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The paper analyzes the diversification into non-agricultural activities in the Slovak agriculture. It describes the diversification activities according to the Farm Structure Survey. In 2007, every third farm performed other gainful activities. The paper analyzes the public expenditures paid to the diversification in the pre-integration and post-integration period and reveals the covering of the beneficiaries in the past and new programming period. The conclusion presents the attitudes and opinions of the Diversification Measure beneficiaries connected with the evaluation of the implementing means and other aspects joined with the implementation of diversification activities within the sectoral programme documents.

Alder decline along watercourses is one of the marked manifestations of tree decline in the Czech Republic. Local decline of alder trees is documented in the Czech Republic for about 15 years. The aim of this paper is to evaluate causes of alder decline and assess health conditions of other species of riparian stands at 2 localities on the medium reach of the Lužnice River. Effects were studied of abiotic and biotic stressors on the health condition of tree species. No fungal pathogen was found in tissues of declining alders which would be present in all trees and which could be considered to be the main causal agent of the decline. Even an occurrence of the causal agent of alder decline named alder-Phytophthora has not been proved. Tree-ring analyses demonstrated decreasing trends of an increment in alders; however, an abiotic or biotic factor showing direct effects on the fluctuation of tree ring dimensions has not been positively determined. A marked role in the alder decline is demonstrated particularly by abiotic factors accompanied by the secondary activation of some pathogens. Generally, the phenomenon can be named as polyetiologic decline.

Runoff generation under various natural conditions has often been studied in forested watersheds for a long time. In 1967, Hewlett designed a variable source area model. The model is based on the expansion and shrinkage of variable source areas and consequent changes in a drainage network during a discharge event. The runoff investigation was carried out in a forested watershed situated in the summit area of the Orlické hory Mts. The watershed has a drainage area of 32.6 ha with the land-surface elevation ranging from 880 to 940 m a.s.l. Runoff components, their amounts and ratios were calculated using a simple graphical-mathematical method of the hydrograph recession limb analysis according to a reservoir model representing the particular components (base flow, subsurface flow and overland flow, in other words slow, accelerated and rapid flows). Comparing the amount of slow and rapid runoff constituents (89.5-99.4% and 0.6-10.5%, respectively), the greater amount of slowly moving water confirmed that overland flow was absent under conditions of forest environment. Not even the drainage treatment altered this positive ratio of the runoff constituents. During the third period, under stabilized hydrology and stand conditions, the accelerated and rapid runoff increased again, however maximally by 10% and 4%, respectively, not reaching the initial size of the calibration period.

Some phenolic acids alkyl esters (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and hexyl) and determine their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were prepared. The antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms Escherichia coli DMF 7503, Bacillus cereus DMF 2001, Listeria monocytogenes DMF 5776, Fusarium culmorum DMF 0103, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae DMF 1017 was investigated and expressed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range of 1.2-20mM. The inhibitory activity of phenolic acids butyl esters was found to be higher than that of methyl esters (MIC below 1.25mM). The antioxidant activity of the selected phenolic acids alkyl esters was investigated by Rancimat method. The esters of 3,4-dihydroxyphenolic acids (protocatechuic and caffeic acids) exhibited higher antioxidant activities in comparison with the respective phenolic acids. The highest antioxidant activity was found in the case of caffeic alkyl esters.

Soybean cultivation in many zones of India shows occurrence of native rhizobia besides other exotically adapted strains. In the current study, 22 rhizobial isolates (recovered from 12 different soybean growing sites) and 8 reference strains were selected for biochemical and metabolic characterization. Of 22 isolates, 18 were recovered as fast growing isolates while the rest were slow growing based on bromothymol blue (BTB) test. Unlike earlier belief that rhizobia have no ability to grow on glucose peptone agar medium, in this study, some isolates and some reference strains grew well on this medium. Similarly, when all the isolates were subjected to ketolactose test, some of the isolates were found to show growth on the medium. In contrast, based on C-utilization pattern (15 carbohydrates) a remarkable metabolic diversity was observed among the rhizobial isolates recovered in the study. The clustering and matching analysis showed that most of isolates were matching with slow growing reference strains, a few were with fast growing reference strains and some were found to be unique and hence not matching with any of reference strains. Such analysis suggests the occurrence of metabolically distinct types of rhizobia besides commonly known types (B. japonicum, B. elkanii and S. fredii) of soybean rhizobia and further validation is suggested through 16SrRNA gene sequencing technique.

The proportions of landraces in the Czech collection of wheat genetic resources significantly differentiates among wheat species, 4.2% in bread, 77.6% in emmer, and 80.0% in the einkorn wheat collections. A set of 10 selected emmer wheat landraces has been characterized by high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs). They were evaluated for 3 years in field trials, and described by grain quality parameters. Emmer wheat accessions differ considerably in the polymorphisms of HMW-GSs. Out of the total of 10 studied emmer wheat landraces, 5 accessions appeared to be homogeneous in the electrophoretic patterns of HMW-GSs; they were formed by a single glutenin line. Much higher crude protein content was detected in all of the emmer wheat accessions, in comparison with the control bread wheat cultivar. The proportion of this important component varied between 15.5% and 22.2%. On the other hand, SDS sedimentation, an important parameter of bread making quality, was very low (1.2-4.4 ml); and a similar situation has been recorded in the gluten index. Based on such results, the emmer wheat landraces can be considered potentially more suitable for other purposes than for the preparation of bread (e.g. for different grain mixtures, purée, etc.).

The goal of this study was to compare the growing degree-days (GDD) and predictive equations for alfalfa quality (PEAQ) for the prediction of lucerne quality and to test their accuracy and suitability in the first cut period in Central Bohemia. Several additional stand parameters were verified in order to increase the accuracy of the quality estimate under these environmental conditions. In 2004-2007, the measurement and sampling were repeatedly realized from the late vegetative to the early bloom stage in six replications. For the GDD model across the years, the obtained R² for NDF, ADF and CP were 0.40, 0.57 and 0.65, respectively. It seems that the forage quality response to accumulated GDD was related to the stand development and it could be the reason for low R² across all the years. For the PEAQ model, R² were 0.62, 0.92, and 0.85, respectively. Similarly like in the GDD model, the effect of stand development across the years on changes in the slopes of equations was observed. The accuracy of the model combination was not higher in comparison with the PEAQ model. The count of stems per plant, density of stems per m², dry matter yield and average stem weight improved the NDF content prediction within a four-year period. In these models, variables which represent the stand development should be taken into account.

Nitrite is an intermediate in the oxidation of ammonium to nitrate. An elevated ambient nitrite concentration is a potential problem for freshwater fish since nitrite is actively taken up across the gills in competition with chloride. Nitrite is a well-known toxicant for fish as well as a disrupter of multiple physiological functions including ion regulatory, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and excretory processes. One critical consequence of nitrite accumulation is the oxidation of haemoglobin to methaemoglobin, compromising blood oxygen transport. Nitrite toxicity to fish varies considerably and depends on a large number of external and internal factors. Among the most important ones are water quality (e.g. pH, temperature, cation, anion and oxygen concentration), length of exposure, fish species, fish size and age, and individual fish susceptibility. Chloride concentration in water is considered one of the most important factors influencing nitrite toxicity to fish. The importance of individual factors is assessed and re-evaluated continuously.

The optimal conditions for detecting Apple mosaic virus were assessed by determining relative concentrations of viral coat protein in different tissues (leaves, flower petals, dormant buds, and phloem) in five selected symptomless Apple mosaic virus-infected apple trees of two cultivars at different terms during the vegetation period. Relative concentrations of Apple mosaic viru were calculated as the reciprocal value of the Apple mosaic virus coat protein titer determined by ELISA. The highest relative virus concentration and therefore the highest reliability of virus detection was obtained with young leaves in April before flowering. The reliability of the detection was proved by repeating tests of 80 apple trees of four cultivars in the two subsequent years. The presence of Apple mosaic virus was tested in young apple leaves before flowering taken from 472 apple trees from selected orchards of the Czech Republic. The association of the outcome with climate is also discussed.

The goal of the research was to identify how important was the distance between the milk producer and the milk processor in their decision of which dairy plant would do the processing. The study should indicate if the advantage of a lower price offered by the distant milk producer would be eliminated or preserved by the transport costs. In the study, the cost of various lengths of milk collection routes in Central Europe has been examined. The difference in cost, whether a short or long journey was travelled, was compared to the range of raw milk prices within the chosen territories in Central Europe. The results proved that the milk collection costs in Europe enable rather long journeys, from the producer to the processor, to be made. In three of the four examined regions, the usual collection route of 200 km followed by an additional journey of 400 km enabled the preservation of the milk price advantage gained due to this journey. The feasibility of long collection journeys would reduce the impact of the success of local processors on the economics of the surrounding milk producers and vice-versa and could play an important role in the movement of raw milk in Europe in the ongoing concentration and liberalization process of milk production in the EU.

Biotic agents driven spruce decline has been observed over several regions in Europe. We studied the spatial pattern of spruce stands mortality due to biotic agents in three spruce dominated regions in Slovakia - the Kysuce, Orava and Low Tatras regions. Regularly reported data on sanitary felling were used for the analysis. Geostatistical techniques and other spatial modelling tools were used to design the zones of biotic hazard for each region. Zone A stands for the totally disintegrated stands with extremely elevated activity of biotic agents. Zone B represents the buffer zone around the zone A. Its width depends on the spreading potential of biotic agents and related stand mortality observed during the last years. Zone C stands for the background areas, with more or less healthy stands. Zone-specific forest protection measures are proposed. Such a system allows for the priority rating of unnatural spruce stand conversion and optimal allocation of forest protection measures.

Multiplex PCR was developed and optimized for simultaneous detection of wheat leaf rust resistance genes Lr26 and Lr37. The presence of the genes was analyzed in 21 winter wheat cultivars registered in the Czech Republic. Gene Lr37 was detected in four tested cultivars (Bakfis, Biscay, Nicol, Mulan), gene Lr26 occurred only in one cultivar (Etela) and three cultivars (Clarus, Orlando and Rapsodia) were found to carry both these genes. Data obtained by PCR markers were compared with results of greenhouse and field tests. Seedling reactions of cultivars possessing Lr26 to seven different leaf rust isolates conformed to the results obtained by the marker analysis, however, there were found some discrepancies in the detections of Lr37, which could be detected in greenhouse seedling tests only with difficulties.

A triennial evaluation of the content of titratable acids (TA) in grain was carried out on 12 varieties of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.). The model variety, Mironovskoe 94, harvested in 2004, was used for the monitoring of sensory changes in TA content, in relationship to different storage conditions and the application of different grain processing methods. The Czech state norm (CSN 56 0512-9 1995) Determination of Titratable Acids, with a slight modification, was used as the standard method. The TA contents in dry matter varied between 39 and 78 mmol/kg of grain dry matter, and significant differences between varieties and experimental years were found. The method of proso millet processing had a key role in the final sensitivity to rancidity. The storage conditions had a much lower influence on TA content than the processing technology. The clearly detected sensory changes found in scoured grains corresponded with TA contents within the range of 90 to106 mmol/kg. The monitoring of the TA content can be considered as a suitable tool for the prediction of rancidity processes in millet grains.

Field efficacy of seven geographical isolates of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV) along with an insecticide control was evaluated against H. armigera on cotton and chickpea in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. Among the HaNPV isolates, CBE I (Coimbatore) and NEG (Negamum) applied at 3.0 × 10¹² POB/ha to cotton and 1.5 × 10¹² POB/ha to chickpea with an adjuvant, crude sugar, significantly reduced the H. armigera larval population and increased the yield. CBE I and NEG recorded the highest yield of 2038 kg/ha and 2033 kg/ha, which was on a par with endosulfan (2026.7 kg/ha) with cost/benefit ratios of 1:2.32, 1:2.48, and 1:1.12, respectively, on cotton. In chickpea grain yields of 980, 983, and 973.3 kg/ha and cost/benefit ratios of 1:1.36, 1:1.48 and 1:0.87, respectively, in CBE I, NEG and endosulfan treated plots were obtained. The isolate RAJ (Rajasthan) recorded the lowest yield comparable to that of the untreated control in both crops.

The quantification of emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities is of prime importance for determining the importance of their effect on the environment. The aim of this study was to test a hypothesis that the interior concentration and emission of carbon dioxide in chicken housing is impacted by the age of animals and season of fattening period. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations and emissions were assessed over six fattening periods in total. The major part of CO₂ seemed to have its origin in bird respiration with assumed production of approx. 147 kg of CO2/h. CO₂ emission was most affected by chickens towards the end of the grow-out period (P < 0.001) taking dominance over the process of natural gas burning by heaters. The mean CO₂ emission from the chicken house ranged between 120 and 247 kg/h in the first quarter of periods and between 325 and 459 kg/h in the last ones. The heaters could be theoretically a possible source of approx. 39 kg each hour if they worked continuously. CO₂ emissions were considerably more affected by ventilation rate (P < 0.001) than by CO₂ concentration in the indoor air.

A five-year old female brown caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) was admitted to a veterinary clinic because of anorexia and lethargy. Chronic deterioration of the patient's condition together with the formation of slushy stools coloured from brown to red was observed during the previous eight weeks. Physical examination showed significant apathy and cachexia. Radiographic examinations of chest and abdomen revealed no pathological findings. Initial blood tests revealed decreased hematocrit and low levels of haemoglobin. Despite treatment with enrofloxacin and intensive supportive therapy with amino acids, vitamins and mineral matter, the animal died 14 days after admission to the clinic. Post mortem examination revealed splenomegaly with a total destruction of inner organ structure together with multiple granulomas in liver and lungs. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of tissue samples from liver, lungs and spleen revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli consistent with Mycobacterium spp. Identification of isolates was carried out using PCR restriction analysis (PRA) of the hsp65 gene and DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Two different mycobacterial isolates obtained from separate samples of liver, lungs and spleen were identified as M. chelonae and M. szulgai. This is the first report of mixed infection caused by M. chelonae and M. szulgai in a reptile.

A 14-year-old, mixed breed bitch was presented for investigation of progressive abdominal distension, dyspnea and general dullness. A large abdominal mass including numerous cystic areas was visualized in abdominal radiologic examinations. Moreover, some abdominal organs were displaced from their abdominal anatomical locations. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a uterine mass, which was removed by ovariohysterectomy. Histopathology confirmed uterine leiomyosarcoma. Clinical and radiographic examination did not reveal any evidence of metastasis two months after surgery. Canine uterine leiomyosarcomas are rare tumours, grow slowly and are not regarded as highly metastatic. In this case, removal of this huge tumor by ovariohysterectomy following laparotomy was successful as metastasis did not subsequently occur.

Latin America has very good conditions for microfinance; the macroeconomic growth which Latin America had shown in the recent years created favourable conditions for the microfinance institutions' favorable conditions and its development. Profitability of the microfinance sector presents an attractive market for the financial institutions which already have a have strong position in the market. The purpose of this work is to focus on the current situation and performance of the microfinance sector while identifying some of the reasons that affect the microfinance institutions in this region. The work also provides a view on the microfinance industry development to get a better description of the sector. The microfinance institutions are earning an undeniable importance in the process of the regional development and represent an important factor in the alleviation of poverty and insecurity for large segments of the population. The work is based on information from relevant sources that allow us to identify the current status of microfinance in Latin America, especially in these times when the crisis affects also the region's economic dynamism.

Multiaged silviculture is highly variable across North America but a commonality is the ties to the negative exponential diameter distribution to guide stocking control. These methods have evolved in several regions to include alternative stand structures and new stocking control tools are being developed. A trend in these new developments is integrating disturbance regimes and their effects on stand structure. The result, in some cases, is a movement towards longer cutting cycles and more flexible guidelines for stand structure.

Differences between the oak lepidopteran communities were studied in Slovakia in 1993 and 1994. Sampling was undertaken between April and October on 3 oak species. Biological traits of larvae were examined in order to explain differences in seasonal guilds among oaks. Cluster analysis shows similarities between communities in the flush feeder guild where the results were influenced mainly by temporal variability; in the late spring guild mainly by site; factors influencing summer feeder and autumn feeder similarities remain unclear. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was used to investigate the main gradients explaining variability in communities. Results indicated that the host specificity along axis 1 (A1) and larval ballooning along axis 2 (A2) were important in the flush feeder guild; larval feeding strategy along A1 and the degree of defoliation by Lymantria dispar along A2 were important in late spring feeders; the year of study along A1 and host specificity along A2 were important in the summer feeder guild; and adaptation to lower quality of food along A1 and host specificity along A2 for the autumn feeder guild. The results are discussed.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb), soil texture (sandy, loam and clay) and incubation periods (7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days) on soil respiration (CO₂ evolution) during sugarcane trash decomposition in laboratory conditions of the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India. Surface soils (0-15 cm) were collected from agricultural fields and crop residue of sugarcane trash (Saccharum officinarum L.) was taken in the institute farm. Crop residue (10 t/ha) and heavy metals (10, 50, 100, 1000 μg/g) were mixed and incubated at 30°C ± 2°C in an incubator. The rate of soil respiration (CO₂ evolution) decreased with increasing heavy metals concentration. During the 120 days, the toxicity decreased but still remained significant. Maximum soil respiration was recorded at 7 days of incubation period; further, it decreased with increasing incubation period. The highest drop of soil respiration rate was caused by addition of 1000 μg/g Cd, Cr and Pb levels. Clay soils evolved maximum CO₂ followed by loam and sandy soil.

In situ conservation is considered as conservation of wild biota in the natural habitat (locality). The authors extend the term to cultivated fruit species naturalised in the landscape, such as occasional spontaneous seedlings, and planted material such as old solitary trees among fields, old groves, avenues (country lanes), wind-breaks, and abandoned remnants of orchards. In situ conservation is also used to mark unique materials during collecting expeditions, before they will be taken as ex situ or proclaimed as permanent in situ. Important landraces found within 12 regions of the Czech Republic were registered, evaluated, and in situ localised by Global Positioning System (GPS). The following accessions were marked for in-situ conservation: apple (401), sweet cherry (263), pear (91), plum (42), sour cherry (27), and berry fruits (18).

Soluble lipase (Lipozyme CALB L) was immobilized by covalent bond to chitosan pellets prepared from Aspergillus niger mycelium. This immobilized enzyme was compared with commercial immobilized lipase of the same origin (Novozym 435). Novozym 435 is also lipase CALB L commercially immobilized by sorption on poly-(methyl acrylate). Novozym 435 shows much higher conversion of rendering plant fat in methanol under optimum conditions, having, at the same time, lower optimum temperature and lower stability at higher temperature. Lipozyme CALB L immobilized on chitosan leads to a low conversion, regardless its higher thermal stability. Novozym 435 gives conversion of about 50% of theoretical value, which is in good accordance with basically catalyzed transesterification of rendering plant fat described elsewhere. Lipozyme CALB L immobilized on chitosan gives conversion of about 10% of theoretical value only. The use of Novozym 435 in two-step system (enzyme-acid) seems to be more convenient compared with traditional two-step system (base-acid)

Soil quality is a measure of the ability of soil to carry out particular ecological and plant productive functions. It reflects the combination of chemical, physical, and biological properties. Some of the soil properties are relatively more important than the others and unchangeable. Others can be significantly changed by human activity. Nowadays, three groups of soil functions are usually defined: soil utility function (productive function, infrastructure area, source of materials); functions of soil in the environment (non-productive functions such as: water infiltration and water retention, transport of matter, buffering and sanitary functions); soil cultural function (history of nature and humans). The cultural function is, from our point of view, different from the others. The complex assessment of the soil quality is the topic of this paper and includes both the productive and environmental functions. The productive function (productive potential) of Czech soils has been long studied and is ± known. It is expressed by means of a one-hundred-point scale in the Czech Land Evaluation System. Its point values depend on different soil and local characteristics together with the natural conditions and their influence on the plant production. A similar principle was used for the assessment of the non-productive soil functions. The importance of the individual soil characteristics is defined. The values of the environmental soil function potentials are determined from the common soil characteristics and are compared with the values of the soil productive potential. Total soil quality can be then expressed as the average or as the sum of the points for all individual functions. Some selected function can be preferred by increasing its value coefficient for a specific land use area (for example, an area for obtaining underground water). Three texturally different forms of Chernozem (middle textured, clayic, arenic) which correspond to the Main Soil Units of the Czech Land Evaluation System are given as an example of the assessment. The evaluation of the total soil quality would then involve not only the agricultural and locality determined financial values but also an assessment of all environmental functions of the soil.

The paper analyses the machinery costs associated with the performance of the individual operations when growing and harvesting the legume-cereal intercrops (LCI). For this purpose, a database of costs associated with the individual operations concerning the LCI growing has been created. This database is continuously updated in such a way that it enables to estimate variable costs associated with the individual LCI growing and harvesting operations. The authors followed up and analysed the process of growing and harvesting the LCI as a fodder crop and preserving the harvested material in the form of haylage and silage or for grain (both wet and dry). The analysed data were obtained in the course of the individual operations of machinery used in the individual technologies of establishing and growing of the LCI under the conditions of organic farming.

The basic feature of an economic reform of the forestry in the Czech Republic after 1990 was separation of supervision in the state forests from operating performance. The Forests of the Czech Republic, state enterprise, was charged with management and supervision, hence economic activities of the subject are provided on the basis of contracts by entrepreneurial units called contractors in the forestry. The purpose of the paper is economic analysis of the Forests of the Czech Republic, state enterprise, in the period 1998-2002. The objective is the construction and testing of an elementary method of financial analysis as well as outline of financial situation and development of the chosen subject generally. The paper contributes to branch economy analysis, common in agriculture and wood-processing industry.

The aim of this study was to compare the degree of root rot damage in two large complexes of Norway spruce stands established on former agricultural land at fertile sites. The root rot infection was observed on the stump cutting area on both intended and salvage clear fellings. Stands in Kružberk area in the Nízký Jeseník Mts. established on arable land showed very poor stability and large root rot damage at the age of 40-50 years. In contrast, stands in Lužná area in the Javorníky Mts., founded on former sheep pastures, were markedly much less damaged at the age of 90-110 years and proved to be able to provide quality timber, although they were damaged by the root rot as well.

The agro-forestry system is one of the best known indigenous practices for livelihood. In view of instant decline in the rainfed hill agro-forestry system the present study was undertaken in the hilly villages of Uttarakhand state of India with the major objective to assess the status and effects of various factors on this centuries old indigenous agro-forestry system. The survey documented a total of 26 herbaceous food crop species and 21 woody species that were raised by farmers in the selected villages of Uttarakhand. A total of 37 plant species available in the agro-forestry system and used for curing various ailments by traditional healers were also documented during the survey. The major cereals produced by farmers were Oryza sativa L., Echinochloa frumentoacea Link., Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertner and Triticum aestivum L. The indigenous system of cropping was locally called as Baranaja that revolved around the production of > 12 varieties of crops. Besides food, the species grown in the agro-forestry system were used for multiple purposes. Water scarcity, migration of youth in search of employment and changing socio-economic and climatic conditions were some of the major reasons for declining agro-forestry system and abandoning the agricultural land.

Astragalus excapus L. and Astragalus austriacus Jacq. are regarded as critically endangered species in Slovakia. They are threatened by environmental impact, natural succession, as well as by human activities. Monitoring them is an important tool in determining their status and in making management decisions for their protection. In this contribution, a summary of the basic terrain endeavours, current status, locality and species description, habitat preferences, possible threats, current protection, and management activities are presented.

In November 2009 the gall midge species Horidiplosis ficifolii Harris 2003 was detected in the Czech Republic on leaves of an ornamental fig Ficus microcarpa. The insect is native to South East Asia, where it lives on the genus Ficus. No information is currently available on the prevalence of the pest in the countries of its origin. Imported Ficus plants from China into the Netherlands are sometimes heavily infested with the gall midge. In Europe it is also known from Denmark and the United Kingdom. As Horidiplosis ficifolii is a tropical species, no environmental and social damage is expected.