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Chemical modification of starch for food purposes is strictly limited in terms of the type of chemical reactions, the kind of modifying agents, the degree of substitution as well as the level of contaminants. Commonly applied chemical reactions include only three types, i.e. oxidation, esterification and etherification. Influence of chemicallymodified starches on a biological processes occurring in a human body seems to be interesting, especially as a source of the substances indispensable for the course of various metabolic processes. The study was aimed at answering a question: whether or to what extent the commercial preparations of potato starch, obtained upon chemical modification, would constitute a source of macro- and microelements and starch resistant to α-amylase hydrolysis, as components affecting physiological properties in a human body. Industrially obtained native potato starch as well as it food grade modified starches, were studied: oxidised starch (E 1404), acetylated starch (E 1420), and acetylated distarch adipate (E 1422). Protein content was determined with the Kjeldahl method. Resistant starch (RS) content was estimated according to the method described by Champ et al. (1999) and amylose content according to Morrison and Laignelet method (1983). The assay of individual elements content in the native and chemically-modified potato starch was carried out using the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method. Native and chemically-modified potato starch were characterised by different contents of amylose (from 20 to 31% d.m.) and a RS fraction (from 74 to 77% d.m.). All type of the investigated chemically-modified potato starch appeared to be a good source of elements, however the highest contents of phosphorus and potassium were found in native potato starch. Oxidised starch (E 1404) was the best source of macroelements (calcium and magnesium) and microelements (copper, manganese and zinc), as compared to the other investigated starches. Therefore, the application of the investigated chemically-modified potato starch may prove favourable not only due to their functional properties but also a source of RS and minerals.

The aim of our study was to compare the concentration of selenium (Se) and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the whole blood of goats and their newborn kids. The experiment involved 25 gravid, clinically healthy goats of the white shorthaired breed. On the day of delivery, we took whole blood from the mother and her newborn kid before the kid drank the first colostrum. In mothers, the measured average concentration of Se in whole blood was 149.60 ± 45.01 μg/l, the average concentration of Se in kids was 87.91 ± 29.66 μg/l. Average activity of GSH-Px in the blood of mothers was 938.46 ± 341.09 μkat/l, and in the blood of kids 658.20 ± 339.13 μkat/l. Regression and correlation analysis produced regression line formulas and correlation coefficients that revealed a close, statistically significant relation (P < 0.01) between the concentration of Se in the blood of mothers and their kids and the activity of GSH-Px in mothers and their kids. The relation between the concentration of Se in the blood (μg/l) of mothers and kids was γ= 0.484x + 15.55; r = 0.73, the relation between the activity of GSH-Px in blood (μkat/l) of mothers and their kids was γ = 0.809x - 101.27; r = 0.80. The concentration of Se and activity of GSH-Px was lower in newborn kids than in their mothers, reaching approximately 60-70% of the mother's levels. The relation between the concentration of Se and activity of GSH-Px in the blood of goats was γ = 4.23x + 276.31; r = 0.64 (P < 0.01) and the relation between the concentration of Se and the activity of GSH-Px in the blood of kids was γ = 6.556x + 64.70; r = 0.83 (P < 0.01). It follows that a Se concentration of 100 μg/l corresponds to a GSH-Px activity of 699.51 μkat/l in the blood of mothers and 720.34 μkat/l in the blood of kids. The results show the need to provide for a sufficient Se saturation of goats with a view to preventing Se deficiency in kids and that the Se concentration in the blood of newborn kids is physiologically about 40% lower in comparison with the Se concentration in the blood of their mothers. This should be taken into account when interpreting the results and assessing the reference values of Se concentration in the blood of kids.

During 2004-2006, another permanent research plot (No. 12) on Pop Ivan Marmarosh Mt. in the Zakarpattya province of Ukraine was renewed, i.e. re-measured and re-analyzed. The plot was originally established in the 30's of the 20^th century. The tree layer is dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), with Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) as often associated species, and with sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) growing occasionally in small groups. After 70 years, the tree species composition partly changed. Total live timber volume increased from 529.6 to 636.3 m³/ha. Considerable growth was recorded in beech, while the live timber volume of fir, spruce and sycamore maple did not almost change. Total number of trees (> 3 cm in dbh) increased from 737 trees/ha to 760 trees/ha. Number of beech trees increased markedly. On the contrary, fir and spruce showed a significant decrease in tree number. Interesting results emerged from the renewal of the permanent square plot (20 × 20 m), proving that beech is able to persist in the shade for more than 70 years with only minimal increment of both height and diameter.

Bark beetle Pityokteines spinidens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is widespread across Europe. We identified this species as a pest of Tsuga canadensis in western Bohemia's Americká zahrada National Nature Monument Arboretum. This discovery suggests that P. spinidens could infest any conifer within the Abietoideae subfamily. Given its status as a known pest of various Abies species, its potential impact on related conifers warrants further attention.

New techniques for Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) control are being studied and developed to replace traditional organophosphate pesticide applications. A mass trapping strategy offers promising medfly control within integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Field assays were performed to study the efficacy of two mass trapping techniques based on PheroNorm^® and Ceratrap^® lures that were compared to a conventional approach to control the medfly in Tunisian apricot orchards. The results showed that both mass trapping techniques had a similar efficiency in reducing the C. capitata population. The degrees Brix in the fruits was a determinant issue since the initial apricot fruit damage was detected at 6.4%. At harvesting, the lowest fruit damage rate was recorded in the PheroNorm^® (4.25%) and Ceratrap^® (6.50%) treated orchards, compared with the conventional approach (10.75%). Therefore, the use of 50 PheroNorm^® and Ceratrap^® traps per ha density within an IPM approach may be very useful to control the C. capitata populations in apricot orchards.

Ornamental cabbages are cultivars of cabbages grown for decorative purposes due to the varied shape and colour of their internal leaves. The aim of the study was to determine the course of growth and to assess the decorative and nutritional value of two cultivars of ornamental cabbage ('Pigeon Red', 'Coral Prince') grown in a flowerbed along with annual plants: the French marigold (Tagetes patula nana L.) and flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum Mill.), using a pine bark mulch. The impact of the marigold and flossflower on the cabbage height and foliage changed with the plant growth. Cabbages growing without the proximity to the other species had the smallest diameter and formed the least leaves; and the plant's height was lower in September. The cabbage height, foliage and leaf colour were modified by the weather in the subsequent years of research. The proximity of the marigold or flossflower and mulching of the soil with bark did not affect the colour of the leaves. The nutritional value of the ornamental cabbage was high, and the content of the mineral components in the leaves depended largely on their colour. The coloured leaves were more abundant in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, while the green leaves contained more calcium and sulfur, and slightly more dry matter.

At present, the fundamental development way of agricultural production lies in science and technology to achieve the agricultural sustainable and stable development and ensure the effective supply of agricultural products for a long time. Many Chinese scholars had done many researches about the agricultural science and technology innovation. Numerous scholars got much valuable research conclusions for improving the construction of agricultural science and technology innovation system. However, there were still some problems existing in the current agricultural science research system, such as that the agricultural science and technology studies were divorced from the agricultural production, the mechanism of the market was still imperfect, there was an unreasonable layout in the agricultural science and technology. Therefore, we wanted to know the dynamic and the evolution path of the international agricultural science and technology innovation. What is more, we wanted to know whether there was a significant difference between the domestic and overseas agricultural science and technology innovation and if the international experience was good for the development of the Chinese agricultural science and technology innovation. So, there was analysed the research theme, the hot-spots and frontiers of international agricultural science and technology innovation based on the Citespace III to get the situation and character of the relevant international research.

The effect of agrotechnical elements (crop rotation, fertilisation, irrigation) on maize yield and various chemical characteristics of the soil (pHH2O, pHKCl, hydrolytic acidity (y1)) were examined in a long-term experiment (established in 1983) on calcareous Chernozem in the Hajdúság region of Hungary. The yield obtained in 2019 showed the favourable water supply of the crop year and outstanding nutrient utilisation of maize. In the control (non-fertilised) treatments, maize yield was 8 t/ha in monoculture, 11 t/ha in biculture and 12 t/ha in triculture, while the highest yield obtained with the optimum fertiliser treatment increased to 13, 13.5 and 14 t/ha, respectively. In the long-term experiment established 35 years ago, the pH values of the soil greatly decreased in comparison to the initial value. The following ranges were observed in monoculture: 5.57-6.49 (pHH2O), 4.69-5.34 (pHKCl), in biculture: 5.22-6.62 (pHH2O) and 4.36-5.68 (pHKCl), and in triculture: 5.46-6.29 (pHH2O), and 4.56-5.24 (pHKCl). Hydrolytic acidity values (mono y1 = 7.75-14.75, bi y1 = 11.50-23.00, tri y1 = 10.13-18.38) showed strong soil acidity. In the long-term experiment, a moderate (0.512xx, LSD0.01=xx) correlation between fertilisation and yield and a moderate (0.397xx) correlation between crop rotation and yield could be established on Chernozem. A moderately negative (pHH2O = -0.594xx, pHKCl = -0.543xx) correlation was found between the yield and pH values, while a moderately positive (y1 = 0.409xx) correlation was found between the hydrolytic acidity and yield.

A 4-year-old domestic long-haired cat presented with acute, progressive, non-weight-bearing lameness of the left pelvic limb and reluctance to climb. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed decreased T2-weighted signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus in all lumbar intervertebral discs except L7-S1, with far-lateral T2-weighted low-signal material at L6–L7 surrounding the sixth lumbar nerve root. A diagnosis of far-lateral intervertebral disc extrusion at L6–L7 was made. Clinical signs resolved almost completely within 15 days of conservative management. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing MRI findings of far-lateral intervertebral disc extrusion in a cat, highlighting the importance of considering this condition in the differential diagnosis of acute unilateral pelvic limb lameness.

The EU has a historical deficit of plant protein and is heavily reliant on imports to sustain domestic livestock production. Using an economic model of global agricultural markets, this article investigates three policy drivers that could have an influence on the increased production of protein-rich crops in the EU, namely coupled payments for protein-rich crops, investment in research and development leading to higher yields, and phasing out of imported high indirect land-use change risk biofuel feedstocks. Results indicate that a one per cent annual increase in yields over the medium-term has a much larger effect on EU domestic protein production than additional coupled payments of EUR 75 per ha. Moreover, phasing out palm-based biodiesel only has a small impact on protein self-sufficiency. A significant unknown is how costly it will be to increase the yields on protein crops grown in the EU.

To investigate the effect of microbial inoculum on soil heavy metal immobilisation, pot experiments were conducted with paddy soils contaminated by cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), respectively. The results showed that the inoculation of Rhodopseudomonas palustris was more effective in the immobilisation of Pb and Cd in soils than the composite of R. palustris and Bacillus subtilis. Interestingly, a lower dosage of inoculum immobilised significantly more heavy metals than the higher dosage, potentially due to the competition of bacteria with limited nutrients. The heavy metal contents in rice grains also supported this finding, as less Pb and Cd were accumulated under the lower dosage. However, there were limited effects of microbial inoculations on the immobilisation of Hg and As. In general, our study indicated the effectiveness of R. palustris in immobilising Pb and Cd in soils and highlighted the importance of determining the optimal dosage of inoculum in bioremediation.

This study investigates differences in carbon storage between managed and unmanaged forests in the growth conditions of Central Europe. Norway spruce (Picea abies), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) dominated forest types were considered, as these are the most common forest species in the Czech Republic. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), as the second most common species, was excluded due to lacking relevant reference data on unmanaged forests. Managed and unmanaged variants of each forest type were assessed in terms of carbon sequestered in biomass, dead wood and harvested wood products (in the managed variant). Harvested wood products yielded during two rotation periods were considered, including their substitution effect as well as respiratory losses, to fully assess their contribution to carbon balance. Average carbon storage in the above-ground biomass and deadwood was lower in the managed forest compared to the unmanaged forest in comparable growth conditions. However, this difference is in our model examples compensated by carbon stored in the harvested wood products including their substitution effect in the managed forests of Norway spruce and pedunculate oak. Contrarily, managed European beech forests showed, in our case, slightly lower carbon storage compared to the unmanaged alternative. The estimates for all species are considered to be rather conservative due to the assumed factors affecting the results. Due to generally limited comparative data on unmanaged forests in the region, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Grapevine is a worldwide crop and it is also subject to global trade in wine, berries and grape vine plants. Various countries, including the countries of the European Union, emphasize the role of product origin designation and suitable methods are sought, able to capture distinct origins. One of the biological matrices that can theoretically be driven by individual vineyards' conditions represents DNA methylation. Despite this interesting hypothesis, there is a lack of respective information. The aim of this work is to examine whether DNA methylation can be used to relate a sample to a given vineyard and to access a relationship between a DNA methylation pattern and different geographical origin of analysed samples. For this purpose, DNA methylation landscapes of samples from completely different climatic conditions presented by the Czech Republic (Central Europe) and Armenia (Southern Caucasus) were compared. Results of the Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism method confirm uniqueness of DNA methylation landscape for individual vineyards. Factually, DNA methylation diversity within vineyards of Merlot and Pinot Noir cultivars represent only 16% and 14% of the overall diversity registered for individual cultivars. On the contrary, different geographical location of the Czech and Armenian vineyards was identified as the strongest factor affecting diversity in DNA methylation landscapes (79.9% and 70.7% for Merlot and Pinot Noir plants, respectively).

In the Czech Republic, the pig carcass classification is mandatory in slaughterhouses processing over 200 pigs weekly. As breeding practices evolve to enhance lean meat yield, it is essential to update regression equations used in classification systems. This study presents new regression models for the Fat-O-Meater II (FOM II) device, using computed tomography (CT) as the reference method. Separate equations were developed for barrows, gilts, and boars to improve the accuracy of lean meat percentage (LMC) estimation. To calibrate the CT method, 24 carcasses were selected across a range of backfat thicknesses and sexes. CT scans were performed on chilled left carcass halves, followed by manual dissection to determine the true LMC. A correction model was applied to align the CT-derived LMC with dissection results. Subsequently, 128 carcasses were measured using FOM II and CT to develop sex-specific regression equations using ordinary least squares. The models revealed sex-specific differences in prediction accuracy. Gilts achieved an R² of 0.66 and RMSEP of 1.35; barrows had higher R² (0.759) and greater RMSEP (1.46); boars showed the most consistent composition (R² = 0.734, RMSEP = 1.14). Compared to the standard method, gilts and boars had slightly higher LMC (+0.03% and +0.82%), while barrows had lower LMC (–0.14%). These differences translated into economic impacts, with gains of CZK 1.23 and CZK 4.33 per gilt and boar carcass, respectively, and a loss of CZK 5.55 per barrow carcass. These results support the formulated hypotheses, and the fact that sex-specific calibration enhances classification accuracy and economic efficiency.

Tumour of the oral cavity is a rare condition in young animals. The most frequent are odontomas - locally invasive tumours with no metastatic potential. The article describes a case report of 4-month-old male puppy diagnosed with mandibular odontoma with cystic appearance. Authors present clinical features, histopathological examination of odontoma and the surgical management using deep curettage and hydroxyapatite granules deposition. Odontomas can form bone cyst-like structure padded with membrane forming denticles. A deep curettage is acceptable method of treatment but should be supplied with hydroxyapatite deposition if the cyst is present.

Farms generally produce products with low differentiation. To reach an increase in the profit and sales, product differentiation is one of the potential strategies that could be successfully applied. This paper identifies "Intermediate Consumption/Total Output" as a simple and user-friendly indicator for farm product differentiation performance and comparison assessment in the Czech Republic, based on a two-step cluster analysis performed on 1 225 farms with different operating conditions and reproduction process characteristics in the Czech Republic. The data are sourced from Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN CZ). Four farm clusters based on product differentiation levels are identified and described from the point of view of the production process and conditions. The resulting cluster profiles, in general, indicate the production conditions and process affecting the resulting product differentiation. Nevertheless, farms deliver extraordinary product differentiation values in fields with less favourable conditions and production processes. Those have the potential to be an inspiration for farms with lower product differentiation values. The result of this paper provides hope, less favourable conditions are not a limit for formidable performance. This paper result can be practically applied by anyone aiming to easily identify, evaluate, and compare farm product differentiation levels.

The study aimed to estimate and characterise soil organic matter under different land uses (cropland, grassland, and forest) and soil depths. The soil organic matter composition of the soil was assessed by diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT). Humic and fulvic acids (HAs, FAs) were extracted from soils and their compositions were evaluated by DRIFT. Low molecular mass organic acids content was also measured. Our result revealed that the largest differences of the spectra in the composition of organic matter were observed in the upper parts of the soil profile. The forest soil spectra had more intense aliphatic bands, carboxylic, and CH bands than spectra of grassland and cropland soils. The difference of HAs spectra was at 3 010 to 2 800/cm where the most intensive aliphatic bands were in forest soil HAs, followed by grassland and cropland soil HAs. The grassland topsoil FAs spectrum differs most from the other land uses. It has lower peaks around 1 660-1 600/cm and 1 200/cm than cropland and forest. The concentration of low molecular mass organic acid (LMMOA) was the highest in the forest soil and the most abundant acid was citrate.

Agroecosystems provide a number of ecosystem services that are essential to human well-being.  The valuation of these services by stakeholders offers important information that can be used to manage them more efficiently. In agroecosystems, individual stakeholder preferences can be heterogeneous and even opposing. This paper puts forward a novel analytical framework based on game theory to integrate the valuation of ecosystem services by different stakeholders into agroecosystem management. To illustrate it, the agricultural region of Los Vélez (south-eastern Spain) is used and three game modalities are applied (prisoner’s dilemma, common-pool resource game and battle of the sexes). Results indicate that the use of game theory contributes to more effective conflict resolution between stakeholders with different interests and priorities, making it easier to reach consensus on optimal management strategies. This approach can guide policymakers in the design and implementation of socially accepted agroecosystem management policies.

CpG islands (CGIs) are an important group of CpG dinucleotides in the guanine- and cytosine-rich regions as they harbour functionally relevant epigenetic loci for whole genome studies. As a matter of fact, since there has not been a formal comparative analysis of CGIs in domestic even-toed ungulate genomes, this study was performed to serve this comparison. The Hidden Markov Model was used to detect CGIs in the genomes. The results indicated that the CGIs number and CGI densities had scant variations across genomes. The goat genome had the highest number of CGIs (99 070), whereas the alpaca genome had the highest CGI density (43.39 CGIs/Mb). Significant positive correlations were observed among CGI densities with chromosome pair number, observed CpG/expected CpG, recombination rate, and gene density. When the size of chromosomes increased, the CGI densities decreased and a trend of higher CGI densities in the telomeric regions was observed. Only 10.96% of CGIs were methylated underscoring this postulation that the majority of CGIs remains to be unmethylated. The highest amount of the methylated CGIs was observed in the introns, intergenic, and coding (CDS) regions and the lowest amount of the methylated CGIs was observed in the promoter regions, implying that the DNA methylation of CGIs may control gene expression at the genome level. Detected differences between even-toed ungulate and other vertebrate genomes showed that CGI densities varied greatly among the genomes. These findings would contribute to better understanding the even-toed ungulate (epi) genomes, the role of CGIs in epigenomic functions and molecular evolution.

Current animal breeding approaches are strongly associated with the development of sophisticated molecular genetics methods and techniques. Worldwide expansion of genomic selection can be achieved by the identification of genetic DNA markers and implementation of the microarray ("chip") technology. Further advancement was associated with next-generation sequencing methods, high-throughput genotyping platforms, targeted genome editing techniques, and studies of epigenetic mechanisms. The remarkable development of "omics" technologies, such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, has enabled individual genomic prediction of animal performance, identification of disease-causing genes and biomarkers for the prevention and treatment and overall qualitative progress in animal production.

Xylotrechus arvicola is an emerging grape pest that generates serious sanitary problems in vineyards and is currently expanding its range throughout Spain. The increasing prevalence of this pest in Spanish vineyards has been detected since 1990. In this study, the relationship between the climate and the actual distribution of the beetle was analysed, as well as how this distribution might change in the future according to several climate change models. The methodology was based on predictive models (SDM; species distribution modelling) using climate variables as explanatory factors, although the relationships were not necessarily causal. Maxent was used as the SDM method. The current climatic niche was calculated, and the actual potential distribution area was estimated. The relationships between the climate variables and the species probability of the presence were projected to various future climate change scenarios. The main conclusions reached were that climate change will favour the expansion of X. arvicola and that the potential infestation zones will be extended significantly. Although the results, because they were based on hypothetical climate frameworks that are under constant revision, were not conclusive, they should be taken into consideration when defining future strategies in the wine industry.

The aim of the paper is to describe the land ownership relations in the area of the current Czech Republic since the foundation of Czechoslovakia. The description of the history of changes of land ownership in the Czech Republic is important for the perception of the current nature of the land use and land market. Land use and ownership was always related to the historical context and political regime. The time periods are divided by the important historical events: after 1918 (foundation of the Czechoslovak Republic), 2nd World War period, after 1948 (takeover of the power by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and the centrally planned economy period) and after 1989 (foundation of the market economy). During this era, three land reforms took place. The main role was played by the political apparatus the aim of which was to enhance its economic and political influence, and international interests. It can be concluded that the ownership of land in the Czech lands was always uneven. During the period, the state expropriated land from different society spheres and reallocated it to others. No other property in private ownership underwent so many ownership changes in the legal organization of the state.

An 8-year-old, neutered male Yorkshire Terrier dog presented with left ventromedial canthus swelling over a one-month period, refractory to pharmacological therapy. There was no history of trauma. On ultrasonography, the lesion had a cystic character filled with anechoic fluid and hyperechoic sedimenting debris. The computed tomography (CT) and CT-dacryocystography showed a cystic lesion protruding from the lacrimal sac fossa and occupying a defect in the orbital plate and an ethmoidal ectoturbinate surrounded by a bony structure with an intact nasolacrimal system. The dog underwent the surgical resection of the cyst and its fluid content was aspirated. Ethmoid mucocele was diagnosed based on the CT, cytologic examination, bacterial culture and histopathologic findings. This case describes the imaging characteristics of an ethmoid mucocele and highlights the importance of CT and CT-dacryocystography in dogs with ventromedial canthus swelling that had poor response to medical treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of essential and toxic elements between the orange juice and orange flesh of various orange cultivars. Different orange cultivars, such as Abousorah [Citrus sinensis (L.)], Aseear (Citrus aurantium), Afandi (Citrus reticulata Blanco), Helo (Citrus sinensis), and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), were collected from local markets. Elemental analysis was carried out after microwave-assisted digestion using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in 18 samples. Eleven elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, and Pb) were analysed. Their average concentrations ranged from 0.006 µg g^-1 to 7.13 µg g^-1 in both orange juice and flesh (wet weight). There was a high increase in the average concentrations of all elements in the juice compared to the flesh of up to 40-fold.

Cryphalus asperatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is described as an exceptional but important secondary pest of Norway spruce seedlings. Of the 10 000 seedlings transported to one location in the Ore Mountains, Central Europe in 2020, in total 1 500 seedlings were killed by C. asperatus. The infestation and death of seedlings probably resulted in part from the substantial local increase in the local abundance of C. asperatus after the sanitation felling of many Ips typographus-infested and otherwise damaged trees; the felled trees provided many branches suitable for C. asperatus feeding. In addition, the seedlings were probably stressed by the multi-hour transportation (probably drought) from the forest nursery.

This study compared different methods of determining starch digestibility (in vivo vs in vitro) in wheat grains and evaluated the influence of extrusion on digestibility. In vivo starch digestibility was determined in broiler chickens by calculating the residual starch content in their ilea and the digestibility using a chromium oxide indicator. In vitro digestibility was examined using pepsin and pancreatin. During in vivo testing, the highest digestibility coefficient (DC) was achieved by the Bonanza variety in its extruded form (91.19 ± 0.40%). In contrast, the lowest DC was achieved by the Tobak variety in its non-extruded form (81.45 ± 1.92%). Generally, a higher DC was observed in vivo for extruded forms of wheat. During in vitro testing, the highest DC was achieved by the Stefii variety in its non-extruded form (96.10 ± 0.55%), whereas the lowest DC was observed in the Yetti variety in its extruded form (49.72 ± 0.41%). Overall, the in vitro experiments did not exhibit significant differences between extruded and non-extruded forms of wheat. Linear regression analysis showed a strong relationship (r² = 0.860; 85.98%) between in vivo- and in vitro-derived DC values in all wheat varieties, both in extruded and non-extruded forms. The study showed that in vivo testing is a suitable method for the determination and control of starch levels in extruded materials. However, despite the accuracy of this technique, it is also very demanding in terms of time, space, equipment, and methodological knowledge. Therefore, based on the strong correlation between the in vivo and in vitro assays, we recommend in vitro digestibility testing as a preferable alternative.

A total of 29 520 animals, from 164 batches of pigs belonging to an identical number of herds, were involved in the study. The considered population of pigs were limited to the region of north-eastern Poland involving six voivodeships. From each herd, samples of blood were collected to evaluate the antibody titres to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Aujeszky's disease virus and swine influenza virus. At an abattoir, the lung lesions of each batch were scored and the enzootic pneumonia-like lesion average value was calculated. Lesions, indicative of enzootic pneumonia, were found in 57.8% of the lungs. For all lungs, the enzootic pneumonia-like lesion average value was 1.74, ranging from 0.42 to 3.56 among the 164 batches. In the examined pig population, 57.8% were considered suffering from swine respiratory disease, the majority of the affected pigs came from the Podlaskie (21.7%) and Greater Poland (17.25%) voivodeships. In the most affected voivodeships, 88.37% and 85.16% of the farms were considered as disease-susceptible for Greater Poland and Podlaskie, respectively. The findings indicate that, in pigs in north-eastern Poland, the major pathogens causing pneumonia-like lesions are Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (68.9%) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (44%).

Soil incubation and pot experiments were conducted to follow the sorption processes of added phosphorus (P) fertiliser using the radioisotope tracer technique. Increasing doses of P fertiliser (40, 80, 160, 320 mg P/kg soil) were added to Chernozem and Arenosol and incubated for 1, 3, and 13 weeks. After incubation, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was sown in one group of pots, and the experiment had been continuing for another 9 weeks. The yield, grass P uptake, isotopically exchangeable (P_IE), water-soluble (P_W), and ammonium lactate soluble phosphorus (P_AL) fractions of soils were measured. On Chernozem, plant P uptake, P_IE, P_W and P_AL were significantly less in the case of the longest incubation period compared to shorter incubations. This suggests a transformation of P into tightly sorbed form. On Arenosol, there were only small changes in the parameters as the incubation period increased, suggesting less intense P transformation to tightly sorbed form. The P_W/P_IE ratio enhanced with increasing P-doses, and the ratios were higher on Arenosol. On Arenosol, the higher P doses caused a greater increase of P_W than on Chernozem. The P_IE + P_W showed a good correlation with plant P uptake proving this value can be a good indicator of plant-available phosphorus.

Air pollution is beyond an environmental or health issue. The impact of air pollution on farmers' decisions on agricultural mechanisation has always been overlooked and debate persists over subjective and objective pollution. Adopting data set from the China Labour Force Dynamics Survey, we investigate the influence of air pollution perceptions on farmers' mechanised farming. The endogeneity problem is addressed through the instrumental variable method. The consequences reveal that air pollution perceptions strengthen farm mechanisation, and reduced farming time is the key intrinsic mechanism through which perceived air pollution affects farmers' decisions on agricultural machinery. Additionally, this impact is more pronounced in male household heads and farmers in the plains. These findings render valuable policy implications for farmers chronically exposed to air pollution and for agricultural modernisation in China, including the necessity of improving air conditions and encouraging agricultural machinery services.

The heading date and growth habit are key factors that regulate the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage in barley. In this study, we used PCR based markers to identify the allelic variations in the Vrn-H1 (HvMB5) and Vrn-H2 (HvSNF2) genes and to predict the heading date and growth habit of a collection of Tunisian barley assessed under a semi-arid climate. The allelic variation at HvBM5 revealed two PCR fragments at 830 and 344 bp. Primer sets used to amplify the HvSNF2 gene have resulted in different alleles size of 543, 623, and 700 bp. Different allelic combinations of HVBM5 and HvSNF2 were associated with the heading date and growth habit. The spring and early heading accessions were only characterised by the amplification of the HvSNF2 fragment at 700 bp. All the winter accessions yielded the PCR product HvBM5 at 830 bp, but the variation in the heading date was determined by the HvSNF2 alleles. These DNA markers will be a powerful tool to predict the heading date and growth habit and can be used as markers for the assisted selection to speed up the national breeding programme.