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The convergence of price levels is one of the important aspects of a real convergence and is often viewed as a criterion for the evaluation of preparedness. The convergence process of comparative price levels can run either through the exchange rate channel and/or that of nominal prices. The paper is focused on the assessment of comparative price levels and the rate of their convergence in the enlarged European Union within the period of 1999-2003. With the exception of Cyprus, the price levels in the new EU member countries were significantly lower. The greatest differences from the price level of EU countries existed in Poland, Slovakia and Baltic countries. The new member countries differ also in the rate of convergence. When combining their initial position and the rate of convergence, it can be concluded that all countries will be able to reach 80% of the comparative price level of the European Union till the year 2010. In Poland, the development is very unfavourable because its price level will reach only 55% provided that there will be no changes in its development.

An improved protocol for Brassica protoplast culture and plant regeneration was developed. Isolated protoplasts from four-weeks-old in vitro shoot tip culture of Brassica oleracea var. botrytis cv. Siria F1 and Brassica napus doubled haploid of breeding line OP-1 were cultured at a density of 9.8-11.2 × 10⁴ protoplasts/ml in darkness at 25°C in a modified medium containing 2% glucose, 0.25 mg/l 2,4-D, 1 mg/l BAP and 1 mg/l NAA. The first divisions of protoplasts were observed on the third day of culture in B. oleracea and on the fourth day in B. napus. The protoplast cultures were diluted with low osmotic medium on 7^th and 11^th day. The frequency of dividing cells was about 80% in B. oleracea and 50% in B. napus. After one month, the microcalli of approximately 0.5-1 mm in size were transferred into an induction medium with various combinations of growth regulators. Minimum duration of enzyme treatment time and extended dark period in the initial phase of culture increased the survival rate of protoplasts. Organogenesis started when the calli enlarged in size on an induction medium (1 mg/l NAA, 0.02 mg/l GA₃, 1 mg/l 2iP) with 2% sucrose and 0.8% agar. Regeneration frequency of calli was found to be 69-75% in B. oleracea and 2-3% in B. napus. Well-developed shoots were transferred for rooting to a half-strength MS medium without growth regulators. More than 100 B. oleracea regenerants were transferred into soil, and they produced normal heads and set seeds. This very simple procedure is efficient and suitable mainly for B. oleracea var. botrytis and represents a background for fusion experiments.

Pea seeds were swollen in solutions with different concentrations of cytokinin benzyladenine (BA). As compared with controls, a low concentration of BA (0.05 mg/l) did not affect the growth of stems and roots of twelve-day-old seedlings but concentrations of 0.20-4.00 mg/l showed an inhibiting effect; this inhibition was proportional to the concentration of BA. In controls the ratio between the lengths of stems and roots was equal to 1.14, while in seedlings influenced by BA in concentration of 0.20 mg/l its value was significantly lowered to 0.91. Also in six-day-old pea seedlings cultivated under in vitro conditions, BA concentrations of 0.70 and 3.30 mg/l inhibited the growth of roots and epicotyls and significantly increased the production of ethylene (by 150 and 330%, respectively). Three hours after the amputation of the root of five-day-old pea seedlings the level of cytokinin trans-zeatin increased in the apical part of the stem. Within the interval of 48 hours after the amputation of the root the concentration of this plant hormone gradually decreased again. The initial increase in the zeatin level in the stem indicates that the absence of the root induces a reduction of growth-inhibiting effects of roots, which negatively influences the zeatin level in the stem apex at the beginning of germination.

Field experiment demonstrated the benefit resulting from biological soil management including the use of N₂-fixing and growth promoting bacteria A. brasilense B-4485 for long-fibred flax. Seed inoculation by A. brasilense B-4485 was equivalent to the introduction of 15 kg/ha of N that provided the possibility of partial flax N requirement supply. Treatment A. brasilense + N₁₅P₆₀K₉₀ is considered to be the most profitable management in regard to flax yield and its quality, and is comparable to N₃₀P₆₀K₉₀ treatment. Biological management allows preventing high concentrations of N in soil, excludes lodging and negative effects on flax yield and its quality. Implementation of biological management for flax nutrition may be profitable for both ecology and economy of long-fibered flax growing.

A total of 1 200 broiler breeder eggs were collected from a commercial flock at the hen age of 37 weeks and divided into storage treatments of 5 and 15 days. Prior to storage, the eggs were further divided into pre-storage incubation (PRESI) 0 (control), 4 and 8 h treatments. Eggs in the 4 and 8 h PRESI treatment were incubated at a standard dry-bulb temperature of 38.0°C. All eggs were weighed prior to and after storage, then incubated in a commercial setter and hatcher for 21 days. After the incubation, all unhatched eggs were opened to determine fertility, hatchability and embryonic death. The 4 and 8 h PRESI treatment significantly decreased hatchability results of long-term stored eggs compared to non-heated eggs. Hatchability results of eggs stored for 5 days were significantly better compared to eggs stored for 15 days. Subsequent growth performance of progeny was not significantly affected except for the main effect of egg storage on feed conversion. There were significant PRESI × egg storage interactions for apparent fertility, hatchability of total and fertile eggs and embryonic mortality. It was concluded that the PRESI treatment did not have a detrimental effect on the hatchability of broiler breeder eggs stored for 5 days and it might even increase hatchability while it had a detrimental effect on the hatchability of broiler breeder eggs stored for 15 days.

Live body measurements of weight, height, length, girth, stifle- and hip-width and a measure of muscularity (ratio of stifle to hip width) were monitored on 258 Yankasa sheep stratified into age categories of 1 to over 3 years determined mostly from records and partly by dentition. These animals are from purebred Yankasa sheep kept as a part of the open nucleus-breeding scheme of the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. The effect of sex, type of birth and age group of lambs on live measurements and muscularity were analyzed by least-squares procedures. All variables examined, except sex, had significant (P < 0.001) effects on all body measurements. At birth, male and single-born lambs were significantly heavier than female and twin-born lambs. At early age, most factors significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the body weight, body dimensions and muscularity traits with single-born lambs being 31% heavier, 10% taller and 11% bigger in girth; more highly muscled than the twin-born lambs. This advantage of male over female born lambs (except in hip-width and girth) for growth and developmental traits was maintained reasonably well to the advanced ages. All phenotypic correlations between body measurements were positive and significant (P < 0.001). The highest correlation coefficient was found between chest girth and body weight. The polynomial equation using chest girth as an independent variable predicted body weight more accurately as compared to the linear equation.

The case of the two year old thoroughbred filly presented here has been diagnosed with and treated for equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS). The results of her examination are documented over a five month period. The patient was finally hospitalised with acute severe colic. Absence of chronic clinical problems common for pyloric stenosis can be attributed to the permanent antiulceration medication of the filly. The diagnosis of pyloric stenosis was made by exploratory laparotomy and confirmed by necropsy.

Putting together work operations minimizes the number of machine passes across the plot, which helps to reduce negative soil compaction and to save fuels. However, the combination of working operations also reflects in the increased weight of machines, which - on the other hand - can result exactly in soil compaction. This is why the potential adverse phenomenon can be compensated by using tyres with a larger contact surface with the base. In the case of sowing root crops, some problems may appear with the application of these tyres as a certain part of the stand has been sown in their track. The paper brings an assessment of the possibility to use twin assembly tyres on the tractor model Fendt 822 and on the sowing drill model Monosem NG plus with 18 drilling mechanisms. Parameters to be assessed were soil compaction, and the development of plants sown inside and outside the tractor track. Although the degree of soil compaction was higher in the tractor track, the biological characteristic of plants including yield reached more favourable criteria of assessment. The situation paradoxically resulted from the creation of more favourable moisture conditions in the soil.

In this paper we present recent findings about the beech bark necrotic disease in selected localities situated in the mountain ranges Vitosha and Stara planina in Bulgaria. The resulting values of necrotic disease expressed by the necrotisation index (I_SN) ranged from 0.72 to 1.12. In Slovakia such low values of I_SN were obtained only for seven out of 52 examined localities. The I_SN results are more favourable than the results obtained using the same methods for four localities situated in Northern Hungary (I_SN values ranging from 1.11 to 1.18). The results of monitoring of three selected biotic vectors of beech necrotic disease were follows: the focus of occurrence of the species Bucculatrix ulmella was in submountain beech forests. Considerable affinity to lower situated sites was found in Ectoedemia liebwerdella. We also found that the boundary of the occurrence of this species is approximately at 1,000 m a.s.l. The frequency values of Cryptococcus fagi were significantly influenced by the altitude. In four out of six localities we recorded the occurrence of three species of the genus Nectria: Nectria cosmariospora, Nectria galligena and Nectria coccinea.

This paper deals with transformation of pure even-aged forest stands to uneven-aged irregular stands on an example of the Klokočná Forest Range. The fully operational management system according to principles of shelterwood or selection systems has been executed here since 1993. An investigation of this transformation process started in 1999 and it is focused on the places with more distinct structural differences. On the basis of research analysis, it is possible to consider about the permanent uneven-aged forest stands in future here. But for successful achievement of this goal it is necessary to continue this transformation step by step for a long time. The transformation is still at the beginning and its result depends on the effort and the forest management goal and the priority of the particular forest functions.

The paper is focusing on the analysis of some aspects of changes in the economic performance of the farm sector in Slovakia during the first period after the accession to the European Union, as measured by the Economic Account of Agriculture. Authors find that the growth of agricultural goods output was the main element of the improved income generation within the sector during the first year of the EU membership. This was induced by the growth of physical crop output and new subsidies to products. Price alignment played only a minor role in the income growth within the sector. Price increases were limited to some few livestock products. The scope and range of the horizontal price transmissions might have also been influenced by the constraints on the domestic market demand, insufficient functioning of the market support institutions and shortages of marketing infrastructure.

This text aims to introduce the results of the ecological footprint (EF) calculations in the system of organic agriculture (OA). The EF is an alternative indicator of the human activity impact on the environment. It is not calculated in monetary units but in hectares as an area needed for resourcing certain production or activity. OA is an agricultural system which respects natural cycles in ecosystems. It is based on old traditions and nowadays, with regard to environmental degradation, comes again forward. The text contains as well the results of some other researches studying mainly energy consumption in agriculture, which is further converted into the EF. The results, however, need to be compared very carefully, since the procedures of calculations as well as the organic farming rules in various countries or particular farms conditions and quality of input data of the mentioned studies may significantly differ. The authors cite them mainly because of illustrative reasons.

The extracts of pods of West African black pepper, Piper guineense, at 5, 10 and 20% (w/v), were applied at two, four and six weekly schedules to control the legume flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti on flowers of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata. The trials were conducted for 2 years under rain fed conditions in the northern Guinea savanna region of Nigeria. The results showed that the M. sjostedti population was significantly controlled on treated plots compared with the untreated check in both years. The extracts at the 20 and 10% rates and with six or four weekly applications significantly (P < 0.05) reduced thrips pressure on cowpea flowers, were better than the 5% extract at all spraying schedules, and had the same efficacy as the synthetic insecticide treatment. Pod density per plant was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on plots treated with the 20% extract at six or four weekly applications compared to other extract rates and was similar to that of the synthetic insecticide treatment. Thus, the extracts could be a good alternative to the synthetic insecticides on organically managed farms as well as on farms of limited resource farmers in the tropics and subtropics.

The reaction of 50 winter wheat cultivars/lines to artificial infection with Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (PTR) races 1, 3, and 6 was studied under greenhouse conditions. The set of tested cultivars/lines included predominantly cultivars registered in the Czech Republic and some new breeding lines. A high level of resistance to P. tritici-repentis was detected in the cultivars Clarus, Rheia, Cubus, SHMK WW 14-92, Šárka, Vlasta and Dromos (SWS 799.14953), susceptible reactions were observed in the cultivars Caphorn, Corsaire, Karolinum, Heroldo (PBIS 00/91), Hedvika, Biscay, Svitava, Barroko (PBIS 00/140) to all three races tested. The majority of the tested cultivars possess a moderate level of resistance to PTRraces 1, 3, and 6. Significant differences were proved not only in the reaction of the tested cultivars but also in the aggressiveness of the three used isolates.

In 2001-2004, the influence of various ways of farming unmanaged grasslands on the mineral nitrogen content in lysimetric waters was monitored. Field trials with 11 variants were performed 420 m above sea level, at depths of 0.2 and 0.4 m, 4-5 times annually. The average amount of N_min released per ha per year in lysimetric waters ranged from 0.84 to 5.12 kg. The upper layer to a depth of 0.2 m had a higher content. The conclusive difference, in comparison with properly farmed control, was with the black fallow and in the variant where fallow followed mulching. With the exception of this method of farming the pratotechnics of unmanaged grasslands - mulching did not increase the load of rhisosphere, either by the overall mineral nitrogen, or by the concentration of N-NO₃^-. Even by using fallow for a four-year period, a conclusive increase in the content of N_min was not observed.

Effect of sugar beet seed inoculation with a bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and treatment by fungicides Thiram 42-S and Dithane S-60 with and without seed inoculation aiming to control Aphanomyces cochlioides - root decay agent was studied. The trial lasted for three years on two soil types (Mollic Gleysols and Eutric Cambisols). The following parameters of sugar beet yield and quality were investigated: root yield, sugar content, sugar in molasses, sugar yield as well as percentage of the infected and decayed plants as a consequence of parasite fungus infestation. The highest average sugar beet root yield was obtained in the variant of the seed treated with fungicide Thiram 42-S and inoculated with bacterium P. fluorescens (85.15 t/ha). However, there were no statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between the above-mentioned variant and the one with seed inoculated only with bacterium P. fluorescens (84.63 t/ha). The highest mean sugar content of 16.39% was also accomplished during the three-year investigation in the variant of the inoculated seed treated by fungicide Thiram 42-S. All other variants accomplished statistically very significantly lower values of this parameter. The same variant was characterized by the highest mean sugar yield value (12.79 t/ha) on both soil types. Namely, an average sugar yield of the variants inoculated with bacteria was 11.22 t/ha and by 44.22% higher compared to an average yield of non-inoculated variants. The highest percent of the infected and decayed plants (average value on both soil types in the three year investigation) was reported in the control variant (28.92% infected and 25.00% decayed plants) whereas the lowest one was detected in the variant of the seed inoculated with bacterium P. fluorescens in combination with low dose of fungicide Thiram 42-S (4.70% infected plants and 2.88% decayed plants). An average percent of the infected plants inoculated with bacterium P. fluorescens was 9.13% whereas the aforesaid value of the plants infected with parasitic fungus A. cochlioides in non-inoculated variants was by 146.00% higher being 22.42%.

The objectives of the paper were to evaluate carcass value in reared gilts on the basis of carcass analysis during the station test of purebred progeny of pigs and ultrasonically with Sonomark-100 or Piglog-105 instruments in the framework of valid methodology for performance testing, and to verify a pos-sibility of prediction of backfat thickness and/or average daily weight gain since birth and lean meat content of gilts as the elements of objectification for the evaluation of their body condition. In total 54 gilts of two breeds were evaluated: the dam breed Czech Large White and the sire breed Czech Large White - sire line. Four-parameter Richards function was used for growth evaluation. The regression function y = 63.870 - 0.447 bt₁ - 0.510 bt₂ + 0.128 MLLT was applied in ultrasonic instruments for the calculation of lean meat content. We calculated linear regression functions for the conversion of performance testing parameters (gain from birth, average backfat thickness and lean meat content) from live weight on the day of measurement per live weight declared during selections in gilts.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of starter diet containing 10% of treated rape cake (TRC) with a reduced glucosinolate content on calf growth, development and health. The experiment included 45 calves allocated into 3 groups. After the colostrum period (5 days) the calves were fed 4 l of pooled fresh milk per calf/day and one of the starters ad libitum. The control group (S) was fed Standard starter with components with a standard nutrient content including fibre. Comparative group T was fed Telstar starter, which contained whole maize kernels and protein pellets. Experimental group G was fed Grant starter containing 10% of treated rape cake. The calves were fed hay ad libitum from 10 weeks of age. The average starter consumption (calf/day) over a 90-day feeding period was 1.34, 1.72 and 1.45 kg of the Standard, Telstar and Grant diet, respectively. An insignificantly higher body weight of calves was recorded for the Grant group at the end of the experimental period. When the calculated indices were compared, it was obvious that the weight gains obtained with experimental starters Grant and comparative Telstar were by 4.0% higher and by 5.4% lower, respectively, than in the control group Standard. No significant changes in the parameters of nitrogen, energy, lipid and mineral metabolism, health status, hepatic parenchyma and thyroid function were observed throughout the experimental period. The diet based on experimental starter Grant had no adverse effect on the ruminal fermentation in calves. It may therefore be concluded that the starter diet with 10% content of treated rape cake had no adverse effect on calf growth and performance.

The first outbreaks of a disease connected with high mortality of common carp and koi carp caused by koi herpesvirus (KHV) were reported in 1998 in Israel and in the United States. Since then, several cases have been confirmed all over the world. At present, this viral disease is considered to be one of the most risky factors affecting populations of common carp and koi carp. Affected fish become disoriented and swim erratically with high breathing frequency, swollen gills and partially local skin lesions. The virus was isolated from the tissues of fish showing signs of the disease and subsequently cultured on koi fin (KF-1) cells. Electron microscopic examinations revealed morphological signs identical with viruses of the family Herpesviridae. Analysis of virion polypeptides and gene DNA showed the differences between KHV and the well-known herpesvirus of cyprinids, Herpesvirus cyprini (CHV), and Channel catfish virus (CCV). Water temperature is a factor influencing the onset and severity of disease. Fish seem most susceptible at water temperatures of 18-28°C, no morbidities occur at 13°C and 30°C. At present, diagnosis of KHV is mainly based on detection of viral DNA by PCR method.

Rotaviruses are major cause of acute diarrhea in animals and humans which can result in huge economic losses in farm animals including pigs. We collected 195 samples of feces of diarrhoeic animals. Rotavirus was demonstrated by electron microscopy using the method of negative staining in 27 samples and by ELISA test using monoclonal antibodies to the group antigen VP6 in 44 samples. Nine samples were selected for virus isolation. Three virus isolates (P375/4, P410/4 and P646/1) were successfully adapted to growth in cell line MA-104. These isolates were allocated to group A rotaviruses based on ELISA, immunoperoxidase test and electropherotype analysis. Electropherotype analysis demonstrated changes during passage in cell line in two of the three isolates. The selected sample P543/1 proved negative in ELISA in a fecal sample. Electropherotype analysis of this sample revealed a "longer" electropherotype profile. The profile was suggestive of group C rotavirus. Rotavirus group C was confirmed by RT-PCR and by sequence analysis in this sample.

In this study, the compatibility of the pear cultivars PI1/6 and BC Williams with 49 quince genotypes was evaluated. The results showed that the cv. PI1/6 had a good compatibility with several of the quince genotypes, and the cv. BC Williams only with a few of them. Differences were also found in their susceptibility to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora). The cultivar PI1/6 was very susceptible, while the cultivar BC Williams was relatively tolerant.

This paper is focused on soil organic matter quality assessment in acid forest soils. Soil samples were collected in the Jizera Mountains region. Vegetation cover of sampling sites was formed by spruce or beech monocultures. Humus quality was assessed by the ratio of absorbances of pyrophosphate soil extract at the wavelengths of 400 and 600 nm (A400/A600). Humus fractionation was performed on selected soil samples. DRIFT spectra of individual fractions were measured. Higher pH and lower C and N contents were found in beech forest than in spruce forest. A400/A600 well correlates with C and N contents (r = 0.510*** and 0.615***, respectively). C and N content increases as to humus quality decreases. DRIFT spectra of fulvic acids turned out to be unsuitable for describing differences in humus quality. DRIFT spectra of humic acids and humin were hence more suitable. The difference between spruce and beech forest was found in 1514.cm-1 (C=C bounds of benzene rings) and 1550 cm-1 (N-H bounds in monosubstituted amides) bands intensities. Humic acids and humin coming from the O horizons of beech forest are relatively enriched by nitrogen functional groups. Values of humic acids aromaticity index did not differ between beech and spruce forests. DRIFT spectroscopy was shown as a possible method for detailed humus quality studying.

Holorganic layers belong among the key ecosystem components of forest soils at higher altitudes. Increased biological activity of the surface humus is very often observed after forest decline and/or forest cut and removal at these sites. The forest removal or tree layer extinction was studied in the flat, water affected terrain: its effects on the soil chemical characteristics and on the soil respiration, ammonification and nitrification activities. The standard methods of analyses were used. The study proved the increased intensity of nitrification and ammonification in stands with decreased ecological as well as environmental function potentials, further decreased concentrations of magnesium. Due to the concentration effects, the concentrations of some macroelements - nitrogen, calcium - increased in these stands (in the humus form layers), as well as the base content and base saturation.

The consumption of the organic food in the Czech Republic is, in spite of its permanent growth, still on a very low level. The reasons are both on the side of supply and demand of organic food. The reasons on the side of the supply are especially the insufficient amount and the structure of the organic products. Demand is not met especially in the case of the livestock products, further also in the fruits, vegetables, bread, pastry and others. The lack of the organic food is solved by imports. The important factor is also the lack of the processing capacities, especially for meat and dairy products. The sale is provided under the way of short-term contracts. The prices that the organic farmers get for their products fall short of the quality of products. The main distribution channels are the supermarkets. The organic products are here, however, only the marginal products. For the increase of the supply, the advertising and advertisement should be intensified. The demand is obstructed especially by the low consumer awareness, while the consumers are not sufficiently familiar with the quality of the organic products and are not willing to pay higher price for the higher quality of foodstuff.

Symptoms of viral infection were observed on plants of pepper, cv. OL 228, raised from commercial seeds of Czech origin in a greenhouse in the year 2002. Infected plants showed mosaic or mottling on leaves, and necrotic depressions on fruits. Straight, rod-shaped viral particles of about 300 nm, indicating a tobamovirus infection, were found by electron microscope. ELISA produced negative reactions for Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) but positive reactions with an antiserum to Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV). In biological characterisation using pepper cultivars with the L1, L2, L3 and L4 tobamovirus resistance genes it was found that the Czech isolate of PMMoV belongs to pathotype P1.2. This is the first report of PMMoV in the Czech Republic. Its distribution, however, may still be limited as a survey did not reveal other infections in the main pepper producing areas. As PMMoV spreads with infected seeds, the possibility of its chemical deactivation by NaOH was tested and confirmed.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of electric pulses on the structural and functional condition of rabbit oocytes. The New Zealand White female rabbits at 3-5 months of age and at 3-4 kg body weight served as oocyte donors. Oocytes after flushing from the oviducts were placed between two electrodes in an electroporation chamber which was filled with a dielectric solution. Following a short incubation in B2 medium, oocytes were subjected to an electric pulse released by an electrical pulse generator. Oocytes were then incubated in 500 µl of B2 medium supplemented with 20% foetal calf serum (FCS) at 38°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in air. Oocytes were cultured until the morula/blastocyst stage (approx. 72 h). The experiment was conducted using 430 oocytes obtained post mortem. In vitro cultured oocytes not subjected to an electric pulse were the control. Each group was subdivided into replications according to electric current intensity. The analysis of experimental variants shows that in the first variant all embryos developed to the morula stage but only 10% of them continued to develop to the blastocyst stage. In the second variant we observed that 5-10% of oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage after treatment with 2.0 and 2.5 kV/cm pulse but in the group of 1.0 kV/cm pulse 35% of oocytes developed only to the 2-12 b stage. In the third variant only 1 oocyte (5%) continued to develop to the blastocyst stage, but in the fourth variant oocyte development stopped at the morula stage. In the fifth variant, called an "extreme" one, oocytes stopped to develop at the stage of 2-12 b (about 25%) and the percentage of degenerated oocytes dramatically increased (about 60%).

Haemophilus parasuis is a common epiphyte of the upper respiratory tract of pigs. The factors of H. parasuis pathogenicity that enable some strains to be virulent and consequently cause a clinical disease have not been established yet. Fifteen serovars of H. parasuis have been described at present. Individual serovars differ in virulence, and considerable differences in virulence also exist within each serovar. Virulent strains can particularly participate as microorganisms secondary to pneumonia, cause septicaemia without polyserositis or Glässer's disease characterized by polyserositis, pericarditis, arthritis and meningitis. Clinical symptoms of this disease are highly variable. Therefore, culture detection of causative agent, particularly from the brain, joints and polyserositis is an essential diagnostic tool. The disease caused by H. parasuis can be treated with antibiotics; however, oral or parenteral administration of very high doses of antibiotics is necessary. The level of animal hygiene and animal husbandry are important factors for prevention of this disease. Commercial or autogenous vaccines can be used in the immunoprophylaxis of pre-parturient sows and their progeny after weaning. For the production of autogenous vaccines, it is most effective to use isolates from animals with lesions present in CNS. Isolates recovered from arthritic and systemic sites of infection are less suitable and isolates recovered from lungs are not suitable at all because of their heterogeneity.

Dothistroma needle blight Mycosphaerella pini E. Rostrup and its anamorphic stage Dothistroma septospora (Dorog.) Morelet was detected for the first time in the territory of the Czech Republic in a consignment of imported plants of Austrian pine Pinus nigra Arnold in 1999. In 2000, it was also found on Pinus nigra in an open planting in a plantation of Christmas trees by the village of Jedovnice near Brno in South Moravia. In the Czech Republic, Dothi-stroma needle blight was identified on 13 species of pine. Pinus nigra Arnold and Pinus mugo Turra are the most frequent hosts. In addition to these species, Dothistroma needle blight was observed on Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson, Pinus jeffreyi Grev. et Balf, Pinus banksiana Lamb., Pinus contorta Douglas, Pinus rotundata Link, Pinus leucodermis Ant. and Pinus sylvestris L. Finds on Pinus aristata Engelm., Pinus rigida Mill., Pinus heldreichii H. Christ. and Pinus cembra L. var. sibirica (Du Tour) G. Don. are a certain rarity. These species are not mentioned anywhere as potential hosts of Dothistroma needle blight. As for the species of other genera Picea pungens Engelm., Picea abies L. Karst. and last but not least Picea schrenkiana Fisch. & C. A. Mey were also observed as hosts. The host range of Dothistroma needle blight recorded in papers is noted as well.

In 2001-2005, the effects of game on the condition and development of natural regeneration of a floodplain forest were studied in three permanent transects in the Vrapač National Nature Reserve (NNR). Fraxinus excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer campestre and Acer platanoides predominated in the regeneration. The species were markedly damaged by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) browsing, the most affected being Acer pseudoplatanus. In spite of always newly occurring trees from self-seeding, the abundance of trees decreased during the studied period, self-seeding did not grow up from a height of 30-40 cm, the proportion of Acer pseudoplatanus decreased and that of Fraxinus excelsior increased. In addition to browsing, in 2003 and 2005 browsing damage to bark was noted in some places and in 2005 also the breaking of trees with subsequent browsing of terminal shoots, the causal agent of both types of damage being fallow deer. The development of natural regeneration is limited in principle by trophic preferences of game and by the tolerance of particular species to repeated damage. On the basis of these conditions it is necessary to consider the present game stock to be contradictory with objectives of area protection and preservation.