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Balance of potassium (K) was observed in long-term stationary field experiments (21 years) at two sites with different soil and climatic conditions (Luvisol, Cambisol). The following crops were rotated within the trial: potatoes- winter wheat-spring barley. All three crops were grown each year. The trial comprised 6 treatments: (1) no fertilization; (2) farmyard manure; (3) half dose of farmyard manure + nitrogen (N) in mineral nitrogen fertilizers; (4) mineral nitrogen fertilizers; (5) NPK in mineral fertilizers; (6) straw of spring barley + N in mineral nitrogen fertilizers. The recovery rate of potassium from farmyard manure by crops was 24-26%, from mineral fertilizers it was 27-52%. Different fertilization intensities were manifested by significant differences in the content of exchangeable K in soil. Changes in non-exchangeable K (K_ne) were recorded only at the Luvisol site (850 mg K_ne/kg), but not at the Cambisol site (3000 mg K_ne/kg). The maximum negative balance (-2376 kg K/ha/21 years) was recorded at the mineral nitrogen fertilization treatment.

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is considered a versatile farm species whose main by-products are meat and oil. At present, there is lack of information on the value of the meat of laying females at the end of their reproductive cycle which hampers the development of a specific market. To fill this gap, the present research aimed at studying the mineral composition, fatty acid profile, cholesterol level, selected physicochemical parameters and sensory quality of the meat of laying females at the end of their reproductive life cycles was carried out. The study should extend the knowledge on the application of this type of meat in food products as well as the available nutritional information on the muscles of female emus slaughtered at the end of their reproductive lives. The research material consisted of eight females slaughtered at the age of 15 years, at the end of their reproductive period. Following exsanguination, plucking and evisceration, the carcasses were cooled at 4°C for 24 h. After this time, five muscles were separated from both halfs of the carcases. The results showed that meat from 15-year-old females is of satisfactory nutritional quality. The rich mineral composition, high protein content, and low intramuscular fat and cholesterol contents deserve special emphasis. For this reason, the meat can be recommended for formulating healthy diets for humans. Its trading development is therefore expectable.

The content of phytochemicals, total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant potential of extracts of Juniperus communis L. and Juniperus oxycedrus L. berries were determined. Ethanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform were used for the process of extraction. Phytochemical monitoring was based on already known methods, while in vitro antioxidant activities were done by DPPH assay. Phytochemical screening showed a wide spectrum of phytochemicals. Ethanolic extract of Juniperus communis L. possesses the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 28.55 ± 0.24 µ/ml), as well the higher contents of total phenolics, 189.82 ± 0.27 mg of gallic acid equivalent per g of dried weight extract (mg GAE/g extract DW), and total flavonoids, 42.85 ± 0.13 mg of rutin equivalents per g of dried weight extract (mg RE/g extract DW). The results indicated the potential application of the tested extracts as significant antioxidants.

Fusarium ear rot in maize (Zea mays L.) is a serious disease in all maize-growing areas worldwide. A total of 454 fungal strains were isolated from 69 commercial maize hybrids grown in Harbin, China, and comprised Fusarium subglutinans (34.8%), F. proliferatum (31.3%), F. verticillioides (20%), F. graminearum (9.7%), and F. equiseti (4.2%). Among them, a complex of multiple species, F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum, and F. verticillioides are the dominant fungi causing ear rot. Among 59 commercial maize hybrids, eleven hybrids (18.6%) were found to be highly resistant to Fusarium ear rot. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis using six pairs of primers resulted in 24 reproducible bands and cluster analysis separated the maize hybrids into eight groups. There was little genetic variation associated with disease resistance. No correlation was found between genetic diversity and disease resistance.

The objectives of this study were to estimate linkage disequilibrium (LD), describe and scan a haplotype block for the presence of genes that may affect milk production traits in Portuguese Holstein cattle. Totally 526 animals were genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip, which contained a total of 52 890 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The final set of markers remaining after considering quality control standards consisted of 37 031 SNPs located on 29 autosomes. The LD parameters historical recombinations through allelic association (D') and squared correlation coefficient between locus alleles frequencies ( r²) were estimated and haplotype block analyses were performed using the Haploview software. The averages of D' and r² values were 0.628 and 0.122, respectively. The LD value decreased with increasing physical distance. The D' and r² values decreased respectively from 0.815 and 0.283 at the distance of 0-30 kb to 0.578 and 0.090 at the distance of 401-500 kb. The identified total number of blocks was 969 and consisted of 4259 SNPs that covered 159.06 Mb (6.24% of the total genome) on 29 autosomes. Several genes inside the haplotype blocks were detected; CSN1S2 gene in haplotype block 51 on BTA 6, IL6 and B4GALT1 genes in haplotype blocks 6 and 33 on BTA 8, IL1B and ID2 genes in haplotype blocks 19 and 29 on BTA 11, and DGAT1 gene in haplotype block 1 on BTA 14. The extension of LD using BovineSNP50 BeadChip did not exceed 500 kb and its parameters r² and D' were less than 0.2 and 0.70, respectively, after 70-100 kb. Consequently, the 50K BeadChip would have a poor power in genome wide association studies at distances between adjacent markers lower than 70 kb.

The aims of this study are the quantitative characterisation of the coat colour in the black variety of the Old Kladruber Horse breed, the estimation of the coat colour genetic parameters, and the determination of the factors that influence coat colour intensity. A total of 252 horses aged 1-24 years were included in the study. The colour parameters were taken using a Konica Minolta spectrophotometer CM-2500d at four different body parts during the summer and winter seasons, resulting in 1748 phenotypic records. The possible effects of sex, season, housing system, age and body part on the spectrophotometric parameters were analysed. The results confirmed that the intensity of the black coat colour can be influenced by a number of factors (sex, season, housing system, and age). The mares showed more red and yellow colour compared to the stallions. In the winter season, the horses had a lighter colour with a lower proportion of reddish-brown hairs. Horses kept outdoors, especially in the summer months, had a lighter colour with a higher proportion of red and yellow. Although the age was statistically significant, no specific trend was observed. The differences in colour found between body parts (neck, shoulder, belly, and croup) are in line with current knowledge - reddish fading in the blacks primarily occurs in the belly region. The estimated heritability values suggest possible multifactorial inheritance, especially with regards to the reddish tinge in hairs (h² = 0.20 to 0.29 according to body part).

The possibility of reduce the length of poppy plants and their risk of lodging by applying selected plant growth regulators and effects on the plant and yield were studied in field experiments during 2010-2012. Statistically significant reduction was achieved only with ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) in all experimental years. In 2010 reduction for metconazole (60 g a.i./ha) was recorded. In 2012, ethephon at rates of 576 and 288 g a.i./ha prevented significantly poppy lodging. The 576 g a.i./ha rate was phytotoxic and decreased yield. The commonly used 576 g a.i./ha rate diminished heights by 16-20 cm in all experimental years and significantly reduced lodging in 2012, but decreased yields in two of the 3 years.

The influence of heat treatment on the protein size, zeta potential, surface hydrophobicity, secondary structure, interfacial rheology and creaming stability of peanut protein isolate (PPI) was studied. Heat treatment of PPI increased the protein size, surface hydrophobicity and interface diffusion rate, and decreased the protein zeta potential, particularly heat treatment at 80°C for 30 min (PPI-80), which increased the surface hydrophobicity from 117.33 ± 2.77 to 253.24 ± 2.47. Interfacial rheology results demonstrated that the heat treatment promoted the absorption of PPI at the oil-water interface, which might be due to the increase of surface hydrophobicity. In contrast, the heat treatment at 90°C resulted in slightly lower surface hydrophobicity and K_diff compared with PPI-80 due to the hydrolysis of partial protein aggregates during high temperature. Moreover, heat-treated PPI showed better emulsifying properties than unheated PPI. These results would be useful to expand the utilization of PPI products in the food processing industry.

Plant-based natural products represent an alternative to chemical compounds for the control of mites in veterinary medicine. Here, the essential oil of Elsholtzia densa (E. densa) Benth was extracted using hydrodistillation at a rate of 1.2%. The chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The GC-MS analysis indicated that the principal compounds in the volatile oil of the sample were 4-Pyridinol (28.16%) and thymol (26.58%). The acaricidal activity of E. densa oil against Sarcoptes scabiei (S. scabiei) was tested in vitro. Toxicity test data were analysed using a complementary log-log (CLL) model. The E. densa oil was prepared in five concentrations by dilution with liquid paraffin (1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/ml) and exhibited strong toxicity against S. scabiei with LT₅₀ values of 16.637, 5.075, 2.884, 1.184 and 0.760 h, respectively. The LC₅₀ values were 7.678, 4.623, 2.543, 1.502, 1.298 and 0.981 mg/ml for S. scabiei at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h, respectively. Compared to the control, the essential oil showed significant effects against S. scabiei in vitro. At 16 mg/ml, E. densa oil was found to kill all mites within a 16-h period. The results indicate that E. densa oil possesses potential acaricidal activity in vitro and may be exploited as a novel drug for the effective control of S. scabiei.

The contribution of camels and their products (meat and offal) as potential reservoirs of foodborne pathogens is far from elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of camels as potential sources of different foodborne agents and to determine their antibiotic resistance profile. For this reason, one hundred apparently healthy camels admitted to the Zagazig abattoir (Sharkia province, Egypt) for slaughtering were studied. Three different specimens were collected from each camel including fresh faeces, raw meat and liver which were processed to determine the presence of different foodborne pathogens using standard bacteriological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was also performed using the disc diffusion method. The occurrence of Campylobacter in the faeces, raw meat and liver were 20%, 33% and 15%, respectively, with the most prevalent C. coli (21%) followed by C. jejuni (0.7%) and C. lari (0.7%). Enterococcus spp. was isolated at 50%, 40%, and 43% from the examined faeces, meat and liver, respectively, with E. faecalis (24%) as the most widely identified bacterial spp. The respective specimens showed typical colonies of S. aureus with 15%, 45% and 25%, respectively, with an overall prevalence 28.3%. S. aureus was found to colonise workers hands (40%; 10/25), followed by E. faecalis (20%) while Campylobacter spp. was not detected in any of the tested workers' hands. All recovered foodborne agents were found to be susceptible to enrofloxacin and resistant to rifampicin. The high loads of the pathogenic, as well as indicator bacteria in the raw camel meat, could indicate unhygienic conditions at the abattoir.

The aim was to characterize the expression patterns of several genes in the gastrointestinal tracts of Tibetan pigs (TP) and Yorkshire pigs (YP) and to explore their correlation with digestion and growth difference of the two breeds. The body weights and growth of YP and TP were studied at 6, 12 and 24 weeks of age, and their plasma levels of ghrelin (GHRL), leptin (LEP), somatostatin (SST) and cholecystokinin (CCK) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood and gastrointestinal sections (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) were collected and assayed for mRNA expression of the six genes (GHRL, ghrelin receptor (GHSR), LEP, leptin receptor (LEPR), SST and CCK) by reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR). TP generally had higher mRNA expressions of GHSR, LEP, LEPR, SST and CCK genes compared to YP, and expressed lower levels of the GHRL gene in most tissues of the digestive tract. In both breeds, plasma levels of the expressed proteins were more closely correlated with the feed intake and growth than with mRNA levels of the target genes. Our data indicate that TP possess special gene expression patterns in the gastrointestinal tract compared to YP, which is consistent with its unique feed intake and adaptation to harsh environment.

To examine the role of metabolites in wheat stamen and pistil development, metabolomic analyses of pistilloid stamens (PS), pistils (P), and stamens (S) from a novel wheat mutant homologous transformation sterility-1 (HTS-1) and controls from their sib-line CSTP were conducted using base gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Then, the metabolomic data were integrated with previously published transcriptomic data and analysed. In total, 141 annotated metabolites were determined from P, PS and S tissues by comparison with reference standards. A total of 90, 93 and 18 different metabolites were identified in S vs. PS, S vs. P and P vs. PS, respectively. Among the different metabolites, 80 may be associated with stamen and pistil growth. Using integration evaluations of both the previous transcriptome data and the 80 various metabolites, we found two perturbed pathways that significantly affect flower development in plants, namely, the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and cysteine and methionine metabolism. The ethylene synthesis pathway, one key branch of the cysteine and methionine metabolic pathways, could have a pivotal role in pistillody growth involving HTS-1. We found two key enzyme genes in the ethylene synthesis pathway (the SAM synthase gene and the ACC synthase gene) that have higher expression levels in stamens than in pistilloid stamens or pistils. We speculate, that the decrease in ethylene content during stamen development leads to pistillody traits in HTS-1. This study helps elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying stamen and pistil growth in wheat.

Shoulder joint disorders are a major cause of forelimb lameness in dogs, and osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease, and bicipital tenosynovitis are common joint disorders that have been reported in dogs. Many studies have investigated pain management after arthroscopy in human medicine, but reports from veterinary medicine are rare. Ropivacaine is a new amide local anaesthetic drug and a single isomer drug that is used more widely than bupivacaine in human medicine because it has fewer side effects. The present study was conducted to evaluate the analgesic effect of intra-articular injection of ropivacaine after arthroscopic surgery in dog shoulder joints. To accomplish this, ten dogs were randomly divided into two groups of five who underwent the same anaesthesia protocol and shoulder arthroscopic examination. After shoulder arthroscopy, ropivacaine or 0.9% NaCl was injected into the shoulder joint cavity and the dogs were evaluated at one hour, two hours, four hours, six hours, 12 hours and 24 hours after surgery. The evaluated parameters were heart rate, respiratory rate, lameness score, visual analogue scale and the short form of the Glasgow composite measure pain scale. Ropivacaine showed a higher analgesic effect than 0.9% NaCl, indicating that it may be useful for pain management following arthroscopic surgery in dogs.

The use of bone marrow-derived immunostimulants is a promising direction in poultry production. The objective of this research was to study the effect of introducing a bone marrow cell protein formulation on the immunity of chickens vaccinated against salmonellosis. According to the principle of analogues, a control and two experimental groups of chickens were formed with 20 heads each (in total 60 individuals). To Group 1 birds, a protein preparation from bovine bone marrow cells was administered with feed by irrigation with 10% suspension in physiological saline at a rate of 0.2 ml per head once per day from the first day of life for three days. In Group 2, the drug was administered once, on day 1, at a rate of 0.2 ml per head. Control chickens were injected with saline in the same volumes. All chickens were vaccinated against salmonellosis. Blood for analysis of cellular, biochemical and humoral indicators was taken on days 7 and 14 of bird life. The use of the bone marrow cell-derived protein preparation resulted in higher values in the blood of chickens of Groups 1 and 2, respectively, by day 14 of age in comparison with controls as follows: erythrocytes (15.51% and 22.28%) and leukocytes (3.93% and 3.70%), T- and B- lymphocytes (67.5% and 69.16%; 23.24% and 23.75%), neutrophil phagocytic activity (10.14% and 25.36%) and phagocytic index (17.25% and 18.74%), bactericidal (13.32% and 20.25%) and lysozyme activity (23.88% and 24.41%), total protein (13.23% and 14.21%), immunoglobulins (19.59% and 20.76%), specific antibody titre (47.50% and 51.25%). Our study confirms the suitability of using bone marrow-derived protein preparations in poultry production. In practical terms, our study has particular importance for the development and implementation of preparations based on proteins of bone marrow cells.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of magnetic field (MF) strength on shoot regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Seeds of flax cv. Madaras were exposed to different MF strengths (0 - control, 75, 150, and 300 millitesla (mT)) for 24 h by using an electromagnetic generator system fabricated in laboratory conditions. After sterilization, seeds were germinated on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium in Magenta vessels. Hypocotyl explants excised from 7-days-old seedlings were used for regeneration. GV2260 strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used in transformation studies. Inoculated hypocotyls were cultured on MS medium containing 1 mg/l BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) and 0.02 mg/l NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) for 2 days by co-cultivation. Then, they were transferred to MS medium containing the same growth regulators, 100 mg/l kanamycin and 500 mg/l Duocid for selection. The presence of the nptII gene was verified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis in putative transgenic plants. The highest results with respect to shoot regeneration and transformation frequency were obtained from treatments of 75 mT MF strength.

Lamb growth performance traits in relation to parental breeding values (BVs) for these traits were evaluated in a purebred Suffolk sheep population in the Czech Republic. The research lasted over 8 years and included 24 886 lambs. Four relevant parental BVs were observed: BV predicted for lamb live weight direct effect (BVLW-DE), BV predicted for lamb live weight maternal effect (BVLW-ME), BV predicted for lamb musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth (BV-MLLT), and BV predicted for lamb backfat thickness (BV-BT). The lamb live weight (LW; kg), musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth (MLLT; mm), and backfat thickness (BT; mm) were assessed at 100 days of age. A dataset was created using the most current parental BVs for each year (2007-2014) and subsequent growth traits of their lambs in the next season (2008-2015). Linear regressions showed an increased tendency when one point in dam BVs was associated with an increase in lamb LW (0.393 kg; P < 0.01 in BVLW-DE and 0.090 kg; P < 0.05 in BVLW-ME), MLLT (0.340 mm; P < 0.01 in BV-MLLT), or BT (0.243; P < 0.01 mm in BV-BT). Lower (but significant - P < 0.01) values on linear regression were detected for sire BVs, when 0.135 kg of LW, 0.217 mm of MLLT, and 0.214 mm of BT corresponded to 1-point increases of BVLW-DE, BV-MLLT, or BV-BT. This was confirmed by ANOVA evaluation, especially for LW and MLLT traits. Maximal differences (P < 0.05) in lamb LW were 1.84 kg or 0.88 kg regarding to dam or sire BVLW-DE groups. Similarly, the difference (P < 0.05) in lamb MLLT reached 0.82 mm in dam BV-MLLT, while 0.57 mm was detected in sire BV-MLLT groups. These results have practical implications for the objectives of selection schemes used in the Suffolk sheep population in the Czech Republic.

Canine hip dysplasia is a debilitating hereditary orthopaedic disease with a high prevalence in dogs. The aim of this study was to describe the influence of internal or external rotation of the femur on the projected radiographic position of the patella within the trochlear groove, and on the femoral head in relationship to the acetabulum in the standard ventrodorsal hip extended view, i.e., medial or lateral patella displacement, Norberg angle, femoral head subluxation index and femoral head subluxation category. Eleven adult dog cadavers of large and giant breeds were radiographed in standard ventrodorsal hip extended view and with internal and external femoral rotation. The medial and lateral patella displacement, Norberg angle, subluxation index and subluxation category variables were measured on radiographs, and analysed comparing the normal position with positions of different degrees of internal or external rotation of the femur. In the normal ventrodorsal hip extended view, the patella was centred within the distal femoral metaphysis (P > 0.05). A mean ± SD internal femoral rotation of 16.0 ± 5.9° resulted in a medial patella index displacement of 0.23 ± 0.09, and a mean external femoral rotation of 17.9 ± 6.7° resulted in a lateral patella index displacement of 0.24 ± 0.1. The mean Norberg angle was 105.3 ± 4.3°, 107.7 ± 5.5° and 104.2 ± 4.3° (P < 0.05); the subluxation index was 0.15 ± 0.06, 0.12 ± 0.05 and 0.18 ± 0.06 (P < 0.05); the subluxation category was 1.55 ± 0.6, 1.46 ± 0.7 (P > 0.05) and 1.96 ± 0.65 (P < 0.05) in normal, internal and external femoral rotation ventrodorsal hip extended views, respectively. In conclusion, as the Norberg angle, subluxation index and subluxation category are parameters used for classification in the main international hip dysplasia scoring systems, adequate femoral position with the patella centred in the distal metaphysis is of uppermost importance to ensure the technical quality of radiographs.

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of diet supplementation with linseed on the carcass characteristics, meat quality and oxidative stability as well as the composition of the fatty acids in M. longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) and the backfat of fattening gilts. A total of 40 animals were used, 20 in the experimental and 20 in the control group. The results indicate that gilts fed with the control feed mixture (C) showed a higher (P < 0.05) content of intramuscular fat and backfat as compared to the experimentaL group (L) of gilts. A higher drip loss (P < 0.001) was recorded in the L group as same as higher pH₄₅ and pH₂₄ values (P < 0.01). The fatty acid profile analysis in the MLLT showed that the content of the MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) was lower (P < 0.01) in the L group than in the C group of the animals and also showed a higher (P < 0.01) content of the PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in the L group. The content of the n-6 and n-3 PUFA was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group. The ratio of the n-6/n-3 PUFA was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the L group. The PUFA/SFA (saturated fatty acids) ratio was more favourable in the L group of gilts (P < 0.01). The results of the fatty acid profile analysis in the backfat proved the higher (P < 0.05) content of the UFA (unsaturated fatty acids) in the L group, while the content of the MUFA was lower (P < 0.001) in the L group. The total content of the SFA was lower (P < 0.05) in the L group. A higher content of the PUFA (P < 0.001) in the backfat was recorded in the L group than in the C group and the content of the n-3 PUFA was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group. The ratio of the n-6/n-3 PUFA was more favourable (P < 0.001) in the L group than in the C group. Also, the PUFA/SFA ratio was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group.

The periodical survey of forest nutrition was done in the in the Natural Forest Region (NFR) of Český les - the mountain range on a state border between the Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany. The results of chemical analysis done in 2015 were compared with those provided in 2004. The trend of mineral nutrition deteriorating of forest trees has been going on, except for magnesium. The content of magnesium in spruce needles was found to be higher by 56.6 mg.kg^-1 in the current year's needles and by 24.8 mg.kg^-1 in the previous year´s ones. The contents of magnesium in soil determined in the extract of HNO₃ were significantly higher. The increase is 389 mg.kg^-1, 373 mg.kg^-1 and 312 mg.kg^-1 in the forest floor, respectively in organomineral and mineral horizons. However, it is not valid for the available values determined by the Mehlich method. The determination of nutrient values in the extract of HNO₃ seems to be suitable for the evaluation of changes occurred in soil and probably for the simulation of nutrition strategy of trees.

Abstract: Genetic parameters and accuracy of genomic prediction for production traits in a Duroc population were estimated. Data were on 24 828 purebred Duroc pigs born in 2000-2016. After quality control procedures, 30 263 single nucleotide polymorphism markers and 560 animals remained that were used to predict the genomic breeding values of individuals. Accuracies of predicted breeding values for average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF), loin muscle area (LMA), lean percentage (LP) and age at 90 kg (D90) between pedigree-based and single-step methods were compared. Analyses were carried out with a multivariate animal model to estimate genetic parameters for production traits while univariate analyses were performed to predict the genomic breeding values of individuals. Heritability estimates from pedigree analysis were moderate to high. Heritability estimates and standard error for ADG, BF, LMA, LP and D90 were 0.35 ± 0.01, 0.35 ± 0.11, 0.24 ± 0.04, 0.42 ± 0.11 and 0.37 ± 0.03, respectively. Genetic correlations of ADG with BF and LP were low and negative. Genetic correlations of LMA with ADG, BF, LP and D90 were -0.37, -0.27, 0.48 and 0.31, respectively. High correlations were observed between ADG and D90 (-0.98), and also between BF and LP (-0.93). Accuracies of genomic breeding values for ADG, BF, LMA, LP and D90 were 0.30, 0.33, 0.38, 0.40 and 0.28, respectively. Corresponding accuracies using pedigree-based method were 0.29, 0.32, 0.38, 0.39 and 0.27, respectively. The results showed that the single-step method did not show significant advantage compared to the pedigree-based method.

An experimental trial was conducted to determine the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana strain 202 (Bb-202) against multiple targeted sucking insect species that are serious pests of crops and ornamental plants. The insect species, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Jacobiasca formosana Paoli (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and Stephanitis nashi (Hemiptera: Tingidae) were exposed to conidia of B. bassiana at rates of 1.0 × 10², 3.5 × 10³, 5 × 10⁴, and 6.75 × 10⁵ conidia/mm² to determine the pathogenicity of B. bassiana. The fungal strain Bb-202 showed the highest pathogenicity to M. persicae and 100% corrected mortality observed in the treatments over 1.0 × 10² conidia/mm², followed by the J. formosana with the final corrected mortality of 86.6, 94.4, and 97.4% after 10 days of fungal inoculation with 3.5 × 10³, 5 × 10⁴, and 6.75 × 10⁵ conidia/mm², respectively. The strain Bb-202 also showed good pathogenicity to B. tabaci and corrected mortalities of 77.9 and 81.1% were recorded when exposed to 5 × 10⁴ and 6.75 × 10⁵ conidia/mm². Relatively weak pathogenicity was observed in S. nashi, in which the highest corrected mortality of 63.7% occurred at 6.75 × 10⁵ conidia/mm². Accordingly, the LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ values of concentrations 1 × 10⁵, 1 × 10⁶, 1 × 10⁷, and 1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml were calculated for M. persicae, J. formosana, B. tabaci, and S. nashi that were determined as 6.7 × 10⁴, 1.3 × 10⁶, 3.6 × 10⁶, and 1.2 × 10⁷ conidia/ml and LT₅₀ was observed as 5.2~8.24, 5.1~6.6, 7.2~9.0, and 7.9~9.6 in days, respectively.

The rose tortrix moth Archips rosana (Linnaeus) is a dominant species among leafroller moths inPoland's apple orchards. The study found high levels of parasitisation of the tortrix (15.5-40.1%), with the average level of parasitisation of 24.6%, by parasitoids of the families Ichneumonidae, Chalcididae and Tachinidae. The most effective were the Ichneumonidae, which decreased the tortrix abundance by 17.2%. The rose tortrix moth was parasitised by 7 Ichneumonidae species, namely: Trichomma enecator (Rossi), Phaeogenes semivulpinu (Gravenhorsts), Exochus mitratus (Gravenhorsts), Apechthis quadridentata (Thomson), Apechthis rufata (Gmelin in Linnaeus), Itoplectis maculator (Fabricius) and Pimpla turionellae (Linnaeus). The tortrix abundance was mainly reduced by I. maculator, which parasitised 5.1-32.2% of the pupae (15% on average).

Defatted wheat germ was used to substitute wheat flour by 5-15% to produce cookies enriched with protein, fat, sugar and minerals. The effects of different level of substitution of wheat flour by defatted wheat germ and dough moisture content (20-24%) on hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation in cookies were investigated. Colour parameters (L*, a*, and b*) were also measured, total colour difference (ΔE) and browning index (BI) were calculated and their correlations with HMF content were studied. The substitution of wheat flour by defatted wheat germ led to a higher HMF content compared to control cookies (P < 0.05). However, its formation was more strongly influenced by the dough moisture content than by the level of substitution. HMF content is positively correlated to the a* (r = 0.890; P < 0.01), b* (r = 0.605; P < 0.01) and BI (r = 0.710; P < 0.01) values, and negatively correlated to the L* (r = -0.624; P < 0.01). Results of the HMF formation and the correlation between HMF content and colour parameters were confirmed by the PCA analysis.

Interspecific crosses play an important role in gene introgression, plant improvement and speciation. However, poor fertility of F₁ generation was commonly found, which hampered backcrossing and ideal progeny generation. To explore useful materials for further breeding programs, sterile hybrids (DD1, FD1, ZD3) from different cross combinations of Lagerstroemia indica and L. speciosa and the fertile hybrid (ZD6) were selected. The results showed that pollen grains of sterile hybrids had no germination ability while ZD6 showed 25.90% pollen germination rate. The morphology of stigmas and their papilla cells showed no apparent difference. Normal pollen tubes could be detected in ovaries of ZD6 and ZD3 24 h after pollination. However, the enlarged ovaries of ZD3 began to abscise at 72 h after pollination, which suggested that the barriers occurred during post-fertilization phases. As a consequence, ZD6 can be used as either male or female parent for further Lagerstroemia breeding programs, while the sterile hybrids may be used as female parent through embryo rescue culture.

A comparative analysis of growth rate and health condition of 54 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) provenances was conducted at the age of 24 years. The provenance test was established in 1990 with 3-year-old (3+0) seedlings planted in a 2 × 2 m plot design and two replications. The provenances which were studied originated from North America and were separated into coastal, continental and Western Cascade groups. In 2011 the growth rate was studied in terms of height, diameter at breast height and stem volume. The health condition was assessed by the evidence of symptoms and degree of defoliation caused by the fungi Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii (Rohde) Petrak and Rhabdocline pseudotsugae (Syd.). The provenances Newhalem, Darrington, Idanha and Bremerton were characterized by the most rapid growth, highest productivity and lower susceptibility to both fungal pathogens. These Douglas-fir provenances were recommended for future afforestation in Bulgaria. Ten continental provenances should be excluded from future afforestation because of their lowest growth rate and productivity and high susceptibility to P. gaeumannii and R. pseudotsugae.

The species Melia composita has come to prominence only during the last decade and has been found suitable for several applications and end uses. However, being non-durable and difficult to treat some pre-treatment is required to improve preservative uptake. Hence the effect of microwave (MW) pre-treatment was studied on the samples of Melia composita wood in order to ameliorate its retention, depth of penetration and treatability class to ensure its sustainable use for a longer duration. The samples were exposed to MW radiation of different intensities and treated with 6% solutions of CCA, ZiBOC, CCB and Borax boric acid (BBA) preservatives by a dip diffusion method for 24 hours. Results showed a significant improvement in preservative uptake after dipping for 24 hours, in comparison with the controls. The highest retention was found in the samples treated with ZiBOC preservative after their MW exposure to 840 MJ.m-3. Wood anatomical analysis after MW modification was also performed in order to assess the changes taking place within the wood microstructure. The cross-sectional analyses of the controls and the treated specimens were briefed accordingly. Results of the anatomical study exhibited a significant improvement in the effective vessel diameters of the microwave irradiated specimens due to the clearance of the occlusions blocking the vessels with respect to the control samples, which aids in increasing wood permeability and results in higher retention and penetration.

Fire blight is one of the most destructive diseases of pome fruits, especially pears. In current conditions when the demand for organic products is increasing, improvement of resistant rootstock and varieties is becoming important due to the lack of an effective disease management method against fire blight caused by Erwinia amy-lovora as well as the harmful effects of chemicals on environment, human and animal health. The findings of the researchers as to which variety performs well in terms of the transmission of fire blight resistance are quite important for new breeding programs. In the study, three varieties with high commercial value (Magness, Santa Maria and Williams) were identified as the maternal parents and 21 hybridization combinations were made with seven varieties (Akça, Ankara, Conference, Güz, Kaiser Alexandre, Kieffer and Taş) as pollinators. The Magness maternal parent was found superior when compared with the other maternal parents for the variety susceptibility level to fire blight. Apart from the differences in the susceptibility level of 21 different combinations of hybrids to fire blight, the commercially superior ten hybrids (I-15-24, II-13-1, II-13-19, II-13-34, II-13-73, II-27-21, II-27-55, II -32-44, III-22-638, III-27-590) have been determined via the weighted ranking method from the parameters of disease resistance and different fruit characteristics measuring the commercial preference of the fruits such as fruit quality, attractiveness, size, firmness and rustiness

Soil erosion is recognized as one of the major environmental problems in the hilly red soil region of Jiangxi province, southern China. An eight-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of grass cover in the sloping citrus land on water and sediment runoff. Soil moisture regimes were also analysed based on the in-situ soil moisture measurement. Four treatments were carried out in the runoff plot experiment: (1) no vegetation, bare land (BL); (2) conventional treatment, citrus without grass cover (CK); (3) citrus with strip planting of Bermuda grass (SP); (4) citrus with full cover of Bermuda grass (FC). Results showed that the annual runoff volumes were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced using SP (27.2 mm) and FC (33.0 mm) compared with CK (311.4 mm) and BL (456.7 mm) treatments. The SP and FC treatments significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the annual average sediment yield by as much as 99.38% to 99.67%, compared with CK treatment. Soil moisture variations at the four depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm) were consistent with the seasonal precipitation patterns. Within the soil profile, soil moisture content increased with depth. In 3 of the 4 depths, the soil moisture contents of SP (21.20-27.84 m³/m³, mean value) were the highest. Soil moisture contents of FC (14.92-26.30 m³/m³, mean value) were lower than in SP because of the water consumption by plant transpiration, but were still higher than those of CK (16.03-25.00 m³/m³, mean value). Based on Richards' equation numerical model, optimization tool and observed soil moisture data, actual evapotranspiration was calculated, and water balance analysis was carried out during drought and rain periods. The results indicated that planting grass in sloping citrus land can effectively reduce surface water runoff and soil erosion and increase water infiltration, but the risk of drought, resulting from planting grass, should be noticed. Compared with FC, the drought risk of SP was much lower during the drought period, and SP contributed to storage of more water in the root zone during the rain period. In conclusion, SP was a recommendable treatment.

The influence of pulsed electric field (PEF) on freeze-drying of apple tissue was investigated. The freeze-drying was performed with different parameters of PEF treatment, and PEF treatment on the drying characters, microstructure, rehydration ratio, effective diffusion coefficient and hardness of apple tissue were discussed separately. The results indicated that PEF utilization as a pretreatment of apples enhances the drying process. The drying time was shortened by 17.73% at most, specific energy consumption decreased by 24.74% at most, and the rehydration ratio was improved by 65.22% at most for PEF treatment samples respectively, compared with the untreated samples. The effective diffusion coefficients varied from 2.60 × 10-8 m2/s to 4.20 × 10-8 m2/s for PEF pretreated samples, and was 2.40 × 10-8 m2/s for untreated samples drying at 75°C, the hardness of the untreated apple tissue was about 144.4 N which was decreased to 39.5-115.0 N after PEF treatment.

Sex differences in growth, blood indicators, carcass values and meat quality in nutrias were evaluated. In the fattening experiment, 136 nutrias of both sexes (1 : 1 ratio) were fattened until 8 months of age. At the end of the experiment, 18 males and 18 females with average weights were selected for the determination of biochemical indicators, carcass value and meat quality. The growth of males was significantly higher than in females; the differences were 12% at three months of age and increased to 24% at eight months of age. The effect of sex on the biochemical indicators of blood was observed in total protein (P ≤ 0.029), albumin (P ≤ 0.012), urea (P ≤ 0.019) and cholesterol (P ≤ 0.026), with higher values in males. In the case of haematology examination, the significantly higher values in males were in the number of erythrocytes (5.10 × 10¹²/l) and in the haematocrit value (55.8%). Dressing out percentage was higher in males (P ≤ 0.039), and other parameters of carcass value were not affected by sex. For the meat physical properties, only lightness (P ≤ 0.019) was higher in males. In the case of the chemical composition of meat, ether extract (P ≤ 0.033) and energetic value (P ≤ 0.024) were lower in females. The results of this study show high differences in the growth of male and female nutrias, whereas carcass composition, physical meat quality and meat chemical composition are less affected by nutria sex.