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In continuation of a previous study concerning tree performance and yield characteristics of 20 Holovousy-bred apple cultivars, their fruit characteristics and storage potential were evaluated during 2006-2011 in comparison to commercial standards (Golden Delicious and Jonagold). Fruits of Meteor cv. had the longest storage potential, exceeding six months. It was followed in this respect by cvs Rubimeg, Zuzana, Rucla and Angold that were better than both standards. Mean fruit sizes of cvs Meteor, Angold, Mivibe, Nabella and Zuzana were larger than the standards. Fruits of cultivar Rubin- step were evaluated as the most attractive. In this respect also Rubimeg, Meteor and Rucla were remarkable. Regarding total taste Rucla cv. was the clear winner, followed by cvs Meteor, Rubinstep, Rubimeg and Angold. Regarding total fruit quality cvs Meteor, Rucla and Rubinstep were better than standards. Besides these cultivars, Angold, Fragrance, Julia and Selena were evaluated on the level comparable to standards.

Anthocyanins are potent natural antioxidants with acclaimed health benefits and are also used as industrial colourants. These functions are based on the types and amounts of anthocyanins present in the food material. We identified and characterised mulberry fruit anthocyanins before and after high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment. Three separate samples were differently treated at 200, 400, and 600 MPa for 20 min, respectively. Anthocyanins were identified and characterised using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI/MS), and the literature data. Cyanidin-3-O-glucopyranoside (55.56%) and cyanidin-3-O-coumaroylglucoside (44.44%) were detected in the untreated sample, while two new anthocyanins [pelargonidin-3-O-coumaroylglucoside (0.46%) and delphinidin-3-O-coumaroylglucoside (5.8%)] were identified in the sample treated at 200 MPa for 20 minutes. One new anthocyanin, delphinidin-3-O-coumaroylglucoside (5.38%), was detected in the juice treated at 400 MPa for 20 minutes. At 600 MPa for 20 min, no new anthocyanins were detected.

Six adult male meat-type guinea pigs were subjected to three subsequent digestibility trials with 100% alfalfa, 50% alfalfa and 50% sugar cane and 50% alfalfa and 50% concentrate. For each animal in each period, feed intakes were recorded and all faeces were collected and stored at -20°C until analysis. Feeds and faeces were analysed for dry matter, crude ash, crude protein, ether-extract, crude fibre and acid-insoluble ash. Coefficients of apparent digestibility were calculated according to both the total collection method and the marker method with acid-insoluble ash as internal marker. The present study suggests that acid-insoluble ash is not valid as an internal marker when looking at differences between individuals, but might be useful to demonstrate differences between diets, albeit with lack of accuracy for estimating the absolute digestibility coefficients obtained through the total collection method. Sugar cane was slightly less digestible than alfalfa in meat-type guinea-pigs.

The aim of this study was to compare some depressors of the central nervous system combined with ketamine in order to find an adequate scombination for anaesthesia in mice, coupled with a simple, easy to use and reliable method. Forty Swiss OF-1 mice (Mus musculus), 20 females and 20 males with a body weight from 35 to 45 g aged from 12 to 16 weeks, were used to evaluate one of the following central nervous system depressors (CNSD): acepromazine (5 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg), medetomidine (1 mg/kg), midazolam (5 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) combined with the dissociative anaesthetic ketamine (100 mg/kg) by the intraperitoneal route. Different parameters were evaluated at regular intervals to assess the depth of anaesthesia (time of induction, time of loss and recovery of pedal withdrawal reflex, time of recovery from the anaesthesia), and respiratory and heart rate and oxygen saturation. Most of the assessment times and physiological parameters were exhibited earlier in females than in males but, in most cases, these differences were not significant. The diazepam combination resulted in death in half of the male group. Significant differences for the combination comparison were found for induction, pedal withdrawal reflex and recovery from anaesthesia, as well as for respiratory and heart rate and oxygen saturation. The best results for mice of both genders, i.e. induction, maintenance and recovery from anaesthesia were more stable with α₂-agonists than with other combinations (benzodiazepines or acepromazine), which did not reach a good anaesthetic level, that is, an adequate anaesthetic plane with an absence of the pedal withdrawal reflex and the maintenance of stable vital constants.

Isoflavan equol has recently been assessed in human nutrition as a potent estrogen with various health benefits. It is produced by intestinal microflora from isoflavones (IF) formononetin and daidzein. These dietary precursors are present particularly in soy products. However, only 20-35% of the Western adult population is capable of producing equol from the ingested IF. Cow's milk was proved to be an important source of equol produced from the IF in the rumen and intestines. Among forages, red clover (Trifolium pratense) is by far the most important source of both the IF. Their contents in fresh red clover forage are affected by variety and by several environmental factors. Leaves have the highest IF contents. Available data on changes in IF contents during wilting, drying, and ensiling are ambiguous. Content of equol in milk produced by dairy cows fed fresh or ensiled red clover can be at the level of several hundreds μg per litre.

In order to improve the nutritional value of two-rowed barley grain, two foliar selenium (Se) fertilizers (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) at four rates (0-10-20-40 g/ha) were applied during the growing seasons 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 in a field experiment conducted under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. The grain harvested in the 2010/2011 season accumulated a greater amount of total Se than the grain of the 2011/2012 season. Sodium selenate was much more effectively taken by plants than sodium selenite, and there was a strong and linear relationship between total Se concentration and Se rate in both sodium selenate and selenite. For each gram of Se fertilization, applied as sodium selenate or sodium selenite, the increases of total Se concentration in grain were 44 and 9 μg/kg dry weight, respectively. No increments in total or available Se were observed in soil after harvesting even at the highest doses of either fertilizer. It can be concluded that two-rowed barley would be a good candidate to be included in biofortification programs under Mediterranean conditions to increase Se in animal feeding and in the human diet through beer production.

The goal of this study was the determination of basic physical properties such as density, calorific value and rheological properties of liquid biofuels. Biofuels on the base of bioethanol and rapeseed methyl ester were chosen. Following control samples were selected: diesel oil without admixture of methyl esters and commercially available diesel oils with small amount of methyl ester admixture (6.2 and 6.5%). Dynamic viscosities of individual samples were measured in the range from -10°C to 50°C. Then dependence of shear rate on shear stress was measured at temperatures -10, 0, 20 and 40°C. The most of samples showed the Newtonian behaviour. However, samples with high content of methyl esters or pure methyl esters showed thixotropy behaviour at the low temperature.

The practical aspect of utilization of digital photogrammetry methods and their products in Slovak forestry is presented. We deal with the comparison of various data obtained by digital cameras, their accuracy, utilization and effectiveness for mapping. Based on presented results we summarize the main conclusions in the field of forest mapping. We also deal with the process of pan-sharpening for the preparation of image data for the interpretation and classification of forestry features. Also, the statistical characteristics of two photogrammetric projects with different geometric resolution photos (Ultracam D digital camera with ground sample distance of 10 cm and UltracamX digital camera with ground sample distance of 20 cm) from the same experimental area of the University Forest Enterprise Zvolen are described with the aim of finding an appropriate solution suitable for forest mapping. In both cases, the horizontal accuracy of the photogrammetric projects is presented. Finally, the process of true orthophoto generation and its utilization in forestry is the focus. Both experiments in this paper presented results which fulfil the accuracy standards defined by the state cadastre within the mapping of large scale maps. All projects, apart from the project of direct georeferencing, fulfilled the third accuracy class of mapping, so they can be used within cadastral mapping, land consolidations and, of course, within forested land mapping. Still, all the projects meet the accuracy requirements within the forest mapping standard, where the forestry features and forest spatial distribution units are mapped.

The antioxidative activities and mechanism of action were studied of eight synthesised cinnamoyl- and hydroxycinnamoyl amides of biogenic amines (caffeoyldopamine, cinnamoyldopamine, p-coumaroyldopamine, feruloyldopamine, sinapoyldopamine, caffeoylphenylethylamine, caffeoyltyramine, and caffeoyltryptamine) in a wide concentration range (2.5-20 × 10^-4M) during autoxidation of triacylglycerols of sunflower oil. It was established that all amides exhibited excellent antioxidant activity, higher than or comparable with that of caffeic acid. The best activity was shown by caffeoyldopamine followed by cinnamoyldopamine and caffeoyltyramine. The analysis of the kinetic data obtained showed that the presence of hydroxyl groups in the amino part (derivatives of dopamine and tyramine) led to direct oxidation of the molecules during the process and stabilisation of the resulting radicals. In contrast, the amides without hydroxyl groups in the amino part participated in the side reaction with peroxides and the resulting radicals took part in one side reaction of the chain propagation as did caffeic acid.

The study was aimed at determining the chemical composition, in sacco ruminal dry matter and organic matter degradability of leaves and fruits of tropical condensed tannin rich multipurpose tree species (MPTS). The MPTS studied were Ekebergia capenesis, Ficus sycomorus, Maesa lanceolata, and Rhus glutinosa. Chemical composition of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC), and condensed tannin (CT) was determined. In sacco rumen degradability was measured using three rumen fistulated Holstein Friesian-Boran cross steers at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The DM and organic matter (OM) degradability data were fitted to the equation Y = a + b(1 - e^-ct). The values for each chemical constituent ranged 5.43-11.49% (CA), 7.97-17.06% (CP), 1.57-31% (EE), 12.20-27.5% (CF), 5.84-39.30% (NFC), and 7.2-16.72% (CT). Ekebergia capensis leaves had the greatest values for slowly degradable fraction (b), effective degradability (ED), and rate of degradation (c) in DM (P < 0.001) whereas E. capensis fruit had significantly the greatest soluble fraction (a), potential degradability (b), and effective degradability (ED) values as compared to the a, PD, and ED values in the fruits of other plants(P < 0.001). Yet in OM degradation kinetics, the greatest and least values of potential degradability (PD) were recorded for F. sycomorus (89.89%) and E. capensis (55.90%) leaves (P < 0.001). Similar to the rapidly soluble fraction a, ED was found to be the greatest in fruits as compared to leaves of the plants (P < 0.001). Generally variation of plant parts led to significant differences in chemical composition, DM, and OM degradability and the degradable parameters. The leaves and fruits recorded more than 60% DM and OM degradability at 24 h, which implied that they were all greatly degradable in the rumen.

Anaerobic fermentation is a suitable method of energetic and material utilisation of waste coming from restaurants and canteens. Laboratory experiments of wet anaerobic fermentation were performed in a continuous reactor and in batch reactors under mesophilic conditions. Effects of hydraulic retention time, organic loading rate, period of feeding and recirculation of digestate were examined in the continuous reactor. Effects of substrate pre-treatment (crushing, heating, freezing) were examined in the batch reactors. Degree of substrate degradation ranged between 83-85% within hydraulic retention time of 2-30 days. Appropriate organic loading rate was found in the range 2-3 kg of volatile solids per m3/day. Recirculation of digestate (both an inoculum for fresh substrate and replacement of fresh water supply) caused an increase in ammonia concentration and led to immediate inhibition of the process. The results further showed a positive effect of substrate pre-treatment in the initial phase of fermentation. However, degree of degradation did not show a significant increase for the period of 20 days of fermentation.

Effects of age at first calving (AFC) on functional longevity of Czech Holstein cows and their reproduction traits in the first lactation were analyzed using the first lactation data of 605 538 Holstein cows first calved from 1993 to 2008. Three classes were formed for AFC: low age class (16-24 months), average age class (25-30 months), and high age class (33-46 months). Effects of AFC on length of productive life (LPL), days open (DO), days between calving and first service (CTFS), and days between first service and conception in the first lactation (FSTC) were estimated by survival and linear model analyses. It was found that LPL was on average slightly shorter for cows with higher AFC who showed also a lower proportion of higher lactations and tended to longer DO and longer CTFS in the first parity. The results of survival analysis indicate that cows with higher AFC had a tendency to shorter LPL (risk of culling 1.118) and to longer DO (risk of conception 0.758), CTFS (risk of conception 0.757), and FSTC (risk of conception 0.754) in comparison with cows with lower AFC. When the effect of fertility traits on LPL was analyzed, it was found that longer DO, CTFS, and FSTC were connected with a lower risk of culling (0.132, 0.183, 0.206) regardless of the particular AFC group. In linear model analysis, the effects of AFC group were estimated from two datasets, where the second dataset included also the missing values of fertility traits. It was found that the cows group with the highest AFC showed worse values of fertility traits (16.75, 19.69, 20.46 days) than the cows groups with lower AFC. Results of all analyses showed that a high AFC is connected with worse cow's fertility at the first lactation and with lower cow's LPL.

The effect of Humisol organic fertiliser (150 g humic acid/l + 20 g/l mineral nutrients) on plant survival and growth of five walnut cultivars grown over a period of two years in the nursery were evaluated. Walnut plants treated with Humisol at the total annual rate of 0.75 ml/plant had a significantly higher survival rate in the first year, greater height and diameter in both years, and a higher percentage of first-class plants at the end of the second year, as compared to untreated control plants. Soil application of Humisol led to better performance of nursery grafted plants, compared to foliar application. Nursery plants receiving 1.5 ml Humisol per year through both soil and foliar application exhibited the best performance in the parameters analysed. In the first year, a decrease in plant growth rate in all treatments was observed in August and September; in the second year, growth rate started to significantly decline in the second half of August.

We applicate the bioluminescent assay system for evaluating the toxicity of Ochratoxin A (OTA). The optimum conditions for the growth and bioluminescence of V. harveyi BA were investigated, including NaCl concentration and pH in the medium, incubation temperature, and OTA action time. The growth and luminescence reached the perfect phase with the NaCl concentration in the range of 1% to 2%, pH 8-9, incubation temperature 25-30°C, and OTA acting for1 hour. Based on these optimum conditions for bioluminescence, the inhibitory effect of OTA on luminosity was pursued. When OTA concentration fell into the range of 0.1-1.0 µg/l, bioluminescence inhibition followed a linear pattern with a good correlation coefficient (R² = 0.944). The calculated recovery percentages fell into the range of 81-102% within the spiking range of 20-200 µg/kg. This system provided a screening method for the measurement of toxic OTA by monitoring the changes in luminescence.

The paper addresses the problem of estimating future stand development in heterogeneously structured forests in Sweden; specifically, multi-layered spruce stands and mature pine stands with advanced spruce undergrowth. We first introduce various supporting concepts and models with their empirical databases, model validation and constraints. Secondly, Swedish single-tree growth functions designed for more heterogeneously structured forest are tested using data from inventory plots, a thinning experiment in an uneven-aged forest stand, and yield plots in pristine forest. Future growth of a managed, multi-layered forest was simulated and is compared with other selected functions. Simulation results, expected errors and time constraints are discussed. For most models, projected stand basal area growth deviated 10-20% from the observed growth in individual stands. In single stands, the deviation ranged from 0 to 60%. Validation periods were often 5-15 years, sometimes even more than 30 years. For Swedish single-tree basal area growth functions, on average, a 5% overestimate was found for heterogeneously structured forest across Sweden. Observed growth in a boreal single-tree selection forest was underestimated by 12.5% fifteen years after thinning from above.

The chemical and fatty acid composition were evaluated of commercially important fish species (common carp, silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, Wels catfish, and zander) which were collected from retail stores in the area of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia. The amount of protein was the highest in zander (19.27%) and the lowest in grass carp fillets (14.73%). The percentage of fat ranged from 1.8 in zander to 10.07 in common carp. The total cholesterol content was the highest in Chinese carps fillets (approximately 65.38 mg/100 g), and the lowest in Wels catfish (33.14 mg/100 g). SFA were lowest in zander (28.6%). Bighead carp meat contained the highest percentage of PUFA (33.73%) while the lowest percentage was detected in common carp (20.1%). The chemical and fatty acid compositions of fish vary greatly between different species and within the same species. The quality of fish meat in Serbian retail stores is quite good but it should be improved by using feed mixtures on fish ponds.

Evaluation of soil erosion by existing models is needed as an important tool for managerial purposes in designation of proper water and soil conservation techniques. The present study aimed to assess the applicability of hillslope erosion model (HEM) as one of the newest erosion models for prediction of storm-wise sediment yield in Khosbijan rangeland with 20% slope steepness by using soil erosion standard plots. In order to run the model, runoff depth, land surface cover, soil texture, slope steepness and length were determined for 16 storm events. The results showed that the uncalibrated HEM did not simulate the observed sediment yields properly. Calibration of soil erodibility parameter and developing regression between observed and estimated data indicated that the model was capable of predicting sediment yield in plots by applying soil erodibility parameter of 0.15 with determination coefficient of 0.64 and estimate error of 40%.

Soil compaction caused by machinery traffic affects the growth of agricultural crops and also has environmental effects like soil damage and erosion. Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of repeated silage-corn harvesting machinery traffic on dry soil bulk density and porosity variations at three different sampling depths, moreover average water permeability coefficient of the examined silty clay loam soil was measured using the falling head method of water permeability test. The examined treatments which were applied while harvesting silage-corn with the combination of tractor, chopper and truck were the number of traffic passes and depths of soil sampling. Significant differences between soil compaction treatments were observed in bulk density and porosity of soil. Numerically, 22% increase in soil bulk density and 19% reduction in soil porosity were recorded due to the effect of two passes of the examined machineries over the field terrain comparing to the non-traffic treatment. Moreover; soil sampling at 0-10 cm and 20-30 cm depths resulted in the highest and the lowest soil porosity respectively.

The effects were evaluated of different factors on the level of spontaneous (SPO) and induced (IND) lipolysis as defined by the content of free fatty acids (FFA) in milk. Milk samples were collected at monthly intervals throughout the year from both morning and evening milkings either individually in a milking parlour (SPO; n = 10) or from the bulk tank (IND; n = 10). The data were analysed using SAS 9.1. More intensive SPO was observed from March to May with higher FFA contents (+0.034 to +0.523 mmol/100 g of fat; P < 0.05-0.01), and also from September to November (+0.077 to +0.292 mmol/100 g of fat; P < 0.05). More intensive SPO was also detected in the evening milk than in that coming from morning milking (+0.062 to +0.556 mmol/100 g of fat; P < 0.05-0.01). SPO measured immediately after milking was affected by the season and time of milking. The content of FFA characterising IND in bulk milk (0.33-1.10 mmol/100 g of fat) was higher (P < 0.05-0.001) than that due to SPO in individual samples (0.21-0.86 mmol/100 g of fat), especially in those from evening milking compared to morning milking (+0.10 to +0.47 vs. +0.12 to +0.22 mmol/100 g of fat; P < 0.05-0.001).

With increasing mechanization of forest harvesting operations the impacts on soil have increased quite dramatically. The objective of this paper was to examine the relationship of slope and soil loss. This research was carried out in parcels 14 and 26 of the third district of Nav-Asalem forest in the north of Iran. Erosion plots were 75, 150 and 225 m² with two slope classes. After each rainfall event the amount of runoff was measured; then, a sample was taken to determine the weight of soil loss. The results of correlation analysis by Pearson's test between soil loss and slope classes, soil loss and slope length showed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) and positive correlation between the mentioned factors. Also, linear regression between soil loss, slope length and slope gradient was significant. It could be concluded that studying and underlying factors that increase soil loss such as soil type, rainfall intensity, should also be taken into consideration in future. Skid trail construction and skidding should be limited to the slope of < 20%; machine traffic should be restricted. The above-mentioned conclusions can be applied to proper harvesting and management of forest ecosystems.

The present study investigated the effect of 1 and 2% feed supplementation with biomass of Chlorella grown through heterotrophic fermentation on the concentration of total and individual carotenoids in egg yolks. A total of twenty-four Hisex Brown laying hens aged 56 weeks were included in the experiment. The layers were kept individually in cages. They were divided into three groups of eight birds and fed a diet typical for laying hens. Control birds (C) received only a basal diet, while experimental diets (P1 and P2) were supplemented with 1 and 2% (i.e. 10 and 20 g/kg) dry disintegrated Chlorella biomass. Egg yolk deposition of total carotenoids was significantly (P < 0.01) increased by 46% (P1) and 119% (P2). The rising curves of total carotenoids reached their plateau during the fourth experimental week. The respective values oscillated around 25 mg (P1) and 40 mg (P2) per g of yolk during the following weeks. Lutein and zeaxanthin were equally deposited and they represented more than 90% of total carotenoids in yolk. The deposition of carotenoids significantly (P < 0.01) increased the colour characteristics of yolks measured using the Roche Yolk Colour Fan scale. Supplementation with Chlorella biomass significantly decreased the egg yolk weight of P2 in comparison with P1 (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.01). These effects were probably related to lower feed consumption in these hens. The daily feed intake per hen, as well as its consumption per egg, was lower by 5-7 g in both supplemented groups. Recalculation of the diet consumption per kg of egg and yolk mass eliminated these differences. There were no differences among laying hens in plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol and cholesterol.

We analysed the fatty acid (FA) composition of plant and fish oil supplements available in the Czech Republic. Total lipid FA composition was analysed by gas chromatography. A total of 62 plant and 50 fish oil supplements were analysed. Their FA composition ranged widely. Linoleic acid was a dominant FA in soya lecithin (45-60%), evening primrose (65-75%), amaranth (20-50%), pumpkin seed (45-55%), and borage oil supplements (40%). α-Linolenic acid ranged between 2% and 8% in soya lecithin and from 0.2% to 1% in the majority of the other plant oil supplements. Saw palmetto oil supplements were rich in saturated FA (40-90%). γ-Linolenic acid was found in evening primrose and borage oil supplements (10-20%). Sea buckthorn oil composition varied according to the part of the plant used. The majority of fish oil supplements contained 12-23% of eicosapentaenoic and 7-17% of docosahexaenoic acids. Oil supplements may be beneficial for patients with metabolic disorders because of their FA as well as antioxidant and phytosterol content.

Aronia melanocarpa is one of the many fruit types rich in polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, we used this fruit in our research as a possible natural antioxidant, which was added to pork sausages. Four groups were prepared: control group, a group with ascorbic acid, and groups with 3 and 5 mL·kg^–1 of chokeberry extract. During storage, we monitored changes in pH, colour, texture and oxidative stability of pork sausages and sensory evaluation. We did not observe any negative effects of the extract on the quality of pork sausages during storage. Regarding oxidative stability, the lowest increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in the group with 5 mL·kg^–1 of chokeberry extract, which was comparable to the group with ascorbic acid.

Indigenous chicken breeds from Fujian Province, China, exhibit unique and distinctive phenotypic characteristics, including morphology, behaviour, integumentary pigmentation, feather colouration, and production performance. However, the underlying genetic basis governing these specific traits remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the population structure of six Fujian local chicken breeds [Bairong chickens (BRCs), Jinhu chickens (JHCs), Minqing chickens (MQCs), Dehua chickens (DHCs), Xiangdong chickens (XDCs), and Hetian chickens (HTCs)] in terms of their genetic resources within the province. The whole-genome resequencing revealed 8 678 612 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a cohort of 36 chickens. The results revealed a partial mismatch between the clustering patterns and geographic distributions of the six populations, with BRC displaying a noticeable genetic divergence from other chickens. Moreover, the genetic distance between XDC and HTC in Longyan County was relatively close and converged with JHC, MQC, and DHC into a subgroup. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic characteristics and utilisation prospects of chicken germplasm resources in Fujian Province.

To study the impact of parent-inbred lines on the heterosis expression of the agronomic characteristics in sunflower hybrids, 24 sunflower hybrids along with the parent lines were evaluated for their agronomic characteristics as a randomised complete block design with three replications in the 2018-2019 growing seasons in Karaj, Iran. According to the results, the hybrids R29 × A346, R19 × A346, R29 × A40 had the highest achene yield (4 159, 4 143 and 4 108 kg/ha, respectively), but the highest heterosis was observed in R29 × A212 and R19 × A212 (182 and 181%, respectively) suggesting that the incidence of heterosis is related to the relative performance of both the parents and hybrids. The results confirmed the heterosis expression for most of the agronomic traits. The heterosis for the days to flowering and maturity were negative. All the mid-parent heterosis (MPH) for the plant height, head diameter, stem diameter and achene number were positive, while only the plant height was positive for the best parent heterosis (BPH). Almost all the MPH and BPH of the crosses for the achene and oil yield were positive, which indicates a considerable heterosis for the achene and oil yield. The results showed that the relative impact of the restorer (R)-lines was higher than the cytoplasmic mail sterile (CMS)-lines on the heterosis expression for the days to maturity, stem diameter, achene number per head and achene and oil yield. The CMS-lines had more of an impact on the heterosis expression for the plant height and the relative impact of the R-lines and CMS-lines were almost similar for the days to flowering, head diameter, achene weight and oil content. Due to the higher relative impact of the paternal lines on the heterosis expression for half of the studied characteristics in this study, choosing suitable parental lines will have a crucial role in breeding the sunflowers for a desired trait.

Old plant communities are of utmost importance for nature conservation, carbon sequestration, as well as gene pool maintenance. Shrub populations occurring in extreme environments beyond abiotic tree-lines provide diverse ecosystem services and have potential as proxy archives because they often inhabit areas with scarce and short instrumental records. We provide dendrochronological insight into one such population made up of prostrate Juniperus communis shrubs in the northern Scandinavian tundra (Norway), growing on a competition-free boulder field. We dated and provided a growth chronology of the oldest living shrub population (190 ± 148 years) from Scandinavia with the oldest individual being 683 years old. This is a conservative estimate, as shrubs in extreme environments do not form even a single row of cells in some years. The cross-dating issues of poorly growing shrubs do not fully allow to rely on climate sensitivity of the juniper population studied, although the species' potential for dendroclimatological reconstructions is generally considered high, also because the common juniper is an abundant woody species distributed globally. Old populations present an important gene source in plant recruitment, particularly in the context of the present environmental change.

The influence of the developmental stage of zygotic embryos and the composition and pH of the Gamborg induction medium B5 on the initiation and development of somatic embryos was investigated. The optimal medium was B5 medium with a pH value of 5.0 and without plant growth regulator, at which the highest frequency of somatic embryogenesis (56.67%) and the highest average number of somatic embryos per explant (3.35) were achieved. Somatic embryos appeared directly on the hypocotyls of the explants, without the callus stage. On zygotic embryos in the early cotyledonary phase, three times higher regeneration was achieved compared to larger embryos in the cotyledonary phase. The induction of somatic embryogenesis did not occur during the growth of explants on the medium containinig 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, nor on zygotic embryos in the late cotyledonary phase. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis showed the genetic stability of somatic embryo-derived plants, which makes this newly established protocol suitable for the regeneration and propagation of desirable broccoli genotypes.

Foliar application of selenium (Se) is an effective measure to increase Se concentrations in peanut pods. However, how the foliar application of amino acid-chelated selenite affects the photosynthetic characteristics of peanut leaves at the podding stage is still unclear. Here, the effects of Se on the activities of antioxidant enzymes, the concentrations of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and reduced glutathione (GSH), photosynthetic parameters, and Se concentration of peanut leaves were investigated by spraying selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite solutions, respectively. The results indicated that foliar application of Se could significantly increase leaf Se concentration. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), and transpiration rate (T_r) of leaves were significantly higher than those in the control. However, peanut leaves’ intercellular CO₂ concentration (c_i) decreased significantly. Further study found that the concentrations of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and GSH in peanut leaves increased significantly, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in peanut leaves were significantly higher than those in control. However, there were no significant differences between the foliar application of selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite. Thus, foliar application of selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite could effectively enhance the photosynthetic functions of peanut leaves, which was closely associated with the improvement of antioxidant enzyme activities and the concentrations of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and GSH, resulting in inhibiting chlorophyll degradation and improving the photosynthetic functions of peanut leaves.

Lymantria dispar, a well-known defoliating pest species, also presents a health challenge due to the allergenic potential of its hairs, making it interesting to study from various perspectives. As chemical control methods decline in popularity, the search for effective natural enemies of this pest, such as predators, parasites and parasitoids, are expanding. On this occasion, we report the discovery of the primary parasitoid Glyptapanteles liparidis and the secondary parasitoid Gelis areator for the fauna of Slovenia. Illustrations and a short biology are given for both species.

Antibiotics are still used to treat mastitis in dairy cows in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyse antibiotic resistance genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) from subclinical mastitis milk in East Java Province, Indonesia. The samples consisted of subclinical mastitis milk from cows and goats. A total of 592-quarter cow’s milk and 71 goat’s milk samples from both halves of the udder were collected from 67 farms in Lumajang, Banyuwangi, Malang, Sidoarjo, Jember, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, and Mojokerto. Subclinical mastitis samples were screened using the California mastitis test (CMT). E. coli was identified by phenotypic and genotypic methods. E. coli was confirmed with a primer specific to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Gene resistance of E. coli was tested using the multiplex-PCR (mPCR) technique with primers encoding the genes temoneira enzyme (TEM), oxacillinase (OXA), sulfhydryl variable (SHV), and cefotaximase-munich IV (CTX-M IV). These genes were chosen because mastitis treatment generally uses oxacilline and β-lactam antibiotics. All data obtained were analysed descriptively. The results show that six isolates of E. coli (46.15%) carried a single resistance gene (TEM or SHV) and two isolates (33.33%) were confirmed as multiple drug-resistant organisms (MDROs) (TEM and SHV). The resistance genes were found in samples originating from Blitar, Banyuwangi, Lumajang, and Pasuruan Regencies. This research implies that antibiotic-resistance genes found in E. coli on certain farms are dangerous and may allow gene transmission to other bacteria that make treatment for mastitis or other bacterial infections ineffective.