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In the present study, three soils (Ferralsol, Luvisol topsoil, and Luvisol subsoil) were amended with biochars (charcoal, hydrothermal carbonization coal (HTC) of bark, and low-temperature conversion coal of sewage sludge), wheat straw and a control (no amendment) and incubated over a period of 365 days. Each amendment was applied at a rate of 11.29 g C/kg soil. After incubation, the soils were analyzed to retrieve three density fractions (free fraction (FF), intra-aggregate fraction (IAF), and heavy fraction) which were analyzed for total carbon (TC) contents and scanned by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The biochars and straw significantly increased the TC contents of soils as compared to control. Among soil organic matter (SOM) density fractions, higher TC contents were documented in the FF and IAF from biochar treatments as compared to the straw. The FTIR spectra of the FF from the charcoal and HTC treatments showed the presence of aluminosilicate minerals on surfaces of SOM. There were slight changes in the FF of straw and HTC treatments as compared to spectra of original amendments. The study suggests that the stability of charcoal and HTC in soils is due to the recalcitrant nature of biochar followed by occlusion into soil micro-aggregates.

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.

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.

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.

The effect of Scots pine admixture in European beech stand on the leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) from organic and humic horizons of Dystric Arenosols was studied in northern Poland in 2008-2009. Three zero-tension lysimeters under organic and humic horizons were installed in pure beech and mixed pine-beech stands. Water samples were collected after each rainfall, measured volumetrically, filtered and analysed. In each sample pH and concentrations of DOC, DON, NH₄-N and NO₃-N were analysed. Stronger acidification of leachates was observed in mixed stand compared to pure beech. About twice higher concentration of DOC and its fluxes per unit area were determined in mixed stand. The fluxes of DOC from unit mass of soil were less varied. In general, lower concentrations of DON, NH₄-N and NO₃-N as well as fluxes of the components (calculated in mg.kg^-1DM.year^-1 and mg.m^-2.year^-1) were observed in mixed stand.

Increasing productivity and reducing cost in long-distance transportation have become increasingly important in the logistics of forest harvesting operations. This paper presents the research results of the performance of loading with Volvo 4500 BM and timber trucking using two types of common trucks in the Nav watershed in Iran. Both trucks can carry logs shorter than 7.8 m in length. The study used a time study based on empirical data for loads collected from one procurement district in the Nav watershed. The models included the following explanatory factors: driving distance, number of logs, and load volume. The time consumption and productivity of loading and timber trucking depends on several variables such as volume and number of logs per cycle. To evaluate the current transportation system in the Nav watershed, the empirical time study was conducted. Since transportation includes several phases and since many factors affect the work performance, significant variation in the total transportation time was observed. This makes planning and cost accounting more difficult. The models developed in the study are a promising way to support route planning and optimization, and cost and profitability calculation for trucking en­trepreneurs and the forest industry. The average productivity of log transportation was 2.84 and 3.4 m3.effective h-1 for the dump truck and chassis truck, respectively. The average hauling unit cost was 18 and 15 USD.m-3 in the dump truck and chassis truck, respectively.

In brewing, yeast may be reused many times. A number of yeast repitchings differs significantly among the breweries. Adjusting the number of times a strain may be serially repitched is of great importance for quality and consistency of final products. The fermentative and physiological characteristics of the yeast culture used in successive laboratory scale fermentations were determined. Yeast physiological state was assessed by the measurement of the levels of intracellular carbohydrates. In our investigation there were not any detectable changes in yeast capacity to ferment. No significant variation in the production of flavour compounds was found either. However, intracellular glycogen and trehalose contents were dependant on the yeast strain, generation number and wort gravity. Nevertheless, an alteration in the yeast physiological condition during serial repitchings occurred in a different mode than in previous studies confirming that the impact of serial repitchings is strain and medium dependent to a large extent.

In this study, 254 Escherichia coli isolates from faecal samples of veal calves were evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion method. During the experimental period, six mass antibiotic treatments were administered to the animals (about one treatment per month). The active principles used were oxytetracycline, colistin, tylosin, doxycycline, chlortetracycline, and sulphonamides. An extremely high resistance prevalence (> 70%) towards penicillin, sulphonamide, tetracycline, ampicillin, and spyramicin was detected. Sixty E. coli isolates could be defined as multiresistant, showing resistance to at least 6 antimicrobial classes. Subsequently, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of a species-specific probiotic against multiresistant E. coli, showing its beneficial action with large inhibition halos for 76% of the isolates. This suggests the potentiality of the probiotic, putting in evidence a clear advantage of its use in veal calves nutrition, in particular during the first phases, when the animals are more susceptible to severe enteric infections by E. coli.

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.

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.

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in domestic pigs and to investigate the genetic divergence of swine HEV in the Czech Republic. To this end, a one-step real time RT-PCR assay was introduced as a screening method while nested RT-PCR was used as an additional method to obtain specific sequences from the HEV genome and thus to perform sequence analysis. A total of 63 piglets originating from 14 farms were examined. Bile and intestinal contents were collected from each animal. At least one HEV RNA positive piglet was found in ten (71.4%) of the monitored farms. HEV RNA was most frequently detected in bile samples (34.9%) compared to intestinal content samples (22.2%). In nine piglets (14.3%), both biological samples were HEV RNA-positive. Based on these results sequence and phylogenetic analysis of one randomly selected HEV isolate originating from each HEV RNA-positive farm was performed. Analysis of 287 bp PCR products of the ORF1 gene showed that all the studied HEV isolates could be classified into genotype 3 and subgenotypes 3f and 3g. The failure to find any 100% homology between our isolates and HEV isolates deposited in the GenBank confirms the significant variability within the HEV genome.

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.

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) which belongs to the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster, a group of five closely related Mycoplasmas, pathogenic to ruminants. The true lesions of CCPP are restricted to the alveolar tissues of infected goats, which distinguish it from other respiratory diseases of small ruminants caused by members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. The typical signs of CCPP are an accumulation of pleural fluid, unilateral hepatisation, adhesions, pleurisy and pleuropneumonia which clearly differentiate it from "MAKePS" syndrome caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc). The available literature on CCPP shows that so far in Pakistan, the true causative agent (Mccp) of this disease has only been isolated in the Pashin District of Balochistan and that the disease is more frequently confused with other respiratory diseases of goat caused by the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. The lack of suitable techniques and extensive knowledge in the field is a big limitation for the isolation and characterisation of Mccp from prevailing CCPP-like cases in the goat population of Pakistan.

An eight year-old mixed breed dog was referred for evaluation with chronic sneezing, epistaxis and nasal bone deformation. A clinical exam revealed a deformity of the left nasal bone. Cytological evaluation of the nasal cavity showed round and cuboid cells in different stages of maturation. Computed tomography images identified a diffuse soft tissue mass in the nasal cavity. The histopathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy with cisplatin and piroxicam was initiated. Computed tomography was used to follow the chemotherapy outcome. As many nasal carcinomas express COX-2, its expression was evaluated before and after chemotherapy. Computed tomography revealed a significant reduction of the tumour mass. Inmunohistochemistry showed a marked decrease in COX-2 expression and after 1120 days, the dog remained without clinical signs. Thus, the use of piroxicam and cisplatin is revealed to be effective in the treatment of a nasal transitional carcinoma in a dog. Also, it is possible to postulate that a decrease in COX-2 expression after chemotherapy may be regarded as an indication for a good response to the treatment and favourable outcome. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report that evaluates COX-2 expression after chemotherapy.

A reduction in the water available to plants will lend increasing importance to the dynamics of water uptake and to the water use efficiency (WUE) of cereals. The effect of drought on the water use efficiency of winter cereals was investigated in a greenhouse experiment in the Centre for Agricultural Research. The effect of water deficiency on the water use properties was studied by measuring changes in the grain weight, thousand-kernel weight and aboveground biomass. The water use efficiency of wheat varieties generally ranged from 1.5-2.3 kg/m³ and 1.06-2.0 kg/m³ in the case of optimum and limited water supplies, respectively, while these figures were 1.4 kg/m³ and 0.8 kg/m³ for winter barley and 0.8 kg/m³ and 0.5 kg/m³ for winter oat. Investigation on the relationship between harvest index (HI) and WUE was found that the harvest index is only one indicator of drought tolerance; but the stability of HI under non-optimum environmental conditions also needs to be determined.

The maps of altitude, geology, vegetation cover and land use were prepared and classified as the main criteria to locate soil and water conservation programs. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to determine the relative priorities of these criteria by pairwise comparison. All the thematic maps were then integrated using the overlay process in Geographical Information System (GIS) and the final map of soil erosion risk was produced. Results indicated that vegetation cover was given the highest weight (0.494). The geology was assigned the second highest weight (0.313), as the main cause of initiation of the erosion of erodible lands. Land-use change has a local influence on soil erosion, so it was assigned the third weight (0.151). Altitude is a low-impact variable for predicting the water and soil conservation areas.

The presence of genetic modifications was analysed in a total of 100 samples of non-labelled vegetarian and healthy food products. The basic raw materials in the samples tested comprised maize, soya, and/or rice. The screening of all samples was performed using the primers for CaMV35S promoter. The positive samples from this initial screening were further subjected to the analysis of specific transgenic material to determine the type of GMO present with subsequent quantification. Roundup Ready soya was found in eight samples, but its content was below the limit of 0.9%. None of the analysed samples of food products contained GM maize and GM rice. Considering that the investigated samples were imported mainly from EU countries, it can be concluded that the control of GMOs is carried out systematically and in accordance with the Serbian GMO Law.

Field efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) for managing soil arthropods and Cercospora leaf spots damage to peanut was studied in Ghana from 2008 to 2010. Treatments consisted of neem kernel water extract (NKWE) and neem kernel powder (NKP) applied separately as soil drench at the rates of 10.5 and 21.0 kg/ha at either planting or pegging. Untreated control and chlorpyrifos treatment at pegging were included as checks. Results showed generally that the neem products at the concentrations tested were efficacious and comparable to chlorpyrifos in lowering populations of soil arthropods and severity of leaf spot diseases, leaf defoliation, and scarified and bored pod damage, resulting in increased pod yield in 2008 and 2009.

In this study SEM and light microscopy were used to investigate the structure of the foliate papillae in the porcupine. The foliate papillae consisted of about 10 or 11 clefts. The length of the foliate papillae averaged 2.79 mm and its width averaged 863 µm. Taste buds were located intraepithelial in the basal half of the papilla grooves (sulcus papillae). Every wall on each fold harboured from five to nine taste buds. There were two different cell types of taste buds: one stained light (epitheliocytus sensorius gustatorius), and the other dark (epitheliocytus sustentans). The length and width of the taste buds averaged 190.5 µm and 86 µm, respectively. The ratio of the length to the width of taste buds was 2.21. The average depth of the papilla groves was 1763 µm and its epithelial thickness was 235.5 µm. In scanning electron microscopy, the thickness of the epithelial cell borders was apparent at higher magnifications and there micro-ridges and micro-pits were apparent on the surfaces of these cells.

Interspecies chemical communication is widespread among many groups of organisms, including vertebrates. Kairomones belong to a group of intensively researched substances, represent means for interspecific chemical communication in animals and bring benefit to the acceptor of the chemical signal. Important and often studied is the chemical communication between hosts and their ectoparasites such as ticks and other parasitic mite species. Uric acid is a host stimulus of the kairomone type, which is a product of bird metabolism, or secretions of blood-fed (ingested) ticks. Secretion of volatile substances with kairomone effect may depend on the health of the host organism. Another examined group is the haematophagous ectoparasite insects of the order Diptera, where in addition to the attractiveness of CO₂ a number of other attractants have been described. Specificity of substances in chemical communication can also be determined by their enantiomers. Detailed study of the biology of these ectoparasites is very important from a practical point of view: these parasites play an important role as vectors in a number of infectious diseases. Another area of interspecific chemical communication is the predator-prey relationship, or rather the ability to detect the proximity of predator and induce anti-predator behaviour in the prey. This relationship has been demonstrated in aquatic vertebrates (otter Lutra lutra - salmon Salmo salar) as well as in rodents and their predators. The substances produced by carnivores that induce behavioural response in mice have already been identified. The knowledge of interspecies communication (e.g., between host and parasite) is becoming a prerequisite in successful animal breeding and care.

In the past few years in Europe grass seed production declines. This tendency is especially pronounced in meadow fescue. Seed shedding and therefore yield losses are the problem in seed production. This can be reduced if seed of higher moisture contents is harvested. The impacts of drying temperatures of 70, 60, 50, 40 and 22°C on changes in dormancy and germination of seed harvested with moisture contents of 45, 35 and 25% were observed in the present study. The analysis was done immediately after seed drying, then three months later and eight months later. Seeds with the moisture content of 45% that were dried at 70°C were not dormant at all after harvest, but seeds were damaged, which resulted in reduced germination. Drying temperatures of 40°C and 50°C resulted in maximum germination of seed harvested with 45% moisture after three months. After eight months the best germination of all seeds was obtained at 22°C and 40°C. The seed ageing test confirmed faster deterioration of seeds harvested with higher moisture contents. Seed harvested with 25% moisture and dried at 22°C is the most suitable seed for longer storage.

Little attention has been paid to the effect of long-term fertilizer application on concentrations of elements in grain of barley produced on the metal non-contaminated agricultural soil. In 2010, we analyzed yield and concentrations of elements in grain of spring barley in unfertilized control, mineral fertilizer application (N₄P₂K₂ - 70, 60 and100 kg N, P and K per ha) and combinations of farmyard manure or poultry litter with mineral fertilizer (FMN₄P₂K₂ and PLN₄P₂K₂) treatments in the Ruzyně Fertilizer Experiment established on Luvisol in 1955 in Prague (Czech Republic). The yield of grain ranged from 4.03 to 9.74 t/ha in the control and FMN₄P₂K₂ treatment. There was a positive effect of fertilizer application on concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorusand potassium, but no effect on concentrations of calcium and magnesium. With the exception of iron, concentrations of micro (copper and zinc) and risk elements (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel) were not significantly affected by the fertilizer treatments. Long-term use of organic and mineral fertilizers with appropriate application rates does not represent any risk for contamination of barley grain by risk elements on mineral rich and metal non-contaminated agricultural soils.

The effects of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on P loss potential, soil Olsen-P and neutral phosphatase activities in paddy soils fertilized with superphosphate or pig manure (PM) were evaluated in this paper. Data were collected from a field experiment in the Tai Lake Basin, China. Superphosphate rates were 0, 17.5, 26.7, and 35.0 kg P/ha, and PM rates were 0, 1.4, 2.1, and 2.8 t/ha for each crop, respectively. Soil Olsen-P in the plow layer increased to a greater extent with PM than with superphosphate. Pig manure increased neutral phosphatase activities in the plow layer compared with PM-free treatment. In contrast, superphosphate inhibited neutral phosphatase activities compared with superphosphate-free treatment. Spring application of P fertilizer markedly increased the total P of surface water in November (< 0.01 vs. 0.10 mg/L) compared with P-free treatment. The total P of shallow groundwater at a 75 cm depth was ~0.01 mg/L. Phosphorus fertilizer did not influence Olsen-P or neutral phosphatase activities under the plow layer. Downward movement of P did not occur. Appropriate rate of P application of 26.2 kg P/ha for each crop in this soil reduced the risk of P loss in the paddy wetland ecosystem.