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This paper presents the results of analysis of drying up of spruce stands obtained by the use of the FORKOME computer model. The verification of this model was conducted with field data from spruce-dominated mixed forests in Transcarpathia (Ukraine). The forecast of drying up, based on the latest version of the simulation of FORKOME computer model, allowed to evaluate results regarding bioclimatic effects on the displacement, growth, survival and death of spruce and other tree species. The modelling was performed on the basis of statistical Monte Carlo simulations. The forecast of the spruce stand dynamics was conducted for 100-year period along with control and warm-dry scenarios. The analysis has revealed the rapid decrease of biomass in the first decade as a result of spruce decline. Auto-correlation analysis of spruce and cross-correlation analysis of the relation between tree species were conducted as well.

This paper investigates multiscale dynamic interconnection between the five agricultural commodities - corn, wheat, soybean, rice and oats, covering more than 18 years period. For research purposes, two complementary methodologies were used - wavelet coherence and phase difference. Low coherence is present at shorter time-horizons, while at longer time-horizons high coherence areas are found, but they are not widespread in all wavelet coherence plots. These results speak in favour of diversification opportunities. Strong coherence in longer time-horizons indicates that common factors are likely to be the main determinants of the agricultural prices in the long-run. On the other hand, rare high coherence areas at lower scales suggest that monetary and financial activities are most likely the causes that have affected the comovements of the grain prices in the short-term horizons. Phase difference discloses a relatively stable pattern between corn-soybean, corn-wheat, rice-oats and oats-soybean in the longer time-horizons. Taking into account investors' diversification benefits and the leading (lagging) connections in long-run, corn and oats are the most appropriate cereals to be combined in an n-asset portfolio, since these two cereals constantly and very steadily lag soybean, whereas strong coherence between corn and oats does not frequently occur in all wavelet scales.

The aim of this study was to test different soil phosphorus (P) extraction methods in relation to plant P uptake. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with spring wheat. The soils were extracted with the following methods/extractants: H₂O, CaCl₂, LiCl, iron oxide impregnated filter papers (Fe-oxide P_i), Olsen, calcium-acetate-lactate (CAL), cation and anion exchange membranes (CAEM), Mehlich 3, Bray and Kurtz II (Bray II), citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite, organic P, HCl, acid ammonium oxalate, total P. Plant P uptake was in the range of the P extracted by neutral salt solutions (CaCl₂, LiCl). P extracted with H₂O, CaCl₂ and CAEM correlated best with plant P uptake over one growing season, while several established soil P test methods, including CAL, Mehlich 3 and Bray II, did not show significant correlations. When grouping the soils according to pH, the weaker extraction methods (H₂O, CaCl₂, LiCl) showed significant correlations with plant P uptake only for the low and intermediate pH groups (pH in 1 mol/L KCl ≤ 6.6), while some of the stronger extraction methods (CAL, Mehlich 3, Bray II, dithionite, oxalate, total P) showed significant correlations only for the high pH group (> 6.6) comprised of calcareous soils. It was concluded that weaker P extraction methods, especially neutral salt solutions best predict plant-available P in the short term. However, they do not perform well for calcareous (and clayey) soils and do not account for P that may become available beyond one growing season.

Haemoglobin (HB), the most widely distributed respiratory pigment in the animal kingdom, is among the best characterized oxygen-binding proteins, both at functional and molecular level. However, very little information is available about the genomic features of HB in river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), even though there are reports in literature confirming the presence of interesting polymorphisms at the protein level in Mediterranean buffalo. We hence address the characterization of exonic as well as intronic nucleotide polymorphism in the haemoglobin subunit alpha and beta in a set of nine Italian Mediterranean buffaloes exhibiting different HB phenotypes. The nine buffaloes were selected from a random set of 398 samples, previously analysed for their HB protein polymorphism, in order to account for both globin variants and the evolution of intron variability within the most common domesticated species of the family Bovidae. All four sequenced clones of the subunit alpha were 1311 bp, whereas the length of the five different sequenced clones of the subunit beta ranged from 1841 to 1960 bp, due to an insertion of 119 nucleotides. Six polymorphic sites were detected in the four amplicons of alpha subunit. Among them, two variations concern exclusively haplotype A, while four sequence variations were found to be specific to haplotype B. Several variations, both in exonic and intronic regions, were detected in the B. bubalis subunit beta. In conclusion, the nucleotide sequence variants observed in this work substantiate the known haemoglobin protein polymorphisms, and an updated protein nomenclature is provided here. In addition, we observed a high sequence similarity in the overall pattern of variation in the haemoglobin subunits, possibly the results of a concerted evolution, with relatively more extensive gene homogenization in river buffalo than in other ruminant species.

Harvest facilities limit the possibilities of small producers to produce a high-quality olive fruit. This paper discusses the efficiency of a newly designed manual picking device as a possible solution to these specific challenges as confronted in most regions of the Mediterranean basis. The efficiency and cost of the picking method were compared to traditional olive picking using nets, taking a different number of operators and branch shakers into account.

In this paper, we employ the Generalized Supremum Augmented Dickey-Fuller test in order to identify the existence of multiple bubbles in natural rubber. This approach is practical for the using of time series and identifies the beginning and end points of multiple bubbles. The results reveal that there are five bubbles, where exist the divergences between natural rubber prices and their basic values on account of market fundamentals. The five bubbles are related to imbalance between supply and demand, inefficiencies of smallholders market, oil prices, exchange rate and climatic changes through analyses. Thus, the corresponding authorities are supposed to identify bubbles and consider their evolutions, which is beneficial to the stability of natural rubber price.

Data were obtained in a field experiment carried out at Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute Radzikow (central Poland) in 2009-2011. The aim of this study was a multivariate evaluation of 13 advanced lines and cultivars of Festuca rubra, taking into account traits important in seed production. Eleven traits of the grasses and plant resistance to diseases were evaluated. On the basis of multivariate analyses, i.e. hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, groups of varieties were separated and described, relationships between the traits were evaluated as well. The traits with the biggest influence on multivariate diversity of examined varieties were correlated with the first principal component i.e. height of plants, seeds yield, growth rate of plants, leaf width and time to beginning of earing.

In total, 117 individual samples from 39 accessions of Lactuca sativa were selected from the Czech national collection of lettuce with the aim to quantify and compare patterns of genetic and phenotypic variability within and among lettuce accessions and to propose a rapid, reliable and inexpensive method for verification of possible duplicates. We focused on phenotypic evaluation and SSR genotyping, and studied their ability to distinguish between individual accessions. Phenotypic data revealed that no two accessions shared the exactly same phenotype and no accession exhibited variability in the characters studied. Variability in SSR markers was very low as ten of twenty scorable SSR loci exhibited no variation and the remaining ten provided 48 alleles in total. Although neither phenotypic nor SSR data alone can serve as evidence for unambiguous duplicate confirmation, their combination increases the resolution power of the method considerably. The obtained data on cultivated lettuce indicate weak, but significant correlation (R² = 0.34, P = 0.01) between the two data sets.

Models and methods of spatial econometrics are gaining more and more popularity. Their advantage is the opportunity to examine the interrelationships between individual territorial units. These methods, apart from the own potential of the region, take into account the impact of neighbouring objects and location in space. The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between the potential and the level of competitiveness of individual European Union countries in the field of slaughter cattle production. In addition, the paper attempts to determine the specialisation of individual EU countries in the production of slaughter animals by sector. The analysis covered the years 2010-2016, using Eurostat data. The obtained results allow indicating countries in which there is a strong concentration of income potential (Sweden, Spain, Great Britain, France and Belgium). Countries in which the highest values of the potential quotients in the entire European Union are distinguished (Poland, Finland and Belgium).

The aim of the study was to examine the contents of nitrates and nitrites in raw beef coming from cattle of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed, black-and-white type, originating from different parts of Poland. The research material comprised semitendinosus and longissimus thoracis muscles obtained from 176 heads of cattle. The content of nitrites in the examined muscles ranged from 0.6 to 13.3 mg kg^-1 in rump muscles and from 0.8 to 13.7 mg kg^-1 in muscles of the back. The most samples were characterised by the presence of nitrites in the range from 1 to 5 mg kg^-1, and the least samples from 11 to 14 mg kg^-1. The contents of nitrates were significantly higher, ranging from 10.2 to 73.5 mg kg^-1 in the semitendinosus muscle and from 10.4 to 74.3 mg kg^-1 in the thoracis longissimus muscle. Such and higher level of contamination may be the cause of meat discolouration after heat treatment despite the absence of curing ingredients. It is necessary to continuously monitor the concentration of nitrates in raw materials, water and feed to ensure the complete safety of food of animal origin.

New techniques for Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) control are being studied and developed to replace traditional organophosphate pesticide applications. A mass trapping strategy offers promising medfly control within integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Field assays were performed to study the efficacy of two mass trapping techniques based on PheroNorm^® and Ceratrap^® lures that were compared to a conventional approach to control the medfly in Tunisian apricot orchards. The results showed that both mass trapping techniques had a similar efficiency in reducing the C. capitata population. The degrees Brix in the fruits was a determinant issue since the initial apricot fruit damage was detected at 6.4%. At harvesting, the lowest fruit damage rate was recorded in the PheroNorm^® (4.25%) and Ceratrap^® (6.50%) treated orchards, compared with the conventional approach (10.75%). Therefore, the use of 50 PheroNorm^® and Ceratrap^® traps per ha density within an IPM approach may be very useful to control the C. capitata populations in apricot orchards.

Insect pollination is one of the most important ecosystem services. Pollinator communities are rarely studied across years and crops in the same location. The aim of this study was to investigate the pollinator community structure on five different fruit crops, as well as the activity of different pollinator groups during the day and their temperature preferences. Pollinator activity was observed across two years on apple trees and blueberry, strawberry, blackcurrant and raspberry bushes. Pollinator community structure varied by plant and year. Honeybees were the most numerous pollinators on all plants except blueberry bushes (39-95% of visits). Bumblebee numbers were high on blackcurrant (up to 28%) and blueberry bushes (up to 61%). Solitary bees visited all plants except blueberries. Honeybees, solitary bees, and hoverflies were most active in the middle of the day, while bumblebees became active earlier in the morning and remained active later in the evening. Pollinators also differed greatly in their temperature preferences. This knowledge gained is necessary for less harmful pesticide application management and the development of more sustainable agriculture to maintain pollinator diversity and thus reliable pollination in extreme weather conditions.

The purposes of this pilot study were to explore the temperature changes of the paw pads in healthy cats before and after a 6-min walking test (6MWT), and to further compare the accuracy of the point and line region of interest (ROI) selection methods of the thermal imaging. Five healthy intact cats were recruited and trained to run on the treadmill, and to keep still during the standing phase on a glass panel when capturing thermographic imaging data. The paw pad temperature was recorded using a thermal camera and then analysed using both the point and line ROI before and after the 6MWT. The symmetry index (SI) between the limbs (left and right) was further calculated. Compared to the baseline, there were significant increases in the paw pad temperature of the forelimbs (point of left P < 0.001, point of right P = 0.048, point of average P = 0.002, line of left P < 0.001, line of right P = 0.007, line of average P < 0.001), hindlimbs (point of left P < 0.001, point of right P < 0.001, point of average P < 0.001, line of left P < 0.001, line of right P < 0.001, line of average P < 0.001), and average value after the 6MWT both using the point and line ROI selection methods. However, there is no temperature difference between the point and line ROI either before or after the 6MWT. In addition, no difference in the SI was found between the baseline and post-test or between the point and line ROI. These results preliminarily indicated that a 6WMT and thermal imaging could be a good combination for further clinical practices to recognise lameness or any other gait disabilities in cats, and both the point and line ROI selection methods can be considered when analysing thermographic data.

The aim of the current research was to analyze the linear type traits of Hungarian Simmental dual-purpose cows scored in the first lactation using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Data collected by the Association of Hungarian Simmental Breeders were studied during the work. The filtered database contained the results of 8 868 cows, born after 1997. From the evaluation of main conformation traits, the highest correlations (r = 0.35, P < 0.05) were found between mammary system and feet and legs traits. Within linear type traits, the highest correlation was observed between rump length and rump width (r = 0.81, P < 0.05). Using the principal component analysis, main conformation traits were combined into groups. There were three factors having 84.5 as total variance ratio after varimax rotation. Cluster analysis verified the results of the principal component analysis as most of the trait groups were similar. The strongest relationship was observed between feet and legs and mammary system (main conformation traits) and between rump length and rump width (linear type traits).

Recently, plant-available sulphur (S) in the soil is decreasing due to the limited use of S containing fertilisers and the reduction of atmospheric S deposition. The aim of this work was to evaluate the S status in a long-term fertilisation experiment on a Chernozem in Hungary, with control and 2 NPK rate treatments, considering that after 27 years of superphosphate (SP) use, SP was replaced by monoammonium phosphate in 2010. Plant and soil sampling were performed in 2017 at three different development stages of winter wheat. To assess the S status, the S balance was estimated (for 34 years), KCl soluble soil sulphate, S as well as nitrogen (N) concentration and some amino acids in wheat grain were measured. N/S ratios, S and N uptake of wheat were calculated. The residual effect of SP could be measured only in terms of KCl soluble SO₄^2--S in soil. According to the wheat grain S concentration (0.08-0.10%) and N/S ratio (14.9-22.0), wheat was S deficient, despite the positive S balance in the fertilised plots. In this experiment, where S fertiliser was applied with 84 kg S/ha dose in 1983-2010, followed by a 7-year period without S fertilisation, S supply is necessary for achieving adequate wheat quality.

We herein report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a brain meningioma in a pet rat (Rattus norvegicus domestica). A 1.5-year-old pet rat was referred for depression, ataxia, tremors and bilateral nystagmus; a brain MRI was elected suspecting an intracranial neoplasia. The study was performed with a 0.25 T scanner. The MRI revealed a well-defined oval mass with a heterogeneous appearance, hyperintense in T1 and T2, and with extra-axial localisation and severe brain compression, the mass appeared strongly and diffusely contrast-enhancing. Euthanasia was elected, with the necropsy confirming the presence of a voluminous extra-axial mass. Histologically, a well-differentiated, benign meningotheliomatous meningioma was diagnosed, with the histochemical stains allowing one to exclude a granular cell tumour. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of MRI investigations on a pet rat intracranial meningioma.

The heading date and growth habit are key factors that regulate the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage in barley. In this study, we used PCR based markers to identify the allelic variations in the Vrn-H1 (HvMB5) and Vrn-H2 (HvSNF2) genes and to predict the heading date and growth habit of a collection of Tunisian barley assessed under a semi-arid climate. The allelic variation at HvBM5 revealed two PCR fragments at 830 and 344 bp. Primer sets used to amplify the HvSNF2 gene have resulted in different alleles size of 543, 623, and 700 bp. Different allelic combinations of HVBM5 and HvSNF2 were associated with the heading date and growth habit. The spring and early heading accessions were only characterised by the amplification of the HvSNF2 fragment at 700 bp. All the winter accessions yielded the PCR product HvBM5 at 830 bp, but the variation in the heading date was determined by the HvSNF2 alleles. These DNA markers will be a powerful tool to predict the heading date and growth habit and can be used as markers for the assisted selection to speed up the national breeding programme.

Air quality in Nur-Sultan, the fast-growing new capital city of Kazakhstan, has been poorly investigated. This research was carried in Kerey and Janibek Khans Park in Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan, which is affected by "different traffic density" on the roads. Three different categories of contamination (i) high pollution (distance from the main road 10-15 m), (ii) moderate pollution (distance from the side road 15-30 m), and (iii) low pollution (distance from the source of contamination 30-80 m) at different levels resulting from urban transportation were examined. The aim of the study is to determine the pollution accumulation amounts of Ni, Cd, Pb, Cr, Li, Co, Fe, and Zn in five different tree species: Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ H. Karst.), blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.,), Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). Significant differences in Ni, Cd, Pb, Cr, Li, Co, Fe, and Zn accumulation amounts were determined between three different parts of the park exposed to different levels of contamination. Approximately twice higher Ni, 2.3 times Cd, 3.3 times Pb, 2.7 times Co, 1.6 times Zn accumulation were determined in the area exposed to high pollution than in the parts of the park exposed to low pollution. Cd deposition in the area exposed to high contamination was higher in silver birch than in Scots pine and Norway spruce, while Cr and Co deposition values were higher in Norway spruce than in birch and Scots pine.

Drought stress is a major environmental factor limiting crop growth and productivity. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) plays an essential role during stress response by acting as a signal molecule that activates multiple stress tolerance mechanisms. In this study, the effects of H₂O₂ on agronomic traits were studied in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) was subjected to drought stress. H₂O₂ was applied by either seed priming or foliar application method with a concentration of 1, 5, and 15 mmol/L. The results showed that both seed priming and foliar application with H₂O₂ improved some yield components. The tiller numbers, number of panicles, number of filled grains, filled grain weight, and harvest index were improved approximately 1.13, 1.04, 1.23, 1.21, and 1.1 times compared to the untreated plants. Foliar application, however, helps the plant by reducing yield loss as indicated by a 0.5-time reduction in the number of unfilled grain and lower unfilled grain weight. It was suggested that 5 mmol/L H₂O₂ was the most effective concentration to alleviate the effect of drought stress during the reproductive stage in rice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of essential and toxic elements between the orange juice and orange flesh of various orange cultivars. Different orange cultivars, such as Abousorah [Citrus sinensis (L.)], Aseear (Citrus aurantium), Afandi (Citrus reticulata Blanco), Helo (Citrus sinensis), and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), were collected from local markets. Elemental analysis was carried out after microwave-assisted digestion using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in 18 samples. Eleven elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, and Pb) were analysed. Their average concentrations ranged from 0.006 µg g^-1 to 7.13 µg g^-1 in both orange juice and flesh (wet weight). There was a high increase in the average concentrations of all elements in the juice compared to the flesh of up to 40-fold.

A congenital defect that blocks the cerebrospinal fluid outflow is the most common cause of hydrocephalus in young cats. It usually manifests itself within a few weeks of birth. Diagnostic imaging is essential. Therefore, it was decided to report on, for the first time, a clinical case of congenital hydrocephalus in a Maine Coon foetus detected using ultrasound during pregnancy. A difference between the size of the skull bones in the Maine Coon foetuses was recognised during a routine pregnancy ultrasound. Analysis of the sonogram of the bones and brain structures of the diagnosed foetus revealed that the features were highly suggestive of a hydrocephalus. Five clinically healthy kittens and one with hydrocephalus were delivered without complications. The necropsy of the malformed foetus was consistent with the ultrasonographic findings. Bacteriological and virological tests were performed and all were negative which suggest a congenital background of the malformation. This is the first reported case of an intrauterine ultrasound diagnosis of congenital hydrocephalus in a Maine Coon of multiple gestation. The ultrasound control along with the foetometry seem to be useful tools to recognise certain pathologies of pregnancy in cats, including congenital malformations of various origins, which is of significant diagnostic and prognostic importance.

The aim of this study was to monitor the Czech Aberdeen Angus population for backfat thickness (BT), musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MUSCLE) and live weight (LW) in relation to environmental and genetic conditions. In this study, we also wanted to display the potential for future inclusion of these parameters into national monitoring. Parameters of BT, MUSCLE and LW were measured at 120, 210, and 365 days of age in 769 Aberdeen Angus calves (417 bulls and 352 heifers) on seven farms. Statistical evaluation was performed in the SAS v9.3 software. The bulls achieved significantly higher (P < 0.01) weights and larger MUSCLE compared to the heifers, although the heifers had higher BT. The age of the dam at calving significantly influenced the growth ability of tested calves, but it did not influence BT nor MUSCLE. The nested effect of the year-season, farm and sire bulls (or genetic background) significantly affected LW, BT and MUSCLE of tested calves. The use of the same breeding bulls on different farms resulted in significant differences in growth parameters. Our results displayed the potential of nationwide monitoring of MUSCLE and BT of beef breeds, as official parameters of the beef performance testing in the Czech Republic. The inclusion of these globally used traits in the Czech breeding system would allow to predict breeding values for the Czech beef population. This would lead not only to general improvement of MUSCLE in the population, but also to the production of better breeding animals and slaughter animals with higher value.

Extensive microbiological research was carried out in Tbilisi (capital of Georgia) and its surroundings to determine the causes of massive disease and dieback of urban coniferous plantations. The biological material was picked up in June-July 2020 from trees with various degrees of the disease in 42 different localities. 247 conifers (15 species) were examined microbiologically. 1 169 samples of microscopic fungi were isolated. Based on cultural-morphological and molecular-genetic (PCR) studies, 34 strains were identified to the species level, 17 to the genus level, and 1 strain to the family level. Ascomycota were represented by 15 families and 33 species, Basidiomycota by 1 family and 2 species and Zygomycota by 2 families and 2 species. Among the isolated strains, 9 species were clearly dominant and found in all studied coniferous species: Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl, Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.) Dyko & B. Button, Epicoccum nigrum Link., Sordaria lappae Potebnia, Curvularia spp., Dothiorella spp, Nothophoma quercina (Sydow & P. Sydow) Q. Chen & L. Cai, Phoma odoratissimi Q. Chen, Didymella aliena (Fries) Q. Chen & L. Cai. It may be supposed that massive activation of pathogenic fungi is the result of weakening of plant immunity on the background of increasing abiotic stresses in Tbilisi over the years; which led to an imbalance between latent pathogens and host plants and eventually to the depressing consequences of trees dieback.

Soil degradation caused by water erosion in sloping hop gardens is definitely a serious issue because the space in inter-rows is without plant residues for most of the year in traditional cultivation. Cover crops in inter-rows of hop gardens and their efficiency in soil conservation are assessed in this article. There is only little research available in this area, and our data bring unique information on water erosion in hop gardens. Technologies with different types of cover crops were always compared with the conventional cultivation. The research was conducted within the years 2016-2020. A field rainfall simulator was used to determine the soil conservation effectiveness of selected technologies. The simulated rainfall was performed in two stages of cover crops growth with the main aim to measure the overall soil loss. The outcomes from the measurements confirmed that cover crops in inter-rows of hop gardens protect the soil surface from falling raindrops and significantly (P-value < 0.05) reduce soil loss. It can be concluded that this technology had a soil conservation effect already one month after sowing, and it is a basis for sustainable agricultural management on sloping hop gardens.

Soils that contain rock fragments (particles > 2 mm in diameter) are distributed all over the world. The presence of these small rock fragments can have a great impact on soil water retention properties, as well as on the soil-water infiltration and vegetation restoration in semi-arid regions. To quantitatively describe the transport of water in stony soils, repacked soil cores were used to determine the infiltration rates for different rock fragment contents (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) and rock fragment sizes (2-5, 5-8, 8-11, and 2-11 mm). The results showed that both the content and size of the rock fragments and their interaction significantly affected the infiltration process. The infiltration rates over time and the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) decreased with an increasing rock fragment content to an observed minimum value for a 40% rock fragment content. The soil-water infiltration processes were accurately described by the Kostiakov model. The measured and calculated K_s values decreased with an increasing rock fragment content, which was in accordance with the published data and in accordance with the K_s obtained by five empirical methods. The variations in the measured K_s were likely due to the variations in the soil properties caused by the soil sample repacking. The results of this study may improve the understanding of the effects of the rock fragment content and size on the infiltration processes in arid and semi-arid desert steppes.

The use of in vitro (fish cell lines) is a cost-effective, very rapid, and informative tool for toxicological assessments. Using the neutral red (NR) assay, we compared the in vitro acute toxicity (20hEC50) of twenty-six chemical substances on a rainbow trout gonad cell line (RTG-2) with their in vivo acute toxicity to Barbados Millions Poecilia reticulata (48hLC50, OECD 203) and crustacean Daphnia magna (48hEC50, OECD 202). The 20hEC50 values obtained by the NR assay were higher in nearly all the cases when compared to the 48hLC50 in P. reticulata and the 48hEC50 in D. magna, indicating that the sensitivity of the RTG-2 cell line was lower compared to P. reticulata and D. magna. A high (r = 0.89) and significant (P < 0.001) correlation was recorded between the 20hEC50 values of the RTG-2 and the 48hEC50 values of D. magna. The correlation between the 20hEC50 values of the RTG-2 and the 48hLC50 values of P. reticulata was lower (r = 0.65; P < 0.001), but also significant. The authors recommend use of the NR assay on the RTG-2 cell lines as a screening protocol to evaluate the toxicity of xenobiotics in aquatic environments to narrow the spectrum of the concentrations for the fish toxicity test.

Ornamental cabbages are cultivars of cabbages grown for decorative purposes due to the varied shape and colour of their internal leaves. The aim of the study was to determine the course of growth and to assess the decorative and nutritional value of two cultivars of ornamental cabbage ('Pigeon Red', 'Coral Prince') grown in a flowerbed along with annual plants: the French marigold (Tagetes patula nana L.) and flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum Mill.), using a pine bark mulch. The impact of the marigold and flossflower on the cabbage height and foliage changed with the plant growth. Cabbages growing without the proximity to the other species had the smallest diameter and formed the least leaves; and the plant's height was lower in September. The cabbage height, foliage and leaf colour were modified by the weather in the subsequent years of research. The proximity of the marigold or flossflower and mulching of the soil with bark did not affect the colour of the leaves. The nutritional value of the ornamental cabbage was high, and the content of the mineral components in the leaves depended largely on their colour. The coloured leaves were more abundant in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, while the green leaves contained more calcium and sulfur, and slightly more dry matter.

The research article's primary aim was to provide a comprehensive and systematic view of a new dimension of logistics in the form of logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. The intention thereof was to define and then analyse selected logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises. The research object was formed by 95 agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. MS Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 20 were used to process the data in the questionnaire. The univariate descriptive statistics and multivariate descriptive statistics were used to interpret the data. The research results were tested and evaluated by means of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Medium-sized agricultural enterprises in Slovakia represented the largest segment (68%) of the study. The agricultural enterprises mostly understand the use of smart technologies as an innovation in logistics (mean = 4.43). The results of the research showed that the analysed agricultural enterprises intend to innovate mainly the production logistics (mean = 3.20). Out of the logistics processes, the agricultural enterprises want to innovate mostly the inventory management (mean = 4.55). Lean logistics is the most frequently implemented logistics innovation in agricultural enterprises (mean = 3.64). The hypothesis testing has proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of lean logistics and production logistics innovation. In addition, it was proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of radio frequency identification (RFID) and the logistics process innovation - inventory management.

Having evaluated the situation in agriculture and rural areas, and having assessed the significance of new external and internal conditions, the European Commission has decided to reform the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. This article presents the essence of the part of the reform plan which affects the direct support system. The author of the article also examines the impact of the reform on the system's capacity to achieve the set goals, and on its efficiency. The research showed that the new legal framework proposed by the Commission would not directly improve the efficiency of the system, but the increased decision-making authority it grants to Member States provides an opportunity to reduce administrative outlays on the functioning of the scheme. Likewise, the effectiveness of a reformed direct support system in achieving the set goals will largely depend on decisions made by Member States, i.e. on the appropriate choice of instruments, and the accuracy of their form, as well as the equitable distribution of the available funds.