Fulltext search in archive

Magnesium is one of the most important nutrient elements. Soils are tested for magnesium in many countries with several extractants. Each country has its own validated methods, best-suited for its soils. The current study was designed to compare different magnesium content measuring methods with 80 Hungarian samples. The magnesium content was determined by the potassium chloride (1 M KCl 1:10), Mehlich 3 and CoHex (cobalt hexamine trichloride) methods. The maximum, mean and median values resulting from all the Mg determination methods showed the following order of measured magnitude: KCl < CoHex < M3.

Production development for asparagus has become an important research subject due to its low shelf life. In order to determine the content of flavonoids in asparagus tips and shoots, LC-MS-based method was performed for a targeted analysis of flavonoids in asparagus, and 34 peaks attributed to the targeted flavonoids were characterised. Twelve peaks corresponding to rutin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, naringin, taxifolin, vitexin, genistin, daidzein, luteolin, chrysin, and kaempferide were identified and quantified from the asparagus tips and shoots by the LC-MS-based detection with monitoring of parent/daughter ions. The results showed that rutin (> 99%) was the main flavonoid present in the asparagus tips and shoots. Although the tips and shoots contained almost similar compounds, the content of the major compounds, especially rutin, was significantly different. Therefore, the method established through this study could be used for quantitative analysis of flavonoids, especially rutins, in asparagus. The result will provide a theoretical basis for food development in asparagus.

We evaluated the differences in total polyphenol content (TPC) of beverages prepared by three methods (Hario V60, espresso and pour-over coffee) using single-origin beans roasted at four temperatures. The beans were roasted based on the degree of roasting: the lightest roasting had a final temperature of 204 °C (first roasting), a slightly darker roasting had a final temperature of 205 °C (second roasting), a dark roasting had a final temperature of 215 °C (third roasting) and the darkest roasting had a final temperature of 220 °C (fourth roasting). TPC in the beverage was highest for the Hario V60 for all temperatures, ranging from 32.0 to 46.8 mg GAE g-1 (gallic acid equivalent per 1 g of ground beans). The third roasting had the highest TPC, ranging from 34.6 to 46.8 mg GAE g-1 for all methods of preparation, whereas the content for the fourth roasting ranged from 28.6 to 32.3 mg GAE g-1. Our results indicated that the differences in TPC in the beverage depended on the preparation method (P < 0.001) and the degree of roasting (P < 0.001). The most nutritional coffee was prepared using the Hario V60 with the third roasting.

A four-year-old, male German Shepherd dog with severe pain in the left eye following a corneal perforation with a foreign body was examined. An ophthalmic examination revealed conjunctival hyperaemia and pancorneal dense oedema, preventing a diagnosis of deeper structures of the eye and lowered IOP. Vision testing was missing or impossible to detect. Ultrasonography showed a solid hyperechoic line protruding through the iris and lens into the vitreous and minor posterior lens displacement. The dog qualified for immediate surgical treatment. Intraoperative ophthalmic examination revealed a rupture of the anterior hyaloid membrane with vitreous herniation, posterior lens subluxation, lens capsule rupture and a torn iris. Partial iridectomy and intracapsular lens extraction (ICLE) was conducted. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed iridodonesis and a gradual reduction of the corneal oedema, leading to complete transparency in the bottom two-thirds of the area on Day 12 after surgery. Direct and consensual PLR was sluggish and the dazzle reflex was positive. An electroretinographic examination confirmed normal activity of the retina.

Five winter wheat cultivars, differing in resistance to Septoria tritici blotch (STB), were spray inoculated under field conditions for two years and at two locations with nine Mycosphaerella graminicola isolates and a mixture of isolates that were obtained from different regions of the Czech Republic. Main aims of this study were (i) to compare isolate, host cultivar and environmental effects on five traits indicative of STB severity and (ii) to analyse pathogen aggressiveness and host-pathogen relations for improving evaluation of cultivar resistance. ANOVA showed in all traits, except the reduction in 1000 grain weight, significant isolate effects. However, the effects of isolate and genotype by isolate interactions were much lower (2.3-4%) than cultivar (19.1-53.7%) and environmental (11.9-58.6%) effects. Cultivar resistance to the disease limited much the loss in grain weight per spike to a halve, from 34.7% in the susceptible Bakfis to 17.3% in the resistant Arina. Visual scoring of symptoms in the middle and at the end of disease development (performed on the 1-9 scale), reflecting the disease progress and infected leaf area, showed the highest cultivar effect (54%) and could be recommended for evaluation of cultivar resistance in breeding practice. All examined traits were significantly interrelated, but significant differences between all the five cultivars were only detected after examination of the % coverage of flag leaves with lesions bearing pycnidia. Resistance in the cultivar Arina was detected by all isolates and the isolate mixture. In spite of significant differences in classification of resistances in the cultivars Bohemia and Mulan after inoculation with one isolate (1081), specific interactions between cultivars and isolates collected in this Central European region are rare. The study leads to a conclusion that investigation into stability of STB resistance across a wide range of environments is more valuable for breeding purposes than the study of cultivar response to different isolates. Combination of important isolate properties in a mixture of isolates is stressed as well.

The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that the crypto-tobiano horses which do not exhibit the full tobiano white-spotting pattern nonetheless transmit the dominant To gene to the progeny. The study was conducted on the Hucul population. Seven horses with white patches on their limbs, and with or without a small patch on the head, neck or trunk, were selected. At least one of the parents of the horses had to be tobiano or crypto-tobiano. Occasionally such horses produced a tobiano foal from a crossing with a solid-coloured horse. The white patches of the horses used in our study were divided into categories. To identify the To gene, DNA was tested in the Animal Genetics Laboratory (UK). The ratio of non-tobiano, crypto-tobiano, and tobiano foals born from 36 matings of the studied horses was analyzed. The study substantiates the occurrence of crypto-tobiano horses in the Hucul breed. Horses that have patches on their limbs as well as a small white or intermingled patch on the head, neck or trunk, are crypto-tobianos, although crypto-tobianos may have no white on the head, neck, and trunk. The crypto-tobiano pattern occurs in horses which have a tobiano parent or grandparent. The results suggest that the activity of an inhibitor gene suppresses the To allele penetrance in the crypto-tobiano horses. As in the case of many white-spotting patterns, the presence of the To gene in a horse's genotype should be documented by DNA testing or test matings.

The presence of Epichloë endophyte can promote plant growth and increase the accumulation of host plant nutrients. We determined the dry matter (DM) and important nutritional indicators of E+ (infected by endophyte) and E- (not infected by endophyte) Festuca sinensis under the three-time repeated cutting. The results indicated that the total nitrogen, total phosphorus, crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), crude ash (CA) contents, and DM of F. sinensis decreased with the repeated cutting increase and reached the minimum after the third time cut. The total organic carbon content of F. sinensis peaked at the second time cut. In addition, the DM of F. sinensis was significant (P < 0.05) positively correlated with its quality CP, CF, and CA contents, and the appropriate repeated cutting times of F. sinensis was 1-2 times. We concluded that the presence of endophyte and proper cutting frequency can increase the quality and biomass of F. sinensis in Western China.

Taking action aimed at creating an attractive agritourism product contributes to the development of rural tourism. The main purpose of this study is to present reflections regarding the assumptions of the experience economy and their possible application in developing an agritourism product. The conducted empirical research involved a diagnostic survey method based on a standardized questionnaire. The study results show that the owners of Polish agritourism farms, when focusing on the material components of their offer, should also recognize the need to design memorable experiences for their clients.

Diversity in the characteristics of agricultural locations has the potential to develop. Unfortunately, the weak transfer of technology based on the characteristics of the location indicates that this potential cannot grow properly. This research aims to synthesise a technology transfer model for an agricultural technology park (ATP) by considering site-specific conditions. This cross-case study was conducted at selected ATP locations. Model synthesis uses the system development life cycle stages of initiation, analysis, and design. The resource-based view approach was broken down into several variables during the analysis stage. Three location-specific technology transfer models were successfully developed: a technology transfer model based on highland specificity, a unique technology transfer model for urban farming, and a tourism village-based model.

The forest bioeconomy links to a climate-neutral economy for which effective economic and financial promotion is essential to sustainable development. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of financial support on the development of the forest bioeconomy in the Czech Republic in the period 2000–2021. Research objectives were met by applying literature review, time series analysis, spatial data analysis, cartogram and cartodiagram method, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Firstly, regional divergences in financial flows were observed. Owing to the bark beetle calamity, the peak of the financial support was detected in the Vysočina Region (CZK 4 658/EUR 190 per ha), and the Olomouc Region (CZK 2 780/EUR 113 per ha) in 2020. An upward trend – more than 6-fold growth of financial flows to forestry was found. Secondly, the forest carbon model was discovered and tested. Financial contribution for reforestation, establishment, and tending of forest stands increases net carbon sinks while financial contribution for green and environmentally friendly technologies increases net carbon sources. Regional carbon reservoirs offer the potential to contribute to climate targets and achieve sustainable progress.

The chemical composition (nutritional and freshness parameters) and sensory characteristics were evaluated of escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) defrosted raw fillets and steaks that were marinated differently (pepper, onion, chilly, herbs, knusper, and hot) and packaged in a manner suitable for microwave heating (Darfresh^® Simple Steps^®). The study was carried out by using 8 skinless fillets of Lepidocybium flavobrunneum. The selected 18 parameters, i.e. dry matter/moisture, crude protein, net protein, collagen, net muscle protein, lipid, ash, saccharide, energy value, pH, water activity, salt content, total volatile basic nitrogen, trimethylamine, free fatty acids, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid assay were evaluated. The results indicate that the sample of Chilly marinated steaks was evaluated as the best one (90.29 ± 9.82), however, the samples of Herbs (89.6 ± 13.89) and Knusper (88.64 ± 15.59) marinated steaks also received more than 85 points for the overall impression. Control sample received the smallest number of points (71.7 ± 26.54) for the overall impression.

This study was done to quantify the amount of soil organic matter and to evaluate physicochemical properties and vegetation cover changes along the altitudinal gradient. Nine altitudinal transects were selected from 100 m a.s.l. to 1 700 m a.s.l. Then, 160 circular plots of 1 000 m2 area with a distance of 150 m from each other were studied. Soil texture, bulk density, particle density, soil base saturation, phosphorus and potassium values did not indicate any specific variation pattern. Whereas pH decreased powerfully, the highest and the lowest value of pH was measured at 100 m a.s.l. and 1 700 m a.s.l., respectively. Soil organic carbon content increased significantly with increasing altitude (P ≤ 0.01). Density of trees decreased dramatically from 100 to 900 m a.s.l., whereas this trend was ascending from 1 100 to 1 700 m a.s.l. Density of shrub species increased with increasing altitude along the gradient and the highest value was revealed at 1 300 m a.s.l. The highest percentage of herbaceous species cover was found at a lower altitude and a decreasing trend was found along the altitudinal gradient.

The acquired form of Fanconi syndrome is seldom identified in dogs; those cases that have been reported have been secondary to hepatic copper toxicosis, primary hypoparathyroidism, ingestion of chicken jerky treats, exposure to ethylene glycol, or gentamicin toxicity. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of acquired Fanconi syndrome secondary to Babesia infection or ingestion of cosmetics in dogs. We here report on two dogs presented with a history of marked polyuria, polydipsia, and lethargy. Laboratory examinations showed glucosuria with normoglycaemia and severe urinary loss of amino acids. One dog was infected with Babesia gibsoni and the other dog had a history of cosmetics ingestion. The first dog received treatment for Babesia infection and the second dog received aggressive care to correct metabolic acidosis, electrolyte imbalances, and other add-on deficiencies. In both dogs, the Fanconi syndrome was successfully managed following the treatment for the underlying causes. In conclusion, both Babesia infection and cosmetics ingestion should be considered as a possible aetiology for transient acquired Fanconi syndrome in canine patients.

Spermatozoa morphology, ultrastructure, and spermatozoa motility traits were studied in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) after activation in various media (AM 1 - 45mM NaCl, 5mM KCl, 20mM Tris, pH 8.5; AM 2 - 100mM sucrose, 20mM Tris, pH 8.5; AM 3 - 100mM sucrose, 1mM CaCl₂, 20mM Tris, pH 8.5) during a 48-hour storage period. The spermatozoon was acrosomeless and differentiated into a spherical nucleus (head), midpiece, and flagellum. The nucleus length and width measured 1.83 ± 0.03 and 1.63 ± 0.02 mm, respectively. The midpiece was located laterally to the nucleus and possessed proximal and distal centrioles and 2-4 mitochondria. Flagellar length was 33.2 ± 0.90 µm, and a pair of lateral fin-like structures projections was observed. The axoneme consisted of nine peripheral doublet microtubules and a single central pair. After a 24 h storage in all activation media at all sampling times post-activation (15, 45, 90, and 120 s), spermatozoa motility was significantly decreased. Spermatozoa were motile after the 48-hour storage at all sampling times post-activation only in AM 3. After the 48-hour storage, no motile spermatozoa were observed in AM 2 and AM 1 at 90 and 120 s post-activation, respectively. Differences in spermatozoa velocity varied with activation medium during storage. After the 48-hour storage in AM 1 and AM 2, decrease of spermatozoa velocity at 15 s post-activation was observed, while in AM 3, velocity was decreased only after the 48-hour storage. Pikeperch spermatozoa morphology and ultrastructure was found similar to that of most freshwater teleosts, with differences in the arrangement of midpiece, number of mitochondria, and position of centrioles. Viable pikeperch sperm was observed after the 48-hour storage. Motility of spermatozoa was improved by addition of Ca²⁺ to the activation medium, where higher spermatozoa velocity was observed.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of crossing Mecklenburger Schecke (MS) males with the maternal commercial line of HYLA rabbits on the growth performance, mortality and body and carcass components of fattened rabbits under intensive farming conditions. The control (C) group consisted of albino crossbred rabbits of the HYLA combination AB sires × CD dams. The tested (T) group (MS sires × HYLA CD dams) consisted of rabbit crosses between the MS sires and the same dam line as in the C group. Rabbits of both groups were raised and fattened under identical nutritional and management conditions. The crossing of MS males with the maternal line of HYLA rabbits led to the acceptable growth performance of rabbits in the T group. The higher slaughter weight of rabbits in the T group as compared to rabbits in the C group (P < 0.01) as associated with the higher weight of hot carcass and higher proportions of fore and intermediate parts of carcass (P < 0.01). On the contrary, HYLA rabbits had a higher proportion of the hind part of carcass (P < 0.001); yields of hind leg meat and musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum were not influenced by the genotype. However, since higher mortality was found in rabbits of the T group during fattening, it is not possible to recommend the MS breed as a common sire line used under conditions of intensive farming at this moment. Regarding the rabbit sex, slaughtered females showed a higher proportion of liver and a lower dressing percentage associated with the worse carcass compactness compared to males.

A reliable tuber yield prognosis requires a complex statistical analysis of potato nutritional status in the fully developed 4^th leaf at the onset of tuberisation. This hypothesis was validated in the series of field experiments conducted in 2006-2008 in Poland. The experimental design was composed of two nitrogen (N) rates (60, 120 kg/ha), two N fertilisers (Urea and Agrotain), two rates of sulfur (0, 50 kg/ha). The marketable tuber yield of cv. Zeus ranged from 31.3 to 59.3 t/ha in 2008 and 2006, respectively. Despite annual variability, the potato presented a good nutritional status. In 2008, the contents of N, Mg, Cu and Zn were about 33% lower as compared to 2006. The stepwise and path analyses indicated N, Mg and Cu as the key yield-limiting nutrients. The diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) showed that a slight imbalance of N and Mg did not disturb tuber yield, provided a positive balance of K was maintained. The Mg index, as a result of the DRIS procedure, emerged as the best single predictor of potato yield.

One of the most serious threats facing agricultural productivity in the world is unfavourable soil conditions. Several studies have shown that almost half of the world's land-mass is affected by either natural or human-induced pollution. This, therefore, poses a threat to agricultural improvement needed to tackle the problem of a continuous increase in the world population. The emergence of soil extremophiles with plant growth-promoting trait has proven to be a reliable means to quell the threat posed by some factors limiting soil potency. Adopting these organisms as bio-inoculants will easily proffer a solution to both biotic and abiotic soil stress. As such, the natural bio-fertilisers will help to improve the quality of the soil by making it healthy enough to sustain sufficient plant growth. This review gives an overview of the multifarious importance of extremophiles on plants grown under harsh soil conditions, with the multifaceted application of omics as a means to unveil these organisms and their benefits for environmentally sustainable agricultural systems and food safety.

The size and shape of leaves can vary significantly between different genotypes within the same species and they implicitly influence plant growth and therefore productivity. The aim of this study was to compare the length, width, and surface area of leaf in nine medlar genotypes (Mespilus germanica L.) through image segmentation procedure using ImageJ software. The data indicate large variations for leaf surface area characteristics from one genotype to another, 2.12 fold for leaf surface area (22.95-48.8 cm²), 1.38 times for leaf length (8.8-12.18 cm) and 1.6 times for leaf width (3.5-5.60 cm). Leaf shape and leaf surface area vary between different genotypes analysed, and the method used can represent a good, non-destructive model of quick and reliable estimation of the medlar leaves surface area. The information obtained can be used in physiology studies, regardless of genetic material.

Several multivariate methods including partial least squares (PLS) regression, principal component regression (PCR) or multiple linear regression (MLR) have been applied to predict wine quality, based on the definition of chemical and phenolic parameters of grapes and wines harvested at different ripening levels. Three different models including grape phenolic maturity parameters (grape), wine phenolic parameters (wine) and a combination of grape and wine phenolic parameters (grape + wine) were analysed for each of the wine sensory attributes. The grape parameter model has been presented as the best test to predict wine quality based on sensory scores. On the other hand, wine models showed lower accuracy. The combination of grape and wine parameters presented intermediate results showing sometimes good predictability. Moreover, PLS and PCR appeared as more accurate multivariate methods compared to MLR. Although MLR showed higher correlation coefficients, lower RPD values were observed, displaying thus its lower prediction accuracy. Multivariate calibration statistics appeared as a promising tool to predict wine sensory quality in an easy and inexpensive way.

Although entomophagy as a diet has been known since the dawn of humanity, it is still considered a novelty to the European market and consumers. This study was performed to evaluate the acceptance of a trend promoted by the FAO diet regarding selected young Polish consumers and it presents the results of a survey conducted among them. The primary goal of this study was to assess the acceptance of new edible insect products with mealworms Tenebrio molitor L. and house crickets Acheta domesticus L. These products were prepared in the form of four different types of bars; one without insects, one with whole mealworms, one with ground mealworms and one with ground crickets. According to consumers, the worst bars were the ones which contained the whole mealworms. Additionally, the main problems with accepting this product were caused by the colour of the ground crickets and visible whole pieces of the insects in the edible bars. The study proved that the acceptance of insect bars as food depends on the tastiness and smell. The acceptance of bars also depends on variants. The basic bar had the highest acceptance rate, while the bar with whole mealworms had the lowest one.

This study attempted to evaluate the efficiency of zeolite and pyrophyllite ore materials in reducing the mobility of heavy metals in soil near the lignite mining dumps, and consequently in their availability for plants. Extraction of pseudo-total and available forms of heavy metals from soil samples was performed by using aqua regia and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, respectively. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil and plant samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results of this study illustrate that application of zeolite and pyrophyllite could be a suitable technique to reduce heavy metals availability in soils. Zeolite treatments have been shown to be significantly effective in reducing cadmium (Cd) mobility, as well as pyrophyllite treatments in reducing lead (Pb) mobility in the studied soil, regardless of applied rates. The accumulation of heavy metals in leaves of maize grown on soil plots treated by zeolite and pyrophyllite, was found to be lower compared to the untreated plots. This finding was to be expected, considering the effects of these treatments on heavy metals mobility in the studied soil.

The present study covers empirical research on the selected Agri-Biotech firms of Punjab. The sample has been chosen from the state of Punjab covering the sectors Food Processing Industry, Fertilizer and Pesticides Industry. On the basis of factor analysis, the study has also identified key factors influencing competitiveness. These are Threat of new competition; Threat of substitute products or services; Bargaining power of suppliers; Intensity of competitive rivalry; Bargaining power of customers; Rivalry among existing firms. The study also tries to evaluate the findings on the basis of the author-factor matrix. The aim is to identify the key factors influencing competiveness. It analyses the difference in competitive factors on the basis of the nature of the industry and on the basis of scale of the firms. Then finally it tries to determine the key competitive factors influencing the market share. The results indicate that the Threat of new competition and Threat of substitutes/services emerge as the important predictors. Intensity of competitive rivalry; Preparedness for Competition; and Bargaining power of suppliers also emerge as significant predictors. These variables explain 79.6% of variation in the model.

This paper quantifies the correlation between U.S. season average prices for hops with U.S. hop stocks and U.S. hop hectarage. The Hop Equilibrium Ratio, a measure of the supply/demand relationship for U.S. hops, was introduced. Through the Bayesian inference method, the authors used these data to calculate the effect an incremental change to one metric had on the probability of directional changes of future U.S. season average prices (SAP). Between 2010 and 2020, the dominance of proprietary varieties created unprecedented cartel-like powers offering opportunities for supply- and price-management. Research results will enable more accurate forecasting and greater price stability in the hop industry.

A 6-month-old Ragdoll and 9-year-old Russian Blue cat presented with vomiting. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a pyloric antrum mass with wall layering loss and regional lymphadenopathy in the Ragdoll kitten. The Russian Blue cat only presented with muscularis layer thickening throughout the jejunum; however, despite medications, it later progressed to a mass with wall layering loss on the serial ultrasound. Both cats underwent surgery, and feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF) was histologically confirmed. FGESF should be considered for gastrointestinal masses demonstrating wall layering loss and lymphadenopathy, even in kittens, and intestinal muscularis layer thickening that is refractory to medications.

Policy constraints and market incentives have made it an important foundation for developing countries such as China to develop agricultural green transition policies. This study employed the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2003 to 2022 and the three-dimensional framework of ‘institutions, technology, and marketisation’ to probe whether environmental regulation constraints or expected economic revenue incentives play a critical role in China’s current agriculture development. Whether the green transition of agriculture depends on environmental regulatory policy constraints and expected economic revenue incentives is related to the level of agricultural technology development and market development. Technology and market play a positive role in the agricultural green transition by enabling the realisation of agricultural green production and the realisation of the agricultural green market.

The designation of traditional varieties of grapevine is usually based on verbal information or very dated records. Old rare cultivars found in the Czech Republic were identified by Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) analysis, a generally accepted method for cultivar identification. These cultivars are primarily maintained in a national collection of genetic resources. Finally a total of 102 candidate genotypes was selected where 49 traditional varieties were identified on the base of nine SSR loci compared with the European Vitis Database. Thirty-six items were registered under the correct designation. The remaining genotypes included four clones, and two genotypes could be described as synonyms. Seven genotypes were found to be incorrectly marked. For three of them, the correct name was found in the database under their SSR profile and four items were considered to be unique as no identical profile was found.

A 2.5-kg, eight-year-old, neutered male Yorkshire Terrier was presented for evaluation of a cervical mass that had first been noticed a year earlier. A firm spherical mass located caudal to the left mandible was found on physical examination. Ultrasonography revealed a well-defined, round-shaped mass located medial to the left mandibular salivary gland that was approximately 2.6 cm in height, 2.3 cm in width and 3 cm in length. Volume-rendered images obtained by computed tomography (CT) showed that the left external and internal carotid arteries and internal jugular vein were encased in the mass. A definitive diagnosis of carotid body tumour was made based on histopathology. The tumour and the carotid arteries and internal jugular vein encased in the tumour were resected using CT-based surgical planning. The regional neural structures were preserved by careful blunt dissection. The dog had a mild hacking cough after swallowing and hoarseness that disappeared spontaneously five days and two months, respectively, after surgery. There was no evidence of recurrence or distant metastasis at 18 months postoperatively. This case report describes successful surgical management of a carotid body tumour with ligation and transection of the carotid arteries in a dog. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of successful surgical treatment of an advanced carotid body tumour based on CT findings.

The aim of this study carried out in 2017-2018 was to determine the effect of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), which is known to have an allelopathic effect on the germination of some weed and cultural crops seeds. In addition to weeds, Amaranthus retroflexus L., Chenopodium album L. and Solanum nigrum L., cultural plants such as Zea mays L., Beta vulgaris L., were used in this study. It has been shown that the seed germination rate was decreased by the increased concentration of white cabbage post-harvest leaves extractions, which were made with different concentrations of aqueous and methanol extracts (30, 40, and 50%). The methanol extract was found to be more effective in germination. According to these results, S. nigrum and Z. mays seeds were less affected than A. retroflexus, C. album and B. vulgaris seeds. In the light of these data, it is observed that extracts obtained from white cabbage can be effective on some weeds; however, it was concluded that in order to reach more definite conclusions, studies on the subject should be increased, and similar studies should be continued under greenhouse or field conditions.

'Piel de Sapo' is one of the most consumed market class of melons in the Mediterranean area and it represents an important economic crop in Spain. The 'Mini PS' melon breeding line, which bears two main introgressions from the dudaim 'Queen's pocket' melon in the Piel de Sapo genetic background, was evaluated for its fruit quality traits in three environments. Some interesting commercial characteristics were detected, such as a notable decrease in the fruit weight and a rounder shape, compared with Piel de Sapo, while the other quality traits were not altered. Thus, this mini melon line, ideal as a personal melon, may be useful in the development of new melon cultivars.

The effect of sewage sludge application on three soils of different properties (Chernozems - location Suchdol, Luvisols - location Červený Újezd and Cambisols - location Humpolec) was investigated in pot experiment and the accumulation of Zn in above ground biomass of oat as well as availability of Zn released by 0.01 mol/l CaCl₂ was evaluated. Stabilised sewage sludge was obtained from three wastewater factories in Czech Republic. Sewage sludge has been preincubated with addition of limestone and lime (7% of Ca w/w of sludge dry solid) in aerobic and anaerobic conditions and tested in pot experiment. The highest Zn mobility reduction was found at Humpolec soil. Sludge amended by lime and limestone reduced available Zn content in this soil (at sludge III by 86% after limestone and by 71% after lime application). Considerable reduction of Zn in plant showed in Humpolec soil treated by sludge with lime (by 20% compared with soil treated by nonincubated sludge - control) and limestone (by 30% after anaerobic incubation compared to control). The positive incubation and treatment effect was not confirmed in the other soils. Available Zn in Humpolec soil showed the strongest correlation among all soils with total Zn content in plant (at aerobic treatment R² = 0.66 and at anaerobic R² = 0.83).