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Nitrogen and carbohydrate (soluble sugars and starch) reserves were analysed in twig samples of 'Red Beaut' and 'Showtime' Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars cultivated in two similar experimental orchards under organic and conventional management. 'Red Beaut' is a vigorous cultivar while 'Showtime' is a middle to low vigorous cultivar. Both cultivars exhibited delayed flowering and premature defoliation under organic management. In general, there were no differences in the concentration of reserves between the two types of management for either of the two plum cultivars, and, likewise, no differences were observed between cultivars, regardless of their vigor. Additionally, reserves were also analysed in plantlets of 'Mariana 2624' rootstock (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh × Prunus munsoniana W. Wight & Hedrick) grown in a growth chamber that simulated conditions of spring and autumn periods and subjected to organic or mineral fertilisation. Plants subjected to organic fertilisation were smaller and defoliated earlier, but the sizes of carbohydrate and nitrogen reserves were similar to that of plants grown with mineral fertilisation.

The goal of the paper was to define recommendations of a suitable business strategy for SMEs in the area of primary agricultural production. First, the external environment was analysed to define suitable recommendations for the industry, and also to discover opportunities and threats through fitting strategic analyses, that affect the aforementioned businesses. Secondly, it was necessary to get familiar with the internal environment and functioning of specific businesses in the industry (namely those that operate in the Western region of Prostějov at the foot of the Drahanska Highlands) and to evaluate their efficiency to define their strengths and weaknesses. The paper demonstrates that there is a wide range of means that can be taken advantage of when defining fitting strategies for agricultural businesses, e.g. the Porter's Five Forces Model, the IFE and the IE Matrix, the SWOT Matrix as well as the general strategies by Ansoff. Among the most important recommendations for increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in the agricultural industry, there belong: taking advantage of all the suitable agricultural subsidies, taking advantage of accredited agricultural advisors, making sure that the legal requirements of governmental bodies are met, increasing revenues for arable farming (through a good quality seed stock, chemicals and fertilizers, the foundation of suitable storage facilities in order to postpone the sales of the grain after the harvest season), creating sales cooperatives/associations to balance the competing force of buyers, rejuvenating the workforce, solidifying the ownership structure in the businesses, entrepreneurial diversification (electrical energy production), increasing quality in animal farming.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is the causal agent of white mould, stem, and fruit rot diseases on a wide variety of crop plants including cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) in field and storage. Control of this pathogen by using commercial disease management methods is extremely difficult. Therefore, this study was performed to develop an alternative and effective control method for the diseases by using biocontrol bacteria - Bacillus subtilis (strains TV-6F, TV-17C, TV-12H, BA-140 and EK-7), Bacillus megaterium (strains TV-103B), and Bacillus pumilus (strains RK-103) on Petri plate assays and on red cabbage in pot assays. On Petri plates, all of the tested bacterial strains showed the zone of inhibition against the pathogen fungus ranging 15.00-26.50 mm. Their percentage inhibition rates and lesion length ranged 42.64-79.41% and 0.02-4.50 cm in pot assays, respectively. Consequently, our results indicated that especially B. subtilis strains TV-17C, TV-12H, and TV-6F can be used as bio control agent of S. sclerotiorum in red cabbage production.

The prospects of sparkling wine production by the 'Champenoise' method using alginate-immobilised yeast cells were examined. Grape varieties dominant in quantity were selected within the group of recommended and permitted varieties of Kutjevo vineyards, located in the eastern part of continental Croatia. Research revealed that there are no influential variations in the principal physicochemical and sensory characteristics between sparkling wines obtained through immobilised yeast and traditional sparkling method. The analysis of aroma compounds showed minor differences between samples. Observed oenological parameters assessed in the final products did not show any relevant oenological differences, with the exception of alcohol content, which was slightly higher in sparkling wines made with yeast cells immobilised with calcium alginate beads. According to this research, the sensory properties of the produced sparkling wines, compared to sparkling wine produced with free yeast, did not show any significant differences. On the full-scale obtained results indicate that some of the selected varieties can be sorted as suitable for the production of sparkling wine using immobilised yeast cells.

The present prospective, randomised, double-blinded clinical study was designed to investigate the commonly used anaesthetic combinations of dexmedetomidine-propofol-isoflurane and medetomidine-propofol-isoflurane on intraocular pressure and pupil size in dogs. Forty client-owned healthy dogs with no ocular abnormalities, average body weight of 25.7 ± 13.1 kg (mean ± SD) and aged 3.7 ± 2.7 years, were enrolled. Twenty four males and 16 females were included. Dogs were allocated randomly to receive dexmedetomidine i.v. at 0.005 mg/kg, dexmedetomidine at 0.01 mg/kg, medetomidine at 0.01 mg/kg or medetomidine at 0.02 mg/kg. Ten minutes later anaesthesia was induced in all dogs with propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen-air. Intraocular pressure, pupil size, heart rate, respiratory frequency and arterial blood pressures (SAP, DAP) were measured prior to (baseline) and at 10 (before propofol), 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min after dexmedetomidine or medetomidine administration. Oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO₂) and end-tidal CO₂ concentration (EtCO₂) was monitored following anaesthesia induction. Data were analysed using Anderson-Darling and Bartlett's tests for data distribution and homogeneity of variance confirmation and ANOVA followed by Dunnett's tests for multiple comparisons. Changes were considered significant when P < 0.05. Following drug administration, pupil size, heart rate and respiratory frequency decreased significantly within groups, but did not differ between groups. No significant changes in intraocular pressure, SAP and DAP within and between groups, and SpO₂ or EtCO₂ between groups, were observed. Comparable doses of dexmedetomidine or medetomidine combined with propofol and isoflurane induced reductions in pupil size, respiratory frequency and heart rate, however, without a significant influence on intraocular pressure or arterial blood pressure.

This prospective study was aimed at testing a modified method for the measurement of the tibial plateau angle on radiographs of the stifle joint and the proximal part of the tibia. Forty-four stifle joints of 32 client-owned dogs were included in this study. Dogs were presented for hindlimb lameness and suspected cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The diagnostic procedures included radiographic examination. The mediolateral projection of the stifle joint including the tibia and the tarsal joint was used in this study. We tested the most widely used gold standard method as well as three additional methods for tibial plateau angle measurement on each joint. The tibial plateau angle, the positioning of the stifle joint and the presence of osteoarthrosis were recorded. Only 29 (66%) joints had correct position on the radiograph and were used for further study. Repeated-measures ANOVA identified significant differences in mean tibial plateau angle between the different measuring methods. Dunnett's post-hoc test identified a significant difference between the TA-2 and TA-2i methods and TA-0. No significant differences in tibial plateau angle were identified between joints with and without osteoarthrosis. The positioning of the limb significantly influenced the tibial plateau angle. One of the modified methods was found to not differ significantly from the gold standard method; thus, it can be recommended for further testing.

The effects of thermal manipulation (TM) during late ostrich embryonic development on hatchability, body weight, biochemical and hormonal changes, and the ability of hatching chicks to cope with thermal challenge in days 6-8 of age were examined. At 35 days of incubation, two hundred fertile eggs were weighed and divided into two equal groups with five replicates. The first group was exposed to 36.5°C and 25% relative humidity (RH) (control), while the second group was exposed to 38.5°C and 45% RH for 3 h daily in days 35-37 of incubation (thermal manipulation). At days 6-8 of age, the hatched chicks from each treatment were randomly divided into two groups: control group (exposed to 32 ± 1°C), and thermal challenge group (exposed to 40 ± 1°C for 3 h daily). Hatchability rate was significantly lower with high incubation temperature as compared to the normal incubation temperatures. Embryonic TM and thermal challenge in days 6-8 of age reduced significantly total protein, albumin, and triiodothyronin concentrations and elevated uric acid, creatinine, triglycerides, and glucose concentrations as compared with the control. The level of corticosterone was significantly higher in the thermal challenge group as compared to the control. In conclusion, exposing the ostrich embryos to TM (38.5°C) during late embryonic development induced physiological changes that may represent epigenetic adaptation to TM. The same mechanisms are employed for increasing the ability to improve thermotolerance post-hatch.

Translocation of tracers incorporated into the upper layer of topsoil was evaluated in the course of seedbed preparation for winter wheat. Aluminium cubes with the edge length of 16 mm were used as tracers that were placed into the soil before its tillage into furrows perpendicular to the direction of passes. After the passes of the OPALL-AGRI combined cultivator, the tracers were searched and marked using a metal detector. The translocation of tracers was evaluated during multiple passes on flatland and on the slope. During the seedbed preparation on the slope, downslope and upslope passes in a fall line direction were chosen. Results of the tracers movement measuring that simulate the soil particle translocation indicate a pronounced movement of the upper layer of topsoil during multiple downslope passes of the combined cultivator. A significant translocation was also observed after passes on flatland. A significantly smaller lengthwise translocation of tracers was found out at upslope passes. The type of translocation on flatland and upslope was quite similar, on the other hand, downslope movement was much larger. The upslope passes were found to have a very limited function with regard to the correction of the undesirable downslope movement of soil particles that occurs in the course of tillage.

Strategies to prevent postharvest losses include the use of genotypes that have a longer life. The objective of this study was to develop a screening test for the estimation of cut flower postharvest life and the response to exogenous ethylene of different carnation cultivars at an early stage of plant growth. Ethylene sensitivity and production in different cut flower cultivars was evaluated, and a similar response in the vegetative stage was studied. Also, the possible relationship between the morphological parameters of cuttings and flower postharvest life was studied. Ethylene production of cuttings may be a useful tool for estimating ethylene production of cut flowers. There is a strong relationship between cut flower vase life and the root length of cuttings, as well as cut flower ethylene sensitivity and the number of internodes the cuttings have. Applications of exogenous ethylene to cutting cultivars have an effect on the growth parameters of the cuttings, but the response to ethylene in cut flowers does not behave in the same way in the vegetative stage.

Burnout imposes consequences and costs on the organization and employees, such as frequent job and workplace replacement, frequent absenteeism and permissions, and reduced work quantity and quality. So it seems necessary to perform institutional interventions to reduce the staff burnout. The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence of burnout among forest workers in Mazandaran. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of workers in the forests of Mazandaran province. Result showed that a significant proportion of workers had burnout in terms of the three dimensions of Maslach Burnout Inventory. 46.90% of respondents suffered from high emotional exhaustion, 43.36% had high depersonalization and 49.56% of respondents suffered from low personal accomplishment. In this study it was shown that people with bachelor or higher degree (compared to people with a lower education level) were in better conditions in terms of all three dimensions of burnout; they had higher personal accomplishment and higher emotional exhaustion and lower depersonalization. It was shown that burnout is highly prevalent among chainsaw operators and skidder drivers.

Research and development (R&D) represents a significant expenditure and investment into the future competitiveness of a given firm. The behavioural theory of the firm assumes that these expenditures are subject to changes caused by performance feedback. This paper builds upon these assumptions and extends them by considering the possible effect of national cultures on the nature of these responses to the performance feedback. The research follows 119 firms from nine countries over the period 2001-2015 and analyses their behaviour using generalized linear mixed models. The findings mostly support an effect of national cultures, measured by Hofstede's cultural dimensions, on changes in R&D expenditure and indicate that national culture is one of the factors which needs to be taken into account when utilizing the behavioural theory of the firm.

Winter oilseed rape is the second most frequently grown crop in the Czech Republic. Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae (Wor.), was previously a problem in production of vegetable. The disease has been spreading on winter rape (Brassica napus L.) over the past four years. Infected stands were reported throughout the country in autumn 2011. The pathogen is probably widely spread in the whole country, its incidence depends on suitable weather conditions. Every field with clubroot is considered as contaminated for many years. The amounts of inoculum and its distribution are not sufficient yet, but this is just the initial stage of colonisation. There is a similar situation resembling experiences from other countries (Canada, Germany) where clubroot has gradually expanded in the last 15 years.

Natural parasitism of the European corn borer eggs (Hübner) by Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) was assessed in sweet corn field in north-west Serbia, region Vojvodina at the localities of Ruski Krstur, from 2004 till 2007. The rate of egg parasitism in 2004 varied from 35.89% to 73.58%. The parasitism in 2005 was lower than in 2004. On four different sampling dates in 2005 parasitism varied from 28.48% to 57.05% and averaged 39.4%. In 2006 parasitism fluctuated between 9.31 and 62.9%, averaging 32.15%. In 2007 parasitism varied from 36.8% to 54.54% and averaged 43.48%. The egg parasitoid species was identified as Trichogramma evanescens (Westwood). The study showed that this natural enemy occurred constantly in sweet corn fields but its number greatly fluctuated from year to year.

In this study, 12 microsatellite markers (SSR) were evaluated for their applicability to protect from frauds and misuse the Italian PGI product "Common bean from Lamon". SSR analysis generated polymorphic alleles, with an average of 4 alleles per locus and all in the range of molecular weight between 181 and 284 bp. Twenty-nine variety-specific fragments were identified, which might be reasonably adopted for characterization and traceability purposes. Cluster analysis well outlined the relationships between the genotypes studied. Overall, our study underlines the use and usefulness of molecular markers to protect both farmers and consumers from frauds.

Dimethyl sulphoxide has a variety of biological effects that have made it the subject of numerous pharmacological studies. The first dimethyl sulphoxide therapeutic indication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1978 was for intravesical instillation in cases of interstitial cystitis. Since then, due to its distinctive properties, it has been the subject of studies in several areas. This review describes indications, adverse effects and contraindications, as takes a critical approach to the main articles addressing the clinical use of dimethyl sulphoxide.

The aim of this clinical retrospective study was to analyse the prevalence of common disorders in 529 captive bearded dragons that were presented to three exotic animal clinics in Central Europe (Austria and Czech Republic) over a period of three years. A diagnosis was made on the basis of the presenting clinical signs and physical examination in 30.8% of the cases, whereas various additional diagnostic tests were performed in the other cases (69.2%). These included diagnostic imaging (radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography), examination of faecal samples for the presence of parasites, a blood-profile analysis, histological, as well as bacteriological and mycological examinations and necropsy. Gastrointestinal diseases (42.67%) like endoparasitism, constipation, sand ingestion, tympany and meteorism were the most common disorders. In 51.92% of the cases of constipation, endoparasites were present, whereas in 38.46% of the cases of constipation, metabolic bone diseases and imbalances in calcium and phosphorus levels were detected. Most of the analysed faecal samples (83.27%) were positive for the presence of endoparasites (48.7% pinworms, 25.39% coccidians and 16.06% flagellates). Dermatological problems (22.4%) contained skin tumours, which were observed in adult lizards (age range from three to eight years) and included spindle cell tumour on the eyelid, as well as spindle cell sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma on the trunk. Osteodystrophy, limb fractures and various types of necrosis on the limbs and tail were frequently observed musculoskeletal disorders (18.93%). Over half of all animals (57.14%) that underwent a blood test, showed a deviation in the calcium-phosphorus ratio, 63.98% showed hypocalcaemia and 26.71% hyperphosphataemia. Diseases of the urogenital system (9.47%) included renal diseases and dystocia. Neoplastic diseases besides skin tumours included two cases of leukaemia in 4-year-old bearded dragons, one of these with lymphoma in kidneys, lungs and liver and one ganglioneuroma in the body cavity of a bearded dragon of unknown age. Orthopaedic surgeries were most frequently performed to amputate the limbs or tail, whereas soft-tissue surgeries most often included the treatment of skin wounds and correction of cloacal prolapse, in addition to ovariectomy, salpingotomy or salpingectomy in female bearded dragons. Similar to the situation in Australia and the USA, infectious as well as non-infectious diseases are common in captive bearded dragons in Central Europe. Due to the high occurrence of endoparasitism, skin diseases and metabolic bone diseases in this present study, regular veterinary controls in bearded dragons including parasitological faecal examinations and optimisation of feeding and housing are necessary to improve the standard of health of bearded dragons kept as pet lizards in Europe.

In Hawaii, past use of arsenical pesticides has left elevated levels of arsenic (As) in some soils. Sorption isotherms of an Andosol and an Acrisol showed that the former required 1100 mg/kg, and the latter 300 mg/kg of added As to maintain 0.20 mg As/L in solution, the maximum allowable As level in streams/rivers in Hawaii. Greenhouse experiments were conducted on an Andosol (315 mg/kg total As), which was amended with 0, 5 g/kg compost, 5 g Fe/kg as amorphous Fe(OH)₃, or 250 mg P/kg as Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, and on a low-As (15 mg/kg) Acrisol, which was spiked with 0, 150 or 300 mg As/kg as Na₂HAsO₄.7 H₂O. Brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) was used as the test plant. Arsenic concentration in the fern fronds averaged 355 mg/kg in the Andosol, and 2610 and 1270 mg/kg (from consecutive plantings, 2 and 12 months after As addition, respectively) in the Acrisol spiked with 300 mg/kg of As. Chemical reactions, as suggested by sequential extractions, likely controlled the availability and uptake of soil As. Mehlich-3 extraction could be used to identify As-contaminated soils and potential phytoremediation as it correlated well with bioaccessible As and with As in fern fronds.

The effect of artificial conditions of a short daylight period (16 h darkness (D): 8 h light (L)) and exogenous melatonin on milk yield parameters of sheep during spring and summer was examined to determine the impact of using sheep for milk on the secretion level of gonadotrophic hormones. The research was conducted on 60 sheep lambed in February. After raising the lambs, the sheep were divided into 3 groups and assigned for dairy use (May-September). The mothers in the control Group 1 (G1) were maintained under natural daylight conditions. The sheep in Group 2 (G2) were maintained under conditions of an artificial photoperiod (16 h D : 8 h L). Meanwhile, the mothers in Group 3 (G3) were given melatonin implants. A 6-hour collection of blood from 6 sheep of each group was performed every 4 weeks. The concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in plasma were measured using radioimmunoassay. The average LH concentration in G1 gradually increased since May (5.32 ± 0.2 ng/ml), reaching the highest value in August (6.70 ± 0.2 ng/ml). In G2, the increase in LH occurred 4 weeks after the introduction of the 16 h D : 8 h L condition (6.26 ± 0.2 ng/ml). The maximum LH concentration in G3 was noted in August (7.31 ± 0.2 ng/ml). The average FSH concentration in G1 gradually increased since May (6.59 ± 0.2 ng/ml), reaching the highest value in August (10.50 ± 2.6 ng/ml). In G2, there was a significant increase in the FSH concentration in June (9.00 ± 0.3 ng/ml). In the final period during lactation, the FSH concentrations in G2 (13.51 ± 1.3 ng/ml) and G3 (13.60 ± 1.9 ng/ml) were higher than in G1. The results indicate that using sheep for milk does not inhibit the secretion of gonadotropic hormones induced by the simulation of short daylight conditions and exogenous melatonin.

The specificity of the agricultural sector (seasonality, the methods of obtaining human resources and so on) affects the situation in the labour market. The demand of agriculture companies for qualified workers is relatively high; unfortunately, people still prefer to work in the related or other fields where they have more suitable work conditions related. Building the brand of the employer, improving the awareness of the public and increasing the loyalty of the present employees can raise the offer of vacancies and obtain new qualified employees. The aim of the paper is to identify the benefits of human resource branding in businesses arising therefrom. A partial aim is to identify the present key managerial challenges of agriculture businesses. In the work, the data collected from a questionnaire survey (n = 108) were used together with the information from the Czech Statistical Office, in the opinion of which the labour market in the agricultural sector does not exhibit a positive trend. As a part of the evaluation, a factor analysis was carried out identifying three categories of benefits (the stabilisation of workers, organisational processes, and other benefits) crucial for the employer branding in agriculture.

During 2014-2016, damage by the oriental chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) was found on sweet chestnut trees at 4 localities in Slovakia. Dryocosmus kuriphilus is a specific plant pest on Castanea spp. In Europe it is considered as the most harmful insect pest on Castanea sativa. It is the first report of the oriental chestnut gall wasp occurrence on chestnut trees in Slovakia.

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP1 80% O2/20% CO2 and MAP2 70% N2/30% CO2) on the selected parameters (ammonia, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances /TBARS/) and antioxidant capacity in chilled meat (2 ± 2°C) of organic chickens (breast and thigh) was evaluated. Control samples were packaged using a polyolefin film. The experiment was conducted on day 2 and repeated on day 7, 10, and 14 of storage. TBARS of samples in MAP1 were higher than in samples stored in MAP2. Ammonia in meat in MAP2 was constant during storage. In general, the DPPH inhibition percentage of meat in MAP1 was lower than that in meat in MAP2. Results of the present study indicated that MAP2 could be preferable for the packaging of organic chicken meat.

Immunophenotyping is a valuable method for prognosis in canine malignant lymphoma. The general B-cell marker is CD79a; however, Pax5 or B-cell specific activator protein, a transcription factor that controls B-cell identity and cell maturation, could also be used as a B-cell indicator in canine lymphomas. This study aimed to use Pax5, CD79a and CD3 expression in immunohistochemistry of spontaneous canine lymphomas, in order to carry out diagnosis and histopathological classification according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Forty-six retrospective cases including 33 multicentric, eight extranodal, and five alimentary lymphomas in dogs were immunostained by anti-Pax5 and anti-CD79a antibodies for B-cell identification, and anti-CD3 antibody for T-cell identification. T-cell lymphomas (CD3+/Pax5-/CD79a-) accounted for 30.43% of cases (14/46), and four of the lymphomas (28.57%) presented with CD3+/Pax5-/CD79a+. Conversely, B-cell lymphomas (CD3-/Pax5+/CD79a+) accounted for 69.57% of cases (32/46) and 12.5% of these (4/32) showed only Pax5-positive cells (CD3-/Pax5+/CD79a-). Therefore, in dogs, Pax5 appears to be a more useful marker for staining all B-cell subtypes compared to CD79a. Immunophenotyping with both Pax5 and CD3 are necessary for lymphoid lineage identification in canine lymphomas.

The study concerned the determination of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions under conventional and reduced tillage conditions. In the reduced cultivation, a soil cultivating seed drill was used for simultaneous sowing of seeds and subsurface application of fertilizer. The emission levels of the gas tested were dependent on the year of the study and the method of soil tillage, and were subject to considerable changes during the growing season. The use of reduced soil tillage significantly limited emissions of the analysed gas into the atmosphere. Depending on the year of the study, N₂O emission in the reduced tillage system was from 15% to 40% lower than in the conventional system. Low levels of easily mineralized components in soil could have been the cause of the reduction in N₂O emissions to the atmosphere.

The objective was to determine effects of equilibration length and freezing curve type as well as their interactions on motility and live spermatozoa proportion in bull sperm after thawing. The ejaculates of 6 sires were repeatedly collected. Fresh semen was diluted with one extender and divided into 3 groups equilibrated for 30, 120, and 240 min. Subsequently, half straws of each group were frozen using standard 3-phase or 2-phase freezing curve differing in the rate of temperature decrease. The spermatozoa motility (M) was evaluated immediately after thawing and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min of thermodynamic test (TDT). Live spermatozoa proportion was evaluated after thawing and at the end of TDT. Average of spermatozoa motility (AM), decrease of spermatozoa motility (MD), average proportion of live spermatozoa (ALS), and decrease of live spermatozoa proportion (DLS) through the TDT were calculated. Significant inter-sire differences in AM (0.45-17.0%; P < 0.05-0.01), MD (0.76-12.57%; P < 0.05-0.01), and ALS (0.99-23.8%; P < 0.01) were detected. The longest equilibration ensured the highest M during TDT and AM (+2.72 and +4.58%; P < 0.05-0.01), however higher MD (+4.06%; P < 0.01) compared to standard length as well. Straws freezed using 2-phase curve achieved higher M through TDT, AM (+7.3%; P < 0.01) as well as ALS (+11.77%; P < 0.01). The 2-phase curve presented higher M compared to the 3-phase freezing curve within all equilibration lengths. Significant differences in AM, MD, and ALS (0.45-6.78%, 0.62-5.35%, and 20.79-21.11%; P < 0.05-0.01) between equilibration length vs freezing curve interactions were determined. Results document the importance of equilibration length, freezing curve, and their interaction effect on live spermatozoa proportion and sperm motility after thawing as well as necessity of individual conditions for bulls semen processing and insemination doses production.

cluster weight; berry weight; soluble solids; berry composition

Taxocenosis of psocids (Psocoptera) was studied in the territory of the Drahanská vrchovina Hills in the Czech Republic. Representative research plots were selected in forest ecosystems with natural species composition and spatial structure (small-scale strictly protected areas) as well as in forest ecosystems with altered tree species composition and spatial structure. Research was conducted in three altitudinal vegetation zones (AVZ): in 2^nd communities of Fagi-querceta s. lat. (beech-oak forests), 3^rd Querci-fageta s. lat. (oak-beech forests) and 4^th Fageta abietis (beech forests with fir). Research plots are situated at altitudes ranging between 275 and 540 m a.s.l. In the 2013 growing season, totally 3,474 imagoes and 2,532 nymphs of 32 psocid species were collected. Of those, 748 imagoes of 25 psocid species were collected in Fagi-querceta. The occurrence of Caecilius burmeisteri, Caecilius flavidus and Graphopsocus cruciatus was eudominant. 2,194 imagoes of 23 psocid species were found in Querci-fageta, eudominant were there Caecilius flavidus and Caecilius burmeisteri. 532 imagoes of 18 psocid species were found in Fageta abietis, eudominant were there: Caecilius flavidus, Peripsocus subfasciatus and Caecilius burmeisteri. In respect to the species composition, 3^rd AVZ and 4^th AVZ are similar to each other while 2^nd AVZ is less similar.

The efficacy of a brief exposure (1, 7, and 10 days) to a nitrogen-controlled atmosphere (N-CA) for major storagepests in a field validation study in the Czech Republic is reported. The main goal was to estimate how quickly themobile adult stages of six species of storage beetles (Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Triboliumconfusum, Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus granarius, and Sitophilus oryzae) are killed after introduction of theinfested commodity to prevent their further spread to the surrounding storage bins. The trials were conducted in ametal bin containing 25 t of seeds using the system of continual top-down nitrogen filling to replace the oxygen. Thecomposition of N-CA in the silo was measured continually. The target N-CA concentration (i.e., ≤ 1% O₂ and 99% N₂)was reached at the bottom of the silo after 12 h of the purging phase of nitrogen silo filling. A one-day exposure toN-CA corresponds to top-down filling, which initially gives higher concentrations of N2 in the upper than in the lowerpart of the silo: low efficacy was reached at the silo bottom (0-33.3%), while higher efficacy (16.7-100%) was reachedat the top of the silo bin. The mortality variation at both locations was species dependent: the most sensitive was O.surinamensis, and the least sensitive were S. granarius and S. oryzae. Seven days of N-CA exposure led to 100% mortalityof all tested species except for S. granarius (96.7% mortality at the bottom), while 10 days of N-CA exposure ledto 100% mortality of all adults located at both the bottom and the top of the silo. This experiment showed that oneday of exposure to N-CA caused significant mortality to reduce the spread of insects from the top of the silo but notfrom the silo bottom, and 10 days of exposure completely prevent the adult mobile pest stages of all tested speciesfrom spreading from the treated silo and causing cross-infestation in the storage facility.

Tritrichomonas blagburni (previously called T. foetus) has been implicated as an aetiological agent of long-term large-bowel diarrhoea in cats in many countries worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of, and risk factors for T. blagburni among a cohort of cats living in different conditions in the Czech Republic. Samples were collected from 170 cats living in different environments. The InPouch™ TF-Feline medium method was used for diagnosis of feline trichomonosis. A single case (0.6%) with motile trichomonads identified as Pentatrichomonas hominis was found in a cat from a multi-cat household. Our study suggests that trichomonads and in particular, T. blagburni, infection may be much less common in the Czech Republic than in neighbouring countries, despite the inclusion of cats that were likely to be from higher-risk groups. A review of studies of the association of trichomonads and feline diarrhoea carried out in different countries revealed variation in the frequency of trichomonads detected. Different combinations of PCR or culture methods for screening or confirmation have been utilised, with or without species differentiation; however, this could not solely account for the variation in the occurrence between countries. From those studies where differentiation was performed, we calculated from the combined studies that T. blagburni occurred in six cats without diarrhoea (1.1%) and 47 cases with diarrhoea (5%). This finding supports an association with diarrhoea as well as the occurrence of asymptomatic cases. We note that in many studies, including our own, the occurrence of T. blagburni may well be underestimated and suggest that future studies use a combination of PCR screening of both faeces and faecal cultures, with differentiation of trichomonad species.

In this study, a simulation experiment by farm warming with infrared ray radiator was carried out, and results showed that the broad bean (Vicia faba L.) growing days were shortened by increased temperature. The seedling, ramifying, budding, blooming, podding, and maturing stages were shortened by 1-4, 1-2, 1, 2-3, 1-2, and 2-4 days, respectively, and the whole growing period was shortened by 7-16 days when the temperature increased by 0.5-2.0°C. The broad bean yield increased by 10.1-16.6% when the temperature increased by 0.5-1.0°C, and significantly decreased by 38.1-90.1% when the temperature increased by 1.5-2.0°C. Increased temperature significantly improved the fat, carbohydrate, ash and energy contents.

The aim of this paper was to verify the effect of the Z'fix (PRP Technologies, France) activator of biological transformation of manure from the viewpoint of the cowshed conditions parameters, produced manure quality, manure application effect on crop yields, and overall economics. Concerning manure production, the application of the Z'fix agent enhanced quality, structure and nutrient content (N total by 23%, P₂O₅ by 42%, K₂O by 17%) in the manure from deep litter housing. Compared to the untreated control, differences in the nutrient content of N total and K₂O were statistically significant, NH₃ emissions dropped significantly by almost 35%. The economic benefit of manure production with the use of the Z'fix agent demonstrated overall savings at the level of 1,369 CZK/LU/year. The influence of manure produced combined with the PRP Sol application was tested in terms of a boost of crop yield potential of silage maize and of winter wheat. Compared to the control, both crops reached yields higher by 0.7% to 9.8%.