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The authors analyze and interpret the data of the Czech Statistical Office about the consumption of the selected foods in the form of secondary analysis. The effort was to take into account the assessment of the trends as well as to deduce their possible impact on the health condition of an individual. From the analyses mentioned, it is obvious that in the selected statistical data of the development of food and beverages consumption in the Czech Republic the tendencies towards healthy life style have not been unambiguous or significant within the last eight years.

The objective of this paper is to show the mediation between citizens and political power by political parties in Czech rural areas. The position of political parties in rural municipalities is demonstrated in two perspectives. The top-down perspective is based on the distribution of several tens of thousands mandates in local municipal councils between political parties. The opposite perspective provides the bottom-up point of view - from the level of the individual municipalities, their party systems and party organisational structures. The analysis of the municipal election results reveals clearly that the role of political parties in local politics depends namely on the size of the given municipality. In this sense, the Czech Republic represents a very interesting example as it is characterised by a dense and heavily fragmented population settlement with a large number of small rural municipalities. In rural municipalities, we encounter incomplete party spectra and the absence of political parties in the smallest municipalities. Besides, the lists of candidates in rural municipalities reveal the weakness of the local party organisations that cannot avoid cooperating with the independent candidates. The small distance between the citizen and the elected body in a rural community significantly determines the forms of the local politics; the ideological and party mediation is superfluous, in fact, it is often seen as something harmful which divides the rural community.

Sewage sludge application in agriculture is the simplest method of its management. Its content of organic and inorganic toxic components is a barrier to such management. Particular attention should be paid to the content of heavy metals whose presence in sewage sludge and later in soil poses hazard for plants, animals and people. The investigations aimed to determine the effect of vermicomposts obtained from tannery sludge on development of the root system and biomass of shoots as well as heavy metal concentrations in these organs. In the first year after the vermicomposts application their effect on the maize biomass increase was equal to the farmyard manure treatment but significantly worse than the mineral fertilization. The consecutive fertilizer effect of vermicomposts of tannery sludge ted on the increase in biomass of the shoots and roots of winter rape, sunflower and oats was comparable with the farmyard manure effect but notably better than the mineral fertilization. Heavy metal concentrations in individual plants were diversified; in the plants from vermicompost treatment they were as a rule lower than in the plants from mineral or farmyard manure treatment. Absorbed heavy metals accumulated primarily in the root systems, whereas the extremely high chromium content in vermicomposts did not cause its excessive accumulation in the cultivated plants.

The paper evaluates the development of the tree numbers, secondary stand and species composition on eight partial control plots in Klepačov where the conversion of even aged forest managed under the system involving coupes to selection forest has been implemented within the framework of a long-term project. The plots capture various stages of conversion. Plots A, D, and H still possess structures nearing the forest of age classes. The assessment was made of the measurements taken in 1974, 1994, and 2004. Tree numbers on the partial control plots in the diameter degrees 10-70+ decreased in the first inventory period as compared with both the model situation and the initial situation in 1974 due to increased felling volumes in that period. The felling and the subsequent opening of stands resulted in a rapidly developing regeneration, which manifested itself by the increase in the number of trees in diameter degrees 2 and 6 above the values given by the model curve for these diameter degrees. In the second inventory period, tree numbers in these diameter degrees were lower by 11% as compared with the model situation and slightly lower as compared with the initial situation. Moreover, the results of the survey show that the forest stands under the selection system of management are massively invaded by broadleaved species, namely the beech and that danger exists that broadleaves will dominate in the future. This is generally considered undesirable because the quality of broadleaved stems in the stands under the selection system is low.

Microbial activities and counts of microorganisms were monitored as a part of research projects at 11 localities on arable land of different soil types during the years 2002-2006. The counts of microorganisms (total bacteria count, actinomycetes, micromycetes, Azotobacter, oligotrophic and spore-forming bacteria) and microbial activities (respiration, ammonification and nitrification tests) were evaluated using summary statistics, analysis of variance and correlation coefficients. The average counts of microorganisms corresponded with usual counts of microbes in arable soils. There were only some differences among localities in Azotobacter counts. Soil respiration is very often used as an indicator of soil microflora activity. Average values of basal respiration were slightly lower (0.45 mg CO₂ /h per 100 g dry soil) than usual values, potential respiration with glucose (G) or with ammonium and G (NG) responded to usual values (average G 4.27, NG 9.53 mg CO₂ /h per 100 g dry soil). All activities (except actual ammonification) were higher in spring season, but the differences were not significant. There were significant differences in correlation coefficients among the selected criteria; 66% from the total number of correlation coefficients were non-significant, 34% were significant (13% of them was at the significance level 0.05, 10% P < 0.01, and 11% P < 0.001).

Pot experiments were conducted to determine the best time for application of (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) EDTA and sheep manure extract (SME) in phytoremediation of a contaminated soil by Helianthus annuus. The plant was grown in a mine calcareous soil treated with increasing concentrations of EDTA or SME in 30 and 10 days before sowing (T1 and T2) and 10 and 30 days after sowing (T3 and T4). The best time for EDTA application was T4. The EDTA application before seed germination significantly reduced sunflower seedling emergence and dry weight. Soil available Pb and lead concentrations in plant organs increased with EDTA concentration but the actual amount of phytoextracted Pb decreased at high EDTA concentrations significantly, due to severe growth depression. SME application after sowing can increase plant dry weight and Pb concentration in the soil solution, enhancing the accumulated metal concentrations in shoots and roots. However the results showed that the most efficient treatments for Pb phytoextraction by sunflower are applications of 0.5 and 2 g EDTA/kg soil at T3 and T4, respectively.

The evaluation of the effect of the stage of lactation on milk composition, its properties and the quality of rennet curdling was carried out over the period of three successive years using milk samples (n = 162) obtained from a total of 27 ewes of the East Friesian (EF) breed, reared on a small sheep farm in Juřinka in the region of Wallachia. The stage of lactation had a highly significant effect on the contents of all milk components. However, only the contents of total solids (TS), solids non-fat (SNF), fat (F), protein (P) and casein (CN) gradually increased with the advancement of lactation. The stage of lactation also had a highly significant effect both on all the properties of milk and the rennet curdling quality (RCQ). All phenotypic correlations between the particular contents of TS, SNF, F, P, CN and urea nitrogen (UN) were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001). On the other hand, all phenotypic correlations between milk yield and particular contents of TS, SNF, F, P, CN and UN were negative and high (P ≤ 0.001). The majority of phenotypic correlations between rennet clotting time (RCT) and the other particular parameters was insignificant. However, the phenotypic correlations between lactose (L) and RCT and between pH and RCT were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001) whereas the phenotypic correlation between titratable acidity (TA) and RCT was negative and high (P ≤ 0.001). The majority of phenotypic correlations between the rennet curdling quality (RCQ) and the other particular parameters was insignificant. Nevertheless, the phenotypic correlations between pH and RCQ and between RCT and RCQ were positive and high (P ≤ 0.001) whereas the phenotypic correlation between TA and RCQ was negative and high (P ≤ 0.001).

Perilipin, encoded by the PLIN gene, is a lipid droplet-associated phosphoprotein that functions as a key regulator of triacylglycerol storage and hydrolysis in adipocytes. In this study, structure and variability of the porcine PLIN gene were characterised. PCR fragments encompassing exons 1 to 9 and interspersed introns were sequenced and the obtained sequence was deposited in EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ databases (AM931171). Seven silent polymorphisms and one nonsynonymous polymorphism were detected in the coding sequence. The nonsynonymous polymorphism g.627G>A causing an amino acid substitution p.Val3Ile was found only in Meishan and Meishan × Piétrain cross. Associations were studied between loci g.4119A>G and g.7966T>C, and average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BFT) or lean meat content (LMC) in 166 gilts from two herds. Due to supposed complete linkage disequilibrium between loci g.4119A>G and g.7966T>C only genotype combinations AA-TT, AG-TC and GG-CC were detected. A significant difference (P = 0.0290) between GG-CC and AG-TC genotype combinations for BFT in herd 2 and a suggestive difference (P = 0.0516) between GG-CC and AA-TT genotypes for ADG in herd 1 were detected.

This paper is focused on the Jizera Mountains as a region strongly influenced by man in the past. The structure of the natural forest was changed. Species monocultures with similar tree ages were planted. High acidificants concentrations in atmosphere led to the decline of these monoculture forests in the top parts of the mountains and the high acidificants deposition damaged the soils in the whole region. The goals of this study are to describe the distribution of the soil properties in altitude transects, where temperature, precipitation, and vegetation gradients are recorded, and to compare the soil properties in spruce and beech forests. The soil samples were collected from soil pits in a surviving nature-close beech forest, in a production spruce forest, and also in the top dead forest area with a grass cover. Soil samples from sufficiently deep diagnostic horizons were taken for the study of chemical properties. The basic soil characteristics were determined by the commonly used methods (pH, effective cation exchange capacity - eCEC, and the contents of cations in the sorption complex, A₄₀₀/A₆₀₀ as humus quality parameter, the contents of available Ca, Mg, K and P, pseudototal content of Ca and Mg, and two differently extracted Fe and Al forms contents). The soils of the Jizera Mts. are strongly acid with a low eCEC which is the result of the natural and anthropogenic acidification processes. Soil chemical properties of the most affected top mountainous parts are in some aspects more favourable than lower parts (binding of potentially toxic Al in organic matter, slightly higher pH), but in other aspects they are still endangered by the acidification symptoms (higher leaching of base cations, especially Mg). The soils of nature-close beech forests represent more favourable soil properties than those of planted spruce forests. Generally, it can be concluded that the natural systems have higher resilience, and that natural mechanisms are able to mitigate slightly the soil degradation.

The paper is based on a special sampling survey of farms that was conducted under EU PHARE ACE research project P97-8158-R "Micro-economic Analysis of Farm Restructuring in Central and Eastern Europe" in 2000 in one of the NUTS 2 regions of the CR - in the South-East region. The region involves two administrative regions - Vysočina and South Moravian NUTS 3 and consists of subregions with different natural and market conditions (of hilly, lowland and suburban type) representing the conditions of agricultural production in the Czech Republic as a whole. The main results of the survey focused on farms of three different categories are presented: farms as legal entities (separately agricultural production cooperatives, joint stock companies and limited liability companies), officially registered individual farms of different size (formally licensed to business activities) and unregistered individual farms including small farming units - households with self-sustaining agricultural production.

The article shows the results of the grant project of Czech Science Foundation 406/03/0896, which focused on the survey of work motivation and quality of working life issues in the Czech country. The results concern an analysis of variation and a range of coefficients and show statistically significant differences in motivational coefficients in sets that differ in the respondents size of residence. The main aim of the survey was to find out if it is possible to identify the differences in work motivation between people from large cities and people from small municipalities, namely between inhabitants of the Prague metropolitan area and smaller municipalities placed near to the national boundary. The survey was conducted by means of the EDMK questionnaire, which is described elsewhere (see references). Some specific questions were added by the present authors. Statistical analysis of the data obtained resulted in the findings, as follows: (1) questionnaire scales used are sufficiently reliable (as proved by the Cronbachs' alphas statistics); (2) statistically significant differences were identified in the motivational patterns of the Prague Metropolitan Area and small municipalities inhabitants; (3) the quality of working life in Czechia was found as a rather low; it results in lower perceived responsibility and job involvement found in the whole sample of Czech responses.

The article is dealing with the evaluation of socio-economic development in Slovakia from the point of view of urban and the rural regions in 1999-2005, based on analysis of regional socio-economic indicators. This development is characterised by deepening differentiation between the urban and rural districts in the demographic structure of population, employment, unemployment, level of wages and salaries and private enterprising activities. Demographic structure in the rural regions, compared to the urban regions, is characterised by the increase of the share of population in post-productive age, ageing index and the unfavourable index of economic burden. Employment in the rural regions decreased at a more rapid rate than in the urban regions. From the unemployment point of view, there are significant regional differences in the SR. The worst affected are the regions of Eastern and south of Central Slovakia which suffer from the underdeveloped economic infrastructure, lower level of education, bankruptcy of the dominant industrial employers and a large share of agrarian population, where impact of transformation measures was the most severe. Unemployment rate in the rural regions was 2.2 times higher than in the urban regions in 2005. Growth rate of average wages and salaries is slower in the rural regions compared to the urban ones and the average of the SR. In the period of 1999-2005, the level of average wages and salaries in the rural regions accounted for 62.4% of average wages and salaries in the urban regions, during which the time trend of increasing wage disparity was continuing all the time. The trend of utilisation of cheap labour force for short part-time jobs is evident, particularly in the rural regions, which is in contrast to the growth of the standard of living and sustainable development of underdeveloped regions. The differentiation of economic level between urban and the rural regions is expressed also in the share of entrepreneurial entities in economically active population which tells against the rural regions in spite of the diminished differentiation in this indicator in 1999-2005. The declining rate of growth in number of entrepreneurs in the urban regions is a consequence of the saturation of spatial and employment opportunities, while there is a substantially larger potential of acceleration of private enterprising in the rural regions. Continuation of this development leads to the socially unacceptable differentiation and undesirable development of dual economies in the country and that is why it is necessary to solve this issue as a priority within the framework of the strategy of economic development of the SR.

The valuation of assets is a relatively challenging activity as well as a scientific discipline having an impact on the amount of the reported assets and economic result process. The report deals with the issue of valuation of the tangible fixed assets in the accounting entities compiling the financial statements pursuant to the Czech national legislation and in conformity with the requirements of the International Accounting Standards IAS/IFRS and US GAAP. The substantial differences in the definitions and valuation of the tangible fixed assets in these systems have been determined, indicating the impact on the economy of the accounting entity, both at the primary acquisition and as at the day of the closing of books. Attention has also been paid to the possibilities of recording the value decreases and to subsequent expenses. The analysis of legal regulations was completed with the analysis of the financial statements from selected economic entities. As per the international standards, the main difference consists in the possibility of component depreciation of tangible assets or, on the other hand, the possibility of group depreciation, in the differences in valuation in the event of acquisition paid for and of acquisition by one's own production and in the possibility to consider the costs of disposal of assets. The subsequent expenses are also construed in a different manner: as per the Czech regulation, they are construed as repairs and maintenance. The substantial difference in comparison with the Czech regulation consists in the possibility of re-valuation of assets upwards as well as the method of actual value determination.

The aim of this study was to investigate milk flow patterns and milk composition in relation to pre-milking udder stimulation. The milk of one quarter of each of the sixteen cows was removed separately and in the course of milking it was divided into six fractions (P cisternal milk during milking without stimulation and the first 300 ml during milking with pre-stimulation, 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, 75-100%, 75-100%, MS-machine stripping) and into five portions (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 100% + MS). Two milkings were performed during two consecutive evening milkings with or without manual stimulation. Pre-stimulation resulted in a reduction of milking time, duration of the increase and decline phase of milk flow, stripping yield, but it increased the peak flow rate as compared to milking without pre-stimulation (P < 0.05). In both fractions and portions the content of fat increased steadily during milking and reached a maximum at MS. Lactose increased from P to 50-75% and then it decreased to MS. Significantly higher fat contents at 25% and 50% portions and in both protein and dry matter at 25% portions were found during milking with pre-stimulation as compared to no stimulation (P < 0.05). The content of fat, protein and dry matter were also higher in both P and 0-25% fractions for milking with pre-stimulation (P < 0.05). Pre-stimulation positively influenced the parameters of milk flow and therefore the efficiency of milk removal and contributed to better distribution of components in milk fractions during milking.

The research analyses the fundamental resources, farm structures, and composition by aim of farming, labour force and family income sources of the agricultural private holdings from the aspects of subsistence and income generation as well as of rural development. By processing the various databases, the research provides a clear picture on the situation of private holdings and groups of farms (self-supplying, marketing the surplus, commercial holdings). On the basis of the analyses, it is possible to estimate the number of competitive farms, that is, of professional farms, and the number of the producers who are not engaged in commercial production. This points out the need to extend the sphere of rural activities are connected to the other sectors of the national economy.

Research and historical development showed that market economy with social orientation is more effective than without it. Emerging from these facts, the paper is focused on the need of monitoring the social information in managerial accounting and in managerial information systems in enterprises. Since the social situation and the living standard of agriculture in the Slovak Republic are lagging behind, the above mentioned issues are documented in comparison with other branches of national economy. The method of Balanced Scorecard is characterized in brief as well as a new model of economy, called the Economy of Communion that draw attention towards the social aspect of entrepreneuring. The main spheres of social information are mentioned that are necessary for operating at the level of an enterprise and at a broader level. Measures in the field of operating and its information assurance are offered in order to improve the social situation and living standard in agriculture.

The influence of various forms of farming on unmanaged grasslands was monitored with regard to the accumulation of the above-ground biomass (litter + mulching) and its influence on the leakage of rainfall and the amount of elements in lysimetric waters. In 2001-2005, the highest accumulation was observed in variants 1× mulched in the later term and on green fallow (on average 2.11-1.13 t of dry matter/ha). In comparison with the control site, a conclusive increase always occurred. An interannual increase of dry matter amounted to 0.4-5.2% of the total above-ground biomass. A negative correlative dependency on rainfall leakage on this material was discovered; at a depth of 0.4 m 4-10% of the rainfall leaked, but it had a significant influence on the wash out of Ca, Mg and S. The leakage of water affected a wash out of N_min, P, K, Ca, Mg and S more than the weight of dry matter of the above-ground biomass. With the exception of P, the elements showed a downward tendency over five years. The above-mentioned forms of farming annually increased the accumulation of the above-ground biomass by 0.05-0.16 t of dry matter/ha; however, they do not endanger underground waters by washing out minerals. After a five-year period, a disturbance of the ecological stability of grassland did not occur.

The lack of recombination in some genomic regions represents a serious obstacle in mapping studies. In this review, we describe methods that are currently used to overcome this problem. Main attention is given to the comparison of methods that are based on the principle of radiation hybrid mapping. We also discuss a strategy called HAPPY mapping (mapping based on the analysis of approximately HAPloid DNA samples using the PolYmerase chain reaction). In addition to reviewing the methods used by other authors, we also summarize our experience with deletion mapping of Y-chromosome in dioecious model plant species (Silene latifolia).

This study provides new data on Dutch elm disease in the Czech Republic. Ophiostoma novo-ulmi is reported for the first time in the area of the Czech Republic, as well as both subspecies ssp. novo-ulmi (indigenous in the area of the Ukraine and Moldavia), and ssp. Americana indigenous in North America. The majority of the recorded strains belonged to O. n.-u. ssp. novo-ulmi, while O. n.-u. ssp. Americana and hybrids of these two subspecies were found less frequently. On the other hand, Ophiostoma ulmi was not found at all in the investigated samples. Identification on the subspecies level was performed by methods of molecular biology, i.e. PCR and RFLP of gene regions cu and col1.

In this study, nutritive values of rapeseed (R), rapeseed meal-expeller A (RM-A), rapeseed meal-expeller B (RM-B) and extracted rapeseed meal (ERM) were compared. The trials were performed using the in sacco method with three steers of the Czech Fleckvieh breed, which were fitted with a permanent ruminal cannula. Nylon bags with samples were incubated in the rumen for 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 hours. The effective degradability (ED) of crude protein (CP) was calculated at 0.08, 0.06 and 0.04 1/h of rumen particulate outflow rates (k), and the obtained ED values were 65.4, 70.8 and 77.4% for R, 86.7, 88.1 and 89.7% for RM-A, 82.2, 84.4 and 87.0% for RM-B and 56.3, 62.1 and 69.6% for ERM, respectively. The ED values significantly differed between feeds (P < 0.05) for all rumen particulate outflow rates. Disappearances of amino acids (AA) after 16 hours of incubation in the rumen of R, RM-A, RM-B and ERM were determined. In all cases, the concentrations of AA in the feeds determined after incubation in rumen were lower than in the original feeds. A mobile bag technique was used to determine intestinal digestibility. In the experiment, three dry cows fitted with permanent large ruminal cannula and the T-piece cannula in the proximal duodenum were used. The intestinal digestibilities of rumen undegraded CP (DSI) were estimated 30.0% in R, 15.4% in RM-A, 27.6% in RM-B and 65.3% in ERM. The DSI values significantly differ between the feeds (P < 0.05), except for the difference between R and RM-B.

To determine specific characteristics necessary for the computation of the C factor in RUSLE for timevariable crops, measurements were carried out in fields with selected agricultural crops grown by conventional practices. Sloping plots on an experimental area in Třebsin locality and farm fields were used to measure surface runoff and soil loss by erosion in conditions of natural and simulated rainfall. Basic characteristics to compute the C factor were determined in the particular growth phases of selected crops - sunflower, flax, poppy and rape. Effective root mass, canopy cover and fall height of rain drops were measured.

Registrations of crop, fruit size and fruit flavour in the plum cultivar testing programmes in Norway indicated that Souffriau, Avalon, Reeves, Excalibur and Jubileum could be valuable cultivars in commercial plum production in Norway. Norwegian plums are aimed at the fresh fruit market; hence, shelf life of new cultivars is very important. In short-term storage experiments the cultivars were compared to the standard cultivar Victoria. No significant changes in the content of soluble solids during storage were found in the cultivars tested; however, titratable acidity decreased, and as a consequence, the soluble solids:titratable acidity ratio increased. Nevertheless, these changes did not make the fruit unacceptable to consumers. The most important quality factor limiting shelf life of the plum cultivars tested was softening. Based on postharvest changes in several quality factors and susceptibility to fungal decay, Reeves had longest shelf life, Avalon, Jubileum and Victoria medium, while Excalibur and Souffriau had rather short shelf life.

There has recently been a growing interest in checking the state of health of European brown hares in hunting grounds because they are a susceptible bio-indicator of environmental changes and because of the dramatic decline in populations across Europe. A total of 1 051 (384, 302, and 365, respectively) blood sera were collected from hares during autumn hunting events and examined for tularaemia, brucellosis and leptospirosis in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Antibodies were found in 6.5, 1.6 and 7.5% of cases, respectively. Antibodies against Francisella tularensis, Brucella suis and leptospires were found in 7.9, 1.7 and 7.7% of females and 4.5, 1.4 and 7.9% of males, respectively. Higher seroprevalence of tularaemia was found in females (P = 0.05). Brucellosis was more prevalent in adult animals compared to subadult ones (P = 0.05). Only the L. grippotyphosa serotype was found and the titres mostly ranged from 100 to 400 (89.9%). Higher titres from 800 to 3 200 were found in the remaining 10.1% of the examined European brown hare sera. Antibodies against F. tularensis as well as B. suis were most frequent in low titres of 10 to 80. Higher titres were only exceptional. Confirming that hares are susceptible to various zoonotic agents, it is necessary to be careful when handling the animals killed. On the other hand, blood sera from hares may be used to survey the occurrence of natural nidi of zoonoses in hunting grounds.

The economic impact of the EC procurement policy is an important aspect of public procurement in the most areas of industry and agriculture. There exist some studies about the economic impact of the EC procurement policy. The first major study was the one commissioned by the European Commission and published in 1997 as a part of a broader evaluation of the European single market. This dealt with the period from 1987 when the directives were substantially revised, to 1994. In February 2004, the Commission published a new summary analysis of the economic impact of the EC rules covering the period 1995-2002. A report on the functioning of public procurement markets in the EU: benefits from the application of the EU directives and challenges for the future (EC 2004). This confirms a much greater importance of the indirect cross-border activity as compared with the direct cross-border binding activity, and also indicates that this form of trade in public markets has increased further. The above mentioned studies in relation to the Economic Impact of the EC procurement Policy are the object of this article.

The paper widely introduces European experience in wild cherry breeding because it is the first one from a prepared series of articles aimed at wild cherry breeding in the Czech Republic. Beginnings of wild cherry breeding program for the Czech forestry are described. Plus trees were certified, seed orchards, clone archives, progeny and clonal tests were established. Clones were tested for fl owering of grafts in reproductive plantations. Progenies and clones were tested for growth parameters in progeny and clonal tests. Progenies and clones in every breeding plantation were tested for damage by aphids.

Frisol forte (FR F) and Frisol active (FR A) are slow-acting organic fertilisers recommended for reclamation and revitalisation of undeveloped soils and degraded areas. Tentative results of experiments carried out with these products on spoil banks in the CR showed controversial reactions of plants - on the one hand a high mortality of seedlings and a very good growth on the other. Reasons for these disproportions projecting themselves into the welfare of woody plants probably lie in an incorrect dosage of products. Thus, a special long-term experiment was established with the objective to find an optimal dosing to be used in practice for the reclamation process on spoil banks. By the method of measuring and statistical evaluation of height and stem diameter growths it was discovered that the best results were achieved by the combined use of both products with a dosage in the range of 30-60 g FR F + 250 ml FR A/5 l of water/10 seedlings. The discovered dosage is lower than that indicated by the manufacturer and literature. The application of granulated FR F alone was not so effective. The best dosage in this case was also 60 g/seedling. A disadvantage of using the combination of both types of Frisol is that the water required for dissolving the FR A liquid concentrate is not always available in the location being reforested.

Aprostocetus micantulus (Thomson, 1878) (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae), Torymus heyeri Wachtl, 1833 (Chalcidoidea: Torymidae), Pseudencyrtus idmon (Walker, 1848) (Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) and Platy-gaster compressicornis (Thomson, 1859) (Platygasteroidea: Platygasteridae) are four main parasitoids reared from galls of Thecodiplosis brachyntera (Schwägrichen, 1835) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) developing on Pinus mugo L., P. rotundata Link, P. sylvestris L. and P. × pseudopumilio (Willk.) G. Beck (Pinaceae) in the Czech Republic during outbreak 1967-1972. Of total 4,279 parasitoid specimens, Platygaster compressicornis (1,778 specimens, 41%) was the most abundant, Aprostocetus micantulus (1,047 specimens, 25%) and Pseudencyrtus idmon (1,020 specimens, 24%) less abundant and Torymus heyeri (434 specimens, 10%) was on the fourth place of abundance. In laboratory conditions, adults of Platygaster compressicornis emerged simultaneously with adults of T. brachyntera, adults of Pseudencyrtus idmon and Torymus heyeri 14-24 days after emergence of T. brachyntera and adults of Aprostocetus micantulus after 24-60 days. Behaviour of adult parasitoid during the process of building the opening hole to escape from gall is described. Larvae identified and figured by FANKHÄNEL and ZELETZKI (1964) as larval stage of Misocyclops pini are misidentification; in reality they are the salivary glands of larvae of Thecodiplosis brachyntera.

A dramatic forest decline due to the bark beetle outbreak, which occurs in the Norway spruce stands in the Western Beskidy (southern Poland) since 2003, was started after severe physiological drought during winter time. An analysis describing some spatio-temporal characteristics of this process, with special regard to the patterns of bark beetle occurrence related to root fungal diseases, is presented. In 2003 the bark beetle occurrence level assessed as high and catastrophic was recorded on 40% of the area, while in 2006 - on 59%. The range of Armillaria root disease and bark beetle outbreak increased towards higher altitudes, including the zone above 1,000 m a.s.l. The wind damage in 2004 and 2007, and high temperatures in the summer 2006, further stimulated the increase in bark beetle populations level. Some conclusions on possible development of the outbreak and recommendations concerning related needs in forest protection, are given.

This review is a short introduction to phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis allows comprehensive understanding of the origin and evolution of species. Generally, it is possible to construct the phylogenetic trees according to different features and characters (e.g. morphological and anatomical characters, RAPD patterns, FISH patterns, sequences of DNA/RNA and amino acid sequences). The DNA sequences are preferable for phylogenetic analyses of closely related species. On the other hand, the amino acid sequences are used for phylogenetic analyses of more distant relationships. The sequences can be analysed using many computer programs. The methods most often used for phylogenetic analyses are neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference.