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The aim of this work was to carry out an inspective survey on frozen slices of swordfish (Xiphias gladius, Linneo 1758), regularly commercialised in Messina, Sicily (Italy). 402 products were checked at retail levels; the products came from four different fishing area: 59 from the Mediterranean Sea, 155 from North-East Atlantic Ocean, 139 from the Indian Ocean, and 49 from the Pacific Ocean. Fifty-one products were sampled and carefully examined macroscopically and histologically. The histological examination was also carried out on 31 muscle portions without macroscopic alterations. 25 samples (Group A), were parasitised by larvae of Gymnorhynchus gigas or Molicola (Gymnorhynchus) horridus. The lesions described for Group B (24 samples) as well as for 31 muscle portions without macroscopic alterations were attributed, to the freezing effect. Histological and macroscopic findings on four samples suggested the presence of parasitic lesions.

Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae), has been a serious pest in the last decade attacking a wide range of fruits in Egypt. The toxicity of Malathion, Diazinon, Methoxyfenozide, and Lufenuron to adult males and females of Bactrocera zonata was studied under laboratory conditions. Diazinon was the most toxic among the tested compounds followed by Malathion, Lufenuron and Methoxyfenozide to Bactrocera zonata at 24 h post treatment, the respective LC₅₀ values were 0.20 ppm, 0.48ppm, 8.97ppm, and 9.73ppm for males and 0.26 ppm, 0.91ppm, 11.26ppm, and 14.12ppm for females. At 48 h post treatment Diazinon was the most toxic followed by Malathion, Methoxyfenozide and Lufenuron to Bactrocera zonata, LC₅₀ values were 0.09ppm, 0.34ppm, 1.60ppm, and 1.88 ppm for males and 0.14 ppm, 0.44ppm, 1.68ppm and 2.17 ppm for females. At 72 h post treatment Diazinon was the most toxic followed by Malathion, Lufenuron and Methoxyfenozide to Bactrocera zonata, LC₅₀ values were 0.02 ppm, 0.13ppm, 0.22ppm and 0.51ppm for males and 0.07 ppm, 0.16ppm, 0.55 ppm and 0.62 ppm for females. It is observed that LC₅₀ values for treated adult females increased more than in the treated adult males at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post treatment. It means that the adult males were more susceptible to the tested insecticides than the adult females.

The nematicidal activity of four molecular weights (2.27 × 10⁵, 3.60 × 10⁵, 5.97 × 10⁵, and 9.47 × 10⁵ g/mol) of a biopolymer chitosan was assayed against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, in vitro and in pot experiments. In laboratory assays, the nematode mortality was significantly influenced by exposure times and chitosan molecular weight. Low molecular weight chitosan (2.27 × 10⁵ g/mol) was the most effective in killing the nematode with EC₅₀ of 283.47 and 124.90 mg/l after 24 and 48 h of treatment, respectively. In a greenhouse bioassay, all the compounds mixed in soil at one- and five-fold concentrations of the LC₅₀ value significantly reduced population, egg mass, and root galling of tomato seedlings compared with the untreated control. In general, the nematicidal activity of these compounds was increased dramatically with a decrease in the molecular weight. The results suggest that the chitosan at low molecular weight may serve as a natural nematicide

The water vapour sorption kinetics and isotherms of pectin films prepared by the casting method were determined. The measurement of water vapour sorption kinetics was conducted using a saturated sodium chloride solution to obtain constant relative humidity of the environment (75.3%). The measurement was carried out at the temperature of 25°C over a 24 h period. The water vapour adsorption rate was the highest in the first hours of the process. The exponential equation fitted well the experimental data of water vapour adsorption with time. Glycerol concentration in the analysed films affected the increasing water vapour adsorption. The water vapour sorption isotherms were analysed using the saturated salt solutions with water activity from 0.113 to 0.901 for 3 months at 25°C. The sorption isotherms curves had a sigmoidal shape for all films. Glycerol content affected water vapour adsorption during 3 months. Peleg's equation was appropriate for the mathematical description of the sorption isotherms. The microstructure of pectin films showed different internal arrangement as a function of the film composition.

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is an essential element of sustainable livestock systems in temperate climates because of its adaptability to a range of management and soil fertility conditions. The performance of 15 accessions of white clover collected in northern Spain, and of two cultivars, the medium-leaved Huia and the large-leaved California, grown as spaced plants in Galicia, and in sward plots in Asturias was compared over a period of two years. The data obtained were reduced to two principal components that cumulatively explained 92.4% of the total variance. Cluster analysis identified three groups of accessions that described 71% of the phenotypic variation among accessions. One group of five accessions collected from upland sites was characterized by low dry matter yield, low height, reduced plant spread, short petioles, small leaves and thin stolons. This group can be defined as small-leaved and of interest for gardening. Another group, composed only by the cv. California and the cv. Huia, was characterized by high plant spread and height, long wide leaves and thick petioles and stolons; dry matter yields were similar to those of the first group. The last group, which includes ten accessions collected from low and medium altitude sites, had the highest dry matter yields and intermediate morphological character between the previous groups. This group can be defined as medium-leaved and of interest for grazing and/or cutting.

There are frequent reports from around the world of wild animals being poisoned with anticoagulants. Granulated baits can result in primary or secondary poisoning of non-target animals. Moreover, there are several diseases including infections that influence haemostasis in wild animals. The present study focused on fallow deer (Dama dama) for which insufficient data on physiological values of coagulation parameters are available. Six parameters of blood coagulation were established in clinically normal fallow deer from a game enclosure in North Moravia (Czech Republic). The fibrinogen content of 1.94 g/l is in agreement with the results obtained by other authors. Factor VIII and IX concentrations amounted to 198.42% and 169.91% of human concentration of these parameters in blood. These have never before been measured for fallow deer, but most animal species have concentrations of these factors higher than humans. Prothrombin time (PT), average activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and thrombin time (TT) were assessed as 20.99 s, 33.76 s, and 24.78 s, respectively. Prothrombin time assessed in the present study was longer compared to available data, while APTT is in agreement with the previous data. Thrombin time value is a new piece of information and is comparable with TT values obtained in other ruminants. The possible explanation for the prolonged PT may be the stress associated with yarding and handling the animals which is reported to cause haemorrhages or changes in haemostatic parameters in deer. Interestingly, males had significantly longer clotting times compared to females.

The effects of three tillage systems: no-tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT), and three levels of fertilization (0, 258 and 516 kg/ha NPK (58:18:24)), on the maize yield during ten years (1999-2008) were analyzed on the chernozem soil type in Zemun Polje, Serbia. Statistical analyses showed significant effects of all three factors i.e., year, soil tillage and amount of fertilizers, and their interactions on the maize yield. The ten-year averages showed that the highest yields were observed with CT (10.61 t/ha), while the averages with RT and NT were lower (8.99 t/ha and 6.85 t/ha, respectively). The results of the influence of the amount of the applied fertilizers on maize yield showed that the lowest yield was in the zero level of fertilization 7.71 t/ha, while the yield was raised when the 258 kg/ha and 516 kg/ha NPK were applied (9.18 t/ha and 9.56 t/ha, respectively). Analyzing the influence of the soil tillage systems on maize production with respect to the amounts of applied fertilizers, this research revealed the benefits of CT under the presented agroecological conditions, irrespective of the level of applied fertilizer.

Hepatic lipidosis and ketosis are frequent metabolic disorders in dairy cows during the transition period. The 2-methyl-2-phenoxy propionic acid (MFPA) is an activator of energy metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of MFPA 10 days prepartum to day 36 postpartum on serum lipid profile, ovarian reactivity, and milk yield. Fifty seven multiparous Holstein cows were divided into four groups. The groups 1 (n = 14) and 2 (n = 14) had body condition score (BCS) above 4; BCS of the groups 3 (n = 15) and 4 (n = 14) was between 3.25 and 3.75 at calving. The solution containing 10 mg/kg MFPA was injected intramuscularly (IM) to cows of groups 1 and 3, 10-7 days prepartum and 6 h postpartum. The groups 2 and 4 received 50 ml of 0.9% NaCl as placebo in the same way. Blood samples for serum lipid profile were collected from all cows 10 days before calving without treatment, 2 days after the first administration of MFPA and postpartum at days 2, 10, and 21 after the second administration of MFPA. At days 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 postpartum, blood samples were obtained for plasma progesterone determination. Milk yield was registered daily during 60 days postpartum. Prepartum free fatty acids (FFA) were mildly increased without difference among all the groups (P > 0.05). b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was increased only at day 10 after calving in cows of group 1 treated with MFPA (P < 0.05) due to higher number of postpartum diseases. In cows from groups 3 and 4 (BCS normal), BHB was mildly increased, not indicating subclinical ketosis. The serum concentrations of triacylgycerols, cholesterol, albumin, activities of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase were within the limits of reference values, indicating adequate liver integrity and function. Cows of normal BCS treated with MFPA presented better milk production but without significant difference among four groups (P > 0.05). Ovarian reactivity was present at day 21 in all groups of cows without difference (P > 0.05). The administration of MFPA had no effect on serum lipid profile and ovarian activity in this study.

The capability was studied of the selected Bifidobacterium strains to utilise the resistant starch fraction (RS) from native starches of the following origin: wheat, potato, and pea, and their preparations obtained experimentally by physical and enzymatical modifications. Furthermore, the potential influence of the gelatinisation process on the degree of utilisation of RS from the investigated starch samples was studied. The following strains: B. pseudolongum KSI9, B. animalis KS20a1, and B. breve KN14, were chosen. The native starches and their preparations were characterised by their different contents of the RS fraction, which was metabolised during in vitro fermentation for Bifidobacterium growth. The highest decrease in the RS content was observed in the case of native potato and pea starches after 24-h fermentation by Bifidobacterium strains. The RS fraction of the wheat starch preparation was generally a better substrate for the selected bacteria (19-34%) in comparison with the native wheat starch (0-13%). The gelatinisation process of the native starches and their preparations had a negligible effect on the RS fraction utilised as a substrate for stimulating the growth of the Bifidobacterium strains selected.

It was hypothesized that buckwheat, especially its flowers, influences foregut fermentation in ruminant animals because it is rich in phenolic compounds. The entire fresh aerial buckwheat herb, or its parts (leaves, stems, flowers and grain), were incubated for 24 h together with pure ryegrass (1:1, dry matter basis) in an in vitro ruminal fermentation system (Hohenheim Gas Test). Additionally ryegrass, supplemented with 0, 0.5, 5, or 50 mg rutin trihydrate/g dry matter, was incubated. Contents of extractable phenols (g/kg dry matter) were the highest in buckwheat flowers (88), followed by leaves (63), and the lowest in ryegrass (8). The levels of production of total gas and volatile fatty acids demonstrated that the nutritional value of buckwheat was slightly lower than that of ryegrass. Compared to ryegrass alone, ruminal transformation of dietary protein-N into ammonia was lower with 50 mg rutin, buckwheat flowers and buckwheat leaves. Thus, these treatments appeared to have partly protected dietary protein from ruminal degradation. Rutin, at the highest level, buckwheat flowers and the total aerial fraction of the buckwheat plant suppressed methane per unit of total gas by > 10%, either at elevated (rutin) or reduced total gas volume. This indicates that the ways of the influence on the ruminal fermentation pattern differed between pure rutin and buckwheat. In vivo studies have to confirm these potentially beneficial effects of buckwheat if used as forage for ruminants and clarify the role of further phenolic compounds present in buckwheat. Abbreviations: DM = dry matter, HGT = Hohenheim Gas Test, NDF = neutral detergent fibre, TEP = total extractable phenols, VFA = volatile fatty acids

Results of all public consumer preference testing sessions included in this study were to be divided into 3 time periods. During the oldest period (1979-1990), with regard to overall qualities and appearance of fruits, the cv. Rubín was the most preferred. Next, it was followed by the cvs Fantazie, McIntosh, Gloster, and Melrose. In the subsequent period (1991-2001), the cv. Bohemia was in the first position in all respects including taste and fruit appearance. Following it in downward sequence were the cvs Rubín, King Jonagold, Jonagold, McIntosh and Melrose. In the latest period (2002-2013), again both in the total scoring and fruit appearance, Bohemia was the most preferred. It was followed in descending order by cvs Orion, Meteor, Jomured, HL 623 and Gold Bohemia. Considering fruit taste alone, however, the most preferred cultivar was Orion. According to the overall results of studies from thirty-three years, in which a total of 198 cultivars or genotypes were included, the most preferred was cv. Bohemia, followed by cvs Meteor, Rubín, HL 623, Andera, Gold Bohemia, King Jonagold and Jomured. Regarding fruit taste itself, the top cv. Bohemia was directly followed by cv. Gold Bohemia and by the selection HL 1834.

The article focuses on selected aspects of risk management in agricultural business with the aim to discuss and compare different hedging methods which are relevant for managing the commodity risks associated with agricultural production. The article provides a broader context for understanding the risks and possible responses to it and analyses four basic hedging strategies - commodity futures, forward contracts, options and option strategies. The substance, advantages and disadvantages of each hedging technique are pointed out and compared to each other with the conclusion that there is always some kind of trade-off between the advantages and disadvantages of the particular strategies. The farmers shall, therefore, consider both all aspects of the relevant strategies and their expectations, before they make the final decision which instruments to use.

During February and August of 2010 and 2011, disease symptoms were detected in melon (Cucumis melo cv. Surmeli) fields and commercial nurseries in Adana and Mersin provinces (Eastern Mediterranean Region, Turkey). Lesions on leaves and fruits were observed in nearly 75 and 85 acres production areas of melon in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Initial symptoms were water-soaked irregular spots, light brown to reddish spots advancing through veins on leaves, small water-soaked lesions, greasy, dark olive green colour areas on the surfaces of melon fruit followed by brown lesions, softening, and cracks. Thirty-five non-fluorescent, slow-growing, round, cream and Gram-negative bacterial isolates were isolated from symptomatic plant materials. The pathogenicity of the isolates was proved using melon seedlings and fruits. According to classical, serological, and molecular assays, the causal organism was identified as Acidovorax citrulli. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report and occurrence of bacterial fruit blotch disease on melon as a new host in Turkey.

We investigate the effects of consumption of MRPs from the glucose-lysine model system heated 15°C-90 min on protein digestibility and its utilisation in young (3-week) and adult (12-week) rats. Nitrogen faecal excretion significantly increased after MRP consumption, especially during the third week. Protein digestibility was lower in both age groups studied, but the utilisation was unaffected. Parallelly, the nitrogen retention and its net utilisation for the entire experimental period did not vary. In young rats the faecal nitrogen exceeded the amount of ingested nitrogen coming from MRPs, suggesting that digestibility of undamaged nitrogen was affected. The same action is suspected in adult animals, but the results were not quantitatively conclusive, and therefore the effect should be moderate in this period.

In field experiments over three vegetation periods (2010-2012) we studied impact of the CULTAN (controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition) method on yield and yield parameters of kernel maize. The field experiments were conducted at three sites with different soil-climatic conditions. CULTAN treatments were fertilized once with the total amount of nitrogen using an injection machine (at the canopy height of 20 cm) and compared to conventional fertilization with calcium ammonium nitrate application at pre-sowing preparations. In all treatments the amount of nitrogen was the same, 140 kg N/ha. In 2010 at Humpolec site, CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate + inhibitor of nitrification treatment gave by 20.5% higher number of ears compared to CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate treatment. In 2011 at Ivanovice all CULTAN treatments reached statistically significantly higher number of kernels per ear. The higher 1000 kernel weight at CULTAN treatments was observed in 2012 at the Ivanovice site; a statistically significant difference between conventional and CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate + inhibitor of nitrification treatment was observed. Fertilization of maize with nitrogen using the CULTAN method under the conditions of the Czech Republic provides the same yield certainty as the conventional surface application and the CULTAN method of fertilization increases the yield certainty at delayed sowing. Harvest index was statistically significantly influenced by year, fertilization treatment and site.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of P, Ca, S, and/or K and/or Mg application at different rates on the botanical composition, herbage yield and its nutritive value in dehesas developed on calcareous soils. In two growing seasons, 2009/10 and 2010/11, five surface-broadcast fertiliser treatments were applied once in autumn. Two grazing periods were simulated by cutting the pasture in mid-spring and late-spring. Treatment K1, with the highest amount of Ca and without K in its composition, provided higher crude protein values in the herbage than controls in 2009/10. When the effect of each nutrient was analysed separately, a strong and highly positive response of Mg application on herbage production was recorded. A surface application of fertilisers containing 25 kg Mg/ha in autumn could increase herbage yield by 40% under the studied conditions. However, Mg was not applied alone, and thus this increase could be due to an effect of Mg by itself or to a synergistic effect between Mg and other nutrients applied. The application of Ca, P and Mg may also favour the production of high-quality forage by yielding a greater cover of legumes and digestible protein.

The ribosomal protein SA (RPSA), also known as 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor/67-kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR), has been identified as a multifunctional protein, playing an important role in multiple pathologies like cancer and prion diseases. Since RPSA is involved in the binding and internalization of the prion protein, mutations in the ovine RPSA gene, influencing the RPSA-PrP^C/PrP^Sc binding, can potentially play a part in the resistance to prion diseases. Our goal was to further characterize the complex RPSA gene family and to detect structural mutations which can play a role in this disease. In a prior study, 11 ovine pseudogenes were detected experimentally. As the whole genome shotgun ovine genome became accessible, an in silico genome-wide screening was performed and 37 new pseudogenes (36 processed and one semi-processed pseudogene) were detected, bringing the total to 48 ovine RPSA pseudogenes. Additionally, the complete bovine genome was screened in silico and 56 pseudogenes were identified. Once these sequences were known, it was possible to analyze the presence of mutations in the coding sequence and exon-flanking regions of the ovine functional full-length RPSA gene without the interference of pseudogenic sequences. Nineteen mutations were found: one in the 5' UTR, a silent one in the coding region, and seventeen in the exon-flanking regions, including an interesting mutation in the SNORA62 gene, localized in intron 4 of RPSA, leading to potential ribosomal defects. Structural mutations of the RPSA gene can be ruled out to play a role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies but regulatory mutations still can have an effect on these diseases.

Freemartinism, a primary disorder of sex development (DSD) in cattle, is associated with leukocyte chimerism (60,XX/60,XY). The diagnosis of DSD is easy if it is known that a heifer with abnormally developed reproductive tracts originates from a heterosexual twin birth, but it is not so obvious in the case of single born calves. In the present study twelve DSD heifers which were single born (singletons) and culled due to the abnormal development of internal genitalia were studied using cytogenetic and molecular techniques. Among the heifers 7 appeared to be chimeric (60,XX/60,XY and the presence of the genes residing in the Y chromosome: SRY and AMELY) and 5 had a normal female karyotype (60,XX and a lack of the Y-linked genes). In addition, milk productivity was analyzed in relation to the incidence of twinning at a local Dairy Cattle Breeding Centre, from which 8 studied singletons (6 chimeric and 2 with a normal female karyotype) originated. It was found that in the years 2005-2013 an upward trend for average milk yield (from 9700 kg in 2005 to 11 500 kg in 2013) was associated with the increase of twin births (from 1.5% in 2005 to 5.9% in 2013). Our study showed that approximately 60% of single born heifers with abnormally developed internal genitalia were freemartins (a male co-twin died during pregnancy), while DSD etiology of the other cases (60,XX and a lack of the Y-linked genes) remains unknown. It cannot be excluded that some of these heifers represent a testicular/ovotesticular DSD (60,XX and SRY-negative). In conclusion, our study suggests that the occurrence of freemartins and other DSD in single born heifers seems to be an underestimated problem in cattle breeding.

Removal of dental calculus deposits is one of the basic parts of professional dental cleaning. Despite the popularity of power-driven scalers, several risks are associated with their use, mechanical damage of the enamel surface being one of the most important. The present study evaluated enamel damage caused by a sonic scaler in different work patterns to quantify the damage and allow a clear comparison. Seventy-five canine teeth were carefully extracted from twenty-three dogs. The scaler was used on a clean surface with several combinations of time (five to twenty seconds) and parts of the scaler (point vs. side of the tip). Subsequently, damaged surface topography was mapped using three-dimensional optical microscopy. The results revealed a high variance in defect depth which was influenced by both factors. Statistical assessment confirmed highly significant (P < 0.001) or at least significant (P < 0.05) differences in data acquired for each group. As expected, the shallowest defects were produced by the scaler side in the shortest experimental period (five seconds). Point use proved to be quite damaging, as it resulted in approximately four times higher median values than the side in the same timeframe. Therefore, it is crucial to follow all safety precautions when handling a power-driven scaler even during routine treatments. Use of the side of the tip and constant movement on the tooth surface are essential to reduce the risk of enamel damage.

Immunomodulatory products have been used for years in veterinary medicine. Inactivated Parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO) is currently used in equine medicine as an immunomodulator to improve the immune system and as a prophylactic treatment to prevent or treat infectious diseases. This study was designed to determine the effects of iPPVO on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function (phagocytosis and intracellular killing activity) and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of PMNLs in horses. Twenty-four healthy English thoroughbred horses with an average age of 11 years were included in the study. Venous blood samples (10 ml) were taken before (agent-free controls) and after the administration of iPPVO (2 ml i.m. injection on Days 1, 3, and 5). PMNLs (1 × 10⁷ cells/ml) were isolated from venous blood containing EDTA (0.1 g/ml) with Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation. Cellular phagocytosis and intracellular killing activities were assayed using a modification of Alexander's method before and after treatment with iPPVO. MPO activity was also measured. The administration of iPPVO significantly increased the phagocytic, intracellular killing, and MPO activities of equine PMNLs (P = 0.0058, P = 0.0050, and P = 0.0070, respectively). This study demonstrates a strong correlation between MPO activity and PMNL function. The administration of iPPVO to horses has a supportive effect on their cellular immunity and an immunomodulatory effect against equine viral infections.

We conducted to describe methods used to differentiate the zones of juvenile and mature wood in stems of coniferous species and to present the importance of good identification of the shares of both types of wood to ensure a rational use of the raw material and final quality of wood products. This study describes in more detail a novel method to separate the juvenile and mature wood tissue in stems of European larch using cluster analysis in the form of the k-means algorithm. Moreover, guidelines were also shortly described for forest management which could result in a reduction of the share of juvenile wood in stems of forest trees.

In Europe, glyphosate resistant populations have developed in some weed species in perennial crops, including three species of the genus Conyza documented by the International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds. Conyza spp. biology is reviewed in this paper and related to population dynamics and the development of resistant populations. Suboptimal growth stage at application, improper agricultural practices such as overreliance on glyphosate and long-term use of sublethal doses are identified as the most important factors of resistance development. Current control methods in perennial crops including mixtures of glyphosate with other active ingredients are discussed and effective weed management strategies are described to manage the development and spread of glyphosate resistant Conyza spp. in Europe.

The effect of temperature on the kinetics of pigment extraction during the maceration of different fruits (raspberry, blackberry, and cranberry) into a commercially available hard spirit (orujo, with 42% v/v ethanol) was evaluated. The analytical method used was UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The initial extraction rate showed an Arrhenius-type dependence with apparent energy activation of 28.8, 69.8, and 55.6 kJ/mol, respectively. Furthermore, a study about the evolution of the colour (from colourless to reddish colour appearance) during the soaking process was done by calculating the CIE tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) for illuminant C, until reaching the apparent stabilisation of colour, which occurs after about two to four weeks for the studied temperatures (5, 23, and 40°C). Studies about the evolution of colour in the soaking process of this kind of fruit liquors can lead to a better understanding of this process, and thus to a better control over the mechanisms underlying it.

We investigated the changes in omega 3 enriched carp fillets caused by pan frying. The investigated characteristics were fat uptake, fatty acid (FA) composition, and oxidation. Four different fats were used and fillets were fried plain or battered. The fillet fat content increased during frying and FA composition in the fillets reflected the composition of the frying fat. Frying with sunflower oil negatively influenced the nutritional value by decreasing the n-3/n-6 ratio in the fillets. Frying with rapeseed oil preserved the favourable n-3/n-6 ratio without increasing the saturated fatty acids (SFA). Frying with lard and butter preserved the n-3/n-6 ratio but increased the SFA content. No increased oxidation occurred with the use of rapeseed oil. We concluded that using rapeseed oil for fish seemed to preserve the nutritionally valuable composition best.

The effects of mineral and organic fertilization on the contents of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, B and Mo in soil and in the soil solution as well as on availability of these elements for crops were investigated in the long-term field trial. The highest contents of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in soil and soil solution were observed in the treatment with the lowest pH (NPK). In this same combination the content of B and Mo was the lowest. The concentration of Zn, B and Fe in the soil solution significantly increased under farmyard manure application. Liming significantly decreased contents extractable by 1 mol/L HCl forms of Mn and Zn and significantly increase the content of Mo in the soil. Regardless of fertilization applied, microelement concentrations in the soil solution are sufficient for fulfilling nutritional needs of plants cultivated during the trial.

The aim of study was to compare the effect of farming methods on soil microbial communities and dehydrogenase activity (DHA). During 2008-2013, in the five-field crop rotation the following treatments were carried out: ORG - organic; ORGFYM - organic with cattle manure; CONFYM - conventional (cattle manure, mineral fertilizers and pesticides were used). From the treatments soil samples in three replicates were taken for microbiological tests in September yearly. Total bacteria and cellulose decomposing bacteria were determined as a number of colony forming units per g of dry soil. Soil DHA was determined in accordance with Tabatabai (1982). Solid cattle manure applied in the ORGFYM rotation increased significantly (P < 0.05) the number of total bacteria and cellulose decomposing bacteria (by 19.4% and 45.3%, respectively), and DHA by 22.7%. There appeared no clear and significant differences in effects between ORGFYM and CONFYM treatments, as an average of experiment period. In some cases, the use of certain pesticides in CONFYM treatment significantly affected the microbe numbers and soil DHA.

A comparative analysis of reproduction parameters and hatchability results of pheasants raised under two different housing systems (cages and aviaries) was performed. In the first system the pheasants were housed in 420 cages, 3780 from the total were females. In the second housing system, 3200 pheasant hens were placed in eight aviaries, where 50 cocks and 400 hens were kept in each. The following parameters were calculated: laying rate, the percentage of hatching, small and cracked eggs, hatchability from set and fertilized eggs, dead embryos up to day 8 of incubation and, finally, dead embryos after day 8 of incubation as well as unhatched, crippled, and weak chicks. The laying rate for the whole period of reproduction in pheasants kept in cages was significantly higher in comparison with aviaries (59.6 vs 27.2%). A higher (P ≤ 0.05) percentage of small and damaged eggs ( = 13.6) was recorded in aviaries. The percentage of dead embryos for eggs derived from aviaries, up to day 8 of incubation, was also significantly higher (-x = 4.7%). There were no significant differences between the housing systems with respect to the remaining features. The results of the investigation made it possible to conclude that pheasants kept in cages were characterized by a higher laying performance with fewer eggs unsuitable for incubation. A lower mortality of embryos during the incubation process was found in eggs derived from pheasants reared in cages. Although there were no significant differences between the analyzed housing systems in terms of hatchability, a higher laying rate for pheasants kept in cages implies that more chicks could be obtained from every female.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protected organic acid blends including medium chain fatty acids and different nutrient density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and faecal noxious gas content in growing pigs. A total of 80 crossed [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] growing pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 22.61 ± 2.32 kg were used in a six-week trial. Pigs were randomly allocated into one of four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of nutrient density (high and low) and protected organic acid (0% and 0.1%) according to their sex and BW (five replicates with two gilts and two barrows per pen). Pigs fed high nutrient density diets had increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG0 and gain: feed (G : F) than those fed low nutrient density diets. Likewise, pigs fed protected organic acid diets exhibited increased (P < 0.05) ADG compared with pigs fed no additional protected organic acids. An interactive effect (P = 0.03) between organic acid and nutrient density was observed on feed conversion by pigs. Dry matter (DM) digestibility tended to improve (P = 0.08) in pigs fed high nutrient density diets compared with low nutrient density diets. However, nitrogen (N) and energy (E) digestibility was not influenced by the nutrient density. Likewise, protected organic acid supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) DM, N or E digestibility. Organic acid supplementation reduced (P < 0.05) H₂S content from faeces on Day 1, Day 3, Day 5 and Day 7 of incubation. Low nutrient density diets led to a reduction (P < 0.05) in H₂S gas content on Day 1 of incubation. No interactive effect on faecal noxious gas content was observed between nutrient density and organic acid. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of protected organic acids with a high nutrient diet improved growth performance and reduced H₂S acid emission.

Soil properties can be affected by heavy equipment used for skidding but these impacts vary greatly with site conditions and operational practices. We assessed the effects of ground-based skidding on site disturbance and soil physical properties. We also tested the effects of skid trail slope and traffic frequency on soil compaction, total porosity, and moisture content. On average, about 30% of all harvested area was disturbed to varying levels. Intact forest floor (undisturbed) and light slash were the dominant surface conditions, covering an average of 68.9% of harvested area. Deep disturbed soils accounted for only just over 1.1% of observations. Results showed that dry bulk density, total porosity and moisture content were affected considerably on skid trails by traffic frequency and skid trail slope. Measurements of soil properties in the surface layer (0-10 cm) showed that bulk density is 57% higher and total porosity is 31% lower on the skid trail compared to the undisturbed area. Average moisture content has been measured as 35% on the skid trail versus 47% in the undisturbed area.

Anew approach to forestry that increasingly values non-timber forest functions brings new interest and value also to coppice forests. A case study in the Voskop nature reserve located in the Český kras Protected Landscape Area was focused on a comparison of the timber production of individually growing trees and in multistemmed trees resprouting after cutting (stools). We recorded tree ecological characteristics of trees such as existence of stem cavities, whether the tree grows individually or from a stool and whether or not the tree is broken, dead or has a dying crown. In total 2,670 trees were sampled on a 1,875 ha sample plot. The main tree species forming coppice stands are Quercus petraea and Carpinus betulus. The total stock volume of only 136 m³.ha^-1 is very low at 84 years of age. The stock volume of individually growing trees is 84 m³.ha^-1 and the stock volume of trees in stools is only 52 m³.ha^-1 although the number of individually growing trees is lower.