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The aim of this work was to find out how repeated low doses of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and T-2 toxin would influence the Chinese hamster and if the amplifying of these effects would occur with the application of both toxins together. The animals were treated with 10 ml/kg of 7% dimethylsulfoxid (DMSO) in the control group (C), 1.0 mg/kg of AFB1 in group A, 1.0 mg/kg of T-2 toxin in group T2, and 1.0 mg/kg of AFB1 + 1.0 mg/kg of T-2 toxin in group T2/A. All mycotoxins were dissolved in 10 ml/kg of 7% DMSO. These doses were administered intragastrically twice a week for a period of three weeks. General health condition, histological picture of some internal organs, some biochemical blood serum indicators of liver and kidney functions, and leucogram were monitored. No differences in prosperity or weight gains appeared during the course of the experiment. The histological examination did not show any changes in the investigated organs in any experimental group. On the contrary, differences were found in the biochemical blood serum profile. ALT and AST activities decreased significantly in T2/A group animals compared with the other medicated groups (T2 - 24.46 µkat/l; 45.18 µkat/l; A - 18.17; 41.84; T2/A - 4.74; 14.21). A similar decrease appeared in GMT activity as well, but it was significant only in comparison with the T2 group (T2 - 0.6 µkat/l; T2/A - 0.25). ALP activity was increased in the experimental groups compared with the control, significantly in the T2 group (C - 5.0 µkat/l; T2 - 6.92). LDH activity was lower in the T2 and T2/A groups, significantly when the T2/A group was compared with the A group (A - 94.05 µkat/l; T2/A - 37.48). The cholesterol level was significantly increased in group A compared with the C and T2 groups. A smaller increase in the T2/A group was significant when compared with the T2 group as well (C - 3.05 mmol/l; T2 - 2.85; A - 3.59; T2/A - 3.27). Total and conjugated bilirubin concentrations decreased in group order A - C - T2 - T2/A, when differences among the A, T2 and T2/A groups were significant (T2 - 1.0 mmol/l; 0.36 mmol/l; A - 2.36; 0.85; T2/A - 0.69; 0.21). A glycemia decrease in medicated groups was significant in the T2/A group, while it approached a significant level in the T2 group (C - 10.46 mmol/l; T2 - 9.01; T2/A - 8.91). The main liver condition indicators seemed to be influenced by the T-2 toxin and AFB1 combination more than by individually applied toxins. We assume the amplification of the mycotoxin effects on proteosynthesis. The ALT activity especially was probably influenced more than in the additive manner. All the medicated groups showed a significant increase in the monocyte percent count (T2 - 9.8%; A - 9.62; T2/A - 8.85; C - 6.65). The differences observed in other leucocyte types were not significant. There were no differences in the effects of individual mycotoxins and their combination on the leucogram level.

The expression of a PGIP gene (polygalacturonase inhibitor protein) was monitored with semi-quantitative (SQ)-RT-PCR in green, white and red berries of the strawberry cultivar Korona upon infection with Botrytis cinerea and wounding. In addition, the PGIP expression in infected white berries was quantified in four additional cultivars. The constitutive expression of PGIP increased from green to red berries in Korona suggesting developmental regulation of the gene. Wounding and fungal infection caused a moderate or a high induction in the PGIP level, respectively. The maximum peak was observed 24 h after the treatments. In the comparative experiment with five cultivars, infection of white berries caused an induction in the PGIP level 24 h after inoculation in four out of five cultivars.

Long-term fertilization of meadow stands affects the species composition, yields, and general pratotechnics. Observations were realised on a plane meadow of a mesophyte character in 1976-2000 years. Four variants were observed in the experiments (N0, N0P40K100, N100P40K100, N200P40K100) in four replications. Species composition of grass stands was variable in the followed period in the leaf area from 66 to 95% of the dominance (Table 1). Total abundance of species with PK-fertilization was almost identical in individual pentads (24-28 species) as it is evident in Table 2. Table 3 proves the highest dominance was found at Dactylis glomerata L. in the first five years. Rhizomatous grasses had the highest leaf area with 38-55% of the dominance on variants with the higher N doses (200 kg N/ha) + PK (Table 4). Table 5 demonstrates that the variant without fertilization showed nearly stable abundance of species with the higher than 1% (11-13). Reduction of species number especially with the dominance higher than 1% (5-11) followed at the highest N-fertilization in comparison with the check variant. The mean yield of dry matter was 2.75 t/ha, the stand fertilized by 40 kg P + 100 kg K/ha gave 30.6% increased of yield (Table 7). The highest yields were recording in the second year of the N-fertilization (8.28 and 10.12 t/ha).

Exposure of pig fatteners and dairy cows to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated by analyses of selected indoor and outdoor samples. PAH concentrations (16 U.S. EPA priority PAHs) and data on common exposure routes were used for exposure calculations. The samples under study included water (n = 24), feed (n = 48), indoor air (n = 15), barn dust (n = 17), outdoor air (n = 6) road dust (n = 17), and soil (n = 15) collected in the summer 1999 and in the spring 2000 on 3 pig and 2 dairy cattle farms. The following mean concentrations of 16 PAHs were found: 100 ng/l in water for pigs, 38 ng/l in water for cows, 82 µg/kg in feed mixtures for pigs, 128 µg/kg in feed concentrates for cows, 278 µg/kg in forages for dairy cows, 25 ng/m³ in indoor air of pig houses, 59 ng/m³ in indoor air of cow houses, 676 µg/kg in dust collected in pig houses, 4 475 µg/kg in dust collected in cow houses, 16 ng/m³ in outdoor air of pig houses, 29 ng/m³ in outdoor air of cow houses, 4 711 µg/kg in road dust collected on pig farms, 15 175 µg/kg in road dust collected on cattle farms, 826 µg/kg in soil collected around pig houses, and 1 356 µg/kg in soil collected around cow houses. The total intake of 16 PAHs in the diet of cows and pigs was 14 156 µg and 164 µg PAHs per day, respectively. The exposure of cows to PAHs was 86 times higher than that of pigs. Feed was the major source of PAHs for both species (approximately 99%). Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration was used as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs. The mean total amount of 1-hydroxypyrene excreted per day in porcine (2 l) and bovine (13 l) urine was 14.5 µg and 1 595 µg, respectively, which was 3.2% and 11.9% of pyrene intake.

In 1999, the effect of increasing levels of nitrogen at the initial (13.9 mg.kg^-1) and increased (40 mg.kg^-1) level of watersoluble sulphur (S_wat) was studied in winter rape (cv. Lirajet) grown in pots. A synergetic effect of nitrogen on concentrations of Ca and Mg was demonstrated in the growth stages DC 20-29 and 31-39. Levels of P and K were balanced. In variants with a low content of S_wat in soil to 40 mg.kg^-1 of soil S concentration increased. With the increasing dose of N the content of S decreased from 1.00% to 0.78% and from 0.68% to 0.38% in DC 20-29 and DC 31-39, respectively. An increased level of S in soil changed the ratio N/S. In variants with a natural (i.e. low) content of S in soil, this ratio widened with the increasing dose of N from 8.06 to 25.15 while in variants with an increased level of S in soil it ranged from 3.24 to 5.85 in the growth stage DC 20-29. Increasing doses of N widened the ratio N/P regardless to concentration of S in plants. In individual growth stages the ratio P/S was markedly narrowed by changing contents of S in soil. The highest yields were obtained in the variant with an optimum concentration of all elements in plants and S contents above 0.6% and/or about 0.4% in growth stages DC 20-29 and DC 31-39, respectively. The obtained yields demonstrated a highly significant effect of N and S on seed yields. At a low concentration of sulphur in plants the yield of seed increased only to the dose N₃(i.e. 0.9 g N per pot); thereafter, it gradually decreased. An increased level of S in soil showed a positive effect on seed yields. Higher doses of N widened the ratio straw/seeds from 2.46 to 7.69; at higher levels of S in soil, an opposite trend was observed. In variants with a low content of S the number of branches and pods increased proportionally with increasing doses of N. On the other hand, increased levels of S reduced the number of branches and pods. At a low level of S in soil the total weight of seeds per pod decreased with the increased supply of N from 69.9 mg to 20.4 mg. At increased levels of S the weight of seeds per pod increased from 61.9 mg to 79.8 mg. Results of field experiments in four different localities corroborated a positive effect of S (in interaction with N) on its concentration in plants. The seed yield was significantly increased. In 2000, results from all localities were markedly influenced by climatic conditions; however average results of all experiments showed that S increased seed yields depending on the dose of N by 2.5 and 5.9%. An optimum nutrition of plants with all elements (including S) results in improved utilisation and increased yields.

Classical taxonomic studies of the bamboos are based on floral morphology and growth habit, which can cause problems in identification due to erratic flowering. Identification and genetic relationships in 12 species of bamboo were investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPD) technique. Analysis started by using thirty 10-mer primers that allowed us to distinguish 12 species and to select a reduced set of primers. The selected primers were used for identification and for establishing a profiling system to estimate genetic diversity. A total of one hundred thirty seven distinct polymorphic DNA fragments (bands), ranging from 0.4-3.3 kb were amplified by using 10 selected primers. The genetic similar analysis was conducted based on presence or absence of bands, which revealed a wide range of variability among the species. Cluster analysis clearly showed two major clusters belonging to 12 species of bamboo. Two major clusters were further divided into three minor clusters. The species of Bambusa vulgaris and Bambusa vulgaris var. striata were the most closely related and formed the first minor cluster along with Bambusa ventricosa. The variety of Bambusa multiplex var. Silver stripe and Bambusa multiplex were very closely related and there was no variation with Bambusa ventricosa. Another minor cluster was obtained between Bambusa arundinacea, Cephalostachyum pergracil and Bambusa balcooa. The RAPD technique has the potential for use in species identification and genetic relationships between taxa and species of bamboo for breeding program.

Blood sera samples from 99 clinically healthy goats, 230 sheep and 171 rams were investigated by CF test and indirect ELISA. In case of goats, 3.03% seroprevalence was detected, in sheep it was 3.04%, whereas, in case of rams seroprevalence was 0% by using complement fixation test. Using iELISA in the same groups the seroprevalences observed were, 24.24% in goats, 11.30% in sheep and 5.30% in rams. Indirect ELISA was found to be comparatively more sensitive than CF test in all three groups of animals for detection of IgG antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus. The iELISA used in this study can be used for screening at herd level like CF test, as there is moderate agreement (Kappa - 0.426) between these two tests.

Effectiveness of in vitro production of embryos (IVP) is limited among other factors by the recovery rate of oocytes. Gonadotropin superstimulation can improve the recovery rate of oocytes. The effect of FSH treatment on follicular population and recovery rate of oocytes at ovum pick-up (OPU) in the growing phase of the 1st as well as the 2nd follicular wave after superstimulation was the object of our experiment. Twelve unpregnant milking cows (15-20 kg milk per day) housed on a dairy farm were used in the experiment. The cows bearing corpus luteum were synchronized by PGF₂ (day 0) and they were treated by FSH (Folicotropin inj. sicc. ad us vet., Spofa Prague, Czech Republic, single doses 80, 80, 80, 80, 40 and 40 UI) in 12 h intervals on days 12, 13 and 14. Transvaginal ultrasonographic puncture of oocytes in cows bearing a new corpus luteum was performed on day 7 (OPU 1, various phase of the follicular wave, removal of the dominant follicle) and it was repeated on days 10 (OPU 2, growing phase of the follicular wave - control), 16 (OPU 3, growing phase of the first follicular wave after superstimulation) and 20 (OPU 4, growing phase of the second follicular wave after superstimulation). All follicles > 2 mm were punctured. The ovarian follicles (ultrasonographically) and numbers and qualities of obtained oocytes (microscopically) were evaluated during and immediately after OPU. Follicular population was divided to small (FS, 2-5 mm), medium (FM, 5-9 mm) and large (FL, > 9 mm) follicles. Oocytes were classified as 1st (intact cumulus, > 3 layers of cumulus cells), 2nd (complete 1-3 layers of cumulus cells), 3rd (incomplete layers of cumulus cells, expanded cumulus mass) and 4th (absence of corona cells, degenerated oocytes) classes. Although we found the least of FS (x = 1.0) during OPU 3, significantly more FM (x = 24.7) and FL (x = 3.1) follicles were found at this procedure in comparison with others. Likewise a significantly higher number of oocytes (x = 8.1) was obtained at OPU 3 in comparison with OPU 1 and OPU 2. Significantly higher number of FM (x = 6.1) was found and non-significantly higher number of oocytes was obtained at OPU 4 in comparison with OPU 1 and 2. The results show that administration of FSH increases the number of follicles and the number of collected oocytes in the growing phase of the 1st follicular wave after superstimulation, nevertheless a higher number of follicles and a higher recovery rate of oocytes can be expected in the growing phase of the 2nd follicular wave after superstimulation as well.

We have examined 35 samples of fine cottage cheese, 14 samples of whole winter "bryndza", 29 samples of Ondava cheese, 18 samples of skim kephir milk, 18 samples of whole acidophilous milk, 5 samples of yoghurt milk with strawberry flavour and 50 samples of fresh butter (Rajo) for the presence of staphylococci focusing onStaphylococcus aureus. All samples intended for microbiological analysis were taken directly from market establishments. None of the examined samples of yoghurt milk complied with the Codex Alimentarius because they contained Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the level of 100, 65, 5, 75, and 60 CFU/ml. The other analysed food products satisfied the current standards with regard to the presence of staphylococci.

The antibody responses to toxoids were measured to investigate whether Clostridium perfringens beta and epsilon toxoids induced protective humoral immune responses in buffalos. Total of 24 buffalos were divided into 4 groups (n = 6), beta toxoid, epsilon toxoid, combination and control groups. These buffalo groups were administered each of the designated toxoids. Immunizations in the beta and epsilon toxoid groups induced strong antibody responses. The neutralizing antibody titres from the beta and epsilon toxoid groups were equally log101.2 on day 21 after inoculation whereas there was no antibody titre detected from the control group. A statistically significant (P < 0.01) increase in antibody titre was observed from day 0 to day 14 and 21 after inoculation. The antibody production did not vary significantly due to day of inoculation and toxoid interactions.

Gnotobiotic piglets were orally infected either with the virulent LT2 strain or the non-pathogenic SF1591 rough mutant of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium. They were sacrificed 6 or 24 h after the infection. All piglets infected for 24 h developed systemic infection with an increase of plasma lipopolysaccharide. Infection with the virulent strain caused a significant decrease (P < 0.001) of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity in the enterocyte brush border of both the jejunum and ileum, infection with the rough mutant caused a decrease of GGT activity in the ileum only. The activities of other brush border enzymes (lactase, sucrase, glucoamylase, alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidylpeptidase IV) did not change significantly after infection.

Microcrystalline chitosan at concentrations from 0.025% to 0.2% was evaluated in the control of Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae and Peronospora sparsa. Shrubs were sprayed with chitosan 4 times at weekly intervals. Depending on the concentration used, chitosan reduced development of powdery mildew from 43.5% to 77% and its effectiveness was similar to triforine at concentration 0.03% (standard). Observations of rose leaves under light microscopic, which had been done 24 h after spraying showed, that chitosan caused strong hyphae deformation which almost completely collapse. Cell walls of the pathogen were sunken, corrugated and longitudinally cracked. When applied against P. sparsa effectiveness of the compound at concentration 0.0625% was similar like oxadixil at dose 0.016% (standard) and ranged from 55% to 74%. Efficacy of chitosan decreased with increasing of its concentration.

The paper is briefly outlining the expected changes in the economic and financial pre-conditions for Slovak farming during the period after the country's accession to the EU. The starting point of authors reasoning is the current piece of knowledge, saying that the economic performance of individual farms is widely differentiated and the ability of individual farms to meet the future challenges and to use the opportunities is very unevenly distributed among them. Also the competitiveness if a particular agricultural commodity varies. Despite of expectations concerning the price development after accession, not all commodities will be competitive on the single market. The economic situation of farms will considerably benefit from direct payments. Nevertheless, the fact that the Slovak government opted for the Single Area payment Scheme will have some adverse effects on possible gains from payments in productive regions and in farms with high output performance. In order to mitigate these redistribution effects the author is proposing to implement a different scheme of allocation of national top-up is to direct payments. In the final part of his paper the author gives a comprehensive review on payments aimed to promote rural development and payments from the Guidance section of the EAGGF targeted at enhancement of farm re-structuring.

This article deals with the issue of Slovakia's competitiveness vis-ŕ-vis the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Austria and France in terms of basic variable costs invested into seeds (planting stocks), fertilisers and chemical protective in the period from 2001 to 2003. In addition to these costs, the article also compares total revenues, profit, effect of inputs into production and the variable costs profit margin. This comparative analysis uses data published for 2002. While the data for years 2001 and 2003 for Slovakia and the Czech Republic are actual, those for other countries have been simulated. The basic variable costs per tonne of the produced crop (average figure for 2001 and 2003) in Slovakia are lower, i.e. it is competitive in the production of cereals, sunflower and sugar beet vis-ŕ-vis the observed EU-15 countries, barley, sunflower and sugar beet vis-ŕ-vis the Czech Republic, wheat and barley vis-ŕ-vis Poland and barley vis-ŕ-vis Hungary.

Labile Al forms can be dangerous in acid soils due to their potential toxicity to plants. This paper deals with the distribution of exchangeable, weakly organically bound, and total organically bound Al forms in soils on 98 sites of the Jizera Mountains region. For the extraction of these Al forms, 0.5M KCl (Al_KCl), 0.3M CuCl₂ (Al_CuCl2), and 0.05M Na₄P₂O₇ (Al_Na4P2O7) solutions were used, respectively. Aluminium concentrations in all extracts were determined by means of ICP-OES. Following mean concentrations of Al forms were found in the O and B horizons (mg/kg): Al_KCl - 1236 and 832, Al_CuCl2 - 4268 and 1945, and Al_Na4P2O7 - 5043 and 8420. Basic soil characteristics were determined by commonly used methods. Their influence on Al forms distribution was assessed. Factor analysis showed that the most important soil factors controlling Al forms distribution were soil reaction and the total content of Ca (or Ca and Mg in the B horizon).

Possibilities of herbicide applications to the self-heal (Prunella vulgaris L.) growth were tested in 1997-1998. Experiments showed that the application of pre-emergence herbicides in the Prunella vulgaris L. growth was efficient when 3 l/ha ofherbicide with 500 g/lisoproturon as an active ingredient were used. Herbicide applications had no influence on the emergence rate of direct seeding. Among the post-emergence herbicides it is possible to use glyphosate-IPA in 50% concentration by the wick applicator to Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski. The results of these experiments can be used as a basis for testing the herbicide biological efficacy in the framework of minority indications for cultivated medicinal plants. .

The paper is focused on logistics. The importance of the logistic chain management is emphasized as it becomes a crucial competitive success factor. The total corporate costs and customer service quality are dependent on the structure and communication within this chain. Using a concrete example, several results of the establishment of the logistic approach in the woodworking industry are mentioned in the paper. It has to be emphasized that the application of the logistic principles in the industry has its own specificities arising mainly from the biological character of processes providing and manufacturing the basis resource. A solution of the supply - purchase chain is provided on the basis of an example of the company Dřevovýroba.

XII. World Forestry Congress have been held in Quebec, Canada from September 21 to 28, 2003. Forestry issues were discussed on three basic areas: Forests for People, Forests for the Planet, People and Forests in Harmony. The Czech Republic was represented by 9 contributions.

The paper provides some of the interim results of the Fifth Framework PRISMA project dealing with the of impact ICT on government and citizen services in Europe. The analysis and the concept description of long-term strategies for eGovernment and a long-term vision over 10 years for eGovernment are described. Activities performed by the government are analysed from the demand ("front office") and supply ("back office") point of view. Recommendations for long-term strategic decisions are based on three scenarios of the future European development till 2010: (1) "Prosperous and just Europe", (2) "Turbulent world", (3) "Recession and reorientation".

Transformation of Czech agriculture led to significant changes, which were mirrored in the crystallisation of rather large territorial differences. Clear regional disproportions are a fundamental problem for the state as a whole, therefore, it is important to provide aid for the regions that lag behind in economic development by introducing sensible regional policies. This situation is still more complicated in agriculture, as this transformation to free market economy results in the unequal regional development in relation to natural environment, regional traditions and the level of rural settlement in addition to the phenomena such as price liberalisation and the flow of goods, capital and population, among other. At the moment, the principal aims of regional agricultural policies are the preservation of regional productivity, the settlement of problematic and endangered regions and the support of a balanced regional development. The primary goal of this article is to indicate some of the largest regional differentiations in the agriculture of the Czech Republic. The purpose is to give an increased consideration to the restructuring of agricultural production, the environment and the social and general economic milieu in which it is located

The paper tackles the issue of regional and social development. From a sociological point of view, it focuses on the phenomenon of complementary currency systems. The analysis shows that money, as a social institution, has got certain features, which have an impact on economic behavior of people. Establishing a currency on the local level, which would circulate as a complement of the national currency, brings certain social benefits to local society. Nowadays, there are many complementary currency systems all over the world, including Europe. The paper attempts to answer the question, how they can contribute to the local development.

The presence and distribution of PPV-M strain of Plum pox virus were investigated in selected orchards of apricots and peaches in the Czech Republic. PPV-M was found to be distributed in apricot and peach orchards planted with nursery material imported from abroad. The presence of PPV-M was not proved in orchards planted with trees from local nurseries. The absence of PPV-M in a majority of spontaneous PPV hosts was proved previously. PPV-M strain appears to have been introduced recently.

The fulfilment of the subject of the Act No. 76/2002 Dig. on integrated prevention reduces energy consumption and increases hygienic safety of a thermal treatment of animal tissues at veterinary decontamination institutes. By making use of a back supply of heated rendering-plant fat to the continuous disc drier KDS 250 the so-called fritting effect is induced speeding up the evaporation of residual water and reducing the redrying time of the meat and bone paste. An analysis proved a reduced consumption of specific energy, whereby the demand for the best available technique (BAT) is met.

In changing growth conditions, methodical procedures should concentrate on the investigation of processes currently under way in forests. Many studies have shown that present models of forest growth parameters differ from previous surveys as far as for instance the height is concerned. Causes of these phenomena have not been satisfactorily explained although various hypotheses are investigated. In our study, we present partial results of the investigation of height growth within a sixty-five-year period, based on the analysis of data obtained from seven forest management plans in the management-plan area of Kostelec nad Černými lesy (Kostelec n. Č. l.) and continuous measurements on pilot research plots in the period of 1965-1994. The comparison of mean height growth curves obtained by the curve fitting of the values of empirical data signifies by their different course and increasing kurtosis a dependence on the calendar year when the measure was taken. It signifies an increasing height growth trend of both species in the given area.

This contribution describes eight variants of the distribution of the direct payments and their impact on the farm economies in the years 2004-2006. For this purpose, selective set of 152 farms was divided in accordance with production regions: maize-growing, beet-growing, potato-growing, potato and oats-growing and uplands1. Possible demands for standard direct payments depending on the farm situation in 2002 and demands for payments set by different variants of the simplified system of direct payment distribution were figured to each of observed farms. To be comparable, individual bonuses were converted per 1 hectare of the farmland and to be considered more objectively, the eventual subsidies in terms of HRDP were calculated to the farms. In conclusion, all mentioned variants were compared from the point of view of their impact on the farm economies in different production and climatic regions.

Despite the significant decrease of unemployment in Slovak Republic during the year 2003, the problem of high unemployment is still very relevant. In the previous period, various measures of active labour policy have been applied, and their efficiency was approved or disproved only by their realisation. In order to achieve the highest possible efficiency of the spent financial means, it is desirable that every prepared measure is assessed from different aspects by specialists, independent experts as well as by subjects that are to participate in the particular measure. This contribution represents ex ante evaluation analysis. Its objective is to assess the newly proposed measure in the field of active labour policy. The proposal of the measure was elaborated by Dr. Stanislav Buchta, CSc. and was published in the scientific contribution "Possible solutions of unemployment of workers in agriculture and construction industry" in Agricultural Economics 7/2003.The evaluation ex ante analysis was realised as a part of the bilateral project MATRA "System of regular monitoring, analysis and evaluation of employment policy", which was carried out in 2001-2003 in partnership with the National Labour Office and the Socio-economic Research Institute at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. The analysis has focused on several groups of assessment perspectives such as problems of analysis, the participation of employers and employees in the proposed system of "maintaining wage", implementation aspects, comparison of proposed measure with the measures already realised, submission of alternative solution and evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of the measure.

Goal of the paper is to identify opportunities and threats following from the European integration process and influencing the agribusiness entities in the accession country - Slovak Republic. These topics have begun one of the current themes connected with the approaching date of the Slovak Republic accession to the European Union. It is related to the fact, that agrarian but mostly food processing markets have their own specificities, appearing with their typical high sensitivity to the outside environment influence and strong enterprise motivation to competition. In the paper, there are also outlined tasks for business management to analyze external environment, to identify the decisive strengths and weaknesses, to overcome difficulties to adopt European standards and to use opportunities in a wider market place.

The Hymenoptera (Aculeata) fauna was studied in birch stands (Betula pendula Roth) of colder areas of Northern Bohemia using the method of Moericke's yellow traps. Altogether 159 species were trapped; the most important were Andrena lappona, Vespula vulgaris, Halictus sp., Trypoxylon minus and Vespula rufa. Only 12.7% of the species are widely spread in this ecosystem type. In 1990-1994 and in 1995-1999 we compared the abundance of the fauna and discovered that many species of the families Apidae and Sphecidae receded from the birch stands due to changing site conditions (light, weed infestation).