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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 study has been elaborated on the basis of a continuous analysis of economic results of a selected sample of agricultural enterprises operating in different climatic and productional conditions. Long-term tendencies and their influencing factors are defined on the basis of this analysis. The goal of this study is to evaluate the influence of external conditions on the economy of agricultural enterprises and on their economic results and to analyze the influence of the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU on the change of economic conditions of agricultural enterprises. On the basis of this study, the authors measures which would intensify the influence of agricultural enterprising on the rural development and which would improve the quality of life of rural inhabitants.

A disadvantageous tendency of resigning from milk production by small and medium sized farms has been observed in the recent years in the provinces of Southern Poland. It results from the low profitability of milk production on these farms and therefore the difficulties in reaching the income parity. It leads to a decline in the bovine population not compensated by an increase in the yield per animal and it poses a serious hazard to protecting the natural resources which is the function dairy farms perform in this region. The problem is serious since in the analyzed region, milk is acquired from 75% of farms keeping herds of up to 10 cows. Moreover, grasslands constitute a notably high share in the arable land structure, and for maintaining them cow keeping is a crucial condition. Hitherto functioning system of EU payments proved insufficient; therefore the Polish government intends to provide an additional financial support for dairy farms. The authors intended to reason that despite the hardly important participation of the analyzed regions in total milk production in Poland, an additional support for small and medium sized dairy farms from the state budget is socially necessary, in the first place because of the additional functions fulfilled by these farms.

A wide array of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory substances derived from edible plants have been reported to possess chemopreventive and chemoprotective activities. Among the most extensively investigated and well-defined dietary chemopreventives is curcumin. Using the Ames test and in vivo micronucleus test, chemiluminescence test, blastic transformation test, and comet assay, we examined the antimutagenic effects of the chemically identified chemoprotective substance curcumin (diferuloylmethane) in the pure form on mutagenicity induced by three reference mutagens: aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), 2-amino-3-metylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), and N-nitroso-N-metylurea (MNU), and the effect of curcumin on the immunosuppression caused by these mutagens. Curcumin in the pure form showed a clear antimutagenic and immunomodulatory activities on mutagenicity and immunosuppression induced by reference mutagens.

In conifers and other plants with long reproductive cycles, transformed embryogenic tissues can serve as a convenient source of plant material for the testing of insecticidal or fungicidal transgene efficiency. In this report, transgenic embryogenic tissue was obtained after the transformation of somatic embryos of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens with the gus-intron chimeric gene. The stable integration of transgenes was confirmed by PCR and Southern hybridization. The transformation was successful only in a suitable embryogenic cell line sensitive to Agrobacterium. Out of the nine embryogenic lines tested only one gave transgenic callus.

The presence of genes for resistance to scab (Venturia inaequalis) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) was studied using molecular markers in a sample of 279 apple cultivars from the Czech collection of apple genetic resources. The sample comprised 37 cultivars supposed to have the Vf gene for scab resistance, 97 reference world cultivars and 145 old and local cultivars. Six PCR molecular markers for the scab resistance genes Vf, Vm, Vbj, Vr and Vh and three PCR molecular markers for the powdery mildew resistance genes Pl-w, Pl-1 and Pl-d were used. The marker for the major scab resistance gene Vf was detected in all cultivars supposed to have Vf, except in Romus 1, and in the three small-fruited cultivars Malus Evereste, Golden Gem and Hilleri. The markers of the Vr and Vh scab resistance genes were detected in 22 cultivars in combination with the marker for Vf, in 56 reference world cultivars and in 82 old and local apple cultivars. PCR molecular markers for one or two of the powdery mildew resistance genes were detected in the small-fruited cultivars Malus Evereste, Golden Gem, prof. Sprengeri and Hilleri; and in the larger fruited cultivars Hagloe Crab, Borovinka and Tita Zetei. We did not find markers for the scab resistance genes Vm and Vbj in any of the studied cultivars. They are absent also in the remaining part of the Czech collection of apple genetic resources. PCR molecular markers are useful tools for the identification of resistance genes within apple germplasm collections and can be used to increase the number of sources for disease resistance in breeding programmes.

Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV, genus Mastervirus, family Geminiviridae) is the most common viral disease of chickpea in Pakistan. Two aphid [Aphis craccivora Koch, Myzus persicae (Sulzer)], two leafhopper [Empoasca devastans Distant, Orosius albicinctus (Distant)] species and an unidentified brown leafhopper were collected in a chickpea field by hand and sweep nets for transmission studies of CpCDV. Transmission results showed that only the leafhopper O. albicinctus successfully transmitted the CpCDV from diseased to healthy chickpea plants. The presence of CpCDV in inoculated plants and the vector O. albicinctus were confirmed by DAS-ELISA test using specific polyclonal antibodies.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in concentrations from 48 to 32 500 cells per gram of powdered infant milk were found in 18 out of 51 investigated samples (35%) in this study. More than 10 000 cells per gram were present in four samples (7.8%). Such concentrations mean that one package of milk contains 5 million MAP cells, which are ingested by a bottle-fed baby over the course of several days. Premature babies and bottle-fed newborns can be affected by pro-inflammatory triggers from a huge number of mycobacteria despite not suffering from infection with bacteria or viruses often linked with the etiology of Crohn's disease.

The problem of international debts is, by its character, one of the most complex problems which the world economy is now facing. It complicates both the global balance of payments and the financial - credit system stability, with pronounced negative impacts on the currency stabilisation. It hinders the development of international economic co-operation and its higher forms - international economic integration. It is one of the reasons that the symmetrical forms of interdependence are pushed off and displaced by the asymmetrical ones. The global debts problem deteriorates, namely during the last time in interaction with the negative manifestations of the global problems (for example, at present very strongly with the environmental problems), the complex international co-operation climate.

In this experiment we proved an effect of dolomite limestone on chemical immobilization in soil contaminated by trace metals, namely Cd, Pb, and Zn. Primary, we set up lysimeter pot experiment to measure soil leaching without vegetation. Willow clone (S. × smithiana Willd) was cultivated in the second lysimeter pot as a new approach to monitor Pb, Cd and Zn leaching, which was affected by soil liming (used in 1% rate). At the time of both harvests, aboveground biomass increased significantly at the amended variant. After the second harvest aboveground biomass production increased by 80% in comparison with the first one, Cd and Zn concentration in biomass decreased 2-fold and 3-fold, respectively. Dolomite limestone as a process of liming: (i) restricted metals leaching from the soil substrate; (ii) reduced metal uptake by willow; and (iii) increased biomass production of willow. Liming also alleviated the plant stress imposed by risk elements resulting in better plant growth and lower levels of stress markers (total nitrogen content and the main amino acid metabolism parameters in the willow leaves) yet through different mechanisms.

Hop purchasers impose still higher requirements on the quality of the final product, which is why hop granules have to be divested of all possible impurities. One of the places that are most at risk from the given point of view is the making of hop strings and the way they are attached to the hop-field supporting structure. Commonly used hop string attachments very often remain on the supporting structure after the harvest, spontaneously loosen in the following years, penetrate into the post-harvest processing stage of the technological procedure and negatively influence the output quality of the hops. The article summarizes the results of field experiments done during the pull-down of hop vines using a common hop string, but with various attachments with the aim of looking for the most suitable treatment which would exclude the risk of impurities penetrating from this stage of the technological procedure into the final product. The measurement carried out shows that so far the most advantageous treatment is hop string with simple attachment formed by twine 12 500. Breakage of hop strings occurred in 93% in twine, while with the rest of the vines only in wire.

A four-year old, 26.5 kg, Boxer bitch was presented to the Department of Reproduction in the Clinic of Dogs and Cats with a six month history of vulvar swelling and vaginal discharge. General gynaecological examination showed an extremely swollen, oedematous and tough-elastic highly irritable vulva. A vaginal smear revealed the presence of superficial cells and red blood cells. After repeated unsuccesful administrations of HCG and GnRH the owner of the bitch agreed to surgical treatment. An ovariohysterectomy was performed and on the left ovary a grapefruit-size structure was found. Three nodular structures were found retroperitoneally and were also dissected. Histological examination showed a disgerminoma in metastasises, mitotically active with a bad prognosis. However, at a check up twenty months subsequently the patient was still alive.

The article presents the results from the monitoring analyses of the buying/selling prices of agricultural land in accordance with the deposited contracts in the Real Estate Cadastre in years 2001-2008. Agricultural land sales, land areas and market prices are observed and evaluated under the size structure of the sold estates and their anticipated further utilization in the counties Dunajská Streda, Topoľčany, Rimavská Sobota, Liptovský Mikuláš, Michalovce and Svidník and for all observed counties as a whole. By data analyzing and evaluating of the agricultural land purchases/sales, there was taken into consideration the fact that the average price of the sold estates is to a large extent influenced by their size, location and the purpose of further utilisation. The estates of small area characterized as agricultural land are selling for the highest prices, but they already figure in the development studies and the land-use plans of the villages or they are regarded as building estates in the future. Therefore, the sold estates were divided into two categories in accordance with the expected further land utilization. As the estates for further agricultural utilization, there were considered the estates with the area above 1 hectare of agricultural land. In the case of smaller estates, it is assumed that they will be of building, recreational, sporting or other utilization after the landowner change.

Tick-borne infections such as granulocytic anaplasmosis number among emerging infectious diseases. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterial parasite infecting the granulocytes of vertebrates. This bacterium is the aetiologic agent of HGA (human granulocytic anaplasmosis). Molecular methods allow quick and accurate detection of pathogens in ticks, humans, or animals. Monitoring of the environment for A. phagocytophilum involves both classical and nested PCR, since these simple methods are most efficient. As markers, parts of the 16S rRNA, ankA, groESL, msp2, or msp4 genes are used for analyses. Molecular methods have enabled analysis of the genomes of pathogens, differentiation between strains and thus, in association with ecological studies, they facilitate an understanding of their biology, pathogenicity and mode of diffusion in the natural environment.

This article examines the factor content of agricultural trade in the Central and East European (CEE) transition countries. It relates the factor content of agricultural trade to the cross-country differences in technology stemming from different farm organisations between the CEE countries agricultural sectors and to the differences in relative factor endowments. The relative factor endowments alone do not satisfactorily explain agricultural trade flows in the CEE countries. We find that transaction costs and market imperfections that affect the organisation of production also distort farm specialisation and hence V the actor content of agricultural trade.

We examine the effects of selected fungicides on the Fusarium growth and toxins production especially of DON and T-2 toxins. Appropriate nutritive media were prepared containing different concentrations of the fungicides tested (Horizon 250 EW and Falcon 460 EC), inoculated with Fusarium moulds, and incubated under various conditions. The extraction of Fusarium toxins and their determination were carried out after the incubation using Agra Quant^®Deoxynivalenol Test kit and Agra Quant^® T-2 toxin Test kit. The results indicated a considerable variability of the individual strains in the formation of toxins. The strains of Fusarium graminearum CCM F-683 and Fusarium spp. (isolated from wheat) produced large quantities of both DON and T-2 toxins. Fusarium poae CCM F-584 and Fusarium sporotrichioides CCM F-352 always produced larger quantities of only T-2 toxin in the given nutrient media. The experiment showed that the use of lower concentrations of fungicides resulted in an increased production of the monitored mycotoxins. The presence of Tri5 gene in the tested Fusarium strains, coding trichodiene synthase, was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The enzyme - trichodiene synthase - catalyses the isomerisation and cyclisation of farnesyl phosphate to trichodiene, the first step in the biosynthetic pathway of trichothecenes.

We have tested the effect of water, methanol and dichloromethane extracts from the leaves of several species of Impatiens (I. noli-tangere, I. parviflora, I. glandulifera) on germination of seeds Leucosinapis alba and Brassica napus. All of the tested extracts had inhibitory effects to seeds of all studied plants (except the dichloromethane extracts). The highest activity revealed methanol extract and extract from I. glandulifera.

Influence of growth regulators chlormequat chloride, ethephon, trinexapac-ethyl, and a combination of chlormequat chloride and ethephon on decreasing sunflower height was examined in the years 2006-2009. Height was reduced by as much as 63 cm by double application of chlormequat chloride (915 g/ha) + ethephon (465 g/ha) at early and later growth stage (BBCH 32 and 50). Trinexapac-ethyl (375 g/ha) did not affect the height. One-time application of chlormequat chloride (1440-2160 g/ha), chlormequat chloride (458 g/ha) + ethephon (233 g/ha) (BBCH 30 or 50), or ethephon (480 g/ha) (BBCH 30) was sufficient for a ca 30 cm reduction during flowering, but this effect did not last until harvest. With double application (BBCH 30 and 50), reduction lasted until harvest. For ethephon (480 g/ha), application at BBCH 50 reduced height by as much as 35 cm and lasted until harvest. Combining a lower rate of ethephon with ammonium sulfate was effectively equivalent to using a full rate. Flower head diameter at maturity showed no significant negative influence compared to the control. In 2008 and 2009, a delay in flowering onset was observed after applying growth regulators.

Bread-making quality of wheat flour is influenced by wheat storage proteins. The percentage of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-unextracted polymeric proteins in total polymeric proteins (% UPP), as one important factors determining bread-making quality, is largely influenced by the individual and interactive effect of genetical background and environmental conditions. Four spring wheat cultivars were grown in green house. Two of the cultivars have high molecular weight glutenin subunits 5+10 while the other two have 2+12. Four different nitrogen regimes and two different temperature levels (distinguished as low and high temperature) were used. The results highlighted the importance of interactive influence of cultivars, nitrogen regimes and temperature levels for creating differences in the amount of % UPP during grain maturation period (GMP) and at maturity. The shift to end up with either high or low % UPP at maturity happened early during GMP (around 12 days after anthesis). Influences of cultivars on % UPP was found early during the GMP while influences of temperature and nitrogen regimes were seen much later during the GMP. The results will help in understanding the relationship between quality parameters of wheat flour and how these are influenced by different environmental and genetic factors.

Virulences to powdery mildew resistances in barley cultivars mostly carrying unknown resistances were determined in 2009 and 2010. Random spore samples of the airborne pathogen populations originating from winter and spring barley fields were obtained by means of a mobile version of a jet spore sampler by travelling across theCzech Republic. In total 301 isolates were studied, 55 differentials carrying mostly unknown resistances were used and 80 pathotypes were found, of which 26 representing 73.1% of isolates were detected in both years. Virulence frequencies showed a wide range from 0% to 100%. Complexity of the 2010 population slightly increased, mostly due to increasing frequencies of virulence to new resistances, whereas the complexity of virulences to resistances in most other differentials decreased. Pathotype 00027 was the most abundant (10.0%). Diversity of the 2010 population considerably increased due to changes in virulence frequencies.

Claw lesions and lameness in sows are an important welfare concern as well as a cause of considerable economic loss. These problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Given that group housing for gestating sows will become mandatory in the EU from 2013 onwards, the aim of the present study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in sows housed in groups during gestation, and (2) to analyze whether the type of group housing system and sow-related factors were associated with lameness and claw lesions. Eight Belgian pig herds with group housing of gestating sows were selected. Four herds used pens with electronic sow feeders (dynamic groups), the other four herds kept their sows in free access stalls (static groups). All sows were visually examined for lameness at the end of gestation. Claw lesions were scored after parturition. Information about feed, housing conditions and culling (strategy) was collected, as well as information about parity and breed. Of all 421 assessed sows, on average 9.7% (min. 2.4%, max. 23.1%) were lame. Almost 99% of the sows had one or more claw lesion with overgrowth of heel horn (93%) and cracks in the wall (52%) as the most prevalent lesions. Neither for lameness nor claw lesions was significant differences found between the two types of group housing. Lameness decreased while the mean claw lesion score increased with ageing. These results suggest that lameness can be caused by reasons other than claw lesions, especially in older sows. Although no difference was found between the two types of group housing, a huge variation between herds was observed. Moreover, as the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in group housing is quite high and group housing will become mandatory in 2013, further investigation on risk factors of locomotor disorders in sows is necessary.

The brachial plexus in adult red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) was found to be formed by the rami ventralis of C5, C6, C7, C8. A thin branch of C5 and C6 constituted the cranial trunk, and the caudal trunk was formed completely by the rami ventralis of C7 and C8. Thus, in squirrels, the spinal nerves which form the brachial plexus and the joining of these spinal nerves to each other differ from other rodents and mammals.

The research presented in the paper was aimed at analyzing the economic performance of organic farms in the Czech Republic and at evaluating their operation in variants (i.e. including or excluding subsidies). The research was targeted solely at legal entities due to a limited data base. The performance of organic farms (individual kinds of legal entities) was compared by regions with the agricultural enterprises farming conventionally. The organic farms economic profit was as well assessed in relation to their field of activity. Based on the analysis made, the economic situation is more favourable for the organically farming enterprises. Their economic results are actively influenced by subsidies without which an absolute majority of enterprises would be operating at a loss. (When including subsidies in the yields, 84.9% farms of the sample were profitable. On the other hand, while excluding subsidies, 95.7% of the enterprises were loss-making.) Economic success of the farms is influenced - together with subsidies - by the natural and climatic conditions as well as and by their field of activities. The enterprises farming permanent grassland (solely or in combination with a different culture) prevail. A lower intensity of this farming is reflected in the more favourable economic results.

The risk of Pb contaminated soil after treatment with different remediation techniques was assessed. Soil vitrification (microwaves) reduced Pb orally available from the stomach and intestinal phase measured by a physiologically based extraction test. Solidification of Pb (Slovakite) did not reduce the concentration of orally available Pb and increased the Pb uptake by Thlaspi goesingens for 2-times compared to plants grown on the original soil. Soil extraction with 40 mmol/kg EDTA removed 57.6% of Pb. However, the concentration of orally available Pb and Pb uptake by T. goesingens increased. The concentration of mobile soil Pb also increased for 14-times measured by a toxicity characteristic leaching procedure. Soil leaching with 10 mmol/kg biodegradable chelator [S,S] ethylenediamine disuccinate and using a horizontal permeable reactive barrier for Pb accumulation from the washing solution removed 17.8% of Pb, but increased Pb uptake by T. goesingens by 3-times and slightly increased the concentration of Pb in the intestinal phase. Leaching did not significantly effects Pb availability from the stomach phase or Pb mobility.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most often reported attribute and is chosen as the most important indicator of soil quality and agricultural sustainability. In this review, we summarized how cultivation, crop rotation, residue and tillage management, fertilization and monoculture affect soil quality, soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon transformation. The results confirm that SOM is not only a source of carbon but also a sink for carbon sequestration. Cultivation and tillage can reduce soil SOC content and lead to soil deterioration. Tillage practices have a major effect on distribution of C and N, and the rates of organic matter decomposition and N mineralization. Proper adoption of crop rotation can increase or maintain the quantity and quality of soil organic matter, and improve soil chemical and physical properties. Adequate application of fertilizers combined with farmyard manure could increase soil nutrients, and SOC content. Manure or crop residue alone may not be adequate to maintain SOC levels. Crop types influence SOC and soil function in continuous monoculture systems. SOC can be best preserved by rotation with reduced tillage frequency and with additions of chemical fertilizers and manure. Knowledge and assessment of changes (positive or negative) in SOC status with time is still needed to evaluate the impact of different management practices.

Our study aimed to determine morphometric data for wild boar (Sus scrofa) in various areas of the Czech Republic and the potential influence of environment on its body measurements. Three localities with varying agricultural systems and overall landscape structure were selected. Hunted boars were measured for height at the withers, body length, ear length, metatarsal length and weight (depending on the circumstances, either dressed with head, without head, or undressed). We also determined the age of the hunted boars according to teeth development. During 2003-2007, a total 654 boars were examined in various age categories. Body development was similar in all areas and without statistically significant differences until the age of 6-7 months. From 8 months, statistically significant differences in body proportions occur across all localities. It is just at that time that carrying capacities change in the selected localities. The results show that morphometric differences among boars of the same age are influenced by external environmental conditions in which the boars live.

Grazing-induced variations in vegetation may either accelerate or reduce soil carbon storage through changes in litter quantity and quality. Here, a three-year field study (2005-2007) was conducted in Tibetan alpine meadow to address the responses of surface soil (0-15 cm) organic carbon (SOC) storage in the plant growing season (from May to September) to varying grazing intensity (represented by the residual aboveground biomass, with G₀, G₁, G₂, and G₃ standing for 100%, 66%, 55%, and 30% biomass residual, respectively), and to explore whether grazing-induced vegetation changes depress or facilitate SOC storage. Our results showed that: (i) Higher grazing intensity resulted in lower biomass of grasses and sedges, lower root biomass, and in a change in plant community composition from palatable grasses and sedges to less palatable forbs. (ii) Increased grazing reduced the SOC content and storage with only G₃ showing an SOC loss during the plant growing season. (iii) Soil organic carbon storage exhibited a highly positive correlation with the residual aboveground biomass and root biomass. Our results imply that a grazing-induced reduction in plant biomass productivity and changes in species composition would depress soil carbon storage, and that an increase in grazing pressure can lead to a gradual change of alpine meadow soils from being 'carbon sinks' to become 'carbon sources'.

Ornamental nurseries, garden centres, public gardens and urban greenery in the Czech Republic were surveyed in 2006-2009 for the presence of Phytophthora spp. and the diseases they cause on ericaceous plants. Diseased plants such as Rhododendron spp., Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium sp., and Azalea sp. showed various symptoms including leaf spot, shoot blight, twig lesions or stem, root and collar rot. Nearly 140 Phytophthora isolates were collected from symptomatic plants in different areas of the country. Of the Phytophthora spp. on ericaceous plants or in their surroundings, P. plurivora appeared to be the most common species. Herein, we focus on the most frequently occurring species, P. plurivora, and describe its morpho-physiological and pathogenicity features and confirm its identity based on ITS sequences of rDNA. In addition, we give a list of other Phytophthora spp. including P. cactorum, P. cambivora, P. cinnamomi, P. citrophthora, P. megasperma, P. multivora, P. ramorum, and P. gonapodyides that we identified on the basis of their cultural and morphological characteristics and DNA sequences. We also discuss their importance in cultivated and natural ecosystems.

The main aim of this article is to present a technical solution for straw and forage yield mapping when using round balers with variable chamber for harvest. The yield measurement is based on monitoring of instantaneous position of a tension roller mechanism for press chamber circular belt. Wheat straw was harvested - baled, during our trial measurements. The acreage of the trial field was 12 ha. Calibration of the measuring system showed a strong dependence of the tension roller position on the amount of pressed straw (R² = 0.99). Geostatistical evaluation confirms a spatial relationship of measured data sets with a moderate spatial dependence. Finally, yield map of straw was created