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The roles of some cake ingredients - oil, a leavening agent, and inulin - in the structure and physicochemical properties of batter and cakes were studied in four different formulations. Oil played an important role in the batter stability, due to its contribution to increasing batter viscosity and occluding air during mixing. The addition of the leavening agent was crucial to the final height and sponginess of the cakes. When inulin was used as a fat replacer, the absence of oil caused a decrease in the stability of the batter, where larger air bubbles were occluded. Inulin dispersed uniformly in the batter could create a competition for water with the flour components: gluten was not properly hydrated and some starch granules were not fully incorporated into the matrix. Thus, the development of a continuous network was disrupted and the cake was shorter and softer; it contained interconnected air cells in the crumb, and was easily crumbled. The structure studies were decisive to understand the physicochemical properties.

2-(tert-Butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,4-diol and 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol were synthesised by Friedel-Craft reaction of 2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol and 4-methylbenzene-1,2-diol, respectively, with tertiary butanol providing reasonable yields. The antioxidant activities of these two products, mother compounds and 2-(tert-butyl)benzene-1,4-diol were investigated and compared by means of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and Rancim at test; 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol is the most potent antioxidant tested by using Rancimat test experiment. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging abilities of 2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol, 4-methylbenzene-1,2-diol and 2-(tert-butyl)benzene-1,4-diol are almost equal and more than twice as strong as 2-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,4-diol and 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol. The antioxidant activities of the five compounds evaluated by Rancimat test mainly depend on their steric synergist effects between the two phenolic hydroxyl groups in their molecules. The antioxidant activities of the five compounds mainly depend on how many 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals can be scavenged by one mole of them in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. One mole of 2-methylbenzene-1,4-diol, 4-methylbenzene-1,2-diol and 2-(tert-butyl)benzene-1,4-diol can scavenge four moles of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, but one mole of 2-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,4-diol or 3-(tert-butyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol can only scavenge two mole 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals because 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals are very bulky.

The efficacy of twelve sodium salts as possible alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the control of onion basal rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae was evaluated. In vitro tests showed that there were significant differences between the inhibitory effects of sodium salts on the mycelial growth (P ≤ 0.05) and 2% (w/v) concentrations of sodium metabisulfite and sodium fluoride completely inhibited mycelial growth of the fungus, while other salts did not. Sodium metabisulfite and sodium phosphate monobasic had lower pH values than the other salts. Unlike sodium metabisulfite, sodium phosphate monobasic could not decrease the mycelial growth. The ED₅₀, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values indicated that sodium metabisulfite was more inhibitory to the fungus compared to sodium fluoride. In soil tests, inhibitory effect of sodium metabisulfite on the fungus was higher than that of sodium fluoride, where sodium metabisulfite completely inhibited mycelial growth at even 0.4% concentration.

It is postulated that stabilized ammonium fertilizers improve fertilizer-N utilization by crops, leading thus to higher yields with the same fertilizer rate, especially on sandy soils. However, it must be taken into consideration that in clayey soil at least a part of the NH₄⁺ ions may be fixed by 2:1 clay minerals, thus delaying the effect of the N fertilizer. Because NH₄⁺ and K⁺ have similar size and valence properties and therefore compete for the same non-exchangeable sites of 2:1 clay minerals, we investigated the influence of time and K⁺ application rate on both fixation and release of NH₄⁺. Fixation of NH₄⁺ ions was higher when K⁺ was applied after NH₄⁺, while the influence of the K⁺ application rate was less pronounced. Mobilization of non-exchangeable NH₄⁺ was retarded when K⁺ was applied at the high rate after NH₄⁺. At the first harvest yield formation of ryegrass was neither influenced by the amount as well as the application time of K⁺, because plant available N was not growth limiting, while yield of the second harvest was significantly higher with the low K⁺ application rate after NH₄⁺. After the second harvest the blocking effect of K⁺ on the release of non-exchangeable NH₄⁺ was attenuated and the highest yields of the third cut were reached in the treatments with the high K⁺ application rate after NH₄⁺. Total dry matter yield was highest when K⁺ was applied at the low rate after NH₄⁺. Our results show that K⁺ governs fixation and release of non-exchangeable NH₄⁺, which should be taken into consideration when applying ammonium containing N fertilizers like ammonium sulfate, ammonium sulfate nitrate and ENTEC. Thus K⁺ can affect N availability when N is applied as NH₄⁺ in both the short and long term.

The analysis of soil compaction with chassis of a wide-span irrigation machine Valmont was determined. The sprinkler had 12 two-wheeled chassis (size of tyre 14.9'' × 24''). During the evaluation of soil compaction, we monitored the values of penetration resistance and soil moisture during the operation of the sprinkler. Considering the performance parameters of the pump, the sprinkler was only half of its length (300 m) in the technological operation. In this area, also field measurements were performed in 19 monitoring points spaced both in tracks and outside the chassis tracks. The analysis showed the impact of compression with sprinkler wheels. The correction of obtained results of penetration resistance was applied in connection with soil moisture (mass) values according to Act No. 220/2004 (Lhotský et al. 1985). The results of average resistance ranged from 1.2 to 3.26 MPa. The values of the max. resistance ranged from 2.3 to 5.35 MPa. The results indicated a shallow soil compaction; however, it is not devastating.

A pot experiment was conducted to study interactive effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMs) and maize (Zea mays L.) straws on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and organic carbon (C) storage in a sterilized sandy loam soil. The experiment included four treatments: control, inoculation with AM fungus Glomus caledonium (M), amendment with maize straw (S), and amendment with maize straw plus inoculation with G. caledonium (S + M). The inoculation of G. caledonium significantly (P < 0.05) increased wheat root biomass and root-to-straw ratio, but had no significant effects on shoot biomass, grain yield, and soil parameters. The amendment of maize straw significantly (P < 0.05) decreased soil pH, wheat root biomass, and root-to-straw ratio, and significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil invertase and alkaline phosphatase activities, but had no significant effects on shoot biomass, grain yield, soil organic C content, and urease activity. The combined application of G. caledonium and maize straw had no significant effects on root mycorrhizal colonization rate compared to the M treatment, while significantly (P < 0.05) increased wheat root biomass and significantly (P < 0.05) decreased soil pH compared to the S treatment, and also significantly (P < 0.05) increased grain yield, soil organic C content, and urease activity compared to the control. The Two-Way ANOVA also showed interactive effects of G. caledonium and maize straw on soil pH (P < 0.05) and wheat grain yield (P < 0.01), and the redundancy analysis result indicated the potential application of AM fungi in straw-returned fields.

The contribution follows the development of Czech wine exports to Slovakia, depending on the development of the wine industry attractiveness in Slovakia. Wine export from the Czech Republic to Slovakia in the terms of volume and value of exports, both globally and in the division of export bulk and bottled wine, is confronted with the development of factors influencing the wine sector attractiveness in Slovakia. The Slovak wine market is a market in the phase of growth, the wine consumption per capita in 2011 reached 14.7 Lt.; the domestic production covered only 46% of the domestic consumption. The level of the industry concentration is high, the 6 largest companies produce more than 18.5 mill. Lt. of wine - 50% of the total domestic production. Wine legislation is comparable to the Czech legislation, the purchasing power of the customers shows a positive development, but the cheap table wine imports still represent more than 50% of the total domestic consumption. The opportunity for Czech exporters is the factor represented by the size and growth of the market and the legislation, too. The situation is rather more positive for the re-export of cheap wine from other countries than the direct export of Czech wine to Slovakia in case of other analyzed factors.

Removal of dental calculus deposits is one of the basic parts of professional dental cleaning. Despite the popularity of power-driven scalers, several risks are associated with their use, mechanical damage of the enamel surface being one of the most important. The present study evaluated enamel damage caused by a sonic scaler in different work patterns to quantify the damage and allow a clear comparison. Seventy-five canine teeth were carefully extracted from twenty-three dogs. The scaler was used on a clean surface with several combinations of time (five to twenty seconds) and parts of the scaler (point vs. side of the tip). Subsequently, damaged surface topography was mapped using three-dimensional optical microscopy. The results revealed a high variance in defect depth which was influenced by both factors. Statistical assessment confirmed highly significant (P < 0.001) or at least significant (P < 0.05) differences in data acquired for each group. As expected, the shallowest defects were produced by the scaler side in the shortest experimental period (five seconds). Point use proved to be quite damaging, as it resulted in approximately four times higher median values than the side in the same timeframe. Therefore, it is crucial to follow all safety precautions when handling a power-driven scaler even during routine treatments. Use of the side of the tip and constant movement on the tooth surface are essential to reduce the risk of enamel damage.

Soil properties can be affected by heavy equipment used for skidding but these impacts vary greatly with site conditions and operational practices. We assessed the effects of ground-based skidding on site disturbance and soil physical properties. We also tested the effects of skid trail slope and traffic frequency on soil compaction, total porosity, and moisture content. On average, about 30% of all harvested area was disturbed to varying levels. Intact forest floor (undisturbed) and light slash were the dominant surface conditions, covering an average of 68.9% of harvested area. Deep disturbed soils accounted for only just over 1.1% of observations. Results showed that dry bulk density, total porosity and moisture content were affected considerably on skid trails by traffic frequency and skid trail slope. Measurements of soil properties in the surface layer (0-10 cm) showed that bulk density is 57% higher and total porosity is 31% lower on the skid trail compared to the undisturbed area. Average moisture content has been measured as 35% on the skid trail versus 47% in the undisturbed area.

Mendel's impact on science is overwhelming. Although based on the number of scientific papers he published he might be considered a meteorologist, his most significant contribution is his study of plant hybrids. This single work puts Mendel on a par with Darwin's evolutionary theory and establishes him firmly in the frame of today's biology. The aim of this article is to introduce the personality of Gregor Johann Mendel, focussing not just on his scientific work, but also on his background and what or who influenced him. To understand Mendel's use of quantification and mathematical analysis of obtained results, representing a radical departure from methods of his predecessors, it is important to know something about their arguments, beliefs, and practices. He designed his experiments to answer a long standing question of hybridization, not inheritance as we perceive it today, since the science of genetics was born considerably later. He studied many genera of plants, but his famous research was on garden peas. To choose a single species for his crosses was fundamental to his success, but also fuelled most of criticism at the time he presented his results. The reason for his success was partly due to being a hybrid himself: of a biological scientist, a physical scientist and a mathematician. Mendel's other fields of interest such as meteorology and bee keeping are also introduced in this article.

During February and August of 2010 and 2011, disease symptoms were detected in melon (Cucumis melo cv. Surmeli) fields and commercial nurseries in Adana and Mersin provinces (Eastern Mediterranean Region, Turkey). Lesions on leaves and fruits were observed in nearly 75 and 85 acres production areas of melon in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Initial symptoms were water-soaked irregular spots, light brown to reddish spots advancing through veins on leaves, small water-soaked lesions, greasy, dark olive green colour areas on the surfaces of melon fruit followed by brown lesions, softening, and cracks. Thirty-five non-fluorescent, slow-growing, round, cream and Gram-negative bacterial isolates were isolated from symptomatic plant materials. The pathogenicity of the isolates was proved using melon seedlings and fruits. According to classical, serological, and molecular assays, the causal organism was identified as Acidovorax citrulli. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report and occurrence of bacterial fruit blotch disease on melon as a new host in Turkey.

Machines without satellite navigation in fields have a tendency to pass-to-pass errors, especially unwanted overlaps, resulting in waste of fuel and pesticides, longer working times and also environmental damage. This paper evaluates the accuracy of individual machinery passes in fields. Real pass-to-pass errors (omissions and overlaps) in a field were measured on different tractor-implement units with and without guidance system utilization and a comparison between observed guidance arrangements was made regarding final working accuracy and possible benefits from navigation utilization. Additionally, intensity of machinery passes, and repeated passes on soil, as a possible risk for soil compaction in fields, were monitored. The outcomes from our measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between the total area treated by machinery without any guidance system and machinery using precise guidance systems. Concerning the intensity of traffic in fields, it was found out that more than 86% of the total field area was run-over at least once during one cropping season when using conventional tillage practice. The usage of guidance systems can reduce machinery traffic in field to some extent as well and thus improve soil conditions.

N-fertilization type affected differently tomato growth. In the field experiment, hydroponic cultures were conducted using NO₃-N (5 mmol); mixture of KNO₃-N (3 mmol) and (NH₄)₂SO₄-N (2 mmol); NH₄⁺-N (5 mmol) or urea (5 mmol) as nitrogen source. Compared to nitrate, ammonium and urea had negative effects on morphology and dry matter production. Effects of the different nitrogen forms were investigated by measuring several photosynthesis parameters and chl a fluorescence. Two different significant types of reaction were found. When nitrogen was added as ammonium or urea, dry weight, chlorophyll tenor, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic activity were inhibited. Supply of ammonium or urea, reduced the ratio (F_v/F_m), photochemical quenching and enhanced the non photochemical quenching. These data suggest that the adverse decrease in tomato growth under ammonium or urea supply may be related principally to inhibition of net photosynthesis activity. The high non photochemical quenching shown in tomato fed with ammonium or urea indicated that PS II was the inhibitory site of NH₄⁺-N which was directly uptaken by roots, or librated via urea hydrolysis cycle.

The sucrose monoesters of capric and lauric acid were tested for their antibacterial activity towards two foodborne enteropathogenic bacteria - Escherichia coli (CCM 3954 - serotype O6 and E22 - serotype O103) and Clostridium perfringens (CNCTC 5459 and CIP 105178). Antibacterial activity was evaluated by the plating technique. Sucrose monocaprate significantly decreased the number of viable cells of E. coli at all tested concentrations (0.1-5 mg/ml). The overnight incubation of C. perfringens with the sucrose ester of lauric acid at 0.1-5 mg/ml reduced the number of viable cells below the detection limit (2 log₁₀ CFU/ml). Incubating E. coli CCM 3954 and C. perfringens CNCTC 5459 with monoesters (0.1 and 2 mg/ml) did not influence the K⁺ permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane in cells during a 2.5-minute treatment. A 30-minute incubation of E. coli CCM 3954 and C. perfringens CNCTC 5459 with esters (0.1 and 2 mg/ml) revealed damage to cytoplasmic structures, as observed by transmission electron microscopy.

The article is aimed at verification of the effect of chaff length of fermented material and duration time of the contact of material with oxygen before dosing into the fermenter, on production and energy content of biogas. The results of the verification showed an effect of chaff length in the fermented material on production and energy content of the biogas at processing grass silage with high content of dry-matter and especially maize silage. When processing maize silage, optimal length of chaff in terms of production and energy content of biogas was 13 mm, with grass silage it was from 69 to 112 mm. Verification of the influence of time of grass silage and maize silage contact with air oxygen before dosing into the fermenter did not confirm our hypothesis. It was demonstrated that production and energy content of the biogas increase together with the length of duration of 7 days compared to fermentation of material after max. 3 h of contact with air oxygen.

The effects of several pre- and postharvest factors on apple cv. Braeburn browning disorder (BBD) incidence using a nine-factor experimental design has been investigated. The design allowed the determination of the effects of single factors as well as their interaction with growing season and storage time. BBD increased in severity with storage duration. BBD incidence was reduced with calcium and potassium fertilizers application, while it was increased when triazoles were used. Delayed controlled atmosphere (DCA) application resulted in less BBD in storage, while treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) increased BBD incidence. More BBD was observed in fruit stored at above optimal CO₂ levels. BBD incidence was increased when O₂ concentration in CA was increased from 1 kPa to 3 kPa (optimum CA) or 6 kPa. Finally, the various factors showed a different effect for different growing seasons and storage time. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the development of BBD. Further work should focus on extending the experimental design to include the interactions between the different pre- and postharvest factors.

The paper deals with the occurrence, development and natural enemies of the cecidogenous aphid Pemphigus gairi Stroyan (Pemphigidae). The aphid abundantly occurred on leaves of Populus nigra and P. nigra var. italica in Brno in 2003. It was described from England and no information on its occurrence is available in literature from continental Europe. It refers to a holocyclic and heteroecious species. In localities under study, larvae of fundatrices hatched mainly in the last decade of April. Through their sucking on the abaxial face of freshly unfolded leaves of poplars, species-unspecific lengthwise tile-like galls originate on the adaxial face of leaves (near the central leaf vein). During 12 to 14 days, fundatrices mature in galls of an average length and width 11.2 and 3.9 mm, respectively. Adults live about 1.5 months, namely max. until mid-July. They produce on average 75.6 fundatrigeniae which mature to winged migrantes alatae in the course of 16 days. In the period of hatching the first migrants (at the end of May), galls grow up to the final length of about 11.8 mm and width 4.7 mm. In primary slit-shaped caps on the abaxial face of leaves, migrants leave the galls through emergence holes. In a secondary host (Aethusa cynapium, Daucaceae), they produce on average about 17.5 larvae of exules. Owing to natural enemies (above all true bugs of the species Anthocoris minki), aphids die in 90% of galls.

A 6-week trial was conducted to investigate the effects of animal skin protein sources from swine and cattle on growth performance, body condition and blood characteristics in growing pigs. A total of 96 pigs (23.50 ± 0.61 kg) were randomly allotted into four dietary treatment groups as follows: (1) basal diet (BD); (2) basal diet with 1.5% hydrolysed render meal (HRM); (3) basal diet with 1.5% swine skin meal (SSM); (4) basal diet with 1.5% cattle hide meal (CHM). There were six replicate pens per treatment with four pigs per pen. The average daily gain (ADG) was improved in response to SSM treatment compared with other treatments (P < 0.05). Pigs fed with HRM, SSM and CHM diets showed increases in average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decreased gain-to-feed (G : F) ratios compared with pigs fed with BD (P < 0.05). There were no differences in dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and energy (E) digestibility among treatments. The backfat thickness and lean percentage of pigs was unaffected by the treatments. Similarly, there was no difference in blood characteristics among treatments. In conclusion, the supplementation of SSM in growing pig diets improved the growth rate and Feed Intake (FI), but its usage in swine diets is limited by the poor protein quality.

This study was aimed at assessing the histopathological and haematological effects of a widely used herbicide on rice paddy fields, i.e. butachlor, on rainbow trout. Fish were exposed to butachlor at a concentration of 0.39 mg/l, for a period of 10 days. Haematologically, fish showed a significant decrease in erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, white blood cells and lymphocytes and a significant increase in neutrophils compared to controls (P < 0.05). Histopathological observations of prepared sections of the treatment group also revealed pathological lesions of varying severity in studied organs, including liver (hyperaemia and haemorrhage, bile duct hyperplasia, dilated sinuses, interstitial oedema, monocellular necrosis, nuclear degeneration and hypertrophy in hepatocytes), gills (hyperplasia and hyperplasia of lamellar epithelium, fusion of lamellae, rod-like structures of secondary gill lamellae, cystic-like lesions) and kidneys (vacuolar degeneration of tubular epithelium, desquamation of epithelium and necrosis of tubular epithelium). It is concluded that butachlor caused changes in certain haematological parameters and histopathologically, exerted destructive effects on the gills, liver and kidneys of rainbow trout.

We investigate the biostability of phenolic acids from a kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed extract using an in vitro model simulating the physicochemical (pH, temperature and bile salts) and biological (gastric and pancreatic enzymes) gastrointestinal conditions. Some of the antioxidants in the kenaf seed extract were not relatively stable in the intestinal phase of the gastrointestinal tracts. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and total phenolic content (TPC) assays displayed similar trends as the biostability of phenolic acids, which decreased during the digestion process. The overall percentage loss of selected phenolic acids was 8.4-49.4% in the intestinal phase. For the overall in vitro digestion system, significant correlations between phenolic acids, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH) were obtained in all digestion phases with the exception of the gastric phase.

Row covers are usually used to protect plants from insects and cold temperatures, and to accelerate plant growth. But they could also serve as an erosion control strategy. For this reason, fleece (FC) and net covers (NC) in white cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata (L.) Alef. var. capitata L. f. alba) cultivation were tested in a two-year field experiment to determine effects on soil erosion, plant growth and plant diseases. Soil loss under FC was reduced on average by 76% and under NC by 48% compared to the non-covered control treatment (CO). Soil temperature did not differ significantly in either of the experimental years between the treatments and ranged from 17.2-18.2°C in 2012 and from 18.7-18.9°C in 2013. Soil moisture content, air temperature and relative humidity were always highest under FC, followed by NC and CO. Leaf area index was also highest under FC across all sampling dates. The fresh matter head yield under FC and NC was significantly higher (80 t/ha) compared to CO (66 t/ha) in 2012. An opposite result was detected in 2013, with the highest yield in CO (64 t/ha) and lowest under FC (53 t/ha). Overall, for moderate climate conditions, the row covers seem to be beneficial as a suitable erosion control strategy.

The prepubic urethrostomy procedure has been shown to be a long-term diversion technique in dogs with intrapelvic urethral damage. This case report describes the clinical presentation and successful surgical management of an intrapelvic urethral stricture in a four month old male intact Labrador Retriever with hypospadias. The dog was presented for assessment of dysuria, stranguria, urinary incontinence, and urethrocutaneous fistula. After the diagnosis of perineal hypospadias with intrapelvic urethral stricture was made, surgery was performed to relieve the urethral obstruction and repair the urethrocutaneous fistula. A prepubic urethrostomy was made and the transected urethra was pulled through the inguinal canal into the prepuce. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. This technique can reduce postoperative peristomal skin irritation and leads to better cosmetic appearance than the standard technique.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion in ruminants, including goats. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae). A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to analyse 464 serum samples for the presence of N. caninum antibodies. Four samples (0.9%, 95% confidence intervals - CI: 0.0-1.7) were found to be positive for N. caninum antibodies. The seroprevalence was analysed according to age (less than to one year, young; more than or equal one year, adult; and unknown), sampling season (April to September, warm; October to March, cold), and region (northern, central, and southern). However, there were no statistically significant differences in seroprevalence according to age, season, and region (P > 0.05). This is the first report on the seroprevalence of N. caninum in native Korean goats. The results of this study indicate a nationwide distribution of N. caninum among goats, with a relatively low prevalence. Therefore, the implementation of integrated control strategies as well as measures for prevention and control of N. caninum infection among goats is recommended.

The effects of microwave assisted drying on banana fruit was evaluated. Water, reducing sugars, and polyphenol contents, as well as poly-phenol-oxidase activity were evaluated along the radial and axial positions in thick slices of banana, according to a properly defined cutting and assaying protocol. The effects of the microwave-assisted drying process were compared to the convective air-assisted drying resulting faster than the conventional process. In particular, the resulting samples were homogeneous in the water content; the contents of reducing sugars were strongly decreased on drying with microwaves; the poly-phenol-oxidase was inactivated by the high temperature produced by the process and thus the polyphenols content remained practically the same as in the fresh product.

Dynamics of the plant-available potassium (K) has been studied in polyfactorial long-term fertilization experiments since 1980. The fertilization scheme includes 10 combinations of K muriate and farmyard manure application rates (annually 0-230 kg K/ha). At medium treatment (annually 153 kg K/ha), the K balance within an 8-year crop rotation reflected crop specific K application rates with positive annual balances in years of growing silage maize and sugar beet (high K input), and negative in two years of growing alfalfa. Available K clearly corresponded to the dynamics of the K balance, with statistically significant fluctuations from 88 to 149 mg K/kg within one crop rotation cycle. Periodic fluctuations of available K induced by crop rotation were observed also in non-fertilized treatments. The variability of available K contents was influenced primarily by crop plants and experimental unexplained factors; interannual weather fluctuations and field differences were of low significance. In the paper, the importance of interannual K dynamics for the construction of correct long-term time trends is shown and discussed.

We conducted field experiments since 2006 to determine the effect of tillage practices and rate of nitrogen fertilization on soil properties and crop yield. Four tillage practices and five N rates were used. The results showed that the year-round total yield of wheat and maize under harrow tillage (HT) and rotary tillage (RT) was not significantly different from that of conventional tillage (CT, moldboard tillage) but was higher than that of no-tillage (NT). Reduced tillage (HT and RT) with straw returned and rate of nitrogen (157.5 kg/ha for wheat and 202.5 kg/ha N for maize) were suitable to increase the yield and adjust the soil carbon and nitrogen situation for the winter wheat-summer maize cropping system.

This study was conducted to determine apparent ileal amino acids digestibility (AIAAD) of diets with different levels of corn distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and to determine AIAAD of corn DDGS by difference and regression methods in broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty 30-day-old male broiler chickens were used in the experiment. The corn DDGS were incorporated into basal diets at graded levels (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16%). All birds were killed at the age of 35 days and the contents of the lower half of the ileum were collected. AIAAD was calculated using chromic oxide as the indigestible marker. For AIAAD of DDGS determination, difference and regression methods were used. AIAAD of Lys (78.6%) and Met (91.3%) were the significantly highest in the diet without DDGS in comparison with other diets (P < 0.01). AIAAD of the rest of essential and nonessential amino acids were the lowest in the diet with 8% of DDGS in comparison with the diets with 0 or 16% of DDGS (P < 0.01). The apparent ileal crude protein digestibility was also the lowest in the diet with 8% (61.8%) of DDGS (P < 0.01). The highest differences in AIAAD of DDGS determined by the difference method and in the diet without DDGS (basal diet) determined by the regression methods were found in Lys and Met. There were very low differences between DDGS and basal diet in AIAAD of nonessential amino acids, except Ala and Asp. These results show that higher levels of DDGS decrease AIAAD.

The objective of the present study was to determine the association between the uterine size and age, body weight, growth rate, and reproductive status in Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred gilts. Genital organs from 310 gilts (302.6 ± 2.9 days of age, 145.2 ± 1.2 kg body weight) were examined. The gilts were classified into two groups according to reproductive status: non-cyclic (n = 86) and cyclic (n = 224). The uterine weight in non-cyclic gilts was lower than that in cyclic ones (128 ± 8.1 and 694 ± 17.9 g, P < 0.001). Likewise, the length of the uterus in non-cyclic gilts was shorter than that in cyclic gilts (123 ± 2.9 and 252 ± 4.6 cm, P < 0.001). The weight of the uteri correlated with the body weight (r = 0.48, P < 0.001) and growth rate (r = 0.33, P < 0.001) of the gilts but not with their age (P > 0.05). For every 10 kg increase in the body weight of the gilts, an increase of 67 g in uterine weight (P < 0.001) and 21 cm in uterine length (P < 0.001) was observed.

One of the ways of increasing the efficiency and safety of work is the implementation of navigation systems in agricultural practice. Satellite navigation as a means of reducing the unit costs and increasing the safety can have a significant economic impact on a company when properly used. The objective of measurement was to assess the accuracy of a satellite system AutoTrack working with a correction signal SF2. Its provider specifies an accuracy of ± 5 cm for this signal type. The accuracy of machine work was compared for two scenarios, i.e. with and without satellite navigation. Further, the navigation of machines focused predominantly on AgGPS EZ-Guide Plus and AutoTrac Universal. The FMEA method was used to determine the risk of probable failures that can occur on machines while working. This work describes the individual failures that can occur on navigation systems of machines and analyses their impact on operator's safety.