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In summit parts of the Orlické hory Mts., massive dieback of forests occurred during an air pollution/ecological disaster in the 70s to the 80s of the 20^th century. Destroyed stands were cut down and deforested areas were planted by more resistant species including mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra). The aim of the paper was to assess effects of mountain pine on the prosperity of other tree species. Four localities with mountain pine stands were selected at altitudes from 1,000 to 1,115 m. In 2003-2005, growth analyses of shrubs were carried out there and basic parameters of stands were determined such as: height; cover of mountain pine, other tree species and herbs; radiation transmittance and temperature gradients. Results show the importance of the height of mountain pine stands in mitigating climatic changes in the ground layer of air, identification of the light compensation point for the mountain pine prosperity, the dependence of a growth type on outer and inner conditions of mountain pine including partly its age. Under given conditions, the present stands of mountain pine on top parts of the Orlické hory Mts. show their justification because they create a good protection for young seedlings, self-seeding and newly planted tree species. If forest spreads there, the markedly heliophilous mountain pine will recede similarly as in case of more than hundred-year-old mountain pine in the Sowie gory Mts. in Poland.

For monitoring the occurrence of MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and MR-CNS (methicillin resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci), cow's, goat's, and sheep's milks (bulk milks and individual samples) were investigated. Human nasal and throat swabs of the farm staff and nasal swabs of animals were also investigated as well. In total 1729 samples were examined and 634 strains were isolated by means of the cultivation method and used in this study. Generic identification of the staphylococci isolates was done performed by biochemical tests and all S. aureus and CNS isolates were checked by the PCR method for the presence of mecA gene which is responsible for methicillin resistance. The presence of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) and genes encoding toxic shock syndrome toxin (tst) was detected in all strains confirmed as MRSA. The species were also examined for antimicrobial susceptibility by using disk diffusion method with antibiotic disks. S. aureus was the most frequently identified species from the samples tested (n = 557; 32.2%), followed by S. haemolyticus (n = 32; 1.9%), S. chromogenes (n = 24; 1.4%), S. epidermidis (n = 20; 1.2%), and S. caprae (n = 1; 0.16%). Among the resistant staphylococci (n = 49), S. aureus (n = 25; 51%) was found the most frequently, followed by S. epidermidis (n = 17; 34.7%), S. chromogenes (n = 6; 12.2%), and S. haemolyticus (n = 1; 2%). The resistant Staphyloccocus sp. occurred mainly in cow's milk (MRSA, S. epidermidis, S. chromogenes, S. haemolyticus) and in animal's swabs (S. epidermidis). One MRSA was also found in goat's milk and one was isolated from human swab. No resistant strains were found in sheep's milk. The negative results of the analysed genes presence (pvl, tst) were identical with all MRSA tested. The staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) was classified as type IV or V.

Genetically modified (GM) crops have brought huge economic benefits to mankind, however, at the same time, their safety issues are drawing growing attention. This investigation was conducted to assess whether the long-term cultivation of GM glyphosate resistant maize CC-2 effects bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil. A 2-year follow-up trial was conducted, and soils were sampled at various plant developmental stages. The bacterial community structure of the rhizosphere soil was analysed by the high-throughput sequencing and compared with the near-isogenic non-GM maize Zheng 58. We showed here that long-term cultivation of CC-2 has no significant effect on the structure and diversity of bacterial communities, while different growth stages had significant effect. These results provided a reliable theoretical basis for the future cultivation and increased commercialisation of CC-2.

The extracts of pods of West African black pepper, Piper guineense, at 5, 10 and 20% (w/v), were applied at two, four and six weekly schedules to control the legume flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti on flowers of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata. The trials were conducted for 2 years under rain fed conditions in the northern Guinea savanna region of Nigeria. The results showed that the M. sjostedti population was significantly controlled on treated plots compared with the untreated check in both years. The extracts at the 20 and 10% rates and with six or four weekly applications significantly (P < 0.05) reduced thrips pressure on cowpea flowers, were better than the 5% extract at all spraying schedules, and had the same efficacy as the synthetic insecticide treatment. Pod density per plant was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on plots treated with the 20% extract at six or four weekly applications compared to other extract rates and was similar to that of the synthetic insecticide treatment. Thus, the extracts could be a good alternative to the synthetic insecticides on organically managed farms as well as on farms of limited resource farmers in the tropics and subtropics.

In an experiment with 200 one-day-old broiler turkeys, the effect of partial and total replacement of soybean meal with chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) on productivity and meat composition was determined. In the 12-week experiment, turkeys were allocated to five dietary treatments: ECKP0, ECKP200, ECKP400, ECKP600 and ECKP800 of 40 birds each, and received a diet ad libitum. The diet for ECKP0 treatment contained no chickpeas (control), while those for treatments ECKP200, ECKP400 ECKP600 and ECKP800 included 200, 400, 600 and 800 kg/t of wet extruded (at 120°C for 20 s) chickpeas, respectively. Replacement of soybean meal with extruded chickpeas, at inclusion levels up to 200 kg/t of diet, resulted in similar productive performance. At the end of the experiment, the body weight (BW) and the feed conversion ratio for ECKP0 treatment were 7 782 g and 2.46 g of daily feed consumption per g of BW gain, respectively. However, the replacement of soybean meal with extruded chickpeas at higher inclusion levels (400, 600 and 800 kg/t of diet) decreased body weight by 7.7% (P < 0.05) and increased feed conversion ratio by 14.9% (P < 0.05) compared to the control. Moreover, carcass yield traits were not affected (P > 0.05) by feeding diets with increasing levels of extruded chickpeas. Thus, extruded chickpeas can be used as an alternative protein source to replace soybean meal in broiler turkey diets, at inclusion levels up to 200 kg/t.

This paper evaluates the impact of long-term supplementation of different forms of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) on the content of these substances in the blood and hair of goats. Two analogous supplementation experiments were performed. 37 goats divided into four groups were used in the first trial with the Zn supplementation. Group A (n = 10) was a control group (with no Zn administered). A further three groups (B, C, D) were supplemented with Zn in various forms. Group B (n = 9) with zinc oxide, Group C (n = 9) with zinc lactate and Group D (n = 9) with zinc chelate. The second trial with Se supplementation was carried out on 20 goats divided into four groups. Group E (n = 5) was a control group. The other three groups were administered Se. Group F (n = 5) was supplied with a selenium lactate-protein complex, Group G (n = 5) with sodium selenite and Group H (n = 5) with selenium yeast. Three months later blood and hair samples were taken from all animals and Zn and Se concentrations were determined in whole blood, plasma, and hair. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was determined in the Se supplementation trial group. At the end of the trial the Zn concentrations in plasma and whole blood were without major differences between the groups. The plasma concentration of Zn did not increase from the initial value at the start of the trial. In hair the average concentration of Zn was 95.2-100.0 mg/kgin all groups. No conclusive relation was confirmed between the values of Zn in hair and its concentration in blood. The Se concentration in whole blood (µg/l) at the end of trial in supplemented groups (F - 188.8 ± 24.6; G - 197.2 ± 10.9; H - 190.1 ± 26.3) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in the control group (E - 103.1 ± 23.5). Similarly, the activity of GSH-Px (µkat/l) was significantly higher in all supplemented groups (F - 872.3 ± 94.8; G - 659.5 ± 176.4; H - 839.8 ± 150.8) than in the control group (E - 379.1 ± 63.5). Se content in hair (µg/kg) was higher also in all trial groups (F - 242.3 ± 41.5; G - 200.5 ± 46.9; H - 270.0 ± 106.8) than in the control group (E - 174.7 ± 38.0). However, it was significantly (P < 0.05) higher only in Group F. A conclusive correlation was identified between the Se concentration in whole blood and its content in hair (r = 0.54; P < 0.05; n = 20). Based on the results it can be concluded that none of the supplemented forms of Zn increased its concentration in blood, plasma and hair. On the other hand, the administration of Se led to an increase in the Se concentration in blood, increased the activity of GSH-Px in whole blood and the Se content in hair. Based on the proven correlation and regression relation between the Se concentration in blood and its content in hair, hair can be considered as a suitable material for the diagnosis of long-term Se status in goats. Goats with sufficient Se status are those that have more than 160 µg/kg of Se in hair dry weight.

The growth of Rhodotorula glutinis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was studied under optimal and stress cultivation conditions at 10°C and 20°C for 14 days. The method of image analysis was used to determine the size of colonies. The linear mixed effects model implemented in the statistical program S-PLUS was applied to analyse the repeated measurements. Two-phase kinetics was confirmed and the mean growth rates in the second linear phase under various stress conditions were estimated. The results indicated a higher growth rate of R. mucilaginosa than was that of R. glutinis under all cultivation conditions. The highest growth rate of was observed during the cultivation of R. mucilaginosa in media with 2% of NaCl at 20°C. The impact of neglecting the fact that repeated data are not independent and using the classical regression model instead of the mixed effects model was demonstrated through the comparison of the confidence intervals for the parameters based on both approaches. While the point estimates of the corresponding parameters were similar, the width of the confidence intervals differed substantially.

This paper describes the structure and content of the Czech wheat germplasm collection. The collection, at present, includes 10 800 wheat accessions. Evaluation data, of variable content are available on 73% of the accessions, pedigree data on 80% of released cultivars. The annual distribution of seed samples to users amounts to about 1200 accessions. Attention is paid to increasing the value of the collection for users by way of deeper evaluation and choice of donors for important characters. With this intention, 8 modern cultivars (most of them with high bread-making quality) and 20 genetic lines derived from European landraces and obsolete cultivars were tested in field trials carried out over two years in Prague-Ruzyně. As expected, modern cultivars were superior in almost all of the agronomic characters evaluated. However, older lines showed significantly higher protein contents, and some of them also had a higher wet gluten content, gluten index and Zeleny sedimentation volume. However, low variability was found for starch content. Some lines with high protein content had an acceptable productivity, and could also meet acceptable levels for other quality characters. Satisfactory performance was found in lines such as Viglašská červenoklasá 12/B, Szekacz 19 37/B, Mindeszentpusztai 44/B, Szekacz 1242 47/E, Ukrajinka 52/A and Eszterhazi Mindenes 117/C. Among the new, more productive cultivars, Bohemia, RU 440-6 and Akteur combine high quality of gluten with relatively higher protein content. Selected genotypes will be further tested in a broader range of environments.

The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders, Diptera: Tephritidae), has been a serious pest in the last decade attacking a wide range of fruits in Egypt. The toxicity of Malathion, Diazinon, Methoxyfenozide and Lufenuron to adult males and females of B. zonata was studied under laboratory conditions. The results showed that Diazinon was the most toxic among the tested compounds followed by Malathion, Lufenuron and Methoxyfenozide. LC₅₀ values for adult males and females were 0.20 ppm, 0.09 ppm and 0.02 ppm (for males), 0.91 ppm, 0.14 ppm and 0,01 ppm (for females), respectively. The results showed that the level of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) of treated adult males and females in 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post treatment increased compared to untreated adults. The highest activities of GOT in treated adult males in 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h were 92.11µM, 101.99µM and 112.21µM pyruvate released × 10³/min/g FW (fresh weight), respectively, for Methoxyfenozide LC₁₀, and in treated adult females after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h they were 84.24µM, 94.33µM, and 111.12µM pyruvate released × 10³/min/g FW, respectively, for Diazinon LC₂₅. The activities of acetylcholine esterase of treated adults decreased compared to untreated adults. The highest activities of acid phosphatase in adult males after 24 h and 48 h were 249.43 µg and 270.52 µg AchI hydrolysed/min/g FW, respectively, for Methoxyfenozide LC₂₅. The highest activities of alkaline phosphatase in adult males were 139.04 µg, 175.67 µg, and 199.29 µg phenol × 10³/min/g FW for Malathion LC₁₀ and in adult females they were 123.31 µg, 162.10 µg and 199.59 µg phenol.10³/min/g FW, respectively, for Lufenuron LC₂₅ in 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post treatment.

This paper deals with the measurement and evaluation of pedunculate and sessile oaks on five provenance trial plots located in the forest regions Západočeská pahorkatina, Jihočeská pánev, Hornomoravský úval, Dolnomoravský úval, Bílé Karpaty and Vizovické vrchy at the age of 20 years. Height and diameter growth were measured and analysed and the quality of tree stems was recorded. Sampled seeds originated from certified stands for seed production located in the Hercynian and Carpathian regions of the Czech Republic. Differences between the two species result from their ecological requirements. A comparison of the two species indicates that pedunculate oak at young age grows better than sessile oak in its typical site conditions. Sessile oak grows relatively worse on the plots situated in floodplain site conditions because it does not tolerate the high levels of groundwater. But the differences were not statistically significant. Significant differences in growth parameters were confirmed within each species among plots and provenances. Large differences in stem shape quality were also recorded already in the early growth phase. In some provenances straight stems were present in up to 56% of the individuals, however, in others straight stems did not appear at all. The total results showed that some pedunculate and sessile oak provenances are more adaptable to site conditions and they suffer lower losses while achieving very good growth.

Food application of wheat B-starch comprising small starch granules as a result of lower quality is problematic. Accordingly, B-starch or acetylated starch prepared from it, with the degree of substitution (DS) of 1.5-2.3, was used in biodegradable films after blending with poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The following mechanical characteristics of the produced films were derived from the stress-strain curves: Young modulus, yield stress, stress-at-break, and strain-at-break. Water absorption of PCL/starch (60/40) films was determined according to European standard ISO 62. The measured data were compared with those of commercial A-starch. The films containing native starch degraded in compost totally during 2 months. Acetylation of starch molecules in the composites reduced the degradation rate. Optical microscopy, in combination with the image analysis system NIS-Elements vs. 2.10 completed with an Extended Depth of Focus (EDF) module, was used to study the surface morphology of PCL/starch films after 20-day and 42-day compost incubation. Chemical changes in the compost used for the film exposition were measured.

The water demand for cover crops (CC) should be considered to achieve competitive crop stands for weed control also under unfavorable conditions. This study aims to estimate the weed suppressive ability of winter CC, as Sinapis alba L., Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth., Vicia sativa L. and Avena strigosa Schreb., under a water-limited regime. The water deficit tolerance of different CC was determined in a greenhouse experiment by measuring the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II. Moreover, soil moisture, CC, and weed establishment were measured in field experiments in Southwest-Germany during two contrasting growing seasons in 2016 and 2017. A. strigosa showed a higher water deficit tolerance than S. alba in the greenhouse. In the field, A. strigosa showed the highest weed cover reduction (98%) in the field, along with an increasing effect on the soil moisture compared to the untreated control. S. alba performed most sensitive to water deficit in the greenhouse but reached the significantly highest weed control efficacy (94%) during the dry field season in 2016. Even though the selected CC showed differing sensitivities to water deficit in the greenhouse, their weed suppression ability was independent of the water supply under field conditions.

PCR primers for diagnosis of Rhynchosporium secalis in seed samples of barley were developed. For the quantification of the pathogen in seed samples a real-time PCR with SYBR Green approach was used. Amounts from 1.8 to 419.1 pg of R. secalis DNA per 100 ng of total DNA were detected in 18 samples of barley seeds contaminated by R. secalis in field conditions. The correctness of this quantitative analysis was checked using an artificial infection of seeds with 1, 2, 5 and 20% level of infection by R. secalis. The level of contamination of artificially infected samples decreased with a lowering amount of added seed powder contaminated by the pathogen, the correlation coefficient for this analysis was 0.98. While the primer pair used in these analyses shows cross-reactions with other pathogens (P. teres, Drechslera tritici-repentis, F. culmorum and F. poe), it is recommended to check the products of RT-PCR by agarose-gel electrophoresis, in which these pathogens are easily distinguishable from R. secalis by different lengths of the amplified fragments.

Soils of reclaimed dumpsites after coal mining are considered as typical anthropogenic soils. These soils are at the beginning of their development and have certain specific characteristics. The aim of this study was to describe a soil survey performed on anthropogenic soils of a reclaimed dumpsite, to analyse spatial variability of selected properties using geostatistical methods, and to evaluate the development of reclaimed dumpsite soils. It has been shown that geostatistical methods are suitable for a description of anthropogenic soil properties and their variability. However, characterization of soil properties on the border between areas with different types of reclamation can be difficult due to sharp discontinual transitions caused by human activity. Properties of these soils vary profoundly greatly dependent on the properties of the soil substrate and the type of reclamation. The average content of organic carbon in the topsoil (0-20 cm) was 1.92% on the area covered with a layer of natural topsoil and 0.92% on the area covered by a layer of loess. An initial A horizon can develop even in 10 years under favourable conditions.

The mineral and organic composition of seminal plasma, physical spermatological parameters and their physiological relationships were investigated in Salmo trutta macrostigma. The seminal plasma contained 121.0 ± 0.37mM/l (Na⁺), 8.18 ± 0.03mM/l (K⁺), 7.23 ± 0.03 mg/dl (Ca²⁺), 3.19 ± 0.02 mEq/l (Mg⁺⁺), 0.48 ± 0.02 g/dl total protein, 6.07 ± 0.06 mg/dl cholesterol, 6.24 ± 0.08 mg/dl triglyceride and 9.97 ± 0.39 mg/dl urea. The following physical spermatological parameters were found out: sperm volume 13.93 ± 0.84 ml, sperm motility 80.37 ± 2.36%, movement duration 81.47 ± 4.21 s, density 6.02 ± 0.46 × 10⁹/ml, total density 8.85 ± 6.12 × 10⁹ and pH 7.53 ± 0.20. Significant positive relationships were determined between motility duration and motility (r = 0.83, P < 0.01) and also between spermatocrit and motility (r = 0.536, P < 0.05). Sperm volume and total density negatively correlated with motility (r = -0.191, P > 0.05 and r = -0.087, P > 0.05, respectively). The Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- ions correlated negatively with motility (r = -0.267, P > 0.05, r = -0.152, P > 0.05 and r = -0.461, P > 0.05, respectively). On the other hand, the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions correlated positively with motility (r = 0.114, P > 0.05 and r = 0.040, P > 0.05, respectively). A significant negative relationship was found between motility and urea (r = -0.515, P < 0.05). These parameters should be considered when developing procedures for short-term storage or cryopreservation of the Salmo trutta macrostigma sperm.

In the Czech Republic, the sector of viniculture tried to use the period before the entry into the European Union (1^stMay 2005) for the maximum development of resources needed for its both quantitative and qualitative advancement. The legislation concerning this sector was changed and harmonised with the legislation of the EU. The total acreage of vineyards was expanded and another 7 thousand hectares were planted. The size of business units changed as well. For the time being, the production potential of this industry is 19.3 thousand ha of vineyards, more than 18 thousand wine growers were registered and there are nearly 600 producers of wine. In this sector, there are approximately 20 thousand jobs and the consumption of wine is gradually increasing and equals 16.5 litres per capita per year. As far as the prices of grapes are concerned, it was found out that they were relatively stable in the period under study and that the price of blue varietals is higher than that of white ones. The Czech wine import is constantly higher than the export, both in volume and financial value.

The paper presents new ideas in the International SQuaRE (Software Quality Requirements and Evaluation) standardisation research project, which concerns the development of a special branch of international standards for software quality. Data can be considered as an integral part of software. The current international standard and technical report of the ISO/IEC 9126, ISO/IEC 14598 series and ISO/IEC 12119 standard covert the whole software as an indivisible entity. However, such data sets as databases and data stores have a special character and need a different structure of quality characteristic. Therefore it was decided in the SQuaRE project create a special international standard for data quality. The main idea for this standard and the critical discussion of these ideas is presented in this paper. The main part of this contribution was presented on the conference Agricultural Perspectives XIV, aligned by Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, September 20 to 21, 2005.

The growth and yield response of spring wheat to inoculation with foreign and local rhizobacteria of Erzurum (Turkey) origin was studied. At the first stage of the research, a greenhouse experiment was carried out with wheat cv. Kirik using 75 local bacterial strains isolated from the soil with 6 foreign bacteria, and a control. According to results of the greenhouse experiment 9 local strains were identified. At the second stage, the response of wheat cv. Kirik to 20 treatments (9 local strains, 6 foreign bacteria, 4 levels of N, and a control) was investigated in Erzurum field conditions. Seventeen strains had significant positive effects on tiller number per plant, 47 strains on plant height, one strain on dry matter yield, and 28 strains on plant protein content in the greenhouse experiment. Inoculation with certain rhizobacteria clearly benefited growth and increased the grain and N-yield of field grown wheat. The effects of local strains were observed to be in general superior to those of foreign strains. Inoculation with the local Strain No. 19, 73, and 82 increased total biomass by 18.7, 18.1, and 19.9%; grain yield by 18.6, 17.7, and 18.0%; total N-yield by 27.5, 24.3 and 26.0%, respectively, as compared to control. In conclusion, Strain No. 19, 73, and 82 can be a suitable biofertilizer for spring wheat cultivation in areas with similar conditions as in Erzurum. Inoculation with these strains may lead both to increases in wheat yield and savings of nitrogen fertilizer.

Plantation of spruce in clusters (small collectives with 20-30 individuals with dense spacing) was realized on a small clear-cut and under the forest stand near the timber line in the Krkonoše Mts. in 1993. Gaps among the collectives were planted with dwarf pine and rowan. The height of trees aged 16 years occurring in centres of the small collectives is greater than trees growing on their edges. Lower height growth of underplantings is affected more by the stand shelter than by the position of individuals within collectives. Health status of plantations is comparable on both plots. Tree samples (spruce, dwarf pine) from the underplanting had lower weight and different biomass distribution than samples from clear-cut, samples with different positions in the collectives on clear-cut also differed. Original stand succeeded in keeping its favourable health condition in spite of the occurrence of individually dying trees.

A high displacement of inhabitants into large towns, presence of industry, and constantly growing traffic have a high impact on the environment and considerable exposure of human health to environmental risks. Therefore, putting emphasis on the best environmental quality is necessary. In this work, the pollution level of urban parks was studied, the influence of the type of pollution source was analysed, and the effect of shading by trees was studied. The analyses were carried out on soil samples taken from thirteen parks in two towns of the Czech Republic, in Prague, a town considered to be mainly residential, and Ostrava, a predominantly industrial town (steel working plant). The sampling points were selected to cover the whole towns equally. In each park, two sampling points were chosen, the first one under trees, the second one in the open area. The sampling was done in the summer of 2006 in the depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. In addition to basic soil analyses performed by routine methods, potentially risk elements (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, and As) in cold 2M HNO₃ extract were determined. Differences between the sampling points shaded and not shaded by trees were evidenced, with higher concentrations of risk elements under trees. The element contents differed between both towns as well. Significantly higher values of lead (mean 86 mg/kg) and copper (mean 28 mg/kg) were found in Prague, as a traffic consequence, compared to Ostrava, where lead reached the mean of 41 mg/kg and copper of 18 mg/kg. Maximum permissible limits were exceeded in Ostrava parks especially with Cd, in Prague with Pb.

Fertilization represents a measure, used as exceptional treatment managing forest stands and ecosystems as a whole. It is used since the beginning of the 20^th century worldwide, starting in the Central Europe. The beginnings were on empirical basis, later on, the scientific background was developed profoundly. Several forms and methods, as well as aims are topical at present: - Since the beginning, restoration of degraded sites and amelioration of primarily extreme soils was the aim. In the poorest regions, e.g. in the NE Germany, different means were used to increase site productivity and stability. Also in the Czech countries, amelioration played important role restoring degraded and devastated localities. - To increase site productivity, commercial fertilization was used worldwide, as well as it was applied in all continents with intense forestry practices. It became a part of the "silviculture" sensu stricto in the commercial, industrial forestry. - Supporting the growth and prosperity of forest plantations, on sites of different characters, was a broadly intended target of fertilizers application. - Since the air pollution calamity, fertilization is one of the main counter-treatments for improvement of the situation, lowering and preventing the soil acidification and nutritional degradation. Both direct as well as indirect methods are used. At the direct fertilization, nutrients in the fertilizers increase and improve the nutrient cycles over the degraded or natural level. This causes an increase in the forest ecosystem production as the main aim of such a treatment. In the indirect way, the amelioration material accelerates the bio-cycles by improving biological activities of the soil - liming is the best example of these activities. Nutrients are mobilized by enhanced activity of the soil biota, increasing organic matter mineralization and decay. This also represents the main ecological risk of these activities: the enormous and non-natural organic matter decay. Different types of fertilizer can be used: liquid, firm, powdered, pelletized, based on natural substances such as carbonates or silicate nutrient-rich (basic) rocks. In all cases, the uses of all these treatments have to be based on the detailed ecological analysis of the locality, of the site and of the forest stand. Only in this case, fertilizer effects can be optimized and the risks minimized.

The principal aim was to analyse the chemical composition (dry matter, protein, fat, saccharides, ash) and to calculate the energy value of 6 topographically distinct parts (cranial, medial and caudal dorsal/ventral part above/below the lateral line) of the fillets of the silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.) in two weight categories, i.e. lightweight (LW) fish of 3.50 kg live weight, and heavyweight (HW) fish of 4.50 kg live weight. Another aim was to evaluate the lipid profile of the muscle tissue and internal fat (separated from the internal organs). The study demonstrated differences (P < 0.05) in the chemical composition (with the exception of saccharides) and energy values between the relatively lean dorsal sections of silver carp fillets, which rank the silver carp among medium to low-fat fish (fillet fat content: LW = 46.06 ± 5.54 g/kg, HW = 50.62 ± 5.51 g/kg), and the fatter ventral sections which, in contrast, rank the silver carp among high-fat fish (fillet fat content: LW = 158.14 ± 11.28 g/kg, HW = 157.42 ± 9.65 g/kg). The study showed that the internal fat lipids are an interesting alternative source of ∑PUFAn-3 and, in particular, of α-linolenic acid C18:3n-3 (LW = 4.79 ± 0.25, HW = 5.28 ± 0.33), EPA C20:5n-3 (LW = 2.70 ± 0.17, HW = 3.04 ± 0.15), and DHA C22:6n-3 (LW = 3.08 ± 0.20, HW = 3.41 ± 0.18).

26 herds with 71 586 individual records were used. We tested a hypothesis that milk efficiency was influenced by the elevation of the farm, housing system, breed, area of altitude, and by the cooling of dairy cows. There were 20 herds from lowlands and 6 herds from mountains, 20 herds from free-stall housing, 6 herds from tie-stall housing. 8 herds consisted of Slovakian Pied cattle, 4 herds of Red Holstein cattle, 11 herds of Black-Pied Lowland cattle and 3 herds of Slovakian Pinzgau cattle. The herds were divided into 4 groups according to the nearest meteorological station, and they were distributed according to the type of cooling. 10 herds were cooled by misting, 16 herds by fans. We recorded from 96 to 117 summer days and from 49 to 63 tropical days in lowlands for this summer period. Ninety days with temperature-humidity index (THI) above 72.0 were found in the lowest-elevation area. During 55 days we recorded the values higher than 78.0. Production of milk was higher in lowlands than in mountains (8 761.4 kg vs. 6 372.0 kg; P < 0.01). Differences were also recorded in the evaluation of fat and protein production (346.0 kg vs. 275.9 kg; P < 0.01; 282.6 kg vs. 205.9 kg; P < 0.001). Milk and protein production was higher in free-stall housing than in tie-stall housing (8 656.3 kg vs. 6 722.1 kg; P < 0.05; 278.7 kg vs. 218.9 kg; P < 0.05). The highest milk production was recorded in Black-Pied Lowland cattle (8 832.7 kg) and the lowest in dairy cows of Slovakian Pinzgau cattle (6 058.0 kg). The mist cooling of dairy cows increased (P < 0.05) the amount of produced milk and protein (9 234.4 kg vs. 7 569.7 kg; 293.5 kg vs. 247.1 kg).

Blood haematology and plasma chemistry profiles were examined in a group of ten 17 months-old green iguanas two minutes before propofol administration (10 mg/kg of body weight) and two minutes after recovery from anaesthesia. The induction time was very short (35.50 ± 22.54 s), the recovery time was 21.50 ± 7.44 minutes. At five and fifteen minutes of anaesthesia there was a considerable drop in the heart rate. The most marked drop, however, was noted during the tenth minute. Following the administration of propofol green iguanas showed marked changes in the respiratory frequency that were not accompanied by any changes in the levels of SpO₂. RBC (1.06 ± 0.08 vs. 1.21 ± 0.06 10¹²/l) were decreased with a high significance (P < 0.01) two minutes after recovery from the propofol anaesthesia. At the same time there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of haemoglobin concentration (76.70 ± 13.39 vs. 83.73 ± 9.24 g/l) and PCV (0.34 ± 0.04 vs. 0.36 ± 0.04 l/l) as well as a significant (P < 0.05) increase of WBC (7.95 ± 3.38 vs. 5.20 ± 2.52 10⁹/l), heterophils (3.14 ± 1.48 vs. 1.43 ± 0.43 10⁹/l) and basophils (0.60 ± 0.53 vs. 0.23 ± 0.17 10⁹/l). The following parameters increased two minutes after anaesthesia with a high significance (P < 0.01): plasma concentration of total protein (55.12 ± 5.94 vs. 49.02 ± 3.54 g/l), uric acid (231.07 ± 77.69 vs. 157.58 ± 60.58 µmol/l), AST (1.23 ± 0.52 vs. 0.67 ± 0.34 µkat/l), TAG (3.37 ± 1.11 vs. 1.48 ± 0.78 mmol/l), phosphorus (2.29 ± 0.38 vs. 1.85 ± 0.35 mmol/l). The increase in plasma calcium levels (3.51 ± 0.11 vs. 3.21 ± 0.23 mmol/l) was significant at the level of P < 0.05. All the measured values were within the reference range of healthy green iguanas.

Progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRCD) is a late onset autosomal photoreceptor degeneration found in canines. PRCD in canines is homologous to one form of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) found in humans and displays phenotypic similarity as well as having the identical causative mutation. The PRCD gene was mapped to the centromeric region of canine chromosome 9 (CFA9). We report here a population study of 699 dogs of the following breeds and the following frequencies of the disease-causing mutation: American Cocker Spaniel (0.09), English Cocker Spaniel (0.34), English Springer Spaniel (0.00), Welsh Springer Spaniel (0.00), Flat Coated Retriever (0.00), Golden Retriever (0.00), Chesapeake Bay Retriever (0.14), Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (0.44), Labrador Retriever (0.07), Poodle Toy (0.45), Poodle Miniature (0.20), Poodle Medium (0.05), Poodle Standard (0.00), Portuguese Water Dog (0.33), Chinese Crested Dog (0.02), Shipperke (0.06), and Australian Cattle Dog (0.00). The disease results in complete blindness in the affected individual in almost every case. The time of onset and disease progression varies between dog breeds as well as between individuals. A modifier gene is likely to segregate in genomic proximity to the PRCD gene and may influence phenotypic expression.

The conception of the agricultural politicy of the Czech Republic is in accordance with the European model of agriculture, and one of this politicy pillars has been concentrated on the development of the multifunctional agriculture. In this contribution, several findings from the solution of the research project QF 4142 have been summarised in a synthetic form. It introduced financing and support programme of the rape methyl-esther (RME) and mixed fuel production. In the article, the availability and economic potential of the renewable energy sources till the year 2010 are shown primarily. The RME and the bio-diesel form an important part of the biomass in the Czech Republic. We describe in brief the RME characteristics in the year 1997-2004 in the following fields: production and support of the RME and mixed fuel. We have the capacity of the RME production 150 000 t in the Czech Republic with the average costs 20 CZK/l RME.

Pea seeds were swollen in solutions with different concentrations of cytokinin benzyladenine (BA). As compared with controls, a low concentration of BA (0.05 mg/l) did not affect the growth of stems and roots of twelve-day-old seedlings but concentrations of 0.20-4.00 mg/l showed an inhibiting effect; this inhibition was proportional to the concentration of BA. In controls the ratio between the lengths of stems and roots was equal to 1.14, while in seedlings influenced by BA in concentration of 0.20 mg/l its value was significantly lowered to 0.91. Also in six-day-old pea seedlings cultivated under in vitro conditions, BA concentrations of 0.70 and 3.30 mg/l inhibited the growth of roots and epicotyls and significantly increased the production of ethylene (by 150 and 330%, respectively). Three hours after the amputation of the root of five-day-old pea seedlings the level of cytokinin trans-zeatin increased in the apical part of the stem. Within the interval of 48 hours after the amputation of the root the concentration of this plant hormone gradually decreased again. The initial increase in the zeatin level in the stem indicates that the absence of the root induces a reduction of growth-inhibiting effects of roots, which negatively influences the zeatin level in the stem apex at the beginning of germination.

ABSTRACT: This paper deals with a specific type of homogeneous beechwood called Fageta paupera. The aim is to acquire information about the heterogeneity of soil environment. As a material we used 20 research plots of semi-natural European beech stands, where the sampling of soil profile and the observation of floristic conditions were realized. Laboratory assessment of soil samples was focused on physicochemical and chemical properties of soil: pH/CaCl₂, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, CEC (T, S, V), C_ox, N_t, C/N, C-FA, C-HA, C-CHL, C-HA/FA. Data processing was done with the aim to discover a variability of soils, observing soil genetic horizons individually (H, A, B, C). Research plots were divided into biotopes with the cover of understory vegetation < 15% and > 15% (in accordance with the definition of Fageta paupera) and the variability of soil properties in each horizon for the two above-mentioned biotopes and furthermore for all plots together was investigated. Results show the highest variability of soil properties in the biotope of Fageta paupera, especially in its holorganic (H) and organomineral (A) horizons. Furthermore, regression analysis showed the strongest dependence of the variability of soil properties in the biotope of Fageta paupera.

Mulberry pomace, as a by-product of juice and wine making, was investigated as a potential source of natural anthocyanins. The results showed that anthocyanin contents in mulberry pomace from two varieties were above 250 mg/100 g, that is 74%-79% of that in mulberry whole fruit. Thus, mulberry pomace could be a potential anthocyanins source. The anthocyanins in mulberry pomace had an attractive red colour with the chroma at 5.0 and hue angle at 6.8. Five anthocyanins were identified in mulberry pomace, cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside being the major anthocyanins. The method of the separation of the two anthocyanins was studied showing that both anthocyanins with purities above 98% could be well separated on Sephadex LH-20 by eluting with 10% ethanol containing 1% of acetic acid after purification with AB-8 macroporous resin. The recovery of the complete process of both anthocyanins was 57.4%. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside had more attractive colours and strong antioxidant activities and could be used as potential food colourants and antioxidants.

The agricultural land acreage in Central Europe, including the Czech Republic, rapidly decreases. This study presents the trends of agricultural land acreage reduction in the period 1966-2013, with respect to the 1990 milestone (political changes triggering a rapid loss of agricultural land for construction purposes). The analysis is based on the cadastral register data. Particularly serious is the rapid reduction of arable land - 25 ha per day. Furthermore, the actual built up area seems to be larger than show the records on the construction land in the cadastral register. There is an obvious discrepancy between the real state and the cadastral data, so the actual reduction of arable land in the Czech Republic may be even greater. Unfortunately, some municipalities responsible for the urban planning process are obviously not interested in land protection. Based on their quality, the Czech land protection law classifies the soils into 5 protection classes. The areas with the first and second class soils should not be used for construction purposes. However, the study revealed the law is frequently neglected from the part of municipalities and the areas of best quality soils have often been sealed by construction. The present study also attempted to enumerate the financial losses from crop production associated with the land take. The ineffective land protection is a very serious Europe-wide problem.