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In this research cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae, BGA) were isolated, identified, multiplied and used as an inoculum in pot rice experiment. The pH, moisture and algal population were measured in four seasons. The highest and lowest pH (6.7, 6.2), moisture of soil (43%, 34%) and algal population (12, 20 Colony-Forming Units/50 ml on A and B medium and 4, 5 Colony-Forming Units/50 ml on A and B medium) were recorded in spring and winter, respectively. The only heterocystous cyanobacteria were found in soil samples identified as Anabaena with four species (A. spiroides, A. variabilis, A. torulosa and A. osillarioides). The germination of rice seeds treated with cyanobacteria was faster than control. The result of pot experiment were: increase of 53% in plant height; 66% in roots length; 58% in fresh leaf and stem weight; 80% in fresh root weight; 125% in dry leaf and stem weight; 150% in dry root weight; 20% in soil moisture; 28% in soil porosity and a decrease of 9.8% in soil bulk density and 4.8% in soil particle density. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in pot treated with BGA as compared with control.

Five types of stand stages (clearings-samplings, plantations, thinnings, thickets, and mature forests) of spruce forests were examined at the foothills of the Jizerské hory Mts. in summer 2005 and 2006. The presence of ants was surveyed by catching them into pitfall traps and observing on baits. Higher numbers of Formica fusca ants were found in clearings-samplings and in plantations. Their activity was higher at the soil and air temperature of 20-30°C. The peak of activity was observed in July. Most specimens were trapped at lighter habitats and in the sites with more than 50% herbaceous and gramineous vegetation cover. F. pratensis was trapped in plantations and thickets. It was active at the soil temperatures 12-21°C and air temperatures 16-25°C. It occurred both in dark and light areas. F. sanguinea most commonly occurred in thinnings. This species was the most active at the soil temperature 20-30°C. Its activity depending on air temperature grew almost linearly. It occurred both in dark and in light stand stages with at least 60% vegetation cover. F. truncorum was observed only in thinnings. The activity of F. truncorum was the highest at the air and soil temperatures 15-25°C. The peak of activity was recorded in July. It was observed only in stands with the quantity of incident radiation 1,030 lx and with 20-80% of undergrowth cover.

New non-thermal technologies are emerging, such as pulsed electric fields (PEF) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), in order to provide a response to the need for greater nutritional and sensory quality in some manufactured foods in which the characteristics of freshness are especially affected by thermal treatments. The effect of non-thermal processing (PEF, 30 kV/cm, 100 μs and HHP, 4000 bars, 5 min) and pasteurisation (90°C, 20 s) on carotenoids of orange juice was studied. The total carotenoid concentration in the pasteurised juice (1195.4 ± 31.6 μg/100 ml) decreased significantly in comparison with the fresh juice (1367.2 ± 64.7 μg/100 ml), and the decrease was less in the juice treated by PEF (1275.2 ± 56.3 μg/100 ml). The decrease in the juice treated by HHP (1309.2 ± 46.7 μg/100 ml) was no significant in the conditions selected. Only the differences between the untreated orange juice and the pasteurised orange juice were significant. Thus, in refrigerated orange juice, the concentration of carotenoids is affected less by non-thermal treatments (PEF and HHP) than by conventional thermal treatments.

We compare visual evaluation of yolk colour estimated by the usual method applying La Roche scale with spectrophotometric determination of β-carotene by AOAC method, and by new rapid analyser iCheck^TM Egg photometer (BioAnalyt). The eggs under consideration were purchased on a current Czech market. The eggs originated from various countries and various types of breeding including some specialities. The yolk colour varied between the values of 4-13 of La Roche scale. The carotenoid content expressed as β-carotene measured by AOAC method varied between 11-87 mg/kg. The carotenoid content expressed as β-carotene measured with the analyser iCheck^TM Egg photometer was lower and varied between 7.5-68.5 mg/kg. The correlation between the colour hue measured visually and the carotenoid content was not proved. Slovak eggs from cages which contained 28.3 mg carotenoids in 1 kg of yolk had the darkest yolks (value 13), Czech bio eggs which contained 20.2 mg carotenoids in 1 kg of yolk had the palest yolks (value 6). The highest content of carotenoids was found in eggs from home hen breeding (72.5 mg carotenoids in 1 kg of yolk) whose colour hue had the value of 10.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of magnetic field (MF) strength on shoot regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Seeds of flax cv. Madaras were exposed to different MF strengths (0 - control, 75, 150, and 300 millitesla (mT)) for 24 h by using an electromagnetic generator system fabricated in laboratory conditions. After sterilization, seeds were germinated on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium in Magenta vessels. Hypocotyl explants excised from 7-days-old seedlings were used for regeneration. GV2260 strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used in transformation studies. Inoculated hypocotyls were cultured on MS medium containing 1 mg/l BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) and 0.02 mg/l NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) for 2 days by co-cultivation. Then, they were transferred to MS medium containing the same growth regulators, 100 mg/l kanamycin and 500 mg/l Duocid for selection. The presence of the nptII gene was verified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis in putative transgenic plants. The highest results with respect to shoot regeneration and transformation frequency were obtained from treatments of 75 mT MF strength.

The effect of dietary 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 ratio (by the replacement of corn oil with linseed oil) on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) enrichment in breast muscle of broiler chickens and the expression of lipogenic genes were investigated. Broiler chickens were fed ad libitum with diets containing 5% corn oil (CO), 3.75% corn oil + 1.25% linseed oil (CL1), 2.5% corn oil + 2.5% linseed oil (CL2), and 5% linseed oil (LO) based on the basic diets, respectively. Dietary 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 ratio did not affect 42-day body weight and 0-42-day feed conversion efficiency (feed/gain, P > 0.05) of broiler chickens, however, 5% linseed oil significantly increased 0-21-day feed conversion efficiency (feed/gain, P < 0.05) and decreased breast muscle weight (by 16%, P < 0.05) of broiler chickens. With the decrease of dietary 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 ratio, the enrichment of total n-3 PUFA, 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3, and 22:5n-3 increased linearly (P < 0.01), while the enrichment of total n-6 PUFA and 18:2n-6 decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in breast muscle of broiler chickens. Dietary corn oil increased the enrichment proportion of 20:4n-6 in a dosage-independent manner. Replacing 1.5% corn oil with linseed oil increased the enrichment proportion of 22:6n-3 (P < 0.05), but continuing to increase dietary linseed oil could not further elevate its deposition. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of the mRNA levels of related genes. Dietary PUFA had insignificant effect on the expressions of LPIN2, WD and tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (WDTC1) and △-6 fatty acid desaturase (FADS2) in both breast muscle and abdominal fat. The effect of dietary PUFA on the expression of LPIN1 gene showed clear tissue dependence. Equivalent adding of corn oil and linseed oil could up-regulate the mRNA level of LPIN1 in abdominal fat (P < 0.01). This study demonstrated that decreasing dietary 18:2n-6/18:3n-3 ratio promoted the deposition of desirable n-3 long chain PUFA in the edible tissue and influenced the expression of LPIN1 in a tissue-dependent manner.

The study aimed at evaluating and comparing changes provoked by the water deficit on water relations and nitrogen fixation in two Vigna unguiculata cultivars, as well as at indicating which cultivar is more tolerant under water deficiency. The experimental design used was entirely randomized in factorial scheme, with 2 cultivars (Pitiuba and Pérola) and 2 water regimes (control and stress). The parameters evaluated were the leaf relative water content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, nodule number, nodule dry matter, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, ureide concentration and leghemoglobin in nodule. The stomatal conductance of the Pitiuba and Pérola cultivars under water deficit were 0.20 and 0.01 mmol H₂O/m²/s, respectively. The nitrate reductase activity of the plants under stress was significantly reduced in both cultivars. The leghemoglobin in the Pitiuba and Pérola cultivars under water stress had the concentrations of 58 and 41 g/kg dry matter, respectively. The parameters investigated in this study suggest that the Pitiuba cultivar under water deficit suffers from smaller changes, when compared with Pérola cultivar.

A total of 34 strains of lactobacilli were isolated from the lump sheep's cheeses produced from raw sheep milk. The strains were identified by MALDI-TOF MS, and 20 of them demonstrating the best fermentation and sensoric properties in milk were chosen and tested for their antimicrobial activity. All selected strains were active against the indicator bacteria and moulds. The highest inhibitory effect was observed with the strains Lactobacillus paracasei 314, L. paracasei 316, L. plantarum K816, L. plantarum L718, and L. plantarum 2L2. The subsequent research was focused on the metabolites causing this inhibition. The production of lactic and acetic acids was studied under different cultivation conditions (0, 2, 4, and 6.5% NaCl addition; cultivation at 15, 30, 37, and 45°C; and pH value of the broth before sterilisation 5 and 9). L. plantarum L718 produced the highest concentration of lactic and acetic acids under most of the cultivation conditions. Antimicrobial substances such as phenyllactic acid (62.54-101.62 mg/dm³), H₂O₂ (0.78-2.30 μg/cm³), and diacetyl (produced by L. plantarum K816 and L718) were studied as well.

The growth and survival of rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.) were evaluated in a laboratory at 25°C. In 20-day Experiment 1, first-feeding larvae at the age of 4 days post-hatch (initially: TL = 5.7 mm, BW = 0.9 mg) were fed live Artemia nauplii or commercial dry feed (Aller Futura Larvae, AFL) or combinations of both. Even the longest period of initial feeding of nauplii (6 days) was insufficient to obtain satisfactory larval growth after weaning to AFL (TL = 12.4 mm and BW = 17.7 mg vs. TL = 18.9 mm and BW = 68.5 mg for the nauplii-fed fish, significant differences). Nauplii-fed older larvae (24 days post-hatch) were then used in Experiment 2, in which they were fed AFL or Ewos AgloNorse (EAN) dry feeds for 40 days. The EAN diet proved to be significantly (P ≤ 0.05) superior to AFL regarding the final fish growth (TL = 36.5 mm and BW = 506.8 mg vs. TL = 33.4 mm and BW = 392.0 mg ), final survival rates (97.6% vs. 100%) and the incidence of spinal deformities (0% vs. 13.5%).

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of diets for market pigs with 20% inclusion of lupine seeds, cv. Amiga, on the performance, health status, carcass characteristics, fatty acids (FA) profile of meat lipids and nutritional and sensory parameters of meat. Another purpose was to increase the nutritional value of a cereal-lupine diet (E1) by supplementation with lysine, methionine, threonine (E2) or fat (E3) and to perform a comparison with control diets containing animal protein (C1) or soy (C2). The experiments were performed on 50 pigs (50% males, 50% females) with initial body weights of 35.6 ± 2.2 kg, fed isonitrogenic and isoenergetic diets partly ad libitum for 90 days. Feed intake was not adversely affected by lupine inclusion. The daily body weight gain (BWG) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group E3 in comparison with the cereal-lupine diet group (E1) and the other groups by 12.6 to 15.9% during the initial 30 days of experiment. The highest BWG (0.88 ± 0.07 kg/kg) during the entire experimental period was obtained with the fat containing diet (E3); that was non-significantly higher by 2.3 to 10.0% in comparison with the other diets. The feed conversion rate was reduced in groups E3 and E2 (2.55 and 2.58 kg/kg BWG) by 3.1 to 7.6% in comparison with groups C1, C2 and E1. No adverse effect of the lupine containing diet was observed on the carcass characteristics or the nutritional quality of the meat. Optimum content of linolenic acid in lupine seeds had a favourable effect on n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated FA ratio in meat lipids of group E3 in comparison with groups C1 and E1 (P < 0.05). By sensory meat analysis, significantly better characteristics were found for texture, juiciness (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and taste in E3 in comparison with groups C1, C2 and E1. The obtained results indicate that animal and soy protein may be replaced with lupine, tested in the present study, in case a diet is supplemented with amino acids and fat.

The influence of application of increasing doses of selenium (0.05 mg, 0.10 mg and 0.20 mg/kg) into soil in pot experiments, with NPK fertilization of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., variety Banti), on the biomass yield (grain, straw, roots) and on selenium accumulation was observed. Selenium in the form of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃*5H₂O) and the NPK nutrients in the form of LAD-27, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ and KCl were applied. The average two-year results showed the expected indifferent effect of increasing doses of selenium on the yield of wheat grain, straw and roots. The differentiated doses of selenium into soil caused a significant increase of selenium content in dry matter (dm) of grain, straw and roots of wheat. The highest content of selenium (0.732 mg/kg in grain, 0.227 mg/kg in straw and 1.375 mg/kg in roots dm) was determined in the variant where 0.2 mg Se/kg of soil was applied. When applying the lowest dose of selenium (0.05 mg Se/kg of soil) the content of selenium was 0.155 mg Se/kg in grain. The selenium content in individual analysed parts of wheat was increasing in the following order: straw - grain - roots.

In 1997, long-term thinning experiment Všeteč in Southern Bohemia was established in the young 19-year-old mixed beech and spruce stand. Three variants (0.10 ha each) were investigated: 1 - control unthinned plot (only salvage cut was done), 2 - plot with positive selection from above and 3 - plot with negative selection from below. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the first results from the eleven-year investigation (at the age of 19-29 years) focused on the effect of thinning on growth, species composition, litter-fall and humus in young mixed stands in this experiment. Thinning (both variants) resulted in decreased salvage cut (dead, broken and uprooted trees). Continual diminishing of spruce portion (started quickly after dry season in 2003 on control unthinned plot) was slow or soft on both thinned plots. Annual litter-fall in experimental young spruce and beech mixed stands at the age of 27-29 years varied from 4.6 to 5.5 thousand kg/ha and dry biomass of humus horizons L, F and H represented altogether approximately 91 and 128 thousand kg/ha on plots 3 and 1, respectively (plot 2 was omitted from this part of investigation).

In this study, the difference of Se content in brown rice of different rice genotypes was evaluated on natural seleniferous soil. Firstly, the Se content of brown rice in 80 rice germplasm resources was determined, which ranged from 0.0249-0.1426 mg/kg, showing obvious differences. Next, two cultivars with a significant difference in Se content in brown rice, i.e., cv. Wuyangeng (high) and cv. IR68144 (low), were used to study the distribution pattern of Se in different organs. Moreover, the physiological mechanism of the Se content diversity in brown rice of the two cultivars was explored preliminarily. The results showed that the Se content of cv. Wuyangeng was 2-3 times higher compared to cv. IR68144. However, the Se contents of cv. IR68144 root and leaf were significantly higher than that of cv. Wuyangeng under both natural soil environment and artificial nutrient solution culture. Cv. IR68144 also had a stronger root Se accumulation coefficient and shoot Se transfer coefficient. Consequently, it can be inferred that the stronger Se transfer ability from stem to grain was the key reason for the higher Se content in brown rice cv. Wuyangeng than in cv. IR68144.

Mushrooms have been long valued as tasty and nutritional foods for human beings and assumed to contain beneficial fibres, so the objective of this study was to analyse 20 species of wild growing edible mushrooms for their total dietary fibre (TDF), insoluble dietary fibre (IDF), and soluble dietary fibre (SDF) contents. The TDF, IDF, and SDF contents ranged between 24-37, 12-21, and 2-4 g/100 g dry weight, respectively. The SDF as % of TDF was low in Phellinus florida (5.5%) and Phellinus rimosus (5.8%), and high in Sparassis crispa, Lentinus squarrulosus, and Lactarius sanguifluus (12.5%). Interestingly, the majority of the mushrooms had 10-11% of TDF as SDF. The TDF was high in Pleurotus djamor (37%) Cantharellus cibarius, Cantharellus clavatus, and Phellinus florida (36%), and low in Lactarius sanguifluus (24%). Also, the majority of mushrooms had average 31.6% TDF and 2.85% SDF. These results indicate that mushrooms such as Sparassis crispa, Lentinus squarrulosus, Lentinus delicious, and Cantharellus clavatus are rich sources of TDF and SDF.

This paper reports on the design of fabrication and testing of a machine for cottage level production of pellets from cassava mash. The pelletizer consists of a barreled screw auger which compresses cassava mash against perforated end plate, through which the pellets are pelletized. The result derived from the calculated design parameters (shaft diameter, tensile stress, torque, screw length, volumetric capacity mass flow rate and power rating) were used for the fabrication. The testing of the pelletizer was determined in terms of throughput of the machine, against the moisture content of the mash (18, 20 and 22% w.b.), die size (4, 6 and 8 mm) and the auger speed (90, 100 and 120 rpm). Test results showed that the pellets with the best quality attributes were obtained from cassava mash at 18% moisture content (w.b.) through the 4 mm die at 90 rpm and a maximum throughput of 54 kg/h.

Zeolite and vermicompost applications to soil may improve K fertility of soils. For this purpose, these materials were added to five representative calcareous soils collected from southern Iran. The treatments included (1) control, (2) 20 g/kg zeolite, (3) 20 g/kg vermicompost, and (4) 20 g/kg vermicompost + zeolite (1:1). The samples were incubated for 90 days, and the concentrations of soluble, exchangeable, and non-exchangeable K and K release rate to 0.01M CaCl₂ during 240 min (16 successive 15 min extractions of soil samples with CaCl₂ solution) were determined. Results indicated that zeolite application increased significantly the concentration of soluble and exchangeable K. Vermicompost application had a positive effect on all forms of K. Cumulative K release was also affected by vermicompost application. Comparison of experimental data to different kinetic models indicated that Elovich, power function, and parabolic diffusion models described well kinetics of K release from all soil samples to 0.01M CaCl₂. The b values of Elovich equation had significant relationships with NH₄OAc- and HNO₃-extractable K. It is recommended that for K fertility management of calcareous soils, organic and inorganic amendments application to soils should be taken into consideration.

Parturient paresis and subclinical hypocalcemia are frequent metabolic disorders in dairy cows postpartum. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of postpartum partial milking in the first two milkings on blood serum calcium concentration in dairy cows. Twenty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomized into two groups. Cows of group 1 (n = 10) were partially milked at the first and second milking postpartum. Cows of group 2 (n = 10) were completely milked. Blood samples were collected from all animals 5-7 days before calving, within 30 min after calving, and 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 h after calving for determination of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations. Colostrum production was registered and sampled in the first and second milking. Concentration of Ca in colostrum was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum Ca and P concentrations decreased in both groups after parturition (P < 0.05) and remained low during 32 h postpartum with no difference observed between groups (P > 0.05). Serum concentrations of Mg were stable in all samples and no statistical difference was observed between groups (P > 0.05). Colostrum production was higher in completely milked cows only in the first postpartum milking (P < 0.05), but there was no difference between groups at the second milking. Total Ca secretion in colostrum was higher in the complete milking group at the first and second postpartum milking. Colostrum Ca secretion increased at the second milking with respect to the first one in both groups (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between serum Ca and colostrum Ca (P > 0.05). In this study, the partial milking of colostrum in the first and second milking postpartum did not prevent subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows.

The effect of feed supplementing with glutamine, glucose and/or sodium butyrate was estimated on 156 piglets. The after-effect of supplements on fattener performance, carcass traits, and meat quality was examined. Piglets were allocated to 5 groups and fed standard feed mixture alone (control - C) or supplemented with 10 g of l-glutamine, or 10 g of glucose, or 3 g of sodium butyrate per kg of diet or all of these compounds (groups GT, GC, SB, and GT+GC+SB, respectively). Six piglets from each group were slaughtered at 63 days of age, their intestines were prepared and their parts measured. Digesta from ileum and caecum was taken for analysis. Its acidity and volatile fatty acids content were evaluated. Morphological structure of duodenal and ileal epithelium was estimated. After 84 days of age 20 animals from each group were fed the standard mixture. After 100 days of fattening 8 pigs from each group were slaughtered, pH of meat was measured, and samples of the longissimus muscle were taken for analysis. Body weight gains of piglets fed diets supplemented with SB or all supplements were higher than those of controls. All supplements given together increased total intestinal weight and length. Epithelial villi in jejunum were the highest in piglets receiving all supplements. Their height in the duodenum ranged from 296 to 347 µm and in the jejunum they were higher: 336 - 424 μm. After 100 days of fattening body weight of all experimental animals was higher than that of control. There was no significant difference in carcass and meat quality. Sodium butyrate added to the diet improved piglet performance probably due to changes in intestine development and in intestinal epithelium structure. This positive effect was enhanced to some extent by the addition of glutamine or glucose.

The depth of sampling is an important factor for evaluating soil stability. The objective of this study was to test soil aggregate particle-size fractions and soil organic carbon (SOC) in water-stable aggregate by vegetation restoration through 0-60 cm soil profile. We collected soil samples in 30 years old Robinia psendoacacia (Rr); Platycladus orientalis (Po); Pinus tabulaeformis (Pt); abandoned land (Ab), and slope cropland (Sc), which were separated into > 2, 2-1, 1-0.25, 0.25-0.053, and < 0.053 mm fractions. The > 0.25 mm water-stable aggregates (WSA) and mean weight diameter (MWD) were calculated in 0-60 cm soil depth. Results showed that soil aggregate fractions (> 0.25 mm) of four vegetation types were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in 40-60 cm soil depth under Po, Pt, and Ab compared with Sc and the SOC distribution in macro-aggregates (> 0.25 mm) under Rr, Po, Pt, and Ab was higher more than 37.7, 92.4, 92.5, 79.1%, respectively in 40-60 cm compared with Sc additionally, > 0.25 mm WSA and MWD was significantly higher in Pt soil in 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm soil depth (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that soil stability was enhanced and SOC content was increased after converting slope cropland to forest, especially under Pt forest that greatly influenced the subsoil.

Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) is the most industrial commercial tree species among more than 80 broadleaved trees and shrubs in Hyrcanian forests. In this study some of the silvicultural properties of beech were studied under a shelterwood cutting system in a regeneration unit of 25 years old stand in Sangdeh forests of Iran. Tree height, diameter, canopy cover, variety of species, frequency at different stages of growth (seedling, sapling, thicket and pole) and tree density at juvenile phase were recorded in 431 circular 1,000 m² sample plots before and after shelterwood cutting. Results indicated that tree density in the diameter at breast height (dbh) class of < 20 cm increased during shelterwood cutting. Canopy cover of regeneration unit was 78.5% in 1957, while in 2000 and after the shelterwood cutting it reached 59%. Growing stages of regeneration were 14% sapling, 21% thicket, 24% small pole and 41% pole. The shelterwood method has not been very successful in our study area due to a number of technical and potential problems.

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processing inactivates microorganisms without significant adverse effects on flavor and nutrients. In this work was studied the transformations of antheraxanthin and mutatoxanthin when natural orange juice is treated by pasteurisation (90°C, 20 s) or PEF (30 kV/cm, 100 μs), and also its evolution during seven weeks of storage in refrigeration at two different temperatures (2°C and 10°C). The results showed that antheraxanthin concentration decreased during the storage. The decrease was greater in the untreated, pasteurised and PEF-treated orange juices stored at 10°C and this carotenoid was not detected from the 6^th week onwards. The same result was observed in the PEF-treated juice stored at 2°C. However, in the untreated and pasteurised juices stored at 2°C, this carotenoid was detected throughout the storage period, although its concentration decreased. Mutatoxanthin was detected in the 6^th week of storage, appearing in the cases in which antheraxanthin disappeared. This was not observed in the untreated or pasteurised orange juices stored at 2°C.

One of the critical points of Douglas fir seedling production is to optimize the time of sowing and length of pre-sowing treatment. Germination and emergence of Douglas fir seed lot of the Czech origin (CZ-2-2A-DG-1740-6-3-P) were observed in simulated warm and cold conditions in two phytotrons for 3 months. Before this procedure the seeds were exposed to different prechilling duration. The temperature in control conditions of phytotrons was stable for 28 days and then it was increased: 11, 13, 17°C in cold phytotron and 13, 17, 20°C in the warm phytotron. Seeds without stratification and stratified for 3, 5, 7, 9 and 16 weeks were tested. The laboratory germination capacity of non-stratified seeds was only 58% and it was significantly (P < 0.05, Tukey's test) lower than in stratification treatments when it varied from 92% to 96%. Non-stratified seeds did not germinate in cold phytotron and they germinated very slowly (germination rate at the end of experiment was 7%) in warm phytotron. The germination capacity of seeds both in the phytotron and in the laboratory was observed in treatments with prechilling of seeds longer than 7 weeks in warm conditions and only for seeds after 16 weeks of prechilling in cold conditions. The highest emergence rate of seeds (84%) was found in the warm phytotron after 16 weeks of stratification. Comparable results were reached only for 9 weeks of stratification in the same phytotron. The results suggest that the prolongation of the standard 3-week prechilling period helps to increase germination capacity and emergence rate of seeds. Future research should focus on optimal length with regard to more seed lots and also on seedling quality parameters.

Fatty acid content of raw and cooked zander (Sander lucioperca) was studied. Special attention was paid to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic, 20:5 n-3 (EPA) and docosahexaenoic, 22:6 n-3 (DHA), and also to the n-6/n-3 ratio, which are regarded as indicators of nutritive value. As found, the heat treatments, boiling, stewing and frying, including those in a convection steam oven (CSO), did not significantly decrease the content of EPA and DHA in the products. Boiling and stewing appeared to give products of a higher nutritive value, regarding the above indicators, than frying and cake preparation. Frying of zander in CSO was found to be more beneficial for nutrition compared to pan-frying. The cooked zander had higher EPA and DHA contents than many other popular food fish species, and also had a high nutritive value due to the low n-6/n-3 ratio when boiled and stewed.

EST-SSR markers, derived from the A and B genomes of wheat were used to identify molecular markers associated with yellow rust resistance. For this purpose, bulk segregant analysis was performed using 114 EST-SSR primer pairs. They were screened on the parent genotypes and resistant/susceptible DNA pools from the cross between Izgi2001 (resistant male parent) × ES14 (susceptible female parent) at the seedling and adult plant stage. An EST-SSR marker, bu099658, generated the 206 bp DNA fragment that was present in the resistant parent and resistant bulk, but it was not present in the susceptible parent and the susceptible bulk. To investigate its association with Yr genes, 20 individuals of NILs were also amplified with BU099658 and the 206 bp marker fragment was obtained only in Yr1/6 × Avocet S. Additionally, bu099658 was screened on 65 genotypes which possessed different Yr genes/gene combination(s) and Yr1. The results indicate a close linkage of bu099658 with the Yr1 gene.

The contamination of bulk samples of cow's raw milk (n = 491) by psychrotrophic lipolytic bacteria (PLiBC), total count of psychrotrophic bacteria (PBC) and mesophilic bacteria (TBC) was monitored for two years on eight dairy farms and the correlations among these groups of bacteria were analysed. An increase in TBC, PBC and PLiBC and in the values of free fatty acids (FFA) was tested experimentally in three milk samples in relation to time (analyses were done in 24-hour intervals until 96 hours) and storage temperature of milk samples (4; 6.5 and 10°C). Bacterial contamination of milk was determined by culture methods in accordance with IDF standards, the values of FFA were determined by an extraction-titration method. These mean values were determined in the set of samples (n = 491): PLiBC 659 CFU/ml, PBC 2 932 CFU/ml and TBC 18 932 CFU/ml. A high correlation was proved between values of PBC and PLiBC (r = 0.87; P < 0.001) while the correlation between TBC and PBC (r = 0.65; P < 0.001) and between PLiBC and TBC (r = 0.59; P < 0.001) was on a medium level. The proportional index p_I for PLiBC/PBC was 0.20, for PLiBC/TBC 0.03 and for PBC/TBC 0.16. In seasonal dynamics a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001; P < 0.05) between the increased values of TBC in the summer season was proved compared to the winter and spring season. The differences in the seasonal variation of PBC and PLiBC values were not significant. Experimental investigation of an increase in the values of tested parameters showed that at temperatures of milk sample storage 4 and 6.5°C TBC did not exceed the permissible hygienic value (100 000 CFU/ml) even after 96 hours while at 10°C it amounted to 90 000 CFU/ml after 48 hours and the limit for TBC was exceeded several times after 96 hours. PBC, which is not inhibited by cold storage to such a large extent, did not exceed the hygienic limit value for PBC (50 000 CFU/ml) even after 96 hours when milk samples were stored at 4°C, but at 6.5°C after 72 hours and at 10°C already after 48 hours the values 6 and 20 times higher, respectively, than the hygienic limit were recorded. A similar trend was observed in PLiBC, which exceeded the hazardous limit (43 000 CFU/ml) at 6.5°C after 96 hours and at 10°C already after 48 hours whereas at 4°C the limit value was not exceeded even after 96 hours. The content of FFA also increased in relation to the storage time and temperature of milk samples but in comparison with the increase in the tested groups of microorganisms the increase in FFA showed a higher correlation with storage time compared to storage temperature. A medium correlation was calculated between PLiBC and/or PBC and FFA content (r = 0.52; r = 0.57; P < 0.001).

The prosperity of various forest regeneration methods was evaluated on the prepared windthrow area established in 2010 in a previously allochthonous coniferous stand growing in mid-elevations of the Czech Republic. The forest regeneration variants were as follows: (1) "planting" of target species (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and Fagus sylvatica (L.), (2) "seeding" of pioneer (non target) species (Betula pendula Roth) and (3) spontaneous "succession". Two years after windthrow the "planting" was evaluated in accordance with the Czech forestry law as regeneration method with sufficient attributes, density (6,000-9,000 indd.ha^-1) and regular spatial distribution of target tree species. The "seeding" and "succession" variants showed a insufficient attributes of target tree species - total density ca 3,000 indd.ha^-1 (being ca 1,000 indd.ha^-1 higher than 20 cm) and irregular distribution across the plot. The non-target species birch on the "seeding" variant showed a high density of plants (131,000 indd.ha^-1) being eight times higher than the succession variant. The cost of the regeneration treatment was different between the variants - planting: 5,000-6,000 EUR.ha^-1, 1,300 EUR.ha^-1, succession: 1,000 EUR.ha^-1. Comparing to "planting" the higher diversity of tree species and higher density of non-target species (20,000-134,000 EUR.ha^-1) in the "seeding" and "succession" variants promise success for the future, however the real potential of regeneration methods that were used will be clear after long-term observations.

The goal of this study was to examine the effect of oxidative stress (OS) induced with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on the anaesthetic properties of ketamine in seven and 14 day-old broiler chicks. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that H₂O₂ (0.5%) induced OS through significant inhibition of glutathione (GSH) and elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in the brain of chicks in comparison to control (tap water) group. The hypnotic and analgesic median effective doses (ED_50s) decreased by 44% and 19%, respectively, in the stressed group compared to control group of chicks. On the other hand, the acute toxicity of ketamine increased through decreasing the acute median lethal dose (LD₅₀) (22%) in stressed chicks as determined by the up-and-down method. Injection of multiple ketamine doses at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, i.m. produced hypnotic effects for both groups of chicks depending on the dose, whereas H₂O₂ caused an increase in ketamine hypnotic efficacy in comparison to the control group. In the same manner, the antinociceptive effect of ketamine increased in the stressed chicks that underwent electrostimulation for pain induction. Both AST and ALT concentrations in the plasma were significantly elevated in the stressed group when compared to the control group. The results of this study suggest that H₂O₂-induced OS modifies the anaesthetic properties of ketamine in chicks by increasing its efficacy and acute toxicity probably through its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions; thus, care must be taken when stressed animals are undergoing anaesthesia with ketamine.

The study deals with the influence of the structure, texture and dynamics of a spruce-beech primeval forest on the bird community in Skalná Alpa National Nature Reserve in the Veľká Fatra Mts. (West Carpathians, Slovakia) in the years 1982-2002. The abundance of Norway spruce (Picea excelsa Lam.) was highest both in the optimum and decomposition stage. In the growth stage the number of Norway spruce (Picea excelsa Lam.) trees was quite low. The texture of spruce-beech virgin forest was very variable. Percentage ratios of individual stages on the area of 42.16 ha were as follows: growth stage 38.3%, optimum stage 20.1% and decomposition stage 41.6%. Altogether 46 bird species were represented in the bird community during the spring season. Mean total density was 85.8 ind/10 ha. The bird community consisted of 52 species in the summer season, 45 in the autumn migration season, 34 in the winter season, and of 47 in the spring migration season. The highest density was found in the bird community during the autumn migration season (109.8 ind/10 ha), the lowest in the winter season (24.6 ind/10 ha). During the spring migration season, both the spectrum of bird species and total density of bird community increased by the number of migratory species that came back from winter habitats.

This paper analyses regional heterogeneity under the discretionary measures of non-operating earnings quality and stock returns on firm value in Taiwan's biotech industry during 2008-2015. An econometric framework based on panel smooth transition regression models is employed in a non-linear panel data model. The results show that biotech firms near the bottom threshold for operating income have low-quality non-operating earnings and those near the upper threshold demonstrate the opposite. Investors who exclusively focus on stock returns are thus likely to miss important information about the quality of earnings.

The development of age structure of Czech agricultural workforce has been continuously predominantly negative since 1989 and it constitutes a serious problem in terms of reproduction of agricultural workforce. The present paper abstains from analyzing the demographic, economic and socio-political influences on this process and tries to identify the specific factors inherent in the agricultural labour market. It considers opportunities for improving the age structure of agricultural workforce provided by the labour market system, particularly in relation to the supply of workforce, demand for it, unemployment and wage levels. An abductive approach, based on a secondary analysis of quantitative data and the authors' own empirical survey, identifies a set of hypotheses about the relationship between agricultural labour market and the age structure of agricultural workforce.