Fulltext search in archive

In order to elucidate the distribution of soil nematodes in coastal wetlands and the effect of different distance from the sea line on soil nematode communities, we investigated the community structure of soil nematodes in one wetland perpendicularly oriented from Bohai sea coastline. In June 2006, soil samples were collected from the Yellow River Delta wetlands, in Dongying city of Shandong Province, China. Soil nematode communities were analyzed at the depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. The results showed that plant parasite nematodes were the most abundant trophic groups in both depths and at four sites. The average relative abundance was 91.33% of the nematode community. Several ecological indices which reflected soil nematode community structure, diversity, maturity and plant parasitism were compared in these four sites. The results indicated that the maturity index (MI) and plant parasitism index (PPI) were more sensitive than the other indices for assessing the response of soil nematode communities to soil of coastal wetland.

The objective of this work was to verify the effect of the lean meat proportion on the chemical composition of the meaty parts (loin and ham) of pork. A total of 116 finishing hybrid pigs commonly used in the Czech Republic were fattened for this purpose. The pigs were divided according to the lean meat proportion criterion into 3 groups, i.e. more than 60.0%, 55.0-59.9% and 50.0-54.9%. Representative muscle samples were taken from the right halves of these pigs. They were then homogenised and submitted to chemical analysis. The results of the measuring showed that the values of the water content, intramuscular fat (IMF), crude proteins, and ash matter ranged in the loin between 72.50-72.80%, 1.56-1.96%, 23.20-23.40%, and 1.37-1.40%, respectively, and in the ham between of 70.43-71.59%, 3.52-4.26%, 21.67-21.95%, and 1.42-1.56%, respectively. The ascertained values of the water content and crude proteins with regard to the increasing lean meat proportion in the carcasses did not show any developmental tendencies. As for the content of IMF, it was determined that the higher was the lean meat proportion, the lower was the IMF content. Concerned of sensoric quality traits it means that pork meat from supermeaty hybrid pigs shows lower quality. Concerning the content of ash matter, it was observed that the ash content increased with an increasing lean meat proportion. In the carcass part of the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT), it was demonstrated that the higher was the lean meat proportion, the lower was the content of amino acids - threonine, isoleucine, lysine, aspartic acid, serine, and proline. From point of the production of exceedingly meaty pigs (over 60%), it can be expected a worse nutritional pork meat value. In the carcass portion of the musculus semimembranosus (MS), the contents of valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, serine, proline, and glycine increased with an increasing lean meat proportion. Within the framework of statistical evaluation of differences between the groups, the values of IMF ((P ≤ 0.01) in MLLT, water content, IMF, ash matter, threonine, valine, phenylalanine, lysine, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, and alanine in MS were highly significant ((P ≤ 0.05; (P ≤ 0.01 and (P ≤ 0.001).

In tests with artificial infestation of alfalfa by leaf weevils in the greenhouse and also in small-plot trials with natural infestation of sprouting alfalfa it was found that without protection alfalfa is seriously damaged by leaf weevil feeding. After evaluation of the feeding damage by weevils, the damage to plants in the untreated plot was classed as 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th degree on a five-level scale. Plant growth was seriously restricted and in warm and dry weather plants may die. The results demonstrate that in both kinds of trials the pre-sowing treatment of alfalfa seed significantly reduces the feeding of leaf weevils on sprouting alfalfa. No negative effects of insecticidal seed dressing on germination energy and germination were observed. On the basis of the three-year trials, the dressing insecticides Cruiser 350 FS (active ingredient thiamethoxan) and Elado 480 FS (active ingredients beta-cyfluthrin and clothianidin), both at a dose of 20 l/t, can be recommended as an effective method to protect alfalfa against leaf weevils.

Exercise induces a variety of physiological and laboratorial changes of different magnitude and direction, depending on the characteristics of the performed exercise (duration and intensity) and on the fitness and training level of the dog. The present research aims to describe the normal response to a session of search and rescue exercise in trained dogs in order to distinguish these changes from those derived from exhaustion or diseases. Nine healthy and trained dogs of both sexes (five females and four males), aged between 24 months and seven years (mean: 3.5 years) were studied. Exercise consisted in a normal session of searching and rescue training of 20 min of duration, carried out in an open terrain. During the exercise, heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously with a HR-meter. Furthermore, respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured and venous blood samples were extracted at rest (R), immediately after exercise (E) and at 5, 15 and 30 min of a passive recuperation (5REC, 15REC and 30REC). The following laboratorial parameters were studied: red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), RBC volumetric indices, white blood cells (WBC), creatinine (CREAT), total plasma protein (TPP), lactate (LA), glucose (GLU), triacylglycerols (TAG), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Na, K, Cl, cortisol (CORT) and insulin (INS). Clinical signs indicative of exhaustion or exercise intolerance were not observed in the dogs during the study. HR increased with E and remained over the reference range until 30REC. RR and RT also rose with E, with the highest RR at 5REC. RBC, HB and PCV were not affected by E, whereas WBC increased at E. TPP, GLU, AST and K were not affect by E neither by REC. E induced elevations in CK, LDH, LA and INS, reaching R values at 30REC, 30REC, 15REC and 5REC, respectively. Plasma Na decreased with E and recovered at 30REC. Plasma Cl decreased with E, without additional significant changes. Circulating CORT concentrations were reduced with E, with the highest reduction at 10REC. Modifications of RR, RT, WBC, CREAT and TAG persisted throughout the recovery period. In conclusion, significant modifications in physiological and laboratorial parameters were induced by the searching and rescue exercise, with values outside the reference range for healthy dogs. These data provide a data base for evaluating ill or injured dogs during this type of exercise. In addition, there was not evidence of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and stress or muscle disorders in the studied dogs.

In the framework of Slovakia entering into the European Union, there was done a PHARE-ACE survey in years 1999-2000. The name of this survey was "Micro-economic analysis of farming households restructuring in pre-accession period to the EU". The survey was finished in 2002. This survey was done in two regions of Slovakia, characterized by different natural conditions, production and economic conditions. This project was aiming not only at private farmers but also at other legal entities producing agricultural products. The monitored group consisted of 412 private farmers, farming in average 43.2 ha of agricultural land. Most of them are farming on 0-2 ha of agricultural land (20.8%) and on 25-100 ha of agricultural land (20.1%).

Water stress is a frequent and critical limit to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in North China. It has been shown that photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) is closely related to crop production. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of deficit irrigation and winter wheat varieties on the PAR capture ration, PAR utilization and grain yield. Field experiments involved Jimai 20 (J; high yield variety) and Lainong 0153 (L; dryland variety) with non-irrigation and irrigated at jointing stage. The results showed that whether irrigated at jointing stage or not, there was no significant difference between J and L with respect to the amount of PAR intercepted by the winter wheat canopies. However, significant differences were observed between the varieties with respect to the amount of PAR intercepted by plants that were 60-80 cm above the ground surface. This result was mainly caused by the changes in the vertical distributions of leaf area index (LAI). As a result, the effects of the varieties and deficit irrigation on the radiation use efficiency (RUE) and grain yield of winter wheat were due to the vertical distribution of PAR in the winter wheat canopies. During the late growing season of winter wheat, irrespective of the irrigation regime, the RUE and grain yield of J were significantly (LSD, P < 0.05) higher than those of L. These results suggest that a combination of deficit irrigation and a suitable winter wheat variety should be applied in North China.

The paper presents the results of evaluating the growth and health of 20 different poplars from the Aigeiros group in 30-year populetum Leles on uninundated alluvia of the Latorica River in ecological conditions of the lowland Východoslovenská nížina. The populetum is situated on medium-heavy loamy soils in the group of forest site types Ulmeto-Fraxinetum carpineum. The results of evaluation document that out of the investigated poplar clones the poplars I-214, I-476, Blanc du Poitou, Flachslanden and P. nigra (Baka 5) had the best height and diameter growth and maximum volume production. Their health status was also very good. The lowest volume production was determined in P. nigra (009/66 ČR), I-455 and Grandis, and the worst health was found out in Grandis, P. nigra (Pavlovce 1) and P. nigra (Ivachnova 1). These results will facilitate to include the poplars I-476 and Flachslanden in the assortment of regionalized poplars for the lowland area of Východoslovenská nížina.

Volatile aroma compounds production by two autochthonous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, isolated from Istria region, and three other yeast strains (Saccharomyces bayanus and two commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeasts) was investigated on a small scale using synthetic VP4 medium and Graševina must at 12 and 20°C. The results obtained by gas chromatography analyses were compared with the aroma production properties of the native microflora, remaining after Graševina must sulphiting. In both media and at both temperatures, the wine yeasts investigated showed different metabolic profiles regarding the tested volatile aroma compounds, which should be taken in consideration for autochthonous wine production. Although the synthetic medium proved to be appropriate for the investigation of the fermentative properties, the determination of secondary aroma production by wine yeasts has to be conducted by must fermentation or possibly by fermentation of another synthetic medium whose composition would be more similar to must.

The objective of the study was to identify genes for resistance to powdery mildew in wheat cultivars and land races from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. The presence and distribution of resistance genes was compared to powdery mildew virulence structure in these countries. The different strategies in breeding for resistance were expressed in a different distribution of resistance genes, especially among Polish and Hungarian cultivars. In 20 of the 29 Hungarian common wheat cultivars the resistance gene Pm8 was found. Of the 32 Polish cultivars investigated, 16 possess a combination of genes Pm2+6. Resistance gene Pm4b did not occur in any Hungarian cultivar tested, and resistance gene pm5 was not detected in any Polish cultivar. Virulence in wheat powdery mildew populations was influenced by differences in distribution of resistance genes in host genotypes. The most significant difference was found between Polish and Hungarian powdery mildew populations. The two populations differed mainly in virulence against Pm2. Resistance gene MlAr was detected in three old Slovak cultivars.

Four protein fractions: 1 - albumins and globulins, 2 - gliadins, 3 - glutenins (extracted in NaOH), 4 - glutenins (extracted in SDS) separated by SDS-PAGE were used as biochemical markers for evaluation of polymorphism level in three spelt wheat cultivars - Hercule, Altgold and Rouquin, three new-breeders' spelt lines - H92.27, H92.28 and M92.20 (originated from hybridisation between spelt and common wheat) and reference common wheat cultivar Brea. Electrophoretic phenotypes and zymograms were evaluated by means of digital image analysis and Nei and Li coefficient of similarity was used to evaluate the relation of analysed genotypes. Entire evaluation of all four-marker systems showed differences between common wheat cultivarBreaand spelt cultivars and spelt breeders' lines. Also significant differences between old spelt cultivars (Hercule, Altgold and Rouquin) and new spelt breeders' lines were found. The reality of the mutual passing of protein fractions (gliadins and glutenins), based on Osborne extraction was confirmed. In this sense it is necessary to see both fractions as dynamic overlapping structures.

The soluble proteins extracted from the first leaf tissues of cultivated tetraploid (Triticum durum Desf., genome AB) and hexaploid (T. aestivum L., genome ABD) wheat species and their diploid wild progenitors [T. monococcum L. (A), Aegilops speltoides Tausch (B), and Aegilops tauschii Cosson (D)] exposed to 100 mmol/l NaCl stress were separated by two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis. There was no newly synthesized protein in the NaCl treatment compared to the control treatment in all species. However, protein profiles showed some differences among species. Most of these proteins had acidic character; their isoelectric point (pI = pH - acidity of proteins) ranged between 5.1-6.9 and low-mol weight (LMW) between 20.3-30.6 kDa. Salt stress caused some proteins to increase or decrease. In the same MW and pI, 11 LMW and 3 intermediate-mol weight (IMW, 34.8-35.4 kDa) proteins increased and/or decreased in amounts were common between at least two species. The remarkable changes in Ae. speltoides were detected as decreases or losses in protein profiles. As a result of salt stress, all the remarkable changes in T. durum were detected as the increases in proteins. However, some proteins increased in T. aestivum, T. monococcum and Ae. tauschii. It is suggested that an increase in the amount of the proteins may lead to an increase in the tolerance mechanisms towards NaCl salinity of wheat species which has A and/or genome(s).

In recent years, the Czech part of the Silesian Beskids has been affected by strong yellowing of Norway spruce stands and gradual decline of individual trees. Similar damage has also been observed in the neighbouring parts of Poland and Slovakia. The article presents the results of an investigation in the Forest District Jablunkov - part Nýdek. To evaluate the situation, monitoring plots were established and a regional survey was carried out together with tree-ring analysis. The results show a mosaic distribution of damage in the region studied, independent of the altitude and forest type. Defoliation was lower in 20-40 years old stands. Even these young classes, however, show yellowing symptoms. The decline of stands started to be visible at the end of the 1990s; significant loss of vitality was observed in the most affected stands in 2003, after an extremely hot and dry vegetation period. Actual development of meteorological conditions plays an important role in the stand damage. Lastly, possible causes of damage and further development are discussed.

One hundred and eighty (180) day-old broiler chickens were used to investigate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on growth performance, carcass composition, and the serum concentrations of several lipid metabolic hormones and metabolic parameters (indicators). The broilers received the same basal diets, with DHEA added at 0 (control), 5 and 20 mg/kg feed. During the experimental period, broilers fed DHEA exhibited lower levels of triglycerides (TG), total serum cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) as compared to the control animals, but a marked increase in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Adding DHEA to the diet significantly decreased serum concentrations of thyroxine (T₄), serum free triiodothyronine (FT₃), and serum free thyroxine (FT₄), but significantly increased the serum leptin (LEP) and glucogon (GLU) levels in male broiler chickens. However, female broiler chickens showed pronounced differences in LEP, FT₃ and FT₄ only, while there were no differences in the other three metabolic hormones (T₃, T₄ and GLU). Overall, these results indicate that DHEA improves lipid metabolism through the regulation of metabolic hormones and metabolic parameters, while not adversely affecting growth performance in broiler chickens.

Stomach contents of 331 specimens of Perccottus glenii (Perciformes: Odontobutidae) were analysed. Chironomids and ephemeropterans dominated the diet of all size classes of fish; however, the frequency of crustaceans was also high. Micro-crustaceans (ostracods, copepods and cladocerans) dominated in lower size classes (20-39 mm); macro-crustaceans (Isopoda, Amphipoda) dominated in higher size classes (up to 79 mm). The proportion of crustaceans decreased from the size class 80-89 mm. With the increasing size of fish the frequency of molluscs (Gastropoda) increased, the maximum was in size class 70-79 mm. Cannibalism occurred from 60 mm, and it was significant from 80 mm. The highly mobile invertebrates (Coleoptera, Heteroptera) were found in the largest size classes. In middle size classes (40-59 mm), the widest spectrum of prey units was documented; the food variability of small (90 mm) individuals was poor. Differences in the diet composition of small individuals were negligible; the diet of the largest ones differed significantly. According to diet, two feeding size class groups were recognised: the first

The influence of different fertilizer forms and rates on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents, nitrate accumulation and yield in red head chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum L.) was investigated. Field fertilization trials were set up at two localities inNorthwest Croatia in 1999 and 2000. Trials were laid out according to the Latin square scheme in five fertilization treatments: manure 5 kg/m2, three rates of complex mineral fertilizer NPK (5:20:30) - 50, 100 and 150 g/m2, and an unfertilized control variant. The results of investigations indicate that there were no significant differences between treatments in the plant nitrogen and phosphorus contents. Significant fluctuations of the chicory potassium content (3.27-4.75% K) depending on the fertilization variant were recorded only in 1999 while in 2000 all values (4.13-5.12% K) were uniform. Plant nitrate levels were influenced by weather conditions more significantly than by the form and rates of fertilizers. All the recorded values are within the limits tolerated for leafy vegetables. Comparing the trial years, yields were generally higher in 1999 (1.58-4.95 kg/m2) than in 2000 (0.40-2.70 kg/m2). No significant differences in yield were recorded between the application of stable manure and the lowest mineral fertilizer rate.

The Cd and Zn accumulation and phytoextraction potential of seven willow clones was investigated in a pot experiment for two vegetation periods. Heavily polluted Fluvisol-Litavka, moderately contaminated Cambisol-Pribram, and unpolluted control Chernozem-Suchdol were used. Significant differences were found in Cd and Zn accumulation between the willow clones. Cd and Zn were transferred from roots to aboveground tissues and all tested clones confirmed higher Cd and Zn accumulation in leaves than in twigs. Cd and Zn amounts removed by willow leaves were the highest from the most polluted soil (up to 83% Cd and 71% Zn of total removal). Therefore the harvest of leaves is necessary if willows are planted for heavy metal phytoextraction. Although the extremely high Zn contamination of Fluvisol-Litavka significantly reduced biomass production, willows planted in this soil showed the highest Zn removal because of extremely high Zn accumulation (max. 5061 ppm in leaves). Clones planted in moderately contaminated soil achieved the highest Cd removal. Clones showed different abilities to remove Cd and Zn, which was dependent on soil type and contamination level. Remediation factors were determined less than 1% for Zn in the heavily polluted soil and also unsatisfactory for Cd. However, it was shown that willows were suitable phytoextractors of moderately contaminated soil. About 20% of Cd and 4% of Zn were removed by harvested biomass from the total content of soil after two vegetation periods.

A method to obtain an oligopeptide with high Fischer ratio is described. Corn gluten meal (CGM) was hydrolysed with Alcalase 2.4L using a two-step hydrolysis. In the first-step hydrolysis, the enzyme reaction conditions for hydrolysing CGM were optimised by using the orthogonal experimental design, while pH = 8.0, temperature = 55°C, enzyme to substrate ratio (3:97, w/w), and the substrate concentration = 5% were identified as the optimum conditions, under which up to 11.62% degree of hydrolysis (DH) could be obtained. The hydrolysate was then fractionated by ultrafiltration using a membrane with the molecular cutoff of over 10 kD at 20 kPa. For the second-step hydrolysis, the filtrate was adjusted to pH 6.0, then papain was added at 50°C and the mixture was maintained for 3 hours. The hydrolysate was obtained after inactivating papain and centrifuging. Then the salt (mainly NaCl) in the hydrolysate was removed with an ion exchange resin at the speed of 8 times bed volume per hour, and aromatic amino acids were removed through absorption by active carbon. By using Sephadex G-25 gel filtration chromatography, a peptide mixture with low molecular weights between 1000 and 1300 was obtained. Finally, tests on amino acid composition and free amino acid concentration of oligopeptide solution showed that the oligopeptide had a high Fischer ratio of 34.71 and the yield of 11.59%.

A potted experiment was conducted to explore the accumulation of arsenic (As) and predict the uptake of As by a wheat-maize rotation system in calcareous soil with different rates of sewage sludge (SS) amendment over two consecutive years. The SS amendment decreased the pH value of calcareous soil but increased the cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium carbonate (CC), organic carbon (OC) and As accumulation in soil and crops with increasing SS addition. The As bioconcentration factor (BCF) of wheat and maize had a significant negative correlation with pH, CC and a significant positive correlation with OC. Soil CEC had a significant positive correlation only with the As BCF of wheat. Regression analysis showed that soil As, pH, OC, CC and CEC were good predictors of the As concentration in wheat/maize. The regression model for each part of the wheat/maize plants had a high model efficiency value and explained 67~88% of the variability. The R2 values of the wheat and maize grain prediction models were 79% and 76%, respectively. Thus, these models contribute to the study of As risk assessment for sewage sludge utilisation in calcareous soil-wheat/maize rotation systems.

Fujian Province, China was chosen as the study area for estimating the marginal agricultural abatement costs within the province based on data for 2010–2020. The study employed these estimations as a pivotal factor affecting the efficiency of carbon emissions reduction, constructed an index model to gauge the potential of agricultural carbon emissions reduction, and delved into the urban agricultural carbon emissions reduction potential from the perspectives of economic development rights (equity) and carbon emissions reduction difficulty (efficiency). Our findings indicated a marked regional disparity in the marginal abatement costs of agriculture across Fujian Province, with the highest recorded at EUR 1.3771 × 108 per 104 tonnes and the lowest at EUR 0.6526 × 108 per 104 tonnes, albeit demonstrating general upward inter-annual trends. Furthermore, the assessment of agricultural carbon emissions reduction potential, grounded in the principles of equity and efficiency, revealed four distinct developmental tiers. Resource allocation pathways for carbon emissions reduction were subsequently delineated, informed by the stratification of high- and low-carbon emissions reduction potential indices alongside typological characteristics. The outcomes of this study offer strategic guidance to the government of Fujian Province in crafting suitable carbon emissions reduction strategies and in devising targeted action plans aimed at achieving the twin goals of 'carbon peaking' and 'carbon neutrality'.

This case report describes the poisoning of two mares from the same paddock with Robinia pseudoacacia (Black locust) bark. The poisoning manifested itself by the sudden onset of weakness and fever with transient improvement after the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fluids. After the initial stabilisation, the mares were left unattended overnight. One of them was found dead in the morning. The surviving mare developed colic and severe encephalopathy and had to be referred to the clinic. Blood tests revealed severe hyperammonaemia. After four days of symptomatic treatment, she fully recovered. Robinia pseudoacacia with bark freshly bitten off was found in the paddock. The necropsy of the dead mare revealed oedema of the brain and lungs, pleural haemorrhages, and hyperaemia and haemorrhages of the glandular mucosa of the stomach. The intestinal content was watery, without macroscopic findings of the bark. Due to the peracute onset in both mares at the same time, hyperammonaemia and paralytic ileus in the surviving mare, and the presence of Robinia pseudoacacia in the paddock, poisoning with this tree was highly suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed by the microscopic findings of Robinia pseudoacacia bark tissue in the gastric content of the dead mare.

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 history of a site includes not only preserved historical buildings, but also areas with an assortment of plants, which have been preserved for many years. Rural settlements make up 80% of all the municipalities in the Czech Republic, with greenery covering 50-70% of their area. There are dominant trees and shrubs and an herb layer. The herb layer has high species diversity and species typical of the area, but at the same time, its long-term survival is in jeopardy. The continuity of rural settlements has been disturbed since the second half of the 20th century. Rural spaces often become uniform and impersonal, without links to the surrounding countryside, traditions, and history. This study included a total of 124 perennial families within three studied regions.

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.

In vitro meristem cultures have been used for the production of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) virus-free rootstocks worldwide, because multipropagation is considered to preserve the genetic stability of the produced plantlet. Nevertheless, in vitro tissue cultures can cause genetic and epigenetic changes. Therefore, we studied the genetic and epigenetic variability of Saaz Osvald's clones, Sládek and Premiant cultivars on the DNA methylation level by methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP). In vitro propagated plants, acclimatised glasshouse rootstocks as well as derived mericlones and control plants under field conditions were used for the analyses. A total of 346 clearly and highly reproducible amplified products were detected in the MSAP analyses within the studied hop plants. We found 16 polymorphic products (4.6% of products) and 64 products with methylation changes (18.5% of products) in the analyses. The demethylation events were comparable to the de novo methylation events. Most demethylation changes were found in the in vitro plants, but only a few of them were found in the derived mericlones under field conditions. In contrast, the de novo methylation changes persisted in the acclimatised plants under glasshouse or field conditions. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used for the evaluation of the molecular genetic variability within the individual samples. The dendrogram showed that the individual samples of the same variety, more or less, clustered together. Because the methylation status varied during the virus-free rootstock production process, we suppose that de/methylation process is a natural tool of epigenetics and evolution in vegetatively propagated plants.

A two-year-old spayed female American shorthair cat presented with a rough, circular, exophytic mass on the genital area. The clinical findings and histopathological examination revealed that the mass contained neoplastic mast cells and, thus, was diagnosed as a mast cell tumour. The anatomical location of the mass was not easily accessible for surgical intervention. We administered a targeted therapy using oral imatinib mesylate for eight weeks to reduce the size of the lesion and to facilitate the successful surgical removal. The tumour mass eventually reduced by 21% and was surgically excised. This is possibly the first study to use imatinib mesylate as a tumour reduction neoadjuvant to therapeutically address a feline cutaneous mast cell tumour located in a surgically inaccessible part of the body.

A set of minimum descriptors allow for the rapid characterisation of germplasm facilitating the conservation and use of plant material. The objective of this work was to establish a list of minimum descriptors to facilitate the morphological characterisation of the ex situ pineapple collection in Cuba. Therefore, 48 pineapple accessions were characterised according to the morphoagronomic descriptors established by the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR). The data were processed by Multivariate Analysis, where a Multiple Principal Components Analysis was used for the qualitative and quantitative traits. A list with 14 minimum descriptors was proposed. The leaf's colour, the thickness of the longest leaf, the distribution of the spines, the fruit shape, the fruit colour when ripe, the flesh colour, the weight of fruit flesh, eye form, the fruit height, the fruit diameter, the fruitlet shape, the core diameter, the total soluble solids of the fruit, and the crown weight/fruit weight ratio were selected as the minimum descriptors. Because most of the descriptors refer to the pineapple's genetic improvement or commercialisation aspects, it could be a useful tool for scientists and producers.

A three-year pot experiment carried out in the vegetation hall in 2014-2016 included studying the enzymatic activity of soil, into which various amounts of copper: (100, 200 and 300 mg Cu/kg soil) and organic materials (cattle manure, chicken manure, post-mushroom substrate) were introduced, used separately, at a soil-introduction dose of 2 g C_org/kg. Copper and organic materials were used once, only in the first year of the study, before sowing test plant orchard grass. In soil collected after the last (fourth) swath of grass in each year of the study, the activity of urease, dehydrogenases, acid, and alkaline phosphatase was determined. Applications of copper to the soil, regardless of its dose, resulted in a decrease in urease, dehydrogenases and alkaline phosphatase and an increase in acid phosphatase activity. The inactivating effect of this metal on the activity of urease, dehydrogenases and alkaline phosphatase increased with the increase of its dose. Organic fertilisation generally increased the enzymatic activity of the analysed soil. In subsequent years of the study, urease and alkaline phosphatase activity decreased, while acid phosphatase activity increased. Dehydrogenase activity did not change significantly in subsequent years of the study.

Because of generally small log piles, loading forwarders during thinning is time consuming. The Assortment Grapple, an innovative grapple with an extra pair of claws which facilitates the handling of two assortments during one loading crane cycle, has been designed to decrease forwarders' loading time consumption. A standardized experiment was performed in a virtual thinning stand using a machine simulator with the objectives to form guidelines for working with the Assortment Grapple and to analyse its development potential. Four experienced operators participated in the study. According to the results, the Assortment Grapple's accumulating function is beneficial only when there are no remaining trees between piles loaded during the same crane cycle. In such cases, none of participating operators lost time, and 3 of 4 operators saved time notably. The problem with the remaining trees is the extra time required to steer the crane tip around them. Therefore, a harvester should place those log piles that are later to be forwarded together in the same space with no remaining trees between the piles. Furthermore, we recommend that the Assortment Grapple's usability will be improved by adding an own rocker switch on the forwarder's controls to command the extra claws.

In 2016-2018 virulence of the Czech wheat leaf rust population was studied on Thatcher near-isogenic lines, carrying different Lr genes, and 130 leaf rust isolates. Virulence to Lr9 was found only sporadically. Virulence frequency to Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr2c and Lr28 was lower than in previous years. All tested isolates were avirulent to Lr19. Lr24 conditioned resistance to majority of isolates. Nineteen recently registered Czech cultivars were tested with six isolates of the pathogen and Lr genes were postulated. Presence of genes Lr1, Lr10, Lr19, Lr24, Lr26, Lr28, Lr34 and Lr37 was tested by molecular markers. Lr37 prevailed, followed by Lr genes 10, 24, 28, 1 and 26; genes Lr19 and Lr34 were not determined.

Phosphorus (P) is essential for crop production. Adequate application P rate is critical for enhancing productivity and profitability of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The goal of this study was to optimize P application rate for commercial snap bean production in south Florida. Six trials were conducted on sandy soils and muck soils in Hendry County and Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. Before planting cv. Caprice snap bean, plots were fertilized with different P application rates in the form of triple superphosphate (0-45-0). An increase in P₂O₅ application rates up to 134 kg/ha P₂O₅ significantly increased the marketable bean yields. However, beyond that point, significant field gains did not occur with further increased application. At 134 kg/ha P₂O₅, bean appearance quality was the best compared to the other treatments. These results indicate that 134 kg/ha P₂O₅ produced best bean appearance quality and was the optimum rate for commercial production of snap bean in high-pH soils in south Florida.