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Dormant tubers of two potato cultivars Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Chandramukhi were treated for 7 days with 5, 10, 15 and 20% CO₂ concentrations at 18 ± 1ºC and 90-95% RH, and compared with GA treated tubers and with untreated tubers serving as control. During subsequent storage at the same temperature and RH, dormancy duration was reduced by 20 days with CO₂ treatment and by 35 days with GA treatment. In Kufri Jyoti, GA treatment caused 2.6 fold increase in the concentration of reducing sugars and 0.8 fold increase in total sugars in the apical half of the tubers leading to early release of dormancy in apical buds but this increase in sugar content was not observed in the basal half where the buds remained dormant.

The influence of the solvent, temperature, and extraction time on the extractability of total polyphenols from milled soybeans variety Ika was investigated. The study was performed in order to select the most suitable solvent (water; 50, 60, 70, and 80% aqueous ethanol) for achieving the highest yield of total polyphenols. The most effective solvent (50% aqueous ethanol solution) was used for monitoring the kinetics and modelling of solid-liquid extraction of total polyphenols from soybeans, average particle size 0.459 mm, at solid-liquid ratio of 20 ml/g (ratio of the solvent volume per g of raw material). The total polyphenols content in the soybean extract was determined spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu micro-methods at 765 nm. The applicability of different mathematical models (Peleg, Page, and Logarithmic models) to describe the kinetics of the solid-liquid extraction process of total polyphenols from soybeans was studied as well. The results exhibited a significant influence of the solvent and temperature on the kinetics and extraction yield of total polyphenols from soybeans. The best extraction yield of total polyphenols was obtained using 50% aqueous ethanol solution at 80°C after 120 min (4.322 mg GAE/g_db). The extraction yield of total polyphenols in soybean extracts increased by increasing the extraction temperature and extending the duration of the extraction process. The mathematical models applied showed a good agreement with the experimental results, which allows their application in modelling and optimisation of solid-liquid extraction process for the extraction of total polyphenols from soybeans.

An unusual disorder occurred on spring barley seedlings in southern and central Bohemia in April 2005. Affected seedlings showed conspicuous bleached or straw-coloured areas on tips of the first leaves. There were very sharp, distinct, horizontal boundaries between the green basal and discoloured tip parts of the leaves. It was remarkable that these boundaries were at the same position on all affected first leaves of seedlings from the same field. Affected seedlings were randomly distributed in the fields, and their incidence ranged from about 20 to 70% according to location. Based on meteorological data it can be concluded that the colour abnormality in emerging seedlings was associated with specific environmental stresses, being effective in certain chronological order on sensitive plant tissues during the period from 6 to 8 days after seeding. These stresses include frosty mornings followed by clear days with high solar radiation with a high UV Index.

Soil organic matter (SOM) takes part in many environmental functions and, depending on the conditions, it can be a source or a sink of the greenhouse gases. Presently, the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stock can arise because of the climatic changes or changes in the land use and land management. A promising method in the estimation of SOC changes is modelling, one of the most used models for the prediction of changes in soil organic carbon stock on agricultural land being the RothC model. Because of its simplicity and availability of the input data, RothC was used for testing the efficiency to predict the development of SOC stock during 35-year period on agricultural land of Slovakia. The received data show an increase of SOC stock during the first (20 years) phase and no significant changes in the course of the second part of modelling. The increase of SOC stock in the first phase can be explained by a high carbon input of plant residues and manure and a lower temperature in comparison with the second modelling part.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dihydropyridine supplementation on growth performance and lipid metabolism of broilers. A total of 480 one-day-old female Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups, each group had six replications of 20 birds. Each group was fed a maize-soybean meal diet supplemented with 0, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine, respectively, for six weeks. At 42 days of age, body weight and feed intake were not affected by dihydropyridine, while feed efficiency was significantly increased by 8.4%, 15.0% and 12.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The percentage of abdominal fat and the percentage of liver fat were reduced by 24.5%, 25.9%, 23.3%, and 23.6%, 26.7%, 26.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The higher level of dietary dihydropyridine (200 or 300 mg/kg) increased the hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase activity in liver and abdominal fat (P < 0.05). The lipoprotein lipase activity in abdominal fat was significantly decreased by dihydropyridine (P < 0.05). The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase in liver was significantly reduced, whereas the isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in liver was not affected by dietary dihydropyridine. The content of cAMP was significantly increased by dihydropyridine, but malondialdehyde content was decreased (P < 0.05). Dihydropyridine at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg increased apolipoprotein B (P < 0.05), but 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine had no effect on apolipoprotein B compared with the control group. Triiodothyronine was significantly increased by dietary dihydropyridine (P < 0.05). There were no differences in apolipoprotein A, cholesterol, trigly-cerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, thyroxine and insulin among dietary treatments. It is concluded that supplementing dihydropyridine has a beneficial effect on feed efficiency and lipid metabolism of broilers, and that 200 mg/kg dihydropyridine supplementation is the optimum dose.

Bovine tuberculosis was last detected in cattle and pigs in the CzechRepublicin 1995. Since March, 31, 2004(Commission Decision No. 2004/320/EC) the Czech Republichas been included amongst states free from bovine tuberculosis within the European Union. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate results of intravital and post-mortem diagnosis of mycobacterial infections in slaughtered cattle and pigs from 2000 to 2004. When bovine tuberculosis in cattle was investigated, a tuberculin skin test with bovine tuberculin was performed every year and a skin test with avian tuberculin was simultaneously conducted in the animals with a positive response. A total of 2 419 889 animals were examined with a positive response being found in 123 (0.005%) of them. After slaughter, bovine tuberculosis was not detected in any of these animals by gross and/or laboratory examinations. With avian tuberculin, 40 349 animals were tested and positive responses were detected in 43 (0.1%) of them; the incidence was similar in all the years monitored. Tuberculous lesions were detected in 209 (0.01%) of 1 967 211 slaughtered cattle. Mycobacteria were present in 40 (21.3%) of 188 animals examined by laboratory methods: 26 isolates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (18 isolates of serotype 2 and 8 isolates not typeable), 11 isolates of M. a. hominissuis (1 isolate of serotype 8 and 10 isolates not typeable), and 3 isolates of atypical mycobacteria. Tuberculous lesions were detected in 49 312 (0.22%) of 22 312 580 slaughtered pigs by veterinary-meat inspection. During the 5-year-period monitored, the incidence of tuberculous lesions decreased from 0.37% in 2000 to 0.10% in 2004. The following mycobacteria were isolated from 757 (33.5%) of 2 261 animals whose organs were examined by culture: 203 isolates of M. a. avium (180 isolates of serotype 2, 3 isolates of serotype 2/8, and 20 isolates not typeable), 442 isolates of M. a. hominissuis (1 isolate of serotype 1, 262 isolates of serotype 8, 35 isolates of serotype 9, 1 isolates of mixed serotypes 8/9, and 143 isolates not typeable), and atypical mycobacteria (n = 112). In both animal species, M. avium complex members prevailed: M. a. avium was the most prevalent subspecies in cattle, M. a. hominissuis in pigs. The main sources of M. a. avium and M. a. hominissuis are free living birds and contaminated external and stable environments (i.e. drinking water, feeds, and feed supplements), respectively. During the entire period monitored, miliary or generalized tuberculosis was not detected in any of the animals. The decreased incidence of tuberculous lesions in pigs was particularly a result of preventive measures adopted to control the occurrence of atypical mycobacteria.

A dose-response experiment with 5 total dietary threonine (Thr) levels (0.54, 0.64, 0.74, 0.84 and 0.94%) was conducted to study the effect of dietary Thr on growth performance and carcass traits of Yangzhou geese from 0 to 8 weeks of age. Three hundred 1-day-old Yangzhou goslings were randomly allocated to 15 pens with 20 birds (10 males and 10 females) per pen according to similar pen weight. There were 5 dietary treatments, consisting of 3 replicate pens. Weight gain, feed intake and feed/gain of geese from each pen were measured at 2-week intervals from 0 to 8 weeks. At 56 days of age, four geese (2 males and 2 females) were selected randomly from each pen and slaughtered to evaluate the carcass quality. The results showed that an increase in dietary Thr resulted in an increase and then a decrease in daily weight gain in both periods. Peak daily weight gain responses appeared in geese fed the 0.74%Thr diet in both periods (36.120 and 61.96 g, respectively). Thr supplementation significantly affected feed/gain in the 0-4 week period (P ≤ 0.045) and daily feed intake in the 5-8 week period (P ≤ 0.012). No significant linear or quadratic responses from Thr supplementation were observed in growth performance and carcass traits of geese except for eviscerated carcass percentage (quadratic effect, P ≤ 0.016). The optimal Thr requirement of Yangzhou geese from 0 to 8 weeks of age was 0.726% for eviscerated carcass percentage. The results of our experiment reported herein would document that the Thr requirements suggested by NRC (1994) for geese up to 8 weeks of age are safe estimates; they may slightly overestimate the requirements but not by a large margin.

The amelioration of aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens was examined by feeding two concentrations of yeast component (esterified glucomannan; EG). EG, incorporated into the diet at 0.5 and 1 g/kg, was evaluated for its ability to reduce the detrimental effects of 2 mg total aflatoxin (AF; 82.72% AFB₁, 5.50% AFB₂, 10.20% AFG₁ and 1.58% AFG₂) in diet on growing broiler chicks from 1 to 21 d of age. A total of 240 male broiler chicks (Ross-308) were divided into 6 treatment groups [control, AF, EG (0.5 g/kg), AF plus EG (0.5 g/kg), EG (1 g/kg), and AF plus EG (1 g/kg)]. Compared to the control, AF treatment significantly decreased body weight gain from week 2 onwards. AF treatment also caused significant decreases in serum total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, inorganic phosphorus, creatinine levels and alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT) activity but increased the aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT) activity. Red blood cell, haematocrit, haemoglobin, thrombocyte, and lymphocyte counts and tibial crude ash levels were significantly reduced by AF treatment, while significant increases were seen in heterophil counts. The addition of EG (1 g/kg) to an AF-containing diet significantly improved the adverse effects of AF on haematological parameters, total protein, albumin values and ASAT activity. EG (1 g/kg) also partially improved body weight gains (59%) and the other biochemical parameters influenced by AF treatment. The addition of EG (both 0.5 and 1 g/kg) to the AF-free diet did not cause any considerable changes in the investigated values. These results clearly indicated that EG (1 g/kg) addition effectively diminished the adverse effects of AF on the investigated values. Also, the higher dietary concentration of EG (1 g/kg) was found more effective than the lower concentration (0.5 g/kg) against the adverse effects of AF on the variables investigated in this study.

Alleles A1 and A2 of the Bos taurus CSN2 gene are the most frequent in a number of dairy cattle breeds. In this study, a new allelic discrimination assay using TaqMan fluorogenic probes was developed to detect single nucleotide substitution characterizing the A1/A2 alleles of the CSN2 gene. The method was validated using DNA samples of known genotypes with different concentrations and the results were compared with those for the commonly used problematic ACRS-PCR. We found the TaqMan method to be more effective, 100% reliable and hundred times more sensitive for testing the CSN2 genetic marker in cattle than the ACRS-PCR. As it enabled a rapid analysis of a large number of DNA samples in uniform format without previous DNA quality assessment and without the requirement for post-amplification manipulations, it presents an effective tool for the analysis of large-scale sample sets. The method was applied for testing on a sample of 120 Czech Holstein dairy cows. The observed relative genotype and allele frequencies were as follows: A1A1-0.20, A1A2-0.51, A2A2-0.29; A1-0.45, A2-0.55.

A total of 60 random samples of fresh chicken burger, fillet, and luncheon (20 of each) were collected from markets at Tanta city. The average total yeast counts (cfu/g) in burger, fillet, and luncheon samples were 2.7 × 10⁶ ± 1.1 × 10⁶, 2.1 × 10⁵ ± 0.9 × 10⁵, and 1.4 × 10⁷ ± 0.7 × 10⁷, respectively. A total of 158 yeast isolates of 23 species were isolated and identified. Candida, Cryptococcus, Debaromyces, Issatchenkia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Trichosporon and Yarrowia species were recovered from the examined samples of fresh chicken meat products in varying percentages ranging from 5% to 50%. The tested plant extracts of cinnamon, clove and thyme revealed a potent anti-yeast activity against C. albicans, D. hansenii and S. cerevisiae at 20% concentration, and a moderate inhibitory activity against these yeast strains at 10% concentration, while garlic extract had a lesser inhibitory effect on the yeast strains tested at the same concentration. Moreover, thyme, cinnamon and clove extracts had a complete inhibitory effect on chicken fillet inoculated with Candida albicans when incubated at 5°C and 25°C.

Differences in follicular development and repeatability of follicular growth pattern among Czech Fleckvieh (n = 20) and Holstein (n = 23) heifers were investigated. Follicular dynamics was evaluated by daily sonographic scanning during three interovulatory intervals. The mean duration of the interovulatory interval was 20.66 ± 0.32 days, no differences between breeds were observed. The proportion of the non-alterna-ting pattern was nearly the same as that of the alternating pattern (54% and 46%, respectively). The majority of IOIs ≤ 21 days were of the 2-wave pattern (71%) whereas only 29% of them were of the 3-wave pattern. Conversely, the majority of IOIs ≥ 22 days were of the 3-wave pattern (84%), whereas only 16% were of the 2-wave pattern. Differences could be observed in the Czech Fleckvieh heifers. Comparing 2- and 3-wave interovulatory intervals, 44.2% of the heifers exhibited 3 waves and 55.8% of the heifers exhibited 2 waves of follicular growth. The ratio of 3- to 2-wave heifers was about the same in the Holstein breed; in Czech Fleckvieh 2-wave cycles slightly dominated (11/12, 8/12; respectively). In Holstein heifers, the first follicular wave occurred 0.92 ± 0.15 days after ovulation in 2-wave interovulatory intervals, and the emergence of the first wave in 2-wave Czech Fleckvieh heifers appeared later (P < 0.05), 1.83 ± 0.3 days after ovulation. The maximal size reached by the dominant follicles in all animals and in the Czech Fleckvieh differed in the first and in the second wave of 2-wave cycles (P < 0.05). In 3-wave interovulatory intervals the dominant follicles in the second wave differed (P < 0.05) from the mean diameters of the first and the third wave in the Czech Fleckvieh. The ovulatory follicles were significantly (P < 0.05) smaller in 2-wave than in 3-wave interovulatory intervals among all animals and between the Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh heifers. In conclusion, we found a similar pattern of ovarian follicular dynamics in Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein heifers kept under identical nutritional and environmental conditions. Whether the significant difference in the emergence of the 1st fol-licular wave in 2-wave IOIs between C and H heifers is of real biological significance is ambiguous.

In this study, the effects of slope and traffic intensity on soil compaction, rutting and forest floor removal was evaluated on a skid trail in the natural forest of north of Iran. Combination of two levels of slope < 20% (SC1) and > 20% (SC2) and three levels of traffic (one, five and nine traffics) were studied. Treatment plots, with three replications, were established on the skid trail prior to skidding. The results of this study showed that all bulk densities were considerably higher in SC2 than in SC1 and average soil bulk densities were measured from 1.07 (g∙cm^-3) to 1.23 (g∙cm^-3) on skid trail and 0.91 (g∙cm^-3) in undisturbed areas. With the increment of traffic, soil compaction increased but there was no significant difference among the three levels of traffic frequency in SC1 whereas it was significant between one and five cycles in SC2. Greatest rut depth was measured as 12 cm at nine traffics in SC2, although increase of traffic density caused deeper rut depth at all slope treatments, but it was higher at the SC2 in comparison to SC1. Litter mass decreased considerably on the skid trail with the increasing in slope and traffic. No important difference has been detected between SC1 and SC2 in terms of Litter mass removal. These results provide clear evidence that soil disturbance on steep trail is intensified.

Measurements were done of some lysosomal proteolytic enzyme activities involved in skeletal muscle proteolysis of the masculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis muscle (MLLT) of bulls. Samples from the same region between the 11th and 13th vertebra were taken after slaughter from Limousin (n = 10), Hereford (n = 10), Charolais (n = 10), Angus (n = 11) and Simmental (n = 11) bulls about 15 months old fed complete diet ad libitum. The activity of cathepsin D was determined as pepstatin (cathepsin D inhibitor) sensitive activity (PSCatD) towards 1% haemoglobin. Pepstatin-insensitive acid (PIA) and leupeptin-insensitive (thiol proteinases inhibitor) acid (LIA) autolytic activities were measured in the presence of 1mM Mg⁺⁺. MLLT was also analysed for RNA, DNA and protein variables. The data were processed by analysis of variance. The highest activities in PSCatD (P ≤ 0.05), AAA (P ≤ 0.01) and LIA (P ≤ 0.05) as well as percentage of inhibition by pepstatin in cathepsin D (P ≤ 0.01) were estimated in Angus bulls, and the lowest in Limousin ones. These breeds differed in the above-mentioned activities by 20.3, 21.1, 31.1 and 13.1%, respectively. RNA/g of tissue was highest in Hereford and lowest in Limousin bulls (by about 15.3%, P ≤ 0.01). Similar differences (14.3%) were between Charolais and Limousin (P ≤ 0.01). CPS (10³ RNA/protein) was higher by 18.3% (P ≤ 0.01) in Charolais compared to the value in Simmental bulls; similar differences were between Hereford and Simmental (16.4%, P ≤ 0.01). The DNA concentration was highest in Hereford (by about 30%) compared to Charolais bulls. Protein/10³DNA ratio (mg/mg) - FCS - was higher by 33.4% in Charolais compared toHereford; RNA/DNA ratio was higher by 40.2% in Charolais compared toLimousin bulls. These results indicate the fast turnover of proteins in the groups of examined bulls and it can be concluded that in hypertrophic MLLT of bulls an anabolic decrease in degradation occurred.

The phenological stages, flower characteristics, shoot growth and flower bud differentiation of sweet cherries, cv. Hongdeng and Van, were investigated in different climatic zones in China, subtropical monsoon climatic zone (Shanghai, 31°14'N, 121°29'E) and temperate climatic zone (Qingdao, 37°09'N, 121°20'E). Sweet cherry trees grown in subtropical monsoon climatic zone had earlier phenological stage and longer blooming duration than those grown in temperate climatic zone. Fruit growth periods of Hongdeng and Van in Qingdao were 38 days and 51 days, respectively, but only 29 days and 45 days in Shanghai. Both cultivars showed more abnormal flowers under subtropical monsoon climate. The percentage of fruit set under open pollination in Hongdeng and Van were 31% and 24% in Qingdao, respectively, but only 0.4% and 3.2% in Shanghai. The trees grew more vigorous in Shanghai; flower bud differentiation was delayed by high temperature and superabundant rainfall in subtropical monsoon climate zone and more easily affected by the overlap of current shoot growth.

The paper proposes a method of assessing the potential risks of the future development of stands in relation to a climatic change. To assess risks of the future development of a stand simple point scales have been worked up based on primary properties of a site and a stand according to data of the forest management plan (FMP). In assessing the health condition, the risk of damage to stands by Armillaria sp. in the felling age was evaluated on the basis of a present attack by Armillaria sp. and also defoliation of the crown primary structure assessed during a simple field examination. The evaluation was carried out in the region of the Křtiny Training Forest Enterprise (TFE) Masarykův les, ranger district Proklest, in 2002. The study was conducted in 118 Norway spruce stands aged more than 20 years. The majority of evaluated stands ranked among the category of high and medium risk from the viewpoint of site and stand risks and among the category of high Armillaria sp. attack.

In this study, the effects were evaluated of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), ascorbic acid (AA) and α-tocopherol (TO) on the stability of raw mechanically deboned chicken patties stored at -20°C for 6 months. pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), haem iron (mg/kg), metmyoglobin formation (%) and colour (L*, a*, b*, C* and h values) of patties were measured for 0, 2, 4, and 6 months of storage time. pH values were found to be the highest in the initial storage period. TBARS values were observed to range between 0.33 and 2.40 mg malondialdehyde/kg of sample and the L*, a*, and b* values of the patty samples during the storage period were found to range between 38.14 and 49.52, 9.01 and 20.87, and 7.28 and 14.62, respectively. The haem iron and metmyoglobin contents were found to range between 8.39 and 10.87 mg/kg and 19.26% and 45.91%, respectively. As a result, it is suggested that L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol can be added into chicken patty samples in view of the storage quality parameters mentioned above.

Seventeen winter wheat cultivars registered in the Czech Republic were tested for reaction to common bunt in 2-3 year field trials. Bunt infection of resistant checks Globus and Bill varied between 4.1% and 10.6%; the highest infection in cv. Pitbull reached 85.9%. Of the recently registered cultivars Nikol has a relatively low bunt incidence (26.9%). In addition to bread wheat seventeen triticale, seven durum wheat cultivars, two spelt wheat cultivars and one emmer wheat cultivar were tested in the field and some of them also in the greenhouse. Bunt infection of durum wheats was lower than that of bread wheat cultivars. All seventeen tested triticale cultivars were resistant. The reaction of emmer wheat cultivar and spelt wheat cultivars to common bunt was lower than that of susceptible bread wheat checks.

Change in the community of epigeal spiders and harvestmen (Araneae, Opiliones) was studied in an experimental apple orchard for six consecutive years. Five plots were surveyed by pitfall traps. Four of the plots were young (1-4 years); one plot was older (15-20 years). The abundance of epigeal arachnids increased with the age on the young plots, while it was constant on the older plot. There were significantly more arachnids on the young plots than on the older one. In turn, the diversity was significantly lower on the young than on the older plots. Lycosidae, Phalangiidae and Tetra-gnathidae dominated the young plots. The older plots were richer in Agelenidae, Clubionidae, Dysderidae, Gnaphosidae, Linyphiidae, Pisauridae and Salticidae. Principal species of the young and older plots were identified using multivariate analysis.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite causing bovine abortion all over the world. The aim of this study was to investigate how common N. caninum infection is among dairy herds in the Czech Republic. Bulk milk samples were collected from 495 dairy herds and analysed for the presence of specific antibodies by a commercial N. caninum iscom ELISA. Five out of 495 dairy herds (1.01%) had percentage positive values ≥20 and were considered positive. In the positive herds, blood samples were collected from cows and pregnant heifers and analysed by the ELISA test. The within-herd seroprevalence ranged from 2.5 to 50%. The bulk milk ELISA could be a useful and inexpensive method for rapid screening of Neospora caninum infection in dairy herds in large areas.

Limited water resources restrict winter wheat grain yield and quality in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of North China, and establishing optimal planting patterns according to crop water requirements is the key factor for achieving rational water use. In this paper, 4 planting patterns were applied, namely, uniform row (30 cm; traditional pattern), wide (40 cm)-narrow (20 cm) row, furrow (double lines in the furrow with 20 cm spacing, and 40 cm between furrows), and seed bed (double lines on the bed with 20 cm spacing, and 40 cm between beds). Each planting pattern was irrigated twice during the jointing and heading stages, and total irrigation water was controlled at 120 mm. Grain yield was significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) higher in the furrow planting pattern than in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns, by 73.4, 64.3, and 53.4 g/m², respectively, in 2004-2005 and by 54.3, 42.6, and 30.2 g/m², respectively, in 2005-2006, mainly because of a significant (LSD, P < 0.05) increase in the spike and kernel numbers. These results were caused by changes in the contribution of dry matter remobilization to grain yield (CDMRG); the CDMRG was higher in the furrow planting pattern than in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns by 5.1%, 4.3%, and 2.9%, respectively. Gliadin and glutenin contents in the furrow planting pattern were 4.67% and 5.85%, respectively, and were significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) higher than those in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns; however, the furrow planting pattern had no significant (LSD, P < 0.05) effect on albumin and globulin contents. Dough development time (DDT) and dough stable time (DST) in the furrow planting pattern were 5.6 min and 8.8 min, respectively; they were significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) improved compared to those in the uniform row, wide-narrow row, and seed bed planting patterns; however, there were no significant (LSD, P < 0.05) differences in dough breakdown time (DBT) between any of the planting patterns. These results suggest that the furrow planting pattern combined with deficit irrigation during the jointing and heading stages can be applied to winter wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of North China.

Exopolysaccharide (LB-gum) was produced from Lactobacillus helveticus by ethanol precipitation and gel-permeation chromatography. The structures of LB1 and LB2 were estimated by sugar composition analysis, methylation, and FT-IR analysis. The results proved the contents of glucose and galactose in molar ratio of 2:1 and 2.3:1, and molecular weights ~5.4 × 10⁵ Da and ~20.3 × 10⁵ Da, respectively. Xanthan and LB-gum were added to wheat flour during biscuits making at levels of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%. Rheological properties and chemical quality attributes of the biscuits during storage for six months were evaluated. The data revealed slight increases in water absorption, dough development time, and dough stability but weakening decreased about 50 %. Also, height, weight, volume, and specific volume were found to increase as xanthan and LB-gum level increased. The colour was slightly affected. There were no significant differences between the samples containing xanthan and LB-gum at different levels with respect to all parameters tested except for the taste. Shelf - life of biscuit prolonged as a result of xanthan or LB-gum addition. The best addition level to improve the biscuits quality was 1.0% of xanthan or 1.5% of LB-gum.

The accelerated laboratory tests can evaluate the properties of new biodegradable fluids under relatively short time. These test results are the ground for the continuity of the tests under operation conditions in machine. The paper presents the test of new biodegradable hydraulic fluid type "Environmentally responsible tractor transmission oil" by designed special test device. The test evaluation was realized by technical state of concrete hydrostatic pump UD 25 which is used in tractors Zetor Forterra. This pump was loaded by cyclic pressure loading during the test with tested fluid. The evaluated parameter was flow efficiency of hydrostatic pump which reached the value 7.3% after the test. The reached value hints a high quality of the tested fluid (the limit value per standard is the flow efficiency decrease - 20%).

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and proper fertilisers are used to increase quality of the Salak Pondoh, such as in the plant production, fruit number and size. This study aims to determine the type and dosage of PGRs and the best type of fertiliser to increase the production bunch and fruit of Salak Pondoh. The method used was a Factorial Completely Randomised Design (FCRD) with 36 treatments (excluding the control) and 3 replications. Three treatments were conducted: first, as a control, no PGR treatment + fertilisation (no fertilisation, manure, and NPK). Second, a 3 × 3 factorial scheme. Treatment of PGR GA3 (50, 100, 150 ppm) + fertilisation (no fertilisation, manure, and NPK). Third, a 3 × 3 × 3 factorial scheme was used. Treatment of PGR Gracilaria sp. extract (50, 100, 150 ppm) with different solvents (n-Hexane, methylene-chloride, ethanol) + fertilisation (no fertilisation, manure, and NPK). The parameters observed were the number length, area of the bunch, length and area of the fruit. The results showed the highest number of bunches was found in PGR GA3 50 ppm. While, the highest bunch area was found in PGR Gracilaria sp. ethanol 150 ppm. The PGRs only increased the formation of the bunches and did not increase the length and width of the bunches and the fruit size. Fertilisation affected the Salak production in the form of the number, length and width of the bunches, and the fruit size. In addition, the fertiliser increased the number of the bunches, bunch area, and length and area of the fruit. The interaction of the PGR and fertilisation had no significant effect on increasing the Salak Pondoh production. The best result in increasing the Salak Pondoh production was PGR Gracilaria sp. ethanol 100 ppm with manure fertilisation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether milk consumption (MC) could be used as a simple farmer-friendly indicator for providing advanced treatment to limited fed diarrhoeic neonatal calves. Complementarily, it was evaluated whether the standard indications for veterinary care (severe dehydration and/or acidosis-septicaemia) are associated with different patterns in MC. The MC and health records of 103 calves with diarrhoeathat were fed a milk replacer at the volume of 10% of their body weight were used in the study. The MC reduction rate (MCRR) was calculated after each feeding (MC_t) during the diarrhoea course, based on the MC prior to the diarrhoea onset for each calf (MC₀) using the formula MCRR = 100 × (MC₀ - MC_t)/MC₀. The calves were assigned into the ST group (n = 58) if they only received the standard treatment (oral rehydration solutions between milk feedings) until recovery, and into the advanced treatment (VT) group (n = 45) if they needed advanced treatment (i.v. fluids ± antibiotics) directly or after the standard treatment. The calves in the VT group that only had dehydration, were further assigned into the DH subgroup (n = 22) and those with signs of acidosis-septicaemia with or without dehydration were assigned into the ASD subgroup (n = 23). The MC was practically stable in the ST group throughout the diarrhoea course. In the VT group, the MC was significantly reduced during the last 36 hours prior to the advanced treatment administration. This reduction was significantly higher in the ASD subgroup than the DH subgroup. The MCRR on the last meal prior to treatment administration was proven to be a very reliable indicator for the detection of diarrhoeic calves needing advanced treatment (cut-off: ≥ 24.5%; sensitivity: 95.6%; specificity: 98.7%) and of those with acidosis-septicaemia (cut-off: ≥ 29.6%; sensitivity: 91.7%; specificity: 99.1%). The results of the study show thatfarmers employing this feeding regimen should seek veterinary assistance when the milk consumption of calves is reduced by ≥ 24.5%.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the changes in the motility and kinetic patterns of canine spermatozoa, capacitated and decapacitated, after the addition of seminal plasma protein fractions with different molecular weight. It has been proposed that proteins in seminal plasma support the survival of the spermatozoa and exert a dual effect: capacitation and decapacitation. The seminal plasma from fresh ejaculates was subjected to chromatographic separation and four protein fractions were obtained. Computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to determine the sperm subpopulations with specific motion and kinetic characteristics after incubation with each of the four protein fractions. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of the fractions that exhibit a significant effect on the capacitation and decapacitation was performed. By sperm class analyser, capacitation changes were observed in the sperm subpopulation with a high curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement incubated with the seminal plasma protein fraction with a high molecular weight, which was also reflected in the decreased linearity, straightness, and progressive motility. The sperm subpopulation incubated with the seminal plasma protein fraction with a low molecular weight seemed to undergo a process of decapacitation (decreasing of the curvilinear velocity, increasing of the linearity, straightness and showing progressive motility). Despite their ample panorama of actions, the role of seminal plasma proteins regarding capacitation and decapacitation is still undetermined.

The war in Ukraine has shown that the worldwide food security can be easily shaken. This article focuses on an evaluation of European Union (EU) wheat producers on the world market. Would EU producers maintain their competitive position without direct payments? What changes need to be introduced to improve the position of EU producers on the world market? To answer these questions, a data envelopment analysis has been applied. It is indicated that the competitive position of EU wheat producers is still strongly dependent on direct payments and that mechanisation costs are a key area for improved efficiency in wheat production in Europe.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat globally. FHB causes an extensive reduction in yield and reduces the grain quality through its contamination with Fusarium toxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON), T2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, nivalenol, and zearalenone. This review provides an overview of updated progress of genetic studies on the resistance to FHB, with an emphasis on the sources of resistance to FHB, resistance gene/quantitative trait loci (QTL) mining, resistance gene cloning, major FHB resistance genes/QTL identification by molecular markers, and resistance mechanisms. The achievements of resistance breeding based on phenotype selection and molecular markers was also summarised. Based on the systematic analysis of breeding limitations and utilisation of FHB resistant materials, the authors put forward three suggestions: First, to toughen the resistance identification of wheat, testing traits such as Fusarium damaged kernel and DON need special attention as visual symptoms are less reliable, resistant varieties should be popularised, and the screening the resistant genes should be strengthened; The second is to use the additive effect of quantitative resistance genes accumulated from existing varieties to reduce the cost of resistance in order to create high yielding resistant varieties. Thirdly, to enhance research and utilization of new genes.

Sixty-two endophytic bacteria from the leaves, roots, and stems of healthy Lepidium perfoliatum L. were isolated and characterised. From the results, 89, 87, 90, and 97% isolates could tolerate 12% NaCl, 30% PEG 6000, 50°C and pH 10, respectively. 74% isolates could form a biofilm. Besides, 28 isolates could improve the germination rate of host seeds under different degree of drought stress. These data suggest that the endophyte isolates show considerable resistance to abiotic stress and assist their plant hosts to germinate under drought stress.

Sunflower downy mildew caused by Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. et de Toni is a destructive and widespread disease. More than 50 races of P. halstedii have been recorded worldwide. In 2020, in the Russian Federation (Zernogradsky district, Rostov region), a globally new race 337 was identified for the first time. The pathogen was identified on the plants of a foreign sunflower hybrid bearing the resistance gene Pl₆. According to the five-digit racial nomenclature, its virulence profile was determined as 337 53. It is the first P. halstedii race recorded in the Russian Federation that simultaneously infects all differential lines of the 3^rd triplet, i.e., HA-R4, HA-R5 and HA-335. The sunflower lines RHA-274, 803-1, PSC8, RHA-419 and RHA-340 were resistant to it. All the collected isolates of the new race were susceptible to the fungicide mefenoxam.

This paper is part of a broader study which aims to investigate the success factors of agricultural enterprises. It attempts to present the partial results of a questionnaire survey whose goal was to determine the quality of HRM (Human Resource Management) departments in basic agricultural enterprises. Studies focusing on the HRM of basic agricultural enterprises have been published in many countries. In the Slovak Republic, experts and academics from the Slovak University of Technology in Nitra, and the Slovak Research Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics have arrived at perceptive conclusions on the current state of human capital in the agri-food sector and have proposed innovative directions for further development. Surprisingly, however, academia still fails to perceive HR management as a partner in an enterprise, rather than simply a service unit in the organisational structure of the agricultural enterprise. Therefore, an in-depth analysis of the role of HRM departments is missing and this paper aims to fill that gap. The methodology of research is based on Ulrich's model of the mixed roles of HR departments (2009), which is used as a framework to determine the quality levels of role performance, defined by the model, of HRM departments. The survey sample consists of 70 basic agricultural enterprises.