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The fall of the communist system in Central Europe was followed by dynamic social and economic change that also had its clear impact on the food sector. One of the key factors shaping the contemporary condition of the agricultural sector in region has been change of ownership, with the collapse of the nationalised sector and restitution of property to former owners. The work presented here considers the main directions of changes and assessment of selected economic processes ongoing in the farming sector over the last quarter-century throughout the region under consideration. This analysis may be further broken down in relation to the three suggested phases of change, i.e. transformation, integration and polarisation. The work took in five countries of the former Eastern Bloc, i.e. the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

The power requirement of tillage implements is an important design consideration particularly for animal-drawn implements where the power is limited. The paper presents the possibility of reduction in the draught requirements of animal-drawn mouldboard plough by using enamel coating on the soil-engaged components such as the mouldboard, share and the landside. Trials were conducted to compare enamel-coated Maun Series single mouldboard plough (manufactured by Zimplow Limited, Bulawayo,Zimbabwe) with similar uncoated plough, both animal-drawn, under comparable working conditions. Experiments were done at 25% and 32% d.b. soil moisture content on a red clay soil inZimbabwe. The parameters measured in evaluating the draught performance of both ploughs were the tractive effort (pull), speed of ploughing, depth and width of ploughing, and soil conditions (i.e. soil moisture content, soil bulk density and soil penetration resistance). It was found that for similar working conditions the enamel coating reduced the specific draught by 20 to 26% depending upon soil moisture content.

Mixolab has been used for rapid assessment of common wheat quality, but data about hulled wheats quality are rare. The aim of this work was to test the potential of Mixolab II in the baking quality evaluation of emmer wheat varieties. The varieties were characterised by low both - gluten content (1.7-11.0%) and Zeleny sedimentation (11.3-12.8 ml), as well as rheological properties showed lower baking quality. Significant differences in protein and starch-amylase part of Mixolab curve indicate the genotype and climatic effect. In average, emmer varieties were characterised by high protein weakening (C2 - 0.29 Nm), speed of protein weakening at the level of α = -0.05 Nm/min, starch gelatinisation (C3 - 1.61 Nm), amylolytic activity (C4 - 1.35 Nm) and starch retrogradation (C5 - 1.98 Nm). Zeleny test positively correlated with difference C1-C2 and slope α. Falling number positively correlated with C3, C4, C5 and slope γ. Farinograph dough stability, gluten content together with Mixolab parameter C2 are the most promising characteristics to predict baking quality of emmer.

The effect of an abiotic stress caused by cadmium on the total flavonoid content in roots, shoots and leaf blades of spring barley variety Kompakt grown in a climate-control room for 28 days was investigated. Total flavonoid content (F) was determined spectrophotometrically with sodium nitrite, Cd content by atomic absorption spectrometry. Treatment of barley plants with Cd (1.10^-6 mol/l) in nutrition solution caused the decrease of F in the all parts of the plant. The relatively highest decrease was found in the roots (from 20.0 to 3.05 g/kg dry matter), lesser decrease in the shoots (from 24.2 to 9.33 g/kg dry matter) and the leaf blades (from 58.3 to 27.3 g/kg dry matter). Statistically significant decrease (at least p < 0.05) of F and increase of Cd contents in all the investigated parts of the plant was found. Statistically significant differences of F and Cd contents among barley roots, shoots, and leaf blades were found.

Genetic and economic responses to genetic gain were evaluated for these breeding arrangements: single use of bulls under testing; single and repeated use of proved bulls for two years and for three years (in combination with selection intensity 1%, 5% or 10% of the best bulls for the use of proved bulls); negative selection of cows in the herd - 10%, 20% or 30% of animals are discarded from reproduction and the animals are left in the herd and used for breeding by beef bulls; negative selection of first-calvers in the herd - 10%, 20% or 25% of animals are discarded for slaughter; discarding of heifers and purchase of animals with higher breeding value, and embryo transfer - a group of selected recipients accounts for 10%, 20% or 30% of the cows with lover breeding value in the dairy herds. Simulations for single use of breeding arrangements and their consequences over a fifty-year period were carried out for the above models using the gene flow method. Only minimum changes will occur since the 25^th year of observation. A comparison of the particular models showed the highest gain of proved bulls selected from 1% of the best bulls whose cumulative genetic gain was 41.558 kg of milk proteins on average per cow for the whole observed period. Single use of bulls under testing in the herd resulted in the second highest cumulative genetic gain. Use of proved bulls selected with lower selection intensity (5% or 10%) had worse results. Culling of cows and discarding of first-calvers for slaughter led to lower genetic and economic contribution. The gain of embryo transfer was also lower; moreover, it is not economically advantageous for its very high costs, so it should not be used in production herds generally. High genetic and economic gain was recorded for replacement of all heifers by animals with higher breeding value from other populations.

Rooted leaves and cotyledons of various cruciferous crops were used for the screening of Brassica germplasm response to two obligatory pathogens: clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) and downy mildew (Hyalope-ronospora parasitica). The development of roots was induced after 20-hour dipping of leaf pedicels in the mixture of growth regulators: indolyl-butyric acid (10 mg/l) and nicotinic acid (5 mg/l). The detached rooted leaves and cotyledons were maintained in 250ml plastic containers with perlite under fluorescent tubes in a growth chamber. With additional foliar fertilizing they remain vital for four months, producing clubroot galls on roots when dip-inoculated with Plasmodiophora spores and sporulating mycelia of downy mildew on leaves after drop inoculation with Hyaloperonospora parasitica. The possibilities of enhancing the sensitivity of this alternative assay in combination with immunochemical methods are discussed.

This study was conducted to evaluate the mineral status of various bovine categories reared on the same farm, and to monitor the quality of their mineral nutrition in this way. Blood samples were collected on 20 farms in various regions of the CzechRepublicto diagnose the selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) status of dairy cows, calves, heifers and bulls. Blood samples were collected from 5 dairy cows and their calves, 5 heifers and, whenever possible, also from 5 bullocks (10 farms). To assess the Cu and Zn status of the cattle, blood serum concentrations of the elements were determined by flame AAS. The Se status assessment was based on the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in whole blood. Dairy cows and calves showed the higher GSH-Px activity in comparison with heifers and bulls (P < 0.001). Overall mean GSH-Px activity in the blood of dairy cows, calves, heifers and bulls was 720.47 ± 174.47 µkat/l, 688.34 ± 204.12 µkat/l, 555.69 ± 318.36 µkat/l and 516.17 ± 214.70 µkat/l, respectively. Se deficiency was diagnosed in 23% of the examined dairy cows (20% herds), 31% calves (25% herds), 51% heifers (50% herds) and in 58% of bulls (50% herds). Dairy cows showed lower Zn and higher Cu concentrations in comparison with the other categories (P < 0.001). Mean Zn concentrations in blood serum of dairy cows, calves, heifers and bulls were 12.21 ± 3.19 µmol/l, 18.91 ± 5.78 µmol/l, 17.80 ± 2.76 µmol/l and 16.69 ± 3.08 µmol/l, respectively. Zn deficiency was diagnosed in 41% of the examined dairy cows (45% herds) and 13% of bulls (10% herds). None of the calf or heifer herds was classified as Zn deficient when Zn deficiency was found in only 9% of calves and 1% of the examined heifers. Mean Cu concentrations in blood serum of dairy cows, calves, heifers and bulls were 13.62 ± 2.62 µmol/l, 10.18 ± 3.22 µmol/l, 10.96 ± 2.52 µmol/l and 11.18 ± 2.40 µmol/l, respectively. Cu deficiency was diagnosed in 28% of the examined dairy cows (20% herds), 70% of calves (80% herds), 65% of heifers (75% herds) and 70% of bulls (60% herds). Deficiency of at least one of the microelements monitored was diagnosed on all investigated farms.

The influence of mycorrhizal fungi on field pea green mass yield, dry matter yield, grain yield, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, average number of plants per m², grain concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were studied in the greenhouse during two investigative years. The best results with all parameters were obtained in both investigative years by seed inoculation with the mycorrhizal species G. mossae. The exceptions were mean green mass yield, dry matter yield and the number of grains per pod in the second investigation year (irrigation rate - 240 mm/m²) where better results were achieved by seed inoculation with species G. intraradices. The highest green mass yield obtained by seed inoculation with mycorrhizal species Glomus mossae was 671.45 g/m², dry matter yield 59.40 g/m², grain yield 346.20 g/m² whereas grain nitrogen concentration was 4.08%. Far better results of all yield and quality indicators of this plant compared to non-mychorrized variants were accomplished by mycorrized variants in water lacking conditions.

The procedure of processing and utilising the soil information entering the SOTER system is tested on the pilot area of the Litoměřice district. The reliability of the archive data is examined, the archive data being updated by a new soil survey, modern (geo)statistical methods, and pedotransfer rules. Using the SOTER methodology, a soil map of the district with the scale of 1:50 000 has been developed. Proposals for the adjustments to the currently valid soil classification system are processed.

The assay conditions needed to achieve maximal activity of liver and kidney arginase in diabetic and non-diabetic rats were investigated and compared. The physicochemical and kinetic properties of liver arginase in diabetic and control rats were very similar, those of kidney arginase were significantly different. It was found that preincubation temperature (68°C), preincubation period (20 min), optimum pH (10.1) of liver arginase and K_m (3.2) for its substrate, L-arginine, did not change in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. As a consequence of diabetes, the optimum Mn²⁺ concentration for liver arginase only changed from 1 to 2 mM. Although the preincubation temperature and period for activation of kidney arginase in control rats was unnecessary, they were found to be 56ºC and 12 min in diabetic rats. The pH profile of arginase in kidney of diabetic rats was different from that of control rats. The K_m value (6.7) of arginase for L-arginine in kidney is unchanged in diabetes whereas a marked decrease in V_max was found. Optimum Mn²⁺ concentration (2 mM) for kidney arginase was unchanged in diabetes. The activity of arginase in liver of diabetic animals was higher 1.5 to 1.7 times than that of controls. Diabetes caused an about 53% decrease of arginase activity in kidney of female rats, 26% in that of males. These findings may suggest an idea that encoded arginases by separate gene loci may be affected differently by the pathological and hormonal status.

Methylated EGCG was separated from the crude extract using Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography with methanol as the mobile phase, and a semi-preparative HPLC method with water-dimethylformamide-methanol-acetic acid (157:40:2:1, v/v/v/v) as the mobile phase. The chemical structure of the separated catechin was confirmed by ESI-MS in the negative-ion mode. Three different mobile phases were used for silica gel and reversed phase TLC of EGCG and methylated EGCG. R_f values of both catechins were calculated and are reported. In the normal phase, the best condition of separation was with chloroform-methanol-water (65:35:10; v/v/v; lower phase) being used as the mobile phase. On octadodecylsilanised silica gel plates, the phase water-acetonitrile-methanol-acetic acid (79.5:18:2:0.5; v/v/v/v) offered the best separation of catechins.

Whole grain wheat flour (WG) of three different particles sizes (194.9, 609.4, and 830.0 µm) was prepared by milling whole grain. The effect of particle size on the thermo-mechanical properties of flour was investigated using Mixolab equipment and solvent retention capacity (SRC). The results showed that particle size influences the functionality of the gluten network. The SRC test revealed that the water absorption increased from 77.43% to 85.76%, with decrease in particle size. The C2 (protein weakening) values were correlated with the values for water absorption in the SRC and wet gluten test, respectively. The degree of gelatinization of starch (C3) showed that the presence of the fibers in the WG samples limited the availability of water to the starch, and this effect was especially true for flour with smaller particle size. In summary, the Mixolab equipment allowed a better understanding of the functionality of WG with regard to the behavior of protein properties. WG with coarse particles demonstrated a greater impact on the gluten network, indicating a negative effect on the baking quality.

The goal of the trial was to reduce the content of antinutritional substances in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds in order to enhance its use in livestock nutrition. A variety of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) with a high content of antinutritional substances and favourable production traits (Gotik) was chosen. Native and heat-treated pea seeds were used to collect representative samples (n = 6) for analytical purposes. The technology (V-0 technology, Czech patent No. 285745) was further modified by adjusting the reactor temperature, the duration of exposure to that temperature, and the duration of ageing of the material treated in this way (V-I and V-II technologies). The methodology of treatment is based on exposing pea seeds to vapour, organic acids and selected oxides.The monitored parameters included antinutritional substances. As far as the antinutritional substances were concerned, the content of trypsin inhibitors in native pea seeds (P) was around 15.4 ± 0.5 TIU. After treatment with technologies V-0, V-I, and V-II its activity dropped by 83.8, 80.5 and 83.8%, respectively. The pre-treatment titre of lectins (P) was 717 ± 376. It dropped by 70.3, 35.7 and 73.2% after treatment with technologies V-0, V-I and V-II, respectively. The content of tannins measured by the amount of gallic acid in native pea seeds was 49.1 ± 2.7 mg per kg. It dropped by 41.4, 32.0 and 46.2% after the application of the above-mentioned technologies. The content of indigestible oligosaccharides causing flatulence was less affected by the treatments. The pre-treatment content of raffinose was 9.5 ± 0.5 g/kg. The drop associated with the treatment was 9.5, 6.3 and 10.5%, respectively. The pre-treatment content of stachyose was 21.4 ± 0.8 g/kg and after treatment with technologies V-0 and V-II it dropped by 7.0% and by 16.4%, respectively. The application of technology V-I did not result in a drop in the content of stachyose. The content of verbascose in native pea seeds was 16.1 g/kgand the treatment with technologies V-0; V-I and V-II resulted in a drop by 7.5, 5.6 and 20.5%, respectively. As for the detected phenolic acids, with the exception of caffeic acid, not a drop, but an increase in their content was recorded. Isoflavone oestrogens such as daidzein and genistein also recorded a small increase in their content. The results of the trial lead us to conclude that the above-described methods of pea seed treatment, especially the V-II variant, proved to be useful and can be recommended for practical use.

The aim of the study was to compare parameters of passage of nylon capsules and digesta represented by Cr-labelled maize silage through the digestive tract of dairy cows. The capsules were made of nylon cloth (42 µm pore size, 10 mm outside diameter) and applied orally. The evaluation was carried out in dairy cows with milk yield of 19.0 kg/day. The diet (17.6 kg DM/day) consisted of maize silage, lucerne hay and concentrate. Total mean retention time (TMRT), delay time (τ), summarised compartmental mean retention time (CMRTS), and mean individual compartmental retention times (CMRT1 and CMRT2) were calculated. TMRT, τ, CMRTS, CMRT1 and CMRT2 values of nylon capsules and Cr-labelled silage were 36.2 and 45.4 h (P < 0.01), 16.2 and 8.3 h (P < 0.01), 20.1 and 37.2 h (P < 0.01), 7.8 and 8.5 h, 12.2 and 28.7 h (P < 0.05), respectively. The calculated mean retention time of nylon capsules in the reticulo-rumen (CMRTS) was shorter and in the intestines (τ) was longer than that of digesta. For this reason the estimation of digestibility using the nylon capsule method can be questionable.

The paper summarizes the results of long-term measurements of soil temperature. The measurements were performed at two depths: 5 cm and 20 cm, on a series of five experimental plots with different stocking. The temperature of soil in the submontane beech forest at the Ecological Experimental Site (EES) Kremnické vrchy Mts. reached maximum values in August, minimum ones in February. The obtained data were processed using t-test and regression analysis - to evaluate the influence of soil temperature at the discussed soil depths on the biomass production in plants. An important influence of this factor was confirmed at both depths.

Changes in the zinc content in the meadow sward were studied in a long-term fertiliser experiment set up on a mountain meadow (20°54'E, 49°24'N) in 1968. The experiment is localized at 720 meters above sea level on the soil which belongs to Dystric Cambisols and comprises 8 fertiliser treatments in two series: 0Ca and + Ca (Table 1). In the course of the experiment the Zn content in the sward decreased and the time factor was of greater consequence than fertilization, P content in the sward or soil and acidification. In mountain meadow communities shaped by a long-term (over 30 years) NPK treatment and at yields between 6.7 and 7.1 t/ha the annual quantity of absorbed Zn ranged between 233 and 256 g Zn/ha dry weight. During the experimental period the biggest amount of Zn removed with the sward yield exceeded 500 g Zn/ha annually. In the limed series at slightly bigger yields the quantity of Zn removed with the yield was over 10% lower in objects receiving NPK fertilization than on the same treatments in the unlimed series. Liming is able to reduce soil Zn abundance.

It was confirmed in metabolic experiments with 4 individuals of roe deer (2 males and 2 females with the live weight of 20.8 and 17.9 kg, respectively) that due to the animals' selective choice of a part of feeds there was no significant difference in the intake of lucerne hay of different quality and high-quality meadow hay (515.86 ± 66.97 and 597.82 ± 94.87 g, respectively). However, different quality of lucerne hay influenced the animals' intake of crude protein and crude fibre. When the animals were fed meadow hay, they took in significantly less crude protein and fibre and significantly more nitrogen-free extract, fat and ash. Digestibility of crude protein was observed to be significantly decreased in hay of lower quality (by 10.1%). Digestibility coefficients for crude protein, crude fibre, organic matter and fat were significantly lower in grass hay compared to lucerne hay. Based on the coefficients of nutrient digestibility it can be stated that meadow hay, even if of excellent quality, is not a suitable supplement for the roe deer.

The principal importance and global dimension of sustainable agriculture in frame of a strategy of civilization development is beyond discussion. The actual character of the topic of looking for ways to sustainable development is confirmed by the extensive worldwide program "Millennium Ecosystem Assessment" the purpose of which is to map and subsequently monitor the health of the planet Earth. The contribution is focused on various aspects of the non-substitutable role of agriculture regarding sustainable development on the level of developing and developed countries and on the regional and global level.

Four conservation methods were compared on grassland unused for 30 years: 1. control (unused grassland); 2. one cut, herbage mass was spread for mulch; 3. one cut, herbage mass was removed; 4. two cuts, herbage mass were removed. Experiments were carried out during 1996-2000 at the Kaltinenai Research Station of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture in a hilly region of the Zemaiciai Uplands of West Lithuania, on a hilltop and hill slope. During the experimental period an increase in the number of shoots of each botanical group (grasses, legumes and forbs) were identified in all treatments. The highest increase in the total number of grass shoots was characteristic of the controlled treatment on both parts of the hill. At the end of the conservation period, 38 herb species were identified in the trial. Treatments 1 and 2 were richer in floristic diversity (27-33 species) compared with treatments 3 and 4 (20-25 species). The treatments on the hill slope had a more diverse species composition than those on the hilltop. During the grassland conservation period the content of legumes in the herbage mass increased from 0 to 27.7% in the swards where cut herbage was removed.

In the paper yield of dry matter and some morphological features of four fast growing willow coppice genotypes harvested in one, two, three and four years harvesting cycles are presented. In the experiment an average yield amounted to 16.79 t/ha/year. The highest yield was recorded for Salix viminalis × S. viminalis lanceolata (22.89 t/ha/year). Genotype Salix triandra gave a yield lower by factor 3 compared to Salix viminalis × S. viminalis lanceolata. For the following genotypes: Salix viminalis × S. viminalis lanceolata, Salix viminalis var. gigantea and Salix viminalis var. regalis it was found the yield increased as harvesting cycle increased from one to four years while the opposite was found for genotype Salix triandra. It can indicate that Salix triandra is not suitable for intensive growing on arable lands, especially in two, three or four years harvest cycles. Mean plant height amounted to 4.63 m and stem diameter 20.48 mm. The tallest plants (769 cm) with the thickest stem (diameter of 37.43 mm) were found for genotype Salix viminalis × S. viminalis lanceolata harvested quadrennially. At harvest water content amounted to 49.87% and the highest value was found for the shortest harvesting annually.

The aim of this project was to determine the antimicrobial activity of honeys produced in the Czech Republic to some bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli). Another aim was to find out whether there are correlations between the antimicrobial activity of honeys and their physicochemical parameters. All honeys included in the study were directly obtained from beekeepers in Southern and Northern Moravia from the summer load of 2001. The project contains 20 honeys which were determined according to their conductivity as blossom (6), blends (10) and honeydew (4). The determination of physical and chemical parameters such as content of water, conductivity, pH, water activity, invertase and diastase activities was carried out in accordance with the methods described in Harmonised methods of the European Honey Commission. The determination of the antimicrobial activity of honey was done by the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) method. Statistically significant relations between the antimicrobial activity and the conductivity of honey (P < 0.05), the diastase (P < 0.05) and invertase (P < 0.001) activities were found out in the observed physicochemical parameters. The study proved that honey produced in the Czech Republic is antimicrobially effective with the highest effect in honeydew honeys (P < 0.01).

This paper brings data on ultrafiltration on inorganic membranes (MEMBRALOX, France, mean pore size 20 and 100 nm, 0.8 m long, filtration area 0.2 m²), which were used for the purification of different liquid materials from the food industry; in particular egg blend, amaranth starch suspension, and caramel (i.e. natural colorant). The ultrafiltration was carried out on a pilot plant filtration unit TIA (Bollene, France), cross-flow permeate fluxes being measured at first. Using the experimental data, mathematical models describing membrane fouling were suggested. The obtained permeate steady-state fluxes (40 l/h/m² for amaranth starch solution, 20 l/h/m² for egg blend and 5-30 l/h/m² for caramel) depended partially on the filtration temperature (15-17°C for egg blend, 40°C for amaranth, and 50-70°C for caramel) but mostly on the character of the medium filtered.

Maize (Zea mays) is an economic crop suitable for use in phytoremediation in low to moderately cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils due to its ability to accumulate high concentration of Cd in parts of maize that are not used in human diet. The aim of this study was to test Cd content in nine female parents of the commercial maize hybrids (C1 = ♀2-48; C2 = ♀1767/99; C3 = ♀87-24; C4 = ♀135-88, C5 = ♀84-28; C6 = ♀84-44; C7 = ♀438-95; C8 = ♀30-8; C9 = ♀B-73) grown under field conditions in two soils (B1: eutric cambisol, B2: stagnosol) during three growing seasons (A1: 2006, A2: 2007, A3: 2008). The stationary trial was conducted in four replicates. The ear-leaves at flowering and grain at maturity were taken for chemical analysis. The average quantities of leaf-Cd were 0.081, 0.088 and 0.143 mg per kg of dry matter for A1, A2 and A3, 0.089 and 0.118, for B1 and B2, respectively. Grain-Cd was below the threshold (< 0.02 mg/kg). Five Cd-inefficient genotypes (C3, C5, C6, C7 and C9) had low leaf-Cd (average 0.049 mg/kg), while this content was about 6-times higher (average 0.299 mg/kg) in Cd-efficient genotype C4. The yield among the years ranged from 2.36 to 4.31 t/ha. Maize grown on B2 had about 26% lower yield than on B1. Five genotypes (C1, C2, C8 and C9) achieved yields less than 3.50 t/ha (mean 3.15 t/ha), while in two genotypes (C3 and C5) yields were above 4.00 t/ha (mean 4.14 t/ha). Very strong correlations (r) of leaf-Cd status among years (ranged from 0.52 to 0.77) confirmed high genetic effect on the capability of Cd accumulation in maize. However, correlations between Cd content and yield were low (ranged from -0.17 to 0.06). Cd-efficient C4 female parent could be used for development of maize hybrids suitable for phytoremediation, while Cd-inefficient female parents for hybrids could be suitable as forage maize crop contributing to the lower Cd input into food chain.

The correlations between longevity, functional longevity, stayability and selected milk, reproductive and type traits were estimated; it was done on the basis of estimated breeding values for longevity, functional longevity, dairy traits, reproductive traits and stayability rates at the age of 60, 72, 84, and 96 months. The correlation between breeding values for longevity and functional longevity was 0.69. The correlations between longevity and stayability at 60, 72, 84, and 96 months of age were around 0.75 (from 0.73 to 0.76) whereas the correlation with stayability at 48 months was considerably lower (0.64). The breeding values for dairy traits showed a positive relationship with longevity (from 0.37 to 0.46) and a slightly negative correlation with breeding values for functional longevity (from -0.10 to -0.20). A low relationship was found between longevity and reproductive traits. Between the type traits and longevity traits only the conformation score for the form (0.18) and for the udder showed a positive correlation (0.24). The correlation between the form and functional longevity remained approximately on the same level whereas the correlation with the main udder score decreased to 0.08, which indicated a positive relationship between milk traits and udder scores.

In rabbits, growth and carcass traits are important for the breeding programme. An increasing number of annotated polymorphisms demands validation of their influence on those traits before they can be implemented in breeding practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate GH c.-78C>T, GHR c.106G>C polymorphisms in the population of Belgian Giant Grey, Termond White, and a crossbreed between New Zealand White and Belgian Giant Grey (NZW × BGG) rabbits. In total 379 animals were genotyped and association analyses with growth traits and carcass traits were conducted. Our results demonstrated that GH c.-78C>T showed an association with growth weight in Belgian Grey and NZW × BGG rabbits. Meat weight in intermediate and hind parts for GH c.-78C>T statistically differed between Belgian Giant Grey and crossbred rabbits. GHR c.106G>C showed an association with meat weight in the intermediate part and dressing percentage in Termond White. TT/CC haplotype in Belgian Giant Grey had significantly higher meat weight in hind part, while in crossbred rabbits CC/CC haplotype was characterised by the lowest meat weight in intermediate and hind parts. Results from our study confirm that GH c.-78C>T, GHR c.106G>C polymorphisms constitute good molecular markers for growth and carcass traits.

The efficiency of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) and fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges with or without PGF_2α (cloprostenol) for synchronizing estrous in non-lactating does was investigated during the natural breeding season. Does were treated for 11 days with 60 mg MAP (n = 38) or 40 mg FGA (n = 32) sponges. All does also received intramuscular injections of 500 IU PMSG. In addition, 19 and 14 of the does synchronized with MAP and FGA respectively, were injected with 125 μg cloprostenol and the remaining does from both groups were injected with 1.5 ml of sterile saline solution, 48 h prior the sponge removal. Cervical artificial insemination (AI) with diluted fresh semen was performed at a fixed time (36 and 48 h) following progestagen withdrawal. The different groups estrous response for the first 12 ± 6 h and within 66 h, time to onset and duration of the induced estrous, and pregnancy rate was found to be 52.6%, 92.9%, 20.6 ± 0.8 h, 29.7 ± 1.3 h, and 70.0%, respectively. There were significant differences between groups FGA/PMSG/PGF_2α and MAP/PMSG in terms of the duration of induced estrous (P < 0.05) and between groups FGA/PMSG/PGF_2α and FGA/PMSG in terms of estrous response at the first 12 ± 6 h (P < 0.05). These results indicate that, the use of MAP/PMSG and FGA/PMSG intravaginal progestagen treatments with or without cloprostenol are equally efficient in synchronizing estrous in non-lactating hair goats during the natural breeding season.

The field pea is very important when it comes to the nutrition of domestic animals, due to a high content of proteins in its grains and aboveground biomass. The aim of this study was to examine genetic variability in quantitative traits of newly created field pea hybrids. The researchers studied two cultivars, one line and their F₃ and F₄ hybrids. The following quantitative traits were analysed: number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, 1000 seed weight and grain yield. The largest number of pods per plant was recorded for the Baccara × L-CC line hybrid, with a statistically significantly larger (P < 0.01) number of pods per plant than all the other investigated genotypes, lines and hybrids. L-CC line × Baccara, and Saša × L-CC line had a significantly larger (P < 0.05) number of grains per pod. The smallest number of grains per pod was recorded for the Saša and Baccara × Saša hybrid. The genotype vs. year interaction had a significant (P < 0.05) influence on 1000 seed weight. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) 1000 seed weight was recorded for the Baccara genotype, when compared with all other investigated genotypes, lines and hybrids. The lowest 1000 seed weight was recorded for the L-CC line. The genotype × year interaction had a significant influence on the seed yield of field pea. During this research, high seed yields were achieved by the Baccara genotype and Baccara × L-CC line and Baccara × Saša hybrids.

The development of fish assemblage in a restored river backwater (Kurfürst backwater, Morava River, Czech Republic) was monitored over a six-year period from its restoration. The structure of fish assemblage remained similar throughout the years. Species richness of adult fish increased from twelve species during the restoration to 20 after it. Initially steady fish abundance (mean 52.3-98.1 inds/ha) and biomass (mean 5.8-7.6 kg/ha) increased significantly in 1999 five years after restoration (576.9 inds/ha and 23.3 kg/ha, respectively). The main resident species were pike Esox lucius, roach Rutilus rutilus, rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus and perch Perca fluviatilis. High abundance of bleak Alburnus alburnus and chub Leuciscus cephalus was related to their spring spawning period. The structure of the 0+ fish assemblage was similar throughout the years, with chub and bleak prevailing during the restoration, and roach, chub and rudd after it. The number of 0+ species increased from seven to 17. The monitoring documented that the restoration could be considered as beneficial for the fish assemblage. Habitat development of the backwater is likely to influence its current value as a refuge, spawning site and nursery for local fish populations.

The aim of this study was to examine the changes of nutritional and sensory quality of sprouted alfalfa seed treated by high pressure, that take place during storage. Along with this, microbiological safety was also observed. Sprouted alfalfa seed in citric acid pickle, packed in transparent laminated bags PA/PE 80, was treated with 500 MPa high pressure for 10 minutes. The processed seed in bags was stored in a refrigerator for 21 days. The bags were sampled in regular intervals to perform analyses. The changes in the contents of vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid were observed during storage. The same samples were also checked for microbiological safety and sensory quality. Vitamin C showed a significant decrease during storage. The content of vitamin C fell markedly after high pressure treatment (by 77%) and further decreased by 10-20% during storage. The values of riboflavin content did not change very much as a consequence of pressurisation or the storage period. The contents of niacin and pantothenic acid kept decreasing until the 3^rd day of storage by some 60% in total and then remained unchanged. Sensory descriptors indicated quality decrease. High pressure treatment damaged the tissues of sprouted alfalfa seed which subsequently manifested itself particularly in the deterioration of appearance and texture quality. An additional overall impairment of the seed appearance and texture occurred during its storage. Microbiological safety of sprouted alfalfa seed was preserved throughout the storage time.

Marine shellfish toxins are seafood safety problems of global concern. Herein the analysis of six shellfish toxins, regulated by European Union, with one single run by LC-MS/MS with acidic mobile phase was developed. After 80% methanol extraction of the shellfish toxins, the crude extract was subjected to HLB SPE cleanup before LC-MS/MS analysis. The method was validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. For azaspiracid-1 (AZA1), domoic acid (DA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1), okadaic acid (OA), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), and yessotoxin (YTX) toxins the recovery rate was 99.4, 92.7, 114.1, 90.2, 115.2 and 87.8%, respectively. The intra-day relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 5% for all of the shellfish toxins except DA. The inter-day RSD was less than 5% for AZA1, DTX1, PTX2, YTX, 7.85% for DA, and 14.63% for OA. The decision limit (CC_α) and detection capability (CC_β) for AZA1 were 13.6 and 14.8 ppb; for DA they were 1883 and 2051 ppb; DTX1 12.3 and 13.4 ppb; OA 8.0 and 8.7 ppb; PTX2 12.1 and 13.2 ppb; YTX 36.9 and 40.1 ppb.