Fulltext search in archive

The goal of the paper is to analyse the potential for the innovation of cross border clusters from the sector of agriculture. The methodology which is used is the research of intellectual property (IP) of the clusters' members and clusters by using a specific questionnaire for clusters in two countries: Hungary and Serbia. The analysis of results shows a high level of innovativeness within the clusters' members and the need of protection of their intellectual achievements. The similar results were achieved in both countries. They show that the IP rights at the level of clusters should be protected as the cross border trademark and the name of origin. The scientific contribution of this paper is to introduce the concept of the joint cross border IP protection for two or more clusters from different countries which might be applied across the EU.

Worldwide increasing energy demand is today permanently covered by a majority of non-renewable energy sources, namely by coal, crude oil and natural gas. This causes the rapid decline of their reserves and the time gets near when they will be run out. Therefore in the last years the exploitation of renewable energy sources has been permanently preferred. One of alternative fuel forms is fuel on the basis of paper waste. In this paper the results of tests are published, which were carried out using six sorts of recovered paper and board (group and grade 1.05, 1.06, 2.02, 2.05, 2.07 and 2.08 according to CSN EN 643:2002), pressed into the form of briquettes. During the tests following briquettes parameters were watched: moisture content, ash amount, gross calorific value, length and diameter, weight, density, rupture force and mechanical durability. It was proved that briquettes made from recovered paper and board compared with briquettes from wood waste are of high density, high mechanical durability and for their rupture, relatively high force is necessary. But at the same time they have high ash amount and low gross calorific value.

The influence of various agrotechnical measures on macrostructural changes in topsoil and subsoil was studied in the course of a four-year experiment. Macrostructure was evaluated according to the ability of soil aggregate to resist degradation. Three variants of soil tillage were established: ploughing to a depth of 0.22 m, reduced tillage (subsoiling to 0.35-0.40 m, and shallow disking of soil to a depth of 0.15 m). For observation, three locations were chosen in various production areas of the Czech Republic with differing soil and climatic conditions. In these locations crops were grown under the same crop rotation: rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare). After four years of different tillage, a change in the water stability of soil aggregates (WSA) was evident. It was found out that reduced tillage of soil positively influenced both the WSA and the yield of the crops grown. A relationship of positive dependence between WSA, the content of humus substances, and cation exchange capacity of soil was also found. According to the obtained results, for agricultural practice a classification scale of structural quality was proposed on the basis of statistics of one variable (average, its mean error and distribution normality).

Physical properties of soil can be affected by machines that are used for skidding which have the potential to impact soil sustainability and forest productivity. The present study evaluated the effect of timber skidding by a rubber-tired skidder and farm tractor on the soil physical properties. The study site was located in Hafdaghanan plantation region in the north of Iran. Two treatments that consisted of skidding by HSM 904 skidder and ITM285 farm tractor equipped with trailer were applied. The trails were included in three traffic levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. Treatment effects were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with skidding machine types and traffic levels. Results indicated that machine type and traffic intensity are the effective factors on soil physical properties. The results showed that with an increase of traffic frequency, bulk density increased but total porosity and soil water content decreased. The results of the study provide clear evidence that farm tractor is a more environmentally friendly machine than rubber-tired skidder in the plantation area.

The "Breme" onion is a red-skinned cultivar growing in the northwest Italy. To date, its nutrient composition has not been described. In this study, we quantified the contents of quercetin (Q) and its glycosides and we studied their stability in the dependence on the local home-storage methods storage at 4°C and freezing. Quercetin-3,4'-O-diglycoside (3,4'-Qdg) was the most abundant form, followed by quercetin-4'-O-diglycoside (4'-Qmg ) and Q. We observed the reduction in the contents of all the analysed flavonols after storage at 4°C and after storage in frozen state. No changes have been observed in the ratio Q/3,4'-Qdg + 4'-Qmg, as well as in 3,4'-Qdg /4'-Qmg between the fresh, stored at 4°C, and frozen onions. This could suggest an overall condition of instability, not the activation of a selective deglycosylation pathway. In conclusion, our study shows that the "Breme" onion is mainly rich in 3,4'-Qdg and that home-storage methods do not preserve the stability of some important health-promoting molecules.

The wheat stem rust pathogen, Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici, is a significant and devastating disease of wheat crops worldwide. Wheat has many wild relatives in which to source new resistance genes, including the cereal crop of rye in the tertiary genepool. The aim of this study was to assess the reaction of 1BL.1RS and 2RL.2BS double wheat-rye translocation lines to virulent stem rust races from Africa and North America. BC₁F₃ and BC₁F₄ populations from a cross between the line KR99-139 (a double wheat-rye translocation line with 1BL.1RS and 2RL.2BS) and the bread wheat cultivar Topper were used in the study. Several of the populations homozygous for 1BL.1RS and heterozygous for 2RL.2BS showed resistance and low severity adult plant resistance (20RMR-50MSS) to the African stem rust race TTKSK in the field. None of the tested populations with varying chromosome combinations showed seedling resistance to any of the tested stem rust races. Thus, these resistant populations likely carry gene/s effective at the adult plant stage since all stage resistance genes with major effect appear to be absent based on the seedling assays. Resistant lines combined three chromosomes (1RS, 2RS and 2BS) which make their direct use in breeding more complicated. Mapping studies followed by potential transfer of genes between 2R and 2B will make the identified minor genes more useful in wheat breeding.

Acute colic in horses, especially presentations requiring surgical correction, such as large colon volvulus, very often involves defective or excess platelet activation. The PFA-100 is a new point-of-care analyser that evaluates platelet function by measuring closure time (CT) in the whole blood of healthy horses in a standardised manner. However, there are no reports on platelet function in horses with colic measured by the PFA-100. The aim of the present study was to investigate platelet function in a group of horses suffering ascending colon displacement (ACD) and who underwent surgery compared to a group of control (C) horses. Thirty ACD cases and twenty untreated clinically healthy control horses were included. Blood samples were collected from the ACD horses prior to and 24, 48 and 72 h after laparotomy. Red blood cell count (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, white blood cell count (WBC), total plasma protein (TP) concentration, platelet count (PLT), platelet volume (MPV) and ADP closure time (CT-ADP) were measured. CT was determined on a PFA-100® device using collagen/ADP cartridges. There were no significant differences in RBC, PLT and MPV between C and ACD horses pre-operatively. Reduced PLT was observed in the post-operative period. The mean CT-ADP of C horses was 96.43 ± 12.53 and 91.43 ± 2.51 seconds in the ACD group prior to surgery. CT-ADP was changed after surgery whereby CT-ADP time was more than doubled. We conclude that the PFA-100^® can be used to detect platelet function defects in horses.

The objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of different levels of phytase (0, 150, 250, and 350 phytase units (FTU)/kg; F) produced by Aspergillus niger in the diets of hens fed decreased contents of non-phytate phosphorus (1.8 and 2.1 g/kg; NPP) on the hen performance, egg quality, digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in the ileum, and representation of bacterial species in the ileum and caecum. The diet with 2.1 g/kg of NPP and 350 FTU/kg significantly decreased egg weight (P < 0.001) and egg mass production (P < 0.001). However, this treatment had the highest values for shell percentage (P = 0.002), shell thickness (P = 0.006), and shell index (P = 0.003). The supplementation with F at 350 FTU/kg to the diet with 1.8 g/kg of NPP increased the shell quality to a level that was comparable with the eggs from the hens fed the diet with only 2.1 g/kg of NPP. With the addition of F (350 FTU/kg) to the mixed feed with 1.8 g/kg of NPP, the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in the ileum increased by 6.1% and 7.4%, respectively, although the increases were not significant. Additionally, the frequency of Lactobacillus spp. was higher in the ileum and caecum of hens fed the diet enriched with F than in those fed a diet without F addition. The dietary manipulations with NPP and F improved some performance and shell quality characteristics, and the addition of 3-phytase at a level of 350 FTU per kg to the low-P diet increased the digestibility of minerals and changed the microflora of the digestive tract.

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of sodicity induced changes in soil physical properties on paddy root growth in the normal agriculture, semi-reclaimed and sodic soils. The root growth (length, length density, biomass and distribution pattern) were unfavourably affected by the soil physical properties (bulk density, soil aggregate stability, available water content, hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention potential) in the case of sodic soil. The microbial biomass carbon, bacterial, fungal population and dehydrogenase activity showed the lower values in the case of sodosol compared to the normal soil. These soil biological properties tend to sustain paddy root growth in normal and semi-reclaimed soils. Principal component analysis revealed that soil physical properties accounted for 98.2% of total variance in root growth. The study revealed that salt stress induces changes in soil physical properties limiting paddy root growth in the salt affected soils. It is important to reclaim sodosols to alleviate salt induced physical stress for optimum paddy root growth.

The aim of the research conducted on eutric brown soil on the experimental facility of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb in 2012 and 2013, was to determine the optimal sowing density for two cultivars of white lupin (Teodora and Energy) and a cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin (Arabella). The study included three sowing densities: 60, 75 and 90 germinated seeds/m². The cultivars of white lupin achieved significantly higher seed yield, higher 1000 seed weight, higher weight of seeds per plant and higher protein content in the seed, compared to the cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin. The sowing density had no effect on seed yield, but the increase in sowing density above 60 germinated seeds/m² significantly reduced the number of pods, the number of seeds and seed weight per plant.

Recycled paper is commonly used in food packaging industry, especially for disposable products. The material coming into direct contact with food products must not represent a source of contamination for food in accordance with the Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 containing the general requirements on all food contact materials. In the present study, the microbial purity of 31 paper-based materials with different contents of recycled matter (0-100%) was evaluated using a standard method based on the disintegration of paper. The results of the present study indicate the existing relation between the use of recycled fibers and the content of microorganisms. The increased amount of recycled fibers significantly increased the amount of bacteria in the paper samples. The highest content of microorganisms was observed in the case of paper with the highest recycled fiber content. Total counts of bacteria ranged from 5.0 × 10¹ to 1.2 × 10⁵ CFU/g. Moulds were detected only in three paper samples. As the microorganisms present in food packaging may penetrate into foodstuffs (particularly those with high contents of water or fat) and have an adverse effect on end-consumers' health, microbial criteria for food packaging should be included into the EU legislation.

Downy mildew [Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. & Curt.) Rostov] is a major destructive disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) worldwide. Resistant cultivars were recently introduced into Egypt, but yield losses were high if no fungicides were used. The objective of this study was to identify sources of resistance to downy mildew among Plant Introduction (PI) cucumber accessions from the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. We evaluated 133 such accessions for downy mildew resistance under natural field epidemics during the summer 2013 at El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. Mean ratings for downy mildew leaf damage ranged from 1 to 9 on a 0 to 9 scale. We classified 18 PI accessions (13.5%) as highly resistant (rating of 1.0-2.0), 46 (34.5%) as moderately resistant (rating 2.1-4.0), 40 (30%) as intermediate (rating 4.1-6.0), 12 (9%) as moderately susceptible (rating 6.1-7), and 17 (13%) as highly susceptible (rating > 7.1). The most resistant PI accessions were PI 432870, PI 432873, PI 432878, PI 432884, and PI 432886 with a rating of 1, which originated from China. The most susceptible PI accessions were Ames7736, PI 211979, PI 288991, PI 288992 and PI 289698 with a rating of 9. The five most resistant and five most susceptible accessions were further evaluated in replicated experiments during the summer 2014. Results from the repeated test confirmed the results from the first screening. No PI accession was found immune to downy mildew. However, high levels of resistance were observed in several PI accessions that could be useful for the breeding for resistance to P. cubensis in cucumber.

The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular and respiratory effects and the bispectral scale index (BIS) as well as the recovery period characteristics in response to treatment with a propofol/alfentanil admixture of different concentrations in dogs undergoing splenectomy. We conducted a prospective, randomised, blinded experimental trial. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained by continuous-infusion anaesthesia of propofol and alfentanil or a propofol/alfentanil admixture after premedication with acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg). Dogs were assigned to receive different concentrations of the admixture. Changes in BIS value, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R), non-invasive arterial blood pressure, pulse oximetry (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations (ETCO₂) and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded at predefined time points during anaesthesia. Data [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures followed by a Dunnett's test and Student's t-test (P < 0.05) and where necessary, the Mann-Whitney U-test. No significant differences were found between groups with respect to age, body mass, SpO₂, ETCO₂, f_R, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP, DAP and MAP). BIS values were significantly lower in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 at T7, T8, T9. The HR of Group 2 was significantly lower at T2 to T9 when compared to Group 1. The propofol and alfentanil admixture provided satisfactory results in dogs undergoing splenectomy. Thus, an admixture of propofol/alfentanil may be used for total IV anaesthesia in dogs at the infusion rates determined in this study.

An eight-year-old gelding, Wielkopolski Horse was presented with a pink tumour, which filled the entire palpebral fissure of the left eye. Ultrasonography revealed it to be well-demarcated from the cornea mass, which covered its entire surface. Due to the extensive size of the lesion and the lack of owner's consent to post-operative treatment, it was decided to perform enucleation. A histopathological examination revealed corneal squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). The primary cause of the tumour has not been established. Immunohistochemistry was negative for p16 immunoreactivity which is typical for the E7 oncoprotein in PV infection, and is suspected of involvement in the aetiopathogenesis of ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

This study investigated the combined effects of drip irrigation and mulches on yield, water-use efficiency and economic return of tomato. The treatments of the study comprised different combinations of three drip irrigation levels (100, 75 and 50% of crop water requirement, ETc) and two mulches (black polyethylene sheet and paddy straw). The yield and yield-contributing characters in the mulched treatments for all levels of irrigation were significantly higher compared to those in the unmulched treatments. The yield of tomato increased with the increasing amount of irrigation water in unmulched treatment. The trend was reversed when drip irrigation was coupled with mulches. The highest yield for each mulch (81.12 t/ha for polyethylene and 79.49 t/ha for straw) was obtained when 50% of water requirement was applied. With 100% water application, polyethylene-mulched treatment produced lower yield than the straw-mulched treatment. The highest water use efficiency of 592 kg/ha/mm was obtained with 50% water application under polyethylene mulch. The highest net return (US$ 7098/ha), incremental net return (US$ 1556/ha), and incremental benefit-cost ratio (7.03) were found for 50% water application with straw mulch. The study thus reveals that drip irrigation with mulch has an explicit role in increasing the land and water productivity of tomato.

The availability of risk elements in soil can be possibly reduced by various soil additives. Among them, the attention has been recently focused on the research of unconventional soil additive - biochar. The aim of this study was (i) to observe the effect of biochar application on risk elements transport through the soil profile and (ii) to assess the availability of risk elements in biochar amended soil to willow growth. The experiment was established at greenhouse conditions and extremely contaminated soil, reaching 43 mg/kg cadmium (Cd) and 4340 mg/kg zinc (Zn), was used. To observe risk element content in leachate, the lysimeter cylinders were tested. The rates of biochar were 0 (control); 5, 10, and 15% per mass of soil. The results showed that biochar significantly increased biomass production whereas the plant Cd and Zn contents remained unchanged in most cases. In leachate, Cd and Zn content decreased by 99% at all the biochar treatments. We can summarize that biochar appears to be a very effective regulator of availability of observed risk elements and improver agent for biomass production of plants and remediation efficiency.

The impact of material solution of cover shells on stable daylight. Light is supplied to the stable via a roof skylight, where wired glass is the infill of skylight structure, through open side walls, whereby the influx of light on one side is influenced by the shelter, and through the open gates, which are located in the front walls of the stable were assessed. Measurements of light intensity inside the stable were carried out in two height levels. Simultaneously, measurements were performed outside, on non-shadowed plane. Daylight factor was calculated from the measured values of internal and external comparative illuminance. Resulting values were processed into tables and graphs. The roof skylight has clearly the greatest influence on the lighting of the stable. Its disadvantage is that the stable overheats in these places in summer. Here, it would be appropriate to replace the fill of the skylight with translucent light elements.

The effects of different concentrations of thyme (group T), clove (group Cl), and rosemary (group R) extracts on the microbiological, chemical, and sensory attributes of fish patty made from the bonito fish (Sarda sarda Bloch, 1793) were investigated. The numbers of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. and yeasts and moulds in group R were lower than those of the other groups during storage (P < 0.05). During the storage period, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid index (TBA-i), peroxide values, and free fatty acid content gradually increased in all groups, and significant differences were found between the groups (P < 0.05). The results of sensory evaluation showed that the shelf life of fish patties was 4 days for the control group, and 8, 10, and 14 days for the groups treated with thyme, clove and rosemary essential oil, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of essential oils showed a positive effect on the product shelf-life; and in particular, rosemary essential oil produced a remarkable effect.

The continued use of waste water for irrigation of agricultural fields in Egypt may lead to accumulation of heavy metals in soils and adverse effects on soil-living communities. We investigated responses of oribatid communities to heavy metal contamination in mango plantations irrigated by the Ismailia canal in the Suez region. Mean concentrations of heavy metals determined in irrigation water were considerably above the recommended levels. Concentrations of metals in agricultural soil were however below the permissible levels. A comparison with concentrations of a typical uncontaminated soil in this area revealed that the Ismailia water canal used for irrigation of agricultural land has elevated levels of heavy metals. The results of our ecological survey showed that the abundance and structure of the soil oribatid communities were not influenced by levels of heavy metals in the soil. We also showed that the diversity index can be a valuable tool for assessing the possible impact of pollutants on different species of oribatid mites. The oribatid species appeared to be accumulating different amounts of heavy metals when characterised by their bioconcentration factors. Most species were poor zinc accumulators. The accumulation of heavy metals in the body of oribatids was not strictly determined by their body size or by the trophic level. In conclusion, our study showed that mango plantations impacted by waste water from the Ismailia canal are accumulating heavy metals in their soils above the background concentrations, but ecological effects on soil-living communities are not apparent yet.

Effect in reducing maize plant height using growth regulators ethephon, chlormequat chloride (CCC), CCC + ethephon, and mepiquat chloride + prohexadione-Ca was studied in field experiments during 2010 and 2011. It was found that maize plant height could be reduced by as much as 125 cm (49% of control) using a double application of ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) at growth stages BBCH 18-19 and BBCH 34-36. The other growth regulators displayed weak or no influence. An optimum level of shortening was achieved using ethephon (576 g a.i./ha) at BBCH 34-36 (reducing plant height by 40-90 cm), but it is necessary to count upon yield loss of 0.5-0.6 t/ha.

A honeybee colony, part of an apiary of nine, showed abnormalities in brood pattern and was thus presented for study. A classic veterinary medicine approach has allowed the diagnosis of a severe case of sacbrood virus (SBV) confirmed by a high viral load in affected larvae. SBV is known to infect larvae of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), resulting in failure to pupate and ultimately death of infected larvae. Several contributing factors combined, among them the parasite Varroa destructor, have been identified in this particular affected colony to explain the clinical outbreak of the disease whereas, in the majority of cases, infected colonies remain asymptomatic. As no specific cure of honeybee viruses is available, the management of these contributing factors is essential, including feeding of colonies and control of the Varroa parasite. After implementation of management solutions, the colony rapidly recovered in six weeks, but did not recommence honey production and remained at higher risk of a winter collapse. An earlier control management would have been more effective: regular visits of the colonies by the beekeepers should be the rule in order to detect abnormalities and also to detect and eliminate as early as possible the combination of factors that contribute to the proliferation of the virus.

Low application of fertilizer potassium (K) in intensive agriculture leads to a gradual decrease and, afterwards, to a steady state of soil K determined by tests which are based on soil exchangeable K (K_exch) extraction. In this situation, non-exchangeable K (K_non-exch) is being released and therefore real plant availability does not necessarily correspond to soil test K. This incoherency was investigated in 14 agricultural soils with low K as determined by the Mehlich 3 method. Plant-available K released by exhaustive cropping of perennial ryegrass and K determined by the Neubauer seedling test were compared with 8 soil K extraction methods, with the total K content and with the relative content of soil K-bearing minerals. K determined by the ryegrass test (314 mg/kg on average) was more than 3-times higher than K based on K_exch extraction methods, but was from 2 to 3 times lower than K determined by K_non-exch extracting methods. The relative content of mixed-layer phyllosilicates was significantly related to K extracted by soil tests. The relative content of orthoclase correlated only with total K and mica-group minerals with none of the extractions. The best prediction of plant-available K in investigated soils was obtained with sodium tetraphenylboron and StepK methods.

The visual impact of primary landscape is overwritten, historical references and spiritual ties to the current local population are losing. Rational planning and evaluation of the landscape must correspond to this situation. In the Czech Republic methodologies of landscape assessment (for its identification, typology) exist, but there is no finalizing material to specify procedures for creating landscape designs in accordance with a particular landscape type or vegetation zone. As a response, the new methodology of compositional preconditions assessment in the beech vegetation zone and the model etalon applying generally valid compositional principles on landscape designs were created. In a verification study the new methodology was applied in a specific micro region association - the Svidník. For the worst evaluated units proposals according to the model etalon has been prepared to highlight the characteristics of the appropriate vegetation zone.

This study compares the effect of application of digestate, straw, cattle slurry and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield and soil organic matter content. Total organic carbon (C), total organic nitrogen (N), hot water soluble C, microbial biomass C and hydrophobic soil components were evaluated in soil from the field experiment in Prague-Ruzyně (Orthic Luvisol, clay loam) with winter wheat. All fertilized treatments significantly increased grain yield above the level of non-fertilized control (5.68 t/ha), and the sequence was as follows: digestate (9.88 t/ha) > NPK(9.80 t/ha) > cattle slurry (9.73 t/ha) > digestate + straw (9.35 t/ha). Average organic C content in the soil ranged from 1.668-1.704% and the effect of different fertilization was not significant. The highest increase of microbial biomass C was recorded in digestate + straw (43.2% increase compared to control). Highly significant correlations were found between hydrophobic soil components and hot water soluble C (r = 0.988; P ≥ 0.05) and microbial biomass C (r = 0.964; P ≥ 0.05). Total organic N content ranged from 0.157-0.160% and differences among treatments were insignificant. Fertilization with digestate itself brings an effect in increasing crop yield, but does not improve the level of soil organic matter significantly.

For more than a century, and almost everywhere in the world, rural areas suffered a steady decline, due to the decrease of the real income from the agricultural activities, the lack of serious economic alternatives, and demographic issues. Rural tourism could contribute to the rural sustainable development through small local businesses valorising the natural, cultural and ethnographic resources. However, most of them need the financial support from private creditors (banks). The survey-based research conducted among banks' representatives has identified several strengths of small rural ventures, such as the small scale and the associated risks, the endurance to external shocks, the openness to market opportunities, as well as some of their weaknesses: e.g. a poor management experience, seasonality etc. We have also identified the actions necessary to be performed by these firms to attract financial resources from the banks' side, i.e. the diversification of income sources, the association and the adherence to recognized brands and maintaining a reasonable leverage ratio. It was found that the bank's size does not matter, but the nature of the bank's capital does: the private domestic banks are more willing to finance such businesses. The banks' involvement in co-financing the EU projects could be a way to foster and strengthen the rural businesses.

The work quality of selected tine cultivators that are suitable equally for deeper soil cultivation has been evaluated. The following implements were tested in a stubble field: Köckerling Vario 570, Simba Solo 450, Horsch Terrano 5 FX, Strom Finisher Mega 8000, Farmet Turbulent 450, Kverneland CLC 430, Väderstad TopDown 400. The cultivator evaluation criteria were the following: quantity of plant residues left on the soil surface, size distribution of clods, transverse elevation profile of the soil surface, elevation profile of the furrow bottom, cultivation depth, unit fuel consumption, travel reduction ratio, work-rate, and unit draft of a cultivator. All of the cultivators were equipped mainly with tine tools, followed further on by disc tools and either by levelling or by crumbling tools. Plant residues were well worked into the soil by Väderstad and Farmet cultivators. Horsch, Kverneland and Väderstad cultivators showed good crumbling effect. The highest work speed was reached by tractors with Strom and Horsch implements.

The interactions of different organic acids such as citric, malic, oxalic, and fulvic with aluminium were studied using ion-exchange chromatography (IC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experiments were carried out at low pH (1.5-3.1). The results of IC experiments on the interaction between Al and oxalate, citrate, and malate were compared with model chemical equilibrium calculations. The strongest effect on Al speciation was observed with oxalic acid and fulvic acid. These two ligands formed more than one type of complex with Al. In contrast, there was no significant effect of malic acid on Al speciation and a rather weak effect caused by citric acid. The studies show that the formed complexes are stable even at low pH.

One of the aims in red clover (Trifolium pratense) breeding is to increase the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, which may effectively reduce protein breakdown in silage and when cattle are fed by fresh clover. We analysed total PPO activity spectrophotometrically and on the level of gene expression using real-time quantitative PCR in single plants derived from an interspecific T. pratense × T. medium hybrid. Experiments were performed for two years and evaluated according to the general linear model with three factors (family, year, and cut). The analysis revealed considerable variability in total PPO activity between individuals and between families. Four families and two individuals with significantly higher PPO activity were selected. Their PPO activity ranged from 3.411 to 3.547 mkatal/min/g and from 4.041 to 5.731 mkatal/min/g, respectively, in comparison with the control variety Amos (2.370 mkatal/min/g). The majority of PPO transcripts were expressed by the two genes PPO1/5 and PPO2. In some genotypes, the PPO5 gene was expressed. Quantitative PCR confirmed the highest activity of PPO genes in seven hybrid plants with higher DNA contents corresponding to 30 chromosomes with 815 013 copies per plant. Our results indicate the suitability of combining two methods for improved selection: initial expression analysis to assess the PPO transcript level indicating gene activity and subsequent enzymatic assay.

Mastitis is an important cause of early culling of dairy heifers. The aims of this study were to identify microorganisms that cause subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Holstein heifers in northern Jordan, to estimate the relative importance of various microorganisms, and to examine the correlation between the somatic cell count (SCC) and the isolated microorganisms. Composite milk samples were collected aseptically from 133 Holstein heifers between Days 5 and 14 postpartum for bacterial culture and somatic cell counts. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in this study was 57.1%. Seventy six (76) of the 133 cows tested had SCC of > 250 000 cells/ml. Bacteria were isolated from 36 (27.1%) cows. About sixty six percent (66.7%) of these isolates were cultured from cows with subclinical mastitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent bacteria among isolates (50%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%), Corynebacterium bovis and coliforms (E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) (5.6% each), and Streptococcus uberis (2.8%). Interestingly, the majority of the negative-culture samples (53.6%) had elevated SCC. All isolates except for the CNS group exhibited strongly elevated SCC (> 1 × 10⁶cells/ml). However, the coagulase-negative Staphylococci did not have a distinct pattern with respect to SCCs. There was a strong correlation (P ≤ 0.05, correlation coefficient 0.213) between the results of bacterial culture (culture-positive vs. culture-negative) and SCC class but not between SCC class and the type of isolated bacteria. It is concluded that subclinical mastitis appears to be a significant health issue for dairy heifers in Jordan.