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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.

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).

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.

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.

In the present paper the effect of postnatal undernutrition on feeding behaviour has been evaluated in mature female Wistar rats subjected to food restriction a) during the suckling period, i. e. up to day 15 (SR), b) during the weaning period from day 15 to 30 (WR), c) throughout 30 days post partum (SWR) and d) during adulthood, i.e. from day 60-75 of life (AR). In comparison with the ad libitum fed controls (C), the lactating mothers and the pups of the food-restricted groups were allowed free access to food for only two hours daily. In experimental groups this restriction was then changed to an ad libitum regime. On day 90 food intake was evalu-ated daily in five 20 min lasting sessions after 23 h of fasting in group-housed and single-housed rats exposed to their home as well as to their experimental environment. The significantly decreased body weight found on day 30 and 90 in females coming from litters of restrictedly fed mothers, as compared with those fed ad libitum, showed that these animals were considerably undernourished. Appetitive motivation increased in those groups of females that had been exposed to a restricted feeding regime during their infant period but remained unaffected in females restrictedly fed during their adult age. In comparison with the ad libitum fed controls and AR groups, significantly increased mean food intake was observed in all postnatally underfed groups (P < 0.001). The greatest inclination to hyperphagia and qualitative changes in feeding behaviour were observed in SWR females whose feeding regime was restricted for the longest time, i. e. during the suckling and the weaning period, as compared to groups with shorter food restriction. These animals showed hyperphagia even in the new environment regardless whether the whole group or only one female was tested. Our results reveal a) a determinant influence of the feeding regime of the animals at early age (41%) while environmental and social factors represent only about 17% and 4%, respectively and that b) changes in feeding habits in adult female rats may significantly depend on the length of postnatal undernutrition.

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.

The article discusses monitoring of the impact of tyre inflation pressure on tensile properties of forest tractors. The LKT 81 T forest tractor, manufactured byZŤS TEES, Martin (Slovak Republic) and widely used in Slovakia, was specifically chosen as the mechanised vehicle to be monitored. Tensile properties were examined using standard tensile tests, with a Tatra freight vehicle serving as the load vehicle. Actual measurements were performed on a concrete surface and on soil characterised as gravelly loam whose average moisture was 38%. The statistical methods used to verify the impact of significance from changes in tyre inflation pressure on selected tensile indicators were multi-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test. Even though statistical analysis failed to directly confirm significance in the impact of changes of tyre inflation pressure on selected load indicators for a forest tractor fitted with standard tyres, positive changes can be discerned in measured dependencies. The article concludes with a discussion of the results obtained and their possible application in operational practice.

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.

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.

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.

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Neospora caninum, the effect of infection on abortion and fertility parameters and the efficacy and outcomes with combination treatment in a dairy farm with high abortion rates and low fertility parameters. Four hundred and eighty-six cows were tested using the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The seroprevalence of N. caninum was 19%. Sulphadiazine-trimethoprim and toltrazuril were administered to the seropositive animals. The risk of abortion increased 19-fold in animals infected with N. caninum (P < 0.05), and N. caninum-induced abortions occurred more often between the fourth and the sixth months of gestation. N. caninum infection also had an adverse influence on the number of inseminations to conception (P < 0.05) and calving to conception interval (P < 0.05). The treatment protocol improved the fertility parameters. Although, it is not a radical approach, this combination therapy may be recommended as the primary treatment in neosporosis.

A seven-month old common myna with a history of ingesting a wire was transferred to the Iranmehr companion animal clinic in Mashhad, Iran. The bird's symptoms included anorexia, retching, intermittent vomiting, a lack of vocalisation, fluffing, and nervousness lasting for two days. X-rays confirmed a radiopaque foreign body in the proventriculus. Initial attempts to remove the wire thorough the oral route were futile; however, surgical removal using ventriculotomy (ventral midline celiotomy) under general anaesthesia proved successful. Slight haemorrhaging occurred when the incision was made in the caudal aspect of the ventriculus, but overall, the procedure was performed with no serious complications. A follow-up after three month revealed no complications. Despite the negative views associated with this technique, our study shows that ventriculotomy can be recommended for the removal of ventricular and proventricular foreign bodies, at least in this species.

A practical technique for isolation and cryopreservation of tench (Tinca tinca) (Cyprinidae, Teleostei) early stages of germ cells (GC), including spermatogonia and spermatocytes, is reported for the first time. The germ-line cells possess the ability to differentiate into functional gametes of both sexes. These early stages of germ cells are small enough to be well-suited to cryopreservation, which, together with their high level of plasticity, makes their preservation a promising tool for maintaining genetic resources. Testicular cells were distinguished and separated by Percoll gradient, with the highest proportion of GC (62.2%) obtained from the 30% layer. The concentration and viability of GC were determined, and specific staining (DDX4) for germ cells was used to distinguish GC from somatic cells. Early stages of germ cells were cryopreserved in an extender composed of phosphate buffered saline (pH 8) with 0.5% BSA, 50mM d-glucose, and containing 1.5M cryoprotectant in the pre-programmed PLANER Kryo10 series III using a cooling protocol from +10°C to -80°C at a rate of 1°C/min. The effect of six cryoprotectants - methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfoxide + propanediol (1 : 1), glycerol, ethylene glycol, and dimethylacetamid was assessed, and the results were evaluated by comparing the percentage of viable frozen/thawed GC by ANOVA, Tukey's HSD test (P < 0.05). Almost the same viability rates were obtained with no significant differences among tested cryoprotectants, indicating high stability of GC in cryoprotectants. Nevertheless, glycerol at a concentration of 1.5M was associated with the highest survival rate of thawed tench GC (57.69 ± 16.85%).

The CULTAN (Controlled Uptake Long Term Ammonium Nutrition) system is based on one-time injection of the whole dose of nitrogen required for the vegetation period. The effect of this method on yield and grain quality of winter wheat was observed in a 2-year small-plot trial at 4 different experimental sites in the Czech Republic. The experiment comprised two treatments with the total amount of nitrogen applied during fertilization of 150 kg N/ha. At the CULTAN treatment the whole dose was applied all at once using the GFI 3A injection machine (Maschinen und Antriebstechnik GmbH Güstrow), whereas at the control treatment, the dose was divided into three applications. The average grain yield of winter wheat in 2007 was 9.56 t/ha (control) and 8.78 t/ha (CULTAN); in 2008 it was 9.91 t/ha (control) and 9.63 t/ha (CULTAN). The differences in 2008 were not statistically significant. The contents of nitrogen and gluten were significantly lower at CULTAN treatment in both years. The values of falling number, Zeleny test and bulk density were generally similar at both treatments.

Amaranth is a promising C4-crop. However, for a wider spread of the crop a better understanding of factors that are influencing yield formation is crucial for optimizing the plant phenotype and enhancing yield. The present study wanted to clarify the effects of assimilate sources and sinks on yield formation by artificially altering source or sink size. Field experiments were conducted in Eastern Austria during three years with three genotypes, applying source-sink manipulation treatments at mid flowering (control, 50% of inflorescence removed, 50% or 100% of leaves removed). At maturity we measured shoot, inflorescence and grain dry matter, thousand kernel mass and number of seeds per plant. An average grain yield level of about 3.5 t/ha dry matter on control plots indicated favorable growth conditions for amaranth in general. The removal of all leaves had a strong detrimental effect on all parameters, but severity of yield reduction due to defoliation differed between genotypes, ranging from -49% to -73%. Contrastingly, 50% flower reduction did not have any significant effects. Also with 50% defoliation no significant yield reduction was observed. We conclude that source strength of amaranth during flowering is more yield limiting than its sink capacity.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of P, Ca, S, and/or K and/or Mg application at different rates on the botanical composition, herbage yield and its nutritive value in dehesas developed on calcareous soils. In two growing seasons, 2009/10 and 2010/11, five surface-broadcast fertiliser treatments were applied once in autumn. Two grazing periods were simulated by cutting the pasture in mid-spring and late-spring. Treatment K1, with the highest amount of Ca and without K in its composition, provided higher crude protein values in the herbage than controls in 2009/10. When the effect of each nutrient was analysed separately, a strong and highly positive response of Mg application on herbage production was recorded. A surface application of fertilisers containing 25 kg Mg/ha in autumn could increase herbage yield by 40% under the studied conditions. However, Mg was not applied alone, and thus this increase could be due to an effect of Mg by itself or to a synergistic effect between Mg and other nutrients applied. The application of Ca, P and Mg may also favour the production of high-quality forage by yielding a greater cover of legumes and digestible protein.

In order to develop the quality of life in small rural municipalities, their representation faces the thoughts about the perspective of these municipalities in economic terms (the capacity to finance long-term investments) as well as in the socio-cultural terms (the development of participation in public life embedded in the local identity). This article presents the results of the pilot empirical survey in one micro-region of the Czech Republic. The results of the in-depth interviews clearly indicate the preference of the investigated communities to choose the strategy of supporting their independence (which might result in the risk of lower ability to deal with economic problems) prior to the strategy to strengthen the economy of the community through merging the municipalities (and to risk the potential loss of local identity). The conclusions consider the possible forms of municipal cooperation reinforcing the capacity to address economic problems while preserving the autonomy of small rural municipalities. However, the low ability of the partnership cooperation of these municipalities is demonstrated.

Litterfall, an important component of the nutrient cycle in forest ecosystems, was measured for 9 years in young oak stands on two localities classified as beech-oak climax (Fageto-Quercetum). We estimated that about 4 Mg of dry mass per hectare fell each year. Nutrient content in the litterfall represents annually per hectare approximately 40-55 kg of nitrogen, 2-3 kg of phosphorus, 7-16 kg of potassium, 41-73 kg of calcium and 6-7 kg of magnesium. The amount of litterfall is positively correlated with stand basal area and with the death of suppressed tress with small crowns. We found a positive correlation between annual litterfall and the sum of precipitation and a negative correlation between annual litterfall and temperature in summer.

We determined high pressure processing (HPP) effects on the activities of cathepsins B and D in the muscles of mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus). In mackerel, the cathepsin B activity decrease reached 40% at 450 MPa while in horse mackerel, low and intermediate pressures (150 and 300 MPa) caused an activity increase (30%) but at 450 MPa a decrease of up to 60%. In both species, cathepsin D activity increased after a 300 MPa treatment (up to 2-fold for mackerel and 60% for horse mackerel) and decreased on a 450 MPa treatment. The activity increase is probably due to HPP damage of lysosome releasing enzymes into the fish muscle. Based on the HPP effects on the activities of cathepsins B and D, 450 MPa may be used to reduce the proteolytic activity of cathepsin B prior to chilled or frozen storage of these fish species.

Eretmocerus mundus Mercet is one of the key natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). In this study, the sublethal effects of LC₂₅ of imidacloprid and field-recommended concentration of buprofezin on the functional response of E. mundus to different densities of second instar B. tabaci nymphs were evaluated. The results revealed a type III functional response in the control and imidacloprid treatment. The type III functional response was altered into a type II by buprofezin. Although imidacloprid did not alter the type of functional response of E. mundus compared to the control, it negatively affected the handling time and maximum attack rate of the parasitoid. Therefore, the use of this insecticide should be evaluated carefully in IPM programs.

The objective of this investigation was to study the histological structure of the gall bladder in the common quail (Coturnix coturnix). Samples were obtained from six male and six female healthy adult common quail. Tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Histological results showed that the overall histology of the gall bladder of the common quail is similar to that in the chukar partridge except for the goblet cells. No significant sex-based differences were found. The gall bladder was composed of tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa or tunica adventitia. The tunica mucosa was mainly lined with simple columnar epithelium which was covered by a continuous striated border of microvilli. Goblet cells were observed among the epithelial cells. The tunica mucosa formed some folds which appeared to be regularly distributed over the whole gall bladder luminal surface and were mostly isometric. Deep invaginations of the surface epithelium were observed to have grown down into the underlying mesenchyme, showing a tubular gland-like appearance. The muscularis mucosa was absent. The thin lamina propria-submucosa contained loose connective tissue which consisted of numerous diffuse lymphatic tissues, but no glands were observed. The tunica muscularis consisted of a thin circular layer of smooth muscle fibres. The loose connective tissue of the tunica serosa or adventitia was made up of adipose tissues and blood vessels. It is concluded that the histological structures of the gall bladder of the common quail are similar to those of the chukar partridge except for the presence of goblet cells among the epithelial cells of the tunica mucosa.

A six-year-old intact female Lagotto Romagnolo was referred with a two-day history of purulent vulvar discharge associated with fever, lethargy, polyuria, polydipsia and signs of abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a grass awn foreign body in the vaginal fornix. Culture swabs obtained from the vagina revealed the presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis as the preponderant organism. Ovariohysterectomy was performed, and the presence of the grass awn was confirmed. A chronic-active vaginitis was found at histological examination. The dog recovered with resolution of all clinical signs. Differential diagnoses for acute vulvar discharge in bitches should include retention of vaginal foreign bodies. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a grass awn foreign body in the vaginal fornix of a dog.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible action of the "female effect" by evaluating if exposure to estrogenized females would affect sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations while affecting the length of the reproductive season of Alpine bucks in northern Mexico (26°N). In January, two experimental groups were formed: (i) treated males (MH; n = 8) kept in a pen aside to another pen with four estrogenized females during four weeks; pens were separated by a metal mesh, and (ii) control males (GC; n = 8) which had no contact with any female during the same period. At the end of the study, an appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour test was performed by exposing males from both groups to estrogenized females. Besides, serum concentrations of testosterone were quantified in each male on days 0 and 28. On day 0 the serum levels of testosterone were similar in both groups (217 ± 86 vs 320 ± 89 ng/dl in MH and GC respectively; P > 0.05). However, on day 28, serum testosterone levels favoured to the MH group (164 ± 56 vs 49 ± 18 ng/dl; P = 0.06). With respect to the consummatory (80%) and appetitive (62%) sexual behaviour, the best reproductive performance was depicted by the MH group with respect to the GC group (P < 0.05). Results obtained confirm a positive action of the "female effect" upon behavioural, reproductive, and endocrinological outcomes, while extending the breeding season of Alpine male goats. These findings should be relevant in the design of clean, green, and ethical reproductive management strategies in goat production systems and potentially important to the animal industry.

Four peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars (cvs. TPT-1, TPT-4, JL-24 and TMV-2) were grown in open-top chambers at 350 and 600 µmol CO₂/mol in soil amended with 0 (control), 50, 100 and 200 mmol solutions of NaCl. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration (E) and dry biomass of leaf, stem and root were measured on 60 days after sowing. The plant growth and photosynthesis increased in both NaCl treated and control plants with elevated CO₂. The g_s and E decreased under elevated CO₂ and the CO₂ effect was highly significant under salt stress mitigating the adverse effect on these components in all the four cultivars tested. A positive correlation was observed between P_n and dry biomass under elevated CO₂ and salt stress. Enhanced CO₂ helps to increase growth and photosynthesis in peanut cultivars and it ameliorates the adverse effects induced by salt stress.

This study aimed to separate the respective contributions of root and microbial respiration to soil respiration in a rape field in Southwest China. The soil respiration was measured with a closed chamber technique and a regression method was used to apportion root and microbial respiration. Microbial and root respiration ranged from 70.67 to 183.77 mg CO₂/m²/h and 21.99 to 193.09 mg CO₂/m²/h, averaged 127.16 and 116.66 mg CO₂/m²/h during the rape growing season, respectively. Root respiration coefficient ranged from 0.41 to 5.39 mg C-CO₂/g C/h and was negatively correlated with root/shoot ratio, aboveground and belowground biomass, but positively correlated with root N content. The contribution of root respiration to soil respiration averaged 44.2%, ranging from 14.5% to 62.62%.

The effects of mineral and organic fertilization on the contents of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, B and Mo in soil and in the soil solution as well as on availability of these elements for crops were investigated in the long-term field trial. The highest contents of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in soil and soil solution were observed in the treatment with the lowest pH (NPK). In this same combination the content of B and Mo was the lowest. The concentration of Zn, B and Fe in the soil solution significantly increased under farmyard manure application. Liming significantly decreased contents extractable by 1 mol/L HCl forms of Mn and Zn and significantly increase the content of Mo in the soil. Regardless of fertilization applied, microelement concentrations in the soil solution are sufficient for fulfilling nutritional needs of plants cultivated during the trial.

The occurrence of 10 lower taxa within species Pyrus pyraster L. (Burgsd.) was confirmed in Slovakia. Among 507 of the evaluated plants on 64 localities, there were recorded 2 sub-species of the wild pear - Pyrus pyraster subsp. pyraster and Pyrus pyraster subsp. achras . Subspecies pyraster was represented by 4 varieties (pyraster, elongata, pénzesiana, brachypoda ) and 5 forms (populifolia, cordifolia, rhomboidea, ovata, slovenica ). All lower taxa were visually classified according to the leaf and fruit characteristics. Numerical classification based on discriminant analysis according to quantitative traits was done. Some discrepancies were found up to 16.7% between visual and numerical classification on particular levels of the lower taxa identification.