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Soil degradation caused by water erosion in sloping hop gardens is definitely a serious issue because the space in inter-rows is without plant residues for most of the year in traditional cultivation. Cover crops in inter-rows of hop gardens and their efficiency in soil conservation are assessed in this article. There is only little research available in this area, and our data bring unique information on water erosion in hop gardens. Technologies with different types of cover crops were always compared with the conventional cultivation. The research was conducted within the years 2016-2020. A field rainfall simulator was used to determine the soil conservation effectiveness of selected technologies. The simulated rainfall was performed in two stages of cover crops growth with the main aim to measure the overall soil loss. The outcomes from the measurements confirmed that cover crops in inter-rows of hop gardens protect the soil surface from falling raindrops and significantly (P-value < 0.05) reduce soil loss. It can be concluded that this technology had a soil conservation effect already one month after sowing, and it is a basis for sustainable agricultural management on sloping hop gardens.

A farewell to Associate Professor Jiří Čmolík

This study aims to explore the effect of phosphorus (P) application on the economic yield, quality, P accumulation, and P utilisation efficiency of purple-fleshed sweetpotato and to provide a basis for the P efficient utilisation and high crop yield. Field experiments were conducted in 2018-2019, and five P application rates (0, 10.9, 21.8, 32.7, and 43.6 kg P/ha, expressed as P0, P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively) were set. The results showed that P application significantly increased the yield and commodity potato yield of purple-fleshed sweetpotato, and that of P3 treatment was the highest, followed by P2 treatment. P application also increased the starch content in the storage root and increased the reducing sugar and soluble sugar (except for P2 treatment). P fertiliser supply significantly increased P accumulation and dry matter production of purple-fleshed sweetpotato during the growth period of 90 to 120 days. When the P application rate was over 21.8 kg/ha, the fertiliser investment rate, apparent P utilisation efficiency and P agronomic efficiency decreased with the increase of the application rate. Considering all the indexes, the supply of 21.8 kg/ha P fertiliser can meet the demand for high economic yield and P efficient utilisation in purple-fleshed type sweetpotato under the condition of this experiment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of amaranth wholegrain flour on the rheological characteristics of wheat and spelt flour dough. Organically produced composite flours made from basic flours of wheat (refined) or spelt (refined, wholegrain) and amaranth flour in the propostions of 10%, 20%, and 30% (flour basis) were compared to cereal flours. Dough was analysed for its amylographic, farinographic and extensographic properties. The amaranth substitution altering of the examined measures relates to a certain extent to the properties of the basic flour used. By increasing the amaranth replacement ratio, the gelatinisation temperature, water absorption, development time, and stability increased whereas the dough softening was only slight. The amaranth addition strengthened the dough, mainly by decreasing its extensibility and, in spelt containing composite flours, also by increasing the resistance to extension. Considering the results obtained and the characteristics of the basic flour used, the amaranth substitution of 10-20% evidently improves some rheological properties and strengthens the dough. The present study provides the first report on the spelt-amaranth blends and dough extensograph behaviour of amaranth composite flours

The objective of these studies was to observe the effects of the process of micronisation on the protein solubility, as well as, on contents of antioxidants and vitamins in whole maize flour. Maize hybrids differing in the kernel colour developed at the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, Belgrade, Serbia, were selected for these studies. The semi-flint hybrid ZP 633 has pronounced yellow kernels; the pericarp of ZP Rumenka is dark red, while the hybrid ZP 551b is characterised by a white colour of kernels. Grain of selected genotypes was used in the production of flour. Whole flours were produced by milling of intact maize fresh grain in a stone grinder. In order to determine the effect of the process of micronisation on nutritive properties of maize flour, intact kernels of selected ZP hybrids were subjected to the process of micronisation at the temperature of 145°C. Infrared rays are used to cook maize kernels, which were then flaked under the pressure of rolls. Maize flakes were also ground in the stone grinder and produced flour was used for analyses. Differences in nutritive values of produced flours were established by the analysis of standard chemical composition (ash, total proteins, oil, cellulose, starch), soluble proteins (albumin, globulin, zein, glutelin), α- and β+γ tocopherol, total antioxidants, total phenols and β-carotene. According to our results, white maize flour does not contain β-carotene. Raw whole flour of yellow maize, produced by milling of grain of the hybrid ZP 633, had a high content of β-carotene (5.43 μg/g), while this content was somewhat lower in raw whole flour produced from red maize (2.56 μg/g). A micronisation heat treatment caused a significant reduction in the β-carotene content in yellow micronised maize flour (23%). In the present study, the highest γ-tocopherol content was estimated in raw whole flour made from yellow maize (20.94 μg/g). A high temperature of infrared rays caused the reduction of the γ-tocopherol content, hence it amounted to 16.94 μg/100 g in flour made by milling of micronised yellow maize. This reduction was somewhat lower in flour made by milling of micronised red-seeded maize and it amounted to 35%. Flour produced from raw and micronised red maize grain had the highest antioxidant activity. According to our results 3.27 mg of whole flour made from raw red maize grain inhibits 50% activities of DPPH radicals. Some of Maillard reaction products which are formed during process of micronisation have an antioxidant activity, which could be a reason for the increased antioxidant activity in flour produced by milling of micronised white and red maize grain. 2.34 mg of red micronised flour inhibits 50% activities of DPPH radicals. The antioxidant activity in white micronised flour was higher by 40% than of flour produced from raw white kernels. The highest content of total phenols was determined in flour produced by milling of raw and micronised grain of red maize (2.80 mg catechin/g on the average). Heating of plant protein sources leads to decreasing of the protein solubility as well as content of tryptophan.

The growth rate, frequency of moulting, and intermoult intervals of juvenile Pacifastacus leniusculus were studied under experimental conditions over a period of 3 months. Juveniles were reared individually in small boxes at two different temperatures: 14.31 ± 0.64°C (cold water) and 20.54 ± 0.69°C (warm water). Although the average weight and length of consecutive stages were similar at both temperatures, juveniles in warm water attained more moults. Within the age group juveniles achieved a higher length and weight in warm water than in cold water. Three month-old juveniles reached 147 mg and 18.5 mm in cold water at the 6^th stage of development, and 259 mg and 22.2 mm in warm water at the 8^th stage. Specific growth rate (SGR) decreased (5.6 and 10.4 for cold and warm water in the first stage, respectively) and reached final values of 1.4 and 1.5 after 3 months of growth. SGR was significantly higher in warm water and showed negative correlations with the number of days after hatching and number of moults. Duration of intermoult periods was significantly influenced by water temperature, with five moults attained in cold water compared to seven in warm water. All intermoult periods were significantly longer in cold water than in warm water. The average percent weight and length increments decreased with increasing number of moults, length, weight and number of days after hatching. In warm water increments were higher (89.8% and 21.8% for weight and length, respectively) than in cold water (68.5% and 20.3% for weight and length, respectively), and the decrease was faster. However, the final values were similar at both temperatures (about 36% and 11% for weight and length, respectively). The mean absolute weight and length moult increments were not significantly influenced by water temperature. Although the temperature influenced growth due to the number of moults, the duration of individual intermoult periods did not affect the weight and length of juveniles in particular stages.

The paper provides some of the interim results of the Fifth Framework PRISMA project dealing with the of impact ICT on government and citizen services in Europe. The analysis and the concept description of long-term strategies for eGovernment and a long-term vision over 10 years for eGovernment are described. Activities performed by the government are analysed from the demand ("front office") and supply ("back office") point of view. Recommendations for long-term strategic decisions are based on three scenarios of the future European development till 2010: (1) "Prosperous and just Europe", (2) "Turbulent world", (3) "Recession and reorientation".

The objective of this research was to examine the influence of different drying procedures on the colour quality and rehydration capacity of wild asparagus (Asparagus maritimus L.). Wild asparagus samples were dried using convective (40°C, 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C at the airflow velocity of 2.75 m/s), natural, and freeze (-20°C and -40°C) drying procedures. Rehydration and colour characteristics were used as indicators of the quality of the dried asparagus samples. Convective drying of asparagus resulted in the smallest colour change of the fresh material, whereby drying at 60°C presented the optimum. The best rehydration ratio was achieved when the samples were freeze dried at -40°C. Naturally dried asparagus samples resulted in a very low rehydration ratio compared to the other procedures investigated. The rehydration and appearance of the dried asparagus are two important physical factors that need special attention when designing or selecting a drying procedure. Furthermore, the influence of drying on other quality characteristics of wild asparagus, such as the content of active ingredients or microbial count, should be investigated in further studies. The investigation of economic parameters of different drying procedures should be considered as well.

The aim of this work was to improve microwave heating in white sauces using different polysaccharides in their formulation; ι-, λ- and κ-carrageenan and native and modified starches were used as thickeners. Five model systems were prepared, each one with a different polysaccharide, salt, and water. Dielectric loss factor (ε'') was measured and penetration depth of the electric field was calculated at 20 and 40°C at 2450 GHz. The results showed that ε'' increased significantly (P < 0.05) when temperature rose in all the model systems. Moreover, ε'' decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when the polysaccharide concentration rose in the systems elaborated with starch (both native and modified). The penetration depth increased significantly at 40°C when native starch concentration rose. Not significant differences due to the thickener concentration were found in the depth penetration values in the other model systems, both at 20 and 40°C.

Genetic variation in three Croatian coldblood horse populations was analysed using a sequence analysis of the proximal part (nt 15 498-15 821) of the D-loop region of mtDNA. Twenty unrelated horses were chosen from the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood breeds and fifteen horses from the Murinsulaner horse population. Sequencing of the proximal part of the mtDNA D-loop region revealed 26 polymorphic sites representing thirty haplotypes which were clustered into eight haplogroups. A wide variety of mitochondrial haplotypes of the analysed horse breeds were clustered into eight different haplogroups. Two haplogroups (D and F) were specific to Posavina horse, five haplogroups were shared among the Croatian Coldblood and Murinsulaner horse, the fact that can be explained by selection strategy at the beginning of the 20^th century and possible gene flow between the two populations. These results indicate the presence of many ancient maternal lineages with high diversity in mtDNA. The genetic information based on mtDNA typing has a great importance for the future breed conservation strategy, especially for the critically endangered breed such as Murinsulaner horse.

The combination of georeferenced colour aerial photos and limited field measurements of individual trees was used to determine tree stand biomass in forests of prevailing Norway spruce. The technique was carried out in two localities - small catchments of natural lakes in the Bohemian Forest (56 and 76 ha in size, respectively). This method is not so expansive as the inventory based on sample plots, namely in the terrain of high dynamics in the mountains. Tree crown diameters were determined semi-automatically on the basis of orthophotos. The catchment of Plešné jezero Lake can be described by these average values: crown diameter 4.5 ± 1.35 m, mean tree height varying between 19.6 and 30.2 m depending on altitude (tree average and standard deviation are 25.5 ± 3.9 m), tree density 154 ± 67.7 ha and stand biomass 197 t/ha. The Čertovo jezero Lake catchment shows somewhat different values: crown diameter 4.9 ± 1.35 m, mean tree height varying between 20.9 and 25.1 m (dependence on altitude is weak; tree average and standard deviation are 25.6 ± 2.0 m), tree density 200 ± 65.7 ha (all parameters for Norway spruce only), and stand biomass 156 t/ha (Norway spruce) + 17 t/ha (European beech). Some features are common to both catchments: a regular to random tree pattern prevails. Tree clumping is typical of the most extreme stands. Minimum tree density occurs in the zone of the altitudes 1,200-1,250 m a.s.l. The crown diameter to dbh ratio is independent of altitude. Tree height decreases linearly with altitude. The distribution of trees according to crown diameter is skewed to higher values.

The aim of this study was to test and analyse the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus isolates from Lithuanian poultry farms. Investigations were carried out during the years 2008-2009. The sampling sites, located all over the country, included eight poultry farms of large capacity. All samples were collected from broilers. Enterococcus spp. were isolated from intestines immediately after slaughtering. A total of 160 samples were collected, 20 samples from each farm. The MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) of eleven antimicrobial agents were determined for each of the isolates using the broth microdilution method with specific microtitre plate panels (Trek Diagnostic Systems, Inc.). Susceptibility according to clinical breakpoints of chloramphenicol, linezolid, erythromycin, penicillin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tetracycline, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin was evaluated. One hundred and forty seven samples (92%) from a total of 160 tested samples were positive for Enterococcus spp., however, only 74 strains were selected as non-duplicate isolates. The most predominant species were identified as E. faecium (38%), E. faecalis (17.5%), E. gallinarum (12%) and E. casseliflavus (12%). The most frequent resistance properties were resistances to tetracycline (75.6%), erythromycin (56.8%) and ciprofloxacin (41.9%). No strains resistant to vancomycin and linezolid were found. High percentages of susceptibility to chloramphenicol (82.4%) and penicillin (71.6%) were also observed. A high MIC of tigecycline (≥ 1 mg/l) to 12.2% of enterococci was determined during this study. 44.6% of tested strains had a high MIC (≥ 64 mg/l) to tylosin. There was no significant correlation found between resistances of different species to different antimicrobial agents in vitro.

The main aims of this study are to describe how much the economic role of agriculture decreased, and this decrease comes mainly from some economic difficulties, for example weak income position of producers based on weak capital accumulation. So agricultural producers need financial supports to improve their production and favourable credit conditions. In 1990s during the last decade, the role of agriculture in the national economy decreased, which contributed to its decreasing share in GDP and real value of agricultural GDP. In 2001, in spite of the fact that the plant production considerably increased and the animal husbandry stagnated, the whole agricultural production volume was by 20 percent under its level of 1989. Finally by the end of 2001, the share of agriculture declined to 4 percent of GDP and together with food industry, their share was about 7 percent. The agricultural scissors increased considerably, namely from 126.5 percent in 1992 to 138.4 percent in 2001.The income conditions made a significant influence on the capacity of the agricultural sector in fields of investments and accumulation. The main problem was the decline of real value of investments. For example the real value of investments in 2001 had not implemented half of investments realised in 1989. This situation showed the low level of technological and technical development in the agricultural sector during a longer period, than a decade. It was important to increase different kinds of supports for agricultural producers, for example: export subsidies, interests of credits, supports for establishing new farmland structure. The share of supports for agricultural production and food industry was 12-14 percent of the two sectors' GDP in 1990s. The development of the main factors of agricultural incomes was determined by index calculations based on the data of the APEH (Hungarian Tax and Financial Supervising Office) and EAA (Economic Accounts for Agriculture). The supports are needed, which are as follows: based on the APEH data, the profit before tax of 23 billion HUF in 1997 decreased to the loss-level of 8 billion HUF by the end of 1990s. The main aim for agricultural producers was to increase their capital accumulation to implement improvement of production in order to be competitive on the world and domestic markets. There is a difficulty that at the end of 1990s, only about 30 percent of the supports was directly provided for agricultural producers. In Hungary, without taxes and other different deprivals, the current value of production supports was over the level of incomes obtained in agricultural sector, but according to the calculation methods of the OECD, the value of PSE (PSE= Producer Support Estimate) index was at a very low level and it had a decreasing tendency, which could not ensure enough income for agricultural producers in Hungary. So the development of agricultural production cannot be realised additionally to the unfavourable background conditions for the sector. Comparing the support structure experienced in the OECD with that in Hungary, it can be declared, that within the PSE (Producer Support Estimate) during 1997-2000, the MPS (Market Price Support) declined, similarly it was in Hungary. In the OECD, the 8-9 percent share of payments based on input use has remained at s

Up to date business is managed by large-scale different rules that regulate how the business acts and how it is structured. We find the rules in law, regulation, business policy document, procedures manual, system documentation, memoranda etc. These reference resources may provide the specific basis for a rule or offer a background, context or explanation of the business rule. In the recent years, it has been discovered that business rules constitute an entire body of knowledge that has not been adequately addressed in either the analysis or design phases of the information system development. Typically, business rules have been buried in the program code or in the database structures. The article deals with the business rules approach and rule technology and helps to identify the business and technical opportunities they afford to the company. It offers the business process model and its integration with business rules. This approach could provide business analysts with an essential approach to understanding, redesigning and communicating what really happens in the business processes (in agricultural area). It serves to understand the business impact of any change in small and medium-sized organizations. We use the UML notation and its business model extension.

Caragana microphylla Lam., an indigenous leguminous shrub, was the dominant plant species to be used to control desertification in semi-arid Horqin Sandy Land. To elucidate the cover effect of Caragana microphylla planted for 25 years on spatial distribution of soil nutrients including C, N, P and K, soil samples were taken from four soil depths (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-40 cm) and three slope positions (windward slope, top slope, and leeward slope). Soil nutrients under shrubs (US) and between shrubs (BS) were compared to investigate the enrichment effect of plantation. The results showed that soil nutrients except total K were significantly higher in surface soil (0-5 cm) than in deeper layer soil (P < 0.01). Significant differences were found in the contents of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total K at different slopes. The contents of total organic carbon and total nitrogen were higher in US than in BS (P < 0.05), but pH was lower (P < 0.01). Our results indicated that the establishment of Caragana microphylla increased the accumulation of soil nutrients, and played an important role in restoring sand dune ecosystems.

Fruit juices are a significant source of vitamin C in the human diet and therefore their nutritional value is mainly related to the amount vitamin C they contain (KABASAKALIS et al. 2000; MANSO et al. 2001; SHINODA et al2005; BERLINET et al2006). However, vitamin C (which also commonly known as ascorbic acid) is readily oxidised and degraded at different rates depending on storage conditions like temperature, the presence of oxygen or trace metals, light exposure etc. (KABASAKALIS et al. 2000). In the presence of oxygen, ascorbic acid (AA) is oxidised to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), which is itself then further hydrolysed into 2,3-diketogulonic acid (DKG). DKG is then decarboyxylated leading to the formation of reductones and furan compounds. Whereas AA and DHA have vitamin C activity, DKG does not exhibit any vitamin C activity. In this study, the influence of different headspace O₂ levels on the oxidation of AA and the formation and breakdown of DHA, was investigated at 22°C. Kinetic rate constants for each degradation step were estimated using a reversible consecutive model. Finally, the estimated kinetic parameters were linked to the headspace oxygen levels. The headspace oxygen level was observed to have a significant effect on the rate of oxidation of AA. A lower oxygen partial pressure in the headspace, resulted in a lower concentration of dissolved oxygen in the model fruit juice, and consequently in a slower rate of AA oxidation. At the high headspace O₂ levels (10 and 20.9%), AA was completely oxidised and below the LOD (32.55 mg/l of model fruit juice) after 20 days. Whereas under anaerobic conditions, 65% of the initial amount of AA was still present after the same incubation period. With regards to DHA, a marked difference was noticed in the slopes of the curves and in the maximum DHA concentration attained. Namely, an increase in the initial headspace oxygen level corresponded not only to an increase in the maximum DHA concentration but also to a shorter time for the maximum DHA concentration to be attained. This indicates that a faster rate of formation of DHA occurred the higher the initial headspace oxygen level was. The estimated kinetic rate constants supported the observations made above. A positive linear correlation was been found between the oxidation rate of AA and the initial headspace oxygen level. This is very important as it provides for the first time an opportunity to model the rate of vitamin C degradation.

The work aimed to evaluate the state of agricultural soil contamination what is important for the gaining of information needed for growing of hygienic safe raw materials and foodstuffs. Metallic pollution of soil in Zemplínska polluted area has begins by accumulation of heavy metals in soil, mainly resulting from location in vicinity of chemical and industrial factories, as well as from many others sources. The pH value development indicates gradual trend of soils acidification, except of alkalic ones reaching up to 20% from total arable soils in Slovakia. Acidification is process, where acidity of abiotic compounds has been increased. Soil reaction is a significant agrochemical property markedly affecting growing and developing of plants, and has directly effect on soil fertility, influencing the ecological conditions for plants and soil microorganisms. The site had been localised with GPS and 5 sampling places had been fixed. From these sites the soil samples were taken from 1 depth, A horizon (0-0,2 m) and then processed and managed according to particular ISO norms. The soil reaction and the heavy metals contents in solution of aqua regia and HNO₃ in soil samples were assessed. Afterwards the gained results had been compared with limit values from legislative documents.

In this study, fruits, fruit flesh and seeds of damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) and rose hip (Rosa canina L.) were assayed for the composition of fatty acids, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and mineral elements. The content of linoleic acid in seed oil of Rosa damascena (54.18%) was found to be higher than in that of Rosa canina (48.84%). α-Tocopherol contents were found to be 7.10 μg/g and 34.20 μg/g for Rosa damascena and Rosa canina fruits, respectively. Ascorbic acid content was determined as the highest in the fruit flesh (546 mg/100 g in Rosa damascena and 2200 mg/100 g in Rosa canina), and as the lowest in the seeds of both species. Rosa damascena fruits were found to be richer in minerals such as Ca, Fe, K, Mn, Na, P, and Zn than Rosa canina fruits. The results of the present study showed that Rosa damascena fruits could be used as food and food additive equally as rose hip fruits.

Comparison of the annual bulk precipitation in the Lesní potok experimental catchment (Central Bohemia, Czech Republic) in the hydrological year 2007 (758.8 mm) with the average annual value between the years 1995 and 2006 (737.4 mm) indicates almost similar values, whereas the stream water discharge in 2007 amounts to only 38.2% of the average annual value of the comparable time span. It has been found that the low discharge in 2007 resulted from the extremely temperate winter and from the anomalous distribution of the precipitation events throughout the year. These factors, together with higher pH values of stream water in 2007, reduced the output of elements from the catchment. The output of dissolved Al, Be, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn through the stream water in 2007 is amounted to only 15 to 20% of their annual output in 1995-2006. The unusually low output of the elements distinctly affected their budgets in the catchment changing towards more positive mass balance values. This holds especially for the major base cations Ca, Mg, and Na (e.g. shift from -1460 to -127 mg/m²year for Ca and from -572 to +15 mg/m²year for Mg) and also for the trace elements Be, Mn, Ni, and Sr (e.g. shift from -368 to +144 μg/m²year for Be, from 2820 to 14 300 μg per m²year for Mn, and from 191 to 7 790 μg/m²year for Sr). The meteorological conditions in 2007 induced, to a certain extent, the recovery of the acid-sensitive ecosystem disturbed by a long-term high input of acid precipitation.

Using the tests of methanogenic activity (TMA) changes in methane yield (Y_CH4) and anaerobic degradability (D_c) of organic matter of feeds and excrements were studied in an experimental group of six horses while complete analytical methods were applied (N-compound matters, proteins, non-protein N-compound matters, fat, nitrogen-free extract, ash, crude fibre, organic matter, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin and chemical oxygen demand COD) and the material balance was determined. The horses utilised 48.8% of organic matter of feeds in dry matter while the daily weight of droppings was 21 kg with 5.20% of dry matter and 4 kg of urine with 7% of organic matters. It is important that the theoretical methane yield per 24 hours corresponding to the organic matter of ingested feeds which was transferred to excrements is 1.771 m³ CH₄ at 0°C and 1 013.25 hPa while the actual daily methane yield of droppings is 1.739 m³ CH₄ at 0°C and 1 013.25 hPa, i.e. practically identical, because the yield from urine organic matters was not included in the actual daily methane yield. Because the anaerobic degradability of the used feed mixture and horse droppings is practically identical, it is obvious that besides the enteric fermentation according to the reaction CO₂ + 4 H₂ → CH₄ + 2 H₂O by hydrogenotrophic methanogens no classical anaerobic digestion takes place in the digestive tract of horses; it means that the horse breeding sector is not a factor contaminating the atmosphere by methane.

A polyfactorial field experiment was established and investigated during vegetation periods from 2004 to 2007 at the Dolná Malanta locality (Nitra district, Slovakia). The following parameters were measured: (1) yields of milk thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn.) achenes, i.e. fruits, in 2004-2007; (2) content of silymarin in dry fruits of milk thistle in 2006-2007; and (3) total yields of silymarin per ha in 2006-2007. Factors of the experiment were as follows: (1) crop residues of cultivated pre-crop (no crop residues - K, with crop residues - R); (2) cultivation of freezing-out intercrop (no intercrop - B, with intercrop - M); (3) fertilization using artificial fertilizers (no fertilization - O, with fertilization - F); (4) year of cultivation (2004-2007). The highest yields of milk thistle fruits were recorded in 2006: from 1,426.5 kg/ha (RBO variant - incorporated crop residues without intercrop, no artificial fertilizers) to 1,832.0 kg/ha (KBF variant - without crop residues, without intercrop and with application of artificial fertilizers). The highest content of silymarin complex in dry fruits of milk thistle was measured in 2007: from 15.14 mg/kg (RMF - with crop residues, intercrop and fertilization) to 20.01 mg/kg (KBO - without crop residues, intercrop and fertilization). The highest total yield of silymarin per ha was recorded in investigated variants in 2006; in variant without crop residues it ranged from 16.45 kg/ha (KMF - with intercrop, with fertilizers) to 24.62 kg/ha (KMO - with intercrop, no fertilization).

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of kaolin feeding on health status, body weight gain (BWG), course of diarrhoeal infections caused by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) and the level of mycobacterial contamination in weaned piglets. The testing was performed in two experiments involving 40 weaned piglets at the age of 28 days. In the infection-free experiment, piglets were fed a diet without (C0) or with 1% content of kaolin (K0) for 20 days. Subsequently, all of them were fed the same diet without kaolin supplementation for 39 days. Identical diets were fed during the infection experiment, and moreover, both groups (CI and KI) were orally infected with ETEC (O141:F18ac, STa+) on Day 1 of experiment. The short-term feeding of kaolin to weaned piglets had a significant positive effect on their BWG. During the period of feeding the kaolin-containing diets, BWG in C0 and K0 were 0.20 and 0.29 kg, respectively (P < 0.05), and in CI and KI 0.13 and 0.19 kg, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no evidence of side effects to their health, neither was there any change in biochemical and haematological profiles. In the infection experiment, a protective effect of kaolin on the course of ETEC infection was evident. Colonization and shedding of ETEC by piglets fed the kaolin diet were milder and had a shorter duration in comparison with control piglets. The culture examination of pure kaolin and kaolin containing diets for mycobacteria were negative. Potentially pathogenic mycobacteria occurring in the environment were isolated from faeces and tissues of pigs. According to these results, supplementation of diets with 1% kaolin to prevent diarrhoea in piglets and to support their growth in the critical post-weaning period could be recommended.

Angkak (red mold rice, red yeast rice, Chinese red rice), a traditional Chinese functional food is produced by solid-state fermentation of cooked non-glutinous rice with Monascus species. The secondary metabolite of Monascus species, monacolin K (lovastatin), has been proved to lower blood lipid levels. In this study, the best Monascus purpureus strain was selected from MTCC 369, 410, 1090 based on lovastatin concentration. Four medium parameters (NH₄Cl, MgSO₄, NaCl, CaCl₂) screened by Plackett-Burman design from total nine medium variables were optimised by Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. Maximum lovastatin production of 3.420 mg/g was predicted in the solid medium containing 20 g rice and 40 ml liquid nutrient (NH₄Cl 14.32 g/l, MgSO₄ 0.76 g/l, NaCl 14.65 g/l, and CaCl₂ 0.54 g/l) by the point prediction tool of Design Expert Ver. 7.1 software at 14^th day of fermentation.

Dissolved oxygen, due to atmospheric oxygen transfer through food, lowers the overall nutritional, chemical, and physical qualities of food during storage and marketing, causing food product less acceptable or unacceptable to consumers. Oxygen can react with all food components: lipids, proteins, sugars, and vitamins. To imagine new strategies of protection of food, it is necessary to evaluate oxygen transfer and to couple this transfer to chemical reactions. In this work, ascorbic acid oxidation under aerobic conditions has been studied. The objective is to model ascorbic acid degradation regarding both ascorbic acid and oxygen influence, the last one depending on diffusion rate into food and oxygen consumption during reaction. Ascorbic acid degradation was first studied in water under stirring in which oxygen diffusion could be neglected. Experiments were carried out during six days, under six different oxygen contents varying between 0 (simulating packaging in anaerobic conditions) and 21% (simulating packaging in atmospheric conditions) at 8, 14, 20, 27 and 33°C. Thanks to these experiments, kinetic parameters as reaction orders for ascorbic acid and oxygen, kinetics constant and activation energy have been identified. Oxygen sorption kinetics were measured thanks to luminescence oxygen sensors, placed into of a thin layer of agar gels 1% (w/w) exposed to eight successive increasing oxygen content in the atmosphere (from 0% to 21%). The probes measured oxygen content into material as a function of time. Oxygen diffusivity in agar gel was then identified by minimising the sum of square error between experimental results and those predicted by a mathematical model. Finally, using mass balance equation on oxygen and ascorbic acid contents, oxidation reaction and oxygen diffusion in model food systems were modelled. Validation of the model was carried out on agar gels 1% (w/w) enriched in ascorbic acid (1000 mg/l) in which the ascorbic acid content profile was determined by slicing each cylindrical gels in thin layers of 0.5 mm thick and by determining the ascorbic acid content in each layer. Knowing initial ascorbic acid content, oxygen content in atmosphere and temperature, the model can predict evolution of ascorbic acid content in the product as a function of time. This model could be used as a tool to imagine new strategies for protection of interest compounds in food.

Insect pests, as widely tolerant and adaptable organisms, may be less distinctly affected by climate change than other insect species. The changing climate may affect the occurrence and impact of the native pests both negatively and positively (increased importance of thermophilous and xerophilous species and decreased importance of psychrophilous ones, noxious abundances of several species also in higher altitudes, decrease of many pests by frost-free winters, low humidity, weather extremes, increased numbers of antagonists, and phenological discrepancy with the host plant). Expansions of new pests into the territory of the Czech Republic, caused by climate change, will be very limited. A small number of greenhouse pests may be expected to occur in outdoor conditions. Increased temperatures may cause a slight increase of non-indigenous invasive insect species and migratory pests. In Central Europe the climate change will intensify the effects of other factors. In the next 20-50 years, the changes in species composition and importance of insect pests of plants will be caused by factors in the following order: (l) introductions of non-indigenous species, (2) new approaches in pest control, (3-4) changes in crop cultivation and representation of crops, (3-4) climate change, (5) other causes (unexpected shifts of ranges, changes in food preferences of insect species, etc.).

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of partial replacement of corn silage with long alfalfa hay and/or coarse chopped wheat straw on biochemical parameters in late lactating Holstein primiparous dairy cows. Twelve late lactating Holstein primiparous cows including four cows equipped with a rumen cannula, averaging 210 ± 20 days in milk and weighing 575 ± 50 kg were randomly assigned in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. During each of four 21-days periods, cows were fed four total mixed diets that were varied in the forage sources: (1) 50% corn silage (CS), (2) 35% corn silage + 15% wheat straw (CSW), (3) 35% corn silage + 15% alfalfa hay (CSA), (4) 25% corn silage + 10% wheat straw + 15% alfalfa hay (CSWA). At the end of the feeding period, blood samples were taken from jugular vein. Serum glucose, total protein, albumin/globulin, creatinine, creatinin kinase, urea and uric acid levels were determined by using Auto Technicon DAX 72 autoanalyzer. While serum glucose, albumin, globulin, urea, uric acid and creatinine kinase activity were not found significantly different among groups, serum total protein (between CS and CSA, CS and CSWA) and creatinine (between CSA and CSWA) levels had statistical significance at the levels of P < 0.05. It is concluded that rumen propionate and ammonia levels may be good indicator for glucose and BUN, respectively.

The study of soil enzyme activities under different land use is of importance for exploration of the soil quality evolution and its evaluation during the revegetation at karst area in Nanchuan, Chongqing, China. Seven kinds of land use were chosen as subject, aiming at revealing the changes in soil enzyme activities through experimental and statistical analysis. The results showed that different land use significantly influenced the enzyme activities. Soil urease, invertase, catalase and amylase behaved the different change. A descending order of urease activity was artificial forest, natural forest, shrubbery, grassland, slope field into terrace, rock desertification and farmland. As to invertase and amylase, they have no clear change orderliness with land use change. Moreover, no significant change was observed in catalase activity and the lower value was found in natural forest. The above results cannot reflect the land use effect on the enzyme activities. According to the soil enzyme index (SEI), it can be seen that the SEI changed with an order of natural forest > artificial forest > grassland > shrubbery > farmland > slope field into terrace > rock desertification, which can objectively and fully evaluate the land use change in soil enzyme.

Phytosterols and -stanols are added to food products because of their known ability to lower serum cholesterol levels. They are applied either in their free or esterified forms, i.e. as fatty acid esters. Sterols are known to form variety of oxidation products under exposure to heat, light and metal contaminants, for example in food processing conditions. Since these oxides may have adverse health effects, the oxidation process needs to be studied. Until recently, sterol oxidation studies have concentrated on following the formation of secondary oxidation products in free sterol and steryl esters, but little is known about the oxidation of steryl esters as intact molecules. The aim of this experiment was to study primary autoxidation of intact steryl ester by measuring hydroperoxide formation in bulk cholesteryl ester. Cholesteryl linoleate was maintained at 60°C for 0-72 h after which formed hydroperoxides were determined with normal phase high performance liquid chromatography connected to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Also peroxide value (PV) was measured to indicate the total amount of formed hydroperoxides. With HPLC method steryl ester -OOH's could be analysed as intact esters, without saponification. A gradient elution was performed with 0.3-10% methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in heptane followed by cleanup with 30% MTBE. Compounds were detected with DAD at wavelengths 206 nm and 234 nm. Peroxide value indicated that the formation of hydroperoxides reached the maximum after 12 h of prolonged heating. According to HPLC data, at this time point less than 10% of the hydroperoxide groups were located in the sterol moiety and more than 90% in the fatty acid chain. The proportion of sterol-OOH's increased as the heating continued; at 24 h 20% and at 48 h 30%. However, after 72 h no hydroperoxides were observed. In conclusion, oxidation of cholesteryl linoleate started in the fatty acid moiety and as the reaction progressed more of the sterol -OOH's were observed, though at all time points fatty acid -OOH's were dominating.

The present study involves discovery, validation and use of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in bread wheat utilizing 48 EST-contigs (individual contigs having 20-89 ESTs, derived from 2 to 11 different genotypes). In order to avoid a problem due to homoeologous relationships, the ESTs in each contig were classified into 175 sub-contigs (3.7 sub-contigs/EST-contig) using characteristic homoeologue sequence variants (HSVs), which had a density of 1 HSV every 136.7 bp. In silico analysis of sub-contigs led to the discovery of 230 candidate EST-SNPs with a density of 1SNP/273.9 bp. Locus specific primers (each primer pair flanking 1-18 SNPs) were designed utilizing one sub-contig each from 42 EST-contigs that contained SNPs, the remaining 6 contigs having no SNPs. To provide locus specificity to the PCR products, each primer was tagged with an HSV at its 3' end. Only 10 primer pairs, which gave each a characteristic solitary band, were utilized to validate EST-SNPs over 30 diverse bread wheat genotypes; 7 SNPs were validated through resequencing the PCR products. Allele specific primers were designed and utilized for genotyping of 50 diverse bread wheat accessions (including 30 bread wheat genotypes previously used for validation of SNPs), with an aim to test their utility in genotyping and map construction. The allele specific primers allowed the classification of 50 genotypes in two alternative allele groups for each SNP as expected, thus suggesting their utility for genotyping. Of the above 7 validated SNPs, 4 belonged to a solitary locus (PKS37); 7 haplotypes were available at this locus. Altogether, the results suggested that EST-SNPs constitute an important source of molecular markers for studies on wheat genomics.

The aim of our work was to characterise the stability, humification degree, and principal classes of fluorophores in humic acids isolated from different matrices. Soil humic acids were isolated from arable soils and grassland that differ in the texture and moisture regimes (e.g. aquic; udic; and ustic moisture regimes). Basic soil characteristics, such as total organic carbon content, humus fractionation, cation exchange capacity, soil reaction, texture, and optical indexes were determined. The international standard method for humic acids (HA) isolation was used. Lignite represents a valuable organic substrate, with mineral inclusion situated on the transformation route from phytomass to a dehydrated, dehydrogenated, and deoxidised carbon type complex and water. One of the most attractive ways of non-energetic exploitation of lignite is humic substances source exploitation. It is known that humic acids isolated from lignite show typical bands known from other HA soil samples due to aromatic and various C-O structures. Spectroscopic characterisation has been a topic of great interest, chemical species being analysed with respect to the overall spectral characteristics of the system. Therefore UV-VIS, FTIR, and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) were applied in our study. The elemental composition and ash content in HA samples were determined. HA preparations were more hydrated in hydromorphic soils (Fluvi-Eutric Gleysol and Gleyic Stagnosol). The highest carbon content was found in lignite HA (57.5 weight %). Generally, carbon content was decreasing in the following order: Lignite HA > Haplic Chernozem HA > Fluvi-Eutric Gleysol HA > Haplic Luvisol HA > Gleyic Stagnosol HA > Eutric Cambisol HA. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the aromatic indexes varied from 0.61 to 0.73. HA were divided into two groups according to the aromatic and aliphatic compounds in their molecules. The highest aromatic degree and stability was found in lignite HA and Haplic Chernozem HA. Humic acids isolated from grassland and hydric soils contained more aliphatic and newly formed compounds. Synchronous fluorescence scan spectra identified aliphatic compounds in grassy and hydric soils at lower wave lengths. At higher wave lengths, identical fluorophores were detected. We registered five main peaks at: 467/487, 481/501, 492/512, 450/470, 339/359 (at Δλ = 20 nm). The peaks positions corresponded to the fluorescence behaviour of Elliot soil HA standard. Only lignite HA revealed another fluorescence peak at 492/512 nm. The peaks positions complied with the fluorescence behaviour of Leonardite standard HA. The relationships between the fluorescence indexes, colour indexes, aromatic indexes, humification degree, and elemental composition were evaluated by correlation analysis.