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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.

The present paper focuses on the point irrigation design for crops and growing vegetables on an experimental area 2432 m² at Buchel locality, Northern part of Gobi desert in Mongolia. An underground water source (drill hole - well capacity 2 l/s with water temperature 10°C) and electricity were available in the locality of the selected area of 1 ha and 0.2% grade of slope (no map was available). The design of the surface and subsurface point irrigation for an area of 128 m² is shown together with a brief description of the hydraulic materials used for the development of the original HYBOZAM program, which was programmed in Microsoft Excel editor, especially to design the pipe dimensions of the point irrigation. A combination of two plastic pipes (with diameters 35.4/40 mm and 28.2/32 mm and 20 m lengths each) was used to provide suitable irrigation uniformity from the orifices on the laterals. HYBOZAM program provides a visual evaluation of the discharge distribution uniformity from the orifices on the laterals by its graphical output. An example of Z1 lateral for surface point irrigation (variant 2) is presented. The final result of the design calculation is given in the table presenting the most important outputs, including statistic evaluation of the discharge distribution uniformity. A table is presented for surface point irrigation - variant 2. From the table is it clear that hydraulic requirements as well as discharge distribution uniformity from the orifices on the laterals have been fulfilled.

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.

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.

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.

A 10-20% decrease in annual precipitation is predicted in the Mediterranean basin, and in particular to the Iberian Peninsula, with foreseen effects on the exchange of soil-atmosphere greenhouse gases (GHGs; CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O). To simulate this scenario, we setup an experimental design in the particularly dry period of 2008-2009 using rainfall exclusion and irrigation, to obtain plots receiving 110% (538 mm), 100% (493 mm) and 74% (365 mm) of the natural precipitation. Soil CO₂ fluxes showed a strong increase from summer to autumn as a consequence of increasing soil heterotrophic respiration that resulted from rewetting. Fluxes of N₂O were negligible. According to our data, soil was a permanent CH₄ sink independent of the soil water content (in the range between 6-26% WFPS - water-filled pore space) and of soil temperature (in the range of 7-28°C), supporting the concept that seasonally dry ecosystems (Mediterranean) may represent a significant sink of atmospheric CH₄. The study provides evidence that the 26% decrease or 10% increase in the ambient rainfall from annual precipitation of ca 500 mm did not significantly affect soil functionality and had a limited impact on soil-atmosphere net GHGs exchange in evergreen oak woodlands in southern Portugal.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

Cutting down 20- to 30-years-old trees of blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) (October, May) and cross-cutting them to sections of different volume (0.5-75 dm3) under conditions of half-shade × open area resulted in a potential food offer for cambiophages. Ips amitinus (Eichh.) and Pityogenes chalcographus (L.) reached the higher frequency of occurrence on sections placed in the open area than in half-shade and on stems felled in the autumn season than in the spring season. Dryocoetes autographus (Ratz.) was markedly profiled on sections in half-shade with the gradual desiccation of phloem. P. chalcographus preferring open areas occurred on branches being accompanied by Cryphalus abietis (Ratz.), which attacked branches located in half-shade. On stems of sections from both autumn and spring felling, one generation of I. amitinus developed, however, on autumn sections, the 2^nd generation developed unsuccessfully on the original nutritive material. P. chalcographus completed the development of one generation on stems and branches from autumn felling. On the spring material, the invasion was delayed and a part of wintering larvae did not complete their development. Logging residues of P. pungens were available for the development of I. amitinus and P. chalcographus during one growing season only.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of heat stress (i.e., elevated ambient temperature - Ta; 36 °C ± 3 °C) on growth performance, mortality rate, and on some haematological and biochemical parameters in different categories of gender and age of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Animals were divided into two main groups (control and treatment), in each group there were 56 rabbits: adult females (n = 20), adult males (n = 4), growing females (n = 16), and growing males (n = 16). Results revealed that total and daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and total and daily gain in body weight for growing NZW rabbits were affected negatively by elevated Ta. Decreases in feed intake led to less protein biosyntheses and less fat deposition, which led to lower body weight gain. These observations were made in growing and adult rabbits of both genders. Analysis showed that red blood cell (RBC) counts showed alterations. Packed cell volume (PCV) (in adult females and males), white blood cell (WBC) counts (in growing females), lymphocytes (in growing males), monocytes (in growing females and adult males), basophils (in growing females and growing and adult males) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased, and total proteins (TP) (in adult females), glucose (Glu) (in adult females), and calcium (Ca²⁺) (in growing males and females) were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the experimental group. Furthermore, elevated Ta increased the mortality rate (MR) in both age groups. The mortality rate was 30.36% for growing and adult rabbits of the experimental group, compared with 7.14% for the control group, and was 25% for adult compared with 34.38% for growing experimental rabbits. Exposure of NZW rabbits of both ages and genders to elevated ambient temperature (36°C ± 3 °C), negatively affected their internal homeostasis which was reflected in their growth rate and various physiological signs.

Soil salinity and semi-arid and arid climate of Pakistan is a major constraint in agriculture and predominantly in foodstuff production. It limits crop yield and use of land previously uncultivated. Wheat is moderately salt tolerant. A great variation was observed between and within the cultivars (genotypes: S-24 salt tolerant and DN-27 salt sensitive) in relationship to the choice of salinity level (control and treatments: in increment of 25 mol/m³ NaCl/day to a final level of 80 and 160 mol/m³ NaCl into the nutrient solution) that will be used for screening purpose. Relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index and the activities of some antioxidant enzymes were determined after 20 and 40 days of salt stress exposure. As a result of activity enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase increased in S-24 with the increase of salt stress, while in DN-27 all the enzymes showed constant activity at all the stress levels. Meanwhile, relative water content and membrane stability index decrease the value as well as they increases the stress levels. It can be concluded that all three antioxidant enzymes were limiting factors for these genotypes and these reasons also led to the salt sensitivity in DN-27. Different selection methods should be applied to improve different traits in different conditions in wheat.

The influences of the composition, environmental humidity, and temperature on the stability of dried fruit bars during storage were investigated. Sultana bars were chosen to represent similar types of fruit bars. The moisture sorption isotherms and textural stability of sultana bars with and without glucose and maltodextrin additives were determined at 20°C and 40°C using the standard static gravimetric method. The shape of all of the isotherms was found to be typical of high sugar foods and could be explained by four different models. Additives and storage temperatures affected the monolayer moisture content, equilibrium moisture content, and the textural stability of the sultana bars during storage at the same water activity. The relationship between the loss of stiffness and water activity had a sigmoid shape and was explained by Fermi's equation. This paper fills an important gap with that which does not exist in a large number of sorption behaviour publications available in the literature. It presents real data explaining the true mechanism of textural change during storage with both water activity and glass transition theories for high sugar fruit pastes. The information obtained from this study may help the food producers, who make high sugar containing dried fruit products, to create better textural and sensory properties, and may also help to predict the storage stability and packaging requirements.

The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations of lactational and daily somatic cell scores with descriptive and linear type traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. Data were: test-day somatic cell scores and conformation evaluations of 24 599 primiparous cows, daughters of 802 sires. Cows calved from 2006 to 2007. The lactational somatic cell score was calculated as the average of four test-day somatic cell scores at least. The daily somatic cell score was the test-day somatic cell score closest to the date of type evaluation. A multi-trait animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters. (Co)variance components were estimated by a Bayesian algorithm via Gibbs sampling. The heritability of lactational somatic cell score was 0.20 and it was much higher than that of daily somatic cell score (0.13). Heritabilities of type traits were high to moderate for height at rump (0.46), size (0.39), overall conformation score (0.30), two linear rump traits (0.28-0.29) and three linear teat traits (0.26-0.29). The genetic correlation between lactational and daily somatic cell scores was 0.84. In many cases, daily somatic cell score showed higher genetic correlations with type traits than lactational somatic cell score. Descriptive udder and feet and legs scores were genetically correlated negatively with both lactational (-0.22 and -0.20) and daily somatic cell scores (-0.28 and -0.33). Somatic cell traits were genetically correlated positively with rump angle (0.21 and 0.19) and negatively with fore udder height (-0.26 and -0.29), udder depth (-0.23 and -0.17) and central ligament (-0.14 and -0.16). Due to higher heritability, direct selection for lower lactational somatic cell score would be more effective than selection for lower daily somatic cell score. The magnitude of obtained heritabilities and the favourable genetic correlations indicate that the selection utilizing some type traits could improve the resistance to mastitis.

Conversion of coniferous monocultures to more stable mixed stands is one of the crucial tasks of present forestry in the Czech Republic. One of the factors hampering this process is the activity of small rodents that can cause severe damage to young plantations in winter. Little knowledge is still available of the ecology of small mammals in the forest environment and of the factors influencing their distribution and extent of damage. In order to acquire relevant information on rodent impacts on forest regeneration, we mapped the cumulated damage to forest plantations in 13 regions within the Czech Republic in 2007 and 2008. We checked 19,650 trees of eight species on 393 plots. Broadleaves were affected by browsing much more than conifers (20% and 4%, respectively). Of the monitored species, beech was damaged the most frequently (26% individuals). Browsing intensity differed among the regions (6-60% browsed individuals). The least damaged were the plantations at the altitudes below 400 m a.s.l.; on higher located plots the browsing intensity showed no trend. The proportion of damaged trees increased with plantation age up to 6 years, then it did not vary significantly. This study has confirmed that rodents are an important factor with a negative influence on the regeneration of broadleaves. Bark browsing in young trees is affected by several factors and the prediction of damage is complicated. Further research should improve the prediction of the bark browsing threat to young plantations and at the same time the efficiency of protection against rodent-caused damage.

The effect of partial and total replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with extruded chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and partial replacement of SBM with raw chickpeas on pig growth and carcass characteristics was determined in a 17 week experiment. Sixty growing-finishing pigs were allocated to five dietary treatments: CKP0, ECKP100, ECKP200, ECKP300 and CKP100 of 12 animals each, and received a diet ad libitum. The diet for CKP0 treatment had no chickpeas (control), while those for treatments ECKP100, ECKP200 and ECKP300 included 100, 200 and 300 kg/t of extruded (at 120°C for 20 s) chickpeas, respectively, and for treatment CKP100 it included 100 kg/t of raw chickpeas. Body weight (BW) gain linearly increased (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of increasing levels of extruded chickpeas during the growing period. However, in both the growing and finishing period, there were no differences between extruded chickpea inclusion treatments in final BW, BW gain, daily feed consumption (DFC), FCR, and carcass yield traits. Partial replacement of SBM with raw chickpeas negatively affected (P < 0.05) BW gain and DFC during the finishing period. Extrusion offers a practical method for the heat processing of chickpeas for use in pig diets. Thus, extruded chickpeas can be used as an alternative protein source to SBM at inclusion levels up to 300 kg/t of diet.

The purpose of this work was to examine the influence of non-coherent polarized light upon the growth of Escherichia coli. Experiments were designed to test the main hypothesis that this kind of polychromatic light can produce decimal reductions in numbers of E. coli bacteria. Two strains of E. coli - isolated from ground pork and commercial culture E. coli ATCC 25922, were both exposed to light for 20, 30, 40 and 60 minutes. The source of non-coherent polarized light was a Bioptron-1 lamp (Zepter, Swiss) with the following technical characteristics: wavelength 400-2000 nm, polarization > 95%, and constant radiation dose 2.4 J/cm² per minute. The result for both strains showed a slight increase in bacterial count in response to an irradiation time of 20 min and decreases in bacterial counts for irradiation times of 30, 40 and 60 min without characteristics of a decimal reduction. Bacterial counts after treatments displayed a linear relationship with the total count of bacteria before treatments as well as the percentage surviving bacteria and irradiation time. Data analysis (ANOVA two factors with replication) showed that the survival of bacteria was influenced significantly by duration time (P < 0.01), bacterial culture (p<0.05), and interaction between duration time and bacterial culture (P < 0.01). Neither E. coli ATCC 25922 nor E. coli isolated from ground pork showed a decimal reduction after irradiation with non-coherent polychromatic polarized light.

The Fusarium species associated with maize are widely distributed in Malaysia. Eight Fusarium species were obtained in this country. A series of field samplings was conducted from 2006 to 2008, when 167 Fusarium isolates were obtained from maize plants in seven locations throughout Malaysia. The determination was based on micro- and macromorphological features (growth rates, colony features, mode of production of microconidia, macroconidia, conidiophores, and chlamydospores). F. proliferatum (29.9% isolates), F. semitectum (22.2% isolates), F. verticillioides (13.7% isolates), and F. subglutinans (12.6% isolates) were found out most frequently. F. equiseti, F. pseudograminearum, F. oxysporum, and F. solani were also isolated. This is the first report on the occurrence of F. equiseti, F. pseudograminearum, and F. subglutinans associated with maize plants in Malaysia.

We assessed the influence of the particular genotype, age of layers, feather growth-rate gene, and their mutual interactions on selected indicators of eggshell quality in six groups of hens of the laying type Dominant. The following genotypes were examined in the experiment: Barred Plymouth Rock, Dominant BPR 951 (K) strain, slow-feathering; Barred Plymouth Rock, Dominant BPR 901 (k) strain, fast-feathering; Blue Plymouth Rock, Dominant BLPR 954 (K) strain, slow-feathering; Blue Plymouth Rock, Dominant BLPR 894 (k) strain, fast-feathering; crossbreds of the above strains in the F₁ generation Dominant D 107 blue (K), slow-feathering and Dominant D 107 blue (k), fast-feathering. The layers were fed a feed mixture NP1 (16.64 % CP) from the 20^th week of age and a feed mixture NP2 (15.02% CP) from the 42^nd week. Husbandry conditions met the regular requirements of laying hens. Egg production and live weight of hens were monitored for the duration of the experiment (12 months). Eggshell quality was examined at the layers' age of 27, 35 and 56 weeks. The average hen-day egg production for the duration of the experiment (12 months) was not significantly influenced by the particular genotype or the feather growth-rate gene. The varying representation of the feather growth-rate gene significantly (P ≤ 0.001) influenced the live weight; similarly, the relationship between the genotype and the representation of K/k alleles was significant. The average egg weight was influenced statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.001) by the age of hens, their genotype (P ≤ 0.05), feather growth-rate gene (P ≤ 0.001), and the relationship between the age and genotype (P ≤ 0.001). The age of hens, genotype, and the interaction of these two factors affected the egg shape index, as did the incidence of the feather growth-rate gene within the population (with a statistical significance of P ≤ 0.001). The age, genotype and the feather growth-rate gene incidence within the population also significantly affected the eggshell quality indicators. In the eggshell to egg ratio, eggshell thickness and strength, an interaction was determined between the age of hens and their particular genotype. The eggshell colour was also significantly (P ≤ 0.001) affected by hens' age, genotype (P ≤ 0.001), as well as by the feather growth-rate gene (P ≤ 0.001). No significant interaction between the age and the genotype was found for this indicator.

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.

Toxic pollution of soils is a major environmental problem in the Czech Republic. Most contemporary remediation approaches do not provide acceptable solutions. For environmental clean-up, the use of specially selected and engineered plants capable of effective restoration and stabilization of contaminated sites is an emerging technology called phytoremediation. Aspen (Populus spp.) trees represent optimal plants for absorption, accumulation, storage, and degradation of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and other waste products. The first aim of this study was to verify possibilities of micropropagating selected elite European aspen (Populus tremula) and hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides) mature trees growing in polluted areas. The primary cultures were established from 24 years old trees from provenance plots. Dormant buds were sampled from selected trees in spring. After sterilization of dormant buds, the shoot tips were extirpated and put on nutrient media. MS medium with a higher concentration of BAP (1.0 mg/l) and IBA (0.1 mg/l) showed to be suitable for induction of organogenesis. MS medium with lower concentration of BAP (0.2 mg/l) and higher concentration of glutamine (100 mg/l) in agar medium was used for multiplication. A high number of adventitious shoots (20-30) was produced per multi-apex culture. The losses during rooting and acclimatization were minimal, around 2%. Currently, the plantlets grow on the outside bed of the experimental nursery. Twenty-five clones were established in the gene bank. Secondly, standardization of the efficient transformation of hybrid aspen was investigated with the aim to facilitate production of transformed hybrid aspen with valuable genes for increased capability of phytoremediation in the near future. Four gene constructs of Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising different promoters (bearing two genes, NPTII coding resistance to kanamycin, and GUS coding glucuronidase synthesis allowing histochemical and fluorometrical identification) were used for transformations of aspen hybrid stem segments. A promoter suitable for transformations was selected on the basis of GUS activity assay. The highest activity was estimated in transformants with construct 148 controlled by promoter CAMV 35S.