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The preparation of mango wine by yeast-mango peel immobilised biocatalyst system by repeated batch fermentation was conducted and compared to free cells fermentation at 15, 20, 25, and 30°C. The operational stability of the biocatalyst was good as the ethanol concentrations (76.0-96.0 g/l) and productivities (1.53-3.29 g/l/h) were high, showing the suitability of the biocatalyst for even low temperature winemaking. The concentration of ethyl acetate was not above 40 mg/l in all cases, and higher alcohols were low (< 330 mg/l) in wine with immobilised cells indicating an improvement in the product compared to free cells fermentation. Amyl alcohols were proved to be temperature dependent and decreased with the decrease in temperature (262.48-146.83 and 239.74-184.34 mg/l) in the case of fermentation batches with immobilised and free cells, respectively, from 30°C to 15°C. Sensory evaluation revealed fruity aroma (7.9 ± 0.73), fine taste (7.7 ± 0.24), and the overall improved quality of the wines produced by the immobilised system.

The common ear tag production and application do not take into regard the demographic environment and climate of a target destination which are specified. However, this fact becomes a core of the problem. The necessity to characterize the ear tag bond comes out from the practical experience when applying incorrect exchange spike in the application punch by mistake. The aim of the experimental research was to carry out the evaluation of the ear tag mechanical qualities under increased and decreased temperatures on the base of the laboratory experiments together with the suitable and incorrect application of the exchange spike in the application punch. Different environment temperatures in the tested interval -20°C till 60°C should simulate one of the possible attribute of the potential application in the different climate. The constructional design of the ear tag bond was proposed on the basis of the laboratory tests.

Saharan wheats have been studied particularly from a botanical viewpoint. Genotypic identification, classification and genetic diversity studies to date were essentially based on the morphology of the spike and grain. For this, the allelic variation at the glutenin loci was studied in a set of Saharan bread and durum wheats from Algerian oases where this crop has been traditionally cultivated. The high molecular weight and low molecular weight glutenin subunit composition of 40 Saharan bread and 30 durum wheats was determined by SDS-PAGE. In Saharan bread wheats 32 alleles at the six glutenin loci were detected, which in combination resulted in 36 different patterns including 17 for HMW and 23 for LMW glutenin subunits. For the Saharan durum wheats, 29 different alleles were identified for the five glutenin loci studied. Altogether, 29 glutenin patterns were detected, including 13 for HMW-GS and 20 for LMW-GS. Three new alleles were found in Saharan wheats, two in durum wheat at the Glu-B1 and Glu-B3 loci, and one in bread wheat at the Glu-B1 locus. The mean indices of genetic variation at the six loci in bread wheat and at the five loci in durum wheat were 0.59 and 0.63, respectively, showing that Saharan wheats were more diverse. This information could be useful to select Saharan varieties with improved quality and also as a source of genes to develop new lines when breeding for quality.

The freezing point (FP) was established in 48 bulk tank samples of raw and 48 samples of pasteurized goat milk that were collected in the course of lactation. Alongside, non-fat solids (NFS) content was monitored. Milk freezing point measurements were carried out using the thermistor cryoscope method in compliance with the standard CTS 570538 (1998). The mean freezing point of raw milk was found to be in an interval of -0.5513 ± 0.0046°C, variation ranged from -0.5466°C to -0.5567°C, with higher values in the spring months and a drop at the end of lactation. FP corresponded to the NFS content. The average freezing point of goat milk heat-treated on the farm to the temperature of 72°C over a period of 20 s was -0.5488 ± 0.0046°C, pasteurisation brought an average increase in FP by 0.0025°C.

The effect of a mixture of herbal extracts on piglet performance was estimated on 178 piglets allocated to 3 groups comprising 6 litters each. Group I (control) was fed with the standard barley-wheat-soybean mixture. Group II received the same mixture supplemented with a blend of formic and propionic acids. Group III received the basal diet supplemented with a mixture of water extracts from sage, lemon balm, nettle and coneflower (20, 30, 30, and 20%, respectively) at 500 mg/kg feed. The experiment lasted for 84 days but on day 56 six piglets from each group were slaughtered and their gastrointestinal tract was removed. Apparent digestibility was estimated using the Cr₂O₃ indicator method. Acidity of digesta was measured in the stomach, ileum, and caecum, and volatile fatty acid content was evaluated in the ileum and caecum. Amounts of bacteria and morphological structure were evaluated in the ileal digesta and epithelium, respectively. In the experimental groups less dead and culled piglets were observed than in the control group. Piglets in the herb-supplemented group grew faster than control animals and showed significantly higher final average body weights. There was no significant difference in feed utilization. Acetic acid content was higher in both groups receiving supplements. The amount of propionic acid in the caecum of animals from the herb-supplemented group was lower than in animals from groups I and II. There were no significant differences in bacteria population in ileum chyme. The herbal extract improved the structure of the ileal epithelium by significantly increasing villus height. Better digestibility of nutrients could be due to higher villi in this group.

To develop rainfed agriculture in northern China, we conducted field experiments with three straw mulching rates (0, 6, and 12 t/ha) on two plant types (a compact type, Chaoshi1, and a flat type, Danyu86) during the summer maize-growing season in 2009 and 2010 to study soil moisture content, evapotranspiration, grain yield, and water-use efficiency (WUE). The results indicated that straw mulching could significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) improve soil moisture content at a depth of 20-80 cm below the ground surface during the anthesis-silking stage; however, at maturity, straw mulching decreased the soil moisture content at a depth of 0-60 cm below the ground surface. In 2009, straw mulching at the rate of 12 t/ha significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) increased the evapotranspiration in Chaoshi1 and Danyu86. In 2010, straw mulching at the rate of 6 t/ha significantly (LSD,P < 0.05) increased evapotranspiration in Danyu86 alone. The grain yields of Danyu86 in 2009 and Chaoshi1 in 2010 were significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) higher with straw mulching at the rate of 12 t/ha than on the application of other treatments. Irrespective of whether precipitation was concentrated during the beginning or the latter half of the summer maize growing stage, straw mulching increased the WUE of Chaoshi1, but not of Danyu86. These results indicated that under rainfed conditions in northern China, straw mulching could increase the grain yield and WUE of compact-type maize.

High-intensity ultrasound was used to investigate the inactivation of microorganisms in raw bovine milk. Raw bovine milk with 4% of milk fat was treated with ultrasonic probe that was 12 mm in diameter and with 20 kHz frequency immerged in milk directly. In the ultrasound treatment, three parameters were varied according to the statistical experimental design. The centre composite design was used to design and optimise the experimental parameters: temperature (20, 40, and 60°C), amplitude (120, 90, and 60 µm), and time (6, 9, and 12 min). All analyses were performed immediately after sonication and after 3 days and 5 days of storage under refrigeration at 4°C. The factors that seem to affect substantially the inactivation of microorganisms in using ultrasound are the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves, the exposure/contact time with the microorganisms, and the temperature of the treatment. The results achieved indicate a significant inactivation of microorganisms under longer periods of the treatment with ultrasonic probe, particularly in combination of higher temperature and amplitude. The output optimal value of total bacteria count was defined by Statgraphics where the lowest bacteria count was 3.688 log CFU/ml for the following specific ultrasound parameters: amplitude 120 μm, treatment time 9.84 min, and temperature 45.34°C.

Production of food and beverages is one of the Czech traditional branches of processing industry. The article tries to describe the model prediction on the sector structure development oriented on labour and personal costs in food industry sector up to 2013 and it is based on the continuous monitoring of these indicators in the period 2000-2005. Except regress analysis of time orders, there was used the method of exponential smoothing. With regard to certain antagonistic tendencies, i.e. the lasting fall of the number of workers in the monitored period but at the same time the growth of personal costs, there were projected separate predictions of these indicators up to 2013, aimed namely at the set of companies with 20 and more employees. The prediction of the selected data up to the year 2013 is based on the running results of the Research Plan of the Research Institute of Agricultural Economics (VÚZE). The probable development of the number of workers and personal costs in the individual branches of food industry is characterised.

The paper analyses the root system development in the artificially established stands of Douglas fir aged 10, 20, 30, 60 and 80 years on aerated soils (Cambisols) without skeleton. On these sites, the Douglas fir develops a uniform root system of substitute taproots and anchors, which has great predispositions to assure the good mechanical stability of trees as well as its resistance to sudden changes in upper soil horizons. Several anchors growing in positive geotropic direction shoot from the stem base, several slant anchors shooting from the side of the stem base turn into the positive geotropic direction of growth. In humus horizons, horizontal skeletal roots shoot from the stem base, which turn into lower soil horizons in an "elbow-pipe" manner and from which shoot positively geotropically growing anchors. Trees of Douglas fir develop this type of root system already at an age of twenty years.

We report here the suitable explant with high efficiency of transformation and the positive effects of timentin over other antibiotics like carbenicillin and cefotaxime on the elimination of Agrobacterium tumefaciens during the genetic transformation of popular indica rice (Oryza sativa L.). The tissues assayed were embryogenic calli, embryos with endosperm contamination, intact seeds, leaf blades, leaf bases and coleoptiles. The frequency of transient β-glucuronidase (GUS) expression as revealed by histochemical assay was 90% for embryogenic calli, which was the highest among the explants used. On the basis of disc-diffusion assay, the maximum zone of inhibition (29 mm) at 250 mg/l was obtained for timentin. In tissue culture conditions the frequency of Agrobacterium recurrence after 20 days of infection was minimum (2.3%) at 200 mg/l of timentin. At 250 mg/l of timentin there was no Agrobacterium growth, besides, there were no negative effects on the callus growth unlike other antibiotics, hence it was selected as the optimum concentration for high frequency callus proliferation and regeneration.The effect of the parameters evaluated was determined by the callus proliferation during selection, reduction in browning, transient GUS expression and stable transformation efficiency (23.3%). The resultant plants were stable transformants as confirmed by a molecular analysis of the gus and hpt genes. The developed transformation protocol will be very helpful for the information on indica rice cultivars in general and on IR 64 in particular.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a common intestinal protozoan parasite infecting humans and a wide range of animals, whose diagnostics present considerable difficulties. These arise from the exceptionally robust nature of the oocyst's walls, which necessitates more stringent treatments for disruption and recovery of DNA for analysis using molecular methods. In the case of water, which is the major source of Cryptosporidium oocysts, investigations concern the detection of the presence of the oocysts. Their concentration in water is very low, and moreover, many substances that may have significance as inhibitors of DNA amplification, are present in environmental water and stool. We have carried out trials in order to assess the effectiveness of recovery of C. parvum oocysts, from spiked environmental and distilled water samples, filtrated and concentrated with the use of special laboratory equipment. Inactivation of inhibitors was carried out with use of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PCR mixes at ten different concentrations. DNA extraction was carried out from stool samples spiked with C. parvum oocysts, concentrated using two methods, and unconcentrated. Nested PCR and a TaqMan nested real time PCR assay, targeting the 18S rRNA gene, was used to detect C. parvum DNA in spiked water and additionally in spiked stool samples. The obtained results showed that losses of C. parvum oocysts occur during the filtration and concentration of spiked water samples. The addition of small amounts of BSA (5-20 ng/µl) to PCR and TaqMan PCR mixes increases the sensitivity of both methods, but a high concentration of BSA (100 ng/µl and above) has an inhibiting effect on the polymerase reaction. The extraction of DNA from C. parvum oocysts from spiked stool samples preceded by concentration with PBS, ether and Percoll resulted in a higher copy number of the 18S rRNA gene.

The therapeutic potential of amoxicillin plus sulbactam and its effect on dynamics of milk leukocytes in bovine sub clinical mastitis were investigated in this study. Therapeutic efficacy was measured by somatic cell count and total bacterial count of the milk, whereas, the dynamics of milk leukocytes were assessed by measuring phagocytosis, hydrogen peroxide production, myeloperoxidase and lactoperoxidase enzyme levels in the milk leukocytes. Forty-five crossbred cows were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group I consisting of 15 cows served as healthy control, whereas 30 cows (sub clinical mastitis) were randomly divided into Groups II and III on the basis of positive reactions in the California Mastitis Test. Group II cows received 300mg of amoxicillin plus sulbactam twice daily for three days and Group III received sterile 5 ml phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4) for three days. Both treatments were administered via the intramammary route. Observations were made up to 15 days after initiation of treatment. The results revealed a pronounced drop in somatic cell count and total bacterial count, whereas significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of phagocytic activity (42.20%), hydrogen peroxide production (29.46%), myeloperoxidase (49.27%) and lactoperoxidase (147.10%) enzyme levels in the milk leukocytes in Group II cows during post treatment periods were observed. Such changes were statistically non-significant in Group III cows. The results of the present study indicate that intramammary use of amoxicillin plus sulbactam augments the bactericidal function of milk leukocytes during bovine sub clinical mastitis and demonstrate the strong therapeutic potential against bovine subclinical mastitis.

The set of 7 flowering plant species (Anethum graveolens, Calendula officinalis, Centaurea cyanus, Fagopyrum esculentum, Foeniculum vulgare, Tagetes patula and Vicia faba) was compared for their attractiveness to natural enemies such as ladybeetles (Coccinellidae), hoverflies (Syrphidae), ichneumon wasps (Ichneumonidae) and predatory bugs (Orius spp.) during the years 2008-2010. The trial was held in an organic open field located at the Faculty of Horticulture of Mendel University in Brno, Lednice, Czech Republic. The software Canoco (RDA analysis) was used in order to see the relations between plant and insect communities. Flowering plants A. graveolens, C. cyanus, C. officinalis, F. vulgare and F. esculentum were found to be the most attractive for the evaluated beneficial insects. The most abundant beneficial insects were hoverflies (56₂₀₀₈, 154₂₀₀₉, 1324₂₀₁₀) and ladybeetles (65₂₀₀₈, 116₂₀₀₉, 511₂₀₁₀) followed by predatory bugs (14₂₀₀₈, 47₂₀₀₉, 138₂₀₁₀) and ichneumon wasps (20₂₀₀₈, 14₂₀₀₉, 82₂₀₁₀).

When modelling an employee competency, several facets of this theoretical construct could be identified. One of them is grounded in the employee's attitudes to work and organization, namely in her/his job involvement, organizational commitment, responsibility etc. The paper deals with results of a survey comparing work and organizational attitudes of four groups of subjects. The groups differed in age (20-30 and 50-60) and gender. The survey was a part of a wider research effort aimed at building up a new method of work attitudes measurement. The previous research has shown a rather specific response pattern in the Czech respondents. The survey dealt with presently tries to find more details as goes about the patterns mentioned and to help in constructing a final version of the method. The authors expect that the method will prove to be useful both in theory development and in the field.

The purpose of the study was to assess, in respect of selected physical properties, the reclamation of the northern slope of the outside spoil bank of the Belchatów brown coal mine by reforestation carried out 20 years ago. Investigations were carried out on 55 permanent research plots. This study confirmed the efficiency of reclamation of strip-mine spoils, and its results allowed to point out the properties of initial soils as the most useful characteristics for the assessment of land reclamation by reforestation.

The effects of phosphate solubilizing bacterium (Bacillus FS-3) application on phosphorus contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plant, growing performance and phosphorus forms in soil were evaluated under greenhouse condition. Five different phosphorus fertilizer treatments (normal superphosphate, triple superphosphate, di-ammonium phosphate, phosphoric acid, and rock phosphate) with and without bacterium (Bacillus FS-3) were applied in pots as 344 kg P/ha. Basal fertilizers were applied to all the pots as 180 kg N/ha (NH₄NO₃ 33% N), 100 kg K/ha (K₂SO₄ 50% K₂O). The results obtained showed that phosphorus availability from soil increased with phosphate solubilizing bacterium (PSB) application. The amount of plant available form of soil phosphorus fraction (resin-Pi + NaHCO₃-Pi + NaHCO₃-Po + NaOH-Pi + NaOH-Po) increased with PSB application. In all fertilizer types, bacteria application converted approximately 20% of less available phosphorus into labile forms. Statistically significant differences were obtained in shoot and root dry weight of tomato plants treated with PSB application. In all of the fertilizers, plant shoot and root weight and P uptake were greater with PSB applications than without PSB. The highest shoot-root dry weight and P uptake of plant were determined in triple superphosphate (TSP) with PSB application treatment. The data in the present study suggest that the application of PSB (FS-3) may increase the availability of soluble phosphate by dissolving the inorganic forms of phosphate and that bacterial strain tested in this study has a potential to be used as a bio-fertilizer in sustainable and organic agriculture.

The aims of the paper were as follows: (1) to assess the applicability of speckled alder for pioneer stands on the mountainous clear-cut tracts and (2) to evaluate the effects of slow-release fertilizer on the survival and growth of speckled alder under harsh environmental conditions. On the basis of seven-year results we can presume that speckled alder is a convenient pioneer species that can be cultivated on harsh mountain sites where the climatic extremes need to be alleviated and a layer of surface humus renewed. The initial slow-release fertilization is, nonetheless, highly desirable. As contrasted to the control the surface and planting hole applications of amendment reduced the total seven-year mortality rate by 9.5% and 20.1%, respectively, and the periodic annual height increment (2003-2009) was promoted by 47% and 59%, respectively. Analogous results were obtained when the values of basal stem diameter and crown diameter were compared. As for the method of application, the placement of the slow-release amendment in the planting holes seems to be more efficient mainly in terms of survival promoting. The surface application is, nonetheless, less laborious and also yielded satisfactory results.

Composite flours containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of chia seed flour and corn were used for tortilla formulations. The effects of chia powders supplementation on the physicochemical and sensorial characteristics as well as starch digestibility of the tortillas were evaluated. Nutritionally, all chia tortillas had significantly higher levels (P < 0.001) of protein, lipids, and total dietary fibre than the control. The reduced enzymatic starch hydrolysis rate and predicted glycemic index recorded for the chia seed-added tortilla indicated slow digestion features. Sensory evaluation did not show significant (P > 0.05) differences in the attributes among tortillas. Owing to the increase in the total dietary fibre, lower digestion, and predicted glycemic index values, chia seed-added tortilla can be considered as a nutraceutical food. Therefore, the newly developed tortilla supplemented with chia seed flour could represent a valuable staple in improving the nutritional value of the original food product.

The rheological behaviour of enzyme clarified Lime (Citrus aurontifolia L.) juice was studied as a function of the total soluble solid (TSS) content (7.3-55.7°Brix), corresponding water activity (a_w) (0.985-0.831) at different temperatures (20-80^oC) using co-axial controlled stress rheometer. The rheological parameter shear stress was measured up to the shear rate of 600 s^-1. The investigation showed that the enzyme clarified lime juice and its concentrate behaved like a Newtonian fluid with the viscosity (η) being in the range 3.964 to 50.290 mPa s depending upon the concentration and temperature used. The temperature dependency on the viscosity of lime juice was described by Arrhenius equation (r > 0.99) and the activation energy (E_a) of viscous flow was in the range 4.151 to 26.050 kJ/mol depending upon the total soluble solids content. The effect of total soluble solid content on the flow activation energy was described by exponential type equation (r > 0.98) and that of water activity was described by both the power law and exponential equations (r > 0.99). The effect of total soluble solid content on the viscosity of lime juice followed the second order exponential equation (r > 0.99) at the temperature used. The effect of water activity on the viscosity was described by both the power law and exponential type relationship (r > 0.97). The equations relating to the combined effect of temperature and total soluble solids content/water activity on the viscosity of enzyme clarified lime juice were established.

The aim of the contribution was to determine energy consumption of input and output used in tomato production and to optimize the energy inputs in the Marand region, Iran. The study also sought to analyse the effect of farm size on energy use and input costs based on tomatoes production and to reveal the relationship between energy inputs and yield by developing mathematical models. Questions about energy management present very interesting and actual topic in this time. The results revealed that tomato production consumed a total of 65,238.9 MJ/ha of which fertilizers were 50.98% followed by water for irrigation (20.67%). Output-input energy and energy productivity were found to be 0.59 and 0.74 kg/MJ, respectively. The results of energy optimization showed that using existing energy inputs, the yield of tomato can be increased by 45.2% in small farms, 43.5% in medium farms and 30% in large farms. The rate of direct, indirect, renewable and non-renewable energy forms were found to be 37.2, 62.8, 30.9 and 69.1% of total energy input, respectively. The main non-renewable inputs were chemical fertilizers and diesel fuel, management of plant nutrients and proper machinery selection to reduce diesel fuel use would increase rate of renewable energy.

The toxicity of three concentrations (5%, 10% and 20% w/v) and spraying schedules (2, 4 and 6 weekly applications) of an extract from West African black pepper, Piper guineense, for managing two major post-flowering pests of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, was investigated in two cropping seasons at the Research Farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. The insect pests were the larvae of Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the cowpea coreid bug, Clavigralla tomentosicollis (Hemiptera: Coreidae). The higher concentrations (10% and 20% w/v) and more frequent applications (4 and 6/week) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the numbers of the two insect pests compared to the untreated control in both years. Pod damage was significantly reduced and grain yields consequently increased in treated plots compared with the other extract treatments and the untreated control. West African black pepper extract applied at higher concentrations and more frequently could play an important role in integrated management of pests' infestations on field cowpea managed by limited resource farmers in third world countries.

The concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc were determined in the soft tissue of oysters (Ostrea edulis L.) from three locations in the Mali Ston Bay on the south-eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. The sampling was performed during two periods of breeding cycle, in summer (age ~1 year) and winter (age ~20 months, consumption size). The concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc measured in the oyster soft tissue showed considerable spatiotemporal variations that could be attributed to seasonal differences in the freshwater inflow which varied between the study locations. Median concentrations measured at different locations and in different time periods ranged from 0.303 to 0.969, 0.13 to 0.32 and 208.9 to 650.0 µg/g wet weight for cadmium, lead and zinc, respectively. Although metal concentrations do not exceed the maximal legally approved limits according to the legislation of the Republic of Croatia and EU, more knowledge of their spatiotemporal distribution - of cadmium in particular - would contribute to the sustainable future development of oyster farming in Croatian waters.

This study was conducted to evaluate changes in composition of whey proteins of Czech White Short-haired goat and East Friesian ewe milk and their comparison throughout lactation. Some differences in composition between ewe and goat milk were found. The results showed that the mean total protein (%), whey protein (g/100 g), and β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg, g/100 g) contents of goat milk were 2.75, 0.433, and 0.119 respectively and of ewe milk 6.36, 1.11, and 0.732 respectively. The contents of total protein as well as acid whey proteins in goat milk were nearly constant throughout the lactation period and fluctuated around the mean value while the contents of total protein as well as acid whey proteins in ovine milk were dependent on the period of lactation. The total protein content in ovine milk continuously increased during the lactation period. A higher content of ovine acid whey proteins was noticed at the beginning and in the final period of lactation. The average ratio of whey to total protein was 15.8 ± 2.61% in goat milk and 17.4 ± 2.68% in ewe milk and ranged from 13.0 to 20.4% in goat and from 14.0 to 20.8% in ewe milk . The total contents of two major whey proteins. α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin (α-La + β-Lg = AG), averaged 87% of total whey protein, 92% in ovine milk. The main component of acid whey proteins in goat milk was α-La while in ovine milk the main component of acid whey proteins was β-Lg, however, at the end of the lactation period the content of β-Lg for both kinds of milk increased steeply, and the β-Lg/α-La ratio reached a maximum value of 1.94 in goat milk and of 9.74 in ewe milk. In addition, goat milk contains a similar amino acid profile to ewe milk but the amino acid pattern in whey proteins differs from that in milk. Total essential amino acids were approximately 40% of the total amino acids in goat and ewe milk as well as in goat and ewe whey.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of forest road as a corridor on local biodiversity. For this purpose, 10 segments in a 10 year-old road were selected in Neka-Zalemrood forest in Hyrcanian zone. At each of the segments, we established two 100-m transects perpendicular to the road centre line, within which we sampled three macroplots of an area 400 m². In each macroplot, nine quadrant microplots 2 × 2 m in size were set up for regenerated tree species and herbaceous plant survey. Chemical and physical parameters of soil were measured in laboratory. Results indicated that thirty-six herbaceous species and 13 regenerated tree species were recorded within the area of 100 m from the road verge. At the different distances from the road verge and both down and up-slope, the ground cover of Carex sylvatica and Rubus caesius L. as well as regeneration density of Carpinus betulus L. were higher compared to other species. Menhenick, Margalef, Shannon and Simpson indices were higher at the distance of 0-20 m than at the distances of 40-60 m and 80-100 m. Camargo and Smith-Wilson indices decreased when increasing distance to the road. These results are expected to provide critical information for decision makers and land managers for managing plant species and maintaining the integrity of biological communities.

The replacement of organic solutions in the extraction of limonin from citrus seeds with an alkaline solution was investigated. This method was based on the reversible conversion of limonin to limonoate A-ring lactone via ring-opening of D-ring lactone at different pH values. The extraction conditions, optimised using Taguchi experimental design, were as follows: pH 11, temperature 70°C, alkaline solution/seeds ratio 20:1 (v/w), ultrasonic power 800 W for 30 minutes. A yield of 7.5 mg/g (limonin/citrus seeds) of 98% pure limonin was obtained.

Germination experiments frequently use seeds that had been stored frozen. We investigated whether short, 5 day freezing changes percentage and rate of germination of seeds of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.). Seeds (i) collected at dispersal, (ii) dried at +50°C for 5 days, (iii) frozen at -20°C for 5 days, (iv) dried for 5 days and subsequently frozen for 5 days, and (v) frozen and subsequently dried, were then germinated at +10°C and a long-day photoperiod. None of the temperature pre-treatments affected the proportion of germinating seeds. By contrast, the time to germinate 50% of the seed (germination time) was shortened slightly (0.7 days) but significantly following the freezing treatment, regardless of whether it was applied without, before or after drying of the seed. Cryopreservation is therefore a convenient method of seed storage for comparative studies of seed germination because it causes no change in germination percentage and only a small and systematic change in germination rate.

To estimate the genetic diversity of chickpea germplasm from Iran, a total of 307 landraces from 4 regions including: northern areas (29 from Ardebil, 3 from Qazvin and 5 from Mazanderan provinces), temperate (16 from Kermanshah, 2 from Semnan, 54 from Khorasan and 20 from Kerman provinces), semi-arid (28 from Ghom and 56 from Isfahan provinces) and cold areas (15 from West Azarbayjan, 52 from Tehran and 27 from East Azarbayjan provinces) were analysed using 16 microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per microsatellite locus ranged from 8 to 29, with an average of 19.31 per locus. A high level of genetic diversity in the northern area (He = 0.76), even with a limited number of available landraces (37) compared with the other three regions (84-94), might confirm the northern Persia as part of the chickpea centre of origin. The neighbour-joining tree showed a low relationship between molecular divergence and the geographical grouping of chickpea. Moreover, cluster analyses based on molecular data showed that the northern area was separated clearly from the other three regions, indicating a physical barrier or geographical and environmental differences among these regions. A wide genetic diversity of Iranian chickpea landraces is a critical component for future selection and use of this germplasm for future breeding of chickpea.

Lactation curves for daily milk yield, fat, and protein content in three dairy sheep breeds were estimated by the repeatability animal model using test-day records. A total of 38 983 records from 3068 ewes of Bovec, Improved Bovec, and Istrian Pramenka breeds, collected between the years 1994 and 2002, were analysed. The three-trait repeatability animal model included breed and lambing season as fixed. The stage of lactation within each breed was modelled by the modified Ali-Schaeffer's lactation curve. Parity and litter size were used as covariates in quadratic and linear regression, respectively. Common flock environment, additive genetic effect, permanent environment over lactations as well as within lactation were treated as random. The average daily milk yield was 1090 g in Bovec, 1010 g in Improved Bovec, and 731 g in Istrian Pramenka breeds. Overall means for fat and protein content were 6.59 and 5.53% for Bovec, 6.22 and 5.33% for Improved Bovec, and 7.20 and 5.63% for Istrian Pramenka. Breed, lambing season, stage of lactation, parity, and litter size significantly (P < 0.001) affected all three observed milk traits, with the only exception of parity in fat and litter size in protein content. The shape of lactation curves for daily milk yield in Bovec and Improved Bovec breeds fitted well to the general lactation curve in dairy sheep. Daily milk yield was increasing in the first month of lactation and decreasing thereafter. In Istrian Pramenka, the shape of lactation curve was more or less atypical, with daily milk yield decreasing almost throughout the entire lactation. Lactation curves for fat and protein content were opposite to the lactation curves for daily milk yield in all three breeds.

The Scots pine communities are common forest types in Central Europe, however, the general model of changes resulting from cyclical management practices is still unclear. The aim of this paper is to present the changes in species diversity during the development of managed Scots pine stands and to distinguish main stages of vegetation succession. The examined stands were divided into six age classes: ≤ 10 years old, 11-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-120 years old. Data from our study suggest a division of the stands into three main stages of succession on oligotrophic (low nutrient) sites. The first stage is associated with the youngest stands before the canopy formation (< 10 years), the second stage with young closed-canopy stands (11-40 years) and the third stage with the maturing, pre-mature and mature stands (> 40 years). The first stage was characterised by the highest value of the Shannon index, the highest number of vascular plant species, the highest cover of lichens but the lowest cover of bryophytes. There was a group of non-forest cryptogams, exclusive for that stage. In the second stage, there was a significant decline in the Shannon index, the cover of bryophytes increased and the cover of lichens decreased. Cladonia species were characteristic of that succession stage. The third stage was characterised by the lowest species richness, moreover, the cover of bryophytes was highest and the cover of lichens was lowest. Common coniferous forest species were characteristic of the final stage before clear-cutting. Generally, after stand removal the communities indicated higher species diversity than previous forest communities. The final forest plant associations were not determined solely by late-successional species.Forest management appeared to substantially influence changes in diversity and the course of succession.

The marination of meat is a method applied to improve the sensory values like tenderness and juiciness of meat, and to enhance microbiological safety of the product. The effects of specific marinades on the thermal stability of the muscle proteins using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was examined. Various marinades were tested, composed mainly of NaCl as well as triphosphates and organic acids, self made marinades, and ready-to-use marinades used in industrial practice. As a result of the experiment conducted, it was found that all marinades used changed significantly the thermal stability of muscle proteins. The use of sodium chloride and sodium triphosphate for marination caused a reduction of enthalpy and denaturation temperature of myosin and actin. However, a greater influence on the stability of muscle proteins was observed with marinades containing organic acids (acetic and citric). The most significant reduction of the denaturation temperatures and enthalpy (to the lowest level of 0.56 J/g) was found for self made marinade composed of 20.7% cider vinegar and 16% lemon juice.