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Livestock production significantly contributes to emissions of polluting gases emissions like ammonia (NH₃) and greenhouse gases. Pig production is globally responsible for about 15% of ammonia emissions. The aims of this paper were the comparison of the ammonia concentrations in the farrowing pens with permanent limited range of motion between the zones of lactating sows and piglets and the impact of the day hour on ammonia concentration in this place. Photoacoustic infrared measuring devices INNOVA were used. The average values of NH₃ concentration ranged from 0.787738 ppm (0.547478 mg/m³) to 0.818091 ppm (0.568573 mg/m³). The minimum concentration of NH₃ was measured in the second lactating sows zone (0.262535 ppm, 0.182462 mg/m³) and the maximum concentration was measured in the piglets zone (1.61803 ppm, 1.124531 mg/m³). Values measured met the requirements of the Decree No. 230/1998 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic which allows the maximum concentration of NH₃ in the pig building 20 ppm (13.9 mg/m³). There were no differences between the concentrations of the greenhouse gases (GHGes) in the zones of lactating sows and piglets.

The study investigated the consequences of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on hormonal status and metabolic changes in neonatal lambs. Four ewes out of twenty-eight multiparous ewes mated at a synchronized oestrus were slaughtered at day 90 of pregnancy to collect fetal blood to serve as an initial comparison group. Twenty-four animals were divided into three groups and offered 0.18 MJ ME.kg^-0.75per day (restricted group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJ ME.kg^-0.75per day (restricted group 2, RG2), and control group (ad libitum CG) during late pregnancy, respectively. Immediately after parturition, blood was collected from the neonatal lambs in each group and analyzed for growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-II, insulin (INS), thyroxine (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃), glucose (GLU), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and total amino acid (TAA), respectively. The results indicated that the maternal undernutrition during late gestation decreased the average lamb birth weight in both RG1 (P < 0.01) and RG2 (P < 0.05) compared to CG. During the late fetal development period, the concentrations of T4, INS, and IGF-I of neonatal lambs in CG were increased (P < 0.05) compared to those at day 90 of pregnancy; the secretions of T₄, INS, and IGF-I in RG1 and RG2 during restriction were suppressed. The neonatal INS concentrations in RG1 and RG2 were decreased (P < 0.05), but the neonatal GH concentration in RG1 was greater than that of CG (P < 0.05). The GLU concentrations of neonatal lambs in RG1 were lower than those of CG (P < 0.05). However, the neonatal NEFA (P < 0.05) and TAA (P < 0.01) concentrations in RG1 were greater than those of CG. Thus, maternal undernutrition can change the hormonal and metabolic status of neonatal lambs, which may have significant implications on postnatal growth and adult health.

The effects of breed, development, and nutrition on mRNA expression of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) and its relationship with intramuscular fat (IMF) content in porcine muscle (m. longissimus dorsi; m.l.d.) were estimated. Purebred Jinhua, Zhongbai, Yorkshire, Duroc, Duroc × Zhongbai (DZ), and Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace (DYL) pigs were used to investigate the effect of breed. Pigs weighing 2.5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 100 kg were selected to study the effects of different stages of development. To study the effect of nutrition, four diets were selected: corn-soybean (CS), CS with 1.2% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or 0.05% creatine monohydrate (CMH), and barley-soybean (BS). All eighty animals were slaughtered, and m.l.d. samples were collected to examine FTO mRNA expression and IMF content. Results showed that breed significantly affected FTO mRNA expression and IMF content. FTO mRNA expression in the studied pigs was in the order: Zhongbai and Yorkshire > Duroc and DZ > Jinhua and DYL. The IMF content ordered by breed was Duroc > DZ > DYL > Jinhua > Zhongbai > Yorkshire. Both FTO mRNA expression and IMF content increased with age of the pigs, with the greatest difference seen between 100 kg pigs and all other weights. In the study, none of the four diets had a significant effect (P > 0.05) on FTO mRNA expression or IMF content. The study demonstrated that FTO mRNA expression increased with increasing body weight and was significantly affected by the breed of pigs. The results showed that FTO mRNA expression had an inconsistent correlation with IMF content between breeds and developmental ages.

European winter wheat landraces and obsolete cultivars (121 accessions in set I and 101 accessions in set II) with modern check cultivars were evaluated in three-year field trials. Increased spike productivity in modern cultivars could be attributed mainly to increased number of grains in spikelet and increased HI, whereas TGW has marginal effect. Old cultivars had on average by 2-3% higher crude protein content in grain than modern ones. Among selected 10 characters, relatively wide diversity (C.V. 11-20%) has been estimated in spike length and characters of spike productivity (except of grain weight with C.V. close to 9%). It was difficult to distinguish the cultivars according to the country of origin, however, earliness and lower spike productivity seems to be characteristic for South-East origin whereas cultivars from North-West Europe showed opposite characters. Correlation analyses showed close relations between earliness in heading and in maturity and negative relation between late heading and grain filling period, which was positively correlated with TGW and HI (r = 0.26 to 0.38). Number of grains in spikelets was highly correlated with spike productivity and HI (r = 0.62 to 0.69) whereas relations between these two characters and TGW were lower (r = 0.20 to 0.51). Spike productivity characters, except of TGW, are in negative correlation with crude protein content in grain (r = -0.34 to -0.50). Regression analyses confirmed that main determining character for the spike productivity is number of kernels in spikelet (about 40% of variation) while effects of TGW are about half-size. Crude protein content was positively affected by plant height (15-30% of variation) impact of grain weight per spike was lower (14-17% of variation) and negative. Potentially valuable donors of earliness and longer grain filling period were identified for further studies and/or utilization in breeding programs. As especially valuable character can be considered very high crude protein content (around 18% in cvs Berg-land, Ukrajinka, Sippbachzeller, Innichen Nr. 25001 and Barbu du Finistre). High crude protein content combined with relatively good spike productivity and/or long grain filling period or earliness was found in cvs Visperterminen 640 E, Hatvan, Szekacz 1242, Berchtesgardener Vogel, Ble du Lot and Barbu du Finistere.

Open habitats in closed forests are formed by various biotic and abiotic factors. These new habitats differ from their former parent stands in light conditions and vegetation structure facilitating their colonisation by heliophilous insects. We studied interseasonal differences (2010 and 2011) in the Orthoptera assemblages on eight clearcuts in beech forests. Using a sweeping method, altogether 20 species were recorded on the clearcuts in the first year, 26 in the second. In the second year, species number and abundance were higher in all orthopterans and also in the suborder of grasshoppers (Caelifera). In the crickets (Ensifera), interseasonal differences in the species number and abundance were not significant. The species composition differed among the plots also within individual years. In the second year, the frequency increased in 22 species (84.6%) while it decreased in four. We suggest that the ground-dwelling Caelifera species are better bioindicators of the deforested plot colonisation than the arbusticolous Ensifera.

The transformation process of even-aged forest stands to irregular forest stands on waterlogged sites after 20 years effort was analysed. Data from two 1-ha PRP was analysed with special focus on structural (Shannon Evenness Index, Simpson Index and Gini Index) and species (Shannon Evenness Index and Simpson Index) diversity. Different development on study plots confirmed that the highest structural diversity is not often compatible with the concept of species diversity. On PRP 1 high diameter differentiation has led to lower values of species diversity, while on PRP 2 rather moderate diameter differentiation supported higher species diversity in lower DBH classes. The Gini Index was confirmed to be the best indicator for monitoring the diameter differentiation in the course of stand transformation.

Three most frequently used methods for fat transesterification were compared using rendering plant fat (RPF) as model. Acid-catalysed transesterification was found to be the most effective (conversion 90%) at optimum conditions (fat: methanol ratio 1:10, sulphuric acid amount of 2% v/v, temperature 95°C). Base-catalysed transesterification of RPF on the other hand, results in much lower conversion (45%) at optimum conditions (fat:methanol ratio 1:20, NaOH amount 8% w/v, optimum temperature 95°C). The difference is done (among others) by the fact that RPF has high concentration of free acid (high acidity number) compared with the fats usually used for transesterification and that free acids are not esterified in alkaline media. Enzyme-(lipase) catalysed reaction could lead to partial esterification of free fatty acids, but with much lower reaction velocity. This fact leads to higher conversion in the case of enzyme-catalysed transesterification of RPF compared with base-catalysed reaction; nevertheless, even in this case the conversion is much lower in comparison with acid-catalysed reaction. The optimum conversion in enzyme-catalysed reaction was 55%.

The environment is characterised by subtle and major mutations that cause changes in land use/land cover. Analysis of its dynamics and identification of vulnerable areas are critical to maintaining ecosystem services. The aim of this research is to quantify and qualify land cover dynamics over a 30-year period. It will also highlight forest degradation from a supervised classification of Landsat satellite imagery (L5 TM1987, L7 ETM+ 2000, and L8 OLI/TIRS 2019). The dynamics of land use/land cover were investigated by a maximum likelihood approach using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). Six major land use and land cover (LULC) types were mapped (build-up, agriculture, forest, clearing, matorral and olive cultivation). The classification reports made it possible to assess a reduction in forest cover (from 14 470.11 ha to 5 203.26 ha) and an increase in buildings (from 6 033.69 ha to 9 515.61 ha), and agricultural land (from 9 517.59 ha to 12 338.19 ha). The results were validated by a kappa coefficient of 0.93, 0.91, and 0.96, which showed that the model had successfully predicted LULC changes. We anticipate that the results will provide a basis for decision-making as well as a starting point for further in-depth studies in sustainable management and development of natural resources in the study region.

Detailed performance testing of agricultural machinery is very important in determining its value in use. These measurements cannot be limited to laboratory tests, such as braking the power take-off (PTO) shaft of  a tractor or performing dynamic tests of implements in a soil bin. Field tests are the ultimate way to test the capabilities of agricultural machinery. However, during such field tests, there are many parameters that can interfere with and affect the test results, such as inhomogeneity of the soil and tyre characteristics. In order to minimise these effects as much as possible, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) Institute of Technology, Agriculture Engineering Labs. has developed a dynamometer vehicle with an electronic brake control system that is suitable for measuring the traction characteristics of agricultural tractors and other terrain vehicles. It  is also capable of testing different track systems and tyre-soil interactions. This paper introduces this special test vehicle by presenting measurement results and also describes other interesting applications for the agricultural community.

Salmonellosis is a major foodborne disease transmitted from contaminated poultry products worldwide. Although a wide variety of chemical agents are used in the prevention of foodborne Salmonella spp. infections, consumers prefer natural additives, that do not harm human health and do not impair the characteristics of food. Curcumin is a yellow-coloured, hydrophobic polyphenol obtained from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa L. plant known as turmeric. The purpose of this study was to evaluate curcumin’s antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium in chicken meat and in vitro. In the first step, chicken samples were experimentally contaminated with S. Typhimurium at a level of 2.8 × 10^–7 CFU/ml. Then, they were kept in a 1, 2, and 3% curcumin solution for 15 minutes. At the end of the treatment, chicken samples were stored at +4 °C. The number of S. Typhimurium in chicken samples was determined according to EN ISO 6579-1. In the result of the study, the number of S. Typhimurium decreased by 2.37, 2.71, and 2.84 log levels at the end of the 6^th day as a result of the 1, 2 and 3% curcumin treatment, respectively. The MIC value of curcumin was determined to be 362 µg/ml for S. Typhimurium.

An 8-year-old, 6.5 kg, neutered female Shih-Tzu dog was presented for surgical resection of a mediastinal mass. A median sternotomy and left cranial lung lobectomy were performed. Intraoperatively, with the patient under general anaesthesia, a bilateral transversus thoracis plane (TTP) block was performed by injecting 0.5% bupivacaine (0.2 ml/kg) per side using real-time ultrasound guidance. After surgery, indwelling catheters for repeated bolus injections of bupivacaine in TTP were placed as follows: the fifth sternebra was palpated in dorsal recumbency, and the transducer was placed in the longitudinal plane lateral to the sternal border. A 16 gauge over-the-needle catheter was inserted caudo-cranially using an in-plane technique and located in the TTP. An intermittent bolus of bupivacaine (0.1 ml/kg) per side was injected via the indwelling catheter every 8 h for 3 days, with a constant rate infusion of an intravenous fentanyl (1 μg/kg/h) and ketamine (0.12 mg/kg/h) combination. Post-operative pain was evaluated using the Glasgow composite measure pain scale and the score was 4–5/24 on the day of surgery and gradually decreased over time. Additional rescue analgesia was not required. Repeated boluses of bupivacaine for a continuous bilateral TTP block may be a useful adjuvant for perioperative pain management strategies, including median sternotomy, in dogs.

Agricultural subsidy policy can improve the planting enthusiasm of rural households by increasing their income. It is of great significance to assess and summarise the effect of the soybean and cotton target price subsidy policy and to determine future policy direction. Using the national rural fixed-observation point socioeconomic survey data from 2009 to 2017, the study employed the difference-in-differences (DID) method to evaluate the impact of the target price policy (TPP) on rural household income in China. TPP had no significant impact on the total income of rural households. Specifically, TPP increased the farm income of rural households but simultaneously reduced the wage income and had no significant impact on the other income. Moreover, the impact of TPP on rural household income varied with the planting scale and income level; the effect of TPP was strong among the non-poor or scale operation rural households. TPP implementation affected rural household farm and wage income by affecting farmers’ allocation of working time and cost input. Therefore, implementing TPP should consider farmers’ participation in non-farm employment, further adjust the subsidy intensity and scope, and combine direct subsidies with the poverty reduction effect in poor areas. The contribution of this article is to explore the implementation effect of target price subsidy policies from the perspective of farmers’ income, to deconstruct farmers’ income, and explore the mechanism of policy action. This paper provides a theoretical basis and policy inspiration for China to improve and adjust the agricultural subsidy policy, mobilise farmers’ enthusiasm to cultivate, and ensure national food security.

In order to determine the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) in preventing lameness in dairy cows, the aim of this study was to evaluate temperature variations depending on the lesion presence, measurement points and leg position. The study used about 3 000 IRT records from 60 Holstein cows housed in a free-stall barn. Surface temperature measurements were taken at two regions of the hooves: the region of the coronary band, and the region of the skin up to 2 cm above the coronary band. A highly significant (P = 0.004; 0.006, P < 0.01) difference in temperature was observed between healthy and diseased legs at both measurement points. Additionally, a significant (P = 0.029; 0.037; 0.045; 0.012; 0.018, P < 0.05) or highly significant (P = 0.004; 0.006, P < 0.01) difference in temperature values between the front and rear legs was established for both measurement points, i.e., the coronary band and the skin. Despite confirming the potential applicability of infrared thermography in the detection of lameness, it is crucial to consider the significant influences of the environmental factors, impurities, and animal-related factors.

The unique structural and biological diversity found in plants renders them a distinctive and sustainable source for discovering new antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic compounds. In the present study, antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of essential oils of citrus varieties of Northeast India were studied against selected foodborne pathogens using both in vitro and in silico approaches. These essential oils showed significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against foodborne pathogens. i.e. Bacillus cereus MTCC430 and Yersinia enterocolitica MTCC859. It was observed that the treatment with essential oil disturbed the membrane integrity of the pathogens, thereby causing the release of nucleic acids. This study also postulated that active compounds of the essential oils interact with different target proteins of the pathogens and provide an explanation for the mechanisms of antimicrobial and antibiofilm action of the essential oils of citrus varieties against foodborne pathogens.

In Czechia, harvesters contributed 43% of the total annual timber production in 2022. It is assumed that harvester technology will continue to be used intensively in the future, even though there is a change in the tree species composition of forests after the recent bark beetle outbreak and an increase in the use of close-to-nature forest management. The aim of this study was to analyse the over- and under-bark volume estimates of European larch timber produced by a harvester in Czechia. This study used the M3s price category for volume estimation. This volume was compared with the M3toDE price category. The M3toDE price category underestimated the over-bark volume by 5.59% compared to the M3s price category. However, for use in forestry practice in Czechia it is currently necessary to use the M3toDE price category. Therefore, the M3toDE price category was used to compare under-bark volumes according to different bark deduction methods. Differences were found between all the five methods investigated. Understanding this sub-issue will help in training operators, acquiring comprehensive knowledge about the functioning of harvester software and maximising the economic effect of the sale of larch timber.

Sheep milk production is a complex process that is influenced by various factors. This study aims to investigate how the litter size (single vs. twins), birth type (male vs. female), age of the ewes and body weight affect the milk composition and fatty acid profile of milk fat. Milk samples were collected from 119 Najdi ewes that were the subject of this study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MASS) was used to quantify the fatty acids (FAs). The results showed that the twins birth type (female/female) has a significant influence (P < 0.05) on the concentration of linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), behenic acid (C22:0) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). On the other hand, saturated fatty acids (SFA), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:4; DHA), and odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA), such as C15:0-antiso and C19:1-cis 10, increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing age and body weight of the ewes, while the ALA and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a positive association between the age and the OCFA, ALA and small-chain fatty acids (C6:0 and C8:0). In addition, the type of birth showed a positive association with the fat, lactose and palmitoleic acid C16:1 cis9. Conversely, there is a negative association between the UFA, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and PUFA. In addition, the body weight (BW) and litter size were negatively associated with the protein, SFA and medium-chain fatty acids (C10:0, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0). The physiological factors generally suggested that the milk quality and essential FA, such as ALA, were influenced by the type of the lamb’s birth and the age of the ewes.

Agribusiness is currently faced with the challenge of providing sufficient quality food for a growing population with limited natural resources. Egg production, as an important source of nutrition, is a dynamically developing sector of livestock production on a global scale. Simultaneously, the increasing public and legal considerations of animal welfare affect egg-producing operations. This paper aims to provide insight into missing evidence in the trade-offs between animal welfare and efficiency in egg-producing farms in the Czech Republic and the European Union. Detailed data were gathered on the extent of the enriched cage and indoor cage-free housing systems (aviaries/barns) among the main 30 Czech table-egg-producers. Original micro data enlarged the information on table-egg producers collected using the Orbis database. For the efficiency analysis at the EU level, data on the housing systems were obtained from Eurostat and combined with aggregated data from the Orbis database. A robust data envelopment analysis was applied which benefits from including animal-welfare variables directly into the efficiency evaluation. The results showed a negative, but statistically insignificant, relationship between the animal welfare and efficiency of the egg producers for the Czech Republic table-egg producers as well as those on the EU-country level.

Resistance to PPV and ESFY phytoplasma has been evaluated for Japanese plum (‘Aphrodite’, ‘Black Amber’, ‘Crimson Glo’, ‘Santa Rosa’) and pluot (‘Dapple Supreme’, ‘Flav Queen’, ‘Flav Supreme’) cultivars. Each cultivar was grafted by chip-budding on GF 305 peach rootstocks and infected with the virulent PPV-Rec or ESFY phytoplasma strain also by chip-budding. After bud break, cultivar evaluation consisted in observing presence or absence of symptoms on leaves, noting the symptom intensity on leaves and on the whole plant. Plants were studied in controlled conditions in a sealed screen-house for three consecutive growth periods. DAS-ELISA and RFLP-PCR analyses were also employed to verify the presence or absence of PPV, respectively ESFY phytoplasma. Results obtained in the context of this very severe biological test against PPV and ESFY phytoplasma confirm the high level of susceptibility of Japanese plum and pluot cultivars.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) develops from complex interactions among environmental, host and pathogenic factors. This study aimed to phenotypically identify Enterobacter hormaechei isolated from cattle with BRD and assess antimicrobial susceptibility and determining the molecular phylogeny of local E. hormaechei strains. Between November 2023 and March 2024, nasal swabs were collected from 93 cattle with BRD, before culturing for phenotypic analysis, and performing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for molecular characterisation. Of the 93 samples evaluated, 15.79% and 24.56% tested positive for E. hormaechei isolates on culture and PCR, respectively. The local isolates exhibited high resistance to amoxicillin, ampicillin, amikacin, nalidixic acid and ceftazidime; high susceptibility to azithromycin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, ofloxacin, cefepime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, nitrofurantoin, ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin; and moderate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, colistin, imipenem and meropenem. Multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree analysis and homology sequence identification, showed that the five positive isolates were similar to the reference isolate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that E. hormaechei has been isolated in cattle with BRD in Iraq. Because phenotype-based assays show limited accuracy to identify species, we recommend molecular and phylogenetic analysis be included in all similar studies in the future.

Two different morphologies of nanocellulose – cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with different contents were added to emulsified sausages to replace pork back fat in different proportions (10%, 30%, and 50%), and the colour, emulsion stability, texture characteristics and dynamic rheological behaviour of emulsified sausages were analysed. The results indicate substituting fat with nanocellulose led the L* (lightness) and a* (redness) values increased and the b* (yellowness) values decreased of the emulsified sausages. Increasing nanocellulose concentration improved the emulsion stability of the sausages. In terms of emulsion stability, the use of CNFs outperformed CNCs, especially for samples substituted with 50% fat. In terms of texture, emulsified sausages where CNCs replaced fat showed lower hardness, viscosity, and chewiness compared to those with CNFs. The dynamic rheological results indicated that when the fat replacement levels were 10% and 30%, samples using CNFs as fat substitute had slightly higher storage modulus (G') values than those using CNCs. However, for 50% fat replacement, samples using CNFs as fat substitute had significantly higher G' values than those using CNCs, which demonstrates that higher CNFs concentrations are more conducive to the formation of a three-dimensional network structure.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is one of the most important cereals in the world; is an important source of bioactive compounds. The germination is a very useful tool to improve the nutraceutical value of cereals, associated with the reduction of chronic-degenerative diseases; the extrusion has a positive effect on microbiological stability and sensory properties. The response of the combined germination-extrusion processes applied under optimised conditions, on proximal composition, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), total phenolic compounds (TPC), antioxidant activity (AoxA), hypoglycemic potential and microbiological quality of sorghum grains were studied. Sorghum was processed by germination (37 °C for 69 h) and extrusion [137 °C for 134 rpm (revolutions per minute)]. The germination increased protein content (+21%), insoluble dietary fibre (+50%), IVPD (+10%), TPC (+26%), AoxA (+97%). The extrusion increased soluble dietary fibre (+100%) and IVPD (+13%). The combined germination-extrusion processing reduced the content of total coliforms, total mesophilic aerobics and molds below the maximum limits established by the Mexican Official Standards NOM-147-SSA1-1994. Regarding hypoglycemic potential, germinated sorghum and germinated-extruded sorghum presented the best half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value. The combination of germination-extrusion processes is an effective strategy to increase bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.

The display of the depth of operation on tractors' dashboards facilitates the operator in achieving precise operation. In this study, the depth of operation of a mounted implement was measured and digitally displayed on a tractor's dashboard. The change in depth of operation was sensed by measuring the rotation of the rocker arm of the tractor's hydraulic system. The measured angle of rotation was multiplied by a calibration factor to convert it into the actual depth of operation in centimetres. For the calibration factor, a geometrical analysis of the three-point linkage was carried out, and a mathematical relationship was established based on the length of various linkages and their locations. A computer program was also developed to solve these equations to calculate the calibration factor. The program was validated with six different sizes of three-point linkages and found the maximum root mean square error was within 5%. The developed digital display was evaluated in the laboratory with three different implements and found a maximum error of ± 1 cm. A further evaluation was also carried out in an actual field with implements at three different depth levels, and a deviation of up to ± 13% was found with respect to the manual depth measurement.

The study was conducted to elucidate the effect of a single or combined supplementation of zinc sulphate monohydrate (ZnSO₄.H₂O) and a probiotic (Protexin^®) on the pectoral muscle, tibial bone and serum biochemistry in broilers. Day-old chicks (n = 192) were divided into: Control (basal diet), Zn30 (basal diet + ZnSO₄.H₂O 30 mg/kg feed), Zn60 (basal diet + ZnSO₄.H₂O 60 mg/kg feed), Pro (basal diet + Protexin^® 0.1 g/kg feed), Com30 (basal diet + ZnSO₄.H₂O 30 mg/kg feed + Protexin^® 0.1 g/kg feed) and Com60 (basal diet + ZnSO₄.H₂O 60 mg/kg feed + Protexin^® 0.1 g/kg feed). The birds were slaughtered on the 42^nd day and blood was collected to determine the cortisol, cholesterol and zinc concentrations. The pectoral muscle was selected for the assessment of the pH and water holding capacity (WHC) along with the histological sections. After defleshing, tibial bone measurements were also taken. Statistical analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the ultimate pH (pHu), WHC and muscle fascicle diameter in the Zn30, Zn60, Pro, Com30 and Com60 groups compared to the control group. Myofibre area showed a significant increase (P > 0.05) in the Com30 and Com60 groups against the control group. The medullary canal diameter of the tibia was smaller (P > 0.05) in the Zn60, Pro, Com30 and Com60 groups than in the control group. The tibiotarsal index was greater (P > 0.05) in the Zn60, Pro, Com30 and Com60 groups. The serum cholesterol was decreased (P > 0.05) in the Pro and Com30 groups when compared to the control group. It is concluded that zinc sulfate monohydrate and probiotic supplementation individually or in combination positively affected the histological characteristics of the muscle, tibial bone strength and haematobiochemical indicators.

The aim of the research was the determination of the tolerance of different pear grafting combinations to various levels o lime concentration in calcareous soils. The experiment was carried out under pot conditions for a two-year period (2015-2016). Two factors including combination of rootstocks/scions (3 × 3) and levels of lime concentration were employed to evaluate leaf responses including total iron (Fe), available Fe, chlorophyll (Chl) (a, b, total), and chlorophyll fluorescence attributes (F0, Fm, Fv/Fm) as well as annual growth and internode length of current shoots. Results showed that soil lime significantly reduced tree growth but conversely intensified iron chlorosis. Also, contrary to our expectations, the Pyrodwarf/Pyrus communis L. (Dargazi) combination displayed more tolerance to high lime concentrations, whereas the OH × F/Williams Duchesse combination did not exhibit suitable tolerance. As a pear rootstock native to Iran, Dargazi seedling rootstock in combination with different scions was found to have relatively better growth under low lime concentrations, but its response under high lime was not as favourable as expected. Cultivar Dargazi combined with different rootstocks showed a better response to high lime stress compared to other scions, while cultivar Williams Duchesse exhibited lower tolerance to high lime concentration when combined with different pear rootstocks.

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.

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are valuable genetic and genomic research tools and are extensively used in major crops. However, a paucity of available molecular markers in lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.) has significantly hindered genomic studies in this vital legume crop. In this study, we developed 33 new SSR markers for lentils using an enriched genomic library and tested their polymorphism in 10 lentil cultivars. We found that 16 (48.5%) SSR markers were polymorphic. The expected heterozygosity values of the polymorphic SSR markers ranged from 0.095 to 0.820, while observed heterozygosity values varied between 0.100 and 1.00. In addition, we tested the transferability of 86 SSR markers, including the 33 newly developed ones, to other legume species. Transferability rates of lentil SSR markers to other species varied between 13.76% (Vicia sativa L.) and 2.58% (Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Trifolium pratense L.). These new SSR markers could be used in further molecular breeding, population genetics, and genetic mapping studies in lentils and other legume species.

Due to its positive effects, mulching with organic matter is a popular soil conservation tool. However, opinions are divided on the effects of mulching on pests and pathogens. Our research aimed to investigate the effect of organic mulch on potato tuber damage caused by soil-dwelling pests and soil-borne pathogens. Therefore, mulching trials were carried out at four sites over six years, comparing the effects of straw, walnut leaves, mixed leaves, compost and two sowing methods (in soil, on soil surface, and under mulch). The total yield of the mulched plots was equal (2013, 2014) or significantly higher (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) than the control, while the weight of damaged tubers did not increase. Total yield was higher in plots mulched with compost, walnut leaves and mixed leaves than in control and straw-mulched plots. The seeding method had no effect on yield or tuber damage for any of the cover crops. Mulching potatoes with organic matter, especially compost and leaves, is recommended, as their application positively affected yield but did not increase the number of damaged tubers. Sowing potatoes under mulch can reduce the digging work and cutting damage without reducing the yield.

Global climate change leads to frequent occurrence of low-temperature stress (LTS), which poses a serious threat to global food security. Here, environment-control phytotron experiments were conducted on cold-responsive cv. XM26 and cold-tolerant cv. YN19 during the anther differentiation period. Six LTS levels (4, 2, 0, −2, −4, −6 °C) and a control treatment (10 °C) were set to study the effects of different levels of LTS on wheat seed-setting characteristics and yield. LTS significantly decreased grain number per spike, 1 000-grain weight, and grain yield per plant (GYPP) of the two wheat cultivars. Each spike’s grain number and weight distribution showed a quadratic curve, and the near-medium dominance of grain development was not affected by temperature. The grain number percentage and grain weight of wheat at different grain positions were G2 (2^nd grain position) ≥ G1 (1^st grain position) > G3 (3^rd grain position) > G4 (4^th grain position), in which G3 and G4 grain positions were more sensitive to LTS. In summary, LTS during the anther differentiation in wheat mainly led to a decrease in GYPP by significantly reducing the number and weight of inferior grains. Improving wheat cultivation measures and promoting the development of inferior grains are significant ways to prevent disasters and increase wheat quality and productivity in the future.

In this paper, desorption isotherms of two jerky products were studied (whole-muscle jerky – sample 1 and minced jerky – sample 2). The work focused on the comparison of the Dynamic Dewpoint Isotherm (DDI) method and the Saturated Salt Slurry (SSS) method and testing the newly applied model for modelling desorption isotherms for dried meat. Data were statistically processed using 8 models [Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB), Double Log Polynomial (DLP), Henderson, Chin, Smith, Oswin, Hasley, and newly applied model] and statistically evaluated using coefficient of determination (R²), root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean relative percentage deviation (P-value). The DLP model (25 °C) reached R² ≥ 0.999, P-value ≤ 1.84 for DDI, and R² ≥ 0.998, P-value ≤ 4.37 for SSS method. The GAB model reached R² ≥ 0.997, P-value ≤ 2.58 for DDI, and for SSS method the GAB model reached R² ≥ 0.998, P-value ≤ 5.47. The new model reached P-value ≤ 5.73 for DDI and P-value ≤ 3.48 for SSS method. All models reached the P-value < 10% except for Smith and Chin models. The DDI method and newly applied model prove to be a suitable and precise approach to the evaluation of isotherms of dried meat products.

Low water availability is a significant constraint on global crop production. Exploration is needed regarding plant responses to drought in interaction with biochar, encompassing optimised water use and carbon allocation strategies. The size of the biochar particles also plays an important role, especially in influencing the dynamics of water and plant growth. This study explored the potential impact of biochar treatment on radish growth and drought tolerance. Finer biochar particles lead to the most substantial available water content for plants, increasing at around 30%, while medium and larger fractions increase by about 22% and 16%, respectively, compared to control soil. The chlorophyll fluorescence technique showed improved water management of drought stress at larger fractions of biochar. Our research underscores the potential of biochar treatments for environmental stresses and water scarcity in modern agriculture.