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Numbers of food animal carcasses classified as capable for human consumption (edible), capable for processing (conditionally edible) and condemned belong among important parameters of health status of animals both on farm level and at slaughterhouses. The figures relating to these parameters were monitored at slaughterhouses during the periods of 1989 to 1994 and 1995 to 2000. Relative numbers of food animal carcasses classified as edible increased during the period of 1995 to 2000 in comparison to the period of 1989 to 1994 in different species as follows: in cows from 77.14 to 79.48%, in heifers from 83.06 to 92.49%, in bulls from 89.62 to 95.52%, in calves from 49.20 to 63.76%, in pigs from 95.13 to 97.27%, in sheep from 93.08 to 98.08%, in goats from 68.40 to 93.08%, in horses from 64.67 to 84.41%, in chickens from 97.06 to 98.48%, in hens from 94.41 to 95.16%, in turkeys from 97.41 to 98.00%, in ducks and geese from 98.70 to 99.13% and in rabbits from 83.95 to 93.64%. The increase was proven to be statistically significant in all species, production and age groups of food animals. It can be concluded that health status of food animals at slaughter has significantly improved during the recent period in all species, production and age groups included in the study. Best health status was currently found in chickens, ducks and geese, followed by turkeys, hens, sheep, pigs, bulls, rabbits, heifers and goats. On the other hand, poor health status was found in horses, cows and especially in calves.

The quality of eggs is tightly associated with freshness. New possibilities for the determination of egg freshness were studied. The volatile compounds of eggs and their changes during storage were followed. Three methods for extraction of volatiles were compared: dynamic headspace (Purge and Trap), static headspace (Solid Phase of Microextraction - SPME) and extraction according to Likens-Nickerson by simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) with diethyl ether as organic solvent. The extracts were analysed by GC/FID. The volatiles in an extract obtained by SDE method were identified by GC-MS. The extract includes aldehydes, alcohols, acids and esters. The volatiles in an extract obtained by SPME and Purge and Trap have not been identified until now. The changes in volatiles during storage of eggs using the above mentioned methods were studied.

A study was made of the stimulating effect of benzolinone (3-benzyloxycarbonyl-methyl)-2-benzothiazolinone in powder form (P) and its mixture with indole butyric acid (IBA), the biofungicide Supresivit and fungicide Captan 50 WP on the root formation of 17 species of ornamental plants, park and fruit woody species. Under the action of benzolinone, the yield of rooted cuttings in the category of ornamental plants amounted to 44.5% (in the Dianthus sp.) up to 83.7% (in Rosa canina), in the category of park woody species it was from l6.7 (in Magnolia stellata) to 100% (in Forsythia intermedia). In fruit trees represented by two species, viz. Actinidia arguta and cherry rootstocks, the yield was between 20 and 86.7%, and in two allochthonous species Cotoneaster horizontalis and Philadelphus coronarius it was from 96.7 to 100% in rooted cuttings. In the case of herbaceous and semi-lignified cuttings, lower concentrations of benzolinone below 0.1% were more effective, while on the contrary, higher concentrations of 0.1-0.2% proved more effective with lignified cuttings. In the species with difficult root formation, such as Magnolia stellata, Viburnum farreri and Actinidia arguta, benzolinone demonstrably stimulated both the rhizogenesis, and thereby the overall yield of rooted cuttings, and the quality of the root system. In the case of the species with naturally high rooting ability, the positive effect of benzolinone was manifest mainly in the quality of the root system. The synergistic action of the above stimulants on root formation was achieved in two and three-component benzolinone mixtures with IBA and fungicides on the basis of the active ingredients captan and Trichoderma harzianum. The most evident stimulating effects on the rooting of cuttings in Dianthus sp., Ficus schlechteri and the deciduous species Acer saccharinum Pyramidale, Prunus padus Colorata and Prunus kurilensis Brilliant was obtained in three-component mixtures.

In the nineties of the 20^th century, forest ecosystems in the Silesian Lowland were seriously disturbed by a large disaster with massive increase in the occurrence of biotic and abiotic harmful agents. The majority of old growth was cut there especially that with allochthonous spruce (Picea excelsa). Relations between the course of climatic factors (annual precipitation amount, annual average temperature) and the level of unregulated felling were studied.

The influence of ozone on some properties of fruit jams was studied. Ozone did not influence the pH value, the contents of reducing sugars and organic acids, or the sensoric properties of the fruit jams tested. It may be used as a source of sterile air over the jam surfaces in yoghurt production.

Effectiveness of in vitro production of embryos (IVP) is limited among other factors by the recovery rate of oocytes. Gonadotropin superstimulation can improve the recovery rate of oocytes. The effect of FSH treatment on follicular population and recovery rate of oocytes at ovum pick-up (OPU) in the growing phase of the 1st as well as the 2nd follicular wave after superstimulation was the object of our experiment. Twelve unpregnant milking cows (15-20 kg milk per day) housed on a dairy farm were used in the experiment. The cows bearing corpus luteum were synchronized by PGF₂ (day 0) and they were treated by FSH (Folicotropin inj. sicc. ad us vet., Spofa Prague, Czech Republic, single doses 80, 80, 80, 80, 40 and 40 UI) in 12 h intervals on days 12, 13 and 14. Transvaginal ultrasonographic puncture of oocytes in cows bearing a new corpus luteum was performed on day 7 (OPU 1, various phase of the follicular wave, removal of the dominant follicle) and it was repeated on days 10 (OPU 2, growing phase of the follicular wave - control), 16 (OPU 3, growing phase of the first follicular wave after superstimulation) and 20 (OPU 4, growing phase of the second follicular wave after superstimulation). All follicles > 2 mm were punctured. The ovarian follicles (ultrasonographically) and numbers and qualities of obtained oocytes (microscopically) were evaluated during and immediately after OPU. Follicular population was divided to small (FS, 2-5 mm), medium (FM, 5-9 mm) and large (FL, > 9 mm) follicles. Oocytes were classified as 1st (intact cumulus, > 3 layers of cumulus cells), 2nd (complete 1-3 layers of cumulus cells), 3rd (incomplete layers of cumulus cells, expanded cumulus mass) and 4th (absence of corona cells, degenerated oocytes) classes. Although we found the least of FS (x = 1.0) during OPU 3, significantly more FM (x = 24.7) and FL (x = 3.1) follicles were found at this procedure in comparison with others. Likewise a significantly higher number of oocytes (x = 8.1) was obtained at OPU 3 in comparison with OPU 1 and OPU 2. Significantly higher number of FM (x = 6.1) was found and non-significantly higher number of oocytes was obtained at OPU 4 in comparison with OPU 1 and 2. The results show that administration of FSH increases the number of follicles and the number of collected oocytes in the growing phase of the 1st follicular wave after superstimulation, nevertheless a higher number of follicles and a higher recovery rate of oocytes can be expected in the growing phase of the 2nd follicular wave after superstimulation as well.

Commercial orange juices samples obtained from the Czech market were analysed in the years 1996-2001. The quality and authenticity of samples was evaluated according to the Code of Practice of AIJN (selected main analytical criteria were followed - K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, citric, isocitric and malic acid, citric acid/isocitric acid ratio, glucose, fructose, saccharose, sorbitol, formol number, flavonoid glycosides - according to Davis and HPLC procedure, refractive index and other). The approach of producers to the quality and authenticity of juices developed during the years of observation. The main cases of adulteration in 1996 were as follows: (i) lower fruit content in juice, (ii) massive addition of sugars masked with addition of citric acid, (iii) several examples of "synthetic" orange juice were found. In the subsequent years the authenticity slightly improved, the main problems in 2000/2001 were: (i) lower refractive index, (ii) pulp wash addition, (iii) lower quality of water used for juice reconstitution, (iv) undeclared addition of sugar. The deviations were found not only in the case of the juices of Czech producers, but also in several discount and low-end products of foreign producers. Possible ways of improving the quality and authenticity are discussed (e.g. the preparation of a Czech National Standard taking over the requirements for juices and nectars according to the Code of Practice of the AIJN, Participation in the European Quality Control System [EQCS], etc.).

The effect of food products on temperatures reached in the microwave heating with and without susceptors was followed in experiments with certain types of food samples. A household microwave oven (650 W), susceptors from commercial packages for microwave popcorn, samples of two commercial pizza products and two types of dough were used in the experiments together with Luxtron temperature measurement system. The temperatures reached at the end of heating on the bottom surface of samples varied between 103 and 115°C at the heating without susceptor, and between 110 and 155°C at the heating with susceptor. Not only the susceptor but also the parameters of the heated samples (the moisture content, height/weight, the initial temperature) influenced the increase of the temperature on the bottom surface of the samples. The highest temperatures were found at the end of the heating of samples from dough with a lower content of moisture. The linear correlation between the temperature at the bottom of the sample and the logarithm of the time of heating (Zuckerman & Miltz 1995) was proved only with the heating of samples from one type of dough. The application of susceptor in the microwave heating alters not only the product temperature in the places of contact with susceptor but also - to a certain extent - in other places of the product. The change in the shape of the vertical temperature profile in the heated sample was found in the experiments with susceptor heating. For the optimal results of the heating with susceptor, the optimization of certain product parameters (namely the moisture content and the dimensions) have to be made

Dark leaf and pod spot caused by Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. is a serious problem both in winter and spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in Lithuania. According to ten years' data, the spread of this disease on winter oilseed rape siliques was 31.2-100%, and the severity 3.4-25.0%. The cultivars Ceres, Accord and Kasimir were used in the trials. Through the years 1997-2001 the incidence of Alternaria blight on spring oilseed rape (cv. Star and Maskot) was 94.5-100% and the severity 1.5-20.5%. Every year the severity of the disease was highly influenced by the meteorological conditions - precipitation and temperature. Fungicides, used at the end of flowering stage (DC 69) or when the first spots of the disease appeared on pods, were effective against dark pod spot.

The consumption of food contaminated with moulds (microscopic filamentous fungi) and their toxic metabolites results in the development of food-borne mycotoxicosis. The spores of moulds are ubiquitously spread in the environment and can be detected everywhere. In this study, the presence of various moulds was determined in pork and beef used as a raw material, in salami emulsions, as well as in five kinds of fermented raw meat products. Penicillium sp., Acremonium sp., Mucor sp., Cladosporium sp., and Aspergillus sp. were the most frequently isolated genera of moulds. Flavourings added to meat during the production of fermented raw meat products were heavily contaminated with moulds. The widest spectrum and the highest counts of microscopic filamentous fungi were observed in the following spices: milled black pepper, nutmeg, garlic powder and crushed caraway. The level of contamination depended upon the season, being higher in the summer months.

An effective and fast method for determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in cereals and flours has been developed. The immunoaffinity column was used for the isolation of DON from wheat, corn, rice and flour extract. The determination was carried out by using the HPLC/UV method. The limit of detection was 0.02 mg/kg. The recoveries for the assay range 0.1 to 2 mg/kg were generally higher than 80%, ranging from 83 to 96% with an average relative standard deviation of 3.8%. The trueness of the method using the DON test - HPLC column was established by use of certified reference material CRM 379. The certified value was 0.67 mg/kg. The result obtained from three replicates was 0.68 ± 0.05 mg/kg. The corresponding confidence interval at 95% probability ranged from 0.63 to 0.73 mg/kg. A comparative study of the DON testTM - HPLC/UV and the Mycosep 225 - GC/ECD methods was carried out. Six naturally contaminated wheat samples were analysed by both methods. Linear regression analysis demonstrates that DON testTM - HPLC is a statistically significant predictor of the GC/ECD method using the Romer Mycosep 225 column.

In 1999, the effect of increasing levels of nitrogen at the initial (13.9 mg.kg^-1) and increased (40 mg.kg^-1) level of watersoluble sulphur (S_wat) was studied in winter rape (cv. Lirajet) grown in pots. A synergetic effect of nitrogen on concentrations of Ca and Mg was demonstrated in the growth stages DC 20-29 and 31-39. Levels of P and K were balanced. In variants with a low content of S_wat in soil to 40 mg.kg^-1 of soil S concentration increased. With the increasing dose of N the content of S decreased from 1.00% to 0.78% and from 0.68% to 0.38% in DC 20-29 and DC 31-39, respectively. An increased level of S in soil changed the ratio N/S. In variants with a natural (i.e. low) content of S in soil, this ratio widened with the increasing dose of N from 8.06 to 25.15 while in variants with an increased level of S in soil it ranged from 3.24 to 5.85 in the growth stage DC 20-29. Increasing doses of N widened the ratio N/P regardless to concentration of S in plants. In individual growth stages the ratio P/S was markedly narrowed by changing contents of S in soil. The highest yields were obtained in the variant with an optimum concentration of all elements in plants and S contents above 0.6% and/or about 0.4% in growth stages DC 20-29 and DC 31-39, respectively. The obtained yields demonstrated a highly significant effect of N and S on seed yields. At a low concentration of sulphur in plants the yield of seed increased only to the dose N₃(i.e. 0.9 g N per pot); thereafter, it gradually decreased. An increased level of S in soil showed a positive effect on seed yields. Higher doses of N widened the ratio straw/seeds from 2.46 to 7.69; at higher levels of S in soil, an opposite trend was observed. In variants with a low content of S the number of branches and pods increased proportionally with increasing doses of N. On the other hand, increased levels of S reduced the number of branches and pods. At a low level of S in soil the total weight of seeds per pod decreased with the increased supply of N from 69.9 mg to 20.4 mg. At increased levels of S the weight of seeds per pod increased from 61.9 mg to 79.8 mg. Results of field experiments in four different localities corroborated a positive effect of S (in interaction with N) on its concentration in plants. The seed yield was significantly increased. In 2000, results from all localities were markedly influenced by climatic conditions; however average results of all experiments showed that S increased seed yields depending on the dose of N by 2.5 and 5.9%. An optimum nutrition of plants with all elements (including S) results in improved utilisation and increased yields.

Nowadays manufacturers are facing rapid and fundamental changes in the ways business is done. Producers are looking for simulation systems increasing throughput and profit, reducing cycle time, improving due-date performance, reducing WIP, providing plant-wide synchronization, etc. Planning and scheduling of coffee production is important for the manufacturer to synchronize production capacity and material inputs to meet the delivery date promised to the customer. A simulation model of coffee production was compiled. It includes roasting, grinding and packaging processes. Using this model the basic features of the coffee production system are obtained. An optimization module of the simulation SW is used for improving the current structure of the production system. Gantt charts and reports are applied for scheduling. Capacity planning problems related to coffee production are discussed.

Two samples of commercial wheat flour from the last year's harvest were stored for three months (in the period from November to April) under different conditions. The ambient temperature and humidity varied during the storage in the dependence on the year season. Certain analytical characteristics (moisture, wet gluten and its extensibility, acidity and falling number) and alveograph behaviour of flour were determined at regular intervals. Flour moisture, acidity, and falling number changed with the time of storage but no explicit influence of the storehouse conditions and the initial flour properties was proved. Viscoelastic properties of weaker flour samples changed during storage more markedly than those of stronger flours in the sense of a significant improvement of their quality.

Earliness, morphological and agronomic characters and grain quality were studied in 123 European landraces and old cultivars of winter wheat in three-year field experiments. Simultaneously, HMW Glu-alleles were identified in these cultivars by means of SDS-PAGE. Within this set of cultivars 224 Glu-lines (with occurrence over 5% in the cultivar) were identified carrying 3 different allelic combinations at 1A, 10 combinations at 1B and 3 combinations at 1D chromosomes, respectively. Relatively rare were alleles 2* at 1A and 3+12 at 1D as well as alleles 8, 6, 9, 7, 13+16 and 17+ 18 at 1B. Allele 20 at 1B was identified only in cultivars from DNK, CHE and EST. Allele 2* at 1A locus was found mainly in cultivars from Eastern, South-Eastern and Central Europe. Allelic combination 17+18 at 1B was also characteristic of cultivars from Central Europe. However, the gluten patterns themselves were not a sufficient tool for geographic characterisation of cultivars. The composition of Glu-alleles influenced the earliness of cultivars (alleles 2* at 1A, 17+ 18 and 6 at 1B and 3+12 at 1D). Spike length was positively affected by allele 1 at 1A and number of spikelets per spike by alleles 2+12 et 1D chromosome. Allele 2* was also associated with lower grain weight per spike. Crude protein content was decreased in cultivars where GS at 1A locus was absent (0). The value of gluten index was considerably higher (59.2) in cultivars bearing allelic combination 5+10 at 1D. A number of alleles affected the values of SDS micro-sedimentation test.

An immobilized metal ion high-performance liquid chromatographic technique was developed for the determination of one of the egg allergens - ovomucoid - in egg white and food products containing egg white. The method was tested using standard samples as well as complete egg white and its reproducibility was determined. The possible application of this method is discussed. The method is based on the HPLC chromatography on the chelating column saturated with copper ions. The sample is applied to the column at pH 7.5 and eluted isocraticaly with a buffer containing 1.75 mM imidazole in the optimum case.

Present studies aimed at flow cytometric analysis of respiratory burst in neutrophilic granulocytes in carps, at various stages of their ontogeny. Cytometric evaluation of the repiratory burst in PMN cells of carps demonstrated augmented values of the mean fluorescence channel of PMA-stimulated PMN cells, as compared to the value of the fluorescence channel noted for PMN cells which were not activated or did not respond to activation in response to the applied stimulator. Intensity of the fluorescence, compared to the mean fluorescence channel of the cells which were not stimulated by PMA, was most pronounced in 11- to 21-month old carps, average in the youngest carps aging 3 to 9 months, and the lowest in the eldest, 23- to 29-month old carps. In cases of analysis of the mean fluorescence channel in the selected fraction of PMA-stimulated PMN cells, as compared to the mean fluorescence channel of granulocytes which did not respond by the stimulation reaction, the most intense fluorescence was noted to develop in the eldest, i.e. 23- to 29-month old fish. In the remaining carps, on the other hand, the difference in the mean fluorescence channel was significantly lower. In parallel, the highest fraction of PMA-stimulated granulocytes was found in 11- to 21-month old carps, a lower fraction in the youngest carps aging 3 to 9 months and the lowest fraction of such granulocytes in the eldest carps, 23 to 29 months of age.

The identification of bifidobacteria to the genus level is important for the differentiation of these bacteria from other bacteria occurring in the animal and human intestine. The detection of fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase (F6PPK-test) is used traditionally for the identification of Bifidobacterium sp. The original procedure is time consuming and therefore it was modified several times recently. The aim of the present work was to compare the following methods for the genus identification of bifidobacteria: F6PPK-test, F6PPK-test modified by the addition of triton X-100, F6PPK-test modified by the addition of cetridium bromide (F6PPK-CTAB-test), and PCR using genus specific primers. Bifidobacteria isolated from fermented milk products (3 strains), human faeces (6 strains), and animal intestinal tract (2 strains) were tested. All the methods tested proved to be reliable tests for the genus identification of bifidobacteria. The F6PPK-CTAB-test gave the best results. This procedure is quick and does not require any special laboratory equipment.

The objective of the study was to determine psychrotrophic bacteria counts (PBC) and total bacterial counts (TBC) in bulk milk samples collected during a longer period (1999 to 2000). Two sets of samples were analysed. Set 1, including samples collected in three herds, was analysed by the Central Laboratory at České Budějovice. TBC was determined using the apparatus Bactoscan, and PBC by culture according to IDF standards. Relative index pi expressing the PBC/TBC ratio was calculated for each sample. The value of pi for Set 1 was 0.09, ranging in herds included in this set from 0.05 to 0.20. The correlation between PBC and TBC was highly significant (r = 0.69; P < 0.01). Correlation coefficients for the individual herds ranged from 0.32 to 0.81. The correlation was highly significant (P < 0.01) in two herds, and significant (P < 0.05) in one herd. Microbiological milk quality is markedly influenced by housing and milking technologies. Another objective of this study was therefore to compare the microbiological quality of milk produced by cows housed in loose boxes and milked in parlours with that produced by cows housed in stanchion barns and milked with pipeline milking machines (Set 2). Bulk milk samples were collected and transported by standard methods and TBC and PBC were determined by culture on GTK agar supplemented with dried inhibitor-free milk according to the IDF standards. The results have confirmed favourable effects of milking in parlours on milk quality expressed in terms of counts of both technologically relevant groups of bacteria. The difference in TBC and PBC between the two milking technologies was significant (P < 0.05). Relative index for the milk obtained in milking parlours was pi= 0.18 and that for the milk from pipeline milking machines pi = 0.23. Correlation coefficients for PBC and TBC were almost identical (r = 0.92; r = 0.93; both P < 0.01).

The food market is created by the farmers, whose importance arises from their production of the raw materials from which food is made. These products are processed and supplied to the retail chains, where they are offered to the end consumers. The food market is further regulated, and in a certain sense limited, by the EU organs, as well as by the domestic agricultural policies, by the means of a whole host of directives, norms and regulations. The aim of this article is to define the individual organs on the food market in the CR, to evaluate their work in the food chain from the production of the primary raw materials to their distribution to the end consumer. The article will also present the selected regulatory factors of the market in the context of the EU agricultural policy.

Tumours of the mammary gland were diagnosed in one female Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungaros) and in two of her daughters from two litters. Altogether, five tumours were diagnosed. Three of them were adenocarcinomas, one was adenoma with disseminated foci of adenocarcinoma and one was diagnosed as an atypical fibrosarcoma derived from cutaneous ganglion cell-like cells. This was a recurrent tumour in the proximity of the previously extirpated adenocarcinoma. Using specific PCR primers for conserved regions of the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) no endogenous provirus DNA could be detected in DNA samples isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of herb mixture (summer shield) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilisation, and plasma lipid profiles in broiler chickens. Thirty-six male chicks at 15 days of age were divided into three groups with three replicates of four birds. The control group of chicks was fed a basal diet and the remaining two groups of chicks were fed the basal diet supplemented with summer shield at a concentration of 1 g/kg or 2 g/kg, respectively, until 37 days of age. Although feed intake was not different among the three groups, both body weight gain and breast muscle weight were increased in chicks fed a summer shield-supplemented diet. Summer shield supplementation decreased abdominal fat weight and consequently feed efficiency was improved. Both protein and fat utilisation was improved in chickens fed a summer shield-supplemented diet although dry matter content was not influenced. In addition, summer shield supplementation improved plasma lipid profiles, i.e., total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased. Furthermore, summer shield supplementation increased total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in plasma, while neither glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase nor glutamate pyruvate transaminase were affected. These results suggest that summer shield supplementation has positive effects on growth performance, nutrient utilisation, and plasma lipid profiles in broiler chickens.

We evaluated the proportion of fatty acid groups, with an emphasis on hypercholesterolaemic fatty acids, in the milk of 25 Holstein cows during the 1^st period of lactation in relation to their negative energy balance (NEB). Sampling of each cow's milk started on the 7^th day after calving. Milk samples (n = 425) were collected at 7-day periods during the first 17 weeks of lactation. The proportion (%) of saturated (SFA), hypercholesterolaemic (HCFA), volatile (VFA), unsaturated (UFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in the milk fat was determined. Body condition score and fat to protein ratio in milk were applied for precise determination of the NEB breakpoint during the observed period. The effects of parity, NEB, regression on lactation week and fat to protein ratio were evaluated using SAS 9.3. Milk contained a lower proportion of SFA as well as equally higher UFA (± 2.13%; P < 0.01) during the NEB period. The overcoming of NEB caused an increase in SFA, however, and simultaneously a significant decline in total HCFA (-1.86%; P < 0.01) as well as main MUFA (-1.81%, P < 0.05). The results document the necessity of increasing Holstein cow robustness to meet the production conditions in dairy farms in relation to the requirement of higher nutrient quality as well as the potential health benefits of cow's raw milk for consumers.

Composting has been considerably recognized as a viable management method for solid organic wastes aimed at recycling of its end-product as a potting substrate for ornamental plants. Pelargonium and Salvia as salt-sensitive plants were grown in the mixture of compost (75, 50, 25% by volume) and additives (Hygromull, Cocofiber and SPS-standard soil type 73 with 70% peat and 30% clay). Since plants may suffer from a high salt content, thus in a further experiment compost was added as a partial substitute for peat. The results of the first pot experiment reveal that the large percentage of compost in the substrate had negative effects on plant growth and nutrient uptake (N, P, K and Na). Both yield formation and nutrient uptake significantly increased and almost gained levels of those in the control in the second pot experiment when plants were grown in peat-based substrates. Especially, the growth of Salvia was significantly improved. Consequently, the compost-based media (> 50% volume of compost) cannot be recommended for salt sensitive ornamental plants, while less than 25% of compost incorporated into peat creates peat-based substrates which reasonably enhanced growth of Pelargonium and Salvia.

Several Lathyrus species, particularly Lathyrus sativus and L. cicera, have a high potential both as food and fodder crops. Rust and powdery mildew fungi are among the most important pathogens of major grain legumes including Lathyrus species. We review and critically discuss available knowledge of the existence of resistance and the underlying resistance mechanisms against rust and powdery mildew in the L. sativus and L. cicera crop species.

Wheat grain products are the primary source of dietary Cd-intake for humans. Since varieties differ markedly in grain-Cd accumulation, efforts are needed to find traits associated with low, or high, accumulation. Two durum wheat varieties, selected in a field screening as low (Creso) and high (Svevo) grain-Cd accumulating, were grown on soil spiked with 1.5, 3 and 4.5 mg Cd/kg. Growth patterns, Cd uptake and translocation were investigated at heading and maturity. Cadmium did not affect plant growth and grain yield, but grain-Cd concentration always exceeded the permissible limit of 0.2 mg Cd/kg, and was approximately double in Svevo than in Creso. At maturity, total Cd-uptake increased linearly with supply in Creso, from 13 to 23 µg/plant, and was approximately 18 µg/plant, irrespective of Cd level, in Svevo. Partitioning to shoot was higher in Svevo than in Creso, both at heading and maturity. We suggest that reduced plant height, high root to shoot biomass ratio during vegetative growth and elevated post-heading dry matter accumulation promoted Cd accumulation into grain. Since these traits are common to modern wheat varieties, risks of grain Cd-contamination can increase in the future.

The study should reveal the effects of soil texture and of seed characteristics of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) on seed survival in the soil by a burial experiment. Seeds of 58 conventional and new trait accessions (genetically modified and/or with altered seed ingredients) were buried for six months in sandy loam (SL), clay (c) or silty clay loam (SICL) in the seasons 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 in Germany. Between 84-93% (2008/2009) and 64-87% (2009/2010) of the conventional seeds survived in the soil, and so did 41-67% and 8-44% of the new trait seeds. Significantly more seeds were found in C and SICL compared to SL. Seed survival also significantly depended on the genotype, with high and low seed survival in both conventional and new trait accessions. Seed survival rates are probably linked with moisture and oxygen provided by different soils. As soils with good water storage conditions seem to have a higher probability for oilseed rape seeds from harvest losses to survive, other measures such as growing low dormancy varieties and proper soil tillage are especially relevant to avoid volunteers on these soils.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of used technology and environmental condition on lucerne dry matter yield in the regional conditions. During a three year period (2011-2013), the investigation was based on management survey in 27 farms in the Czech Republic. Climate conditions significantly influenced yield in some interaction with soil where only combination of dry climate and less fertile soil conditions reduced forage yield. The single soil effect was not significant for forage yield. Applied technology was influenced by both environment and farm characteristic (such as farm size and cow's milk performance) which together significantly explained about 40% of variability of used technological properties. From all investigated technological properties, only cultivation of lucerne in mixture with grasses consistently increased forage yield therefore should be considered as important factor for modelling forage farm yield in the regional conditions.

Communities of xylotrophic fungi were studied in wood of Pinus mugo of different qualities: (i) living stems, (ii) cut stumps, (iii) burned snags, (iv) cut burned stumps, (v) stems recently killed by root rot, and (vi) old snags of root rot-killed trees. A total of 277 isolates representing 58 fungal taxa were obtained from 300 wood samples (50 samples per each substrate category). Results of the present study suggested that following different disturbances (tree felling, forest fire or root rot), fungal communities likely evolve in different directions: depending on its origin (cut, burned or killed by the disease), dead wood might be inhabited by principally different microbial assemblages, and that fire has less effect on community structures than tree felling or root rot.