Fulltext search in archive

Five winter wheat cultivars, differing in resistance to Septoria tritici blotch (STB), were spray inoculated under field conditions for two years and at two locations with nine Mycosphaerella graminicola isolates and a mixture of isolates that were obtained from different regions of the Czech Republic. Main aims of this study were (i) to compare isolate, host cultivar and environmental effects on five traits indicative of STB severity and (ii) to analyse pathogen aggressiveness and host-pathogen relations for improving evaluation of cultivar resistance. ANOVA showed in all traits, except the reduction in 1000 grain weight, significant isolate effects. However, the effects of isolate and genotype by isolate interactions were much lower (2.3-4%) than cultivar (19.1-53.7%) and environmental (11.9-58.6%) effects. Cultivar resistance to the disease limited much the loss in grain weight per spike to a halve, from 34.7% in the susceptible Bakfis to 17.3% in the resistant Arina. Visual scoring of symptoms in the middle and at the end of disease development (performed on the 1-9 scale), reflecting the disease progress and infected leaf area, showed the highest cultivar effect (54%) and could be recommended for evaluation of cultivar resistance in breeding practice. All examined traits were significantly interrelated, but significant differences between all the five cultivars were only detected after examination of the % coverage of flag leaves with lesions bearing pycnidia. Resistance in the cultivar Arina was detected by all isolates and the isolate mixture. In spite of significant differences in classification of resistances in the cultivars Bohemia and Mulan after inoculation with one isolate (1081), specific interactions between cultivars and isolates collected in this Central European region are rare. The study leads to a conclusion that investigation into stability of STB resistance across a wide range of environments is more valuable for breeding purposes than the study of cultivar response to different isolates. Combination of important isolate properties in a mixture of isolates is stressed as well.

This study evaluated the effects of biochar application on some properties of an alkaline soil and on lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) growth. Lentils were grown in the soil amended with the rates of 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.3 weight percent of two biochars (B₁ and B₂), produced from rice husk under different pyrolysis conditions. Lentils were harvested after 70 days. Soil samples were also analysed for changes in physico-chemical properties. The results indicated that biochar application significantly increased soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, available potassium and below ground biomass of lentil, while it decreased soil bulk density. The results suggested that biochar application to alkaline soils has benefits to both soil quality and plant growth.

The 28-day incubation experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of the application of digestate (Dig); digestate with straw (DigSt); pig slurry (Slu) and mineral fertilizer (NPK) on Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn availability, on K₂SO₄-extractable carbon content and on the soil pH value in long-term contaminated soil. At days three and seven of the experiment, the 0.01 mol/L CaCl₂-extractable fractions of Cd, Zn and Mn significantly decreased under organic treatments (Dig, DigSt and Slu) with the most pronounced effect under Dig treatment. The NPK treatment caused the increase of risky element concentrations since day 21 of incubation which was accompanied with pH decrease. The contents of 0.5 mol/L K₂SO₄-extractable carbon were the highest at day 3 and 7 of incubation in organic treatments. The significant correlations between 0.5 mol/L K₂SO₄-extractable carbon and CaCl₂-extractable metal concentrations showed a close relationship between fresh organic matter added in organic fertilizers and risky element availability, suggesting that newly added labile organic matter can form temporary ligands with risky elements and release them later following its decomposition.

The fruiting of 23 apple progenies, in total 756 genotypes grafted on M 9 rootstock, was evaluated for 11 years (2005-2015). The most precocious was the progeny obtained by the crossing of genotype HL1737 and Pink Lady cultivar, seedlings of which achieved fruiting stage just between the first and second year after planting. The least precocious was the progeny Freedom × Antonovka o.p., in which seedlings started fruiting on average just in the 5^th and 6^th year after planting. The most productive in the study was the progeny HL782 × Topaz, having a mean rating of 5.33 points on a 1-9 scale. Behind this leader, in decreasing order, were the progenies HL782 × HL665, Resista × Pink Lady, Resista × HL2219 and HL665 × HL782. The progenies Resista × Benet and Idleless × HL665 were distinguished with the highest level of biennial bearing (above 81%). The most valuable for utilisation in breeding is the progeny HL665 × HL782. Other noteworthy donors to be considered for distinctly more regular cropping are the cultivars Pink Lady, Discovery and HL2219.

The aim of this study was to use high throughput sequencing of piglet faeces to investigate if the favourable effects of sodium humate (HNa) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) treatment are related to changes in the faecal microbiota. Twenty four piglets weaned at 28 days of age were divided into three groups with eight animals per pen: a control group without any treatment (Control), a group treated with 2500 mg ZnO (ZnO), and a group treated with 20 g sodium humate and 1700 mg ZnO (HNa + ZnO) per kg of diet. Piglets of all three groups were challenged with two enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains (ETEC/O149/F4/LT and ETEC/O147/F18/LT) on Day 4 post-weaning. As a result very intense and severe diarrhoea with high mortality developed in the ETEC-infected control group, while the ZnO and HNa + ZnO dietary treatments both protected piglets from clinical signs of diarrhoea, mortality and depression of growth performance. A higher relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria represented mainly by genus Escherichia on Day 10 post-weaning in faeces of the ETEC-infected control group in comparison with ZnO and HNa + ZnO was detected. On Day 21, the highest relative increase of beneficial lactobacilli was observed in the HNa + ZnO group. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of the ETEC-infected control with the genera Turicibacter, Clostridium, Campylobacter, Dehalobacterium, Desulfuvibrio, Paludibacter and a negative correlation with the genera Prevotella, Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Coprococcus. The opposite correlations with these genera were observed in the supplemented groups, especially in the HNa + ZnO group. The results indicate that dietary supplementation with HNa and ZnO affects the microbial composition of faeces while maintaining good health condition and growth performance of ETEC-infected weaned pigs.

To determine stem rust resistance genes of wheat varieties in Yunnan province, 11 Chinese strains of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici with different virulence and 1 artificial mutant strain were used in 110 wheat varieties. The results indicated that among the 45 Sr genes, Sr31, Sr5, SrTmp, Sr30, Sr36, Sr8a, Sr11, Sr24, Sr29, Sr34, Sr9e, Sr26, Sr38, Sr47, and SrTt3 were characterised in 55 wheat varieties singly or in combination. Sr5, Sr31, SrTmp, Sr36, and Sr30 were contained in 17, 16, 5, 5, and 3 cultivars, respectively. Six cultivars contained Sr24 and/or Sr34. Three plant materials likely contained one or more of Sr8a, Sr11, Sr34, and Sr23 genes as well as other unknown genes. The 16 immune or highly resistant varieties contained one or more of Sr9e, Sr26, Sr38, Sr47, SrTt3, and other unknown resistance genes. The reaction types on 22 of the tested cultivars were different from those on Sr genes tested, and their resistance genes could not be analysed. Additionally, 17 varieties were susceptible to all the tested strains, having no postulation value. Our study provides a basis for improved breeding of stem rust resistant wheat in China.

The fucoidans were obtained by extraction with water and gradient precipitation with different concentrations of ethanol. The main structural characterisations and bioactivities were achieved. Four fractions of water-soluble crude fucoidans with different molecular weights - SPC60, SPC70, SPH60, SPH70 - were extracted from S. pallidum collected from the Yellow Sea, China, using cold water and hot water extraction, and fractional precipitation with gradient concentrations of ethanol. Chemical analysis demonstrated that all of these fucoidan fractions consisted of fucose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, glucose, and galactose with different monosaccharide mole ratios. Fractions SPC60, SPC70, and SPH70 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against P388 murine leukaemia cells. Fucoidan is a kind of bioactive polysaccharide from the brown algae. This study provides a fast and feasible method to obtain fucoidans from S. pallidum, which can be used as pharmaceutical material and functional food.

The article describes the use of the recently commercially available technique of microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry with plasma gas (nitrogen) generation for the determination of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium in Mehlich 3 extracts. The specifics of the analysis of the agricultural samples for soil fertility assessment mean there are often a great number of samples to analyse in laboratory (the daily throughput of 500 or more samples). The analytical procedures were adapted to special requirements by the use of the new multielemental instrumental techniques. The detection limits were 0.43; 0.86; 0.20 and 0.06 mg/L; the precision for real sample analysis: 4.6; 1.0; 1.8 and 1.0%; the mean accuracy 97; 92; 107 and 100% for P, Ca, Mg and K, respectively, the real throughput reached 100 samples per hour.

Two-way field experiment was carried out in a split-plot design in 4 growing seasons at the Experimental Station of the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology in Mochełek (Poland). The forecrops for winter triticale cv. Tulus were lupins: yellow, blue and white, field pea and spring barley. Nitrogen (N) fertilization in triticale after harvesting forecrops was: 0-60-120-180 kg N per ha. Average long-term yields of grain and protein in triticale after leguminous forecrops were statistically similar, by 0.84 t/ha and 86 kg/ha higher than after spring barley. On plots without mineral N fertilization, by over 1.5 t/ha more grain was obtained after leguminous forecrops, and by 142 kg/ha more protein than on the plot after spring barley. However, the rate of 180 kg N/ha guaranteed obtaining a significantly highest mean protein yield in triticale. The applied mineral N fertilization at rates from 60 to 180 kg N/ha did not significantly vary the average yield of winter triticale. Mineral nitrogen (N_min) content in the layer 0-60 cm after harvesting the leguminous forecrop without mineral N fertilization was by 25.5% higher than after harvesting spring barley fertilized with a rate of 60 kg N per ha.

Human scent is a complex combination of many chemical substances. Skin is supposed to be one of sources of scent traces. The values of the boiling points of human scent compounds were supposed to be lower than 300°C. The purpose of the study was to determine the temperature at which the human scent is degraded so that a dog would not be able to identify it. In contrast to expectations, eight dogs used in the experiment almost flawlessly identified human scents from five scent donors exposed to temperatures of 100°C, 200°C, 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C. Only two of the dogs were able to identify 5 of 15 scent samples exposed to 900°C. No dog identified a scent exposed to 1000°C. Our study verified heat survivability of human scent far beyond existing expectations. There may be an extremely heat resistant, previously undetected, compound of human scent, unsusceptible to heat which exceeds standard temperatures used for sterilization. We anticipate our results to be a starting point for cardinal change of our view of factors affecting the vulnerability of human scent, resulting in the need to alter the approach of forensic methodology dealing with identification of human scent.

The paper deals with gaseous emissions generated in biomass combustion in water boilers. It provides results of analyses of gaseous emissions and boiler efficiency in combustion of branches of apple trees from spring pruning, spruce cuttings and corn cobs obtained from kernel harvest. Measurements were done in laboratory conditions. Average CO emission values observed in combustion were from 334.7 to 650.18 mg/m³ and average NO_x emission values were low, between 50.1 and 157.2 mg/m³. Boiler efficiency in applewood combustion was lower - this was caused by its higher moisture.

This paper describes clinical experiences with the use of shape memory nickel-titanium (NiTi) clips in gastrointestinal surgery in dogs. Side-to-side small bowel anastomosis was performed in eight dogs where intestinal continuity had to be restored after bowel resection. Billroth's operation I was performed in one case. Compression anastomosis clips with two-way shape memory were used in all surgical procedures. Intestinal and gastrointestinal anastomoses involving shape memory clips were effective in all patients. Anastomotic leaks were not observed, and all clips were expelled 5-7 days after surgery. The outcomes of surgical procedures performed on canine patients with the use of shape memory NiTi clips indicate that sutureless compression anastomosis is a safe, effective and simple method of restoring gastrointestinal continuity, which can be widely applied in veterinary practice.

The study deals with differences in the growth of 2-year mix of poplar clones MAX 4, MAX 5 in the first rotation period at a site with the average moisture regime and at a neighbouring site affected by waterlogging. Average diameter at breast height (DBH) at the site without the observable water influence was 19.6 mm (average height 380 cm). Average DBH at the water-affected site was 8.1 mm (height 220 cm). The difference was statistically significant, which corroborates the hypothesis of the adverse influence of waterlogging on the growth of poplar clones. Furthermore, moisture content was ascertained in wood samples. A comparison was made of samples from the butt, middle part and top part of the stem. Differences between the respective stem parts were not statistically significant. Total average wood moisture content at the time of harvest (January 2012) was 59.7%.

New requirements regarding agriculture production together with the increased pressure on environmentally friendly practices leave almost no space for the routine agriculture production. Innovations that include environmental changes are therefore essential. Agricultural research faces various challenges associated with the quality and effectiveness of agriculture production and recently also with the environmental and sustainability issues. The paper provides a case study focused on the environmental and social evaluation of a biological asset that constitutes an agricultural innovation. This paper also shows a concrete example of how the social and environmental reporting can be constructed and implemented by providing an evaluation of a Bumblebee Nest. As a result, the total value consisting of the market, ecosystem and aesthetic value is provided. Although the market value comprises the largest proportion of the total value, it does not exceed 64%.

Durum semolina was replaced with 10, 15, and 20% of chestnut flour. Pasta was produced on a single screw extruder with the temperature profile of 80/90/90°C and on a laboratory minipress. Pasta samples were dried at room temperature and physical and sensory properties were determined. Generally, the chestnut flour addition to durum wheat pasta decreased optimum cooking time, hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness, but increased cooking losses and pasta adhesiveness. Samples made on an extruder showed shorter optimum cooking times in relation to samples made on a minipress. Absorbed water was decreased with chestnut flour addition. Pasta made on an extruder showed a higher sensory score in comparison with pasta made on a minipress. The addition of chestnut flour influenced the colour of the samples. Samples made on an extruder showed darker colour in dried and cooked pasta samples in relation to minipress samples. In dried pasta samples, the extruder gave yellower samples in relation to the minipress, while in cooked pasta samples it was reversed. Overall, the extruder gave higher-quality pasta compared to the minipress.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a disease of small grain cereals caused by Fusarium species. The pathogens affect spikes and kernels, resulting in reductions of yield and its quality. The present study was conducted to evaluate variation in the FHB resistance of wheat F₂ hybrids derived from 16 crosses between winter wheat cultivars of various origin and with different susceptibility to FHB. Plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension consisting of a mixture of F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F. avenaceum isolates. After harvest 1000-kernel weight, number of kernels per spike and kernel weight per spike were evaluated in inoculated and control plants. Disease symptoms were observed on kernels of infected plants and the percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) was calculated. The data were statistically evaluated using uni- and multivariate analyses. A significant influence of genotype and treatment on all observed characteristics was detected. Contrasts between control and inoculated plants showed that inoculation lowered the mean values of all the yield-related traits significantly (in the statistical sense). Results of uni- and multivariate analyses enabled us to find three cross combinations which exhibited a low FDK percentage and simultaneously a relatively low reduction of 1000-kernel weight after inoculation. They may be promising for breeding wheat with improved resistance to FHB.

Paddy rice is one of the most important cereal crops in China. Nitrogen (N) is closely related to crops production by influencing the photosynthetic efficiency of paddy rice. In this study, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technology with the help of principal component analysis (PCA) and back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed to monitor leaf N content (LNC) of paddy rice. The PCA is utilized to extract the characteristic variables of LIF spectra by analysing the major attributes. The results showed that the first three principal components (PCs) can explain 95.76% and 93.53% of the total variance contained in the fluorescence spectra for tillering stage and shooting stage, respectively. Then, BPNN was utilized to inverse the LNC on the basis of the first three PCs as input variables and can obtain the satisfactory inversion results (R² of tillering stage and shooting stage are 0.952 and 0.931, respectively; residual main range from -0.2 to 0.2 mg/g). The experimental results demonstrated that LIF technique combined with multivariate analysis will be a useful method for monitoring the LNC of paddy rice, which can provide consultations for the decision-making of peasants in their N fertilization strategies.

In order to improve the gut microbiome of calves, probiotic bacteria can be fed as active living-cells (fermented milk), or as live but inactive (freeze-dried) cultures. Ten bifidobacterial strains with suitable probiotic properties (as determined in our previous study) were tested for survival during the freeze-drying process, and screened for their ability to ferment cow's milk. The viability of both freeze-dried and live-cell cultures during storage was also tested. All of the strains tested were able to ferment cow's milk, with average counts of 8.26 ± 0.62 log CFU/ml. Eight out of the ten strains were able to survive in milk for 2 months in counts higher than 10⁶ CFU/ml. Bifidobacteria showed high viability following the freeze-drying process, with average numbers of 9.03 ± 0.22 log CFU/vial and did not decrease after 12 months of storage. The mixture of rifampicin-resistant variants of bifidobacteria (RRBs) was fed to 2-day-old dairy Charolais calves in the form of living-cells, or as freeze-dried bacteria. The control group was given no probiotics. Survival of the RRBs administered and the numbers of other bacterial groups in faecal samples was monitored by culturing. Bifidobacteria that were administered passed successfully through the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract, and were found in numbers higher than 10⁹ CFU/g for two weeks. RRBs colonized the intestines of calves for at least 63 days in both treatment groups. Significantly higher total counts of bifidobacteria were found in the treated groups, compared to the control group. Reduction in Escherichia coli and total coliforms numbers, and an increase in lactobacilli counts were observed in both experimental groups following the application of the probiotic mixtures. Our results show that both forms of administering probiotic bifidobacteria to calves are effective, but that the freeze-dried form is more suitable from a practical viewpoint.

In this study, the quality of northern pike eggs collected by the traditional method (hand stripping) and the pneumatic method (air stripping) was compared. Additionally, different activation solutions (Billard solution, hatchery water, and Woynarovich solution) were tested for their effects on egg fertilization under artificial conditions. After the eggs were collected, the Pseudo-Gonado-Somatic Index (PGSI) was measured. Although the values of the PGSI in the samples obtained with use of air stripping were lower (13.8 ± 3.9%), they did not differ statistically from those obtained by hand stripping (16.5 ± 5.4%). Hatchery water and Woynarovich solution were found to be the most suitable solutions for sperm activation using the Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system as compared to the Billard solution. Hand stripping was found to negatively affect the percentage of fertilized eggs and the percentage of hatched larvae in samples fertilized in hatchery water and Woynarovich solution. When the traditional method of egg collection was used, there were no differences in the percentage of fertilization and the percentage of hatched larvae between Billard solution (54.0 ± 21.5% and 44.1 ± 21.9%, respectively), hatchery water (60.0 ± 22.5% and 55.9 ± 22.8%, respectively), and Woynarovich solution (72.0 ± 25.8% and 69.0 ± 23.9%, respectively) treatments. Air stripped eggs showed a higher fertilization rate when hatchery water or Woynarovich solution was applied (86.2 ± 9.3% and 92.4 ± 3.9%, respectively). Also hatching rate was the highest in these samples (83.0 ± 8.4% and 88.3 ± 6.2%). The application of the pneumatic method and Woynarovich solution to northern pike artificial fertilization resulted in higher fertilization and hatching rates as compared to other techniques. Because this was successful in northern pike, the use of air stripping is a promising option for artificial reproduction in other fish species.

The sensitivity analysis of key operating parameters on the average annual sub-profit in a group of three combine harvesters operating in companies providing agricultural services were analysed. Based on the results of the cost analysis, the following key operating parameters with the greatest influence on the costs were identified: the purchase price of the machine, the price of fuel, maintenance costs, personnel costs and annual performance. These parameters were used in the sensitivity analysis to investigate their effect on unit costs. Changing the above-mentioned parameters is calculated within ± 30% from their mean value. To perform a sensitivity analysis of the average annual sub-profit of combine harvesters, the unit price of mechanized work was additionally used. The results showed that greatest impact on both the average annual earnings of combines operation and on the changes in unit cost was those of the annual performance of the combine harvester, combine harvester purchase price and the cost of fuel. On the other hand, maintenance and personnel costs had a smaller influence concerning these changes of parameters.

A 12-year-old intact female poodle was presented with a history of an acute episode of tenesmus and passage of ribbon-shaped stools. Anaemia, leucocytosis, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperglycaemia, and elevated ALP were found. Faecal floatation and wet mount preparation were negative for parasites. Anaerobic faecal culture resulted in a heavy growth of Clostridium. Survey abdominal radiographs revealed extensive intramural emphysema of colon and rectum. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed bright echoes within the layers of the colon wall, confirming the accumulation of intramural gas. Abdominal computed tomography revealed extraluminal gas tracking along the colon and the rectum. Based on the radiographic, ultrasonographic, and computed tomographic findings, the present case was diagnosed as pneumatosis coli with an underlying cause of bacterial overgrowth. The patient was treated with antibiotics for seventeen days. Clinical signs were resolved after three days of treatment. Decreased intramural gas accumulation was evident during radiography of the abdomen performed at fourteen days after the initial evaluation. Therefore, pneumatosis coli should be considered when a dog is presented with clinical signs of colitis.

The present study examines the relationship between the quality of timber production and the species and structural diversity of forest stands. The data used came from a regional forest inventory of the University Forest Enterprise "Kostelec nad Černými lesy", Czech Republic. The inventory was performed from 2009 to 2011 on 1,188 sample plots that represented 86 strata defined by the combination of three variables: site (5 categories), age (12 categories) and canopy cover (5 categories). On each sample plot, we quantified 171 partial biodiversity indicators that represented species or structural diversity. The quality of timber production was specified by four indicators quantified using local assortment tables. In total, we analysed 58,824 univariate linear regressions describing the relationships between diversity indicators and timber quality in individual strata. The results revealed that their relationship changes with stand age. The proportion of the best-quality assortments increases with the increasing species richness in all age categories.

The article is focused on food problem in the least developed countries, on the chosen areas where the overall situation is the most problematic. It deals with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, belonging to the low income food deficit countries with one of the world's lowest rates of the gross domestic product per capita. The paper defines the food security situation in a global connection, representing a wide complex of economic, social, demographic, technologic and political aspects of production, distribution, shift and consumption of foodstuffs. Despite some progresses in the political situation, the effects of the economic crisis and the widespread food insecurity are expected to persist. Te humanitarian assistance is now needed to support the needs of the most vulnerable. In the longer term, the countries have the significant goal of consolidating peace and security and strengthening the overall governance, while at the same time reconstructing and rehabilitating their economy.

The effect of mineral nitrogen (N) nutrition on seed production and acquisition of ¹⁵N from fertilizers by components of cereal-pea mixtures was investigated. Yields of wheat-pea and oats-pea mixtures raised together with the increase of cereals percentage in the pot, and higher seed yields of mixture with barley was affected by a larger share of pea plants. The percentage of nitrogen derived from fertilizers was significantly higher in cereals as compared with pea. Pea accumulated the greatest quantity of nitrogen from fertilizers in straw and roots, and cereals translocated ¹⁵N mainly to ears - grain and glumes with rachis. The percentage of ¹⁵N in seeds of pea amounted to 15% on the average, and in grain of cereals - 54% to 60% of the total N taken up.

This study evaluated the influence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation of leek (Allium porrum L.) on the leaching of ammonia and nitrate nitrogen from the experimental pots filled with either sterile or non-sterile soil mix, consisting equally of the arable soil and horticultural substrate. Leek plants were inoculated by Funneliformis mosseae, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Rhizophagus intraradices and by their combinations. Based on the obtained data, it can be concluded that: (a) the influence of AMF on nitrate leaching does not follow some simple rules, (b) the amounts of percolating nitrates can be affected also by sterilization and by the combination of AMF inocula, (c) AMF can, in general, reduce the nitrate leaching from soil even though mycorrhizal colonization of roots did not achieve extremely high rates. These conclusions may be useful in the horticultural practice and ecological sustainability of the soil quality.

Due to the absence of literature on the brachial plexus in the Spix's yellow-toothed cavy, this study was conducted to examine the origin and neural distribution of this rodent's brachial plexus. Ten adult animals obtained from previous experiments were thawed, fixed in 10% formalin solution for 72 h and then dissected. Cotton blocks soaked in 2% hydrogen peroxide were placed on the ventral roots of the plexus. Photographs of the most representative specimens were taken and schematic sketches were prepared to illustrate the results. The Spix's yellow-toothed cavy's brachial plexus primarily originated from the ventral roots of the sixth (C₆), seventh (C₇) and eighth (C₈) cervical nerves and from the first two thoracic nerves (T₁, T₂), and less frequently from C₆-T₁ or C₆-T₃. The peripheral nerve trunks of the Spix's yellow-toothed cavy's brachial plexus are the following: suprascapularis (C₆-C₇), axillaris (C₆-C₇), subscapulares (C₆-C₇), cranial pectoral (C₆-C₇), musculocutaneous (C₇-C₈), radialis (C₇-T₂), medianus (C₇-T₂), ulnaris (C₇-T₂), pectorales caudales (C₇-C₈), thoracicus longus (C₇-C₈), thoracicus lateralis (C₇-T₂) and thoracodorsalis (C₇-T₂).

The area of forest destruction as well as the annual growth loss due to road construction before constructing a road was predicted. To do this, road cross sections of 88 points along the 10 km proposed road were predicted using Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network with two input parameters of hillside slope and rock share within MATLAB software. Then according to the predicted width, the area of road earthwork as well as the area of roadside with a 10 m width was calculated in ArcGIS software. Finally, by overlaying the inventory network layer on the road map and by knowing the annual growth (m³) for each plot the growth loss of the area of road earthwork was calculated and one-third of the annual growth increment was considered to calculate the growth loss of the roadside. According to the results, for the construction of a 10 km long road in the region, 12.98 ha of forest area is destructed due to road construction, of which 5.36 ha is destructed resulting from earthwork operations and 7.61 ha occurs in the roadside and its growth is influenced by road construction. With the construction of the road, in total, 32.606 m³ of growth will be lost annually, of which 22.221 m³ is due to road earthwork that is completely removed from the forest annual growth cycle and 10.384 m³ of the growth loss belongs to the roadside which is decreased resulting from road construction.

Maximum aphid numbers on wheat are positively related to the length of the period elapsed from immigration to the population peak. We predicted that maximum abundances on late maturing cultivars would be greater than on early ones. This was tested using 8 spring wheat cultivars that differed in the length of time to senescence. In a 4-year experiment, numbers of aphids were checked at weekly intervals. Maximum abundances on late-maturing cultivars were significantly greater than those on early cultivars. However, the length of the vegetation period affected maximum abundances less than did the annual variation in aphid abundance. Genetic disposition for early ripening thus tends to decrease aphid numbers, but manipulation of this character is unlikely to become an important source of aphid resistance.

Toxic metals (cadmium, lead, and mercury) in the tissues of common carp fished from three reservoirs (Pilská, Domaninský, and Matějovský) in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands were measured in the period from April 2013 to September 2014 and the risk of consuming the fish from these localities was evaluated. During this project 25 fish specimens from each locality were analysed. The concentration of metals in muscle tissue and liver was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. A variation in the content of heavy metals in fish samples and fish tissues was demonstrated and discussed. Higher concentrations of cadmium in the fish tissue were found in 50 samples of carp liver. Because the fish liver is not commonly consumed, common carp from the Moravian-Moravian Highlands does not pose any health risk for consumers. Concentrations of the other monitored toxic metals in fish tissue were low and were complying with the maximum residue limit in all cases.