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The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laying hybrid lines of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. domestica) and their age on ejaculate parameters in roosters. Parameters assessed included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), percentage of normal spermatozoa, and sperm motility. Additionally, morphological defects were observed: defects of the acrosome, head, neck, tail, and immature spermatozoa. The study included 120 roosters of the Barred Plymouth Rock, Sussex Light, Rhode Island Red, and Rhode Island White laying lines. Ejaculate was repeatedly evaluated at the ages of 34, 43, and 52 weeks. The average ejaculate volume was 0.52 ml, sperm concentration 2.53 × 10⁹ cm^–3, motility 81.1%, and defect occurrence rates were as follows: acrosome defects 0.7%, head defects 3.0%, neck defects 2.4%, and tail defects 2.9%. A statistically significant effect (P < 0.01) of the line was observed for all parameters except tail defects. Statistically significant differences between age categories were confirmed for volume, sperm concentration, TSC, immature spermatozoa, and normal spermatozoa (P < 0.01), as well as for ejaculate volume, neck, and tail defects (P < 0.05). The volume, concentration and TSC reached significantly higher values at 43 weeks of age. The incidence of normal spermatozoa and immature spermatozoa was significantly lower at 34 weeks of age. The interaction of age and line was significant (P < 0.01) for sperm concentration, TSC, motility, head, tail, and normal spermatozoa. The highest values of volume, concentration, and TSC were observed in the BPR line, which also exhibited the lowest occurrence of head defects and immature spermatozoa. The RIR line showed a higher occurrence of sperm defects. Younger roosters (34 and 43 weeks of age) had higher ejaculate parameter values and a higher occurrence of sperm defects compared to the older ones.

Sheep production represents an important source of income for farmers in Türkiye; however, reproductive inefficiencies during the anoestrus period pose a major challenge to productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable trace minerals (copper, selenium, manganese, and zinc) on the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes synchronised during the anoestrous period. A total of 200 clinically healthy ewes were randomly allocated to two groups: the trace mineral group (TRACE, n = 100), which received 2 ml of a trace mineral solution 14 days before oestrus synchronisation, and the control group (CON, n = 100), which received 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl. Oestrus was synchronised using intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for 12 days, followed by administration of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin at sponge removal. Ewes were hand-mated for five days following synchronisation. Variables assessed included serum trace mineral concentrations, response to synchronisation, and reproductive outcomes (oestrus rate, pregnancy rate, lambing rate, incidence of multiple births, and dystocia). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between groups in serum concentrations of copper, zinc, or manganese. Although the duration of oestrus was significantly longer in the TRACE group compared to control (29.66 ± 0.96 h vs 26.09 ± 0.89 h; P = 0.006), all other reproductive indicators were similar between groups. These findings suggest that a single pre-synchronisation injection of trace minerals does not significantly improve the reproductive performance or mineral status in anoestrous Awassi ewes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing and dosing strategies for supplementing trace minerals in sheep.

Taking China as an example in this study, we aim to reveal the enabling effects of agricultural science and technology advancement on the progress of rural industrial incorporation at a relatively more refined level. The main innovation in this study lies in the decomposition of agricultural science and technology advancement, followed by an analysis of its effect on rural industrial incorporation along both linear and non-linear dimensions. The study results show that, along the linear dimension, agricultural science and technology advancement, agricultural knowledge advancement and agricultural technology advancement play significant driving roles in the progress of rural industrial incorporation. However, although the estimated coefficient of the integration of agricultural knowledge advancement and technology advancement is positive, it is not statistically significant. Along the non-linear dimension, agricultural science and technology advancement, agricultural knowledge advancement and agricultural technology advancement all exhibit significantly positive effects across different intervals. However, although the integration of agricultural knowledge advancement and technology advancement also shows a positive effect, its significance appears only in the second interval, indicating that the effect of this variable in promoting rural industrial incorporation can be realised only under certain conditions

A root detector is a non-destructive technology developed to indicate the radial distribution of tree roots, which are not often visible on the surface. This study aims to assess the accuracy of the root detector in estimating the radial distribution of both exposed and buried tree roots. Six Agathis loranthifolia Salisb. trees were selected, three with exposed roots and three with buried roots. The Fakopp® root detector, an acoustic-based tool, was used in this study. Root estimation was based on a combination of threshold values (> 400 m·s^–1), average values, and the peak of the sound wave velocity. Soil excavation was manually conducted at a depth of 30 cm within a 100 cm radius of the tree trunk. The results showed that under similar soil conditions, the root detector achieved an accuracy of over 80% in detecting the actual radial root distribution, as validated by the excavation method. Root diameter exhibited the strongest correlation with sound velocity in detecting lateral roots. However, root depth and inclination angle contributed to detection inaccuracies in estimating the radial distribution of lateral roots.

Agricultural methane emissions strongly contribute to global greenhouse gas production. Under these circumstances, meeting international climate goals, including the Global Methane Pledge or the European Green Deal, requires developing targeted mitigation strategies. However, research using advanced clustering techniques in a multilevel context remains scarce and mostly limited to CO₂ emissions. This lack of time-series studies addressing regional variability hinders efforts to develop effective mitigation strategies. This study addresses three main research questions: (i) What are the main trends in agricultural methane emissions in the EU-27 countries from 2013 to 2022? (ii) How can the EU countries be classified based on agricultural methane emissions per capita? (iii) What is the impact of selected agricultural and economic indicators, including the number of live bovine animals and land use, on the clustering of methane emissions? Combining hierarchical and k-means clustering with trend analysis, this research integrates data from Eurostat and the World Bank, thereby classifying the EU-27 countries into four clusters based on their agricultural practices and methane emissions profiles. The results highlight distinct emission patterns across the EU-27 regions, with farming systems characterised by high stocking rates and intensive production generating the highest per capita emissions. By contrast, extensive systems with lower animal density exhibit reduced methane intensities. These findings underscore the need to devise effective, region-specific, data-driven policies and strategies for mitigating methane emissions.

Enrichment of yoghurt with probiotic bacterial strains and prebiotic plant substrates has gained increasing interest among both consumers and food manufacturers. In this study, limited growth and fermentation activity of the commercial probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v were observed when cultured in ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk. Electron microscopy revealed the strain's ability to adhere to the surface of prebiotically active plant particles, specifically quinoa, lucuma, and baobab powders. Supplementation of these plant substrates at a concentration of 1% (w/v) slightly enhanced the growth of L. plantarum 299v in UHT milk and improved its viability over a 28-day storage period at 5 ± 1 °C. Co-cultivation of L. plantarum 299v with the yoghurt starter culture YC-381 (in a 1 : 0.5 ratio), along with the addition of 1% (w/v) of lucuma, quinoa, or baobab powders to UHT milk, was successfully achieved. These substrates positively influenced the stability of L. plantarum 299v during the 28-day storage and in the case of quinoa of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus during 21-day storage at 5 ± 1 °C. Moreover, the addition of 1% (w/v) plant powders slightly stimulated the production of lactic and acetic acids in yoghurt containing L. plantarum 299v.

The darkness of the kernel and the lack of simultaneous ripening of the mesocarp and endocarp are among the most significant challenges in Iranian walnut orchards. The mentioned problems appear more in areas with hot and humid summers. The research focused on the quality of the kernel in terms of colour and marketability, as well as the dry matter of the kernels. Additionally, the ease of mesocarp separation from endocarp was examined. Experimental trials were designed with 27 treatment combinations to address the mentioned issues using varying concentrations of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) at different harvest dates. In this study, using 1 920 ppm of ethephon on August 22nd resulted in the best quality walnut kernels and mesocarp. Researchers in this project successfully achieved the highest quality of walnut kernels and nuts in a region where over 90% of the harvest consisted of dark-kernel walnuts.

A free electricity tandem-twin-hybrid-solar-biomass dryer comprised of two drying rooms and operated with solar and biomass energy combustion of 10 kg rubber wood per hour separately to dry Robusta coffee cherries with 3, 6, 9, and 12 cm bed thicknesses were studied with the drying completion time (tc), number of defects (ND), and colour parameters, i.e., lightness (L*), hue angle [H(^o)], and chroma (C), used as the performance indicators. The experimental results indicated that the drying room, bed thickness, and drying room-bed thickness interaction significantly affected the tc and ND and bed thickness only significantly affected C for both the solar energy drying and the biomass energy drying. The solar energy drying generated a drying air temperature of 44.6 ± 3.5 °C with a tc of 70.9–90.2 h for the front drying room and 40.1 ± 2.8 °C with a tc of 77.2–116.5 h for the rear drying room, whereas the biomass energy drying produced a drying air temperature of 57.2 ± 3.6 °C with a tc of 34.1–44.9 h for the front drying room and 45.6 ± 6.0 °C with a tc of 56.3–96.6 h for the rear drying room. Both drying processes produced coffee beans with the NDs less than 11 qualified for Grade 1 with similar colour characteristics.

Strip tillage is a very popular form of conservation tillage that is used in places with a higher risk of soil erosion. It is commonly accepted that strip tillage reduces the effects of water erosion; however, the exact way this effect is produced is very hard to quantify. This study focuses on the way strip tillage influences soil moisture and the way it changes with different intensities of rainfall, in comparison with conventional tillage. This study was conducted near Petrovice, Středočeský kraj, Czechia, over the course of four years (2021–2024). The conditions of all four test sites were comparable, both in terms of slope and soil type present. The soil moisture of strip tillage in a depth of 15 cm was changing differently in comparison with conventional tillage. During lower intensity rainfall events, the soil moisture of the strip tilled plot changed significantly less in comparison with conventional tillage. On the contrary, when more intense precipitation occurred, the soil moisture in the strip-tilled plot responded with significantly higher changes in comparison with conventional tillage. Soil drying after precipitation was also studied, with the speed of drying of strip tillage being higher than that of conventional tillage. These findings help better understand the changes strip tillage introduces into the soil and to the crops it is used with.

This study investigated the effects of slaughter weight and breed on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and technological properties in purebred Balkan and F1 crossbred (Balkan × Saanen) male goats. A total of 48 animals, divided into four slaughter weight groups (10, 15, 18, and 22 kg), were analysed for carcass composition, muscle traits, and fat distribution. ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed significant effects of weight and breed on key carcass and meat quality parameters. Heavier animals exhibited higher intramuscular fat and primal cut yields with superior water-holding capacity (WHC), while lighter goats had leaner carcasses with less muscle pigment. Crossbred F1 goats demonstrated a more balanced muscle-to-fat ratio, whereas pure Balkan goats tended to accumulate fat more rapidly at higher weights. These findings indicate that optimal slaughter weight selection should align with market demands, such as producing leaner meat in lighter Balkan goats, or achieving increased marbling and better economic returns in heavier crossbred animals. Future research should explore genetic effects on muscle and fat deposition and assess consumer preferences to refine breeding and production strategies.

Pulmonary fibrosis is not only a consequence of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, but is increasingly recognised by both human and veterinary healthcare providers. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive condition that leads to a decline in respiratory function and even death. In this work, we compared MSC-derived exosomes with conventional anti-inflammatory drug treatments. Exosomes from stimulated MSCs displayed higher miRNA concentrations (in particular, miRNA-30b was significantly increased). A set of rats with induced lung fibrosis were divided into four groups: NC (control – no treatment), A2 (exosome infusion), A3 (exosome infusion combined with ultrasound stimulation), and F1 (tamoxifen/metformin drug treatment). The rats’ lungs were subjected to histological analysis; the fibrosis scores for groups F1 and A3 were very similar and decreased significantly compared with group NC. Ultrasound-facilitated diffusion of exosomes from the capillaries into the lung tissue could represent an innovative therapeutic approach for slowing fibrosis and prolonging the active life of the organism.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most widespread and economically important coniferous species in the Northern Hemisphere. However, its regeneration success has recently been increasingly affected by global climate change (GCC), particularly through increasing mortality. This research aimed to evaluate the early establishment success of 30 400 bare-root and containerised Scots pine seedlings and saplings of different height classes, planted at various times on acidic and gleyed sites (479–610 m a.s.l.) across four locations in the Czech Republic. On acidic sites, seedlings exhibited 16% higher height growth and 11% lower mortality compared to gleyed sites. Containerised planting stock achieved significantly (P < 0.05) greater height growth (by 83%) and lower mortality (by 36%) than bare-root stock. For containerised material, spring plantings showed superior growth and vitality compared to autumn plantings. Planting stock height class had a stronger influence on height growth than on mortality. Based on the results, planting containerised saplings of 26–35 cm or 36–50 cm height in April is recommended for optimal establishment success of Scots pine under GCC.

Corrigendum in: Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2024 May 31;69(5):209. doi: 10.17221/83/2024-CJAS

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective impacts of green tea extract (GT) against cypermethrin-induced (CYP) neurotoxicity parameters such as acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress, immune response, histopathology, apoptosis, and DNA damage in the brain tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The trial was divided into four groups (group 1, 2, 3 and 4). Group 1 was the control, while group 2 was treated with 0.1 mg/l of CYP, group 3 was treated with 0.1 mg/l of CYP + 100 mg/l of GT and group 4 was treated with 0.1 mg/l of CYP + 200 mg/l of GT for 14 days. While the level of malondialdehyde increased, the exposure to CYP in group 2 resulted in a reduction in acetylcholinesterase, lysozyme, total immunoglobulin, white blood cell, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels in the brain tissues, as compared to group 1. Furthermore, CYP exposure in group 2 resulted in severe hyperaemia in meningeal and parenchymal vessels, accompanied by significant degeneration and necrosis. In addition, neurons in group 2 exhibited pronounced cytoplasmic expressions of 8-OHdG and caspase-3. On the contrary, both doses of 100 mg/l and 200 mg/l of GT demonstrated remarkable neuroprotective impacts against CYP toxicity across all parameters as mentioned above. In summary, this study conclusively showed that the administration of 200 mg dose of GT yielded more pronounced neuroprotective impacts, surpassing the impacts observed with the 100 mg dose of GT. The higher dosage effectively reduced CYP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and DNA damage, while exhibiting an enhanced immune response.

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of transitional lumbosacral and sacrocaudal vertebrae in domestic mammals, to realise a comparative analysis of the localisation and conformation of this abnormal condition. The research included the following species: cattle – 29 specimens, sheep – 32 specimens, horse – 31 specimens, pig – 26 specimens, rabbit – 33 specimens, dog – 89 specimens and cat – 57 specimens. The spine of the animals was analysed post-mortem or radiologically. The investigations revealed the presence of transitional vertebrae as follows: in cattle – 3 cases (8.7%), all being about the lumbarisation of the first sacral vertebra (S1); in sheep – 3 cases (9.37%), two lumbarisation cases of S1 and one caudalisation of S4 (the last sacral vertebra); in horses – 4 cases (12.9%), all about the sacralisation of Cd1 (first caudal vertebra); in pigs – 3 cases (11.53%), two lumbarisation cases of S1 and one sacralisation of Cd1; in rabbits – 3 cases (9.09%), a lumbar supernumerary vertebra (L8) and two cases of caudalisation of S4; in dogs – 4 cases (4.49%), a lumbar supernumerary vertebra (L8) and 3 cases of sacralisation of the last lumbar vertebra (L7 or L8); in cats – 3 cases (5.26%), two sacralisation cases of the last lumbar vertebra and one case of caudalisation of the last sacral vertebra (S3). A strong lumbarisation process was observed in ruminants (especially in cattle), then in pigs, the sacralisation being prevalent in carnivores. The sacrocaudal transitional vertebra was predominant in horses. No evident influence of the sex and age of the animals was observed.

The paper deals with a new method of innovative assessment of the supported effects and ecosystem services of forests using the actual amount of their increased costs. Among the most important research findings and significance of the new method is that it contributes to the body of knowledge on valuation and payment for ecosystem services. The focus of the research task is to help address the current difficult economic situation of forest owners resulting from the impacts of climate change. The study aims to determine what work quantifies the amount of compensation for the provision of supported ecosystem services that is sufficient for owners by using hypothesis testing. The evaluation of the supported effects was carried out in a case study in the area of the Chrudim-Podhůra Recreational Forests in the Czech Republic. The results of the evaluation were quantified in two experimental spreadsheets of the results, a comparative analysis of the evaluation results was performed, and hypothesis testing was conducted. The innovative methodological approach to the assessment of supported effects can be easily modified and used to assess the actual amount of increased costs of other ecosystem services of the forest.

The global demand for high-quality, nutritious food is increasing, and mushrooms have gained popularity as a healthy dietary option; mushroom consumption is increasing in Pakistan owing to their rich nutritional profile, phytochemicals presence and antioxidant capacity. This study was carried out to determine comprehensive nutritional analysis, antioxidant parameters, amino acids, and fatty acid composition of commonly grown mushroom varieties oysters (Pleurotus ostreatus) and white buttons (Agaricus bisporus) in Pakistan. The study results indicated mushrooms are perishable, high in protein and fibre content, along with a low caloric value. Also, they are rich in essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus, iron, and water-soluble vitamins. In addition, both mushrooms demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with oyster mushrooms having a higher potential. Additionally, profiling of fatty acids and amino acids showed mushrooms having low caloric value and powerful nutrition composition that makes them suitable for developing healthy dietary choices for better human health.

Increasing the proportion of broadleaved trees in stands during regeneration raises questions about how these trees will be reflected in the economics of forest owners and whether these owners can influence certain economic aspects during stand management. In this respect, the paper focuses mainly on the revenue side of forestry and, crucially, analyses the selling prices of assortments of tree species groups as offered in public tenders of state forests under the outsourcing business model. The price level of spruce is used as a benchmark for comparisons in the analyses. It is clear that the cultivation of species-diverse forests entails an increase in the representation of a higher number of tree species and, presumably, increased stand stability. However, a concomitant consequence may be an increase in costs and a reduction in returns for forest owners. Here, the revenue from timber sales can be improved by appropriate adjustment of the species composition through educational interventions. All this is in the context of the economic viability of forestry, as declared in a number of strategic and forest policy documents, which essentially depends on the timber production function of forestry and the subsequent processing of timber.

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the more pro-environmental attitudes of farmers influence the technical efficiency of agricultural sectors in EU regions (NUTS-2). To answer this, I employed data envelopment analysis (DEA) for efficiency analysis combined with the double bootstrapped truncated regression to investigate the relationship between environmental attitudes and technical efficiency. I found that this relationship is positive, i.e. pro-environmental attitudes were related to greater efficiency. An increase in the environmental attitude variable by one standard deviation led to an improvement in efficiency of 2.8–6 p.p. The higher share of farmers with formal training also proved to be a positive and significant determinant of efficiency. The share of arable land on which conventional tillage was used, and soil erosion proved to be significant but negative determinants of efficiency. Policymakers should present to farmers the environmental benefits of agricultural policy but should also highlight that greater environmental awareness translates into a more efficient operation.

This work presents the advantages and risks of selected soil quality criteria using data from the monitoring of agricultural soils in the Czech Republic. Soil samples were taken from 71 sites covering various soil types. Basic soil parameters and mid-infrared spectra were measured. Indicators describing the quality of soil organic matter (SOM), and soil were calculated. The results show that soil types differ significantly in the qualitative indicators of soil organic matter. More acidic soils with lower clay content contain lower proportions of aromatic and higher proportions of aliphatic organic compounds than neutral soils with higher clay particles content. These soils differ little in total carbon content and C/N ratio but considerably in C/clay ratio. Cambisols are the least degraded soils in the Czech Republic in terms of C/clay ratio, which is controversial in many respects. The results indicate that more aliphatic organic matter is important for the SOM content in the upper part of the agricultural soil, and more aromatic organic matter is mainly bound to the clay fraction. The results raise questions about the suitability of uniform C/clay target values proposed in European legislation as a criterion for assessing soil degradation due to carbon loss.

The development of intelligent systems for the tracking of free-range livestock is a challenge to both information and communication technology (ICT) scientists and those in the animal sciences. Cyber-physical systems make it possible to track and control processes involving intelligent objects from the physical and virtual worlds. In the case of free-range grazing, it is necessary to manage processes in two domains ‒ that of the intelligent pasture management and that of the animals. Due to the differences in the conditions of different types of pastures – plain or high land and the characteristics of the cattle breeds, ready-made models cannot be used, but it is necessary to build a specific multi-aspect model for the behaviour and life cycle of cows. Our team organised their research on cows from two different breeds (Rhodope Shorthorn Cattle and Bulgarian Rhodope Cattle) raised in similar technologies, grazed on two different types of pasture. The aim of the study is to develop a comprehensive model for determining cattle behavioural activities on pastures using sensor groups, by incorporating physical observations and appropriate statistical models.

Standard roses are a widely used ornamental plant in urban landscapes, valued for their attractive flowers and adaptability to various environmental conditions. This study investigated how different substrate types affect the growth and development of standard roses and their potential to improve the ecology of urban landscapes. Nine substrate conditions (rotted corn stover, decomposed shiitake mushroom residue, perlite, and combinations) were compared with field soil as a control treatment. The physical and chemical characteristics of each substrate were analysed, and the growth and development of standard rose plants were observed over six months. The results indicated that the substrate T4 (70% rotted corn stover, 15% decomposed shiitake mushroom residue, 15% perlite) achieved the highest evaluation index, leading to superior plant growth compared to other substrates. This combination provided optimal water retention, aeration, and nutrient supply, making it the most effective substrate for cultivating standard roses. Additionally, the use of these substrates can improve soil quality and reduce environmental pollution, offering a sustainable option for urban landscape management.

This research evaluated the suitability of commercially available larval feeds, Otohime B2 (OB2), Aller Infa (AI), and Aqua Start (AS), and one Experimental Feed (EF), for the weaning of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), LMB. Feeds were presented with various ω-3 fatty acid levels/bioavailability (high in OB2 and AI), fat percentage (high in OB2 and AS), free amino acid and short peptide (FAA + SP) levels (high in OB2), and various soluble protein (SPR) levels (high in AS and EF). Fish were co-fed Artemia plus OB2 from the 19^th to 22^nd day post-hatching (DPH), then Artemia in addition to one of the four above diets for seven days, with complete Artemia removal on the 30^th DPH. Fish were sampled on the 32^nd DPH. Morphometry, digestive enzyme activities, hormonal status, skeleton, muscle development, and potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. levels were estimated. Survival was high (96% or more) in all the weaning regimes. Weaning to OB2 was linked to a fast fish growth rate (14.29%/day), while both OB2 and AI supported the skeleton development. Weight gain correlated with total fat, ash levels, free amino acids, and short peptide levels in the diet. Larvae weaned to soluble protein-rich AS and EF showed the lowest fish weight gain and skeleton development, and lower growth of potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. This research suggests that the weaning diets for largemouth bass should have a balanced protein content and quality while allowing for the inclusion of fewer marine ingredients.

Global climate change (GCC) is putting increasing pressure on forest ecosystems, leading to more frequent disturbances such as pest outbreaks and other climate-related stressors, all of which threaten forest stability. This study examines how different technical water retention measures (infiltration pits) can enhance the resilience of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to these climatic challenges, focusing on their impact on radial growth, sap flow, and acclimatisation to moisture conditions at two sites in Czechia (430–440 m a.s.l.). Three treatments were compared: a water infiltration pit under a culvert mouth, an infiltration pit without a culvert and a control plot without a technical solution. Results showed that maximum daily transpiration rates of beech ranged between 90–120 L per day. Air temperature had a stronger influence on beech radial growth than precipitation, particularly at the waterlogged sites. The lowest radial growth occurred in the treatment involving a water infiltration pit under a culvert mouth, while treatments with an infiltration pit without a culvert demonstrated notable seasonal stem shrinkage and swelling (tree water deficit – TWD), especially in early spring. On the other hand, no differences were found between the three treatments including the control variant in the maximum growth or the context of minimum TWD. In conclusion, these technical measures had limited or short-term effects on the growth and physiological processes of European beech. Despite the high costs of implementation, sap flow and dendrochronological measurements do not support the construction of infiltration pits as a means of improving water retention in forest ecosystems.

The aim of the research was to demonstrate the possibility of using hydrogen peroxide with silver (H₂O₂-Ag+) and selected fungicides for treating narcissus bulbs and their impact on plant growth and development. In the experiments were used compounds such as hydrogen peroxide with silver (H₂O₂-Ag+) and captan (Biszop 80 WG), pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Signum 33 WG) and methyl thiophanate + tetraconazole (Yamato 303 SE) to soak narcissus bulbs before planting for the period of 20 minutes. The research showed that stimulation of growth and development by some of the tested concentrations of H₂O₂-Ag+ used to treat bulbs was shown with regard to plant height, leaf length, fresh flower weight, dry flower weight, the number of days from taking plants out of cold storage to flowering, the weight of fresh above-ground parts without flowers, the weight of dry above-ground parts without flowers, the diameter of the flowers, the height of the flowers, petals length, the width of the petals and the length of the corolla. In turn, the tested fungicides stimulated the length of leaves, the fresh weight of plants without flowers, and Signum 33 WG and Biszop 80 WG also the dry weight of flowers. No phytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide with silver and tested fungicides was found for narcissus.

Organic farming is a topic often discussed in the scientific community and public space. The current European policy strongly supports the enhancement of organic farming concerning the environment, sustainability, and social aspects. It is generally assumed that a lower intensity of production, yields, livestock utility, fertilisation, and total costs should be compensated by premium prices, subsidies, or higher economic performance. Research revealed that achieving premium prices for organic products on the market is not obvious for organic farmers as some organic commodities have been sold on the conventional market. Our study focused on the price difference reached by the sample of farms on the organic and conventional markets for two organic commodities (winter wheat and milk) and the farm's economic results. We combined and compared data from two unique databases on organic farming in the Czech Republic. We used the statistical methods of ANOVA and regression for analysis. We found the difference between evaluated market prices. Price variability is wide in both types of organic and conventional markets but the influence of the prices on farm performance was not significant.

This paper reports the feasibility of cold atmospheric microwave plasma (CAMP) therapy for birds with open wounds. Four domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) with open wounds of varying severity were treated with CAMP as an adjunct to conventional therapy. Wound healing was assessed using a modified scoring system during each treatment session, and the extent of healing was calculated as a percentage. The results revealed variability in wound improvement across cases, influenced by the initial severity of the wounds. In some cases, the outcomes were limited due to underlying conditions that overrode the recovery process, suggesting that the extent of healing may depend more on the initial wound condition than the treatment itself. Nevertheless, other cases showed positive results in healing and recovery under CAMP therapy, highlighting its potential benefits. No adverse reactions or complications were encountered, supporting its safety for avian wound management. These findings suggest that although CAMP can potentially promote wound healing, further studies will be needed to establish standardised treatment protocols.

Carpomyia vesuviana Costa, a fruit fly species, is a major pest affecting the jujube (Ber). This monophagous insect pest causes significant economic losses in regions where the jujube is cultivated. Hence, the present study was conducted to provide a detailed morphometric and molecular analysis of C. vesuviana across various Indian regions, specifically Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Morphometric measurements were conducted for various developmental stages, from the egg to adult. The overall mean length and width of the egg were 0.61 mm and 0.18 mm, respectively, and the fully grown maggot measured 6.19 mm (length) and 1.91 mm (width). The length and width of the prepupa and pupa were 7.67 mm and 1.64 mm, and 4.00 mm and 1.72 mm, respectively. The overall mean length of the female whole body and wing expanse measured 4.74 mm and 3.92 mm, respectively. The overall mean male whole body length and wing expanse were 4.19 mm and 3.56 mm, respectively. The results of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the maggot's length at different stages, pupa length, and egg width were the main contributors to the variability, particularly in the samples from Rajasthan. Additionally, the adult female fly's morphometric traits, such as the wing and thorax measurements, showed regional variations, with the PCA highlighting Punjab's alignment with larger head and abdomen traits. The molecular analysis based on PCR and sequencing of the COXI–COXII region confirmed the species identity. The nucleotide sequence of C. vesuviana from Tamil Nadu and Punjab was deposited in GenBank as PQ198003.1 and PQ198005.1 which had nearly 99% genetic similarity with two sequences NC_071721.1 (Beijing, China) and MT121231.1 (Beijing, China) submitted in the NCBI database. A phylogenetic analysis further demonstrated that the Tamil Nadu and Punjab populations were closely related to an Iranian sample, while samples from other countries, such as the C. schineri.

The meat industry is actively trying to replace synthetic antioxidants with natural counterparts. Sea buckthorn is an excellent source of polyphenols and its high antioxidant properties. Various authors tested the antioxidation effect of sea buckthorn on lipids in meat products. The problem of sea buckthorn addition to food is its effect on sensory parameters. Our study incorporated sea buckthorn extract into pork sausage, stored for 21 days, and observed sensory properties and their changes. We mechanically measured the pH, colour, and textural properties of pork sausage samples with minimal variability observed. Also, sensory analysis by informed panellists was conducted on multiple storage days. Sensory evaluation revealed significant deterioration of sensory quality. Sea buckthorn remains an interesting option for the meat industry. However, further multidisciplinary research is still needed.

‘Cerason’ is an interspecific cultivar of grapevine that has been bred and selected in the Czech Republic (2008). The cultivar is a result of crossing the cultivars ‘Merlan’ and ‘Fratava’ and shows very promising potential within the framework of a fungus-resistant (PIWI) cultivar, making it particularly suitable for organic wine-making. This paper presents the results of an experiment performed with seven selected rootstock cultivars (viz. ‘Kober 125AA’, ‘Amos’, ‘Börner’, ‘Crâciunel 2’, ‘Kober 5BB’, ‘K1SO4’ and ‘Teleki 5C’) and some data about the effects of these rootstocks on the quantitative variables of the cultivar ‘Cerason’. The aim of this study was to choose and specify the rootstock cultivars that would be the most suitable for a given locality. The following traits were monitored and recorded: plant vitality, the yielding capacity of the individual plants, and the number and weight of clusters per vine. The weight of 100 berries was also an important variable. The rootstock cultivars ‘Kober 125AA’ and ‘Kober 5BB’ were evaluated as the best for optimal growth and fertility (especially a higher fertility index, pruning weight and weight of clusters). The experimental results indicated that the cultivar ‘Crâciunel 2’ could also be a suitable rootstock. The ‘Kober 125AA’ rootstock also showed the most optimal Ravaz index, with an average of 5.9 over the three-year observation period.

Tree volume is a characteristic used in many cases, such as determining fertility, habitat quality, growth size, allowable harvesting, and the principles of forest trade. It is imperative to develop methods that predict forest stand volume to obtain this extensive information quickly and cost-effectively. This study used supervised self-organising map (SSOM), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks to predict forest stand volume based on physiography, topography, soil, and human factors. A sensitivity analysis method called the importance of prediction was used to determine how input variables influenced network output. First, the map of homogeneous units was prepared with ArcMap (Version 10.3.1, 2015) by combining digital layers to measure the tree's volume per hectare. Then, separate tree species in different diameter classes were measured in a circular grid of 200 m × 150 m, 0.1 ha of coverage, 3.3% sampling intensity, and a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 7.5 cm using systematic sampling on a homogeneous unit map in a regular random method. The neural network modelling results showed that SSOM, MLP, and RBF predicted forest stand volume most accurately according to physiography, topography, soil, and human factors. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis results found that altitude above sea level, soil depth, and slope are the most influential input variables. In contrast, soil texture variables are the least effective at predicting forest stand volume.