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Hepatitis A and E viruses (HAV and HEV) are recognised as food- and water-borne infections and shellfish are a well-documented source of these viruses. The presence of HAV and HEV in mussels has not previously been investigated in Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkey, and therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of HAV and HEV in mussels collected from this location. A total of 92 pooled samples representing 736 mussels originating along the Bosphorus coast were collected from fish distributors. RNA was extracted using the RNeasy Plant Mini Kit and a TaqMan real-time RT-PCR was performed using primers specific to HAV and HEV. Amongst the 92 pooled samples tested, 3 (3.3%) were found to be positive for HAV by the TaqMan real-time RT-PCR. No HEV was detected in any of the mussels tested. A 174 bp product was observed on gel electrophoresis with HAV positive samples detected by SYBR Green real-time PCR after reverse transcription. This product was sequenced and confirmed to contain HAV sequences by alignment using the data in GenBank. This is the first report describing the presence of HAV in mussels harvested in the Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkey, indicating the potential contamination of aquatic environment and risk to public health.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a genuine opportunistic pathogen of the skin, especially in canids. However, characterisation of virulence, antimicrobial resistance and genotypic variability in methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius isolates has not been fully explored. In this study, coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates collected from dogs of various breeds and ages suffering from dermatitis (n = 70), pyoderma (n = 7), and otitis (n = 7), from districts of Prague (Czech Republic) and surrounding areas, were characterised using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting. Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was determined, virulence factor genes for leukocidin (lukSF-I), exfoliatins (exi, expB, and siet), enterotoxin C (sec_canine) and enterotoxin-related genes (se-int and sel) were detected using multiplex PCR and the genotypes of S. pseudintermedius isolates were determined using SmaI macrorestriction analysis. The majority of the staphylococcal isolates (n = 84) were identified as S. pseudintermedius (n = 79) and all of them were susceptible to methicillin/oxacillin (MSSP). About half of the strains (n = 41) were resistant to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B antimicrobial agents and resistance was mediated in all but one of the strains by the erm(B) gene. The genes for lukSF-I, siet, se-int, and sel were detected in the majority of the MSSP strains (96.2%, 100%, 100%, and 73.4%, respectively). Investigated canine S. pseudintermedius isolates were highly heterogeneous, which prevented the correlation of any specific lineage to a particular infection, dog breed, or region of origin.

A 7-year-old intact male Rottweiler dog was evaluated for recurrent dysphagia and regurgitation. Physical examination was unremarkable and routine blood works were within normal limits. Computed tomography revealed a defined lesion in the caudal mediastinum arising from the oesophagus. The lesion was excised using intercostal thoracotomy and the histological diagnosis was oesophageal duplication cyst. The dog recovered uneventfully and at a 3-year follow-up no clinical signs were reported. Although extremely rare, oesophageal duplication cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of chronic regurgitation and dysphagia associated with evidence of an oesophageal lesion.

While it is known that heat treatment of cereal grains generally improves the nutritional value for ruminants, simultaneous information on rumen degradability and intestinal digestibility of the rumen by-pass is scarce, especially for non-starch constituents. The effect of steam flaking at 90°C for 30 min on protein quality of maize, wheat, and barley was studied. In addition to proximal chemical analyses, protein rumen degradability was determined in vitro and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein was determined using the mobile bag method. No significant effects of steam flaking on chemical composition of cereal grains (crude protein, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and starch) were observed. The protein fractions that are relevant to rumen degradability were significantly influenced by the steam flaking: the non-protein nitrogen fraction (A) was reduced (P < 0.05) by 43-93% for all three cereal grains, whereas the fraction that represents true soluble protein (B1) was reduced (P < 0.05) for wheat grains (by 77%) and barley (by 93%). Although the difference was not significant, a decrease of 41% for B1 fraction was also observed for maize. On the other hand, steam flaking markedly increased buffer insoluble but neutral detergent soluble protein fraction (B2) by 15-25% for all three cereal grains, whereas effects on B3 fraction were not significant. Steam flaking was also associated with an increase of the rumen undegradable protein fraction (C) in the case of barley, from 6.6 to 11.1% of total N (P < 0.05) and wheat, from 5.2 to 8.4% of the total N (P < 0.05). Overall, the changes of the protein fractions led to a considerable increase of the rumen undegradable protein (RUP) for all steam-flaked cereal grains (P < 0.05). Steam flaking also increased (P < 0.05) intestinal digestibility of RUP of the cereal grains (by 3.6-34.8%), leading to a more efficient protein use in ruminants.

A five-year (2010-2015) field experiment was conducted to investigate warming impacts on organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) contents and their ratios in bulk soil and soil water-stable aggregates in an alpine meadow of the Tibetan Plateau. Compared with unwarmed control, warming had no significant effects on OC, TN and TP contents and their ratios in bulk soil. The contents of OC, TN and TP associated with macroaggregates and microaggregates decreased, whereas those associated with silt + clay fractions significantly increased. The C:N and C:P ratios in macro- and microaggregates and silt + clay fractions decreased, with significant differences for C:P ratio in microaggregates and C:N and C:P ratios in silt + clay fractions. The results indicated that C, N and P were protected chemically in silt- and clay-size fractions under warming, which offset the loss of C, N and P protected physically by macro- and microaggregates. Both physically and chemically protected C decomposition proceeded relatively more rapidly or accumulated relatively more slowly than did N and P. Our results suggest that C, N and P distributions within soil aggregate size fractions influence their net changes in bulk soil under future climate change scenarios.

Cattle slurry is commonly used to fertilize grasslands, so its impact on plant composition and herbage properties is important. Cattle slurry at annual rates of 60 (S1), 120 (S2), 180 (S3), and 240 kg nitrogen (N)/ha (S4) was applied to Arrhenatherion grasslands in moderately wet (WS), slopy (SS), and moderately dry (DS) sites cut three times a year over six years, to assess its effects on plant functional types, the Ellenberg N indicator value (Ellenberg N), herbage dry matter (DM) yield, herbage N content and offtake, N nutrition index (NNI), and N use efficiency (NUE). The site-specific changes in an increase in graminoid cover, Ellenberg N, herbage DM yield and N offtake, and NNI along with slurry application rates revealed, while cover of legumes, short forbs, and NUE decreased. In more productive sites (WS and SS), slurry application in the amount of 180 kg N/ha could be suggested as a slurry dose ensuring beneficial agronomic objectives. However, nature conservation requirements via maintaining plant biodiversity were not met. On the contrary, short-term slurry application up to 120 kg N/ha ensured on permeable DS not only sufficient agronomic objectives, but also plant biodiversity conservation requirements.

Understanding the determinants of price volatility is a key step to prevent the potential negative consequences of the uncertainty faced by farmers. The presented critical review provides a novel categorization of grain price volatility drivers. The authors distinguish the endogenous and exogenous causes and conclude on the potential effects that each of the identified factors may generate on the price dynamics. In particular, there is deepened the contribution of endogenous factors, such as the spatial and temporal arbitrage, as well as the drivers of shocks of demand and supply.

Recently, modern non-heating-based food processing alternatives have emerged. The pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is an example, which does not require high temperatures and, in principle, preserves both the nutritional and functional characteristics of the food while possibly improving the taste. Nevertheless, using this technology in kitchen conditions is still a challenge. Thus, the main aim of this work was the development of a kitchen cooking device that uses pure pulse electroporation (without thermal effects). A device powered by a common electrical network was designed. The voltage applied to the electrodes is approximately 150 V. At a food thickness of 3 mm, an intensity of 500 V.cm^-1 was achieved, which was sufficient for the electroporation of typical vegetables. Depending on the specific food being treated, the device repeats the pulses until the required degree of the PEF treatment is reached. Preparing a larger amount of food at one time would require great instant power from the device. In order to load the device with less current, the large working area of the electrodes was divided into nine segments. The food is gradually prepared segment by segment. The function of the device is controlled via an electronic programmable control unit. The electroporation of the processed material was achieved with a functional prototype of the designed device, but with some limitations that have to be respected in further development.

Germinated seeds are rich in various nutrients but are vulnerable to fungal contamination which favours micromycete formation on the sprouts. The main aim of this work was an investigation of strategies to reduce the contamination of sprouted seed foods. Over the course of 96 hours of sprouting, seeds of organic spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), naked oat (Avena nuda L.), triticale (xTriticosecale) and rye (Secale cereale L.) were irrigated in water filtered using the Pazdroid Med-1500 filtration device with and without 4% ethyl alcohol. Germinated seeds were stored at 18°C for one, three and seven days and the levels of Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. and Bipolaris spp were determined. Micromycete numbers were greater in sprouted winter wheat and rye but were reduced when these were soaked and irrigated with filtered water and filtered water containing 4% ethyl alcohol. Filtered water led to greater reductions in micromycete numbers in sprouted winter and spring wheat than in other seeds.

The colour, chemical composition, texture parameters, hydration properties and fatty acids profile of fresh wild boar meat and meat after 2 months of freezing were compared. The research material was the M. longissimus dorsi muscle cut out of wild boar carcasses (Sus crofa). Analyses of physical and chemical properties of samples taken from 16 boars were performed. Samples were packed and frozen to -18°C and stored under such conditions for a period of two months. Freezing storage significantly increased the elasticity value and the colour of the meat as indicated by the decrease in L* and b* values. In frozen meat there slightly increased thermal drip and forced drip. The changes in the fatty acid profile under the effect of freezing were found more often in fat from muscle M. longissimus dorsi than in back fat of wild boar. In conclusion, it should be noted that freezing storage in a short time does not affect negatively the quality of frozen meat.

This study was undertaken to obtain and analyse, on the basis of sex, three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions obtained by a 3D computer program from two-dimensional (2D) vertebral column sections taken by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images, in the chinchilla. A total of 16 adult chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) of both sexes were used. The MDCT images were taken under general anaesthesia, and were then transferred to a personal computer on which 3D reconstructions were carried out using a 3D modelling program (Mimics 13.1). The volume, surface area and vertebral body length of each vertebra (except caudal region) forming the vertebral column were measured from the 3D models created. The ratios (in percentage) of the measurements of each vertebra (except the sacral ones) forming the vertebral column region (cervical part, thoracic part, lumbar part) were determined for statistical analysis. We detected significant differences (P < 0.05) between sexes in all vertebrae forming the vertebral column of the chinchilla with respect to volume, surface area and vertebral body length, except for C6 and L1. This study is the first to carry out 3D reconstructions of data obtained from CT images in the chinchilla and the obtained results contribute to a more detailed understanding of the anatomy of this species. Our strategy may also be useful for the design of experiments exploring the vertebral column in domestic mammals and humans.

Proper vascularisation is necessary for the correct functioning of all organs. The kidneys of various mammalian species have been examined in order to understand the functioning of this organ. This article presents the first classification of the renal artery division in the kidneys of adult cattle. We collected and analysed specimens of arteries from bovine kidneys with the aim of improving our understanding of their morphology and functioning. The study was conducted on 50 kidneys, 25 right ones and 25 left ones, taken from cattle of both sexes. The examined kidneys were dissected and corrosion casts were made. Division of the renal artery into between two and four primary segmental arteries takes place just before entering the renal hilum. Cranial primary segmental arteries number from one to two (most frequently one), whereas the hilar and caudal ones always occur singly. The mentioned vessels are then divided into between one and four secondary segmental arteries running within the renal sinus. The hilar region (mid-zone) of the kidney exhibits the most variation in terms of vascularisation. The vascularisation of the caudal pole exhibits the lowest degree of variation. Taking into consideration the range of vascularisation of the organ by the particular divisions of the renal artery, three renal branching pattern types were distinguished: type I (84.1% of cases; this type consists of Ia, Ib, Ic and Ic subtypes) - two branches - the renal artery is divided into cranial and caudal primary segmental arteries; type II (11.36% of cases; with IIa and IIb subtypes) - three branches - the renal artery is divided into the cranial, hilar and caudal primary segmental arteries; type III (4.54% of cases) - four branches - the renal artery is divided into two cranial, one hilar and one caudal primary segmental artery. The division of the renal artery takes place along the long axis of the organ. Bovine kidneys are characterised by asymmetry, which may influence the length and diameter of the main arteries. The caudal primary segmental artery has the biggest mean length and mean diameter. The division of the renal artery occurs just before it enters the renal hilum or in the renal sinus.

Potato yields and infestation by P. infestans are related to the supply of potassium. Potassium was applied as soil fertilisation combined with split foliar applications or only as split foliar treatments at a maximum dose of 150 kg/ha K₂O in both strategies, Lord and Ditta cultivars were used. Additionally, water spraying was included as an alternative treatment in order to maintain uniform moisture in the rows of plants. Plants fertilised with foliar spraying only were more infested than plants fertilised with combined methods. The fertiliser increased the protection impact of copper treatments against P. infestans. This may suggest a possible synergistic effect in reducing the symptoms of the disease, however not always statistically significant in both cultivars. Plants sprayed with water but without soil application of fertiliser showed a statistically significantly higher infestation rate, both in Lord and Ditta cultivars, compared to plants with soil application of fertiliser but without watering.

The aim of this research is to estimate the influence of a bioeffector (BE) application on dry matter yield and nutrient content (P, K, Ca, Mg, S) in maize (Zea mays L.). Between 2014 and 2016, a field experiment with silage maize as a testing plant was realized on sandy loam Cambisol. The application of Pseudomonas sp. in combination with phosphorus (rock phosphate (RP) or triple superphosphate (TSP)) and nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate with urea, ammonium nitrate with limestone, calcium nitrate or ammonium sulfate with a nitrification inhibitor) and with different application strategies was studied. The effects of a bioeffector application on the increase of dry matter yields were not confirmed. An important influence on the BE application and its activity was probably those of soil and site conditions and competition of the researched microorganisms with other present microorganisms. Higher yields of dry matter were shown in treatments where P fertilizers were applied. There was almost no difference between the application of RP and TSP. This could be caused by the fact that the soil had a slightly acidic pH value. In this case, the RP showed similar results to the TSP. The application of bioeffector significantly increased Mg, K and S contents in maize above-ground biomass. An increase of the Ca content was almost significant and a tendency towards a higher average content of phosphorus was also recorded.

The aim of this study was to test different soil phosphorus (P) extraction methods in relation to plant P uptake. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with spring wheat. The soils were extracted with the following methods/extractants: H₂O, CaCl₂, LiCl, iron oxide impregnated filter papers (Fe-oxide P_i), Olsen, calcium-acetate-lactate (CAL), cation and anion exchange membranes (CAEM), Mehlich 3, Bray and Kurtz II (Bray II), citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite, organic P, HCl, acid ammonium oxalate, total P. Plant P uptake was in the range of the P extracted by neutral salt solutions (CaCl₂, LiCl). P extracted with H₂O, CaCl₂ and CAEM correlated best with plant P uptake over one growing season, while several established soil P test methods, including CAL, Mehlich 3 and Bray II, did not show significant correlations. When grouping the soils according to pH, the weaker extraction methods (H₂O, CaCl₂, LiCl) showed significant correlations with plant P uptake only for the low and intermediate pH groups (pH in 1 mol/L KCl ≤ 6.6), while some of the stronger extraction methods (CAL, Mehlich 3, Bray II, dithionite, oxalate, total P) showed significant correlations only for the high pH group (> 6.6) comprised of calcareous soils. It was concluded that weaker P extraction methods, especially neutral salt solutions best predict plant-available P in the short term. However, they do not perform well for calcareous (and clayey) soils and do not account for P that may become available beyond one growing season.

Apple trees which grafted on M.M. 106 stocks were planted at the beginning of spring 2014 in pots at the Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice, Poland. The used treatments in the experiment were: NPK fertilization and bioproducts: Fertigo (Manure), Micosat, Humus UP, Humus Active + Aktywit PM, BioFeed Quality, BioFeed Amin, Vinassa, Florovit Natura and Florovit Eko. In the spring, these treatments were applied to apple trees alone or enriched with Pantoea sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Klebsiella oxytoca and Rhizobium sp. bacterial strains. Growth, yield and fruit quality parameters were evaluated. The results revealed that photosynthetic rate was greatly improved by the addition of bacteria to Fertigo (Manure), Micosat, Humus UP and Humus Active + Aktywit PM as compared to NPK. Tree trunk thickness was significantly enhanced with Vinassa, Florovit Natura and Florovit Eko enriched with bacteria. The application of bacterial strains increased the effectiveness of Fertigo (Manure), Humus UP, Humus Active + Aktywit PM, Biofeed Amin and Yeast in increasing significantly number and weight of fruits as compared to NPK.

Eggshell is a solid waste, with production of several tons per day. Eggshell is mostly sent to the landfill with a high management cost. It is economical to transform the eggshell waste to create new values from these waste materials. The present article is an attempt to summarize the possible applications of eggshell. The eggshell waste can be used (a) at biodiesel production as a solid base catalyst used for biodiesel pollutants minimization, reducing the production costs of biodiesel and making the process of biodiesel production fully ecological and environment-friendly; (b) as an absorbent of heavy metals from wastewater as it is a serious environmental problem in the ecosystem; (c) as biomaterial in order to replace bone tissues due to the rise in the number of patients; (d) as a fertilizer and calcium supplement in nutrition for human, animals, plants, etc. Number of research articles have been included in this review to describe a methodical growth in this subject matter.

Only two cambioxylophagous species (Ips amitinus and Pityogenes chalcographus) were found on sections of Picea pungens and Picea abies that belong to economically important pests of Norway spruce. Representatives of the Isarthron sp. (Cerambycidae) were developed on the examined sections of both P. abies and P. pungens. The monitoring of attractiveness of the spruce species P. pungens and P. abies to cambioxylophages revealed that P. pungens was more intensively attacked by I. amitinus while P. chalcographus was more abundant on P. abies. Both bark beetle species preferred shaded parts of tree trunks, although their development was more successful on the sun-exposed side. On P. pungens, abundance of P. chalcographus decreased and abundance of I. amitinus increased with increasing trunk volume. Blue spruce was more attractive to Isarthron sp. compared to Norway spruce.

SYBR Green real-time or quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) is a suitable system in which to establish a multiplex method to detect allergenic ingredients in food. In this study, a triplex Q-PCR method was developed to detect trace amounts of peanut, soybean and sesame in processed food. Specific PCR primer sets were designed and the concentration of the primers used in the triplex PCR was optimised. The triplex method showed high specificity and sensitivity which were similar to those of the simplex method, and it was applied for the detection of allergenic ingredients in commercially available processed food. The results demonstrate that the developed triplex Q-PCR is a quick, reliable and efficient method for the detection of allergenic ingredients in processed food.

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 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 aim of the study was to determine the effect of soil contamination with diesel oil (3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 g/kg soil) on the yield and the content of macroelements in oat and maize cultivated in soil supplemented with nitrogen and sawdust. The correlation between the content of macroelements in the crops and the soil enzymatic activity was also determined. High doses of diesel oil had a definite negative effect on the content of all macroelements in oat, excluding phosphorus. The presence of diesel oil had a favourable effect on the accumulation of most of macroelements in the above-ground parts of maize. Nitrogen application to the soil caused an increase in the content of nitrogen and in the accumulation of calcium and magnesium in the above-ground parts of both crops as well as an increase in sodium content in maize. Sawdust applied to the soil had a considerably lower effect (several to less than 20%) on the content of macroelements in plants. A correlation between the activity of urease and acid and alkaline phosphatase in the soil and the content of macroelements in plants cultivated in diesel oil contaminated soil was observed. This correlation was positive only in the case of alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphorus content in oats.

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.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of microbial oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil on rumen fermentation of a diet consisting of 80% of hay and 20% of barley in an artificial rumen (Rusitec). All three oils contained gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), microbial oil - 8.4%, evening primrose oil - 9.2% and borage oil - 23.7% out of the total fatty acid content. The experiment in Rusitec lasted 11 days. After a stabilization period (5 days), microbial oil (5% wt/wt) was added into fermentation vessel V₂, evening primrose oil (5% wt/wt) into V₃ and borage oil (5%wt/wt) into V₄ (6 days). Fermentation vessel V₁ served as a control (without oils). The results showed that the oils did not affect any of the basal parameters of rumen fermentation (pH, NH₃-N, degradation of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre). Methane production (mmol/day) was reduced numerically by the oils; microbial oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil decreased CH₄ production about 11.32%, 11.45% and 2.04%, respectively. The supplementation of the oils to the total mixed ration (TMR) significantly decreased percentage proportions of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA, about 0.1-0.3%), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA, about 8%) and increased long-chain fatty acids (LCFA, about 8%) in the effluent. Stearic acid C_18:0 was the major FA in the effluent and was significantly reduced in oil supplemented diets. The percentage proportion of trans C_18:1 isomers significantly increased (1.7-2 times) in all oil supplemented diets. The main intermediates - cis 9, trans 11 C_18:2 (CLA) and trans 11 C_18:1 (TVA) also increased after oil supplementation of the diet. TVA concentration with microbial oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil supplementation was 3.17%, 8.19% and 9.3% in comparison with the control (1.38%). CLA concentration significantly increased 2.3, 1.2, and 2.1 times after microbial oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil supplementation in Rusitec. Finally, the oil supplementation caused incomplete biohydrogenation of unsaturated FA and it was characterized by an increase in TVA concentration and TVA to C_18:0 ratio in oil supplemented diets.

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.