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Cultivars, homozygous sources and lines of pea (Pisum sativum L.) resistant to Erysiphe pisi had recently been attacked by another powdery mildew species, Erysiphe baeumleri, in the field and in glasshouse conditions. Inoculation with E. baeumleri was carried out in the glasshouse to evaluate the level of resistance of 16 pea genotypes. Susceptible pea lines produced abundant conidia and cleistocarps on petioles and leaves. Only the genotype Tudor (Cebeco 4119) was found to be completely resistant to E. baeumleri. Nineteen pea genotypes (with gene er-1) were tested to natural infection by E. baeumleri in field screening trials. Only few of them demonstrated a high level of resistance (Fallon, AC Melfort and Joel). Consort R, SGL 2024, SGL 1977 and Franklin were very susceptible to E. baeumleri. Cleistocarps with 1-4× dichotomously branching apices of appendages were formed only on susceptible and very susceptible plants of genotypes SGL 444/2185, Consort R, SGL 2024, SGL 1977, LU 390-R2, Lifter, Highlight, Cebeco 1171 and Carneval R in the field and glasshouse. Susceptible control genotypes without gene er-1 (Komet, Adept and Gotik) were attacked in the trials by E. pisi only.

Green forage of fourteen lucerne varieties grown at four Experimental Stations of the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing in Słupia Wielka was harvested in these stages: the first growth in the budding stage (cut I), re-growths in the pre-bloom stage of maturity (cut II) 35 days after the first cut, and the next cut, 42 days later (cut III). Three bulls equipped with rumen and duodenal cannulas were used to study rumen degradability by the nylon bag technique and intestinal digestibility by the mobile bag method. The nutritive value of lucerne green forage was estimated according to IZ-INRA (2001) feed evaluation system. The composition of the lucerne cuts differed in DM content (P < 0.01); the highest was found in cut III (226.9 g/kg), the lowest in cut II (182.0 g/kg).The crude protein content (CP) in DM of cuts I and II was similar (P > 0.05) but lower in cut III (P < 0.05). Cut II contained the highest (P < 0.05) levels of crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), cellulose (CE), and acid detergent lignin (ADL), and the lowest of non-structural carbohydrates (NFC) and soluble in neutral detergent cell content (CC), (P < 0.01). The differences between cut I and III in the contents of these components were not significant (P > 0.05). The highest DM digestibility in the total alimentary tract was found for cut I (P < 0.05). The DM of cuts II and III was digested at a similar rate (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the cuts in effective degradability, digestibility in the small intestine of the fraction not digested in the forestomachs and total digestibility of CP, CF, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose (P > 0.05). The digestion of rumen undegraded CP in the post-rumen part of the alimentary tract was lower compared with the digestion of essential amino acids (81% and 98%; respectively). The first cut harvested in the spring in the budding stage contained about 5% more PDIA and PDIN, but 7% less LFU compared with both cuts of regrowth (cuts II and III) which contained on average: 58 g PDIA; 123 g PDIN and 0.93 kg LFU. All the cuts contained similar levels of PDIE, UFL per kg of DM (106 and 0.76 g, respectively).

In this paper we have evaluated the health condition of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch and Prunus armenia-ca L. for the occurrence of the parasitic microscopic fungus Cytospora cincta Sacc. Apricot trees in 5 localities with 10 sites and peach trees in 5 localities with 8 sites were evaluated. We identified symptoms of the disease in host plants, conditions for isolation and cultivation of the fungus and the growth rate of the mycelium hyphae on various substrates. The damage degree was evaluated in 330 trees in four localities while most trees were characterised by degree 1-3. We have derived conclusions for protective measures to prevent further spreading of the infection.

Bovine tuberculosis was last detected in cattle and pigs in the CzechRepublicin 1995. Since March, 31, 2004(Commission Decision No. 2004/320/EC) the Czech Republichas been included amongst states free from bovine tuberculosis within the European Union. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate results of intravital and post-mortem diagnosis of mycobacterial infections in slaughtered cattle and pigs from 2000 to 2004. When bovine tuberculosis in cattle was investigated, a tuberculin skin test with bovine tuberculin was performed every year and a skin test with avian tuberculin was simultaneously conducted in the animals with a positive response. A total of 2 419 889 animals were examined with a positive response being found in 123 (0.005%) of them. After slaughter, bovine tuberculosis was not detected in any of these animals by gross and/or laboratory examinations. With avian tuberculin, 40 349 animals were tested and positive responses were detected in 43 (0.1%) of them; the incidence was similar in all the years monitored. Tuberculous lesions were detected in 209 (0.01%) of 1 967 211 slaughtered cattle. Mycobacteria were present in 40 (21.3%) of 188 animals examined by laboratory methods: 26 isolates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (18 isolates of serotype 2 and 8 isolates not typeable), 11 isolates of M. a. hominissuis (1 isolate of serotype 8 and 10 isolates not typeable), and 3 isolates of atypical mycobacteria. Tuberculous lesions were detected in 49 312 (0.22%) of 22 312 580 slaughtered pigs by veterinary-meat inspection. During the 5-year-period monitored, the incidence of tuberculous lesions decreased from 0.37% in 2000 to 0.10% in 2004. The following mycobacteria were isolated from 757 (33.5%) of 2 261 animals whose organs were examined by culture: 203 isolates of M. a. avium (180 isolates of serotype 2, 3 isolates of serotype 2/8, and 20 isolates not typeable), 442 isolates of M. a. hominissuis (1 isolate of serotype 1, 262 isolates of serotype 8, 35 isolates of serotype 9, 1 isolates of mixed serotypes 8/9, and 143 isolates not typeable), and atypical mycobacteria (n = 112). In both animal species, M. avium complex members prevailed: M. a. avium was the most prevalent subspecies in cattle, M. a. hominissuis in pigs. The main sources of M. a. avium and M. a. hominissuis are free living birds and contaminated external and stable environments (i.e. drinking water, feeds, and feed supplements), respectively. During the entire period monitored, miliary or generalized tuberculosis was not detected in any of the animals. The decreased incidence of tuberculous lesions in pigs was particularly a result of preventive measures adopted to control the occurrence of atypical mycobacteria.

Two to three weeks old 3 male indigenous Korean calves weighing 35-40 kg were referred to the Animal Medical Centre,ChonbukNationalUniversitywith signs of urine scalding on the ventral perineum. Physical examination in all 3 cases revealed aplasia of the penis along with an undescended testis, bifid scrotum and ventrally incomplete sheath. In case 1, the urethra opened cranially to the bifid scrotum, whereas in case 2 and 3, the urethra opened at the ventral perineum. The diagnosis was made as hypospadias, along with penile aplasia and unilateral cryptorchidism. With an exploratory laparotomy, the abdominal testis was removed. The scrotal testis was also castrated and scrotal ablation was performed. In case 1, prescrotal urethrostomy and in case 2 and 3, perineal urethrostomy was performed. Two weeks after surgical correction, the caves appeared to be urinating normally.

In 1986 (1987) research plots were established in a forest stands on the south-western slope of Šerlich Mt., Orlické hory Mts. (Kristina Colloredo-Mansfeld - Forest Administration Opočno), at the altitude of 950 to 970 m, to study deposition, chemistry of precipitation and soil water and development of soil chemistry. The plots were established on a clear-cut area, in a young stand and a mature stand of spruce, in a mature beech stand, and in an advanced growth of spruce and European mountain ash. The content of solutes in creek water was studied at the same time. Since 1993 the concentration of substances in precipitation water intercepted in the summit part of Šerlich Mt. has been measured. Research on water chemistry in the stands terminated in 1997. Soil analyses were done in 1986 (1987), 1993 and 1999. The load of acid air pollutants in these forest ecosystems was high in the eighties. After 1991 the deposition of H⁺, S/SO₄^2-, N/NO₃^- + NH₄⁺, Mn, Zn, Al decreased. Similarly, an increase in pH was observed in soil water, and the concentrations of SO₄^2-, and N, Al compounds decreased. But in 1993 the concentrations of SO₄^2- and Al increased again under the spruce stand for several months. The concentrations of NO₃^-, Mn, Zn and Al in the stream water also gradually decreased in the nineties. On the contrary, the average values of S-ions increased compared to those of 1987 to 1991. Strongly acid soil reaction developed in deeper layers until 1993. In the second half of the nineties the pH/H₂O value somewhat increased again, however the reserve of K, Mg, Ca available cations in the mineral soil constantly decreased. The saturation of sorption complex by basic cations in the lower layer of rhizosphere did not reach even 10% in 1999. The forest ecosystems of Šerlich Mt. were also loaded by a high fall-out of Pb, and increased fall-out of Cu. The lack of balance of N-compound transformations and consumption in the soil and increased leaching of N in the form of nitrates contribute to soil acidification on the investigated plots.

In the past ten years, meat and meat products consumption has changed dramatically. It has been caused by price and non-price factors. This article gives a brief recapitulation of the development of the consumption of meat and meat products and identifies the key factors which, in the past ten years, have had a major impact on this development. This article presents results of the secondary data analysis and the results of an inquiry into meat and meat products consumer behaviour carried out in the late 2004.

As a fermented product, tarhana is the dry form of yogurt-cereal mixture and represents an important part of the diets of many people in different countries including Turkey. In the present study, the effects of the addition of baker's yeast on the quality and functional properties of tarhana were investigated. Tarhana was produced under laboratory conditions (uncontrolled and controlled conditions) using two formulas. Some physicochemical, functional, and sensory properties of the samples were analysed. An increase was found in the acidity value of all samples during the fermentation period. The addition of baker's yeast affected the functional properties (water absorption capacity, foaming capacity, foaming stability, emulsifying activity) of the samples (P< 0.05). The tarhana samples produced by the addition of yeast and under controlled conditions had shorter fermentation times and better sensory properties. This research suggests that the addition of baker's yeast and the employment of controlled conditions can be recommended in the production of the commercial type of tarhana.

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between abdominal fat and the intake of methionine deficient diet in broilers. In this study, 66 male broilers at the age of 35 days were used. They were divided into two groups (control, n = 13, and methionine deficient group, n = 53) and all birds were housed in individual pens. During the experiment, normal and deficient diet contained 0.55% and 0.25% methionine, respectively. Control group was fed normal diet for 19 days. Treatment group received methionine deficient diet for 4 days and normal diet for 15 days. Body weight and feed intake were recorded daily. High (HG) and low (LG) groups were theoretically created according to the rates of decreases in individual feed intake. Percent decrease in feed intake of HG and LG groups was 29.4 ± 2.0 and -1.3 ± 1.7, respectively. Abdominal fat in HG and LG groups amounted to 1.62 ± 0.1 and 1.73 ± 0.2%, respectively. The feed conversion ratio of HG and LG groups was 3.1 ± 0.1 and 3.4 ± 0.2, respectively. There was a negative correlation (-0.45 in HG and -0.43 in LG) between the percent decrease in feed intake and abdominal fat.

Two potato cultivars Kufri Bahar and Kufri Jyoti were stored in heaps and pits under ambient conditions of sub-tropical plains of northern India and their chipping quality was determined after 90 days of storage. During storage there was a significant reduction (33.84%) in the reducing sugar content of potatoes and improvement (31.63%) in chip colour. Sugar levels in stored potatoes were within the acceptable limit for processing and table purposes indicating that potatoes stored up to 90 days on the farm in heap and pits are suitable for these two purposes.

During the period of 2001 and 2003 a total of 238 isolates of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae obtained from 26 pig herds in the Czech Republic (2001 - 73 isolates, 2002 - 110 isolates, 2003 - 55 isolates) were examined for antibiotic resistance by disc diffusion method. Resistance to erythromycin (95.5% to 98.6%), streptomycin (76.4% to 82.7%) and tiamulin (72.7%) was detected most frequently over the whole monitored period. High increase in percentage of resistant isolates to tetracycline (2001 - 11.0%, 2002 - 36.4%, 2003 - 81.8%), doxycycline (2001 - 9.6%, 2002 - 34.6%, 2003 - 61.8%), nalidixic acid (2001 - 2.7%, 2002 - 14.5%, 2003 - 45.5%), and norfloxacin (2001 - 0%, 2002 - 7.3%, 2003 - 34.6%) was found, while differences in resistance to cephalotine (2001 - 1.4%, 2002 - 7.3%, 2003 - 9.1%), cotrimoxazol (2001 - 4.1%, 2002 - 10.0%, 2003 - 7.3%), amoxicillin (2001 - 12.3%, 2002 - 12.7%, 2003 - 10.9%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (2001 - 9.6%, 2002 - 9.1%, 2003 - 10.9%) were small. Prevalence of isolates resistant to sulfasomidine was detected decreasing (2001 - 43.8%, 2002 - 47.3% and 2003 - 29.1%).

An episode of mortality in waterbirds occurred on a sedimentation reservoir with effluents from the sugar beet processing plant at Hrusovany n.J. (South Moravia, Czech Republic) in summer 2003: tens of black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus), several lapwings (Vanellus vanellus), one little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius), one ruff (Philomachus pugnax), one wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola), and two avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) died. One of the two avocets and the plover, local breeders, were examined and found positive for Clostridium botulinum type C toxin by use of the toxin-neutralization test. Avocet is classified as a rare bird species according to Red Book data and is listed as critically endangered species in theCzechRepublic, and is therefore protected. Avian botulism can occasionally cause deleterious effects to waterbird fauna and its protection.

The reed canary grass as a source of energy was tested in field experiments on small plots at three different sites in 1996-2003. The effects of soil and weather conditions, different times of harvest (July, November, March) and different doses of nitrogen fertilization (0, 30, 60 kg/ha) on yields of phytomass were investigated. The effects of the harvest time on the water content in harvested phytomass, loss of phytomass in different harvest period and the content of basic nutrients and heavy metals in plants were all specified. The influence of the year, site and N fertilization on yields of phytomass of the reed canary grass was highly significant. The reed canary grass responded positively to increasing doses of nitrogen by the increase of yields of phytomass. On the averages of years and sites, the N application dose of 30 kg/ha increased dry phytomass yields of the reed canary grass harvested in November by 14.6% (1.08 t/ha). The higher dosage of N 60 kg/ha increased yields of phytomass of the reed canary grass at all sites by 32.8% (2.08 t/ha) on average in contrast with variants without fertilization. By the dose of N 60 kg/ha, the dry above-ground phytomass harvested in autumn was 10.04 t/ha in Ruzyně, 8.27 t/ha in Lukavec and 6.94 t/hain Chomutov on average over the whole period. The later times of harvest resulted in a decrease of the average yield of phytomass (8.41 t/ha in July, 8.00 t/ha in November and 6.04 t/ha in March) and the average water content (64.3% - 45.2% - 21.5%); on the contrary, energy value of phytomass increased (16.93 GJ/t - 17.02 GJ/t - 17.19 GJ/t). The average content of ash in plants varied from 6.5% in Lukavec to 9.31% in Chomutov. The content of heavy metals in plants never exceeded the highest permissible values set in the Czech Republic for food and feed purposes.

: The circulus arteriosus cerebri of the porcupine was investigated in this study. Five porcupines were used. Coloured latex was given from the left ventricles of three and from the communis carotid artery of two porcupines. The circulus arteriosus cerebri was examined after dissection was done. The basilar artery was formed by a merge of the right and left vertebral artery. The caudal communicans artery which was the caudal part of circulus arteriosus cerebri was formed by the basilar artery on crus cerebri. From caudal to cranial, the branches originating from the basilar artery and circulus arteriosus cerebri to cerebrum and cerebellum were as follows: caudal cerebelli artery, media cerebelli artery, rostral cerebelli artery, caudal choroidea artery, artery which extended to the mesencephalon, caudal cerebral artery, internal ophthalmic artery, rostral choroidea artery, media cerebral artery, rami striati and rostral cerebral artery. The rostral cerebral artery dexter and sinister joined to each other by the rostral communicans artery, forming the circulus arteriosus cerebri. It was determined that the internal carotid artery did not participate in the formation of circulus arteriosus cerebri and the arterial blood to the circulus arteriosus cerebri of porcupine is provided via the basilar artery only.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of dietary heavy metal intake on malondialdehyde levels (MDA, product of cellular lipid peroxidation) in the tissues of gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver of sheep. The experiment was carried out on twelve female sheep of mixed breed, weighing from 30 to 35 kg, one year old. The first group of sheep was bred in the conditions of laboratory farm. They had free access to hay and 300 g of barley per sheep was added daily. The second group grazed on a natural pasture in the environs of a factory processing copper ore. The second group of sheep had significantly higher concentrations of copper and cadmium in the tissues of rumen wall, duodenum, colon wall, liver and kidneys. The concentration of lead was significantly higher in the rumen wall, colon, liver and kidneys, but no differences were found in duodenum. The concentration of mercury was significantly higher only in the kidney tissue, but no differences were found in rumen wall, duodenum, colon wall and liver. The concentration of malondialdehyde was found significantly higher in reticulum epithelium, omasum, duodenum and colon. The significantly higher concentration of MDA was measured in colon wall and kidney medulla. The highest concentration of MDA was found in liver. Our results confirm that lipid peroxidation is one of the molecular mechanisms of cell injury in chronic heavy metal poisoning. The epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract of sheep is more sensitive to the oxidative damage induced by dietary heavy metal intake.

New possibilities of oak mildew (Microsphaera alphitoides) control were tested and compared with present methods. The results of three-year experiments in 6 localities (Cikar, Budkov, Planá nad Lužnicí, Vědomice, Voznice, Zadní Bor) clearly showed that the sulphur-based fungicides registered for the control of oak mildew (Sulikol K, Sulka) had a relatively good and stable effectiveness, and that two other newly tested preparations (Systhane 12 EC, Amistar) were even more effective when the percentage of infested plants did not exceed 2% (Systhane 12 EC) or 5% (Amistar) in any experimental locality. Their registration should be extended in this way. The biopreparations with fungicidal or fungistatic effects such as Supresivit, Polyversum and Ibefungin, known and used in forestry, showed that it was not possible to use them for oak mildew control, similar results were received in tentative testing of another preparation (PFR). Testing of preparations Bion 50 WG and Neem Triact 90 EC gave interesting and promising results. Besides their sufficient effectiveness in the control of oak infestation by the mildew, our experiments also indicated their generally positive influence on the health of plants; this could compensate their economic disadvantage compared to classical fungicides.

Large areas were deforested as a consequence of the immission calamity in the Czech Republic in the last decades. As a part of restoration activities, preparatory species were utilized, both planted and sown, to cover forest soils, to prevent soil erosion and to regenerate forest microclimate, necessary for reintroduction of target, climax species. Birch (especially Betula pendula Roth.) was among the mostly common preparatory species. Presented paper documents the effects of birch in the case of its cultivation on an intact soil. In this case, birch was documented as a species suitable in a short-time perspective, improving soil characteristics and forming effective shelter against increased humus mineralization.

The article deals with characteristics of local communities and rural regions. Local communities are defined both according to the standards of population density and the number of inhabitants. In the article, there are treated especially the indicators of population development (balance of migration), economic activities of the inhabitants, unemployment rates, structures of the population according to the sector of national economy and the indicators of education. These indicators have been calculated on the basis of data of the Census 2001, municipal and regional statistics and the Department of Employment data concerning the unemployment rate.

Host range and growth of two Ditylenchus dipsaci (Stem and Bulb Nematode) populations on onion, garlic, leek, spinach and chicory were compared. Inoculation was conducted by placing a droplet of 1.5% CMC suspension containing nematodes between the first leaves. The life cycle of the parasite was completed in variants of the original host plants, i.e. salad chicory was infected with the chicory population, and garlic and onion with the garlic population. Survival of the nematodes on garlic and spinach inoculated with the chicory population, and on chicory inoculated with the garlic population was determined. Nematodes of the chicory population did not survive on onion and leek, nor did the garlic population survive on spinach and leek. Nematode infection did not affect the dry weight of aboveground parts of plants, although a reduction would probably occur if the experiments had lasted longer. Symptoms of the infections were apparent in chicory inoculated with the chicory population. Nematodes in the substrate in which the plants were grown were found only in those variants with plants in which the life cycle was completed.

Amino acid content before and after heat treatment was assessed in grain of six selected amaranth varieties and four species: Amaranthus cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus and A. hybridus, cultivated in the Czech Republic. High content of Lys and Arg was detected in both heat treated and untreated grains, as well as satisfactory content of Cys and lower levels of Met, Val, Ile and Leu. The latter three amino acids appear as limiting. Chemical scores of essential amino acids and essential amino acid index (EAAI) were determined. EAAI value of 90.4% shows the favourable nutritional quality of amaranth protein, which is almost comparable with egg protein. Heat treatment by popping at 170 to 190°C for 30 s resulted in decreased EAAI to 85.4%. Of the essential amino acids under study, Val and Leu contents decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The relatively high content of essential amino acids in amaranth grain predetermines its use as a substitution of meat-and-bone meals.

This study deals with effects of pressing of ensiled sugar-beet pulp and of application of a chemical preservative on the quality of fermentation process. The experimental silages had a better sensory evaluation than the control ones. In silages treated chemically with a mixture of acids, statistically significantly (P < 0.01) higher dry matter content, lowest pH value, the value of lactic acid and the lowest content of all acids in dry matter were found after 180 days of storage from the beginning of the experiment. The statistically significantly (P < 0.01) highest lactic acid content (43.39 ± 1.25 g/kg DM) was determined in the control pressed silage. The highest LA/VFA ratio (1.40 ± 0.18) was calculated for non-pressed experimental silage (D - 3 l/t of KEM). As compared with untreated control the highest percentage (P < 0.01) of lactic acid and of all fermentation acids was found out in silage D treated with 3 l/t of KEM (58.18 ± 0.47 g/kg DM). Undesirable butyric and propionic acids were not found in chemically treated silage samples (C, D, E, F). However, the highest (P < 0.01) contents of butyric acid (26.37 ± 0.91 g/DM) and propionic acid (4.58 ± 0.78 g/DM) were measured in untreated non-pressed silage samples (B). The highest (P < 0.01) contents of acetic acid and ethanol were found in control silage samples. The quality of these silages was evaluated as very low.

In 1997 the Research Institute for Fruitgrowing and Ornamentals set up a comparative rootstock trial to study foreign-bred dwarf cherry rootstocks in the Hungarian climate. Based upon their effects on trunk and canopy growth, rootstocks can be classified into 3 groups: very vigorous (Cerasus mahaleb L. Cema, Cerasus avium L. C. 2493, Weiroot 13), medium vigorous (Weiroot 158, Weiroot 154, P-HL-A) and dwarfing rootstocks (Weiroot 72, Weiroot 53, GiSelA 5). Differences between the blooming and ripening times of rootstock/scion combinations were also observed. Linda produced the highest cumulative yield followed by Katalin, Germersdorfi 3 and Piramis. The largest fruit diameter was measured in Germersdorfi 3 among the sweet cherry cultivars; the highest ratio of fruits larger than 26 mm was found on Weiroot 72, and the lowest on GiSelA 5. The largest fruit diameter of the sour cherry Piramis was observed in trees on Cerasus avium C. 2493.

During a five year period (2000-2004), the incidence of bovine and human tuberculosis in cattle and other animals from six Central European countries was evaluated: Croatia (HRV), the Czech Republic (CZE), Hungary (HUN), Poland (POL), Slovakia (SVK), and Slovenia (SVN). These countries, lying between the Baltic and the Adriatic seas, cover an area of 610 402 km² and had more than 68 million inhabitants and 9 330 264 cattle in 2003. Successful national control programmes against bovine tuberculosis in cattle were carried out up until 1980: HRV (1953-1966), CZE (1959-1968), HUN (1962-1980), POL (1959-1975) SVK (1959-1968), and SVN (1962-1973). During the entire monitored period skin testing with bovine tuberculin in all cattle older than two years was carried out regularly either once a year or every second year. Five of these countries (CZE, HUN, POL, SVK, and SVN) joined the EC on May 1^st, 2004. CZE and SVK were officially declared free of bovine tuberculosis in cattle on March 31^st, 2004 (Commission Decision No. 2004/320/EC) and March 4^th, 2005 (Commission Decision No. 2005/179/EC), respectively. Bovine tuberculosis was diagnosed in a total of 188 cattle herds in the study area: 145 (77.1%) outbreaks in small herds (< 10 cows) and 43 (22.9%) outbreaks in large herds (≥ 10 cows). The last cases of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in SVK and in the CZE were diagnosed in 1993 and 1995, respectively. During the monitored period, bovine tuberculosis was diagnosed in animal species other than cattle found in zoological gardens: in two Bactrian camels (Camelus ferus) in the CZK, in one Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris f. altaica) in HUN, in one bison (Bison bison) and one eland (Taurotragus oryx) in POL, and in one dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and two bison in SVN. In wild animals, bovine tuberculosis was diagnosed in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in HUN (n = 14) and HRV (n = 1), in six red deer (Cervus elaphus) in HUN, in 14 European bison (Bison bonasus f. bonasus) and two roe deer (Capreolus capreolus f. capreolus) in POL. Infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis were also diagnosed in four cattle and two pigs in POL, in one cattle in SVN, in one dog (Canis lupus f. familiaris) in the CZE and in one dog in HUN. M. africanum was diagnosed in one hyrax (Procaria habessinica) in a zoological garden in HRV.

The present study brings current information on providing market pigs and sows with the required iodine level up to date. The results were obtained by the determination of the iodine content in leg muscles and by the relationship between those concentrations and the iodine intake by the human population. The iodine content was assessed by the Sandell-Kolthoff method in 108 samples of leg muscles (m. gracilis) of market pigs from 18 herds in 10 districts of the Czech Republic collected during the period April 2004 to August 2004. Average iodine content in leg muscles of market pigs was 25.6 ± 15.54 μg I/kg fresh matter, median 20.2 and coefficient of variation 60.6%. Significantly higher (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) iodine levels were recorded in the leg muscles was of herds LI2, ZU, BR, FU, BU, ST and some others. Iodine level variations in the samples from respective farms were expressed in the levels range of 8.5 to 66.2 μg I/kg. The detected variations might have been caused by different iodine saturation of the pigs from different herds, their physiological requirement, manifestation of physiological ability of respective animals to utilize the iodine source, potential effect of goitrogens and environmental conditions. It is necessary to consider the iodine content in pork in the balance of the iodine supply in the shopping basket of consumers. Provided that the average annual consumption of pork is 40.9 kg with iodine content of 25.6 μg/kg(8.5 to 66.2 μg/kg), the average annual iodine intake is 1047 μg, which represents 1.4 to 2.4% of the required intake per person per year.

This material describes parameterization of allometric functions applicable to biomass estimation of European beech trees. It is based on field data from destructive measurements of 20 full-grown trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) from 5.7 to 62.1 cm. The parameterization was performed for total tree aboveground biomass (AB; besides stump), stem and branch biomass, respectively. The allometric functions contained two or three parameters and used dbh either as a single independent variable or in combination with tree height (H). These functions explained 97 to 99% of the variability in the measured AB. The most successful equation was that using both dbh and H as independent variables in combination with three fitted parameters. H, as the second independent variable, had rather a small effect on improving the estimation: in the case of AB, H as independent variable improved prediction accuracy by 1-2% whereas in the case of branch biomass by about 5%. The parameterized biomass equations are applicable to tree specimens of European beech grown in typically managed forests.

Expansion and invasion of plants indicate successful colonization and competitive abilities of species. There are fewer invasive and expansive woody plants than herbs. Main expansive (native species) trees and shrubs are Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Clematis vitalba, Crataegus sp. div., Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spinosa, Rubus sp. div., Sambucus nigra. Main invasive (alien species) are Acer negundo, Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Cytisus scoparius, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Lycium barbarum, Mahonia aquifolium, Physocarpus opulifolius, Pinus strobus, Populus × canadensis, Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra, Rhus typhina, Robinia pseudoacacia, Symphoricarpos albus, Syringa vulgaris. Dominant characteristics of expansive and invasive species are dispersibility of seeds and capacity of vegetative propagation.

Czech agricultural sector undertook many great changes in the last 12 years. These changes have resulted in the creation of business structure, which, however, is still not finished due to external (market) and internal (enterprise) conditions. The main goal within these changes was to create functional efficient and competitive agricultural sector, which is to survive in ever changing global world, in particular with respect to the intention to join the unified Europe. One of the questions, which is currently discussed very often, is to what extent the current business agricultural structure is efficient in input allocation, eventually which structural changes have to be undertaken to create such effective sector. The main objective of this contribution is therefore to present findings, which were obtained within the research project processing.

The principal importance and global dimension of sustainable agriculture in frame of a strategy of civilization development is beyond discussion. The actual character of the topic of looking for ways to sustainable development is confirmed by the extensive worldwide program "Millennium Ecosystem Assessment" the purpose of which is to map and subsequently monitor the health of the planet Earth. The contribution is focused on various aspects of the non-substitutable role of agriculture regarding sustainable development on the level of developing and developed countries and on the regional and global level.

The paper is focused on the analysis of the wine demand and chosen factors which influence the wine demand in the Czech Republic, in Slovakia, in Austria, and in Germany. In the Czech Republic, the wine consumption per inhabitant went up slightly in 1994-2003, the wine demand has a rising trend. The wine demand has the rising trend in Germany as well. In Slovakia, the year wine consumption per inhabitant decreased by 14.9% from 1994 to 2003; in Austria by 7.7%. There is a downward trend of development in these countries. The influence of the analyzed factors on the development of the wine demand is different in the particular countries. The dependence is possible to follow at the total level of incomes in comparison with the consumer's price of wine.