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Soil microorganisms play a main role in the nutrient cycle and they also play an important role in soil health. This article studies the influence of three rates of biochar (0.5, 1 and 3%) in comparison with control (0 biochar) in two different soils (Valečov and Čistá) on soil microbiota activities. The biochar was prepared from 80% of digestate from Zea mays L. and 20% of cellulose fibres by pyrolysis (470°C, 17 min). The biochar ability to influence microbial processes in soil was determined by respiration and nitrification tests. There were no significant differences between basal respiration of control samples and biochar-amended samples. Basal respiration in the Valečov soil reached average amounts from 1.32 to 1.52 mg CO₂/h/100 g. In the Čistá soil, basal respiration reached average amounts from 1.40 to 1.49 mg CO₂/h/100 g. No significant differences were proved also in nitrification tests of both soils. Nitrifying potential was the highest in 3% rate of biochar amendment. There were no negative changes in the measured soil parameters. CO₂ efflux was not higher in biochar-amended soil.

This study evaluated how organic manures and mineral fertilizers affect winter wheat grain and straw yields and grain quality properties. The analysed period of the long-term fertilizer experiment was established in Čáslav, Czech Republic, in 1955 and covers the seasons 2011-2014. The fertilizer treatments were: control; farmyard manure (FYM); FYM + P; FYM + K; FYM + PK; FYM + N₁; FYM + N₂; FYM + N₁PK; FYM + N₂PK and FYM + N₃PK. The highest grain yields were recorded in the FYM + P and FYM + N₃PK treatments (8.9 t/ha). The highest straw yields were recorded in the FYM + N₃PK treatment (6.52 t/ha). The lowest yields were provided in the unfertilized control and FYM treatments. Qualitative parameters were evaluated in the control, FYM and FYM + N₃PK treatments between the years 2011 and 2013. The best quality of wheat grain was provided by the FYM + N₃PK treatment. Combination of the farmyard manure with NPK is the best way to achieve high grain yields with good quality and leads to sustainable food production.

The objective of this study was to evaluate potential changes in intraocular pressure in spontaneously breathing dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy with capnoperitoneum. Twenty bitches undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. The dogs were under general anaesthesia and were breathing spontaneously throughout the entire period of the procedure. Capnoperitoneum was then established with an intra-abdominal pressure setting of 10 mmHg. Collected data included intraocular pressure, pupil size, heart rate, respiratory frequency, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, end-tidal CO₂, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and tidal volume. Data were recorded 5 min before starting CO₂-insufflation (baseline), after capnoperitoneum establishment (T0), and at further 5-min intervals (T5, T10, T15, T20, T25, T30). Compared to baseline, pupil size was increased at T30 (P = 0.03) and respiratory frequency at T25 (P < 0.01) and T30 (P = 0.02). No other significant changes were found regarding intraocular pressure. Our data show that the induction of an intra-abdominal pressure of 10 mmHg for a 30-min laparoscopy with the use of medetomidine-butorfanol-propofol-isoflurane in spontaneously breathing dogs in the horizontal position does not result in any important changes in intraocular pressure or end-tidal CO₂.

The avermectin and pyrantel resistance of equine parasites was monitored on four farms in the Czech Republic in 2014. The aim of the testing was to investigate the anthelmintic resistance of cyathostomins and ascarids. One hundred and eighty-six horses were included in the test, 54 of which were infected by ascarids and 174 by cyathostomins. Faecal egg count reduction tests were used to assess anthelmintic resistance. The faecal egg count reduction for ascarids was within the range of 87.9% to 100% for avermectins and 100% for pyrantel embonate. Faecal egg count reduction for cyathostomins ranged from 99% to 100% for avermectins and 89.3% to 98.2% for pyrantel embonate.

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP 1 - 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂ and MAP 2 - 90% CO₂ + 10% N₂) on selected chemical and sensory parameters of common carp steaks stored at 3 ± 0.5°C, and determination of the shelf life of the products was studied in this research. Samples were analysed on day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17. An increase in TVB-N values in carp steaks followed the order: MAP 2 < control < MAP 1. From day 9 of storage FFA concentrations were higher (P < 0.01) in MAP 2 samples compared to control and MAP 1 samples. The presence of oxygen (MAP 1 and control) resulted in an increase in TBA values in comparison with samples packaged in the absence of oxygen. According to sensory evaluation, it was concluded that carp steaks packaged in modified atmosphere with 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂ remained acceptable up to 15 days of storage, whereas samples packaged under 90% CO₂ + 10% N₂ as well as samples kept on flaked ice remained unchanged until the end of the experiment.

The present studies aim at determining the antagonistic effect of selected fungi species occurring in the soil under carrot cultivation towards Altenaria dauci (J.G. Kühn) J.W. Groves & Skolko, Alternaria radicina Meier, Drechsler & E.D. Eddy, Fusarium oxysporum E.F. Sm & Swingle, Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. The field experiment considered cover crops (oats, tansy phacelia and vetch). The control consisted of traditional carrot cultivation (without cover crops). Statistically, the smallest population of fungi was found in 1 g of soil dry weight after the application of oats, and a slightly bigger - after tansy phacelia and vetch. The largest population of fungi was obtained in the traditional cultivation of carrot. Cover crops contributed to the increase of the population of antagonistic Clonostachys spp., Myrothecium spp., Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. in the soil. Regardless of the experimental treatment, those antagonistic fungi were the most effective in limiting the growth of S. sclerotiorum, A. dauci and A. radicina. The effect of those fungi was a little smaller towards F. oxysporum and R. solani. Oats as a cover crop had the best effect on the antagonistic activity of the studied fungi occurring in the soil environment of carrot.

Influence of plant growth regulators chlormequat chloride, chlormequat chloride + ethephon, ethephon, and mepiquat chloride + prohexadione-Ca + pyraclostrobin + ammonium sulphate (BAS67800F + BAS00800D) on decreasing sunflower height was evaluated. It was determined that sunflower height can be reduced by as much as 30 cm. In the case of BAS67800F + ammonium sulphate, there was a slight difference between application at BBCH 31-33 and BBCH 50-51, whereas for ethephon better application time was at BBCH 50-51. For chlormequat chloride, application at BBCH 31-33 was better, but height reduction did not endure until harvest. Flower head diameter shortly before harvest was not affected at any tested regulator. Flowering was delayed primarily at applications at BBCH 50-51.

Mechanical transplanted seedling must meet the requirements of standard seedling block with uniform distribution of seedlings and inter-twisting roots for rolling. This study was conducted to identify the effect of growing media on mat type seedling raised for mechanical transplanting at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur during the period of 2012-2014 covering two dry and cold seasons (Boro) and one wet season (Aman). Seedling were raised on plastic tray using sandy loam and clay loam soil mixed with decomposed cow-dung, mustard cake, rice straw organic fertilizer, rice bran, poultry litter and vermicompost at the rate of 0.0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%. Rolling quality of the seedling mat decreased and seedling height increased with the increased of mixing rate of organic fertilizer except rice bran and mustard cake. Averaged across three seasons, 10 to 30% cow-dung, rice straw organic fertilizer, vermicompost, 10% poultry litter and 20 to 30% rice bran with both types of soil was found suitable for seedling mat and seedling height. However, seedling varied among the organic fertilizers with both types of soil in the order of cow-dung > rice bran > vermicompost > poultry liter > rice straw organic fertilizer > mustard cake. Clay loam soil showed better performance on rolling quality over sandy loam soil.

Ticks are common ectoparasites of animals; they also carry many tick-borne pathogens that are often detrimental for the health of both animals and humans. These parasites have been found in subcutaneous tissue, mainly in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), but the reason for this is unknown. In this study we report the first occurrence of the tick in an unusual location in the subcutaneous tissue of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides. The study was carried out on two adult male raccoon dogs, hunted in Western Poland. After the necropsy, one was found to have a partially decomposed tick, a female Ixodes ricinus, in the groin region.

Sixty-two endophytic bacteria from the leaves, roots, and stems of healthy Lepidium perfoliatum L. were isolated and characterised. From the results, 89, 87, 90, and 97% isolates could tolerate 12% NaCl, 30% PEG 6000, 50°C and pH 10, respectively. 74% isolates could form a biofilm. Besides, 28 isolates could improve the germination rate of host seeds under different degree of drought stress. These data suggest that the endophyte isolates show considerable resistance to abiotic stress and assist their plant hosts to germinate under drought stress.

The treatment of cucumber plants with Trichoderma atroviride TRS25 (TRS25) provided protection against infection by Rhizoctonia solani. In plants inoculated with the pathogen, nontreated with Trichoderma, disease symptoms were observed on the roots, shoots, and leaves while in plants treated with TRS25 the spread of the disease was limited. The induction of systemic defence response in cucumber against R. solani infection seemed to be strongly related to the enhanced synthesis of phenolic compounds in plants. HPLC analysis indicated remarkable increases in the concentrations of 23 phenolics belonging to hydroxybenzoic acids, cinnamic acids, catechins, flavonols, flavons, and flavanons in the plants without systemic disease symptoms. We suggest that the accumulation of phenolic acids, flavonoids and de novo synthesis of catechins may strongly contribute to cucumber protection against R. solani.

Germinated seeds are rich in various nutrients but are vulnerable to fungal contamination which favours micromycete formation on the sprouts. The main aim of this work was an investigation of strategies to reduce the contamination of sprouted seed foods. Over the course of 96 hours of sprouting, seeds of organic spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), naked oat (Avena nuda L.), triticale (xTriticosecale) and rye (Secale cereale L.) were irrigated in water filtered using the Pazdroid Med-1500 filtration device with and without 4% ethyl alcohol. Germinated seeds were stored at 18°C for one, three and seven days and the levels of Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. and Bipolaris spp were determined. Micromycete numbers were greater in sprouted winter wheat and rye but were reduced when these were soaked and irrigated with filtered water and filtered water containing 4% ethyl alcohol. Filtered water led to greater reductions in micromycete numbers in sprouted winter and spring wheat than in other seeds.

The colour, chemical composition, texture parameters, hydration properties and fatty acids profile of fresh wild boar meat and meat after 2 months of freezing were compared. The research material was the M. longissimus dorsi muscle cut out of wild boar carcasses (Sus crofa). Analyses of physical and chemical properties of samples taken from 16 boars were performed. Samples were packed and frozen to -18°C and stored under such conditions for a period of two months. Freezing storage significantly increased the elasticity value and the colour of the meat as indicated by the decrease in L* and b* values. In frozen meat there slightly increased thermal drip and forced drip. The changes in the fatty acid profile under the effect of freezing were found more often in fat from muscle M. longissimus dorsi than in back fat of wild boar. In conclusion, it should be noted that freezing storage in a short time does not affect negatively the quality of frozen meat.

The aim of this study was to test different soil phosphorus (P) extraction methods in relation to plant P uptake. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with spring wheat. The soils were extracted with the following methods/extractants: H₂O, CaCl₂, LiCl, iron oxide impregnated filter papers (Fe-oxide P_i), Olsen, calcium-acetate-lactate (CAL), cation and anion exchange membranes (CAEM), Mehlich 3, Bray and Kurtz II (Bray II), citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite, organic P, HCl, acid ammonium oxalate, total P. Plant P uptake was in the range of the P extracted by neutral salt solutions (CaCl₂, LiCl). P extracted with H₂O, CaCl₂ and CAEM correlated best with plant P uptake over one growing season, while several established soil P test methods, including CAL, Mehlich 3 and Bray II, did not show significant correlations. When grouping the soils according to pH, the weaker extraction methods (H₂O, CaCl₂, LiCl) showed significant correlations with plant P uptake only for the low and intermediate pH groups (pH in 1 mol/L KCl ≤ 6.6), while some of the stronger extraction methods (CAL, Mehlich 3, Bray II, dithionite, oxalate, total P) showed significant correlations only for the high pH group (> 6.6) comprised of calcareous soils. It was concluded that weaker P extraction methods, especially neutral salt solutions best predict plant-available P in the short term. However, they do not perform well for calcareous (and clayey) soils and do not account for P that may become available beyond one growing season.

Irrigation efficiency improvement requires optimization of its parameters like irrigation scheduling, threshold and amount of water usage. If these parameters are not satisfactorily optimized, negative consequences for the plant-soil system can occur with decreased yield and hence economic viability of the agricultural production. Numerical modelling represents an efficient, i.e. simple and fast method for optimizing and testing different irrigation scenarios. In this study HYDRUS-1D model assuming single- and dual-porosity systems was used to evaluate a triggered irrigation module for irrigation scheduling in maize/soybean cropping trials. Irrigation treatment consisted of two irrigation regimes (A2 = 60-100% field capacity (FC) and A3 = 80-100% FC) and control plot (A1) without irrigation. The model showed a very good fit to the measured data with satisfactory model efficiency values of 0.77, 0.69, and 0.93 (single-porosity model) and 0.84, 0.67, and 0.92 (dual-porosity model) for A1, A2, and A3 plots, respectively. The single-porosity model gave a slightly better fit in the irrigated plots while the dual-porosity model gave better performance in the control plot. This inconsistency between the two approaches is due to the manual irrigation triggering and uncertainty in field data timing collection. Using the triggered irrigation module provided more irrigation events during maize and soybean crop rotation and consequently increased cumulative amounts of irrigated water. However, that increase resulted in more water available in the root zone during high evapotranspiration period. The HYDRUS code can be used to optimize irrigation threshold values further by assuming different scenarios (e.g. different irrigation threshold or scheduling) or a different crop.

In the framework of an international IUFRO provenance research of grand fir (Abies grandis/D. Don/ Lindl.), a series of research plots was established in the Czech Republic in 1980-1982. This paper focuses on an evaluation of experimental plot No. 213 - Habr (Western Bohemia), where 24 provenances of grand fir are investigated. Results of the evaluation of height, diameter at breast height, volume of large timber (diameter outside bark > 7 cm), and some qualitative parameters are presented for the age of 31 years. Results of the plot evaluation showed the best growth in provenances originating from the Washington state coastal region. Individuality of growth pattern was confirmed for different Vancouver provenances and those from Idaho and Montana states. These areas cannot be considered as homogeneous. The growth of all provenances originating from the Cascades, Washington, is below average.The lowest growth rates were documented for the Cascades, Oregon state provenances; superior characteristics of some of them probably result from the high mortality of others at earlier stages and larger growth space available at present.

Many European agricultural landscapes have been abandoned facilitating the comeback of large ungulates. In Portugal, the increase in red deer numbers caused local conflicts with landowners reporting economic losses in forest and agricultural plantations. A great effort is needed to mitigate human-red deer conflicts through management strategies. Successful management strategies require reliable information on population trends. Here we propose an easy and readily applied method to estimate an increasing ungulate population. We estimated the red deer population density in a Mediterranean environment located in northeastern Portugal: Lombada National Hunting Area (LNHA) and Serra de Montesinho (SM), using pellet group counts coupled with distance sampling to account for pellet detectability. The estimated red deer density using a stratified detection function was 5.81 indd per 100 ha for LNHA and 1.34 indd per 100 ha for SM (95% CI: 3.65-9.25 and 0.74-2.42, respectively). For the entire area, the estimated density was 3.38 deer per 100 ha (95% CI: 2.18-5.24). Monitoring population trends is crucial to assess the impact of methods aimed at reducing the population size or impact and here we provided an example of a robust method that can be implemented to continuously monitor expanding populations.

Control of the nosema disease poses a major challenge, and therefore, treatment of this serious parasitic disease using natural preparations could be of great benefit. The aim of this study was to test the performance of zeolite clinoptilolite as a curative measure against honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) naturally infected by Nosema ceranae. The histopathological structure, and the content and distribution of mucosubstances and histochemical activity of aminopeptidase and non-specific esterase in the midgut mucosa of honeybees originating from colonies fed sugar syrup supplemented with zeolite minerals was studied. A decline in the number of spores in honeybees fed with zeolite clinoliptolite was observed on the first sampling day (Day 10; 53.25 ± 15.15 million spores/bee), though a statistically lower number of spores in comparison to the control was confirmed on Day 20 (41.08 ± 9.4 million spores/bee), Day 30 (28.42 ± 7.79 million spores/bee) and Day 40 (24 ± 6.25 million spores/bee). The possibility of using natural zeolites as a dietary supplement for honeybee colonies as a preventative measure and for the reduction of the deleterious effects of nosemosis is discussed.

The effect of different levels of corn oil (CO) and flaxseed oil (FO) on growth performance, blood characteristics, fatty acid composition, and expression of lipogenic genes in the liver of broiler chickens was studied. Two hundred forty female Cobb-500 broiler chickens at the age of one day (body weight (BW) = 46 ± 4 g) were fed a corn soybean meal based diet containing 5% CO (LC), 3.75% CO + 1.25% FO (FO1), 2.5% CO + 2.5% FO (FO2) or 5% FO (FC). Chickens fed FO1 diet had better BW gain (P = 0.049) and gain/feed ratio (P = 0.006) than those fed LC and FC diets during days 1-21 of age. However, for the whole experimental period (1-42 days of age), the dietary lipid source had no effect on the growth performance. On day 42 of age, the hepatic percentages of 18:3n-3 (P = 0.001) and 20:5n-3 (P < 0.001) were higher in FC than in LC group, which led to a higher content of total n-3 PUFA and lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The contents of 18:2n-6 (P < 0.05) and Σ n-6 PUFA (P = 0.009) were lower in FC than in LC group. Chickens fed FO1 and FO2 diets had higher Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and lower lipoprotein lipase activity than those fed LC and FC diets, whereas activities of lactate dehydrogenase and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase were increased by FO2 than by LC diet (P < 0.05). The relative mRNA expression level of lipin 1 in chickens fed FO2 and FC was higher (P < 0.01) than in those fed LC and FO1 diets. Our results demonstrated that higher levels of FO led to hepatic enrichment of n-3 PUFA content and lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios in liver and increased the expression of lipin 1 whereas the expression of lipin 2, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2, Δ-6 fatty acid desaturase, WD and tetratricopeptide repeats 1, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was not affected.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of administration of oxytocin, in combination with dinoprost or ergometrin, after parturition on the occurrence of clinical endometritis and subsequent reproductive performance in dairy cows. The cows, without retained foetal membranes, were assigned to one of three groups. No treatment was performed in the control group (Group C, n = 229). However, intramuscular administrations of oxytocin (30 IU) on Days 1 and 2 post partum, in combination with dinoprost (25 mg, Group D, n = 123) or ergometrin (15 mg, Group E, n = 130) administered on Day 7 post partum, were performed in experimental groups. Vaginal discharge score (VDS, 1-5), uterine content score (UCS, 1-3) on Day14 to 21 post partum, number of treatment interventions (TI), proportion of non-treated cows (NT) because of endometritis, calving to first insemination interval (CI), first insemination conception rate (CR), and proportion of pregnant cows by Day 150 post partum (PC), were compared among groups. There was no significant difference among groups for any parameter. Average values were 2.08, 2.24 and 2.06 (VDS); 1.49, 1.51 and 1.45 (UCS); 0.86, 0.93 and 0.74 (TI); 59.4, 54.2 and 54.7% (NT); 73.9 ± 15.2, 75.4 ± 17 and 74.2 ± 17 days (CI); 41.4, 38.9 and 44.3% (CR); and 75.4, 77.7 and 80.5% (PC) for Groups C, D and E, respectively. There was no significant benefit of preventive administration of oxytocin, in combination with dinoprost or ergometrin, after parturition on reproductive performance in dairy cows.

In view of the strengthening demographic trend of ageing of the population and the pension reform underway in the Czech Republic, the problem of Age Management, which focuses on the management taking into account the age of employees, has become very current from the perspective of securing manpower. The agricultural sector has also long been facing problems in the area of manpower. Therefore, the aim of the article is to analyse and evaluate the costs for supporting the Age Management in agricultural businesses and to propose measures leading to the effective utilization of these analysed financial means. The data were acquired on the basis of a quantitative survey with the aid of a questionnaire survey in agricultural businesses in the Czech Republic (the number of businesses: n = 436, the number of agricultural businesses: n_z = 103). One of the conclusions of the article is that 24.3% of the approached agricultural businesses are implementing the Age Management. These are primarily small and medium agricultural businesses with up to 50 employees, which incur in average 6 to 10% of operational costs in relation to the gained profits on the application of the Age Management principles.

The objective of this study was to compare the performance, egg quality, and microbial contamination of egg shells from hens maintained in different housing systems, such as conventional and enriched cages, litter, and aviaries. The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the performance characteristics. The highest egg production, lowest daily feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were measured in conventional cages compared to litter and aviaries. Higher egg shell and albumen qualities were observed in conventional cages, whereas hens housed in enriched cages and aviaries laid eggs with a higher yolk index (P < 0.001). The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the total count of bacteria on the egg surface and the microbial contamination of Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. The lowest values for the total count of bacterial contamination (P < 0.001) were found in eggs from conventional cages (4.05 log colony-forming units (CFU)/egg) and enriched cages (3.98 log CFU/egg). Eggs from aviaries had 5.49 log CFU per egg, and the highest level of contamination was observed in eggs that were laid on litter (6.24 log CFU/egg). The level of the microbial contamination of egg shells from litter and aviaries was by 2 log CFU higher than in eggs from cages. It could be concluded, from the viewpoint of egg safety, a more suitable substitute for conventional cages are enriched cages and aviaries than litter.

This study was conducted to examine the potential of cuttlebone xenograft in the healing of bone using radiography and histology for a period of 24 weeks. One hundred and five New Zealand male rabbits with radius defects in the metaphyseal region were divided into five groups treated with cuttlebone, demineralized bone matrix, bovine cancellous graft, and tricalcium phosphate. The control was no treatment. Clinical, radiological, biochemical and histological evaluations were made 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery. Physiological measurements (body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate) were not affected by the treatments. The radiological score was greatest in the demineralised bone matrix and tricalcium phosphate groups (score of 8), followed by the bovine cancellous graft (score of 6), cuttlebone (score of 6), and control groups (score of 5). The histological score was greatest in the tricalcium phosphate group (score of 55), followed by the cuttlebone (score of 50), bovine cancellous graft (score of 48), demineralized bone matrix (score of 44) and control groups (score of 42). Oxidative enzyme activities were not different across the treatments. The lack of reinfection and infection responses and faster bone union highlight the potential of cuttlebone xenograft in orthopaedic surgery.

Oxidative stress in the body occurs when the production of free radicals overwhelms the antioxidant defence systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a combination of dexmedetomidine, midazolam, butorphanol, and atropine (DMBA) as an anaesthetic on plasma oxidative status in twelve raccoon dogs. Baseline measures were recorded prior to anaesthesia, and then the animals were anaesthetised with the combination of dexmedetomidine (25 ug/kg), midazolam (0.45 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.25 mg/kg), and atropine (0.035 mg/kg). Temperature, respiratory rate, haemoglobin saturation by oxygen, pulse rate, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, and mean arterial pressure were continually monitored. Blood pressure was significantly decreased at 30 to 60 min (P < 0.05). Pulse rate ranged from 96 to 123 bpm, without episodes of severe bradycardia or tachycardia. Blood samples were collected from saphenous venipuncture at 0, 0.5, 1, and 24 h before, during, and after anaesthesia. Plasma superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activity, and malondialdehyde concentrations were measured by colorimetry, and plasma vitamin E level was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.5 h, and then gradually decreased to baseline values after 1 h. Catalase activity increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.5 h, 1 h, and then gradually decreased to baseline values after 24 h. There was no significant change in vitamin E level (P < 0.05).The concentration of malondialdehyde decreased significantly at 0.5, 1, and 24 h after injection (P < 0.05). The results show that the administered dose of dexmedetomidine, midazolam, butorphanol, and atropine has antioxidant effects in raccoon dogs. Our study is the first to demonstrate that dexmedetomidine, midazolam, butorphanol, and atropine exert antioxidant effects, which may be exploited to alleviate the stress of examination and research at veterinary clinics.

The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of chitosan (CHI) on immune and antioxidative function in beef cattle. A total of 24 fattening Simmental cattle with similar body weight and age were divided randomly into three dietary groups, and the three diets contained 0, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CHI, respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 84 days. It was found that: (1) the addition of CHI in diets improved (P < 0.05) the levels of IgA and interleukin-1, and decreased (P < 0.1) the levels of soluble cluster of differentiation 4 receptor in serum at middle stage except that IgA remained unchanged in 1000 mg/kg CHI group. The levels of IgM and IgA tended to be increased (P < 0.1) by dietary CHI at later stage of the experiment; (2) the addition of 500 mg/kg CHI in diets increased (P < 0.1) total superoxide dismutase activity and decreased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde content in serum at early and later stages, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicated that addition of 500 mg/kg CHI affected humoral and cellular immune responses, and improved the antioxidative function of beef cattle.

The research was focused on operational measurements of tractor plough tools and their subsequent utilisation and simulation under laboratory conditions by a hydrostatic simulator. In this field, theoretical and experimental works were focused on tractors, whereby the proposal of laboratory test arose out of the loading characteristics of the three-point linkage of the tractor. These characteristics were obtained from the agricultural tractor's operation in plough aggregation. Measurements were performed with the following tools: tractor with carrier-mounted four-mouldboard plough PH1-435 and tractor with Kuhn plough manufactured by. The subject of these measurements was to obtain the time courses of forces and pressures in the hydraulic system of the three-point linkage during ploughing with carrier-mounted and semi-mounted ploughs. For objective comparison of the obtained results during experimental measurements, we determined the characteristics of measurement conditions focused on physical and mechanical properties of the soil - bulk density, moisture, penetrometer resistance and slide strength of the soil.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the electrical resistance values of the cervical mucus and/or blood οestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations at mating, after oestrous synchronisation during the anoestrous or oestrous period in ewes, are related to fertility. Oestrus was induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate-impregnated intravaginal sponges (Veramix, Upjohn, USA), either for 12 days (12-day group; 24 Kymi and 28 Chios) or for 14 days (14-day group; 24 Kymi and 28 Chios), plus 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (Intergonan, Intervet, the Netherlands) i.m., at the time of sponge removal. In each case, one blood sample was collected from all ewes at sponge insertion, at sponge removal and at oestrus, for the determination of serum οestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations, using a radioimmunoassay. The electrical resistance of the cervical mucus was measured once, just after oestrus detection by teaser rams, using a digital heat detector. All ewes found to be in oestrus were mated to fertile rams. Pregnancy was determined by transabdominal ultrasonography 35-40 days after mating. Kymi ewes were in anoestrous, while those of Chios were in the oestrous period. The 14-day treatment resulted in better outcome as concerns oestrus detection and pregnancy rate than the 12-day treatment, in either oestrous or anoestrous period ewes. Oestradiol-17β concentrations at sponge removal and at oestrus were lower (P < 0.05) in the 14-day group than in the 12-day group, in both oestrous or anoestrous period ewes. Progesterone concentrations at sponge insertion and removal were higher (P < 0.05), while progesterone concentrations and electrical resistance values of the cervical mucus at oestrus were lower (P < 0.05) in ewes of both groups who conceived compared to those that did not, either in oestrous or in the anoestrous period. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive relation between the electrical resistance values of the cervical mucus and blood serum progesterone concentrations in both oestrous or anoestrous period ewes. The electrical resistance of cervical mucus could be useful for the detection of the proper time for mating after oestrous synchronisation in ewes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of immunising farm animals with the Histophilus somni recombinant heat shock protein 60kDa (H. somni rHsp60) in field conditions. Fifty piglets, 10 calves and 30 hens were immunised twice, and the same number of each species was used as the control. The humoral immune response was evaluated using ELISA in piglets (IgG, IgA and IgM) and calves (IgG₁, IgG₂ and IgM) sera and in hen egg yolks (IgY). Cell-mediated immune responses were evaluated using the skin test. Concentrations of serum haptoglobin in calves and piglets and plasma fibrinogen in calves, daily weight gain in piglets, as well as the inner body temperature and clinical signs in calves were measured to evaluate the clinical effects of vaccination. In animals immunised twice with H. somni rHsp60, a statistically significant increase in IgY antibodies in egg yolk as well as serum IgG₁ and IgG₂ antibodies in calves (P < 0.05) was found. In piglets, the antibody reaction against H. somni rHsp60 was higher in the experimental than in the control group, but the difference was significant only for the IgG class (P < 0.05). A moderate cell-mediated immune response to H. somni rHsp60 measured using the skin test was observed in piglets after 24 h (P < 0.05), but not in calves and hens. The daily weight gain was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control piglets (P < 0.05). The fibrinogen and haptoglobin levels in calves, as well as the inner body temperature, indicated a reduced risk of pathology in the experimental group of calves. The preliminary results confirmed the immunogenicity of H. somni rHsp60. A beneficial effect on piglet weight gain was observed. The obtained results warrant further studies of the protective effects of H. somni rHsp60 as an ingredient of subunit vaccines in farm animals.

Structural parameters of Scots pine stands (129-191 years) on their natural sites (270-600 m a.s.l.) are described on 6 permanent research plots (PRP; 3 in managed stands using near-natural silvicultural practices and 3 in stands without active forest management for 3 decades at least) in areas of western, central and eastern Bohemia and in the Polish part of the Krkonoše Mts. In the framework of the study structural and growth parameters, horizontal and vertical structure and biodiversity were evaluated on the plots. A comparison of the plots, and of managed and unmanaged plots showed a relatively high variability in different parameters. Nevertheless, the results document that managed stands, compared to forest stands without management, mostly have significantly higher standing volumes (1.5 times in total and 1.7 times in pine), which is caused by more extreme sites. An opposite trend was found out in dead wood volume, which is distinctly higher in unmanaged stands. Differences in the other parameters are not so pronounced, probably because small-scale management is used and because a relatively short time since the stands were left to spontaneous development has elapsed (30-52 years).

We studied the distribution of virus/viruses causing tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) in Antalya and to characterise the partial genome sequences of the selected isolates. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was only detected by the triple antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 24 and 80 greenhouses were found to be TYLCV-infected in the spring and autumn cultivations in 2011, respectively. The rate of TYLCV infection was found to be 29% in the spring cultivation and 43.7% in the autumn cultivation. The partial nucleotide sequences of the isolates were also determined.