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The growth and yield response of spring wheat to inoculation with foreign and local rhizobacteria of Erzurum (Turkey) origin was studied. At the first stage of the research, a greenhouse experiment was carried out with wheat cv. Kirik using 75 local bacterial strains isolated from the soil with 6 foreign bacteria, and a control. According to results of the greenhouse experiment 9 local strains were identified. At the second stage, the response of wheat cv. Kirik to 20 treatments (9 local strains, 6 foreign bacteria, 4 levels of N, and a control) was investigated in Erzurum field conditions. Seventeen strains had significant positive effects on tiller number per plant, 47 strains on plant height, one strain on dry matter yield, and 28 strains on plant protein content in the greenhouse experiment. Inoculation with certain rhizobacteria clearly benefited growth and increased the grain and N-yield of field grown wheat. The effects of local strains were observed to be in general superior to those of foreign strains. Inoculation with the local Strain No. 19, 73, and 82 increased total biomass by 18.7, 18.1, and 19.9%; grain yield by 18.6, 17.7, and 18.0%; total N-yield by 27.5, 24.3 and 26.0%, respectively, as compared to control. In conclusion, Strain No. 19, 73, and 82 can be a suitable biofertilizer for spring wheat cultivation in areas with similar conditions as in Erzurum. Inoculation with these strains may lead both to increases in wheat yield and savings of nitrogen fertilizer.

Toxic pollution of soils is a major environmental problem in the Czech Republic. Most contemporary remediation approaches do not provide acceptable solutions. For environmental clean-up, the use of specially selected and engineered plants capable of effective restoration and stabilization of contaminated sites is an emerging technology called phytoremediation. Aspen (Populus spp.) trees represent optimal plants for absorption, accumulation, storage, and degradation of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and other waste products. The first aim of this study was to verify possibilities of micropropagating selected elite European aspen (Populus tremula) and hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides) mature trees growing in polluted areas. The primary cultures were established from 24 years old trees from provenance plots. Dormant buds were sampled from selected trees in spring. After sterilization of dormant buds, the shoot tips were extirpated and put on nutrient media. MS medium with a higher concentration of BAP (1.0 mg/l) and IBA (0.1 mg/l) showed to be suitable for induction of organogenesis. MS medium with lower concentration of BAP (0.2 mg/l) and higher concentration of glutamine (100 mg/l) in agar medium was used for multiplication. A high number of adventitious shoots (20-30) was produced per multi-apex culture. The losses during rooting and acclimatization were minimal, around 2%. Currently, the plantlets grow on the outside bed of the experimental nursery. Twenty-five clones were established in the gene bank. Secondly, standardization of the efficient transformation of hybrid aspen was investigated with the aim to facilitate production of transformed hybrid aspen with valuable genes for increased capability of phytoremediation in the near future. Four gene constructs of Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising different promoters (bearing two genes, NPTII coding resistance to kanamycin, and GUS coding glucuronidase synthesis allowing histochemical and fluorometrical identification) were used for transformations of aspen hybrid stem segments. A promoter suitable for transformations was selected on the basis of GUS activity assay. The highest activity was estimated in transformants with construct 148 controlled by promoter CAMV 35S.

Micropropagated plantlets derived from selected clones of the hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides) and the rowan-tree (Sorbus aucuparia L.) were used to determine the comparative study of uptake of the toxic, heavy metals Cd, Pb and the essential metal Mn. Samples of roots and aboveground parts (hypocotyl-derived tissues, leaves and stems) were taken from the plantlets grown for 24, 48, 96, or 168 hrs under aseptic conditions, in hydroponics with the toxic heavy metal and the essential metal salts. The concentration and distribution of the accumulated metals were determined using the ICP-OES method. The differences in the uptake capacity of hybrid aspen and rowan-tree clones for Cd, Pb and Mn were identified. Generally, the amounts of accumulated Cd and particularly Pb were much higher in the roots of both hybrid aspen and rowan-tree clones, than in their shoots, at all sample times. Conversely, the amounts of accumulated Mn were significantly lower than Cd and Pb in all plant parts of the hybrid aspen and rowan-tree samples. Patterns of Mn uptake were similar in the above-mentioned tissues of both clones, at all sample times. We concluded that the two clones of hybrid aspen and rowan-tree, lacking auxiliary soil microbiota, can accumulate large amounts of the toxic heavy metals Cd (800-1,500 mg/kg) and Pb (5,000-13,000 mg/kg) in roots and about 100 mg/kg of Cd was determined in aboveground part of hybrid aspen.

Blood haematology and plasma chemistry profiles were examined in a group of ten 17 months-old green iguanas two minutes before propofol administration (10 mg/kg of body weight) and two minutes after recovery from anaesthesia. The induction time was very short (35.50 ± 22.54 s), the recovery time was 21.50 ± 7.44 minutes. At five and fifteen minutes of anaesthesia there was a considerable drop in the heart rate. The most marked drop, however, was noted during the tenth minute. Following the administration of propofol green iguanas showed marked changes in the respiratory frequency that were not accompanied by any changes in the levels of SpO₂. RBC (1.06 ± 0.08 vs. 1.21 ± 0.06 10¹²/l) were decreased with a high significance (P < 0.01) two minutes after recovery from the propofol anaesthesia. At the same time there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of haemoglobin concentration (76.70 ± 13.39 vs. 83.73 ± 9.24 g/l) and PCV (0.34 ± 0.04 vs. 0.36 ± 0.04 l/l) as well as a significant (P < 0.05) increase of WBC (7.95 ± 3.38 vs. 5.20 ± 2.52 10⁹/l), heterophils (3.14 ± 1.48 vs. 1.43 ± 0.43 10⁹/l) and basophils (0.60 ± 0.53 vs. 0.23 ± 0.17 10⁹/l). The following parameters increased two minutes after anaesthesia with a high significance (P < 0.01): plasma concentration of total protein (55.12 ± 5.94 vs. 49.02 ± 3.54 g/l), uric acid (231.07 ± 77.69 vs. 157.58 ± 60.58 µmol/l), AST (1.23 ± 0.52 vs. 0.67 ± 0.34 µkat/l), TAG (3.37 ± 1.11 vs. 1.48 ± 0.78 mmol/l), phosphorus (2.29 ± 0.38 vs. 1.85 ± 0.35 mmol/l). The increase in plasma calcium levels (3.51 ± 0.11 vs. 3.21 ± 0.23 mmol/l) was significant at the level of P < 0.05. All the measured values were within the reference range of healthy green iguanas.

In the paper we evaluate the influence of crown thinning with positive selection, different intensity (moderate PRP III and heavy PRP IV) and 5-year frequency on development of growth, production, quality and leaf area index of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) monocultures growing on the series of three permanent research plots (PRP) Sikenica (Levice Forest Enterprise, Levice Forest District) as observed in 1978-2003. The trends of development of mean stem, basal area, standing volume and aboveground dendromass (in dry matter) were mainly influenced by heavy crown thinning. The index of growth was as follows: basal area 169.01%, standing volume 262.12%, aboveground dendromass (in dry matter) 324.48%. At the age of 64 years the black walnut monocultures tended by heavy crown thinning had the following parameters: basal area 31.03 m²/ha, standing volume 463.88 m³/ha and aboveground dendromass 194.98 t/ha. Mean periodic increment reached the values: basal area 0.51 m²/ha/year, standing volume 11.48 m³/ha/year and dendromass 5.39 t/ha/year. The index of increment percent growth was: basal area + 31.75%, growing stock + 30.85% and dendromass + 0.79%, compared to the control. The total production was also significantly influenced by heavy thinning. At the stand age of 64 years the tended stands had the total basal area of 4.92 m²/ha, total volume production of 572.77 m³/ha and total weight production of 246.04 t/ha. The total mean increment of basal area is 0.67 m²/ha/year, of volume 8.95 m³/ha/year and of weight 3.84 t/ha/year, which is by 24.07%, 23.96% and 16.01% more than on the control plot. The leaf area index at the age of 64 years ranges from 6.54 ha/ha (PRP III) to 7.82 ha/ha (PRP V). Dendrochronological analyses revealed minimum widths of annual rings in the years 1952, 1961, 1968, 1971, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1993, 2000, maximum ones in 1951, 1957, 1959, 1967, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1999.

Routine access to the bovine oviduct for in vivo culture accomplishes various demands on embryo production for scientific as well as commercial purposes. The experiments conducted in the present study focused on the efficiency of recovery methods after temporary in vivo culture of bovine embryos in oviducts of the homologous species using transvaginal endoscopy (Experiment I) and on the quality assessment of recovered blastocysts (Experiment II). In Experiment I in vitro matured oocytes were fertilized, cultured for 1 to 3 days and transferred unilaterally into the ipsilateral oviducts of 54 heifers by the means of transvaginal endoscopy. After 4 to 6 days of in vivo culture embryos were re-collected either by non-surgical flushing of uterine horns (U-group) or by combined flushing of the oviducts and uterine horns (OU-group). In total the recovery rate was 38.4% (780/2029). After flushing at day seven, 106 blastocysts (blastocyst rate: 13.6% ) were found. The additional 24 h of in vitro culture (day eight) resulted in 153 blastocysts (blastocyst rate: 19.6% ). The recovery rate in the OU-group was twice as efficient as in the U-group (390/1358 vs. 390/671, P < 0.01). The recovery rates among the different stages of transferred embryos did not differ significantly; likewise cross-effects among the stages and the recovery methods were non-significant. The recovery methods (P < 0.001) and the interaction between the recovery methods and the stages of transferred embryos (P < 0.01) had an influence on blastocyst yields on day seven (U-group 37/1358 vs. OU-group 69/671) and day eight (U-group 48/1358 vs. OU-group 105/671). In Experiment II embryo quality was assessed by the survival rate of blastocysts after freezing in ethylene glycol. Day seven embryos were produced in vitro (in vitro group D7) or by IVM/IVF followed by a combined culture procedure (2 to 3 days in vitro prior to 4 to 5 days in vivo) (in vivo group D7) or after superovulation and collection at day seven (superovulation group). Embryos from in vitro group D7 re-expanded only for 6 h after thawing, embryos from in vivo group D7 and superovulation group were alive for 24 h and 72 h of culture, respectively. Only embryos derived by superovulation showed hatching activity. Blastocysts from the in vitro group D7 and the in vivo group D7 that were held in culture medium for additional 24 h (day eight) showed an analogous post-thawing culture behaviour. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that some embryos transferred for in vivo culture remain in the oviduct even at day seven. Hence, combined flushing of oviducts and uterine horns after in vivo culture in the bovine oviduct is necessary for effective embryo re-collection. The quality of recovered embryos after temporary in vivo culture assessed by cryotolerance was in-between those produced in vitro or recovered after superovulation.

The reactions of five commercial varieties of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, to A. gossypii were evaluated under semiarid field conditions. Each experimental plant of varieties Clemson spineless, Clemson spineless 80, Lee, Perkins dwarf, and Local was infested 60 days after emergence by three late-nymphal instars of the aphid. The results showed that aphid populations increased constantly on the varieties, except for days 42 and 49 after infestation, attaining a peak at about the end of the growing season. Differences in aphid densities were recorded between varieties. The aphids were most numerous on var. Local, while lowest in number on var. Lee. Infestation by aphids on okra varieties reduced yield by 57% on var. Perkins dwarf, 56% on var. Lee, 24% on var. Clemson spineless, 21% on var. Clemson spineless 80, and 5% on var. Local. Reduction in the number of pods produced per plant followed the same pattern as observed for total yield. Aphids had not altered significantly the vegetative plant growth at day 37 following infestation. At day 66, a substantial decrease in shoot fresh and dry weights and also leaf area was evident on var. Perkins dwarf while on var. Clemson spineless only the leaf area was significantly reduced. Moreover, aphid-free controls varied widely in their growth and productivity at the end of growing season. Varieties Clemson spineless and Clemson spineless 80 produced the highest total yield and pod numbers, var. Local the lowest. The varieties Perkins dwarf and Clemson spineless produced significantly higher shoot fresh and dry weight, as well as leaf area, than vars. Lee and Local.

Effect of beauvericin on root cell transmembrane electric potential (E_M), electrolyte leakage and respiration of roots were studied in two maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) with different susceptibility to this toxigenic metabolite produced by Fusarium. Beauvericin treatment induced rapid and significant depolarisation of membrane potentials of the outer cortical cells of maize roots of tolerant cv. Lucia. The range of depolarisation was dose dependent with maximum depolarisation of 55 mV (55 ± 7 mV, n = 7) at 200µM beauvericin. In contrast, membrane potentials of beauvericin susceptible cv. Pavla was only slightly depolarised by identical concentrations of beauvericin and the value of depolarisation represented only half of the value of tolerant cv. Lucia (27 ± 6 mV, n = 8). The values of membrane potentials of root cells of tolerant cv. Lucia were higher (137 ± 9 mV, n = 26) and more electrogenic (60 ± 2 mV, n = 3) than in susceptible cv. Pavla (125 ± 7 mV, n = 28), (47 ± 2 mV, n = 3), respectively. Our results confirmed that 2 h treatment with 50µM beauvericin does not cause irreversible changes in plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase, because fusicoccin, an H⁺-ATPase activator diminished the depolarizing effect of beauvericin on the E_M. Further experiments revealed beauvericin-induced increase of membrane conductivity in root cells of Pavla but not in root cells of Lucia. Time-coarse experiments showed that 25µM beauvericin induced slight, but significant inhibition of root respiration in both cultivars during the first two hours of treatment, and the inhibition was higher in cv. Lucia than in cv. Pavla. The depolarisation of E_M in the outer cortical cells of maize roots may be the result of a cumulative effect of beauvericin on ATP supply, activity of H⁺-ATPase and mainly on the permeability of plasmalemma. Increased beauvericin tolerance in maize might be associated with the increased ability of tolerant plant to maintain normal ion fluxes and membrane potentials across the plasmalemma of root cells in the presence of beauvericin.

Artificial reproduction with and without hormonal treatment was performed in females of the common gudgeon (Gobio gobio L.) to assess the suitability of this cyprinid species as a fish model for embryo-larval cytotoxic tests. Considering sperm immobilisation tests, the solution for tench was utilizable. The clearing solution designed for the observation of embryonic development in the European catfish was also found suitable for the common gudgeon embryos. The egg and embryonic mortality, embryonic development, hatching and survival rate were examined. Ovulation occurred in 89% of females after the application of the carp pituitary (5 mg/kg) but embryonic mortality reached nearly 100%. The highest embryonic mortality in females with hormonal treatment was observed within 24 hours of development. On the other hand, the reproduction of females without the application of hormonal stimulation was nearly completely successful with mean mortality 60%. The hatching of embryos of females without hormonal stimulation occurred (average values) 71 hours after fertilization and lasted 65 hours. Embryonic development finished within 176 hours. Our pilot study demonstrated that the eggs of common gudgeon were suitable for embryo-larval tests from the 7^th to the 8^th embryonic developmental stage.

Insemination is used less commonly in the population of beef cattle than in dairy cattle. As a consequence, herds are genetically isolated and their comparison is difficult. The objective of the paper was to evaluate the impact of the use of reference sires in insemination on the estimation of breeding value and its reliability by means of stochastic simulation based on a single addition of calves to the basic set. Simulation was divided into three variants according to the connectedness calves through sires (variant 1 - unrelated calves, variant 2 calves related between HYS but unrelated within HYS, variant 3 - calves related within and between HYS). The degree of connectedness was determined by computation of genetic drift variance (GDV). The average value of GDV in the basic set was 0.71. In our study the highest values of GDV were reached in simulated variant 3, in which the relationship increased not only between HYS but also within HYS. The lowest values of GDV were in variant 2, when the relationship increased only between HYS (simulated calves after reference sires did not have any half-sibs in HYS). The single use of reference sires in one generation to make herds connected slightly increased the average coefficient of reliability from 0.121 to 0.145 (by 2.4%) in the whole set. But this increase from 0.24 to 0.33 (by 8.9%) was observed only in animals that were directly connected through reference sires. The increase in reliability was mainly due to an increase in the number of contemporaries. A decrease in the effective number of sires' offspring was an indirect consequence of the increase in the connectedness of the set and higher use of reference sires in insemination. This is the reason why the increase in the connectedness of the set influenced the reliability of breeding value of the whole set less than we would expect. The use of reference sires influenced the fluctuation of breeding values. The use of a higher number of reference sires in insemination with only one offspring in each of the connected herds appeared as the most suitable approach from the aspect of the connectedness of the set and reliability of breeding value estimation. A marked influence of herd connectedness on the estimation of breeding value and its reliability, and on the result of breeding, is to be expected after reference sires have been used in several successive generations.

Khaya senegalensis seed oil was evaluated for its efficacy in the control of Callosobruchus maculatus on stored cowpea. The oil was extracted locally from the dry K. senegalensis seeds. This was compared with Pirimiphos methyl E.C. as a standard. There was almost complete adult mortality of C. maculatus at 24 h after treatment with seed oil at 1, 2 and 3 ml/100 g of cowpea. The seed oil significantly reduced the F₁ and F₂ progeny emergence. The reduction in oviposition was not significant when compared with the control. The damage caused by C. maculatus was significantly reduced by K. senegalensis seed oil. For all the parameters examined, K. senegalensis seed oil showed no significant difference with Pirimiphos methyl E.C. in the control of C. maculatus, suggesting that K. senegalensis seed oil has high potential for use as botanical resource for control of C. maculates.

The introduction of a new crop requires adapted genotypes as well as optimum crop management practices. This study was conducted to determine the optimum crop density of adapted grain amaranth genotypes in the Pannonian region of Eastern Austria. The genotypes Neuer Typ (A. hypochondriacus), Mittlerer Typ (A. hypochondriacus) and Amar (A. cruentus) were established at plant densities of 8, 17 and 35 plants/m² in 2002 and 2003. Average hand-harvested yields ranged from 2200 to 3000 kg/ha without significant genotypic differences. Genotypes differed in thousand seed weight (0.55-1.04 g), time from sowing to harvest (97-130 days), grain water content at harvest (24-38%), microbial infestation of air-dried grain (0.2-118.6 cfu × 10⁶/g), germination (29-79%) and grain composition. Grain contents fell within the following ranges: crude protein 15.2-18.6%, crude fat 5.4-8.6%, crude fibre 3.5-4.2%, ash 2.7-3.2%, and carbohydrates 66.7-72.7%. High grain water contents involved stronger microbial infestation and reduced germination. Crop density affected neither grain yield nor grain quality.

Different procedures of treatment of large follicular ovarian cysts in 177 sows using GnRH, hCG and PGF2α are evaluated in this study. Ovarian cysts were diagnosed by transcutaneous ultrasonography, which was a part of routine pregnancy diagnosis. No treatment was performed in the control group (Group 1, n = 29); the method of treatment used in the other groups immediately after the diagnosis was intramuscular administration of lecirelin in doses 50 µg (Group 2, n = 28), 100 µg (Group 3, n = 27) and 200 µg divided into 2 equal doses administered at a 12-hour interval (Group 4, n = 25) and of hCG in doses 1 500 IU (Group 5, n = 23), 3 000 IU (Group 6, n = 21), and 250 µg of cloprostenol (Group 7, n = 24). Insemination rate (IR), conception rate (CR) in inseminated sows, pregnancy rate (PR = recovery rate), treatment-insemination interval (TII) and treatment-pregnancy interval (TPI) within 42 days after the initial examination were evaluated. In addition PR in groups of sows divided according to parity (1-3, 4-6 and ≥ 7) were also evaluated. IR and PR were higher in Group 4 (84.0% and 44.0%) and lower in Group 1 (17.2% and 6.9%) in comparison with the other groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). CR, TII and TPI did not differ between the experimental groups. PR were similar in sows with different parity. The study proved a positive response in sows with large follicular ovarian cysts to the treatment consisting of 2 administrations of 100 µg GnRH at a 12-hour interval.

The aim of our work was to estimate the usefulness of rabbit polyclonal anti-QQQPP peptide antibodies to determination of gluten proteins and the usage of these antibodies to estimate the changes of allergenicity of wheat flour after enzymatic modification. For enzymatic modification of wheat flour trypsin, subtilisin and transglutaminase were used. By the use of rabbit antibodies against QQQPP peptide we have stated that the products of subtilisin and transglutaminase degradation exert strongly decreased immunoreactivity.

The effect of osmotic stress on oxidative injury, compatible solutes content and water relations was investigated in two maize cultivars (Zea mays L. cv. Ankora - drought-sensitive and cv. Nova - drought-tolerant). Relative water content in leaves of both cultivars decreased after drought treatment, leaf water loss of sensitive cv. Ankora was higher than that of cv. Nova. The 24 h water stress induced by 0.3M sorbitol (-1.4 MPa) resulted in a damage of cell membranes. Lipid peroxidation rose in all studied organs of cv. Ankora and electrolyte leakage in roots of cv. Ankora was much higher than in cv. Nova. Similarly, proline content increased significantly in all studied organs of cv. Ankora. Content of soluble sugars increased in all studied organs of both cultivars, but the mesocotyl of cv. Nova accumulated the highest amount of sugars. The electrolyte leakage was the highest in the roots of both cultivars. Osmotic stress had deep influence predominantly on the roots of both cultivars. It is apparent that stress impact on the drought-sensitive cv. Ankora was deeper than on the drought-tolerant cv. Nova.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of row spacing (40, 60 and 80 cm) on forage dry matter (DM) yield and quality of four hybrids grown in the years 2001 and 2002. The highest DM yield was obtained from the Arifiye (24.1 and 22.4 t/ha) while the lowest DM yield was obtained from Pioneer 3163 (19.9 and 19.8 t/ha) in the years 2001 and 2002, respectively. As row spacing increased, DM yield as an average of two years decreased from 27.2 to 16.6 t/ha. No differences were found among row spacing for DM content, harvest index (HI) and ear content. As row spacing increased, whole-plant acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content increased from 214 to 227 g/kg and from 420 to 451 g/kg during the year 2001, respectively. However, ADF content decreased from 281 to 267 g/kg and NDF contents decreased from 530 to 515 g/kg with increasing row spacing during the year 2002. In this study, hybrids showed distinct differences for crude protein, ADF and NDF contents in both years. Forage quality parameter including ADF and NDF of Pioneer 3163, TTM 8119 and Karadeniz Yildizi were higher than Arifiye hybrid.

A simple and rapid multiresidue method for the determination of nine banned synthetic dyes in various spices has been developed. Reversed phase HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (tandem in time-ion trap mass analyser) was employed for the examination of crude acetonitrile extract acidified with acetic acid. The detection limits of Para Red, Sudan Orange G, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III, Sudan IV, Sudan Red 7B and Rhodamine B were in the range of 0.02-0.1 mg/kg, the recoveries ranged from 75.7-92.3% with repeatability of 0.9-11.3%. Rather worse performance characteristics were obtained with Tropaeolin 000, obviously due to its more polar nature as compared to other dyes involved in this study. In spite of that, the developed method can be used for a reliable control of a wide range of dyes used for illegal colouring of various spices.

In this study the change in amino acid profile in cow's colostrum and transient milk during the first week after parturition was examined in a Hungarian Charolais herd. Experiments were carried out with n = 37 Charolais cows in the same herd in the spring (March-April) of two consecutive years (Experiment 1: 2002, n = 15; and Experiment 2: 2003, n = 22). Colostrum and milk samples were taken by hand milking immediately after delivery, and in 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours post partum. Amino acid contents (%) in samples were measured in milk protein with an automatic amino acid analyser. Data were processed by the software of SPSS.10 statistical program package. In the postpartal period, among essential amino acids significant increases were recorded in methionine, isoleucine, lysine, and phenylalanine, and among non-essential amino acids glutamic acid and proline increased significantly. Simultaneous decreases were recorded in valine, cysteine, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, and arginine. Inconsistent figures were determined for histidine, leucine, tyrosine, and alanine content between Experiment 1 and Experiment 2.

In vitro study of the rumen fluid (RF) and hindgut content (HC) fermentation by microbiota taken from sheep grazing in an area atmospherically polluted from the non-ferrous metal industry was conducted and compared with controls from an uncontaminated area (UA). The experimental sheep were exposed to the prolonged intake of heavy metals by grazing in the contaminated area (CA) for one year. Soil and grass from that area and the rumen content of sheep were analyzed for heavy metal levels. Based on the levels of mercury (4.752 mg/kg), copper (232.9 mg/kg), cadmium (1.167 mg/kg), lead (92.509 mg/kg) and arsenic (74.59 mg/kg) the soil was categorized as profusely contaminated. Meadow hay (MH) from UA was used as a tested substrate of fermentation activity; it was incubated with buffered RF and HC inocula from CA and UA for 24 h. The gas volume in CA was significantly decreased by 50 and 36% in RF and HC, respectively. The methane production in CA was significantly decreased by 77 and 71% in RF and HC, respectively. The significantly decreased values of the fermentation parameters in CA in comparison with UA were accompanied by the reduced (P < 0.01) total concentration of rumen ciliate protozoa.

An experimental stand was established as a monoculture by planting Norway spruce on a clear-felled area in 1925. In 1958, a research thinning experiment was established there. Control plots and the study of their development without anthropic interventions are of interest in particular. The spruce monoculture nearly disintegrated and the stand-forming role was taken over by species which occurred there originally as admixed ones. The stand became sparser and it was associated with the spontaneous regeneration of broadleaves. Out of the eight control plots three plots were selected differing significantly in stocking and extent of natural regeneration. The development of regeneration was studied in detail on these plots. The undergrowth consisted of 24 woody species in a total number of 6,000 individuals per hectare and about two thirds of them belonged to trees. The results of the study show a possibility to convert a spruce monoculture to a broadleaved commercial forest using the spontaneous regeneration of trees.

The acute and chronic toxicity to honeybees, Apis mellifera of water guttation and dew collected from winter rape plants treated with the insecticide Nurelle D^® (a.i. chlorpyriphos + cypermethrin) was investigated. Caged bees were fed on sugar syrup containing water guttation and dew for 24 h (acute toxicity test) and for 10 days (chronic toxicity test). Bee mortality and food consumption were determined daily. A contact toxicity test was performed within 24 h on bees kept in Petri dishes (10 bees per dish) lined with filter paper saturated with the test solution. The acute Nurelle D^® contact and oral toxicity tests showed that the mortality of bees treated with water guttation and dew collected from the treated plants did not exceed 10%. A chronic toxicity test showed that adding contaminated water guttation and dew to the syrup caused an insignificant increase in bee mortality and reduced the syrup consumption significantly. The chlorpyriphos residue found in contaminated water guttation and dew were below the limit of detection (0.8 µg/kg) and the cypermethrin residue was below the detection levels.

In less intensively managed grassland, the micronutrient concentrations in herbage are apparently more likely to be in levels between barely sufficient and deficient than to be excessively high. Insufficient amounts of selenium, copper, manganese, and zinc cause physiological disorders in ruminants. Three identical field trials on pastures with different soil pH and organic matter content were established to assess the effect of liming and nitrogen fertilization on the micronutrient concentrations in herbage. In the case of selenium the effect of a selenate application on the Se concentration in plants was also tested. The effect of liming on the micronutrient concentrations was not always consistent with initial hypotheses. Only Mn and - to a smaller extent - Zn concentrations changed markedly with an increasing soil pH (P < 0.01). Marked differences between concentrations in primary growths and secondary growths were evident for all trace elements. The effect of added nitrogen was negligible. Se concentrations in the plant tissue in plots without selenate application averaged 21.3 μg Se/kg dm in 2002 (standard error SE = 18.63) and 48.7 μg Se/kg dm in 2003 (SE = 38.97). Sufficient Se concentrations (> 100 μg Se/kg dm) were only found in herbage fertilized with selenate. Mn concentrations met the requirements for ruminants in most cases (mean Mn concentration in 2002 = 104.2 mg Mn/kg dm; standard error SE = 62.76; mean Mn concentration in 2003 = 67.5 mg Mn/kg dm; SE = 35.91). The average Zn concentrations were 33.5 mg Zn/kg dm in 2002 (SE = 6.46) and 34.0 mg Zn/kg dm in 2003 (SE = 7.52). The average Cu concentrations were 10.5 mg Cu/kg dm in 2002 (SE = 1.24) and 9.9 mg Cu/kg dm in 2003 (SE = 1.93). Therefore, 41.7% of the measured values for Zn and 31.3% of Cu concentrations remained under the recommended levels of > 30 mg Zn/kg dm and > 10 mg Cu/kg dm.

The effect of the length and intensity of feed restriction on carcass quality characteristics was studied in two experiments. In the first experiment rabbits were restricted 1 or 3 weeks. Group 1 was fed ad libitum, group 2 was restricted from 35 to 42 days of age (50 g per day/rabbit), group 3 was restricted from 42 to 49 days of age (65 g per day/rabbit), group 4 was restricted from 56 to 63 days of age (90 g per day/rabbit) and group 5 was restricted three weeks, from 35 to 42 days of age (50 g per day/rabbit), 42 to 49 days of age (65 g per day/rabbit) and from 56 to 63 days of age (90 g per day/rabbit). Rabbits were slaughtered at the age of 84 days. In the second experiment the rabbits were restricted between 42 and 56 days of age and the rabbits were divided into three groups. Group 1 was fed ad libitum, the rabbits in group 2 got 50 g of feed at the age of 42 to 49 days and 65 g of feed at the age of 49 to 56 days and in group 3, 50 g and 75 g of feed in the two periods, respectively. Carcass characteristics were evaluated at the age of 49, 56, 63 and 84 days. Restriction did not affect dressing percentage but reduced the weight of loin. Renal fat was detected in restricted rabbits at the age of 63 days whereas in the ad libitum fed ones at 56 days. Renal fat was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced in rabbits restricted from 56 days of age (experiment 1, 19.71 g, 19.28 g, 26 g vs. 14.33 g and 11.43 g). Kidney and liver weight was influenced by the restriction and realimentation period. The meat colour and pH (measured 24 h post mortem) were not affected by treatments.

Somatic embryogenesis is conveniently utilized for the preparation of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) transgenic clones by means of Agrobacterium. The establishment of successful transformation protocol requires to determine the tolerance of growing embryogenic tissue to antibiotics in culture and selective media. In 5 Norway spruce lines (genotypes) differences in the tolerance of embryogenic tissues to penicillin antibiotics (amoxicillin, carbenicillin, and ticarcillin), carbapenem antibiotic (meropenem) used for the Agrobacterium growth prevention, and aminoglycoside antibiotic (kanamycin) used in selective media were determined. Of the penicillin derivatives, amoxicillin was optimally tolerated in all lines and, in addition, its highest concentration accelerated growth in more rapidly growing lines. Ticarcillin was similarly tolerated but no growth acceleration was observed in any line. As regards carbenicillin, only the lowest concentration was observed to be well tolerated by all lines whereas all concentrations of meropenem were well tolerated in all lines except for slowly growing line 28, the growth of which was retarded by the concentration of 20 mg/l. The aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin was well tolerated by the embryonic tissue of all lines in the concentration of 10 mg/l and less in the concentration of 25 mg/l. The concentrations of 50 mg/l and 100 mg/l appeared as intolerable in all lines. Toxicity of kanamycin manifested at first in the browning and later in the growth cessation of embryogenic tissue.

High quality of planting material is an essential prerequisite for successful artificial forest regeneration. We carried out a detailed investigation aimed at differences between plantable bareroot and container plants of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Based on the results of this experiment, there exist marked differences in basic morphological traits between bareroot plants and plugs. The largest differences were observed in root collar diameter and root system volume. Differences in physiological quality (nutrient content, function of assimilatory organs) were also great. The results document that container seedlings of Norway spruce produced by intensive technology in controlled conditions of plastic greenhouses have very good predispositions for successful growth in difficult mountain conditions.

The aim of the present study is to understand the hormonal mechanisms of the effect of malnutrition on ovarian follicle functions. For this purpose, we examined the effect of malnutrition/serum deprivation, addition of metabolic hormones and gonadotropin (IGF-I, leptin and FSH) and their combination on the release of progesterone (P₄), testosterone (T), estradiol (E₂) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) by cultured whole ovarian follicles and on P₄ and IGF-I output by cultured granulosa cells isolated from porcine ovaries. It was observed that in ovarian follicles cultured with nutrients/serum addition of IGF-I reduced release of P₄, but not of T or E₂. Exogenous leptin reduced output of E₂, but not of P₄ or T, and increased IGF-I output. No significant effect of FSH on release of steroid hormones by isolated follicles was found. Serum deprivation did not affect release of P₄, but reduced output of T and E₂, and promoted IGF-I release by cultured ovarian follicles. Addition of hormones failed to prevent the effect of malnutrition on the secretory activity of cultured ovarian follicles. In cultured granulose cells, all the tested hormones promoted release of both P₄ and IGF-I. Food restriction/serum deprivation reduced both P₄ and IGF-I output. Additions of either IGF-I, leptin and FSH prevented the inhibitory action of malnutrition on both P₄ and IGF-I release. The present observations (1) confirm the involvement of the hormones IGF-I, leptin and FSH in the control of secretory activity of ovarian cells, (2) demonstrate, that both isolated ovarian granulosa cells and whole follicles cultured in the absence of serum nutrients could be an adequate in-vitro model for studying the effect of malnutrition on ovarian secretory functions, and (3) suggest, that malnutrition could affect ovarian functions through changes in the release of ovarian hormones.

The rules of the European Union suppose the value added tax as the only general excise tax. The need for harmonization of this tax in the existing EU member states is obvious, but the results in this field are not entirely convincing. Also the provision of services is a problematic field among others in the implementation of value added tax. It is essential to examine the issue of the value added tax, in this case, both the possibilities of the use of the self assessment system of the value added tax by the recipient of the service compared to the accounting of service including the value added tax by a provider of this service, even if the provider of service from the EU member state shall have a permanent establishment in other member state of the customer, but this establishment is not involved in the provision of the service, as well as the inclusion of services within the so-called extended guarantee to the taxable or exempt fulfilment, when the subject provides the technical support and the assistance to its customers, such as in the case of failures of agricultural machinery, which the provider had supplied to a subject in other member state. On the basis of empirical research, it is needed to assess the results of the harmonization efforts, to identify and recommend the direction in which the European Union should take in this field. The comparison of the individual European Union countries is important here. Value added tax is, regarding its features, still an unsurpassed excise tax, even if it has some weaknesses. The technique of the selection of this tax enables to discover the paid tax at all stages of treatment and it is very appropriate, due to its features for the use in international trade. It is therefore necessary to ensure the sufficient clarity, lucidity and equal conditions for players from the European Union on the basis of the development and adaptation of the rules of the value added tax set at the European Union level within each European Union country.

Furan and its derivatives were identified in a small number of heat-treated foods back in the 60's and 70's. In May 2004, US Food and Drug Administration published a report on the occurrence of parent furan in a number of thermally treated foods. Since furan has been classified as "possibly carcinogenic to human" by IARC, a great concern has been addressed to the analysis of this substance naturally-occurring in food. This paper gives a short overview on the mechanistic pathways of the parent furan formation in food by degradation of amino acids and/or reducing sugars, and oxidation of ascorbic acid and poly-unsaturated acids which can be induced by thermal or irradiation treatments; further, it deals with the metabolism and toxicology of furan as well as with the comparison of the methods of furan determination.

Net N mineralization rate (NMR), net N consumption rate (NCR), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), potentially mineralizable N (PMN) and mineral N (N-NH⁺₄ and N-NO^-₃) were measured in paddy soil at five growth stages of rice to determine the effect of long-term fertilization in subtropical China. The studied long-term treatments included CK (no fertilization), N, NP, NPK and NPK + OM (NPK plus organic manure). The NPK + OM treatment gave the highest values of the measured variables among all treatments. There was no significant difference in other treatments except for mineral N and PMN at early growth stages. All these variables were generally highest at transplanting stage as two thirds of fertilization was applied as basal fertilizers and the rice uptake was low. Then they decreased or leveled off with the rice growth stages except for MN in all treatments. Stepwise regression revealed that NMR was significantly correlated with MBC and N-NH⁺₄ (R² = 0.954, P < 0.01) at all rice growth stages. So, mineral plus manure fertilizer application and more mineral fertilizer as topdressing were recommended in subtropical paddy soil.

The seeds of two medicinal plants, namely Chamomilla recutita (Babong) and Origanum majorana (Bardaqoush) were subjected to germination in different NaCl concentrations, polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) and to combination of both. The results revealed that the growth alterations induced by NaCl were alleviated by various levels of polyamines. The organic solutes of both plant seedlings exhibited somewhat variable responses to various salinity levels or polyamines treatments and in combination of both treatments. Putrescine in Ch. recutita seedlings was more effective in alleviating the stress effects of salinization than spermidine and spermine, while in O. majorana seedlings spermidine was more effective. Generally, the degree of stimulation differed according to the type, concentration of the additive used and the type of the plant tested.