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It is estimated that world-wide existing germplasm collections contain about 7.5 million accessions of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Wheat (Triticum and Aegilops) represents the biggest group comprising 900 000 accessions. However, such a huge number of accessions is hindering a successful exploitation of the germplasm. The creation of core collections representing a wide spectrum of the genetic variation of the whole assembly may help to overcome the problem. Here we demonstrate the successful utilisation of such a core collection for the identification and molecular mapping of genes (Quantitative Trait Loci) determining the agronomic traits flowering time and grain yield, exploiting a marker-trait-association based technique. Significant marker-trait associations were obtained and are presented. The intrachromosomal location of many of these associations coincided with those of already identified major genes or quantitative trait loci, but others were detected in regions where no known genes have been located to date.

The paper evaluates the surface roughness quality of the titanium samples created by abrasive waterjet (AWJ) and by CO₂ laser beam cuttings. The introduction describes the principle of the mechanical (contact) method as well as the roughness parameters used for the experiment results evaluation. The following parts summarise the experimental conditions and the measurement methodology. The emphasis of this work is laid on the comparison of machined surfaces final quality for the selected traverse speeds.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the impact of sorting on the growth, survival, and cannibalism of pikeperch larvae during intensive culture in recirculation systems. Larvae aged 48 days post-hatch (DPH) were reared in three groups - small specimens (group S - average body weight 40 mg), large specimens (group L - average body weight 76 mg), and unsorted ones (group U - average body weight 55 mg). After three weeks of rearing, there were no statistically significant differences in specific growth rates among the groups. However, increases in biomass were higher in the sorted groups. Survival exceeded 50% in the sorted groups and 39% in group U. Higher cannibalism was noted in group U than in the sorted groups. Significant differences among the sorted groups were observed in cannibalism, which was higher in group L, and in natural and manipulation losses, which were higher in group S (P < 0.05). During the first two weeks of rearing, the lowest cannibalism rates were observed in group S, the difference between groups S and U was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of the experiment indicate that the sorting of pikeperch larvae has a positive impact on the survival rate, however, it has no impact on growth during their rearing in the RAS.

The process of leukocyte cytolysis and the manifestations of apoptosis and secondary necrosis of neutrophil granulocytes (hereafter only "neutrophils") were studied on four virgin heifers after the induction of leukocyte influx into the mammary gland and after their lavage in in vitro conditions. Phosphate buffered saline, muramyl dipeptide and a lipopolysaccharide were used for influx induction. Cytolysis and apoptosis were induced with heat stress, ultraviolet irradiation and spontaneous aging for 24 hours. The cytolysis was detected indirectly by determining the lactate dehydrogenase activity in the cultivation medium after the enzyme was released through cell lysis. The neutrophil apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and two staining methods (i) simultaneous staining with Annexin V labelled FITC and propidium iodide and (ii) with SYTO 13. It was found that leukocytes of the mammary gland of virgin heifers undergo spontaneous aging during in vitro incubation. The fraction of lysed leukocytes rose in the course of the in vitro incubation and reached 21% up to 34% after 4 hours and 73% up to 79% after 24 hours, depending on the inductor of influx used. From among them, phosphate buffered saline resulted in the lowest incidence of cytolysis, the lipopolysaccharide in the highest incidence. The differences in the effect of influx inductors on leukocyte cytolysis became manifest during the first 4 hours of incubation in particular; the differences between inductors became insignificant after 24 hours. Heat stress, unlike ultraviolet irradiation, resulted in a significant increase in the fraction of lysed leukocytes. Ultraviolet radiation induced neutrophil apoptosis in a dominant way, while the effect of influx inducers and/or of the staining method used for flow cytometry had no effect. Heat stress also induced neutrophil apoptosis but to a lower extent than ultraviolet irradiation. Spontaneous leukocyte aging during the in vitro incubation resulted in an increasing share of apoptotic neutrophils depending on the duration of incubation. An increase in the share of necrotic neutrophils was only significant after influx induction with the lipopolysaccharide, but not after induction with buffered saline. Highly significant correlation between the percentage representation of apoptotic neutrophils and the percentage proportion of lysed leukocytes was shown, both after influx induction with phosphate buffered saline, and with the lipopolysaccharide and after both staining techniques (r = 0.767; 0.932; 0.966; 0.922). Statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the proportion of necrotic neutrophils and the share of lysed leukocytes only after influx induction with the lipopolysaccharide (r = 0.579; 0.765). After the influx induction with phosphate buffered saline and staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide, statistically significant negative correlation between the percentage share of necrotic neutrophils and the percentage of lysed leukocytes (r = -0.653) was demonstrated. Thus it means that situations can occur when the more leukocytes succumb to cytolysis, the smaller the share of necrotic neutrophils that can be detected with flow cytometry. One can state that the in vit

The first purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of ad libitum feeding of peat as a supplement to piglets from the age of five days up 23 days of age on their growth performance and health status. The second purpose was to assess the risk of the occurrence of conditionally pathogenic mycobacteria (CPM) in peat treated with ionizing radiation (Group PI) or per acetic acid (Group PP) and fed as a supplement to piglets. In respective experimental periods (at the age of 4, 23, 41 and 67 days), no significant differences in the average body weight between control group (C) and experimental Groups PI and PP were detected. Levels of selected biochemical (total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, Ca, P, Fe and I) and haematological (erythrocytes, leukocytes and immunoglobulin - Ig) parameters of the health status of the piglets from all three Groups C, PI and PP were comparable at the age of 41 and 67 days. Mycobacteria were detected by culture in one diet sample (Mycobacterium intracellulare), in all 10 peat samples (7 M. a. hominissuis isolates, 2 M. intracellulare isolates and 1 M. xenopi isolate) and in 4 samples of biofilm from the drinking water pipeline system in the stables (M. xenopi, M. a. hominissuis, M. gordonae and Mycobacterium sp., one isolate in each). In 15 slaughtered pigs (at 67 days of age), no gross lesions that would give evidence of tuberculosis were found either in lymph nodes or parenchymatous organs. In Group C, mycobacteria were detected in tissues from two piglets (Mycobacterium sp. and M. a. hominissuis), Group PI in four piglets (M. a. hominissuis) and in Group PP in all five piglets (Mycobacterium sp., M. a. hominissuis, M. terrae and M. intracellulare). High positivity for CPM in both types of treated peat caused disseminated infection of the digestive tract of piglets from Groups PI and PP. Based on these results, feeding peat treated with ionisation or per acetic acid may be viewed as risky.

The paper analyzes the development and the prospects of organic farming in the Czech Republic with particular emphasis on organic beef farming. The background information on organic farming in the Czech Republic regarding the structure of land use, legislation and support payments as well as a short description of the market for organic beef is provided. An analysis of the economic performance and of the impact of payments on the economic situation of organic beef farms follows. Grazing livestock farms, mostly cow-calf systems, are the most widespread farm type in the Czech Republic. Five typical farm models were set up with the aim of giving an overview of the diversity of organic beef production systems. The results indicate that organic beef farming is in most cases economically viable. Nevertheless, organic farming payments, as well as other payments, account for a high share of economic success, so that it can be stated that organic grazing livestock farms are highly dependent on support payments.

This case study describes the pregnancy of a German Shepherd bitch with a singleton (one puppy) litter as a result of early embryo resorption. Resorption was confirmed by ultrasonography and the pregnancy was regularly monitored by USG and measurements of progesterone levels until parturition. These levels stayed within the physiological range. One healthy puppy was delivered within the timeframe of a physiological pregnancy although the inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICCD) protocol used for predicting the time of parturition showed divergence from the real time of whelping.

Mycobacterium pinnipedii causes tuberculosis in free-living and captive pinniped species throughout the world. We report on the isolation of this M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) member from an imported male Southern sea lion (Otaria flavescens) in a zoo in the Czech Republic. Nodular granulomatous lesions were found in the lungs, pleura and mesenteric lymph nodes of this animal and M. pinnipedii was isolated from lung, mesenteric and submandibular lymph nodes. Identification of the isolates was confirmed using two independent molecular methods. Direct IS6110 PCR amplification confirmed the presence of an MTC member in these samples. Faecal and oral swabs from three living female sea lions were examined using direct IS6110 PCR and were all found to be negative. Twelve environmental samples were examined using direct microscopy after Ziehl-Neelsen staining and culture methods along with direct IS6110 PCR examination, all yielding negative results. Seven people that came into close contact with the infected animal were examined using a skin tuberculin test and chest x-ray, revealing no evidence of infection by a MTC member.

The incidence of the summer (late-seasonal) growth of shoots was monitored following the planting of Scots pine from different provenances of the Czech Republic and different planting regimes in an experimental plot in Týniště nad Orlicí. In the third year after reforestation the local populations had the highest proportion of summer growth of the shoots (18%) compared to other populations. From the second to the fourth year after planting the percentage proportion of summer shoots was determined for the species Scots pine in conditions of the Polabí region, it was 13.5% of the individuals in each year. The analysis of stem sections demonstrated double rings as a result of the cambium activation through the growth of summer shoots.

Soil tillage practices involving various depth, intensity, and different methods of loosening the soil and treating plant residues have changed significantly in recent years and have spread also due to technical advance. The reasons are not only in expected benefits for crop production economics but also in preserving and increasing soil fertility. Although the practices were known for decades, their greatest development and use was seen only in the last 15 years, when decreasing production costs, efficient technology and effective herbicides were the main reasons for their development. At present, they are regarded as important alternatives to conventional management practices with moldboard plowing. Minimum soil tillage practices can contribute to effective soil management, however, risks associated with using these practices in various farming conditions shall be regarded. For cereals, these risks also include disease severity that is conditioned by several circumstances, which change along with the crop management practice, variety assortment or weather in individual years. Diseases that can be of greater importance in relation to the conservation soil tillage practice are stem-base diseases, root diseases and Fusarium head blight. Our experiments did not demonstrate an increased demand for protection against Fusarium head blight, foot diseases and take-all in the given system (three-crop rotation where wheat followed white mustard). Individual years were an important factor.

The experiment was carried out to observe the influence of the CULTAN method (controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition) on grain yield and yield formation of spring barley cultivar Jersey. In four-year small-plot experiment under conditions of the Czech Republic, two methods of nitrogen fertilization were used: conventional surface fertilization and local fertilizer injection rich in ammonium into soil during vegetation at BBCH 29-30 stages. Furthermore, the impact of sulphur amendment in fertilizer and increased dose of fertilizer were observed. Basic dose of nitrogen was 80 kg N/ha, increased dose 130 kg N/ha. At CULTAN treatment, same or significantly higher grain yields were obtained compared to conventional nitrogen fertilization. Grain yield at CULTAN fertilization is formed mainly on the main stem because of reduced tillering; it has the impact on significantly higher percentage of grain retained on 2.5 mm sieve. A tendency to lower protein content in grain was recorded at local injection of fertilizer compared to conventional fertilization. CULTAN-treated plants showed a lesser dependency of qualitative parameters on fertilizer dose and sulphur amendment in fertilizer. A positive influence of the CULTAN method on yield and quality of grain was observed mainly at the less fertile site.

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina is the most important disease among the three rusts of wheat in Bangladesh. The disease occurs in all wheat growing areas of the country with varying degrees of severity. Stem rust caused by P. graminis f.sp. tritici was last observed during the mid 1980s, while yellow rust caused by P. striiformis f.sp. tritici occurs occasionally in the north-western region, where a relatively cooler climate prevails during the winter months. None of the rusts has yet reached an epidemic level, but damaging epidemics may occur in future, particularly if a virulent race develops or is introduced. The genes conferring rust resistance in the breeding lines and wheat varieties released in Bangladesh were investigated at CIMMYT-Mexico and DWR-India. The resistance genes Lr1, Lr3, Lr10, Lr13, Lr23 and Lr26, Sr2, Sr5, Sr7b, Sr8b, Sr9b, Sr11 and Sr31; and Yr2KS and Yr9 were found. An adult plant slow rusting resistance gene Lr34 was also identified in some of the breeding lines and varieties based on the presence of clear leaf tip necrosis under field conditions. Considering the possible risk of migration of the devastating Ug99 race of stem rust into the Indo-Pak subcontinent, the Bangladeshi wheat lines and cultivars are being regularly sent to KARI in Kenya for testing their resistance against this race. The resistant lines have been included in multi-location yield trials and multiplied for future use in order to mitigate the threat of Ug99. The resistant lines have also been included in crossing schemes to develop genetic diversity of rust resistance.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the length of calf sucking milk from its own mother on calf growth at the age of 3 months and milk yield of mothers. We tested a hypothesis that the nursing of calves by their own mothers increases the body weight of calves and decreases the milk production. 50 Holstein primiparous cows and their calves were divided into three groups according to the sucking length of calves: 7 days (A), 14 days (B) and 21 days (C). All calves suckled mother's colostrum and milk while mothers were milked twice per day. After weaning from mother calves were kept in individual hutches until 56 days of life, and then in group housing pens. In the period from birth to weaning the calves of group A reached the lowest and the calves of group C the highest daily gains (0.35 kg, 0.46 kg, 0.54 kg; P < 0.01). The lowest gain was recorded in animals of group A (0.55 kg) and the highest gain was reached by calves of group C (0.74 kg) for the period from birth to three months of age. For the first 305 days of lactation cows of group A produced insignificantly more milk than group C (7356.5 kg, 6779.2 kg, 6663.9 kg). A significant difference in milk production was recorded only during the first seven months of lactation (5494.5 kg, 5041.9 kg, and 4872.3 kg; P < 0.05). The long stay of calves with their mothers influences the growth of calves positively, but the milk production of mothers may decrease. Therefore, the stay of calves with the dam within 21 days after birth is not recommended for high-yielding dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different sources of iron, hormones and Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the chlorophyll and iron concentration of the peach cultivars Katerina and Fire Blight. The results showed that the concentration of Fe in the leaves was significantly increased after spraying with FeSO₄.7H₂O (alone or in combination with KNO₃, urea, citric acid or ascorbic acid) or with GA₃ + Kinetin. Soil applications with Fe-EDDHA also significantly increased the iron concentration in leaves. Chlorophyll (a/b) increased only in trees sprayed with citric acid or H₂SO₄ 60 days after application. SPAD chlorophyll measurements showed that Fe-EDDHA and FeSO₄.7H₂O + organic matter, applied as soil drench, significantly increased the chlorophyll concentration in leaves of Katerina even up to 120 days after application. Foliar treatments had no significant effect on the SPAD index. SPAD measurements also showed that the concentrations of chlorophyll in leaves of the rootstocks St. Julien 655/2 and wild seedling rootstocks were significantly lower than in GF677 and Antafuel. The rootstocks inoculated with the A. tumefaciens strain Ag-28 alone showed a significantly lower chlorophyll concentration than the uninoculated ones.

Clinical examination and emergency care in newborn puppies is difficult, due to their different physiological characteristics and needs from those of adult dogs. This paper reviews the physiological events during parturition and the influence of parturition on puppy health.

The paper describes the regime and dynamics of the soil moisture content of sandy soils in Záhorská lowland during different growing seasons. Research plots are situated near Kamenný mlyn, approximately 3 km from Plavecký Štvrtok and 8 km southward from the town of Malacky. Changes in the soil moisture content are described by soil moisture constants (MCC, PDA, WP) and its relation to atmospheric precipitation and to the character of undergrowth is shown. The low water-holding capacity of sandy soils and their high drainage together with dense root system do not allow the sufficient saturation of soil during the growing season. The low wilting point value (2%) leads to the consumption of all available water in the soil. The most frequent is the semiarid interval of soil moisture (PDA -WP) with reduced availability of water to plants (> pF 3.1). The arid interval (< WP) occurrence on hot summer days results in a decrease in transpiration and assimilation intensity of plants, their physiological weakening and premature fall of assimilation organs.

The paper summarizes the main characteristics of a mixed stand during 80-year transformation to the mixed stand with permanent selective structure. The initial main stand was mostly composed of conifers with group arrangement, broadleaves as the reserved trees created the upper storey. Partial opening by thinnings prepared the stand for regeneration. Heavy thinning in 1959 (22% of the growing stock) opened the main stand and released the advance growth of broadleaves. Subsequent stand development was negatively affected by air pollution. Mainly fir and spruce responded to air pollution by deteriorated health condition and increment reduction. Beech and other broadleaves gradually increased their proportion in the stand (64% of the growing stock in 2008). Initial diameter distribution was sinistral, reserved trees affected the frequency of thick trees. Final diameter distribution resembled the model curve for selective forests, the number of thin trees was below the model curve for broadleaved forests with selective structure in these types of localities. Mean increments of individual species changed according to their stand position. Low fecundity of trees, weed infestation and game damage limited natural regeneration, artificial regeneration dominated for the whole time. The complicated structure corresponding to selective forest occurred rarely during the monitored period, the stand was differentiated mainly by spatial arrangement.

This research deals with productivity and cost of rock disintegration and side casting of materials with the use of a hydraulic hammer mounted on a PC 220 Komatsu crawler excavator, which is used on rocky slopes of Hyrcanian forests of Iran. A continuing time study was applied during the road construction. To estimate the volume of rock disintegration, the average end area equation was used. The increasing cut-slope height decreased productivity. The productivity of hydraulic hammer averaged at 5.5 m³.h^-1 for the mean work volume of 5.07 m³.m^-1. The unit cost of the system was 7.7 €.m^-3. From the economic point of view a new machine with multipurpose system could be recommended for forest road construction operations in rocky areas.

In Brazil savanna type of soils presents problems with phosphorus content. The selection and identification of maize genotypes to such environments is a high priority of Brazilian research. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate, in soils with different P concentrations, the dry mass attributes and characteristics of root morphology in eight maize lines with different genetic background and origins of the Breeding Program of the National Research Center for Maize and Sorghum. The experiment was carried out in plots prepared with two levels of phosphorus: high phosphorus (HP) and low phosphorus (LP). The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications. The evaluation of the characteristics of the shoots and the root system morphology was performed 21 days after sowing. The WinRhizo program of images analysis was used for the root morphology. There were no differences between the phosphorus levels for the dry mass attributes. However, when we compared P levels, root morphology of L13.1.2 strain performed the highest surface area (SA) and total root length (RL), length of thin (TRL) and very thin (VTRL) roots in low P concentration. The root systems digital images analysis techniques allowed efficient discrimination of maize genotypes in environments with low P levels.

Investigations were carried out at the experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb in the growing seasons 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 with the aim to determine the influence of seeding rate and fungicide treatment upon the yield and yield components of spelt (Triticum spelta L.). The trial included two spelt cultivars: Nirvana and Ostro, three seeding rates: 200, 300, and 400 germinated seeds/m2, and a fungicide treatment (tebuconazole). Cultivar Nirvana produced a significantly higher grain yield in both trial years, higher number of spikelets per spike, higher grain number and mass per spike. Cultivar Ostro had a significantly higher grain crude proteins content, higher 1000 grain weight, and also a higher number of sterile spikelets per spike. No significant effect of seeding rate on grain yield was determined while the fungicide treatment had a significant effect on grain yield only in the warmer year 2008/2009.

Development assistance achieved remarkable success in different periods. For example, Botswana and South Korea reached the great development in the 60s after very bad situation, Indonesia in the 70s, Bolivia and Ghana at the end of the 80s, Uganda and Vietnam in the 90s. In these countries development assistance played important role in economic transformation in formulation of the development of politics. The development assistance contributed educational programs and financially supported the development of public sector. The "Green Revolution" - by means of innovations in agriculture, investments and political changes - improved the live conditions of millions people thanks to the collaboration of many bilateral and multilateral donors. But there are some failures with the foreign aide. While the formed dictator of Zaire Mobutu Sese Seko became one of the richest people in the world (and invested his property in abroad), the development assistance did not stop for many years, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) is only one example of the situation, where the permanent flows of assistance ignore or support the corruption and in suitable politics of governments. Tanzania received two milliards dollars for building the roads destiny the twenty years. But the roads were destroyed sooner, than the works could be finished because of insufficient maintenance. The study of World Bank brings the conclusions of the new conception of the development assistance: financial assistance works only in suitable political world; the lowering of poverty is possible only with working institutions - political and economic; effective assistance complete the private investments; receiving country is obliged to have public sector in function; the function of public sector is developing on the activity of civil society; patience and good ideas, not only money, can help to reforms in very unfavorable conditions.

The contribution presents the modelling solution of the potential scenarios impact of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union after 2013 in the selected sectors of the Slovak Republic national economy. The solution is accomplished using the Computable General Equilibrium model with the emphasis on the productive and less favourable agricultural areas and the theoretical rents for agricultural land. If we take into consideration both pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, according to the modelling calculations in Slovak conditions the most favoured is the Conservative scenario, the Reference and the Flat Rate scenario are neutral and the least favourable is the Liberalisation scenario.

The land consolidation is a significant instrument for the ownership relations issue and for ensuring the maintenance of land functions and the increase of the ecological stability. Despite of the demonstrable arguments, this activity is not fully valued by the society, which is retroactively reflected from the long term point of view into the processes and structures of land consolidation in countryside. The analysis of the current organisation and management of the Land Offices pointed at substantial regional differences in the process management effectiveness, the utilisation of expert capacities during the land consolidation realisation and further administration actions. There is proposed an optimisation of the institutional structure that will be sufficiently flexible towards the changes of the demanded actions. The need for change of organisation and activities requires also the agro-environmental policies of the European Union.

This paper deals with transformation of pure even-aged forest stands to uneven-aged irregular stands on an example of the Klokočná Forest Range. The fully operational management system according to principles of shelterwood or selection systems has been executed here since 1993. An investigation of this transformation process started in 1999 and it is focused on the places with more distinct structural differences. On the basis of research analysis, it is possible to consider about the permanent uneven-aged forest stands in future here. But for successful achievement of this goal it is necessary to continue this transformation step by step for a long time. The transformation is still at the beginning and its result depends on the effort and the forest management goal and the priority of the particular forest functions.

Organic manure is considered as a beneficial fertilizer on soil quality and an excellent alternative resource of chemical fertilizer (CF). However, organic manure from intensive farms may have a negative impact on soil quality because of containing some harmful components, such as heavy metal and antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of poultry litter (PL) and livestock manure (LM) from intensive farming on soil physical and biological indicators of soil quality. Results showed that PL and LM amendment increased soil macropore and mesopore volumes and decreased soil micropore volumes. Tensile strength in PL and LM treatment were lower than those in CF, while soil aggregate wet stability index were greater than those in CF. Compared with CF treatment, the microbial biomass C and N contents (+89%, +74%), soil basal respiration rate (+49%) and soil microbial quotient (+45%) in PL and LM treatment were significantly greater. Significant linear correlations were found between soil organic carbon and most soil physical and biological properties (P < 0.01). The results suggested that modern intensive farm manures can be alternate chemical fertilizers as a main fertilizer to improve soil physical and biological indicators in a rice-wheat system.

The present paper is aimed at the use of satellite navigation of field machinery during seeding, this operation belonging to the most important field practises. Our attention was focused on the determination of the accuracy of the satellite navigation system based on using the correction signal real-time kinematic and its correct application for planting a wide-row crop (sunflower) and seeding a narrow-row crop (spring barley). The aim of the field experiment was also to specify the level of the necessary accuracy of satellite navigation systems during planting and seeding. The length of seeding/planting equipment was confronted with the accuracy of navigation of individual passes, especially when turning on the headlands. In the conclusion, the importance is highlighted of the automated tractor headland control during satellite navigation of combined field machines in the crop production.

The effect of three housing systems (conventional cages, enriched cages and litter) on egg quality parameters was evaluated in two experiments with four brown laying strains ISA Brown, Hisex Brown, Bovans Brown and Moravia BSL. During 40 weeks of lay the total number of 7200 eggs was produced and analysed for egg weight, egg component weight and eggshell quality indicators. In 60 eggs, pore density in the small-end, large-end and equatorial areas was determined. Significant interactions between genotype and housing were found out in egg weight (P ≤ 0.001), yolk and albumen weight (P ≤ 0.001) and yolk colour (P ≤ 0.001). Haugh units were the highest in eggs laid in cages and the lowest in the ISA Brown strain. Eggshell quality indicators were affected more by genotype than by housing. The interaction between genotype and housing was not significant for eggshell thickness but it was significant for eggshell weight and strength. Although eggshell thickness was lower in eggs produced in cages, eggshell strength was higher. A significant negative correlation was found out between pore density and housing system. Results of the study suggest that the ability of a strain to produce eggs of high quality in a particular housing system should be considered, even within brown strains.

We have estimated soil organic carbon and crop yield changes under distinct climate change scenarios for the Kočín farm in Slovakia. Two regional climate change scenarios, i.e. the A2 and B2 SRES emission scenarios, and a reference climate scenario have been included into the bio-physical process model EPIC to simulate the effects on the topsoil organic carbon stocks and crop yields for the period of 2010-2050. In addition, we have used the data from several fields of the Kočín farm including the soil data, crop rotational and management data as well as topographical data. The topsoil organic carbon stocks show a decreasing trend for the period of 2010-2050. Among all crop rotation systems and soil profiles, the losses over the period are 9.0%, 9.5%, and 10.7% for the reference, A2, and B2 climate scenarios, respectively. Increasing temperatures accelerate the decomposition of the soil organic carbon particularly when soils are intensively managed. The soil organic carbon changes are crop-rotation specific, which is partly due to the climate scenarios that affect the crop biomass production differently. This is shown by comparison of the crop yields. We conclude that EPIC is capable to reliably simulate effects of climate change on soil organic carbon and crop yields.

The paper examines the role of social capital in Czech agricultural sector. It is argued that social capital, just like economic capital, can be employed as a resource for the improvement of economic performance of agricultural enterprises. This hypothesis is tested on a sample of primary data and an analysis of the selected indicators of social capital is presented. These include personal social networks, membership in agricultural associations and access to sources of information. Following the results, it is argued that the presence of informal personal ties displays a stronger relationship to the entrepreneurial success than formal membership in agricultural associations. This outcome suggests a comparatively strong role of social capital in the dynamics of the sector.

Micronutrient malnutrition, resulting from dietary deficiency of important minerals such as zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), is a widespread food-related health problem. Genetic enhancement of crops with elevated levels of these micronutrients is one of the most cost effective ways of solving global micronutrient malnutrition problem. Development and dissemination of high Zn and Fe containing high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat varieties by International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is initially targeted for the Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia, a region with high population density and high micronutrient malnutrition. The most promising sources for grain Zn and Fe concentrations are wild relatives, primitive wheats and landraces. Synthetic hexaploids were developed at CIMMYT by crossing Aegilops taushii and high Zn and Fe containing accessions of T. dicoccon. Current breeding efforts at CIMMYT have focused on transferring genes governing increased Zn and Fe from T. spelta, T. dicoccon based synthetics, land races and other reported high Zn and Fe sources to high yielding elite wheat backgrounds.