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The response of 25 registered winter wheat varieties to autumnal infection with Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) was studied in small plot trials in two years. The materials were infected by vectors, leafhopper Psammotettix alienus Dahlbom, 1851 from three-leaf stage to tillering. The symptoms expression was monitored in spring and plant height, weight of above ground biomass and grain yield were observed in summer. All tested varieties were evaluated as susceptible and divided into three groups: varieties Banquet and Svitava with 87.3-93.1% grain yield reduction as moderately susceptible, varieties Clever, Drifter, Niagara and Rialto with 95.6-97.68% grain yield reduction as susceptible and varieties Apache, Batis, Bill, Complet, Contra, Corsaire, Ludwig, Mladka, Nela, Record, Rheia, Semper, Sepstra, Solara, Sulamit, Tower, Trend, Vlasta and Winsdor with 99.7-100% grain yield reduction as very susceptible. Statistically significant differences were observed between moderately susceptible and susceptible varieties as well as very susceptible ones in absorbency values by means of DAS-ELISA.

The skin colour of 21 varieties was assessed on a molecular level. Four varieties had yellow skin colour with the genotype constitution a¹a¹, a¹a² or a²a². Seventeen varieties had dominant red colour. Homozygous A¹A¹ constitution was present in 7 varieties, and heterozygous constitution A¹a¹ or A¹a² was found in the rest of the assessed varieties. The S-alleles controlled the incompatibility system of the pistil. Their detection is possible by means of the PCR method on the basis of allele specific primers. Six S-alleles (S1, S2, S3, S5, S7 and S9) were studied in the same collection of 21 diploid Czech varieties. This paper brings new findings on S-allele characterization, because the Czech varieties have not yet been studied on a molecular level. Both types of S-allele were found in 12 varieties. Only one type of S-allele was described in 9 varieties. Simultaneously, the presence of the Vf gene was screened in the collection of 21 Czech apple varieties. Ten varieties with a field resistance against the scab had a heterozygous constitution of the Vf gene. All 11 susceptible varieties were recessive homozygous vfvf.

Fifty-one crossbreed young bulls, progenies of Charolais (CH), Czech Pied (CP), Simmental (SI) and Blonde d'Aquitaine (BA) beef cattle bred at the paternal position crossed by Czech Pied at the maternal position, were reared in a typical production system and slaughtered at an average age of 578 days and live weight of 656 kg. The animals were evaluated for fattening performance and carcass quality traits (live weight at slaughter, age at slaughter, total weight gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage, net daily gain) and meat quality characteristics (dry matter, proteins, fat, ash, pH₄₈, water holding capacity, remission, collagen, area of M. longissimus dorsi and cooking loss). Correlation coefficients were determined in order to discover which of the above-mentioned characteristics influenced textural properties measured by Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear device and compression test (TPA). It can be concluded from the overall assessment of the correlation coefficients that slaughter age (r = 0.68, P < 0.001), net daily gain (r = -0.54, P < 0.001), average lifetime daily gain (r = -0.50, P < 0.001) and pH₄₈ (r = -0.51, P < 0.001) had the major influence on the textural properties measured by WB shears. Meat texture expressed by TPA was mainly influenced by live weight at slaughter (r = 0.55, P < 0.001), carcass weight (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) and pH₄₈ (r = -0.54, P < 0.001). Significant differences (P < 0.001) were found out for the age at slaughter (CH × BA) and (CP × BA), slaughter weight (CP × SI) and (CP × BA) and carcass weight (CP × BA). At the same level of significance further differences were found out for pH₄₈ and water holding capacity (CP × SI), (CP × BA) and cooking loss (CH × CP). Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) in the textural properties (measured by WB shears) were determined between the following breeds: (CH × BA) and (CP × BA). At the level of significance P < 0.05, the highest differences were identified between (CH × SI) and (CP × SI). TPA test showed statistically significant differences between (CH × CP), (CP × SI) breeds at the level P < 0.05.

Enterococci (58) from faeces of rabbits of various age (from 2 months to 3 years) and 5 different rabbit farms were isolated and tested for survival in the presence of oxgall, lactic acid production, urease activity, resistance to low pH as well as their binding ability was tested. Fifty percent of enterococcal isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecium, 19% as E. faecalis. All strains showed good survival in the presence of 5% oxgall. The urease activity of isolates was in the range from 0.013 to 17.13 nkat/ml, only E. faecalis EE229 strain did not produce any urease. The survival of strains was tested at pH 3.0 and the percentage of their survival ranged between 62.0% and 90.0%. E. faecium EF1819 strain was found to show the best survival ability at low pH. Particle agglutination assay values of selected enterococci expressed only negative (0) or weakly positive (1) binding of heparin, bovine fibrinogen, porcine fibronectin and lactoferrin. Based on the results, most of the selected enterococci could be promising probiotic feed additives.

Irrigation with saline waters is an agricultural practice that becomes increasingly common as competition for fresh water increases. In this study, three strawberry cultivars (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were tested for their salt tolerance. For this purpose, five salinity levels in water with electrical conductivities (EC_i) of 1.1, 1.6, 2.1, 2.5, 2.9 dS/m and river water as control (0.5 dS/m) were used in a randomised design with four replications. Percent leaf damage at two dates and accumulation of salts in soil were determined for each cultivar. Considering the results, Maraline is the most tolerant to salinity. Severe effects of salt on Muir and Tudla growth were observed even at EC_i 1.1 dS/m. The higher the level of EC_i of irrigation water, the higher the soil EC_e produced. In general, the highest soil EC_e's were produced by Muir followed by Tudla experiment.

One hundred and twenty captive chukars (Alectoris chukar) and other hosts from a pheasant farm in Jinacovice (Czech Republic) were searched for chewing lice from July 2003 to April 2004. Seven species of chewing lice were found on chukars: Amyrsidea perdicis, Menacanthus pallidulus, Menopon gallinae (Amblycera); Goniodes colchici, Lipeurus maculosus, Goniocotes microthorax and Cuclotogaster heterographus (Ischnocera). Except for the last two mentioned species, the other five louse species are recorded for the first time on chukars. The prevalence, mean intensity of infestation and mean abundance of the lice from chukars were recorded. The species diversity and distribution of chewing lice from another eight species of gallinaceous birds kept in the pheasant farm were also recorded.

The main obstacle in assessing the financial impact of foot-and-mouth disease inTurkeyis unavailability of reliable data. Considering this issue, this study aimed at using a Delphi Expert Opinion Survey (DEOS) method to obtain data required for economic analysis of FMD inTurkey. This study concluded that although there were problems in obtaining some information from the experts, in general theDelphitechnique is a promising way of obtaining animal health data, which is otherwise missing and/or not regularly recorded in developing countries.

The subject of our research was to verify effects of the mechanical preparation of soil in the natural regeneration of pedunculate oak in a floodplain forest. On the site of a hard-wooded floodplain forest at the confluence of the Morava and Dyje rivers (Czech Republic), several sample plots were established differing in the preparation of soil during regeneration, in weeding the plots and in the period of the implementation of soil surface scarification before and after the fall (or distribution) of acorns. On the basis of results obtained, mechanical preparation of soil on non-weed-infested plots in the heavy seed year is not necessary, however, it supports seedling emergence from acorns and eliminates weed tree emergence and weed. However, it is better to realize it only after the fall of acorns and to incorporate them into soil and thus their emergence will be increased. Soil scarification can be carried out also in the course of harvesting the parent stand through the extraction of wood and slash from the regenerating area. In weed-infested stands, however, the thorough preparation of soil before the fall of acorns appears to be a necessity.

Retailers are the strong group both in South Bohemia and in Upper Austria. The development of this sphere is one of the development programmes priorities of both regions. South Bohemia and Upper Austria, especially Muhlviertel region, are areas with a similar economic structure, which is an excellent presupposition for mutual cooperation. An advantage will be the improvement of marketing activity and information transfer. A better technical equipment and its full exploitation will be possible. The problems, however, which could arise from cooperation with foreign partners, should not be underestimated. Not only the language barrier is concerned but also different techniques, methods and expectations that might be caused by different customs and interests of the partners. An important aid to the entrepreneurs, either concerning consultant service, establishing contacts or further education, are economic chambers and other institutions concerned with retail business development.

A total of 60 random samples of fresh chicken burger, fillet, and luncheon (20 of each) were collected from markets at Tanta city. The average total yeast counts (cfu/g) in burger, fillet, and luncheon samples were 2.7 × 10⁶ ± 1.1 × 10⁶, 2.1 × 10⁵ ± 0.9 × 10⁵, and 1.4 × 10⁷ ± 0.7 × 10⁷, respectively. A total of 158 yeast isolates of 23 species were isolated and identified. Candida, Cryptococcus, Debaromyces, Issatchenkia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Trichosporon and Yarrowia species were recovered from the examined samples of fresh chicken meat products in varying percentages ranging from 5% to 50%. The tested plant extracts of cinnamon, clove and thyme revealed a potent anti-yeast activity against C. albicans, D. hansenii and S. cerevisiae at 20% concentration, and a moderate inhibitory activity against these yeast strains at 10% concentration, while garlic extract had a lesser inhibitory effect on the yeast strains tested at the same concentration. Moreover, thyme, cinnamon and clove extracts had a complete inhibitory effect on chicken fillet inoculated with Candida albicans when incubated at 5°C and 25°C.

There is a constant increase in demand for large numbers of high-quality oocytes of domestic mammals for various reproductive biotechnologies. Prolonged in vitro culture represents one of the many possible ways of meeting this demand. However, oocytes further cultured in vitro after reaching the stage of metaphase II undergo the complex process called "ageing", which decreases the quality of oocytes. The aim of the present study was to improve the culture conditions for in vitro matured porcine oocytes by supplement of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) or the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in order to reduce the adverse effects of ageing. Supplement of either EGF or IGF-1 had no significant effect on the ageing of porcine oocytes. Significant effects were demonstrated when the oocytes were cultured with both EGF and IGF-1. A combination of 10 µg EGF/ml with 25 ng IGF-1/ml was the most effective. Oocytes aged under these conditions retained very good developmental competence. We observed development to the morula (21%) or blastocyst (25%) stage in oocytes aged for 1 day with EGF and IGF-1. Porcine oocytes matured in vitro are more resistant to the ageing when cultured in the presence of both EGF and IGF-1 and these conditions retain an elevated developmental competence for a certain time.

Measurement of the ammonia emissions by two different types of sensors (PHOTO ACOUSTICS analyzer INNOVA and SOLID STATE sensor SP-53) was carried out in laboratory with one material of litter, wood-shavings (with dry or wet material). The initial ammonia concentration and humidity of material were changed. The output data of these sensors were continually saved a processed. A small difference was found out between the output data of these sensors. The difference depends not only on ammonia concentration and humidity of material but also on the duration time from the beginning of measurement. All experiments of ammonia concentration were carried out with three initial values of humidity and ammonia concentrations within used material. The decrease of ammonia concentration (its velocity) in investigated material has been measured with laboratory device and registered for twelve or more hours during each experiment.

The effects of humic acid on feed consumption, egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight and external and internal egg quality of laying hens were studied during feeding periods. A total of 180 (Hysex Brown) layers (36 weeks of age) were used in this experiment. There was one control and two experimental groups, each containing 60 hens and 4 subgroups. The experimental period lasted 16 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the supplementation of humic acid had a significant effect on feed consumption and feed efficiency. An increase in egg production was determined when humic acid was added to the diets at 30 g/t of feeds (91.70%) and 60 g/t of feeds (91.32%). There were no significant differences between the groups in egg shell thickness, egg shell breaking strength, yolk index, albumen index and Haugh unit. It can be therefore concluded that the dietary supplementation of humic acid at doses of 30 and 60 g/t feed can be used to improve egg production, egg weight and feed efficiency.

Activity of fungi participating in the dead wood decomposition was studied in the Velký Polom Nature Reserve, Protected Landscape Area Železné hory. Two game-proof fences of an area of 0.30 ha (570 m alt.) and 0.19 ha (620 m alt.) were used as permanent sample plots. In both the plots, activities were monitored of wood-destroying fungi in 126.82 m³ dead wood, 104.05 m³ of which were in beech. After conversion to an area, the volume amounts to 258.82 m³ per ha. In the whole reserve, almost 220 species of macromycetes were recorded in the course of a mycological survey. Wood-destroying fungi are the dominant component of mycoflora representing more than 50% identified taxa of in the period under study. The proportion of mycorrhizal fungi amounted to 14%. A series of macromycetes considered to be saprophytes is bound to products of wood decomposition. Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr., Fomitopsis pinicola (Sowerby) P. Karst., Ustulina deusta (Fr.) Petrak, Hypoxylon fragiforme (Pers.) Kickx, Ganoderma lipsiense (Batsch) Atk. and the genus Armillaria were the predominant species of wood-decaying fungi. As for rare macro-fungi, it is possible to mention Ascotremella faginea (Peck) Seaver, Stropharia albocrenulata (Peck) Kreisel and Tricholomopsis decora (Fr.) Singer.

The influence of the date of cutting collection and cutting position in the crown on rooting quality was evaluated in cuttings taken from seven-year ortets. The evaluation of various dates of cutting collection in spring demonstrated a possibility of successful propagation by cuttings during a relatively long period from full bud dormancy to flushing onset. The relationship between the development of aboveground parts (flushing, shoot and bud formation) and rooting quality was not established. The exposure of cuttings in the crown of parent tree with respect to the cardinal points did not influence rooting percentage and quality. A somewhat higher rooting ability was observed in cuttings from lower parts of the crown in comparison with cuttings taken from the highest whorls. Differences were more perceivable in generally weak-rooting clones. The comparison of rooting quality in cuttings from seven- and eight-year mother plantations with cuttings from a sixteen-year mother plantation confirmed that not only the rooting of cuttings collected from older mother plantations is weaker but also their growth is slower and their plagiotropic growth continues for a longer time.

The article summarizes findings drawn form the research carried on within the European project "Best e-European Practices" with a focus on digital SMEs only. Case studies are used to describe good practices. Cases studies are coded structurally using a set of indicators for each success factor and thus provide for learning of the potential users. Synthesis and generalization has been done on factors explaining motivations for introducing e-practices, the results firms seek to achieve and the benefits from the adoption of digital technologies.

Recent years has seen increasing interest in the genus Hypericum because it is the source of a variety of compounds and the biological activities of the genus are mainly derived from its hypericin content. The present study was conducted to determine whether this compound may be implicated as part of an inducible plant defense response in H. perforatum and H. pruinatum. Greenhouse-grown plants were inoculated with the plant pathogens Phytophthora capsici and Diploceras hypericinum. Hypericin levels of the Hypericum species increased significantly in response to inoculation with both pathogens. While up to now little effort has been made to determine whether hypericin is inducible by pathogen/herbivore attack or if it could play a role in plant defense, the present study indicates that hypericin is a component in inducible plant defense response of H. perforatum and H. pruinatum.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a barley disease, which occurs every year in various areas of barley cultivation all over the world and the increasing incidence has been confirmed in the Czech Republic also during the last years. We aimed to emply AFLP (Amplified fragment length polymorphism) and SSR (Single sequence repeats) markers to describe diversity among breeding lines with a sufficient level of resistance towards FHB and to find marker(s) associated with the analysed traits. The number of eight accessions including five expected resistance donors and three sensitive lines were tested in the field and laboratory. The field values and the amount of deoxynivalenol were positively correlated (r = 0.92). The laboratory test and content DON manifested also a high correlation (r = 0.73). Several DH lines developed from androgenetic barley progenies of the F1 hybrids between the susceptible line PI 383933 and resistant line PEC 210 or the susceptible line PI 383933 and resistant cultivar Chevron were found resistant towards Fusarium infection in both the field and laboratory tests. Low infestation was found at line DH 37 from combination Chevron × PI 383933 and lines DH48, DH49, DH50 and DH55 from the combination PEC 210 × PI 383933. Cluster analyses based on 68 AFLP and 18 SSR markers demonstrate a genetic relationship among parental genotypes and DH lines.Some DH lines combined a sufficient degree of resistance against FHB and extract content (basic parameters malting quality). Statistically significant differences in malt-extract values were observed between groups of the DH lines possessing and not possessing the AFLP marker CAA/AGC 341bp. The markers will be further evaluated and optionally used for MAS.

The effect of feed additives: antibiotic (group C), probiotic (group E1) and prebiotic (group E2) on the results of fattening and selected slaughter and pork meat quality traits of two genotypes of pigs (PLW × PL) × BL and (PLW × PL) × Dur, gilts and hogs, was determined. The results obtained for the examined traits in the feeding groups under comparison were slightly differentiated. The growth rate and feed conversion differed between the genetic groups in favour of crossbred fatteners with the proportion of Dur breed (P ≤ 0.01). The mean backfat thickness from 5 measurements and loin "eye" area in fatteners derived from Dur sires as compared to hybrids coming from BL sires were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) while the length of carcass was higher (P ≤ 0.01). The gilts were characterized by better meatiness than boars: loin "eye" area, loin weight without backfat and skin, ham weight without backfat and skin differed on the level of P ≤ 0.05, and meatiness of carcass and meatiness of basic cuts at P ≤ 0.01. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) or highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences in the proportions of acids: C_18:2, C_18:3, C_20:4, C_22:4 and PUFA in the lipid fraction of MLD were found between the feeding groups. The proportion of the above-mentioned acids was lower in group E2 and higher in group E1 as compared to C. The proportion of the acid C_18:1 was significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) in group E2 as compared to E1. The demonstrated differences indicate the need of further studies in this respect. In pig fattening there is a possibility of effectively replacing feed antibiotics with other additives. The application of biostimulators - probiotic Bactocell or oligosaccharide Bio-Mos instead of the antibiotic flavomycin appeared to be favourable. From the production aspect it seems to be justified to supplement the feed rations for fatteners during the first stage of fattening with feed additives from the group of probiotics or prebiotics.

3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) is a tissue bound toxic metabolite derived from the nitrofuran antibiotic, furazolidone. AOZ is detected in the derivatised form of 3-{[(2-nitrophenyl) methylene] amino}-2-oxa-zolidinone (NP AOZ). 3-{[(3-carboxyphenyl)-methylene] amino-2-oxazolidinone (CP AOZ) was used as the immunising hapten for the production of monoclonal antibodies against NP AOZ. Monoclonal antibodies were produced using hybridomas from the fusion of murine myeloma cells and spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice immunised with CP AOZ-ethylenediamine-human serum albumin (CP AOZ-ed-HSA). The antibody production in ascitic fluids from clones 3B8/2B9 and 2D11/A4 was monitored during a 16 month period. Repeated cultures of these hybridomas, followed by injection into mice and cloning did not change the assay parameters. Clone 2D11/A4 exhibited long term stability in antibody production throughout the experiment whereas clone 3B8/2B9 demonstrated variability in particular antibody yields whilst retaining assay sensitivity. Reasons for this production variability in clones are discussed. In an optimised direct ELISA format, the antibodies exhibited a 50% binding inhibition in the range of 0.52-1.15 ng/ml with NP AOZ (0.22 -0.50 ng/ml, respective AOZ equivalents) and showed high specificity towards this analyte. The sensitivity of monoclonal antibodies incorporated into the ELISA is compatible with the European Union MRLP and is currently in use for routine analysis.

Six field strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale isolated from chickens in Elazig province located in the East of Turkey were typed by serotyping and random amplified polymorphic DNA assay using a random primer (OPG-11). Using the AGP test used for serotyping, serotype A was found to be the predominant serotype, only one strain was serotyped as serotype B. By RAPD assay, the tested ORT strains were found to have different RAPD profiles. In addition, the RAPD assay showed almost similar DNA profiles among the tested strains of the serotypes A, B, D and E. The strain of serotype C did give a different RAPD profile. Within strains of the same serotype (A), different profiles were found but the strain of serotype (B) had an identical profile as strains of serotype A. This study suggests that more genotypes of ORT strains are present within the same serotype and thus that no relationship exists between the RAPD pattern of ORT and their serotype.

The red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was found for the first time in China in Yangcheng and Xinshui counties, Shanxi province in 1998, and in Hebei province in 1999. The beetle mostly attacks the oil pine Pinus tabulaeformis Carriére. By 2003 the beetle was found in 85 counties of three provinces in north China and the area of infested pine forests covered more than 700,000 ha. The elevation above sea level of forests infested is more than 800 m. The beetles most frequently attack trees on hilltops and at the forest edge, fewer attacks occur in the centre of the stand. This correlates with the damage done to the trees by wind or man. Weak and dying trees are more vulnerable to attack than healthy ones. The most attractive breeding sites are fresh stumps. The population density of the beetles is higher in the forests on northern slopes than on southern slopes. Most of the bores in the trunk are less than 0.5 m above ground; the galleries are found also on roots.

The incorporation of Czech agrarian sector in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU means also the application of so called "European Model of Agriculture" which reacts to a basic requirement of socially balanced and sustainable agriculture which contributes to maintenance and an improvement of the European agricultural cultural landscape. In connection with it, a new strategy of agrarian policy was set according to which the orientation of Czech agrarian sector changes in a principal way, which was focused up to now only on the production function and also its other functions become more important, above all in the environmental and social, so non-production area. One of the aspects of multifunctional agriculture is an organic agriculture, a system which fulfills visions of sustainable agriculture.

The insecticidal efficacy of aqueous extracts of five Nigerian spices (Piper guineense Schum and Thonn., Aframomum melegueta (Roscoe), Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich., Zingiber officinale L. and Capsicum annuum L.) was tested in a field study for the control of two important post-flowering insect pests, Maruca vitrata Fab. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal. (Hemiptera: Coreidae) of cowpea. The extracts were applied at 10% (w/v) and sprayed every week for 4 weeks. P. guineense, followed by A. melegueta, significantly reduced (P < 0.01) abundance of the pests and decreased the damage to cowpea pods. Grain yields were significantly higher in plots treated with P. guineense and A. melegueta extracts compared to plots treated with other extracts. This technology is cheap, safe, environmentally friendly and easy to adopt by limited resource farmers in third world countries.

The results of three-year trials (1999 to 2001) conducted with six winter wheat varieties in which was investigated the effect of sites, years and varieties on the final grain yield and technological quality showed statistically significant differences (LSD, 95%) among sites in grain yield and these parameters of quality: test volume mass, wet gluten content, sedimentation test, protein content, falling number and flour water absorption capacity. As to the quality, the Žatec site showed itself as generally most suitable, and the Jaroměřice site as the least suitable one. Climate conditions showed a statistically significant effect (LSD, 95%) on grain yield and all quality parameters, beside the percentage of complete grains and swelling capacity of gluten and falling number, which were insignificant. The most favourable weather conditions, a lot of precipitation and high temperature in the course of ripening from three years were proved in the year 2000. Among the varieties were statistically significant differences (LSD, 95%) in grain yield and these parameters of quality: test volume mass, thousand grain weight, ash content, percentage of complete grains, sedimentation test, protein content, reologic properties of dough and baking tests. From the six varieties the best profits were shown from variety Sulamit (loaf volume 595 ml/100 g of flour), the worst was Semper (loaf volume 543 ml/100 g of flour) and Vlasta (loaf volume 532 ml/100 g of flour). The best grain yield was in 2001 (average of sites 8.84 t/ha) and the variety Semper had the highest grain yield of 9.17 t/ha, that is higher at 13.41% compared with Sulamit (7.94 t/ha).

Wild spawners of common bream, Abramis brama, were caught in the Kortowskie Lake (north Poland) and transported to a hatchery for artificial spawning. Fish were hormonally induced using GnRH analogue combined with metoclopramide (ovopel). The results of bream reproduction in captivity were compared with fish treated with the combination of hCG and CPE and with control group injected saline. Males from treated groups produced significantly more milt (over 4.3 ml/kg vs. 2.1) of better qualities: spermatozoon concentration (over 9.3 × 10⁹ vs. 6.8) and motility (over 85% vs. 62). Females from the control group did not spawn whereas those from hormonally induced groups ovulated: 62% after CPE treatment and 100% after GnRHa treatment. Generally, the fish after ovopel stimulation showed the best hatchery parameters.

Measurements were done of some lysosomal proteolytic enzyme activities involved in skeletal muscle proteolysis of the masculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis muscle (MLLT) of bulls. Samples from the same region between the 11th and 13th vertebra were taken after slaughter from Limousin (n = 10), Hereford (n = 10), Charolais (n = 10), Angus (n = 11) and Simmental (n = 11) bulls about 15 months old fed complete diet ad libitum. The activity of cathepsin D was determined as pepstatin (cathepsin D inhibitor) sensitive activity (PSCatD) towards 1% haemoglobin. Pepstatin-insensitive acid (PIA) and leupeptin-insensitive (thiol proteinases inhibitor) acid (LIA) autolytic activities were measured in the presence of 1mM Mg⁺⁺. MLLT was also analysed for RNA, DNA and protein variables. The data were processed by analysis of variance. The highest activities in PSCatD (P ≤ 0.05), AAA (P ≤ 0.01) and LIA (P ≤ 0.05) as well as percentage of inhibition by pepstatin in cathepsin D (P ≤ 0.01) were estimated in Angus bulls, and the lowest in Limousin ones. These breeds differed in the above-mentioned activities by 20.3, 21.1, 31.1 and 13.1%, respectively. RNA/g of tissue was highest in Hereford and lowest in Limousin bulls (by about 15.3%, P ≤ 0.01). Similar differences (14.3%) were between Charolais and Limousin (P ≤ 0.01). CPS (10³ RNA/protein) was higher by 18.3% (P ≤ 0.01) in Charolais compared to the value in Simmental bulls; similar differences were between Hereford and Simmental (16.4%, P ≤ 0.01). The DNA concentration was highest in Hereford (by about 30%) compared to Charolais bulls. Protein/10³DNA ratio (mg/mg) - FCS - was higher by 33.4% in Charolais compared toHereford; RNA/DNA ratio was higher by 40.2% in Charolais compared toLimousin bulls. These results indicate the fast turnover of proteins in the groups of examined bulls and it can be concluded that in hypertrophic MLLT of bulls an anabolic decrease in degradation occurred.

Commercial defatted soy flour (DSF) was dispersed in distilled water at pH 7 to prepare 5% aqueous dispersion. Soy protein hydrolysates (SPH) were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the DSF using three different proteases (Flavourzyme 1000 L, No-vozym FM 2.0 L and Alcalase 2.4 L FG). The highest degree of hydrolysis (DH 39.5) was observed in the presence of protease Flavourzyme. SPH were used for measuring functional properties (foaming stability, gelation). Treatment with Flavourzyme improved foaming of proteins of DSF. Foaming stability was low in the presence of Novozym. Proteases treated DSF showed good gelation properties, mainly in the case of treatment with Flavourzyme. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that after enzyme ad-dition to the 5% aqueous dispersion of DSF each enzyme degraded both b-conglycinin and glycinin. In general, the basic polypeptide from glycinin showed the highest resistance to proteolytic activity. The most abundant free amino acids in the hydrolysates were histidine (30%), leucine (24%) and tyrosine (19%) in the case of the treatment with proteases Alcalase and Novozym, and arginine (22.1%), leucine (10.6%) and phenylalanine (12.9%) in the case of the treatment with Flavourzyme.

The influence of hydration treatments on seed parameters of lettuce seed lots with different initial quality was investigated. Nine seed lots were treated by prehydration (for 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours) and by osmopriming in polyethylene glycol 6,000 solution (for 24, 72 and 144 hours) with osmotic potential -1.5 MPa. The result of hydration treatment depends on seed lot attributes. The germination percentage is not a sufficient criterion for determination of seed suitability for hydration treatment. A possible complementary parameter can be the mean time of germination (MTG) with high correlation between untreated and treated seed lots. The effect of hydration also depends on the hydration method and time of treatment. The osmopriming is a more suitable method for lettuce seed than prehydration. Generally, a shorter time of hydration (till 6 hours at prehydration and till 72 hours at priming) proved more effective on the parameters of lettuce seed lots after treatment.