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The German Federal Gene Bank at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben comprises ca. 148 000 accessions of crop plants and their wild relatives. Among these, material from Albania and Greece is represented with ca. 1100 and more than 2700 accessions, respectively. IPK's collection of Albanian germplasm is the world's largest collection, while IPK's Greek germplasm collection is the third largest holding of Greek crops and their wild relatives. The largest part of this material (ca. 200 and 1600 accessions from Albania and Greece, respectively) originates from two collecting expeditions carried out by Hans Stubbe, the founder of the Institute for Cultivated Plant Research, and other German collectors during the Second World War, in 1941 (ca. 700 accessions) and 1942 (ca. 1100 accessions). Stubbe's expeditions are described with respect to the regions visited, species collected, plus a comparison between the original collections and their present state in the IPK Gene Bank is provided. A formal scientific report about the results of these expeditions had never been published before. The material from these expeditions can be freely requested from the IPK Gene Bank, after signing a Material Transfer Agreement.

Estimates of the effects influencing the economics of pig production are of primary importance for breeders. For this purpose, costs, revenues and profitability were determined on the basis of individual parameters of the efficiency of tested pigs and of average commodity prices. The calculation was the result of the efficiency of actual animals and of the average and simulated prices of inputs received by producers in large-scale production operations. 136 animals, 64 of crossbred combinations (LWs × D) × (LW_D × L) and 72 of PN × (LW_D × L) were used. The total cost of 1 pig represented the costs per weaned piglet, feed and other costs; the revenues represented the actual price of a pig at slaughter. Multivariable hierarchical models were constructed to assess the relationships between the following factors: crossbred combination, nutrition and sex, ADG, number of piglets bred, CFM price and carcass price with the outcome variables: costs, revenues and profitability. The results demonstrated that the total cost of fattening pig is considerably influenced by the price of a piglet and feed, not by the price of the carcass and the growth intensity. There was no proof of a relationship between the price of a pig and reproduction and/or the price of feed. Profitability is significantly influenced by the reproduction rate, price of feed, growth intensity and revenues. The results also showed that the intensity of nutrition and the sex considerably influence the total cost of 1 fattened pig, which represents an increase in the total cost by 3.80 € in the application of ad libitum feeding techniques, and 5.39 €/pc in the fattening of barrows. The choice of a suitable combination represents a decrease in the total cost by 1.49% and an increase in revenues by 2.93%. Profitability is significantly associated with the intensity of nutrition, sex and breed. With unrestricted feeding it is reduced by 4.1%, for barrows by 6.6%, and in the use of four-breed combinations of crossbreds it increases by 4.13%.

Oral disorders of the dog represent for veterinarians a medical challenge and an important field of interest from the economical point of view. Although many epidemiological studies on dental diseases in beagles bred under controlled conditions have been realized, information on frequency of these alterations in populations of pet dogs, especially in Central Europe, is far from complete. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of the most common oral diseases in dogs in a Czech urban region. A total number of 408 dogs, presented at a private Czech urban veterinary hospital for different reasons, were analyzed. Site specificity and severity of dental diseases were assessed using modified indexing systems. Dental alterations could be found in 348 out of 408 dogs (85.3%). The most frequent diseases were (i) periodontitis (60.0% of 408 dogs), (ii) calculus (61.3%), (iii) missing teeth (33.8%), and (iv) abnormal attrition (5.9%). Furthermore, single cases of caries, tumors and enamel hypoplasia could be observed. Periodontitis occurred preferentially in the upper jaw of small dogs and increased with age. The labial/buccal side of teeth was affected more severely than the lingual/palatinal side. Differences between left and right side could not be observed. Malocclusion and insufficient oral hygiene care seem to predispose to periodontitis. As periodontitis, dental calculus occurred preferentially in small dogs and increased with age. The prevalence of calculus formation did not differ between left and right side. However, the upper jaw showed a higher degree of affection than the mandible. On the labial/buccal side of the teeth, a thicker calculus layer could be observed than lingually/palatinally. Interestingly, the degree of calculus formation and of periodontitis did not correlate in all cases, supporting the hypothesis that supragingival calculus per se is not an irritant. The pattern of tooth loss was the same between left and right side and between upper and lower jaw. Most commonly, the first premolars were missing followed by incisors and other premolars and molars. Tooth loss for other reasons than periodontitis and single cases of tooth agenesis has not been detected in our study. (Abnormal) tooth wear was detected only in older dogs and affected mostly canines and premolars of large breeds. Age estimation based on dental attrition should be carried out with care, because tooth wear depends on keeping conditions and feeding of the dog. Our study confirmed the high prevalence of oral diseases in dogs. Veterinarians could improve the effectiveness of treatment concentrating their diagnostic efforts on age groups and types of teeth at highest risk, as assessed in this and other reports.

In Pakistan citrus groves in general are facing a serious problem of decline that is attributed to different causes. The major cause, however, is the prevalence of citrus virus and virus-like diseases; Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is of utmost concern. Although CTV has been identified and characterized on the basis of serological and physical properties, no information is available on the strains of CTV in Pakistan. The identification of CTV strains will be helpful in developing strategies to control the decline of citrus trees to a great extent. Many citrus growing countries have successfully used the technique of cross protection to minimize the drastic effect of severe CTV strains. By pre-immunization of the citrus tree with mild strains, the decline can be controlled to increase the life span of the citrus tree. In this study we focus on the possibility of establishing a cross protection technique in Pakistan against the CTV strains.

The paper points out the importance of exploring human potential not only in countryside, but also of local communities as such. We emphasize the significance of the endogenous model of territorial development for the development of countryside and human capacities as the decisive factor of territorial development. Second part of the paper focuses on changes happening in the characteristics of human potential since 1989 in Slovak municipalities. It points out to the transformation changes overcome by local communities during the important social changes. It compares situations in various types of municipalities as well as various regional differentiations in this area.

Besides group A rotaviruses, group B and C rotaviruses have been detected as the cause of diarrheal diseases in pigs. Of a set of 329 faecal samples from pigs, 16 samples were selected in which rotavirus was detected by electron microscopy and at the same time group A rotavirus was excluded by ELISA method. Rotaviruses were assayed using specific primers for detection of group B and C rotaviruses, and RT-PCR and semi-nested PCR methods. In one sample, no rotavirus of group B or C was detected; in the remaining 15 samples rotavirus group C was detected, in two samples together with group B rotavirus. Sequencing of the obtained PCR products and comparison with corresponding gene sequences revealed 80% nucleotide sequence identity between group B rotaviruses and available sequences of porcine isolates. A nucleotide sequence identity of 92% was obtained in group C rotaviruses as compared with the Cowden strain.

A micturition problem appeared in an eight year-old mare at the third month of pregnancy. Symptoms intensified during the course of pregnancy and, at the end of the tenth month, the foetus was aborted. Labour was ordinary with normal presentation, position and posture, yet there was a formation about the size of an ostrich egg. The structure was spontaneously pushed out of the genital tract during expulsion of the foetus. Examination of the structure showed that it was a urolith which measured 13 × 10 × 7 cm (circumference measured along the long axis amounted to 31.5 cm, and along the transverse axis to 26 cm) and weighed 803 g.

The soft palate plays a critical role in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Congenitally cleft soft palates (palatoschisis) in calves are rare and pose a serious challenge for surgical correction due to high complication rates. The main obstacles to repairing palate defects are obtaining complicated access to the soft palate, and reducing the tension on the repair so that the sutures hold. A 21 day old female Simmental calf was submitted to our clinic with a history of frequent episodes of coughing and milk dripping from its nostrils after suckling. After clinical examination, a congenital cleft palate was diagnosed. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia. First, lateral buccotomy was performed to improve the intraoral approach. The palatal defect was repaired using polypropylene mesh and palatal mucosal flap. An oesophageal tube was placed and anchored to the skin using a Chinese finger trap suture technique. Antibiotic treatment was continued through seven days and a transoesophageal feeding tube was fitted at the end of the surgery allowing the calf to be fed with milk during the postoperative period. Postoperatively, the caudal aspect of the repair broke down resulting in persistent mild bilateral nasal discharge. A combination of the two described techniques can be a good option for resolving palatal defects. However, adequate exposure and repair are still difficult to achieve and these approaches often result in serious postoperative complications.

The paper deals with the study of bionomics and population dynamics of Ips typographus (L.) in the area of the Praděd National Nature Reserve (NNR). Data were collected on the basis of detected feeding marks, beetles caught in traps, and also according to the frequency of occurrence or increase in the number of standing dead trees killed by the bark beetle attack in localities where sanitation felling was not performed. Finally, evaluation of the present condition of forest stand and population dynamics of Ips typographus was carried out. The results showed that the stands currently occur in the stage of disintegration when the role of the bark beetle is irreplaceable. Based on the research findings, the management of the bark beetle was proposed that would enable to achieve so-called regulated disintegration of natural spruce forests in the area of the Praděd NNR.

Total number of 104 canned soft drinks collected from several regions in Turkey were analysed. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of heavy metals in the drinks commonly consumed in Turkey. Quantitative determination of heavy metals: arsenic, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead in all samples was carried out by ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry) method. The mean levels (± SE) of arsenic, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead were found to be 0.037 ± 0.002 mg/kg, 0.070 ± 0.009 mg/kg, 0.143 ± 0.012 mg/kg, 0.005 ± 0.0003 mg/kg, and 0.029 ± 0.002 mg/kg, respectively, in soft drinks. Our data revealed that arsenic, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead mean levels found in all soft drinks, collected from several regions in Turkey, were within the Turkish Food Codex (TFC) values.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza is a mutualistic association between fungi and higher plants, and play a critical role in nutrient cycling and stress tolerance. However, much less is known about the mycorrhiza-mediated enhancement in growth and salinity tolerance of the peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) growing in the arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, mycorrhizal status of Glomus mosseae in diverse salinity levels on original substrate soil conditions was investigated. Different growth parameters, accumulation of proline content and salt stress tolerance were studied. These investigations indicated that the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could improve growth of peanuts under salinity through enhanced nutrient absorption and photosynthesis. Chlorophyll content and leaf water content were increased significantly under salinity stress by the inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi. Tolerance of the plants to salinity was increased and the mycorrhizal association was found highly effective in enhancing peanut growth and establishment in soils under salinity and deficient in phosphorus.

Resistance of 31 winter wheat varieties (bred in 6 European countries) to Fusarium head blight (FHB) was evaluated in field trials lasting for three years (2007, 2008, 2009) after artificial inoculation with Fusarium culmorum. The data on deoxynivalenol (DON) content were supplemented by symptom scores and determination of % of Fusarium damaged grains and % reductions of thousand-grain weight and grain weight per spike due to infection. These varieties and also 120 advanced breeding lines from the Úhřetice Breeding Station, SELGEN company were examined for the presence of gibberellic acid (GA) insensitive semi-dwarfing genes to evaluate their effect on FHB. The conditions of experimental years highly influenced the performance of all characters. The highest production of DON occurred in 2008 at a high temperature and high moisture content during the infection period. In all years the moderate resistance to accumulation of DON (at the level of Swiss variety Arina) was detected in the Czech varieties Bakfis, Federer, Baletka, Samanta and Sakura. Among these varieties, Federer showed a low accumulation of DON at a relatively higher symptom expression and greater reduction of grain weight per spike, but the other four varieties and the reference variety Arina expressed resistance in all the examined traits. The varieties Pitbull, Cubus, Kodex and Bagou were found to be highly susceptible to FHB. The presence of the dwarfing allele Rht-D1b resulted in a significantly higher mean symptom score and also in a higher affection of the other traits. Nonetheless, the analysis of frequency distributions in symptom scores showed the presence of resistant lines also among the GA insensitive lines, but with a lower frequency than in the group of GA sensitive genotypes. A relatively greater effect on manifestation of the disease had plant height, and therefore it is suggested that the adverse impact of Rht-D1b on FHB resistance could be to a high degree excluded by opting for taller Rht-D1b genotypes.

Interspecific hybrids of Prunus persica, Barier, Fire, Cadaman, GF-677, and Prunus sp. hybrids and selections, MRS, NBS 540-73, and Pumiselect were evaluated for resistance to Plum pox virus. Hybrids were grafted onto trees of a peach cultivar artificially infected with PPV and evaluated for six years for resistance to the virus. The relative concentration of PPV protein was determined by semiquantitative ELISA in June every year. The presence of PPV in peach hybrids was confirmed by IC-RT-PCR in 2007-2008. The presence and intensity of PPV symptoms were evaluated monthly from May to September. The hybrid GF-677 (P. amygdalus × P. persica) was confirmed as highly resistant to PPV. Hybrids Cadaman (P. davidiana × P. persica) and Fire (P. amygdalus × P. persica) were characterized as resistant to PPV. Hybrids GF-677, Cadaman and Fire were selected as candidate sources of resistance to be crossed with peach cultivars susceptible to PPV.

This paper follows previous papers published by the authors. All the papers are concerned with standard direct payments, the system of administration of direct payments approved for 2004 and their impact on the economy of agricultural enterprises farming in different production areas. The impact of different ways of using additional payments for the years 2005 and 2006 are compared in this report. Attention is mostly paid to ways of the maximum adaptation to the Reform of Common Agricultural Policy.

This study was aimed at investigating the lumbosacral plexus of squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Ten squirrels were used in this work. The animals were carefully dissected and the spinal nerves that constitute the lumbosacral plexus were examined. It was discovered that the lumbosacral plexus was formed by L6, L7, S1, S2 in nine animals and in the one remaining animal in addition to these branches rami ventralis of L4 and L5 were forming the plexus. The common root forming the last part of the lumbosacral plexus and giving branches dispersing to the hind limb was formed by the rami ventralis of L6, L7, S1, S2. Thus, in squirrels, the spinal nerves forming the lumbosacral plexus and the joining of these spinal nerves to each other differs from other rodents and mammals.

Carprofen or meloxicam are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may elicit a variety of renal disturbances. Prior to this study, the effects of carprofen or meloxicam on renal function in pigs were unknown. A total of 21 clinically healthy Goettingen miniature pigs (36.9 ± 7.22 kg) were divided into three groups based on what they were administered - carprofen, meloxicam or saline. First, blood was collected from the jugular vein and urine by ultrasound-guided cystocentesis. Serum urea (U) and creatinine (CR), fractional clearance of sodium (FCNa), urine gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, urine protein/creatinine ratio (UP/UC), urine gamma-glutamyltransferase/creatinine ratio (GGT/CR) and urine alkaline phosphatase/creatinine ratio (ALP/CR) and urine analysis - urine specific gravity (USG) and sediment microscopy were assessed before and seven days after daily intramuscular administration (IM) of saline (1.5 ml per animal), carprofen (2 mg/kg) or meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg). All animals had identical housing, feeding and unlimited water intake and had not undergone surgery or been administered any medication for three months prior to this. All pigs served as control groups for an experimental study of fracture healing using transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells and scaffolds. The data were analyzed using a one way ANOVA and a Mann-Whitney test (P < 0.05). In pigs receiving carprofen, serum urea and creatinine were significantly decreased, compared to the control (P < 0.01) or meloxicam (P < 0.05) groups. In animals receiving meloxicam FCNa was significantly increased (P < 0.05) and urine specific gravity significantly decrease (P < 0.05) compared to the pretreatment values. Two carprofen-treated pigs had a slight increase in renal tubular epithelial cells upon urine sediment examination. Intramuscular administration of carprofen or meloxicam in healthy miniature pigs for seven days causes no clinically important changes in selected renal parameters (without azotemia). However these changes indicate mild damage of renal tubules. Despite these findings, meloxicam or carprofen are recommended for analgesia in healthy pigs.

Surface ozone is considered to be a very phytotoxic gaseous air pollutant. Its negative impacts at both the cell and the organ level have been shown, mainly as a result of experiments. However, the demonstration of ozone negative impacts on native plants is not explicit. An assessment of ozone impact on vegetation and ecosystems using indicators based on ambient ozone concentrations is insufficient and assessment techniques based on internal ozone dose and on real plant damage are more appropriate. Such a possible technique is the mapping of ozone visible symptoms due to ozone influence. The ICP-Forest method concerning ozone visible symptoms and the assessment of ozone influence were applied for the purposes of this case study. The visible symptoms are characterized by a few typical signs. Nevertheless, the identification of visible symptoms in native conditions can be problematic and misleading conclusions could be drawn. Therefore it is necessary to complete the identification of visible symptoms with a validation in order to confirm ozone as the cause of plant injury.

Soil microbial biomass is a dynamic force driving soil phosphorus cycling in soils. The temperature, time and method for killing soil organisms in soil biomass P determination are so important factors that affect the results. The aim of this study was to compare some methods of soil sterilization and soil microbial P (Pm) release in extraction with NaHCO₃. Five samples of calcareous soils in three replicates were incubated in field capacity and 28°C. The texture of soils differed from loamy sand to sandy loam. They had 10-15% equivalent calcium carbonate, 1-3% organic carbon and 40-90 mg/kg available P content. After 1, 10, 30, and 50 days of incubation a portion of each soil was sterilized by five methods (chloroform fumigation, autoclaving at 121°C for 0.5 h, oven drying at 70°C for 48 h, oven drying at 180°C for 2 h, and ultrasonification). Phosphorus of the sterilized and control soils were extracted with 0.5M NaHCO₃ (pH 8.5) and determined spectrophotometrically as blue molybdate-phosphate complexes under partial reduction with ascorbic acid. Results showed that the method of soil sterilization and soil type had significant effects on biomass P estimated in soils (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between extracted biomass P at chloroform fumigation, autoclaving at 121°C for 0.5 h, and oven drying at 70°C for 48 h. However biomass P was significantly more extracted from soil by oven drying at 180°C for 2 h and by ultrasonification. Fixation of Pm in soil during the extraction period can reduce the precision of biomass P estimates. This effect was more obvious in biomass P determination by fumigation and oven drying at 70°C for 48 h. Biomass P determined by these methods and autoclaving had positive and significant correlations with soil sand contents, respectively due to long sterilization period and temperature. Ultrasonification released more P from these calcareous soils especially at the start of soil incubation. It released higher microbial P and reduced P sorption in soils; biomass P determined by this method compared to other methods had relatively higher correlations with fungi, glumales spore and P solubilizing bacteria numbers in soil.

Two sets of winter wheat landraces and obsolete cultivars were studied in three-year field experiments, and compared with 3 modern control cultivars. The higher spike productivity in modern cultivars could mainly be attributed to an increased number of grains in a spikelet and harvest index (HI), whereas thousand grain weight (TGW) has only a slight effect. Landraces and old cultivars proved to have a higher content of crude protein. Spike productivity characteristics, except for TGW, showed a negative correlation with the crude protein content in the grain. The number of kernels in a spikelet strongly affected the spike's productivity, whereas the TGW has only half the effect. The mean yield of four modern cultivars was 51% higher than the mean yield of 31 landraces and obsolete cultivars. Regression analysis proved the much stronger response of modern cultivars to environment (b = 1.63), then was the response of old cultivars (b = 0.87). Different responses to environments were found within the set of 31 landraces, as well. We could also identify potentially valuable donors of earliness and winter hardiness among the old cultivars. High crude protein content (up to 18%), and other valuable quality characteristics, were rather frequent. In both sets, HMW Glu-subunits were described, and we have additionally studied 67 selected lines. Among them, 10 lines showed the crude protein content of 17.5% to 18.3% (where the gluten index and Zeleny test varied from 28.5 to 54.0 and 36.8 to 61.7, respectively). High values of all quality characteristics showed lines gained from the cultivars Mindeszentpusztai (HUN), Szekacz 19 (HUN), Bartweizen linie a (AUT), Viglašská červenoklasá (CZE), as well as some others.

Marginal economic values for production and reproduction traits of pigs were estimated applying a bio-economic model to Hungarian commercial sow herds with integrated fattening of piglets. Data collected between 2002 and 2008 were used for the calculation. Marginal economic values (in € per unit of the trait per sow per year) estimated for fattening days in the station test, age at the end of the field test, lean meat percentage in the carcass, percentage of valuable cuts in the carcass and the number of piglets born alive were 2.84 €/day, 2.71 €/day, 22.45 €/%, 28.81 €/% and 54.22 €/piglet in the first litter, respectively.

PCR-SSCP was applied to analyze the polymorphisms of A-FABP gene in 4 lines of Beijing ducks (n = 400). The results showed that six SNPs were found in intron 3. There were no polymorphisms found in exon 3 or exon 4. The discovered SNPs were deposited in GenBank (Acc. No.: EU306611 and EU306610). The frequencies of haplotypes A/B in the Z4, Z2, Cherry Valley, Z4 × Z2 populations were 0.745/0.255, 0.764/0.236, 0.552/0.448, 0.672/0.328, respectively. The linkage disequilibrium was stated. The above described SNPs of A-FABP gene allow the incoming association analysis.

The use of antimicrobial growth promoters has been banned in the EU. This has created an interest in alternative strategies to prevent an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota and the potential development of intestinal disorders in livestock. Essential oils (EOs) have been known to exhibit antimicrobial activity against specific microbial species and could therefore be considered one such alternative in controlling the intestinal microbial population. Under anaerobic conditions, the tested Clostridium perfringens strains were found to be sensitive (P < 0.05) to carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, citral, limonene, thymol, particularly at the higher concentration tested (500 mg/l) and to oregano oil, rosemary oil and thyme oil. Streptococcus epidermis was sensitive (P < 0.05) to most EO's tested, also mainly at the higher concentration. The tested Salmonella serovars were found to be sensitive (P < 0.05) only to high (500 mg/l) concentrations of the tested EOs. Escherichia coli was sensitive (P < 0.05) to most of the tested EOs, also at lower concentrations (5 and 50 mg/l). Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus reuteri were less sensitive (P < 0.05) to most of the tested EOs, while Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis and L. fermentum were relatively sensitive also at lower concentrations (5 and 50 mg/l), although growth reduction by EOs of these bacterial species was less then with the antimicrobial growth promoter avilamycin. With the exception of Salmonella and E. coli, all tested microbes were sensitive to avilamycin. Selected EOs seem to have the advantage of inhibiting the growth of potential pathogens while only moderately influencing beneficial members of the intestinal microbiota. This difference in sensitivity may strengthen the microbiota and contribute to improved animal health.

The present report describes a series of adverse events recorded in gilts and sows at a pig-breeding farm. The animals were listless, had poor appetite and dyspnea, sneezed and coughed, but were afebrile. Subsequently, an increased number of spontaneous abortions occurred, eventually rising to 50 times their average number. The usual infective causes of abortion were ruled out by diagnostic testing; however, the results of drinking water analysis pointed to over-chlorination, with a free chlorine residual concentration of 2.11 mg/l, caused by failure of the chlorinator dispenser connected to the water supplying system seven days previously. Analysis of data on reproductive parameters indicated that the over-chlorinated drinking water directly induced an increase in the number of abortions after only two days of consumption, whereas 7-day consumption of over-chlorinated drinking water had a direct delayed effect on the increased return to oestrus in gilts and sows, and on the increased percentage of stillborn piglets (all P < 0.001). The consequential indirect delayed effect manifested itself as a reduced number of farrowings in gilts and sows, and a lower total number of piglets born (both P < 0.001).

The paper examines the factors that lead farmers to participate in c the contract farming in the Peninsular Malaysia. The primary data was collected through a survey using a questionnaire on the total of two hundred and eight farmers from various states in Malaysia. The study utilizes the stratified sampling method. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The survey identified forty-one contract farmers. Factor analysis was carried out to identify the factors that lead farmers to participate in the contract farming. Based on the analysis, five factors were identified as the reasons for contracting, namely, market stability, and access to marketing information and technology, transfer of technology to improve farming practices, access to inputs and indirect benefit. Contract farming or contract arrangements can be a valuable source of an additional income and knowledge that can be employed to enhance the productivity of the entire farming enterprise.

The influences of long-term flooding and Phytophthora alni subsp. alni infection on the growth and development of 4-year-old Alnus glutinosa (black alder) saplings were investigated. The black alder saplings were divided into four groups and then subjected to combinations of both factors - flooded and inoculated with pathogen, flooded non-inoculated, non-flooded inoculated, and control. The biomass of the living roots and actinorrhizae, increase in stem length, length of leaves, rate of chlorotic foliage, amount of foliage biomass and length of stem necrosis were assessed after seven weeks. Both factors, flooding and P. alni infection significantly affected the black alder. In addition, a significant effect of interaction was observed. The inoculated flooded group had a substantially lower biomass weight of living roots, actinorrhiza and leaves than the other groups. The necroses caused by the pathogen in the flooded group were more extensive than those in the non-flooded one. These findings demonstrate that the simultaneous incidence of stress caused by flooding and P. alni infection is highly dangerous for black alder.

For scaning rheological properties of tuber tissue during heating, different physical techniques are used. The experiments done on low solids tubers of cv. Magda have shown that maximum thermoelectric effect was obtained at about 60°C in the temperature region where the gelatinisation process of intra-cellular starch starts and some few cell disruptions occur.

In long-term stationary experiments under different soil-climatic conditions, an influence of mineral and organic fertilization on yield of winter wheat, spring barley and potato tubers was evaluated. Statistically significantly lowest grain yields of winter wheat (4.00 t/ha) and spring barley (2.81 t/ha) were obtained in non-fertilized plots at all experimental sites. In the case of potatoes, the lowest yield of dry matter (5.71 t/ha) was recorded in the control plot, but the result was not statistically significant. The manure-fertilized plot gave the average yield of wheat higher by 30%, of barley by 22%. Application of sewage sludge resulted in wheat yield higher by 41% and barley yield higher by 26% over control. On average, application of sewage sludge and manure increased the yield of potatoes by 30% over control. The highest yield was obtained after application of mineral fertilizers; average yield increased by 59, 50 and 36% in winter wheat, spring barley and potatoes, respectively. No statistically significant differences among the plots with mineral fertilizers were observed. At different sites, the yield of studied crops varied; however, the effect of fertilization on yield increments was similar at all experimental sites except for Lukavec. It is the site with the lowest natural soil fertility, and it showed the highest effect of the applied fertilizers.

Meadow grassland communities were monitored in situ in the region around the town of Bansk᠂ystrica (Central Slovakia) over the 2008 growing season. The botanical compositions were determined at the sites listed in NATURA 2000 (Donovaly, Tajov, and Priechod). The respective site coordinates were determined using a Global Position System, and then put on the digital map of the Google server. A range of rare, endangered, and protected plant species were found at the monitored sites (e.g. Gymnadenia densiflora, Lilium bulbiferum, Lilium matragon, and Stipa joannis).

In the present study the effect of preventive application of Enterococcus faecium EF 55 on the intestinal mucosa was evaluated in experimentally infected chickens with Salmonella enterica subsp. Enteritidis. A total of 120, one-day-old Salmonella-free chickens of Isa Brown hybrid were divided into 4 groups. The chickens in groups E and ES were perorally inoculated with E. faecium EF55 in a dose of 1 × 109 CFU/ml for 7 consecutive days. Placebo was applied to birds in control group C and group S during the first 7 days of life. At the age of 8 days chickens in groups ES and S were perorally infected with S. enterica subsp. Enteritidis phage type 4 in a dose of 1 × 108 CFU/ml. In birds treated with E. faecium EF 55 (group ES) a decreased number of Salmonella spp. positive individuals was recorded from 28.5% 2 days post infection (p.i.) to 10% 14 days p.i. when the difference between group ES and group with the application of Salmonella Enteritidis alone (group S) was significant (P < 0.01). On the contrary, in birds of group S the percentage of Salmonella spp. positive animals showed no constant changes. It increased from 12.5% 2 days p.i. to 37.5% 4 days p.i. The maximum of positive samples 83.3% was found 14 days p.i. The application of E. faecium EF55 reduced colonisation of caeca and minimized translocation of salmonellae into the liver and spleen. Two days p.i. the shortest villi in the jejunum were observed in group S - 1 266.2 µm, when compared to group E with the highest jejunal villi - 1 605 µm (P < 0.05). The growth of the villi was observed 14 days p.i. in all groups except group S. The early exposition of chickens to E. faecium EF55 led to more rapid development of intestinal villi when compared to the untreated control (P < 0.05). Reduced colonisation of the intestinal tract by salmonellae in birds treated with E. faecium EF 55 also preserved the microenvironment of the intestine from harmful effects of the pathogen.

Aluminium (Al) mobilisation in the forest soils is a serious problem due to the soil acidification. The rate and magnitude of leaching of Al and other elements and compounds from soils can be examined by means of percolation experiments. Aluminium elutriation was studied under laboratory conditions using undisturbed samples of forest topsoil from the Paličník area in the Jizera Mountains (Czech Republic), which originated under two different vegetation covers: European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst). Ponding infiltration was performed using three subsequently applied solutions. KCl solution was used to simulate the soil solution. Solutions with sulphates and nitrates addition (of two different pH values) were used to simulate acid rainfall. Passing liquid phase was analysed with respect to Al content and aluminium speciation. Differences were found in Al content and transport between different soils under spruce and beech covers. The soil sample under the spruce forest (SF sample) had a higher initial Al content than the soil sample under the beech forest (BF sample). As a result, the aluminium leaching from the spruce soil sample and the final content of water-extractable Al in the soil (Al content after the leaching experiment) were higher compared to the beech soil sample. This suggests that Al mobility and potential toxicity in the beech forest are grater than those in the spruce monoculture when studied in the acidification endangered areas.