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Resistance of 31 winter wheat varieties (bred in 6 European countries) to Fusarium head blight (FHB) was evaluated in field trials lasting for three years (2007, 2008, 2009) after artificial inoculation with Fusarium culmorum. The data on deoxynivalenol (DON) content were supplemented by symptom scores and determination of % of Fusarium damaged grains and % reductions of thousand-grain weight and grain weight per spike due to infection. These varieties and also 120 advanced breeding lines from the Úhřetice Breeding Station, SELGEN company were examined for the presence of gibberellic acid (GA) insensitive semi-dwarfing genes to evaluate their effect on FHB. The conditions of experimental years highly influenced the performance of all characters. The highest production of DON occurred in 2008 at a high temperature and high moisture content during the infection period. In all years the moderate resistance to accumulation of DON (at the level of Swiss variety Arina) was detected in the Czech varieties Bakfis, Federer, Baletka, Samanta and Sakura. Among these varieties, Federer showed a low accumulation of DON at a relatively higher symptom expression and greater reduction of grain weight per spike, but the other four varieties and the reference variety Arina expressed resistance in all the examined traits. The varieties Pitbull, Cubus, Kodex and Bagou were found to be highly susceptible to FHB. The presence of the dwarfing allele Rht-D1b resulted in a significantly higher mean symptom score and also in a higher affection of the other traits. Nonetheless, the analysis of frequency distributions in symptom scores showed the presence of resistant lines also among the GA insensitive lines, but with a lower frequency than in the group of GA sensitive genotypes. A relatively greater effect on manifestation of the disease had plant height, and therefore it is suggested that the adverse impact of Rht-D1b on FHB resistance could be to a high degree excluded by opting for taller Rht-D1b genotypes.

It is estimated that world-wide existing germplasm collections contain about 7.5 million accessions of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Wheat (Triticum and Aegilops) represents the biggest group comprising 900 000 accessions. However, such a huge number of accessions is hindering a successful exploitation of the germplasm. The creation of core collections representing a wide spectrum of the genetic variation of the whole assembly may help to overcome the problem. Here we demonstrate the successful utilisation of such a core collection for the identification and molecular mapping of genes (Quantitative Trait Loci) determining the agronomic traits flowering time and grain yield, exploiting a marker-trait-association based technique. Significant marker-trait associations were obtained and are presented. The intrachromosomal location of many of these associations coincided with those of already identified major genes or quantitative trait loci, but others were detected in regions where no known genes have been located to date.

The experiment was carried out to observe the influence of the CULTAN method (controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition) on grain yield and yield formation of spring barley cultivar Jersey. In four-year small-plot experiment under conditions of the Czech Republic, two methods of nitrogen fertilization were used: conventional surface fertilization and local fertilizer injection rich in ammonium into soil during vegetation at BBCH 29-30 stages. Furthermore, the impact of sulphur amendment in fertilizer and increased dose of fertilizer were observed. Basic dose of nitrogen was 80 kg N/ha, increased dose 130 kg N/ha. At CULTAN treatment, same or significantly higher grain yields were obtained compared to conventional nitrogen fertilization. Grain yield at CULTAN fertilization is formed mainly on the main stem because of reduced tillering; it has the impact on significantly higher percentage of grain retained on 2.5 mm sieve. A tendency to lower protein content in grain was recorded at local injection of fertilizer compared to conventional fertilization. CULTAN-treated plants showed a lesser dependency of qualitative parameters on fertilizer dose and sulphur amendment in fertilizer. A positive influence of the CULTAN method on yield and quality of grain was observed mainly at the less fertile site.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) affects the intestinal motility but in ruminants the question has not been entirely explored. The aim of this study was to examine the precise effects of CCK-octapeptide (CCK-OP)and its amphibian analogue, cerulein, on duodenal motor activity in unfasted rams in the course of chronic experiments. Five rams underwent the implantation of a strain gauge force transducer to the duodenal wall, and - additionally - the bipolar platinum electrodes to the duodenal bulb, distal duodenum, near the strain gauge force transducer, and proximal jejunum. During continuous motor recordings, 0.15M NaCl or CCK peptides were administrated intravenously. Injections of CCK-OP at doses of 20 (over 30 s), 200 (over 30 or 60 s), and 2 000 (over 30, 60, or 120 s) ng/kg of body weight and injections of cerulein at doses of 1, 10, or 100 ng/kg (given over the same periods) were each administered in the course of duodenal phase 1, 2a, or 2b of the migrating motor complex (MMC), i.e. 5 min after the onset of each phase. Injections of the smallest doses of CCK peptides exerted a slight and mostly insignificant effect on the duodenal areas under contraction (AUC). In the duodenum, the moderate doses of the hormones evoked short stimulatory effects followed by longer inhibitory biphasic effects on AUC. These effects were inversely related to the duration of the hormone injection. It is concluded that CCK evokes stimulatory and inhibitory (biphasic) physiological effects on duodenal motility in sheep.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the length of calf sucking milk from its own mother on calf growth at the age of 3 months and milk yield of mothers. We tested a hypothesis that the nursing of calves by their own mothers increases the body weight of calves and decreases the milk production. 50 Holstein primiparous cows and their calves were divided into three groups according to the sucking length of calves: 7 days (A), 14 days (B) and 21 days (C). All calves suckled mother's colostrum and milk while mothers were milked twice per day. After weaning from mother calves were kept in individual hutches until 56 days of life, and then in group housing pens. In the period from birth to weaning the calves of group A reached the lowest and the calves of group C the highest daily gains (0.35 kg, 0.46 kg, 0.54 kg; P < 0.01). The lowest gain was recorded in animals of group A (0.55 kg) and the highest gain was reached by calves of group C (0.74 kg) for the period from birth to three months of age. For the first 305 days of lactation cows of group A produced insignificantly more milk than group C (7356.5 kg, 6779.2 kg, 6663.9 kg). A significant difference in milk production was recorded only during the first seven months of lactation (5494.5 kg, 5041.9 kg, and 4872.3 kg; P < 0.05). The long stay of calves with their mothers influences the growth of calves positively, but the milk production of mothers may decrease. Therefore, the stay of calves with the dam within 21 days after birth is not recommended for high-yielding dairy cows.

Changbai Mountain Natural Reserve (1,985 km² and 2,734 m a.s.l.) of Northeast China is a typical ecosystem representing the temperate biosphere. The vegetation is vertically divided into 4 dominant zones: broadleaved Korean pine forest (annual temperature 2.32°C, annual precipitation 703.62 mm), dark coniferous forest (annual temperature -1.78°C, annual precipitation 933.67 mm), Erman's birch forest (annual temperature -2.80°C, annual precipitation 1,002.09 mm) and Alpine tundra (annual temperature -3.82°C, annual precipitation 1,075.53 mm). Studies of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mineralization have attracted wide attention in the context of global climate change. Based on the data of a 42-day laboratory incubation experiment, this paper investigated the relationship between soil moisture and mineralization of C and N in soils with different vegetation types on the northern slope of the Natural Reserve Zone of Changbai Mountain. The elevation influence on soil C and N mineralization was also discussed. The results indicated that for the given vegetation type of Changbai Mountain the C and N mineralization rate, potential mineralizable C (C0) and potential rate of initial C mineralization (C₀k) all increased as the soil moisture rose. The elevation or vegetation type partially affected the soil C and N mineralization but without a clear pattern. The moisture-elevation interaction significantly affected soil C and NO₃^--N mineralization, but the effect on NH₄⁺-N mineralization was not significant. The complex mechanism of their impact on the soil C and N mineralization of Changbai Mountain remains to be studied further based on data of field measurements in the future.

The contribution presents the modelling solution of the potential scenarios impact of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union after 2013 in the selected sectors of the Slovak Republic national economy. The solution is accomplished using the Computable General Equilibrium model with the emphasis on the productive and less favourable agricultural areas and the theoretical rents for agricultural land. If we take into consideration both pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, according to the modelling calculations in Slovak conditions the most favoured is the Conservative scenario, the Reference and the Flat Rate scenario are neutral and the least favourable is the Liberalisation scenario.

A scientific shelf-life study for Listeria monocytogenes in the typical Slovak cheese "bryndza" was performed in accordance with the requirements of the Commission Regulation (EC) 2073/2005. Based on the previous positive findings of L. monocytogenes in the final products, the producer decided to perform laboratory tests, the results of which would allow him a different evaluation of these positive results. Both the physico-chemical (pH, a_w) and microbiological examinations of "bryndza" cheese stored at 5.8-6.2°C were performed every two days till the end of the product shelf-life (7 days). Microbiological analyses were performed after artificial contamination of the final product with a mixture of three L. monocytogenes strains. The growth potential of L. monocytogenes was calculated as the difference in the counts of this bacterium between the last day and the first day of the test. The Slovak traditional "bryndza" cheese has been found not to support the growth of L. monocytogenes. Thus, the counts of L. monocytogenes must not exceed 50 CFU/g at the beginning and 20 CFU/g at the end of the product shelf-life in order to ensure its safety for the consumer.

The leaf spotting disease complex is a major biotic constrain in enhancing grain production in the major wheat growing regions. Two leaf spotting diseases, tan spot, caused by an ascomycete fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, and Stagonospora nodorum blotch besides causing average yield losses of 5-10%, cause significant losses in grain quality by red smudge, black point and grain shriveling. Conservation agriculture in combination with wheat monoculture involving cultivation of susceptible cultivars has resulted in frequent onset of leaf spots epidemics worldwide. Development of resistant wheat cultivars, in conjunction with crop rotation, will provide an effective, economical, and environmentally safe means of controlling leaf spot. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico has initiated major efforts to mitigate the threat of tan spot. Efforts include screening of wheat germplasm, identification of new sources of resistance, characterization of new tan spot resistance genes through classical and molecular genetic analysis, incorporation of resistance into adapted cultivars, and assessing the variability in the tan spot fungus. Screening studies reveal that elite CIMMYT germplasm has high level of resistance to tan spot caused by P. tritici-repentis race 1. These germplasm have diverse genetic make-up and the resistance is likely broad based. Association mapping studies done with CIMMYT germplasm reconfirmed the presence of previously identified genomic regions for tan spot resistance; however, novel genomic regions on long arm of chromosomes 6A and 7B have also been identified. Studies done to date indicate that CIMMYT germplasm possess high level diverse genetic based resistance to tan spot of wheat. Efforts are in place to develop desired wheat cultivars with tan spot resistance. Virulence studies indicate presence of P. tritici-repentis race 1 only with some variability in level of toxin Ptr ToxA produced in each of the 76 isolates studied.

Members of Brassicaceae have been frequently cited as allelopathic crop. The toxic effect of Brassica spp. may be caused by hydrolysis products of glucosinolates that occur in substantial amounts in the vegetative parts of Brassica spp. This study investigated the allelopathic potential of Brassica napus, B. rapa and B. juncea on the sunflower seed germination and seedling growth. Aqueous extracts of three species from two stages (full flowering and straw) of sampling were separately made with 0 (distilled water), 10, 20, 30 and 40% concentrations. This experiment was conducted in 2 × 3 × 5 factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with five replications. There was a highly significant difference among different concentrations of extracts and also between two stages of extraction. All aqueous extracts significantly affected sunflower germination, germination rate, seedling root and hypocotyl length, fresh and dry matter weight when compared with distilled water control. The greatest concentration showed a stronger inhibitory effect. Root length was more sensitive to extracts than hypocotyl length.

This study aims to reveal and to compare effects of two different systems of nitrogen (N) nutrition (sidedress application or injection application) on toxicity of NH₄⁺ and mixed nutrition. We investigated whether NH₄⁺ or mixed (NH₄NO₃) application causes significant changes in the endogenous levels of cytokinins (CK), whole plant N and their effects on yield of selected plants. Ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate were used as N source in the pot experiment. The yield of Festulolium and Trifolium pratense L. above-ground biomass and roots was more substantially enhanced after sidedress application of both ammonium sources in comparison with injection application. Our results confirmed that the accumulation of CKs in plants is in correlation with their N content (R² = 0.66-0.98). Proportions between individual CK forms remained relatively steady and their dynamics exhibited similar trends after N application. Our results indicate that the negative effect of the application of NH₄⁺ on the growth of Festulolium and clover plants could be effectively modulated by the presence of NO₃^-.

Summerling (six-month old) noble crayfish fed two forms of freshly decapsulated (FD) Artemia cysts more than tripled their weight during a 75-day experiment under controlled conditions. Final survival rates were at the level of 90%. Feeding commercially available industrially decapsulated cysts resulted in both poor growth and reduced survival (22.2%). Therefore FD Artemia cysts may be an effective diet for crayfish culture, but dehydrated industrially decapsulated (DID) cysts should be used with caution to avoid products of low quality. That should be considered especially in slow feeders such as crayfish because of leaching of nutrients from DID cysts. Costs of the processing of freshly decapsulated cysts are discussed.

This paper describes the course and variation in the brain base arteries in fallow deer. The metrical features of the brain base arteries were determined with an image analysis system. The main sources of blood supply to the brain in fallow deer are internal carotid arteries; vertebral arteries rarely participate in blood supply. The brain base arteries in fallow deer show variation both in their course and in the way of descent of particular vessels. The highest variation was observed in the way of the opening of caudal cerebral arteries. The volume of the arterial circle of brain in fallow deer is similar to the volume of the basilar artery. Considering the correlation between specific parameters, it can be concluded that the volume of the basilar artery is highly correlated with the volume of the posterior part of the arterial circle of the brain, i.e., the volume of the caudal communicating arteries.

This research deals with productivity and cost of rock disintegration and side casting of materials with the use of a hydraulic hammer mounted on a PC 220 Komatsu crawler excavator, which is used on rocky slopes of Hyrcanian forests of Iran. A continuing time study was applied during the road construction. To estimate the volume of rock disintegration, the average end area equation was used. The increasing cut-slope height decreased productivity. The productivity of hydraulic hammer averaged at 5.5 m³.h^-1 for the mean work volume of 5.07 m³.m^-1. The unit cost of the system was 7.7 €.m^-3. From the economic point of view a new machine with multipurpose system could be recommended for forest road construction operations in rocky areas.

Wild Triticum and Aegilops species are increasingly used in wheat breeding programmes around the world as donors of genes conferring resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as of genes that contribute to the improvement of grain quality. In the present study, thirty-nine accessions of diploid species with the A genome (Triticum boeoticum and T. urartu) were evaluated for the presence of the genes conferring resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) and leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) using both inoculation tests and sequence tagged sites (STS) marker analyses in order to find correspondence between STS markers and resistance as a trait. The most resistant entries were T. boeoticum accessions. All the marked Lr and Pm resistance genes (Pm1, Pm2, Pm3, Lr10, Lr47, Lr25 and Lr28) were identified in the check T. aestivum cultivar Bezostaya 1. The resistance to powdery mildew in the material studied was conferred by the combination of the Pm1 gene with either Pm2 or Pm3. The Pm1 and Pm3 markers appeared to be suitable for tracking these powdery mildew resistance genes, while the Pm2 gene marker cannot be considered as usable in various genetically different wheat accessions. The presence of the genes Lr25, Lr28 and Lr47 seems to be particularly useful for obtaining leaf rust resistance in T. boeoticum and T. urartu species.

The paper compares the quality of Festulolium, Dactylis glomerata and Arrhenatherum elatius at the end of the growing season over three years with the contrasting weather in the Czech Republic. The effect of pre-utilisation dates in June or July on the quality of grass forage in October, November and December (harvest dates) was investigated. In the first two years, Arrhenatherum elatius exhibited higher yields (P < 0.05) than Festulolium and Dactylis glomerata. In all treatments, differences between the species and between the years were inconsistent for organic matter digestibility (OMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) but Festulolium showed the lowest crude protein (CP) in all years and crude fibre (CF) in the first 2 years. The longer re-growth time due to earlier final cut in summer increased the yield and decreased the nutritive value in winter. Yields of DM, OMD and CP content generally declined and the CF content increased with the delay of winter harvest. Significant species harvest date interactions in some years were due to the steep increase of CF and NDF in Festulolium. Based on DM yields and nutritive value, all species have some merits as forage for use in possibly extended grazing season. Festulolium and Dactylis glomerata could be used to extend the grazing period in continental conditions. Arrhenatherum elatius had sufficient quality at both dry and warm end of the growing season due to the fact that Arrhenatherum elatius was a representative of drought-resistant species; however, intense grazing could suppress it.

One peculiar feature of the inland valleys abundant in West Africa is their site-specific hydrology, underlain mainly by the prevailing landforms and topography. Development and management of these land resources under the increasingly popular sawah (a system of bunded, puddled and levelled rice field with facilities for irrigation and drainage) technology is a promising opportunity for enhancing rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in the region. Information on the variations in selected soil physical properties as influenced by the prevailing landforms may serve as a useful guide in site selection. This is of practical importance since majority of the inland valleys are potentially unsuitable for sawah development and most farmers in the region are of low technical level. Three landforms (river levee, elevated area and depressed area) were identified within a sawah field located in an inland valley at Ahafo Ano South District of Ghana. Each of these landforms was topsoil-sampled along on identified gradient (top, mid and bottom slope positions). Parameters determined included particle size distribution, bulk density, total porosity and field moisture content. The soil is predominantly clayey. There were no variations in the particle size distribution among the slope positions in the river levee. Overall, the river levee had lower silt content than the elevated and the depressed landforms. The bulk density, total porosity, and gravimetric moisture content indicated relative improvements only in the depressed area in the order, bottom > mid > top slope. Irrespective of slope position, the three landforms differed in these parameters in the order, depressed > river levee > elevated. The sand fraction impacted negatively on the silt fraction and bulk density of the soil, both of which controlled the soil moisture status. Despite the fairly low silt content of the soil, the silt fraction strongly influenced the gravimetric moisture content (R² = 0.80). So too did the soil bulk density on the gravimetric moisture content (R² = 0.90). It is concluded that: (1) since the landforms more prominently influenced the measured parameters than the slope positions, the former should take pre-eminence over the latter in soil suitability judgment; (2) with respect to moisture retention, variations in silt fraction and bulk density of this and other clayey inland-valley soils should be used as guide in site selection for sawah development.

Aprostocetus micantulus (Thomson, 1878) (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae), Torymus heyeri Wachtl, 1833 (Chalcidoidea: Torymidae), Pseudencyrtus idmon (Walker, 1848) (Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) and Platy-gaster compressicornis (Thomson, 1859) (Platygasteroidea: Platygasteridae) are four main parasitoids reared from galls of Thecodiplosis brachyntera (Schwägrichen, 1835) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) developing on Pinus mugo L., P. rotundata Link, P. sylvestris L. and P. × pseudopumilio (Willk.) G. Beck (Pinaceae) in the Czech Republic during outbreak 1967-1972. Of total 4,279 parasitoid specimens, Platygaster compressicornis (1,778 specimens, 41%) was the most abundant, Aprostocetus micantulus (1,047 specimens, 25%) and Pseudencyrtus idmon (1,020 specimens, 24%) less abundant and Torymus heyeri (434 specimens, 10%) was on the fourth place of abundance. In laboratory conditions, adults of Platygaster compressicornis emerged simultaneously with adults of T. brachyntera, adults of Pseudencyrtus idmon and Torymus heyeri 14-24 days after emergence of T. brachyntera and adults of Aprostocetus micantulus after 24-60 days. Behaviour of adult parasitoid during the process of building the opening hole to escape from gall is described. Larvae identified and figured by FANKHÄNEL and ZELETZKI (1964) as larval stage of Misocyclops pini are misidentification; in reality they are the salivary glands of larvae of Thecodiplosis brachyntera.

In this work, effects of gibberellic acid, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon), triacontanol, 24-epibrassinolide and polyamine (cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine) pretreatments on the stem anatomy of radish seedlings grown under saline conditions were studied. Salt stress decreased the stem diameter, epidermis cell size, cortex zone thickness, vascular bundle width, cambium thickness, xylem width, trachea diameter and phloem width in the seedlings non-pretreated with the growth regulators, in comparison with the control seedlings grown in distilled water medium. In addition, it slightly increased the cuticle thickness. On the other hand, many of the growth regulator pretreatments more or less stimulated the stem diameter, epidermis cell width, cortex zone thickness, vascular bundle width, xylem width, trachea diameter and phloem width in comparison with the control seedlings grown on saline medium. Moreover, they generally reduced the cuticle thickness, epidermis cell length and cambium thickness.

Levels of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs, including those with 20 and 22 carbon-chains, in concentrate-fed Asturiana de los Valles (AV) yearling bulls with and without the double muscling gene (mh/mh = 24, mh/+ = 26, +/+ = 25) were measured to examine if this gene influences the pattern of PUFA deposition in different adipose tissues. Fatty acid compositions of muscle tissue (longissimus thoracis) and intermuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues were determined by gas chromatography. The composition of intramuscular fat was unique compared to the other two adipose tissues which were similar in composition. In general, n-6 and n-3 fatty acid elongation and desaturation products were affected by AV genotype and this effect was most evident in n-3 PUFAs of the intramuscular fat of mh/mh (n-6/n-3 = 11.8 and 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 = 25.3) compared to mh/+ and +/+ animals (mean values of n-6/n-3 = 9.86 and 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 = 15.5). PUFA elongation and desaturation end products did not accumulate to any great extent in intermuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Beef from mh/mh cattle showed greater deposition rates of n-3 elongation and desaturation products but their absolute content of total n-3 fatty acids was lower (21 mg/100 g meat) in comparison with mh/+ and +/+ cattle (mean value of 25 mg/100 g meat).

The content of total anthocyanins was determined in grapes of nine grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties belonging to the traditional blue vine varieties grown in south Moravia (Czech Republic) within the period of 2002-2007. Factors of vintage and health condition of grapes were observed. The material balance of the colour substances in grapes was related to the dry matter of skins of berries and that of fresh grapes used as raw material for vinification. The highest content of pigments was found in the variety Neronet (2.15-4.49 g/kg of fresh grapes), which belongs to the so-called Teinturier varieties. Besides the variety Neronet (containing 30.6-73.4 mg/g of dry skin), high contents of total anthocyanins in dry skins were found in the varieties Dornfelder (24.7-59.0 mg/g of dry skin) and Cabernet Moravia (20.1-59.3 mg/g of dry skin). In the long run, the lowest concentrations of pigments were determined in grapes of the varieties Blauer Portugieser (0.51-1.02 g/kg of fresh grapes) and Pinot noir (0.27-0.60 g/kg of fresh grapes). The highest colour capacity was found in grapes harvested in the 2003 and 2006. Contents of anthocyanins were significantly lower (P = 0.001) in damaged grapes. Grapes containing more than 40% of rotten berries revealed in skins and whole grapes only 41% and 55%, respectively, of the colour capacity of the healthy raw material.

The bio-rational insecticides Dipel 2x, BioFly, Agrin, BioGuard, Spinosad, Neemix, Mectin and Match were tested for their effect on 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th instar larvae and egg masses (24, 48 and 72 h old) of the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis under laboratory conditions. The doses used were the recommended dose, half of the recommended dose and quarter of the recommended dose. All insecticides caused higher mortality in the 1st than in the 3^rd and 5^{th larval stage, although Match, Mectin and Spinosad at all tested concentrations showed excellent efficacy against the 3rd larval stage of S. littoralis. Also, Match resulted in 100% mortality of 5th instar larvae at all tested concentrations. Moreover, these insecticides also strongly affected some biological parameters of treated 3rd and 5th instar larvae of S. littoralis. Egg masses of different ages (24, 48 and 72 h old) where dipped into the recommended dose of each insecticide and the mortality rates determined; eggs of different ages were affected similarly, with mortality rates of 83.4, 85.0 and 71.7%, respectively, after treatment with Spinosad compared to the control. In general, eggs 48 and 72 h old were less sensitive than 24 h old ones. A latent effect of the insecticides on egg hatchability of S. littoralis was observed only in Match and Neemix, with the average being 55.0% and 51.6%, respectively. Our results suggest that Match, Mectin and Spinosad are potentially potent compounds for control of S. littoralis.}

Experiments were conducted on calves divided into three groups, 6 animals in each, to determine the influence of the intake of non-acidified and acidified milk replacer on the level of acid-base homeostasis in venous blood. The milk replacer was supplied at a dose of 700 g dry matter in 8 l of the liquid in two feedings. The milk replacer was acidified by adding formic acid to ensure the concentration of 0.2% in milk replacer. Venous blood was collected before feeding and 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after feeding. The samples were analyzed for blood pH, actual bicarbonate HCO₃^- (mmol/l), base excess BE (mmol/l), partial pressure of carbon dioxide pCO₂ (kPa) and partial pressure of oxygen pO₂ (kPa). Significant changes were observed in calves fed acidified milk of albumin type. The mean daily values of acid-base parameters in these calves were significantly lower in comparison with animals fed non-acidified milk replacer and reached the following levels: pH 7.343 ± 0.032 (P < 0.05), HCO₃ 24.49 ± 2.13 mmol/l (P < 0.01), BE 1.11 ± 1.97 mmol/l (P < 0.001). A similar tendency but of a more pronounced decrease in values was recorded in the group of calves fed acidified milk replacer of casein type: pH 7.312 ± 0.022 (P < 0.01), HCO₃^- 21.73 ± 0.75 mmol/l (P < 0.001), BE 96 ± 0.86 mmol/l (P < 0.001). In relation to the time after feeding the group of calves fed non-acidified milk replacer showed a rising tendency in the level of metabolic components (HCO₃^-), compensated by respiratory regulating mechanisms (rise in pCO₂) conducive to the maintenance of optimum blood pH level. The group of calves fed acidified milk replacer (formic acid 2 ml/l) of the albumin type showed metabolic acidosis with subsequent gradual adjustment and compensation by means of metabolic (HCOHCO₃^-) rather than respiratory regulation mechanisms. The calves fed acidified casein type milk replacer displayed metabolic acidosis with insufficient metabolic regulation and more intensive respiratory compensation (decrease in pCO₂). Concurrent investigations of the abomasum acidity and blood acid-base homeostasis reflected the joint action of both the acidifying effect of formic acid and significantly lower production of bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) related to the intake of acidified milk and the tendency to the development of metabolic acidosis.

The process of leukocyte cytolysis and the manifestations of apoptosis and secondary necrosis of neutrophil granulocytes (hereafter only "neutrophils") were studied on four virgin heifers after the induction of leukocyte influx into the mammary gland and after their lavage in in vitro conditions. Phosphate buffered saline, muramyl dipeptide and a lipopolysaccharide were used for influx induction. Cytolysis and apoptosis were induced with heat stress, ultraviolet irradiation and spontaneous aging for 24 hours. The cytolysis was detected indirectly by determining the lactate dehydrogenase activity in the cultivation medium after the enzyme was released through cell lysis. The neutrophil apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and two staining methods (i) simultaneous staining with Annexin V labelled FITC and propidium iodide and (ii) with SYTO 13. It was found that leukocytes of the mammary gland of virgin heifers undergo spontaneous aging during in vitro incubation. The fraction of lysed leukocytes rose in the course of the in vitro incubation and reached 21% up to 34% after 4 hours and 73% up to 79% after 24 hours, depending on the inductor of influx used. From among them, phosphate buffered saline resulted in the lowest incidence of cytolysis, the lipopolysaccharide in the highest incidence. The differences in the effect of influx inductors on leukocyte cytolysis became manifest during the first 4 hours of incubation in particular; the differences between inductors became insignificant after 24 hours. Heat stress, unlike ultraviolet irradiation, resulted in a significant increase in the fraction of lysed leukocytes. Ultraviolet radiation induced neutrophil apoptosis in a dominant way, while the effect of influx inducers and/or of the staining method used for flow cytometry had no effect. Heat stress also induced neutrophil apoptosis but to a lower extent than ultraviolet irradiation. Spontaneous leukocyte aging during the in vitro incubation resulted in an increasing share of apoptotic neutrophils depending on the duration of incubation. An increase in the share of necrotic neutrophils was only significant after influx induction with the lipopolysaccharide, but not after induction with buffered saline. Highly significant correlation between the percentage representation of apoptotic neutrophils and the percentage proportion of lysed leukocytes was shown, both after influx induction with phosphate buffered saline, and with the lipopolysaccharide and after both staining techniques (r = 0.767; 0.932; 0.966; 0.922). Statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the proportion of necrotic neutrophils and the share of lysed leukocytes only after influx induction with the lipopolysaccharide (r = 0.579; 0.765). After the influx induction with phosphate buffered saline and staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide, statistically significant negative correlation between the percentage share of necrotic neutrophils and the percentage of lysed leukocytes (r = -0.653) was demonstrated. Thus it means that situations can occur when the more leukocytes succumb to cytolysis, the smaller the share of necrotic neutrophils that can be detected with flow cytometry. One can state that the in vit

In this study, nutritive values of rapeseed (R), rapeseed meal-expeller A (RM-A), rapeseed meal-expeller B (RM-B) and extracted rapeseed meal (ERM) were compared. The trials were performed using the in sacco method with three steers of the Czech Fleckvieh breed, which were fitted with a permanent ruminal cannula. Nylon bags with samples were incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 hours. The effective degradability (ED) of crude protein (CP) was calculated at 0.08, 0.06 and 0.04 1/h of rumen particulate outflow rates (k), and the obtained ED values were 65.4, 70.8 and 77.4% for R, 86.7, 88.1 and 89.7% for RM-A, 82.2, 84.4 and 87.0% for RM-B and 56.3, 62.1 and 69.6% for ERM, respectively. The ED values significantly differed between feeds (P < 0.05) for all rumen particulate outflow rates. Disappearances of amino acids (AA) after 16 hours of incubation in the rumen of R, RM-A, RM-B and ERM were determined. In all cases, the concentrations of AA in the feeds determined after incubation in rumen were lower than in the original feeds. A mobile bag technique was used to determine intestinal digestibility. In the experiment, three dry cows fitted with permanent large ruminal cannula and the T-piece cannula in the proximal duodenum were used. The intestinal digestibilities of rumen undegraded CP (DSI) were estimated 30.0% in R, 15.4% in RM-A, 27.6% in RM-B and 65.3% in ERM. The DSI values significantly differ between the feeds (P < 0.05), except for the difference between R and RM-B.

The aim of this study was to determine the total phenolic (TP) content and antioxidant activity (AA) in yellow (cvs. Impala, Karin, Dita, Saturna) and purple-fleshed (cvs. Valfi, Violette) potatoes grown in the Czech Republic in 2004 in four locations in precise field trials. TP content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau assay and AA by DPPH assay both in freeze-dried tuber matter. Results showed a statistical significant difference in TP content and AA between yellow and purple-fleshed potatoes. Purple-fleshed cultivars showed higher TP content (by 60%) than yellow-fleshed cultivars; AA in purple-fleshed cultivars was twice as high as in yellow-fleshed potatoes. A medium linear correlation between TP and AA was found ( r² = 0.747). Average TP content in yellow-fleshed cultivars was 2.96 GAE (g of gallic acid per kg dm); in purple-fleshed cultivars it was 4.68 GAE. Average AA in yellow-fleshed cultivars was 11.26 EAA (mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g dm) and in purple-fleshed cv. 24.79 EAA. Purple-fleshed potatoes showed a lower variation among localities (only 6%). Hence, regarding a relatively high potato intake by Czechs (72 kg per capita a year), contribution of potatoes, especially purple-fleshed, to total antioxidants intake should be considered.

In this study, a novel missense (NM_174579:c.1201C>T) mutation in exon 6 at the bovine POU1F1 locus is reported, which results in p.S284F, namely, Ser (TCT) > Phe (TTT) at position 284 of the mature protein. A DdeI PCR-RFLP was used to determine the genotypes. The polymorphism was studied in eight Chinese cattle breeds (Nanyang, n = 251; Qinchuan, 149; Jiaxian Red, 144; Chinese Holstein, 61; Luxi, 57; Angus, 49; Jinnan, 60; Guyuan, 192). The frequencies of the POU1F1 T allele in the analyzed populations ranged from 0.010 to 0.053. The relationships between the DdeI polymorphism and growth traits and body sizes were analyzed by adjusted linear model in 251 Nanyang cattle. Fixed effects of marker genotype, birth year, season of birth (spring vs. fall), age of dam, sire, farm and sex, and random effects of an animal were included. Statistical evaluation revealed no significant relationships between this polymorphism and birth weight, body weight and average daily gain for different growth periods (6-month old, 12-month old, 18-month old and 24-month old) body height, body length, heart girth and height at the hip cross for different growth periods (P > 0.05).

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different body weight groups (light (L) = 1 400-1 500; medium (M) = 1 500-1 600 and heavy (H) = 1 600 < g) on performance and egg quality traits of Lohmann hens, 24 weeks of age, in different laying periods. A total of 288 Lohmann White layers were allocated randomly to three groups with respect to live weight, each consisting of 24 replicated cages as subgroups, comprising four hens. The study period lasting for 60 weeks was investigated as four different age periods (first period = 24-40 weeks; second period = 40-54 weeks; third period = 54-68 weeks; fourth period = 68-84 weeks). Differences in the initial live weight at the beginning of experiment among the groups continued to the end of experimental period. Considering the egg production, differences among the groups were not significant (P > 0.05) during the experimental period. Egg weight was determined to be lower in the group with low body weight (64.58 g) than in medium (64.97 g) and heavy hen groups (66.30 g). Differences in feed intake and feed conversion ratio among the groups were found significant, and the mean values were 123.93, 127.48 and 130.67 for feed consumption (g/day); 2.23, 2.28 and 2.27 for feed conversion ratio. Except for the feed conversion ratio, the effect of weight groups by age period interaction on performance parameters was significant (P < 0.01). The effects of body weight on shell strength, shell thickness and yolk index were not significant during the experimental period. However, different body weight groups significantly affected shape index, yolk colour, albumen index and Haugh unit parameters. Shell strength, yolk colour and yolk index values were affected by weight groups by age period interaction. In conclusion, Lohmann White hens in the light group in a uniform flock had higher egg production and lower feed conversion ratio values than those of other weight groups.

Patatin relative abundance in SDS-extractable protein and patatin content in dry matter were evaluated in tubers of forty processing and table potato cultivars usually cultivated in the Czech Republic, Germany, and the Netherlands. The patatin characteristics were evaluated over three experimental years. Patatin relative abundance in the processing cultivars achieved on average a significantly higher value (P < 0.001; Tukey HSD test) than patatin relative abundance in the table cultivars, resulting in average values of 25.80% and 21.59%, respectively. A high patatin relative abundance (over 30% in extractable protein) was determined only in the case of two cultivars: Vaneda (average 31.29%) and Tomensa (average 31.24%). Patatin content in tuber dry matter was significantly higher in the processing potato cultivars in all three experimental years (P < 0.001), attaining a mean of 1.28% with the processing cultivars and 1.03% with the table cultivars. The direct effect of the cultivar on patatin relative abundance in SDS-extractable protein was higher (33.1% for processing potato cultivars and 48.1% for table potato cultivars) than the effect of the growing year (15.6% for processing potato cultivar and 22.8% for table potato cultivars).

The efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis, mineral oil, insecticidal emulsion (garlic extract, plant detergent soap and food additive) and insecticidal gel (plant oil and plant extracts) to control the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella, was examined in laboratory conditions 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatments. Leaves of citrus with second and third instars of leafminer larvae were used in all experimental tests. There were significant differences in larvae mortality between control and treatments (P < 0.0001), but no significant differences were found among treatments. Larvae mortality (%) in IE, IG, BT and MO was 67.83 ± 9.10, 62.45 ± 8.10, 49.08 ± 6.70 and 37.70 ± 8.50, respectively. The levels of mortality of larvae 96 and 72 h after treatments were higher than after 48 and 24 hours. The results indicate that 3 days is the maximum period of efficacy for all tested insecticides. In conclusion, the present study showed that under heavy infestation, use of synthetic insecticides is necessary to prevent reinfestation by the citrus leafminer.