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The article summarizes recent developments in the field of knowledge management and its vital influence on strategic management. Knowledge has become a resource of key importance with regard to the competitive advantage of a business. It thus strengthens the resource-based view of competitive advantage and develops it further by providing guidelines for developing, storing, and sharing knowledge within a business with the use of the concept of organisational learning. Tacit and explicit knowledge is distinguished in order to differentiate their contribution towards the competitiveness of a business. Based on these developments major trends affecting current development of strategic management are defined as well as recommendations drawn from the experience of leading subjects in the field.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is the most important grass species used in temperate grassland agriculture. Our objective was to obtain an overview of the genetic relationships between 20 individual genotypes of perennial ryegrass of diverse origins, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and two sets of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. All 20 individuals were uniquely fingerprinted by all four marker systems and comparisons were made on the basis of 85 markers each. Mean genetic similarities were estimated at 0.31, 0.43, 0.23 and 0.15 for AFLPs, ISSRs, RAPDs and SSRs, respectively. Cophenetic values resulted in good (AFLP and SSR-B = 0.88) to moderately good fits (ISSR = 0.76, RAPD = 0.70, and SSR-A = 0.79). Comparing the four marker systems to each other, AFLP and SSR-A were correlated best (r = 0.57). All other comparisons revealed rather low correlation coefficients in the Mantel Z test. With twice as many markers cophenetic values increased to a very good fit for AFLPs (0.90) and SSRs (0.92).

Carbon and nitrogen transformations in soil are microbially mediated processes that are functionally related. The fate of C and N was monitored in a clay-textured soil (Typic Haplocambid) which was either unamended (control) or amended with various plant materials at the rate of 10 g residue C/kg soil. To evaluate C mineralization, soils were incubated for 46 days under aerobic conditions. Nitrogen mineralization/immobilization was evaluated at the end of eight-week incubation experiment. All CO₂ evolution data conformed well to a first-order kinetic model, C_m = C₀ (1 - e^-Kt). The product of K and C₀ (KC₀) was significantly correlated with some chemical and biochemical properties of the plant residues, including N concentration (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), C:N (r = -0.64, P < 0.05) and lignin:N (r = -0.81, P < 0.001). Among the plant residue composition characteristics, N concentration (r = 0.96, P < 0.001), C:N (r = -0.69, P < 0.01) and lignin:N (r = -0.68, P < 0.01) were significantly correlated with the net rates of N mineralization/immobilization (N_m/i).

Uptake of mineral nutrients in chickpea cultivars might be an important response in drought tolerance. An experiment under controlled conditions was carried out to study the genotypic response of 11 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars to drought and its relations with N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn and B uptake and uptake efficiency. Plants were grown either optimal or drought stress implemented at pre- (early drought stress, EDS) and post-anthesis (late drought stress, LDS) stages. Growth reduction of the cultivars as a response to drought significantly differed. The results of the study indicated that EDS had less detrimental effects on growth and nutrient uptake than LDS conditions. In general, drought tolerant chickpea cultivars accumulated more N, P, K, Ca, Zn, Mn and B in both drought stress treatments except for Zn and Mn uptake in LDS treatment. The total nutrient uptake efficiency of the cultivars were also very significantly correlated with the growth reduction ration (GR) both in EDS and LDS treatments giving correlation coefficients (r) of -7859 and -0.7678, p < 0.01, respectively.

Ultraweak photon emission measurements were found to be a useful tool for investigating the influence of stress factors on cells. In the present study, induced photon emission of boar spermatozoa was investigated using a luminometer during a 12-day storage at 15°C in Biosolwens extender. It was shown that the day of storage had a significant effect on some photon emission parameters. During storage, a significant increase in the Integral, Peak max. and Slope max. parameters and a decline in the T.-half (fall) parameter were observed. A significant correlation was observed between photon emission parameters and sperm motility. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that the measurement of induced photon emission can be an alternative, sensitive and relatively simple method for assessing the effect of preservation on oxidative damage to boar spermatozoa.

At present the laying hen rearing is transformed into alternative housing systems which include a deep litter system. As for the poultry nutrition, the replacement of animal protein with vegetable protein in poultry feed is applied. Therefore, in an experiment we evaluated the quality of eggs from laying hens in the cage system as compared to the deep litter system with vegetable protein substituted for animal protein in their feed. 72 ISA Brown laying hens were placed into the experiment. 36 laying hens were kept in the deep litter system and 36 laying hens were kept in conventional cages for laying hens. For the period of 9 months, 36 eggs from the group in the deep litter system were examined, always at intervals of five weeks (i.e. 8 × 36 eggs) and so were 36 eggs from the group in the cage system (i.e. 8 × 36 eggs). We found out that in the deep litter system the mean egg weight was higher (P < 0.01), shell weight was lower (P < 0.01), egg albumen was higher (P < 0.01), yolk weight did not differ (P > 0.05), yolk cholesterol was higher (P < 0.01), yolk colour was darker (P < 0.05), shell strength did not differ (P > 0.05), all in comparison with the cage system of laying hen keeping. The results of the experiment show that where vegetable protein was substituted for animal protein in the nutrition of laying hens, there were differences in the quality of eggs from laying hens kept in the deep litter system and eggs from laying hens kept in the cage system.

The aim of this study was to reveal morphological and morphometrical properties of the sacculus rotundus (SR) and ileum in the Angora rabbit. For this purpose, a total of thirteen adult healthy Angorarabbits of both sexes were used. At the level of the junction of the ileum and SR, the ileum invaginated into the SR by protruding in 9 Angorarabbits, but joined directly the SR in 21. Numerous aggregate lymph follicles located just under the tunica serosa formed outstanding macroscopic polygonal areas on the external surface of the SR. In the inner wall of the SR, irregular projections were seen grossly. The saccorotundocecal orifice was found to be bordered laterally by two folds facing the cecum. These folds enclosed small polygonal spaces with mushroom shaped protrusions. The mean lengths and weights of SR and ileum in male were larger than those in female, and the related values also had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with the ileum, the SR had short and thick villi, had a large amount of crypts and aggregated lymphoid follicles, and had a much thicker wall and much wider lumen. The crescent-like-hollows were detected between the lamina propria and the apical portions of the lymph follicles. The results from this study are thought to shed light on future studies on the digestive system and proper diagnosis of pathological disorders related to it in the Angora rabbit, and to contribute to the present morphological knowledge on the SR and ileum in this species.

The objective of our study was to test amaranth grain or dried biomass in the diet for broiler chickens as a resource of protein replacing animal protein. Further, the effect of amaranth on broiler performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality were assessed in a feeding trial. The experimental groups of broilers were fed feed mixtures with crude amaranth grain (AC), heat processed amaranth grain (AP) or dried above-ground biomass (AB). Control groups (C) received the diet containing animal proteins. The results obtained in the experimental groups of broiler chickens can be compared to the control group in all the production indicators under investigation. On day 42 of the experiment, live weight (g) of female broilers ranged from 2 205.1 ± 152.5 (AP) to 2 254.0 ± 136.5 (C), and that of male broilers from 2 375.1 ± 233.0 (AC) to 2 506.0 ± 286.0 (C). Feed conversion ranged from 1.80 kg in control group of male broiler chickens to 1.91 kg in experimental group of male broilers (AB). Percentage yield in female broiler chickens ranged from 70.8 ± 1.74 (AB) to 72.4 ±3.34(AC) or 72.4 ± 1.98 (C), and in male broilers from 72.8 ±3.55(AP) to 75.1 ±2.44(AB). Our results showed that amaranth can fully replace meat-and-bone meals in the diets for broiler chickens.

In ten cultivars of apple fruit, ethylene production expressed in μl/kg/h was determined. The cultivar Resista exhibited a higher ethylene production and can be differentiated from other cultivars. The production ranged from 4.2 ± 0.58 μl/kg/h in the case of Meteor cv. up to 131.6 ± 5.5 μl/kg/h in Resista cv. Infected fruit of Topaz cv. had a lower ethylene production at cold storage temperature (3°C) than some healthy fruit. All examined cultivars can be divided into three clusters. Discriminant analysis and canonical correlation analysis of the examined apple fruit led to the determination of healthy and infected fruit. Values of ethylene production were analyzed on intact fruit by using headspace gas analysis by CGC with thermal desorption technique. Carbosieve G was chosen as the adsorbent material for the traps due to its relatively high affinity for light hydrocarbons such as ethylene. For a full trap of ethylene in the enrichment column the sufficient amount of percolating gas is about 0.3 l.

Anthropogenic soils are formed by human activities. The contents of potentially risk elements are one of the most important criteria of the exploitability of such soils for the agricultural production. The aim of this paper is to assess the contents of the selected potentially risk elements in 16 areas of the Sokolov region, including 5 reclaimed areas and 11 natural soils. 116 sampling locations were analysed in total. Another aim is to analyse the relationships between the elements, using multivariate statistical methods. The contents of the risk elements studied were in most cases under the limit values. In some cases, as with Pb, they were very low compared to the limit values. In the principal component analysis, four components explaining 74% of total variability were selected. The first component (30.2% of variability) showed strong correlations with Mn, V, Ni, and Cu contents. The second component (15.8% of variability) correlated with As and Be. The third component (14.3%) correlated with Pb and Cd. The fourth component (13.7%) correlated with Zn and Cr. The mean scores of each area were projected into the component plots, which enables the assessment of the relative importance of each group of elements in each particular area. The reclaimed and the natural soils are clearly distinguished. It can be concluded that the contents of the risk elements studied do not currently present any important problem in the reclaimed areas. Nevertheless, the situation should be further monitored.

The paper evaluates the growth, structure, production, quality, leaf area index and dendrochronology of 100 years old Austrian pine (Pinus nigra ARNOLD) monoculture situated in the forest type group Fageto-Quercetum in the locality Horné Lefantovce (Nitrianska Streda Forest District, Topoľčianky Forest Enterprise). Codominant trees, trees with stem of high quality, with medium-sized crown, medium dense and straight crown are the most abundant in the stand. The tree number in the stand is 1,024 trees/ha, basal area 51.75 m2/ha, growing stock 571.56 m3/ha, aboveground biomass stock 348.76 t/ha and leaf area index 21.85 ha/ha. Dendrochronological analyses examined the response in individual sample trees and minimum annual ring width was found in 1920, 1922, 1925, 1929, 1933, 1938, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1954, 1963, 1968, 1976, 1982, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2001. Marked maximum values of annual ring width in the years 1919, 1923, 1926, 1930, 1936, 1937, 1941, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1997 were found as a positive productive feature. Beginning in the year 1993, dry Austrian pine trees occurred in the stand as a result of the fungal infection by Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.) Dyko et Sutton.

European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) is one of the most important tree species in substitute stands of the Krušné hory Mts. (northern part of the Czech Republic). At present, young larch stands have dynamic height growth and their canopy is closing. Therefore, the proper forest treatment with respect to all functions of these stands is an urgent issue. The aim of the study is to recognise when it is possible to start with thinning and what types of thinning regimes are more suitable in larch stands with respect to their functions as substitute tree species stands. Research was conducted on experimental series Kalek established in a larch monoculture in 1999 (stand age of 12 years) at an elevation of 780 m above sea level in the category Piceeto-Fagetum oligo-mesotrophicum - Calamagrostis villosa. The presented analysis has two main parts: (a) effect of closing canopy on growth of larch - comparison of the groups of trees from border and inside rows and (b) effect of opening canopy on growth and development of young larch stands - comparison of two partial plots (500 m² each): the one without thinning and the other with thinning (negative selection mainly from above at the age of 13 years). Comparative analyses of trees from border and inside rows showed high growth dynamics of these young larch stands, and therefore the first thinning is necessary in this stage (by 15 years of age). In spite of air pollution, the growth of experimental stands is supernormal and exceeds the data from growth tables, but 60% of individuals showed some malformations, mostly one-sided or two-sided stem curvature. Five years after the first thinning we found a significantly lower h/d ratio of mean stem on the thinned plot in comparison with the plot without thinning. On the other hand, the applied thinning had no effect (five years after realisation) on the h/d ratio of dominant trees (200 thickest trees per hectare).

This paper follows previous papers published by the authors. All the papers are concerned with standard direct payments, the system of administration of direct payments approved for 2004 and their impact on the economy of agricultural enterprises farming in different production areas. The impact of different ways of using additional payments for the years 2005 and 2006 are compared in this report. Attention is mostly paid to ways of the maximum adaptation to the Reform of Common Agricultural Policy.

Hungary has recently become a member of the European Economic Union (EU) and most of the economic benefits are expected to come from expanded trade with other EU nations. While some variation in agricultural policy continues to exist between EU members, all countries generally, benefit from lower tariffs and expanded trade opportunities. However, Hungary must also be able to compete on the basis of quality and price in order to maintain current domestic markets and sell more to other EU countries. In order for the Hungarian agriculture and food industry to contribute to economic development it must continue to focus on efficiency and competitiveness. Hungary benefits from many natural features, which provide favourable conditions for agriculture: fertile plains, an advantageous climate and production experience, which makes possible a total yearly agricultural and food products trade surplus fluctuating between 1.5 and 2 billion US $ for the last 12 years. However, after the EU accession, the Hungarian internal market has become fully open and domestic products have to compete with the products of other EU members. This is why the renewal of food regulation and policy was indispensable. This article examines the Hungarian food policy (1) before the transformation to a market oriented system, when the policy was quantity orientated, (2) during the pre-accession period, when quality policy became more important, and (3) after accession to the EU where food safety has become more important.

In the years 1995-2004 the spectra of weeds, diseases and pests in grasses grown for seed in the Czech Republic were examined and the effect of external factors on their changes was assessed. The species spectrum of weeds evaluated both at the time of vegetation and in samples of natural seeds was stable throughout the period and the changes in the number of individual species were caused by different proportions of grass species and stand age. The most abundant weeds were Elytrigia repens, Matricaria sp.div., Anthemis sp.div., Apera spica-venti, Cirsium arvense, Poa trivialis, Rumex sp.div. and Chenopodium sp.div. The most serious diseases were parasitic silvertop, graminicolous rusts (Puccinia sp.div.), Blumeria graminis and ergot (Claviceps purpurea). The rate of rust occurrence was affected by climatic conditions; the spectrum of other diseases was stable throughout this period. The most important animal pests were Muridae rodents.

Cadmium mobility in sewage sludge amended by four types of ameliorative materials (lime, limestone, bentonite and zeolite) incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for eight months was studied in the experiment. The most statistically significant decrease of available Cd extracted by 0.01 mol/l CaCl₂ was recorded in sludge between second and fourth months of incubation. As most effective stabilizers were found limestone and bentonite added into the sludge incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions respectively. The presence of air reduced Cd mobility in individual sludges more than lack of air. Cadmium was separated by sequential extraction into five fractions as water soluble, exchangeable, bound with Fe and Mn oxides, organically bound, and residual fraction. Sequential analysis showed decrease of Cd in exchangeable and oxide fractions in sludge treated by lime and limestone at the end of aerobic incubation. Cadmium was found in water soluble and exchangeable fractions in small portion, even so its content in these fractions was higher than determined in slighter 0.01 mol/l CaCl₂ solution.

In the years 1999-2003 the effect of covering rows of early potatoes with non-woven fleece on the yield formation, dry matter content in tubers, temperature of soil and of air in ground layer was investigated. Covering of rows enhanced the market yield of tubers at early harvest 60 days after planting in average by 35.8% in comparison with the uncovered control. At harvest 67 days after planting the difference in advantage of the covered variant were 17.2% and 85 days after planting the difference in yield between variants was already non significant. The yield effect of the fleece was affected by year (higher effect in the years with cold spring) and by variety (Impala responded at 60 days after planting by yield increase under fleece 43.7%, Adora 27.9%). Higher dry matter content of tubers by 0.87% was found in covered plants 60 days after planting in comparison with control. Cover enhanced average air temperature in ground layer by 2.0°C, in soil in depth 100 mm by 1.8°C.

The aim was to determine the conversion of alimentary substances of laying hens (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) into the production of eggs and to determine the emission of nitrogen, air pollution by dust and microorganisms in accordance with different technologies of layer rearing. The studies were conducted in 6 poultry houses. The birds were kept in premises in cage batteries BKN-3, "Spech", OBN-1, OBN-3 or on littered floor. It was found out that there was 1.6 times more dust in the air of poultry house where laying hens were kept on litter and the total number of bacteria was 2.4 times higher than in the bird cages (P < 0.001). The laying hens assimilated 21.95-28.42% of nitrogen, 19.63-31.25% of phosphorus, 6.04-8.33% of potassium for egg production and weight gains when feed is balanced. If cage technologies are applied, over a year, there is a loss of 6.7 ± 1.4% of nitrogen through the excrements because of nitrogen emission. When the technologies of littered floor are used, there is a loss of 18.5 ± 4.8% of nitrogen extricated with the excrements (P < 0.025). When the birds were kept in cages, 0.059 ± 0.011 kg of nitrogen per each bird evaporated because of ammonia emission, while in the case of littered floor - 0.227 ± 0.126 kg of nitrogen.

The welfare conditions in animal transport have a significant impact on the levels of stress burden on animals before slaughter in the slaughterhouse, and have an impact on veterinary decision-making about meat and organ edibility, and also on the quality of slaughtered animal meat. The ratio of ensuring the level of welfare in animal transport can be taken as the numbers of animals having died during transport and having died in the slaughterhouse shortly after transport is completed. As to the kinds of animals raised for meat, the issue of mortality in relation to transport is especially significant in pigs. In the period from 1997 to 2004, the transport of slaughter pigs, in terms of the protection of the animals against cruelty, was monitored in theCzechRepublic. The aim was to ascertain pig losses in relation to transport to the slaughterhouse, to find out the impact of transport distance on losses of these pigs, and to determine the impact of the different seasons on losses of these pigs. The data concerning pigs fed for slaughter in the slaughterhouse (fattening pigs) was analysed, the data did not include the information concerning small sows, sows and boar kept for breeding and now excluded from breeding and slaughtered in the slaughterhouse. We have established the pig mortality level to be 0.107% ± 0.013%. However, this mortality level changed depending on the transport distance - from 0.062% ± 0.007% in the case of transport distances up to 50 km, to 0.335% ± 0.113% in the case of transport distances over and above 300 km. The level of losses of pigs increased with the length of transport distances, which is given to the long-term and higher-stress burdens in these pigs caused by longer transportation times. The seasons are expressed by the individual months, and had an impact on the transported pigs' mortality number. Altogether, the highest losses occurred in the summer months, especially in June, July, and August. The increased mortality in the summer months is related to the higher ambient temperature in these months, which has a negative impact on the welfare of the pigs, and thus also on the higher pig losses during transport. The ascertained results produced evidence for the relatively high sensitivity of pigs to the stress burden caused by transport to the slaughterhouse and showing themselves in the number of pigs having died due to transport. The increasing transport distance and higher ambient temperature in the summer months show themselves in the increased number of pigs having died in relation to their transport to the slaughterhouse.

Two self-sterility systems, self-incompatibility (SI) and cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were used to verify their suitability for hybrid breeding of cauliflower. The possibility of reproduction of SI and CMS lines in isolation cages using insect pollinators were proved. The best results in reproduction of SI lines derived from the cultivar Montano were achieved by spraying with 3% NaCl solution in the evening and using bumblebees as pollinators. The mean weight of seeds per plant attained approximately 5 g. Two CMS lines bred from cultivars Brilant and Fortuna achieved seed set per plant after honeybee pollination with their fertile analogues 0.8 and 2.0 g, respectively. The yield of F1 seeds in hybridization experiment based on SI was 1.8 grams per plant of SI mother line. In hybridization based on CMS, the yield of F1 seeds per CMS plant was 2.3 grams. The F1 hybrid of SI line Montano × self-pollinating line from cv. Fortuna showed to be the best combination in a preliminary field trial.

The paper deals with the study of bionomics and population dynamics of Ips typographus (L.) in the area of the Praděd National Nature Reserve (NNR). Data were collected on the basis of detected feeding marks, beetles caught in traps, and also according to the frequency of occurrence or increase in the number of standing dead trees killed by the bark beetle attack in localities where sanitation felling was not performed. Finally, evaluation of the present condition of forest stand and population dynamics of Ips typographus was carried out. The results showed that the stands currently occur in the stage of disintegration when the role of the bark beetle is irreplaceable. Based on the research findings, the management of the bark beetle was proposed that would enable to achieve so-called regulated disintegration of natural spruce forests in the area of the Praděd NNR.

The article investigates the socio-economic importance of collection and use of non-wood forest products (NWFP) for inhabitants in the Czech Republic (CR) in 2005 and brings a comparison with former investigations and research projects. The research project consisted of these parts in 2005: 1. Analysis of hitherto performed research projects and their results in 1999-2003, 2. Investigation of quantities and values of NWFP collected in 2004 and 2005, 3. Specific investigation of socio-economic importance of NWFP collection and use. The results of respective investigations prove NWFP collection being quite important for the inhabitants of the CR. The importance consists in the material value of picked commodities on the average annual level higher than 3,000 mil. CZK. Nevertheless, collecting NWFP is considered as a very important recreational activity. Only a small part of the population collecting NWFP (about 12%) collects NWFP to save money.

The aim of this paper is to show the application of pine bark to indicate the level of air contamination by cement-lime dust and to determine the impact range of cement plants. The pine bark was analyzed in the forested formed around three cement plants in the Świętokrzyski administrative district (South of Poland). The test results were compared with the results gained from the controlled forested areas, free from alkali contamination. The strongly alkali areas show high pH_H2O of bark in the range of 7.2-8.5 and low coefficient of change v% = 2.2. The pine bark values of pH_H2O in the alkali areas are on average 2.5 times as high as those achieved in the controlled area (natural pH of bark shows the range of 2.8-3.5). On the basis of the measurements of pH_H2O there are five alkali-forested spheres determined. The existence of the forest spheres confirms the variable mineral composition of the bark, and first of all the variable content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, aluminium, manganese, zinc and iron as a function of the distance from the emitter and real dust fall.

During 4 years, 27 cultivars and breeding lines of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) were tested in small plot experiments for resistance to powdery mildew fungus. The most resistant were Frimegu, RE9607, Runal, Asset, Folke and Wasmo. The cultivars Asta (Pm2,6) and Vlasta (Pm2,6 and another not determined specific gene or minor genes of resistance) fall into resistant cultivars. It seems that the specific genes of resistance Pm2 and Pm6 are still very effective against the present Czech population of powdery mildew on wheat. Resistance of the cultivars Hereward and Tarso, having the gene of resistance Pm8, can be ascribed to an additional undetermined gene that is effective only in mature plants. The cultivars Mikon and Ramiro with partial resistance had a higher infection type and disease severity than resistant cultivars, but lower disease severity than the susceptible cultivar Kanzler.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most often reported attribute and is chosen as the most important indicator of soil quality and agricultural sustainability. In this review, we summarized how cultivation, crop rotation, residue and tillage management, fertilization and monoculture affect soil quality, soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon transformation. The results confirm that SOM is not only a source of carbon but also a sink for carbon sequestration. Cultivation and tillage can reduce soil SOC content and lead to soil deterioration. Tillage practices have a major effect on distribution of C and N, and the rates of organic matter decomposition and N mineralization. Proper adoption of crop rotation can increase or maintain the quantity and quality of soil organic matter, and improve soil chemical and physical properties. Adequate application of fertilizers combined with farmyard manure could increase soil nutrients, and SOC content. Manure or crop residue alone may not be adequate to maintain SOC levels. Crop types influence SOC and soil function in continuous monoculture systems. SOC can be best preserved by rotation with reduced tillage frequency and with additions of chemical fertilizers and manure. Knowledge and assessment of changes (positive or negative) in SOC status with time is still needed to evaluate the impact of different management practices.

Three groups of Brown fattened young bulls were studied, comparing the effects of rearing method (suckled vs. bucket reared) and of slaughter weight (400 vs. 480 kg). Suckled animals had higher fatness scores (2.2 vs. 1.3), more dissectible fat (14.5 vs. 9.1%), and higher intramuscular fat content (7.8 vs. 4.6%DM), accompanied by better scores in sensory tenderness (5.2 vs. 3.8) than did the bucket-reared ones. Animals slaughtered at a heavier weight showed a higher dressing percentage (57.5 vs. 53.8%), conformation score (9.2 vs. 6.2), and fat content (fatness score, dissectible fat and intramuscular fat). The meat from animals in the heavier group had lower a* (12.4 vs. 14.2) and higher b* (10.8 vs. 12.9) indexes, as well as higher scores in most sensory traits than the lighter ones.

Citrus is grouped under the salt sensitive crops. Mycorrhizal fungi, a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and beneficial fungi, are supposed to impart the stress tolerance in the host plants. The stress tolerance improved due to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) colonization can be attributed to enhanced mineral nutrition. In the present study the efforts are made to evaluate the effectiveness of AM fungi with two citrus genotypes under salt stress. Three-month-old seedlings of Karna Khatta (Citrus Karna) and Troyer Citrange (Poncirus trifoliata × Citrus sinensis) were inoculated with the indigenous soil based AM inocula (mixed strains). The salinity gradient was developed by frequent irrigation with NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 mM w/v). The results indicated that all the physical parameters were affected with increasing salinity. The proline accumulation increased while the chlorophyll, calcium and magnesium contents decreased significantly with increasing salinity. In general, the decreased AM colonization did not show any significant effects under salt stress.

The paper presents results of an institutional research aimed at assessing the effect of different technological conditions in pressing on physical and mechanical properties of plywood sheets. Spruce plywood sheets of the veneer nominal thickness of 3.0 and 3.5 mm were analyzed. The plywood sheets were produced as five-ply and BAKELITE PF B118 phenol-formaldehyde adhesives were used for there manufacture. In relation to a different pressing temperature 115, 120 and 125°C and a different specific pressure, density, bending strength, MOE in bending and glue-bond strength by a shear test were assessed. The determined values of properties were statistically tested.