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The aim of the study was to evaluate the amount of nitrogen taken up from air, mineral fertilizers and soil by yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) and spring triticale (Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) in their intercropping cultivation. The factor examined in the experiment was percentage of yellow lupine seeds and spring triticale grain in sown mixtures: 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100, respectively. Yellow lupine yield was reduced by spring triticale when intercropped. In the yield of both plants the percentage share of spring triticale grain was larger and that of yellow lupine seed was smaller than in the sown mixture. Land equivalent ratio informs that yield advantage under intercropping of lupine and triticale was minor. The total protein yield was the highest in lupine cultivation when sown pure, and decreased with increasing share of triticale in their intercropping. The mean percentage nitrogen share from N₂ fixation, fertilizer and soil reserves in yellow lupine mass was: 65.2, 8.8 and 26.0%, respectively, while in the mass of spring triticale it was 10.1, 23.5 and 68.8%, respectively.

Hydrocarbon contaminants have become a global concern due to their long-term adverse effects on soil ecosystems and human health. Successful implementation of phytoremediation to clean up hydrocarbon contaminants requires the identification of the most effective remediation plant species. Twelve native plant species of the Sudd Wetland in South Sudan were evaluated for their potential application as phytoremediators. The treatments included six total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 g/kg soil. The twelve native plant species tested were: Sorghum arundinaceum Desv., Oryza longistaminata A. Chev. & Roehrich, Hyparrhenia rufa Nees, Abelmoschus ficulneus L., Gossypium barbadense L., Nicotiana tabacum L., Sorghum bicolour L. Moench, Eleusine coracana Gaertn., Capsicum frutescens L., Zea mays L., Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. and Medicago sativa L. Significant differences in phytoremediation rates were observed amongst the treatments with exception of the 125 g/kg soil concentration of hydrocarbon that was lethal to all the plant species. Over 50% TPH reduction in the 75 g/kg soil concentration was observed in contaminated soil phytoremediation in H. rufa, G. barbadense, O. longistaminata, T. diversifolia and S. arundinaceum, making them potential phytoremediators of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil in the Sudd-Wetland of South-Sudan.

In this paper are presented the findings obtained during the start-up of a freeze concentration pilot plant, that operated with suspension crystallisation and with simulated fruit juices. Solutions with different initial concentrations were tested, with and without acidification, to simulate fruit characteristics and behaviour. The experimental runs demonstrated that solution acidity has negligible effects on the process performance, whereas the results showed that the initial solution concentration influences the start-up duration. During this time, the solution concentration grows by about 10 °Brix, and the maximum quantity of ice content inside the crystalliser is always lower than 40% by weight. These findings can help to predict the performance of a freeze concentration plant and may facilitate achieving target concentrations in a more efficient mode. Taken together, the data suggest that the initial concentration of the processed juice influences start-up duration and the achievable final concentration.

The antioxidant properties of cool-climate Regent wines from Podkarpacie region, Poland were investigated. Total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total monomeric anthocyanins, trans-resveratrol concentration, radical scavenging ability using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and total antioxidant capacity with TEAC and FRAP methods were measured. The average contents of the compounds determined for Regent wines were comparable to the respective data available in literature found for warm-climate wines. Correspondence Analysis of the data revealed the relation of total polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging ability of studied wines, and in lesser extent correlation with total flavonoids content. The total monomeric anthocyanins content and resveratrol concentration were poorly related to the total polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity.

A unique evaluation of the apple tree trunk bark damage caused by common vole and European hare was presented. Damage was found in an apple orchard under organic farming, in Central Moravia (Czech Republic), at 700 m a.s.l. There were two cultivated apple cultivars Red Spring and Melodie/Angold. Damage occurred in winter with the snow cover lasting from December to February. In total 1 012 trees and 95.7% of trees were damaged. The cv. Red Spring was damaged more than cv. Melodie/Angold. Almost 90% of the dead trees were killed by common voles. While hares damaged both cultivars equally, voles damaged the cv. Red Spring to a significantly greater extent (P = 0.04). The study confirms the need of further research on the development of methodologies for orchard protection from damage caused by small mammals.

The objective of the study was to estimate the heterozygosity and phylogenetic relationship between horse breeds in Poland, according to erythrocyte antigens and protein polymorphisms. The study included 15 434 horses: Polish Coldblood, Małopolski, Wielkopolski, Hucul, Polish Konik, Biłgorajski, Felin Pony, and ponies of Shetland origin. A total of 14 loci were studied: seven blood groups and seven protein polymorphism systems. Phylogenetic trees obtained for the erythrocyte antigens and protein variants were mostly alike which suggests that both kinds of markers may be equally used in estimating the similarity of animal populations. The lower polymorphism of the structural and enzymatic proteins, as compared with the erythrocyte antigen, resulted in a lower number of alleles per locus, lower heterozygosity, and closer genetic distances. The level of heterozygosity and phylogenetic trees of the breeds turned out to be mostly concordant with the known history of the populations. Małopolski and Wielkopolski horses are the most homozygous, the Huculs, Polish Koniks, and Biłgorajskis have a middle position, while the Polish Coldbloods and the ponies are the most heterozygous. The Polish Koniks are the most related to other breeds which shows that all the breeds studied, Polish Coldbloods included, have many indigenous ancestors. The Huculs, Polish Koniks, and Biłgorajskis are closely related. In spite of different histories, the Małopolski and Wielkopolski horses have the closest relationship. The Felin Ponies cluster together with the Shetlands. According to the blood groups and protein variation, the genetic diversity of the studied horse breeds is low and mainly due to individual differences. The low genetic variability of the breeds suggests reconsidering the long-term strategies of horse breeding in Poland, particularly of the conserved breeds.

The promising branching agent cyclanilide [1-(2,4-dichlorophenylaminocarbonyl)-cyclopropane carboxylic acid] is not permitted in the EU and the low vigour rootstocks preferred by growers make the branching of young sweet cherry (Prunus avium) trees difficult in the temperate zone production regions. To increase the number and length of new branches ("feathers") on such trees, chemical (6-benzyladenine [BA], gibberellic acid [GA_4/7]), mechanical (leaf pinching, summer notching) and various combined treatments were tested from 2015-2018. The numbers of feathers divided into three different lengths (1-10 cm, 10-30 cm and > 30 cm) were assessed as the main indicator of quality, supplemented with other morphological characteristics. Summer notching induced an insufficient number of feathers and led to some negative effects on the trees. The number of feathers from BA or BA with GA_4/7 treatment also was insufficient. The effect of pinching alone was variable. The number of all feathers generally was highest when pinching was combined with BA, regardless of the year or cultivar.

The paper aims at the overview of the main approaches of state support implemented by developed and developing countries and the assessment of their distorting influences on the trade with agricultural commodities. The current state of state support is analyzed on the examples of EU-27, the USA and Japan. The experiences of developing countries are summarized on the examples of China, Russia and the CIS countries. State support tools are grouped according to the WTO classification. The alternative classification is implemented in order to compare the distorting effects caused by the state support. The EPACIS model is implemented to analyze the effects of trade liberalization for the distribution of agricultural commodities and trade policies in developing countries. The model is adjusted in order to assess the effects of state support for the production and trade with agricultural commodities in developing countries, recently accessed the WTO (the case of Russia). Imitation calculations allow formulating policies for the developing agricultural markets depending on the degrees of their sensitivity to foreign trade regulations and domestic support.

The measures of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Regional (Cohesion) Policy are aimed at achieving cohesion, i.e. reducing the economic (sectoral), social and territorial disparities at European Union level. The issue of rural areas has become an important part of the CAP measures in Pillar 2. Since the CAP does not have a primarily territorial orientation, it does not contribute to territorial cohesion of rural areas. In a similar vein, regional policy, which is primarily oriented towards territorial development, also failed to give rise to complete, balanced development. Using qualitative analysis, this article summarises references selected on the basis of the authors' experience in policy issues. The types of discourse included on the subject of coherence of common policies are the role of agricultural, rural and regional policy in cohesion and the conflict of cohesion and competitiveness objectives. Modern political and economic efforts of converging competitiveness into the macro concept with spatial implication result in planning and implementation of inappropriate measures and instruments intended to encourage the balanced territorial development of the EU. From this arises a conflict of cohesion and competitiveness, coupled with long-term consequences for the most vulnerable areas.

Quantitative bacterial culture (QBC) is the gold standard for determining urinary tract infections. However, the majority of urine samples were sent to a lab for further bacterial culture. Therefore, the storage condition was vital to maintain the quality and accuracy of the urine samples. The main objective of our study was to examine the urine QBC outcomes of (1) immediate culture, (2) culture after urine sample storage at ambient temperature for 24 h, and (3) culture after urine sample storage at 4 °C for 24 hours. There were 49 feline samples and 30 canine samples included in this study. All QBC samples kept at ambient temperature and refrigerator were consistent with immediate QBC in cats. Eight positive results from immediate QBC were in accordance with refrigerated results in dogs. There were ten positive results in the room-temperature sample with two false-positive results. Our study showed that storing conditions at room temperature or refrigeration for 24 h does not impact the results of QBC in cat urine samples. For dog samples, chilled samples have a higher accuracy rate than room temperature samples, although the overall agreement was still satisfactory.

This study evaluated how organic manures and mineral fertilizers affect winter wheat grain and straw yields and grain quality properties. The analysed period of the long-term fertilizer experiment was established in Čáslav, Czech Republic, in 1955 and covers the seasons 2011-2014. The fertilizer treatments were: control; farmyard manure (FYM); FYM + P; FYM + K; FYM + PK; FYM + N₁; FYM + N₂; FYM + N₁PK; FYM + N₂PK and FYM + N₃PK. The highest grain yields were recorded in the FYM + P and FYM + N₃PK treatments (8.9 t/ha). The highest straw yields were recorded in the FYM + N₃PK treatment (6.52 t/ha). The lowest yields were provided in the unfertilized control and FYM treatments. Qualitative parameters were evaluated in the control, FYM and FYM + N₃PK treatments between the years 2011 and 2013. The best quality of wheat grain was provided by the FYM + N₃PK treatment. Combination of the farmyard manure with NPK is the best way to achieve high grain yields with good quality and leads to sustainable food production.

The study aimed at the evaluation of the accumulation and vertical distribution of different forms of phosphorus (P) in reference to phosphorus sorption properties subject to mineral (NPK), mineral-organic (NPK + M), and organic (M) fertilisation. It was carried out in a long-term experimental field in Skierniewice (Central Poland) conducted since 1923 under rye monoculture. Total P content in the M and NPK soil profile was similar and lower than in the NPK + M soil. The content of organic P in A_p and E_et horizons of both manured soils was similar and higher than in the NPK soil. The Langmuir P sorption maximum (S_max) in the studied soils ranged from 39.7 to 90 mg P/kg, while the Freundlich P sorption coefficient a_F ranged from 6.9 to 41.9 mg P/kg. Higher variability of parameters related to the binding energy from the Lanqmuir (k) and Freundlich (a_F) equations was determined between soil horizons than between the fertilisation systems. Nonetheless, in M and NPK + M soils, sorption parameters a_F and S_max and binding energy (k, b_F) were considerably lower than in the NPK soil. The content of water extracted P in manured soils was higher than in the NPK soil.

To estimate the long-term performance and the optimal ratio of feldspathic sandstone with sandy soil, experiments with different ratios of feldspathic sandstone to sandy soil (0:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 v/v) was conducted. The physical properties as soil texture, water-stable aggregate (WR0.25) content, and the organic carbon content of the composited soil for 6 years, and corn yield for 9 years were determined. Our results showed that after the addition of feldspathic sandstone: (1) soil texture was notably improved, changing from sand loamy soil (1:2 and 1:5) to sand loam soil (1:1) and silt sand soil (1:1) over planting time; (2) content of water-stable aggregate (WR0.25) significantly increased: WR0.25 of treatments 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 all increased (by 29.26, 31.47 and 11.56%, respectively) compared with that of treatment 0:1; (3) the organic carbon content of the composited soils increased with time in all treatments. After six years of planting, average organic carbon content in treatments 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 were 1.64, 1.51 and 1.77 g/kg, respectively, which were higher than that of 0:1 treatment; and (4) among the three ratios, treatment 1:2 (12 984 kg/ha) had the highest corn yield, followed by treatment 1:1 (12 040 kg/ha) and 1:5 (11 301 kg/ha). In conclusion, with a good performance, 1:2 was the best ratio of feldspathic sandstone to sand in improving the sandy soil structure of the Mu Us Desert, China.

The cones of the giant sequoia contain red, water-soluble crystalline substances known as cone crystals. The inhibitory effect of this extracted material on Norway spruce, Scots pine and European larch germination was newly examined. Sown seed representative samples without and with added cone crystals were compared after their incubation in the same appropriate conditions. All these cases have brought compelling evidence that cone crystals totally inhibit germination. However, the chemically inhibited seeds being rinsed afterwards germinated very well. This switch effect caused by the cone crystals of the three above-mentioned conifers proved to be a nonspecific tool. Seeds of the giant sequoia, naturally affected by the cone crystals, were sown as rinsed and non-rinsed samples. Both the samples, grown on a wet peat substrate in appropriate conditions for 16 weeks, exhibited an equal, yet very low viability of 1.3% at the same time. This low number, fixed in seeds of the tree being far from the ecological optimum, does not allow any disputation with other authors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of deslorelin acetate in the regulation of reproductive activity in captive leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Fourteen healthy adult females were separated into two groups. Under general anaesthesia, deslorelin acetate implants (4.7 mg) or placebo implants were administered into the coelom of ten female geckos and four female geckos, respectively. One healthy adult male Leopard gecko was added to each group of females (five females with GnRH implants and two females with placebo implants). The geckos were regularly monitored over two breeding seasons (visual examination, weight control). Nesting sites were checked daily. There were no postoperative complications or any other health problems during the study. Implant administration did not result in long-term suppression of reproductive function. No significant differences were found in the number of clutches between the female groups (deslorelin implants versus placebo implants) or in the number of clutches between the two breeding seasons. Deslorelin acetate implants did not interfere with ovarian activity in captive female leopard geckos. The use of GnRH agonist implants is not an appropriate method for control of reproductive function in female leopard geckos.

To describe transscleral ultrasonography as a novel alternative approach for visualising the optic nerve sheath and measuring its diameter and to analyse the linear regressions of the optic nerve sheath diameter value with the weights and morphometric measurements of the globe in dogs. Forty healthy dogs admitted for routine sterilisation were examined. Under general anaesthesia, a B-mode ultrasonography with a linear probe (9-18 MHz) was applied transscleral in the dorso-temporal quadrant. The optic nerve sheath diameter was measured 3 mm behind the caudal aspect of the globe. The morphometric measurements, including the axial globe, lens thickness and vitreous chamber, were estimated by two observers using the direct corneal approach. Univariate and multivariate multiple linear regression analyses were performed to explore the associations of the independent predictors with dependent variables. The optic nerve sheath diameter intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses revealed interobserver 0.91 (ICC = 0.83-0.95) and intraobserver 0.93 (ICC = 0.87-0.96) reliability. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the optic nerve sheath diameter was associated with the weight (R² = 0.60, P < 0.0001) but not with the axial globe (P = 0.48), the lens thickness (P = 0.73) or the vitreous chamber (P = 0.99). The findings of this study suggest that transscleral ultrasonography may be a valid alternative approach for the optic nerve visualisation and optic nerve sheath diameter measurements with excellent intra- and interobserver repeatability. The optic nerve sheath diameter was associated with the body weight, but not with the morphometric measurements of the globe.

The comprehensive risk analysis of a business such as farming entails questions on what is at stake, how important is the risk concern and how to deal with it. We performed a sequential mixed method, with the in-depth interviews in the first stage (n = 35), followed by a survey on the Flemish FADN (n = 614) in the second, to investigate the farmers' risk perception, the attitudes towards risk and the perceived usefulness of the risk management strategies. We find that, rather than the short-term volatility in prices, the longer term co-evolution of expenses versus receipts is of a major concern to farmers, next to the land availability and the policy risks. Farmers are shown to be only slightly risk averse, rather risk neutral even. Further, our results suggest that farmers do not consider extensively studied risk management strategies such as contracts, futures and insurances, a valid option for their farm, and put more faith in internal strategies such as the debt management, the liquidity management and diversification. Last, risk management is to a substantial degree performed at the household level, rather than at the farm level, with strategies such as cutting the private expenses and the off-farm employment. These results hardly differ according to the farm and farmer characteristics.

Based on a long-term fertilization experiment on sandy soil, research concerning the effect of variable fertilization on the soil content of silicon extracted by CaCl₂ solution was performed. The content of plant available silicon was evidenced to depend on the applied fertilization and soil properties. Plant silicon supply coefficient varied depending on the fertiliser combination. In the case of potatoes this coefficient was smaller then 1 but for oat was usually higher then one. It suggesting that the amount of available silicon in soil is sufficient to cover the nutritional needs of potatoes but not sufficient for oat.

To assess the response of promising safflower genotypes to late-season drought stress in delayed planting conditions, an experiment was conducted in two years (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) in Iran. The irrigation regime was specified in two levels, including normal irrigation and irrigation cut off in the seed filling stage in main plots, and five safflower genotypes, including Soffe, Goldasht, Golmehr, Padideh, and Parnian were categorized in subplots. Applied drought stress significantly reduced the seed yield and yield components of all genotypes, which accompanied with a substantial decrease in oil content and oil yield of all genotypes. However, the highest seed and oil yield in drought stress conditions obtained in the Parnian genotype by value 2338 and 561 kg/ha, respectively. Moreover, a significant drought-induced increase in palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids, as well as a decrease in linoleic acid content, was observed in all genotypes. Parnian genotype with high unsaturated fatty acids content (90.9%) and the minimum amount of saturated fatty acids (8.7%) might be a promising genotype to starting a formal crop improvement program to achieve more drought-tolerant safflower genotype.

In an environment where fruit production is increasingly affected by unpredictable weather patterns, it is important to look for ways to minimise the impact of climate change on production. Under Central European conditions, a limiting factor for apricot (P. armeniaca L.) and Asian plum (P. salicina Lindley) growing in certain years is the occurrence of late spring frosts. One measure to eliminate their impact is to delay the actual flowering of the trees. This can be done by breeding or just by applying various plant growth regulators (PGRs). In our experiment, the effect of a total of 6 active substances in 16 different concentrations was evaluated. The results show that the application of Ethrel-based mixtures (concentrations of 0.05 and 0.5%) had the greatest influence, delaying flowering by up to 3-5 days, but also had the most destructive effect on tree health. The application of the commercial product Rhodofix (NAA - 0.3%) and the application of a proprietary mixture based on NAA 1.0% did not have a very significant effect, with a delay in flowering of just 2 to 3 days. One interesting finding was that the application of the above products had a statistically significant effect on the ripening date of apricot fruit, with a difference of up to 4 days.

The aim of the submitted work was to analyze the outlook of logging perspectives in the next two decades (2013-2032) for all forests in the territory of the Czech Republic. The analyses made use of the national database of forest management plans and guidelines. For the purpose of these analyses, the forests were divided into commercially exploitable forests and forests commercially exploitable with restrictions. The latter ones included protection forests and the category of special purpose forests, i.e. 31c - forests in the territory of national parks and national nature reserves, and 32a - forests occurring in the first zones of protected landscape areas, and forests occurring in nature preserves and nature monuments. In addition to the potential total volume of timber logging, perspectives were studied separately for coniferous and broadleaved tree species as well as for individual main tree species. The derived model mean annual cut of 15.51 mil. m³ corresponds to the current timber production in the Czech Republic. Results of the analyses indicate that reduced logging of coniferous, namely spruce, timber is to be expected in the next twenty years.

The paper pertains to the issue of quality assurance methods. Particular emphasis is placed upon the examination of hazards and possible product defects in food processing. At present, Polish regulations oblige any food processing entity to implement HACCP system. The system is perceived as a universal vaccine preventing the emergence of possible hazards or reducing the risk to an acceptable level. As far as defects are concerned, these are either disregarded altogether or do not occur at all. Meanwhile, the practice proves the case is not so. The research aspect of the paper revolves around an attempt to transplant solutions primarily applied in the automotive sector onto food processing industry. The practical aspect of the paper is manifested in the analysis of causes behind defects and hazards conducted on the basis of bakery industry. Potential hazards and product defects emerging from the process were identified in the course of the study. In addition, in order to eliminate these, their level was established with the application of various methods.

The following updates have been proposed for the XYZ system for the production of hybrid wheat: The waxy characteristics of the grain were used as a classifying mark. The candidate pollen sterility gene TIP2 was detected in silico based on similarity to known pollen sterility genes in rice. In order to maintain a sterile maternal component, the addition chromosome 7H was proposed, carrying wild-type alleles Waxy-H and TIP2-H. The concept of practical production of the commercial F₁ seed was designed.

After the first record of the banded greenhouse thrips, Hercinothrips femoralis (Reuter, 1891) in Slovakia in 2008, a peculiar occurrence in an extreme subalpine environment of Podbanské (High Tatra Mts.), Slovakia, during the summer of the same year was observed. Since this species of exotic thrips is known to be almost sedentary, the mode of dispersal was hypothesized to be related to passive transport via weather currents. According to our observations of unintentional dispersal a test was conducted to research a previously unidentified introduction pathway of this species. Our preliminary results show that passive transport by humans plays a crucial role in the dispersal of H. femoralis.

Electroretinography (ERG) in the form of full-field, flash ERG is the most commonly used technique in veterinary ophthalmology for diagnosing the functioning of the outer retina. Under light stimulation spatially distributed different cell types within the retina produce time-varying electric responses. These are recorded in the form of ERG traces consisting of a series of positive and negative wavelets. The possibility of selective stimulation of individual types of retinal cells and the analysis of constituent components of ERGs are the basis for determining the source of abnormalities and diagnosis of various types of dysfunction. In many cases, the ERG allows diagnosis of hereditary retinal disorders in dogs before the appearance of behavioural and ophthalmoscopic symptoms. This review is an introduction to the electrophysiology of vision, intended for small animal practitioners, and aimed at presenting the benefits of ERG for early ophthalmic diagnostics in dogs.

The purpose of this research was to find a suitable protocol to enhance frozen rabbit sperm preservation analysing the role that seminal plasma (SP) plays and the effect of different cryoprotectant agents on sperm quality 0 and 2 h after thawing. Sperm samples were pooled and divided in eight fractions. Four of them were diluted with BotuCrio^® (extender A), INRA 96^® plus 6% glycerol (extender B), 6% N, N-dimethylformamide (extender C) and 6% N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (extender D), respectively. The other four fractions were centrifuged and the supernatant was discarded in order to eliminate SP. Each sample was then resuspended with extender A, B, C and D. Samples were cooled progressively, loaded into 0.5 ml freezing straws and frozen with liquid nitrogen vapour. Thawing was performed by placing the straws into a bain-marie at 37°C for 21 s. Straws were dried and sperm samples placed into Eppendorf tubes to be analyzed by ISAS software, vitality test, HOS test and acrosome integrity test. The best motility and velocity parameters were obtained by extender A (P < 0.050) even when the motility parameter was compared with previous studies using other diluents. Additionally, sperm quality decreased over incubation time (P < 0.050) and no differences were found in samples processed with or without SP. This research revealed that BotuCrio^® could be used for rabbit sperm cryopreservation and moreover the improvement of the cryopreservation process of rabbit sperm due to the demonstration that SP removing is not required.

Autologous lamellar corneal grafts were performed on four dogs with two deep corneal ulcers and two corneal perforations to achieve better visual and aesthetic outcomes. The donor corneal graft was harvested from the relatively normal corneal region of the affected eye and used to cover the corneal defect. At the two-year follow-up examination, ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed to confirm the thickness and endothelial continuity of the transplanted grafts and donor site of the cornea. The evaluations revealed that the dogs had healed without incident and that their vision had been maintained. Furthermore, the owners were satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes in all cases. Our findings show that autologous lamellar corneal grafts are useful and effective in treating canine corneal ulcers and perforations.

The resistive index (RI) is an indirect measurement of arterial resistance by means of a ratio between the peak systolic and end diastolic velocities recorded with a spectral Doppler device, especially used to evaluate the vascular damage in ocular diseases such as glaucoma. Some ocular variables such as the intraocular pressure (IOP), the choroidal thickness, the axial length and the ocular blood flow may be influenced by physical exercise. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the exercise on the RI of the medial long posterior ciliary artery in dogs, and correlate the data obtained with the IOP values. Ten clinically healthy dogs were subjected to moderate physical exercise on a canine motorised treadmill at different speeds for 45 minutes. A colour Doppler examination was performed and the RI values were calculated for the medial long posterior ciliary artery at rest, immediately after the exercise, and after 60 minutes at the end of the exercise. At the same times, the IOP was recorded by applanation tonometry. The data were analysed by a two-way repeated ANOVA measurement in order to compare the RI and the IOP. Wilcoxon's test was applied for the post hoc comparison. Spearman's rank correlation for non-normal distribution was used to determine a relationship between the RI and the IOP. The at rest RI was 0.722 +/-0.022, IOP 12.38 +/3.21 mm Hg. A significant decrease in the RI was observed immediately after the exercise (0.697 +/-0.035) and during the passive recovery phase (0.682 +/-0.042). A significant decrease in the IOP (11+/3.39 mmHg) was recorded after 60 min of the passive recovery phase; at the end of the exercise, a slight decrease (12.29+/4.26 mm Hg) mm Hg was detected. During the test, a linear correlation between the RI and the IOP was observed. Our results suggest that exercise induces the modification of the ophthalmic blood flow in dogs, presumably related to the compensatory neuro-hormonal mechanisms.

The paper deals with Czech households' subjective views on food waste. It examines households' attitudes to food waste, including the causes of food waste. The primary data were obtained via a questionnaire survey with 1 582 respondents. The analyses allowed the identification of three categories of Czech households with different attitudes to food waste and its causes. These findings provide a basis for a proper selection of corrective measures aimed at amending or even completely transforming the current behaviour.

The decline of soil organic carbon (SOC) has aggravated salinity-related problems in semi-arid irrigation areas of the Awash river basin, Ethiopia. This study aimed at evaluating the performance of potential remediation crops on saline soil and their effectiveness for remediating soil salinity and improving pH, SOC, bulk density (BD) and hydraulic conductivity (HyCo). Rhodes grass (RHG), alfalfa (ALF), sudangrass (SUG) and blue panicgrass (Retz) (BPG) were grown in saline (3-13.9 dS/m) field plots. The crop biomass was incorporated into the soil immediately before flowering. The results show that at high soil salinity levels, BPG and SUG grew well, with the harvesting frequency of BPG being much higher than for SUG. Conversely, the growth of ALF and RHG was strongly inhibited by high soil salinity. Significant (P < 0.05) reduction of soil salinity levels (-3.2 dS/m) and related ionic concentrations, an increase of SOC (0.8% to 1.6%) and improvement of BD and HyCo were observed in BPG plots. The fast-growing nature of BPG in the hot climate of the experimental area resulted in harvests every three weeks and promoted the incorporation of high amounts of biomass to the soil and efficient soil salinity remediation. At moderately saline conditions, ALF also showed a great potential for salinity reclamation (-1.8 dS/m) and SOC accumulation. The cultivation of fast-growing annual crops proved an efficient and low-cost strategy for soil salinity mitigation and the reclamation of salinity-associated soil degradation in irrigation agriculture in Ethiopia.