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The paper analyses the development of agrarian foreign trade of the EC/EU states in the period 1961-2006. The aim of the analysis is to evaluate the influence of the EC/EU member base enlargement on the development of the value and territorial structure of the Community agrarian trade. Additionally, the paper analyses the impacts of the accession of the particular countries on their own and the total agrarian trade of the Community with the aim to clarify the development trends which preceded the accession to the EC/EU and which subsequently appear after the accession of the given state to the Community. Development trends recorded in the case of all joined countries in the period 1973-2006 are compared and in the final part of the paper, the impacts of the enlargement of the EC/EU on the development of internal (intra) and external (extra) trade are summarised.

Agriculture represents a significant part of the national economy. It secures production of food and influences many related processing industries. Although the volume of agricultural production and its proportion in the gross domestic product has been decreasing, there is a huge interest in increasing the performance of agriculture companies. One of the ways to enhance the company performance, to gain new markets or to achieve cost savings is a merger. Mergers are not very usual in the field of agriculture currently - their proportion in the total number of mergers in the Czech Republic in 2001-2013 was 3.07%. The aim of this paper is to analyse mergers in the field of agriculture. The analysis focuses on the consequences of mergers from the perspective of changes in the financial position and the company performance in the year before the merger and three years after the merger. The analysis proved that the company size (measured by the balance sheet total) decreased as a consequence of mergers and their performance increased.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 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.

From 1997 to 2000 the distribution of Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) in selected intensive apple orchards was investigated at six sites in the Czech Republic. Detection of ASGV was by ELISA. The virus was found to be commonly distributed; it was detected in over 50 % of the tested trees. Some cultivars were infected up to 100 %, while several were found to be virus-free. A high incidence of infected trees appeared in both older (20 years) and younger (7 to 8 years) orchards. This emphasizes the necessity to initiate the certification of the health condition of nursery material according to the system recommended by the EPPO.

The study included 124 Polish Black-and-White dairy cows of various share of the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed. Lactoferrin (LTF) gene polymorphism was obtained with PCR-RFLP method using EcoRI enzyme. Two alleles of LTF, A and B, were found in the studied population. Their frequencies were 67.74% and 32.56%, respectively. The alleles controlled the occurrence of three genotypes: AA, BB and AB, of frequencies equal to 37.90%, 2.42% and 59.68%, respectively. It was established that statistically significant associations exist between the somatic cell count (SCC) and LTF genotype, lactation month and parity as well as the HF gene share. No significant association was found between somatic cell count and season. The highest somatic cell count (transformed to a logarithmic scale) was found in milk of the AB genotype, whereas the lowest one was found in cows of the AA genotype.

Fifteen winter wheat varieties were tested for their reaction to Fusarium culmorum and F. graminearum in the ear in 1996, 1998 and 1999. To ensure a sufficient level of infection in the field the varieties were artificially inoculated with spores of the two species at a ratio of 1:1. The infection was evaluated using a 10-score scale at three times: first at the milk stage (BBCH 71-75), i.e. about 14 days after inoculation; two further readings were taken at 7-day intervals. The data were used to calculate the average infection for each variety at each reading, and were statistically evaluated. The parameter "area under disease progress curve" (AUDPC) was also calculated. Significant differences between varieties were found in all investigated years. On the average of the 3 years, the variety Ebi showed the lowest infection. Other varieties with significantly low infection were Estica and Atlet. The variety with the highest infection was Bruneta, followed by Samanta, Saskia and Samara. The degree of infection was considerably influenced by weather conditions in the year. A lower infection was observed in 1996 when rainfall in the period from 1st to 20th June was below normal, while rainfalls in 1998 and 1999 were higher in this period. The efficacy of fungicides was assessed in the highly susceptible variety Bruneta. All tested preparations significantly decreased the degree of infection in comparison with the untreated control. In 1998 the efficacy of fungicides was rather low (from 15.51 to 37.55%), while in 1999 it was higher (from 36.74 to 58.20%). In both years the preparation Folicur BT was most efficacious.

An extract of seeds of pea was prepared using 80% (v/v) acetone. Six fractions (I-VI) were separated from the crude extract on a Sephadex LH-20 column using methanol as the mobile phase. The antioxidant activity of fractions was investigated in a β-carotene-linoleate model system. For individual fractions, UV spectra were recorded and the content of total phenolics was determined. Results of the β-carotene-linoleate model system indicated that antioxidant activities of separated fractions correlated with their content of total phenolic compounds and they decreased in the order of IV = VI > V > III > I > II. The antioxidant activity of fractions IV and VI was very strong as compared with that of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Absorption maxima from UV spectra showed that flavonoids, and not phenolic acids, were the main phenolic compounds in separated fractions.

The aim of this trial was to clarify whether suckling after several weeks of only machine milking can affect the release of oxytocin, cortisol and prolactin in dairy cows. In total twelve Brown Swiss cows on their first to third lactation were used. Pre-experimental period: all cows were suckled three times daily (9.00, 14.00 and 20.00) and milked twice daily (7.00 and 17.30) in tie housing during the first 5 days postpartum. Afterwards the calves were separated and moved to another building. The cows were moved to loose housing and milked in the dairy parlour within the same stable. Experimental period: after four weeks of only machine milking twice daily, cows were relocated from the herd to the same place as they were housed and milked during their postpartum period. The cows were again suckled on day 3 and 4 after relocation at the same time as above. Oxytocin, cortisol and prolactin levels were evaluated during the first suckling on day 3 (9.00) and during suckling at the same time next day (4th suckling) after relocation. Oxytocin secretion was clearly inhibited in all cows during the first five minutes of suckling with tendency of slow increase during the next minutes of suckling (suckling lasted about 10 min) except for two primiparous cows showing an increase of oxytocin release from the first minute of suckling. The release of oxytocin in response to the 4th suckling significantly increased immediately after start of suckling. Both, cortisol and prolactin significantly increased in response to all sucklings. There were significantly higher prolactin and lower cortisol values during the first suckling as compared with the fourth suckling in primiparous but not in multiparous cows.

Visfatin encoded by the NAMPT gene (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, formerly also known as PBEF - pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor) is suggested to play a role in lipid metabolism and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus type 2. A new microsatellite SCZ004 was detected within intron 9 of the NAMPT gene. In Czech Large White (n = 95) frequencies of alleles 282, 286, 287, 299, and 304 were 0.02, 0.39, 0.07, 0.04, and 0.48, respectively. Allele 286 was predominant also in Landrace (n = 11) and Black Pied Prestice (n = 11) breeds. Association analysis was carried out between previously reported SNP AM999341:g.669T>C in intron 9 of the NAMPT gene and backfat thickness, average daily gain and lean meat content in Czech Large White (n = 215), Black Pied Prestice (n = 96) and Landrace (n = 105). The CC genotype was associated with higher backfat thickness (

Screening for bacteriocin production of 60 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) both isolated from various Vietnamese fermented food and obtained from the culture collection resulted in the detection of a bacteriocin-producing strain, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LTM 32 isolated from Vietnamese fermented milk. This strain was identified and partly characterized. This bacteriocin inhibited not only closely relative strains of LAB but also strains of Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus sp. including B. cereus, B. stearothermophilus, B. subtilis, B. pumilus and Staphylococcus aureus. It was heat stable at 121°C for 15 min, at 100°C for 120 min and stable during storage at -20°C and 4°C for 3 months. The bacteriocin was inactivated by some proteolytic enzymes, namely by proteinase K and pronase E in concentrations up to 0.5 mg/ml but not by α-amylase and pepsin. The optimal growth and bacteriocin production were achieved in M17L broth at 30°C and initial pH 6.8. The characteristics of bacteriocin-producing strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LTM 32 are of interest for food safety.

Although a positive correlation between aneuploidy and maternal age was first reported almost a century ago, the underlying mechanisms remain mostly unknown. Different hypotheses regarding age-related aneuploidy rise have been presented, but so far none of them can explain its full mechanism. Age-related aneuploidy is more likely to result from complex events taking place during the entire period of germ cell development, than from the failure of one particular mechanism. Recent findings confirm that the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) does not control and correct kinetochore-microtubule attachments in oocytes, enabling further propagation of aneuploidy, which has occurred in the earlier phases of oogenesis. In this review we will discuss the following hypotheses: the "limited oocyte pool" hypothesis, the "two hits" hypothesis, weakened centromeric cohesion and cohesin loss, different functions of the spindle assembly checkpoint and finally, changes in global gene expression.

In this case report, a diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma in a four year old male German shepherd dog is described. The dog, which had anorexia, bloody diarrhoea, dehydration and depression and, died on day 10 of therapy, was systematically necropsied. At necropsy, approximately 1.5 litres of cloudy and bloody exudate were detected in the thoracic cavity. The parietal lamina of the pericardium was covered with multilobular nodular masses related with each other, 1 to 5 cm in diameter and grey-yellow in colour. There were proliferations characterised with grey-yellow colour and approximately 1 to 5 mm in length on visceral pleura. The presence of abscess foci with liquefied-centrum was observed when examining a section surface of the lung. The appearance of the oesophageal serosa, thoracic aorta and the thoracic section of the diaphragm were similar to pleura. A thickening was microscopically determined in the parietal lamina of the pleura and pericardium due to papillary proliferations consisting of cells similar to cubic or cylindrical epithelium. Severe lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltrations were observed in the pleural sections next to the lung. Neoplastic cells had nuclei with large eosinophilic granular cytoplasms and large vesicular and single nucleoli. Some neoplastic cells were determined to include intracytoplasmic vacuoles. The neoplastic cells contained some mitotic figures. It was observed that some tumour cells contributed to giant cell formation through integration. In periodic acid Schiff-haematoxylin (PAS-H) examinations it was determined that the pleural basal membrane maintained its integrity. Immunohistochemically, the tumour gave a weak positive reaction with anti-pancytokeratin staining while giving intense reaction with anti-vimentin staining.

The Lactobacillus species by 16S Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (16S-ARDRA) was identified. Lactobacilli are bacteria often found in foodstuffs of both animal and vegetable origins. On one hand, they play an important role in the food spoilage and, on the other hand, they are used as starter cultures in food fermentation processes. The species-specific identification by traditional biochemical methods is time consuming and not always fully effective. Therefore, more efficient techniques are searched for. We focused on rapid identification of Lactobacillus isolates from different habitats. Forty-nine collection strains and isolates belonging to the genus Lactobacillus were discriminated. ARDRA was carried out with two restriction endonucleases. For the comparison of similarity, the Jaccard coefficient and clustering by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) were used. The percentages of similarity between profiles varied from 22% to 100% (AluI) and from 27% to 100% (MspI). This method proved applicable to the differentiation of 10 species.

Sharka disease caused by the infection with the Plum pox virus (PPV) in stone fruit trees is worldwide the most devastating for stone fruit production. Until now, good sources of resistance to PPV within the peach group have not been available. There are no commercial cultivars of peach that are resistant to PPV. Other Prunus species are known to show varying levels of resistance. Interspecific hybrids GF 677 (Prunus amygdalus × P. persica) and Cadaman (P. davidiana × P. persica) were revealed to be resistant to PPV. The resistance to a Dideron isolate of the descendants of Cresthaven × GF 677 and Cresthaven × Cadaman and their progenitors was evaluated after inoculation by chip-budding in a sealed screenhouse. Results demonstrate a certain level of resistance in both progenies of interspecific hybrids and indicate a potential for PPV resistance transfer to commercial peach cultivars but it will be necessary to perform backcrosses with peach cultivars of agricultural interest in order to return pomological and agronomic traits. For the definitive confirmation of resistance/susceptibility it will be necessary to wait until the adult stage of hybrids.

Identification of Meligethes species and their frequencies in adult samples collected at different localities in Central and South Moravia (Czech Republic, 2009-2011) was based on comparisons of morphometric and colour characters and on differences in male and female genitalia. M. aeneus, M. viridescens, M. subaeneus, M. atratus, and M. coracinus were recorded throughout the observation period, while M. nigrescens was recorded just in 2009 and 2011, M. carinulatus and M. maurus in 2010 and 2011. M. aeneus was the most frequent species of all compared samples (2009-2011). Of the accompanying species, M. subaeneus and M. viridescens were markedly more frequent in this study. Considering high resistance of M. aeneus to esteric pyrethroids, it could be helpful to distinguish among the individual Meligethes species occurring in field samples intended for laboratory testing.

The upper values of the extractability of trace elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in 2 mol/L HNO₃ and 0.025 mol/L ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (compared with their pseudototal content in aqua regia) for determination of prevailing anthropogenic and geogenic soil load were proposed and compared with the results of the other 30 Fluvisol samples collected from the Labe fluvial zone. The increased geogenic load of Fluvisols was confirmed in the case of Be and As in some localities where low extractability with increased pseudototal contents were detected as opposed to the other elements when their increased pseudototal contents were followed by their increased extractability. The maps of probability of increased geogenic soil load in the area of the Czech Republic based on the comparison of geological substrates and trace element load were constructed. The combination of proposed elements extractability values for geogenic load together with developed maps is a suitable tool for the definition of prevailing Fluvisol or sediment load on some localities in the whole area of the Czech Republic. The results can be also a useful tool in the decision making processes regarding dredged sediment application on agricultural soil (support tool for legislative norms, Direction No. 257/2009 Sb.).

Influence of CULTAN system (controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition) on the nitrogen uptake by spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was observed at 5-year small-plot field experiments under conditions of the Czech Republic (central Europe). Nitrogen uptake by CULTAN-fertilized plants was more even during vegetation period probably due to delayed term of fertilizer application. Nitrogen concentration in the aboveground biomass at BBCH 51 and in straw had no effect on grain yield. Post-heading nitrogen uptake as well as contribution of nitrogen translocation to total nitrogen in grain did not differ among both nitrogen fertilization treatments. Increase in grain size of spring barley by the CULTAN system can be explained by tendency to lower number of ears per area rather than by prolonged nitrogen uptake from soil. Lower protein content in grain of CULTAN-fertilized spring barley can be caused by increase in grain retained on a 2.5 mm sieve and also decrease in total nitrogen concentration in above-ground biomass at BBCH 51. No significant effect of CULTAN treatment on nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen uptake efficiency was recorded. Significantly higher nitrogen utilization efficiency at CULTAN treatment could be explained by lower grain protein content compared to conventional treatment.

The paper deals with the occurrence, development, natural enemies and harmfulness of a heteroecious aphid Eriosoma (= Schizoneura) ulmi (L.) which showed outbreaks in elm Ulmus glabra Huds. in Moravia in 2002. At main localities under study in Bílovice nad Svitavou and Brno-Jundrov, the aphid damaged about 63% leaves. Larvae of fundatrices hatched from mid-April and their development from hatching to maturity took about 14 days. Mature fundatrices occurred in May and reproduced for a period of 14 days. Their average physiological fecundity amounted to 311 larvae and ecological fecundity 291 larvae. Migrantes alatae occurred in galls from 18 May to 15 June and their physiological fecundity was about 22 larvae. Leaves were damaged even by 3 galls of an average length of 41 and width 11 mm. Sucking affected on average 11 cm², i.e. 27% (in case of the occurrence of 2 or 3 even 100%) leaf area. Natural enemies killed 90% aphids. A bug Anthocoris confusus Reut. killing aphids in 80% galls was the most effective control agent. Its eggs occurred from 25 April to 25 May and nymphs from 3 May to 25 June. Larvae of Syrphidae [mainly Syrphus ribesii (L.)] killed the aphids in 4 and birds in 6% galls. E. ulmi should be considered to be an important occasional pest of orchards and forests.

We used the random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) technique to discriminate the major emerging poultry pathogen, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), in broiler and chukar partridge cases referred to the veterinary medicine teaching hospital. Amazingly, the chickens and partridges random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns were similar. This suggests the risk of a common source for the strains isolated from the different animals and illustrates the necessity of novel and improved control programs to prevent and restrict this significant disease which is prevalent among poultry species.