggs laid during the period of observation and the frequency of shell-less eggs (r_P = 0.00 to r_P = 0.15). With the increasing weight of eggs the frequency of abnormal eggs also increased, in particular of double-yolk eggs (r_P = 0.08 to r_p= 0.32), for the most part statistically highly significantly (P < 0.01). The correlations between the individual types of abnormal eggs were positive. Statistically highly significant correlations (P < 0.01) were discovered between the frequency of double-yolk eggs and cracked eggs (r_P = -0.02 to r_p= 0.22) on the one hand and, between double-yolk eggs and shell-less eggs (r_P = 0.16 to r_P = 0.24) on the other.

Computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis has improved the assessment of sperm morphology, but the results depend on the use of adequate evaluation and staining procedures of spermatozoa from individual species. In this study, the morphological module of the Sperm Class Analyzer®was used for the morphometric analysis of stallion sperm heads and midpieces. Semen samples were obtained from six fertile stallions in order to evaluate the influence of three staining procedures (Diff-Quik, Hemacolor and Harris' Haematoxylin) on the accuracy of image processing and sperm morphometry, and the effect of the sample size on sperm morphometric measurements. Harris' Haematoxylin was the staining technique of choice on the accuracy of the image processing with an optimum contrast of sperm cells with the surrounding background that allows an efficient boundary detection and segmentation which results in the highest proportion of sperm heads and midpieces assessed (80.47%). The results indicate that the staining methods affected significantly the sperm dimensions with increased values from Diff-Quik than Hemacolor and Harris' Haematoxylin respectively (Diff-Quik > Hemacolor > Harris' Haematoxylin). No differences in morphometric parameters were found when 100, 150, 175 or 200 spermatozoa were analysed. In conclusion, to obtain objective and accurate sperm morphometric measurements by the Sperm Class Analyzer® system in the stallion, it's recommended the analysis of 100 spermatozoa from slides which have been previously stained with Harris' Haematoxylin.

The protective (ENT1) and therapeutic (ENT2) effects of enterocin A (Ent), produced by Enterococcus faecium EK13, against Salmonella enterica serovar Dusseldorf SA31 was determined in a model of gnotobiotic Japanese quails. Twenty-one 3 days old birds were divided into 3 groups of equal size; (ENT1, ENT2 and control group - CG). They were experimentally infected with SA31 (10⁷ cfu/ml) per os. For the group ENT1, Ent A (200 µl of 25 600 AU/ml) was administered 8 h before infection with SA31 strain and for the group ENT2, treatment with Ent A was administered 8 h after infection; CG was infected with SA31 and not treated with Ent A. Sampling of the feces was performed 8, 24, 48 and 168 h after infection. At the end of the experiment also the content of the caecum and ileum was analyzed. A log 1.37 reduction of SA31 colonization in feces of the group ENT1 was found after 8 h in comparison with CG. After 24 h, a significant difference in SA31 colonization was observed when comparing CG and ENT2. After 48 h, a lower colonization of SA31 was found in both groups which continued until the end of the experiment (168 h). At the same time, reduction of Salmonella enterica serovar Dusseldorf was detected in the content of the caecum (2.44 log) and ileum (3.16 log) in ENT2 but not in ENT 1 when compared with control group. These observations indicate stronger therapeutic effect of Ent A than prophylactic one in the digestive tract of gnotobiotic Japanese quails.

The paper deals with the determination of the rate of damage by deer barking and browsing, the subsequent rot caused by Stereum sanguinolentum and the rate of its progress, elucidates causes of damage and quantifies volume and financial losses in the region of Forest Range Mořkov, Forest District Frenštát pod Radhoštěm. In the most damaged 2^nd age class, decay by Stereum sanguinolentum was recorded in 59% of damaged trees. The progress of rot ranged from 1 to 70 cm/year. The high number of red deer is considered to be the main reason of extensive damage by bark stripping in the Forest Range Mořkov. The actual financial loss caused by depreciation of wood by the rot is greatest in the 5^th age class amounting to CZK 64,320 per ha.

The paper continues the debate over the nature and the role of social capital in the Czech agriculture. This issue is not marginal because social capital is also emphasized in the Czech SAPARD Plan. The paper develops the thoughts of J. Chloupková and C. Bjřrnskov published in this journal in their paper "Could social capital help Czech agriculture?" (No. 6 in 2002). Differing form mentioned authors, this paper coins dual nature of understanding social capital. This understanding forms the background of the concept of social capital in the works of French sociologist P. Bourdieu. Dual concept of social capital interconnects the most often use of understanding social capital as coined by such authors like R. Putnam or J. Coleman (social capital is understood as supra-personal collective element enabling the co-ordination of activities of free individuals with equal rights thus enabling the effective operation of certain system as a collective entity) with understanding of social capital related to social status of an individual which creates the hierarchies related to power thus enabling an individual to achieve his/her goals. Using empirical data and the case study, the paper outlines the application of dual understanding of social capital in the analysis of some processes in the Czech farming. Dual concept of social capital enables to explain some circumstances, which might be in the case of one-way orientation of understanding social capital presented in rather simplified way (e.g. if and what form of social capital was weak or destroyed in the Czech agriculture and which continues to exist). This fact is documented through the case study of the changes inside large-scale farms and outside these farms (in the field of their external relations). This study documents the presence of both forms (dual concept) of social capital. Similarly, the dual concept of social capital is used in the analysis of social structure of the Czech agriculture. It is done in the comparison with the model of agriculture in European Union and in the projections into the questions of the action of actors in agriculture.

Processing of milk for higher value-added products and milk food chain safety require prevention of higher occurrence of microorganisms that can produce spores. It is important to carry out prevention already during raw milk production by farm hygienic measures. The above-mentioned microorganisms can jeopardize the quality and safety of milk foods. This is the reason why the knowledge of factors, interrelationships and possibilities of milk contamination is assumed. The occurrence of hygienically important groups of microorganisms in mixed rough fodder (F) in feeding trough, in excrements (E) and in bulk milk (M) was investigated on seven farms with a good level of milk yield, management and hygienic conditions for three years in summer (S) and winter (W) feeding seasons. The data set was well balanced in terms of other possible farm factors (such as height above sea level, breed of dairy cows and so on). In total 70 samples of each mentioned material were collected. The investigations were focused on counts of thermoresistant bacteria (TRB), total counts of bacilli (TBA), frequency of occurrence of Bacillus cereus (BCE) and Bacillus licheniformis (BLI), and counts of other bacilli (OBA) in all mentioned materials and on the frequency of occurrence of main mastitis pathogens Streptococcus agalactiae (SAG) and Staphylococcus aureus (SAU) in milk. The means of parameters did not exceed the defined standard limits, in particular in raw milk that was suitable for direct human consumption in raw state or for processing for milk products without heat treatment according to relevant EU food legislation. The variabilities of hygienic parameters were relatively high: from 179% (TBA) to 315% (TRB) in F; from 178% (BLI) to 350% (TRB) in E; from 117% (TBA) to 459% (SAG) in M. S increased TRB in F (P > 0.05). Counts of bacilli were well balanced between S and W. S increased BLI in E (P < 0.05), an opposite trend was observed in BCE. The season did not influence SAG and SAU in M. Higher (P ≤ 0.01) counts of BCE were in S, the trend was opposite for BLI (P ≤ 0.05). The season effect on the occurrence of technologically and hygienically difficult microorganisms was not confirmed in general for M, F and E of dairy cows. Regression analysis of the investigated parameters was done. There were significant positive correlations between bacilli and TRB in F as well as in E (correlation coefficients from 0.32 to 0.65; P ≤ 0.01). The relationships between TRB and occurrence of bacilli in M were less close (0.30; P ≤ 0.05) than in F and E. No significant relationships were found between TRB and occurrence of main mastitis pathogens in milk (SAG r = -0.14 and SAU r = 0.11; both P > 0.05). It confirmed the high pasteurization efficiency at liquidation of mentioned pathogens. The relationship SAU × SAG in M was 0.23 (P < 0.05). It suggests a simultaneous effect of dairy cow health state on the occurrence of both pathogens. The majority of significant relationships (from 0.26 to 0.76; from P ≤ 0.05 to P ≤ 0.001) was in F × E within TRB, BLI, OBA and TBA. 7% to 58% of the changes in E were dependent on changes in F. The occurrences

An in vitro method was used to determine ruminal degradability of starch (IVRDS) in a set of cereal grains. The set included 9 feed samples, including 2 samples of ground wheat, 2 samples of wheat treated with sodium hydroxide, ground barley, barley treated with sodium hydroxide, 2 samples of ground oats and ground maize. Ruminal degradability of starch was assayed by the feed fermentation for 2, 4, 6, 16 and 24 hours. A significant difference in starch degradability was found between treated and untreated ground samples after 2-hour fermentation (13.73 ± 3.12 vs. 32.77 ± 8.17; P < 0.001), 4-hour fermentation (33.44 ± 7.31 vs. 60.30 ± 16.71; P < 0.001) and 6-hour fermentation (42.63 ± 7.13 vs. 74.20 ± 6.38; P < 0.001). On the basis of the rate of ruminal degradability of starch the order of cereal grains was as follows (from the highest to the lowest value): ground oats, ground wheat, ground barley, ground maize, wheat and barley treated with sodium hydroxide.

In the years 1999-2000, I studied damage to transplants in the planting and wildlings in the natural seeding at the locality Zamrlô in the Starohorské vrchy Mts. (750-1,000 m a.s.l., NE exposure, forest type Abieto-Fagetum). Damage to the woody plants by the mammals and birds in the planting was much higher (14%) than in the natural seeding (7%). All woody plant species were also more damaged in the planting (spruce 16%, larch 9%, fir 24%, beech 10%, and sycamore 10%) than in the natural seeding (spruce 7%, larch 6%, fir 10%, beech 7%, and sycamore 9%). There were found 8 mammals that damaged woody plants both in the planting and natural seeding (Apodemus sp., Capreolus capreolus L., Cervus elaphus L., Clethrionomys glareolus SCHREB., Lepus europaeus L., Microtus agrestis L., Microtus arvalis PALL., Sciurus vulgaris L.). Only one bird species was found to damage woody plants in the planting and natural seeding (Tetrao urogallus L.).

Commercial by supplied triacylglycerols and synthesized triacylglycerols were used in this project. Analysed triacylglycerols with the range of carbon number (CN) 24-54 consisted of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Two capillary columns were used in the analyses of triacylglycerols, namely non-polar (Optima^®-1-TG) and medium polar (Optima^®-17-TG) types. In this study the effectiveness of separation (A) of triacylglycerols with different carbon number values, (B) of triacylglycerols with different unsaturation degree, (C) of positional isomers were determined and further possibilities to separate another lipid compounds were analysed. The column Optima^®-17-TG separates TAG according to the degree of unsaturation while the column Optima^®-1-TG separates saturated and unsaturated TAG. High temperature capillary gas chromatography was used to determine changes in triacylglycerol composition during the transesterification of structured fats.

In 1998-2000 the effect of fertilization on the quantity, stratification of root phytomass and yields of dry mass on mesophyte meadow stands was studied. The root dry matter in the soil depth of 0.0-0.25 m was oscillated and the extreme values in individual samplings were found in 1998 (402-702 g/m²). In 1999 and 2000 the oscillating minimum and maximum values of dry root phytomass in all were 418-622 g/m², 423-678 g/m²,respectively. The mean values of dry root mass in unfertilized treatments ranged from 484 to 540 g/m². PK increased the values insubstantially (507-565 g/m²). The higher nitrogen dose (200 kg/ha) decreased predominantly the total quantity of dry root phytomass by 36-102% was found in the control treatments, compared in the yield of dry harvestable above-ground mass. In the systematic P₄₀K₁₀₀ fertilization the root weight in slightly moistenyears (1998 and 2000) was by 18-70% higher in comparison with the dry year 1999 when the root mass was 24% less. In the fertilization 200 kg/ha N(+PK) in the first two years of studies the root phytomass was less by 12% and 38% compared with the yield of the dry meadow fodder. The mean representation of root phytomass in the soil layer 0.0-0.1 m was in 1999-2000 in the control and PK treatments nearly the same, and created 88% from the total quantity. N(+PK) fertilization caused the displacement of the root phytomass towards the surface.

In the present study we aimed to compare the arterial and venous plasma ammonia in dairy cows with fatty liver and hepatic failure. 75 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were used in the investigation. Clinical examinations revealed liver failure in 14 cows (group LF). Diagnosis of hepatic failure was based on the clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy, including anorexia, depressed consciousness, ataxia, somnolence, and coma, and on venous plasma ammonia >35 µmol/l. The other cows were divided according to their liver triglyceride content (wet tissue) into the following groups: low triglycerides (LT) < 30 mg/g (n = 24), medium triglycerides (MT) 30-100 mg/g (n = 31), and high triglycerides (HT) >100 mg/g (n = 6). Both arterial and venous plasma ammonia levels were highest in cows with hepatic failure (93.0 ± 44.9 and 70.4 ± 34.1 µmol/l, respectively). We observed that arterial ammonia was significantly higher than venous ammonia (p < 0.01) only in the dairy cows suffering from liver failure, implying a higher informative value of arterial ammonia in detection of liver function damage in cattle demonstrating signs of hepatic encephalopathy.

The objectives of this study were to assess post-hatch development of chickens treated in ovo with the aromatase inhibitor YM511. A total of 137 eggs coming from artificially inseminated hens were at first injected in the albumen with either DMSO alone (54 eggs injected, control group) or with DMSO + aromatase inhibitor (YM511, 1 mg/egg, 83 eggs injected, treated group) and then incubated under standard conditions. Out of the 24 chicks hatched in the treated group, 16 were genetic males (ZZ) and 8 were genetic females (ZW). By 26 weeks of age, secondary sex characteristics of females (cloaca, comb, wattles, song, feathers of hackle and tail) progressively transformed into a male phenotype. Using CT-scanner technology in these 8 birds, the presence of irregular testis-like masses positioned in the antero-ventral portion of the kidneys was observable, an indication that reproductive organs had also been affected by the treatment.

The study is already the 5^th account on the production potential and stability of mixed forest stands in uplands. A spruce/beech stand established in the mid-30s of the 20^thcentury is assessed. The stand is situated at an altitude of 470 m and since 1960, it is left to its spontaneous development. At that time, the stand was characterized as a silviculturally neglected dense spruce young growth to a small pole-stage stand with an admixture of beech (spruce 71%, beech 13%). In the course of 41 years, spruce proportion in the stand without intentional thinning measures decreased from 71 to 56% and, vice versa, beech proportion increased from 13 to 31%. Present dominant and co-dominant position of spruce in the stand, its health condition and development in recent years indicate that the ecosystem under evaluation is stabilized fulfilling all functions on the given site at an age of 65 years. The stand is permanently fully stocked and its initial standing volume of 109 m³/ha at an age of 24 years in 1960 increased to 560 m³/ha at an age of 65 years in 2001.

The effects on reproduction of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) were investigated in three experiments conducted under controlled conditions, carp pituitary (at the dose of 4 mg/kg body weight) or Ovopel - a preparation that contains a mammalian GnRH analogue D-Ala6,Pro9NEt-mGnRH (1 pellet/kg body weight) and dopamine receptor antagonist metoclopramide (10 mg/kg) being used as ovulation stimulators. The application of Ovopel induced the statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher weight of eggs per kg female body weight and the statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher quality of eggs after 24 h incubation in comparison with the effects of hypophysation. No effect of the experiment on the weight or quality of obtained eggs was determined while the interaction between the experiment and the ovulation stimulator was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) with respect to the percentage of egg fertilization. Statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) correlation was found between the percentage of egg fertilization and that of living embryos, the determined correlation coefficient being higher after the application of Ovopel than after the carp pituitary homogenate.

The present study was designed to compare the efficiency of bovine embryo production for cryopreservation between oocytes collected from donors in the growth phase of follicular development (GPFD) and those recovered from donors in the undefined phase (UPFD). Cyclic cows, Czech Siemental or Holstein dairy breeds, 4-6 years of age, slaughtered at the local abbatoir were used. They were divided into two groups based on ovarian morphology: I. GPFD donors with ovaries corresponding to the growth phase of the first follicular wave (estrus cycle days 3-4; n = 52), and II. UPFD donors with ovaries in any other phase of follicular development (undefined estrus cycle days; n = 89). A total of 3 771 oocytes were collected and 1 134 embryos were prepared as two separate populations by standard protocol. In total 352 excellent or good quality embryos at the early, advanced or expanded blastocyst stage from both donor groups were pooled and used for cryotolerance assessment. They were frozen on day 7 (D7) or day 8 (D8) after fertilization by the standard procedure. After thawing, the embryos were cultured for 72 h to the hatching stage. The percentages of both D7 embryos and advanced blastocysts were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) for oocytes collected from GPFD donors than for oocytes collected from UPFD donors (33.7 vs 28.6% and 43.0 vs 29.5%, respectively). The percentages of excellent or good quality embryos obtained from both D7 embryos and fertilized oocytes were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) for oocytes collected from GPFD donors than for oocytes collected from UPFD donors (63.6 vs 49.4% and 21.4 vs 14.1%, respectively). The post-thaw survival rates were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) for D7 than D8 embryos (80.4 vs 66.3%). In relation to the developmental stage, the development and hatching rates were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) for D7 than D8 early blastocysts (75.0 vs 41.2% and 50.0 vs 5.9%, respectively) and for D7 than D8 advanced blastocysts, (73.7 vs 57.1 and 52.6 vs 28.6%, respectively). No differences were found between D7 and D8 expanded blastocysts after freezing-thawing. In conclusion, the collection of oocytes from donors in the growth phase positively influenced the in vitro production of bovine embryos for cryopreservation. The development of embryos produced with oocytes from GPFD donor group was accelerated and more excellent and good advanced blastocysts with greater cryotolerance were produced on day 7 after fertilization, as compared to embryos produced with oocytes from the UPFD donor group.

Nowadays soils for vegetable growing are poor in humus because the possibility of using stable dung is limited. The application of Lignofert organic carbonaceous fertilizer made of ground lignite seems to be a solution. It is intended as a fertilizer for the field or greenhouse growing of vegetables, as a component to composts, soil substrates and likewise. Lignofert effects on the formation of lettuce yield, weight of heads and NaNO₃ content were studied in 2003 to 2005. Head lettuce grown in a greenhouse and in field conditions was a biological material. Average lettuce yields and average weight of heads in 2005 were statistically highly significantly higher in variants with Lignofert in comparison with the control variant grown in the greenhouse and in the field. The Lignofert effect on nitrate content in lettuce heads was not proved statistically.

Frost cracks which originated in birch due to bending during long-term icing in winter 1995/1996 became the place of entrance for the attack of birch stems by Piptoporus betulinus (Bull. ex Fr.) Karst. and subsequently for one of the causes of birch stand disintegration in the Krušné hory Mts. The hypothesis is substantiated on the basis of regularities of the frost crack dispersion in the stem profile, frequency of occurrence related to the stand age, altitude and cardinal points. The number of frost cracks increased with the transect profile altitude 700-850 m. One crack on the birch stem predominated (73%) while the higher number of frost cracks occurred at altitudes > 800 m. In stands younger than 20 years, frost crack damage was higher (34-47%) than in older stands (14%). Frost cracks occurred in the lower part of stems with the highest bending stress.

At the end of nineties, within the mountain forests of the Krušné hory Mts., in connection with an increased acid deposition, the symptoms (yellowing) started to be visible, characterizing magnesium deficiency in the assimilation organs, when Mg contents were laying under 300 mg/kg. In mineral soil the Mg content is mostly less than 10 mg/kg. Contents of other basic elements (Ca, K) were also very low. During four years yellowing symptoms of the spruce stands have developed in an extent area of more that 10,000 ha. Since 1999, preventive measures have been adopted to improve the nutrition status of the forest stands. Liquid magnesium fertilizers as MgNsol, Lamag Mg, MgSsol were applied during the period of 1999-2002. Since 2001, in semi-operational experiment, powder Mg fertilizer - Silvamix F4 - of higher Mg content (63.3% MgO) was applied. Application of liquid fertilizer MgNsol has helped to compensate the nitrogen deficiency in the stands of insufficient nutrition in this element. Comparing of different types of liquid fertilizers has confirmed, that the highest increase of magnesium in assimilation organs was find in combined application of MgNsol and MgSsol fertilizers. Application of 300 kg/ha Silvamix F4 has increased the magnesium content in the first needle year class in 73% in average, potassium in 33%, calcium in 16%, and phosphorus in 85%. Besides increased nutrient content in needles also improvement of the health and phosphorus in 85%. Besides increased nutrient content in needles also improvement of the health state, i.e. revitalization of the stands affected can be observed.

Food safety is important due to new protection measurements applied in the growing world trade as much as the raise and continuity of life quality. In recent years, the countries have begun to face with important problems both in domestic consumption and exportation, because of the sensitivity of consumers on the safety of food products. Regarding this, in the dairy industry, which is an important sub sector of the food industry, the food safety issues has begun to gain importance in developing countries like the developed ones as a result of the world trade. Therefore the aim of this study can be stated as examining the food safety systems for dairy industry and comparing them withTurkey.

In 2001-2004 virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in the Czech Republic was studied on Thatcher near-isogenic lines with Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr10, Lr11, Lr15, Lr17, Lr19, Lr21, Lr23, Lr24, Lr26 and Lr28. Samples of leaf rust (180 in total) were obtained from different parts of the Czech Republic. Resistance genes Lr9 and Lr19 were effective to all tested isolates like in the previous years. Unlike the previous years virulence on Lr24 and Lr28 was observed. Relatively effective were also Lr1, Lr2a, Lr24, Lr28 and Lr2b. Other Lr genes were defeated by the majority of the tested samples. Our results transformed to the numbers of physiologic races indicate that race 61SaBa prevailed like in the previous years, followed by races 61, 2, 12SaBa, 2SaBa, 14, 77SaBa, 12, 57, 6, 53, 53SaBa, 77, and 14SaBa. Twenty-one winter wheat cultivars registered in 2001-2004 were tested with 8 leaf rust isolates. Out of them 15 showed resistance at least to one rust isolate. High resistance recorded in field trials for cvs Batis and Ilias, which were susceptible to all tested rust isolates at the seedling stage, demonstrates the importance of field (partial) resistance.

Seeds are the primary sinks for photosynthates during reproductive growth. Variation in light intercepted during and after seed initiation has been found a major environmental determinant of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merrill] seed size. We investigated the influence of light enrichment and shading on seed growth rate, effective filling, cotyledon cell number, cell volume and endogenousABA concentrations of cotyledons/testas during seed filling of soybean. Evans, an indeterminate Group 0 soybean, was subjected to light reduction and enrichment treatments from the beginning of pod formation until final harvest for two years inMassachusetts. Higher rates of seed growth, greater seed dry weight, and higher cotyledon cell number were all observed with light enrichment. There was a reduction in seed growth rate and cotyledon cell number, along with a significant lowering of endogenousABA levels in testa and cotyledon with shade. The level ofABAin cotyledon during seed development was significantly correlated with seed growth rates only under shade treatments. Both the growth rates and seed filling duration were influenced by variation in light interception by the soybean canopy. The effects of varying light treatment on seed size, within one genotype, were most likely due to the differences in seed growth rate and cotyledon cell number.

26 herds with 71 586 individual records were used. We tested a hypothesis that milk efficiency was influenced by the elevation of the farm, housing system, breed, area of altitude, and by the cooling of dairy cows. There were 20 herds from lowlands and 6 herds from mountains, 20 herds from free-stall housing, 6 herds from tie-stall housing. 8 herds consisted of Slovakian Pied cattle, 4 herds of Red Holstein cattle, 11 herds of Black-Pied Lowland cattle and 3 herds of Slovakian Pinzgau cattle. The herds were divided into 4 groups according to the nearest meteorological station, and they were distributed according to the type of cooling. 10 herds were cooled by misting, 16 herds by fans. We recorded from 96 to 117 summer days and from 49 to 63 tropical days in lowlands for this summer period. Ninety days with temperature-humidity index (THI) above 72.0 were found in the lowest-elevation area. During 55 days we recorded the values higher than 78.0. Production of milk was higher in lowlands than in mountains (8 761.4 kg vs. 6 372.0 kg; P < 0.01). Differences were also recorded in the evaluation of fat and protein production (346.0 kg vs. 275.9 kg; P < 0.01; 282.6 kg vs. 205.9 kg; P < 0.001). Milk and protein production was higher in free-stall housing than in tie-stall housing (8 656.3 kg vs. 6 722.1 kg; P < 0.05; 278.7 kg vs. 218.9 kg; P < 0.05). The highest milk production was recorded in Black-Pied Lowland cattle (8 832.7 kg) and the lowest in dairy cows of Slovakian Pinzgau cattle (6 058.0 kg). The mist cooling of dairy cows increased (P < 0.05) the amount of produced milk and protein (9 234.4 kg vs. 7 569.7 kg; 293.5 kg vs. 247.1 kg).

The effect of environmental conditions on hatching indices of poultry eggs is sufficiently important that new methods for their improvement are sought, among others through exposing the eggs during hatching to an artificially generated magnetic field of variable frequency. Hatching eggs in this study came from Pharaoh quail in the 4th month of laying. The flock was kept under optimum microclimate conditions and fed a complete feed mix containing 21% total protein and 11.7 MJ ME. The eggs (n = 150), after weighing, were divided into 3 groups equal in respect of numbers: control (I) and two experimental (II and III). The eggs of group II and III were exposed to the action of variable magnetic field of the same intensity but different times of application. The highest percentage of dead embryos during incubation in relation to fertilised eggs was found in control group (11.36%), while the smallest was from group II (4.17%). The highest value of hatching indices calculated in relation to fertilised eggs was found in group II (91.6%), while the smallest was in group III (83.7%) with 86.3% in control group. The results point to the possibility of increasing egg hatchability indices through the use of additional variable magnetic field. The chicks hatched from eggs exposed to the action of this experimental agent had similar body weight. The average weight of one-day-old chicks ranged from 7.82 g (group II) to 8.05 g (group III). In the last week of rearing, mean body weight in both sexes was similar and ranged from 168 (group I) to 172 g (group III) in males, and from 186 g (group I) to 199 g (group III) in females; these differences were not statistically significant. The females of group III reached sexual maturity at 41 days, this being one and three days (non-significantly) earlier than birds in group I and II.

In 16 male dogs who suffered from perineal hernia, polypropylene mesh was used to close a defect in the pelvic diaphragm. Pelvic bone was drilled on the pelvic floor and mesh was sutured through holes by polypropylene suture. Strong pelvic diaphragm, good long-term results and time-sparing by this technique was achieved. Suture sinuses were developed in two dogs one month postoperatively. Objectives of this study were to describe a new alternative technique of perineal herniorraphy and postoperative possible complications. Weakness of internal obturator muscle flap is complication which can be observed during transposition of internal obturator muscle flap. This technique can be used when internal obturator muscle flap is weak like the operation of the first choice.

An outbreak of tuberculosis among bovines and pigs caused by Mycobacterium caprae is described in this paper. After tuberculin skin tests with bovine purified protein derivates (PPD) six cattle and one sow, own by a small family farm, tested positive whilst three pigs were suspected in 2004. All animals were euthanised and checked for gross pathological lesions. Generalised lesions were found in five cattle and two sows; however one calf and two gilts had lesions that were localised in the submandibular lymph nodes. Mycobacteria were isolated from tissue samples of six cattle and four pigs. Mycobacterial isolates were identified using classical biochemical tests and molecular methods (PCR, GenoType MTBC) as M. caprae. Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit (MIRU) typing of isolated mycobacteria showed an identical number of repeats in 12 different loci. Results of the research confirmed the domination of M. caprae among infected cattle in Croatia; however this paper was the first to confirm a case of M. caprae in pigs. The source of the infection was not found.

The effects of different levels of bud loading on the yield and some leaf and fruit characteristics in Hayward cultivar (A. deliciosa) in the province of Ordu, Turkey were examined during two growing seasons in 2000-2001. Six years old kiwifruit vines were pruned to carry the loads of 120, 180, 240 or 300 buds/vine on the canes with 12 buds. The study determined probable total leaf area (PTLA), probable total leaf number (PTLN), probable total leaf weight (PTLW) and yield per vine. Mean fruit weight (MFW) and soluble solid contents (SSC, %) of fruits were expressed. In addition, unit leaf area/100 g fruit weight (ULA/FW) was calculated. Leaf characteristics were examined in 3 periods of the growing season. Correlations between yield, leaf and fruit characteristics and treatments were determined. The result of the experiment, namely mean leaf area (MLA), mean leaf weight (MLW), PTLA, PTLN, PTLW ranged between 185.51-194.17 cm², 7.98-8.67 g, 21.047-58.61 m²/vine, 1,129.6-3,035.3 number/vine, 9.04-25.68 kg/vine, respectively. The mean yields of vines loaded with 120 and 300 buds were 34.84 and 100.96 kg/vine (12.19 and 35.34 ton/ha), respectively. Mean leaf area and mean leaf weight increased with increasing levels of bud loading, whereas MFW and ULA/FW decreased. There was a negative relationship between MFW, SSC and yield, and a positive relationship between MLA, PTLA and yield. ULA/FW ratio was between 581.88-611.54 cm² according to the bud loading level. Fruit size diminished as a consequence of dense canopies in both levels of bud loading (120 and 300 buds/vine). Unit leaf area per fruit weight ranged between 581.88-611.54 cm²/100 g, with respect to the bud loading applications. Increasing levels of bud loading resulted in reduced ULA/FW ratio and affected yield and some leaf and fruit characteristics.