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The health condition of the population of elms in the region of southern Bohemiawas studied from the viewpoint of their decline, the occurrence of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) and the presence of other diseases. Of the total number of 105 elms in total 33 of them were without any symptoms of the disease or other damage. Elms regenerated quite spontaneously in the neighbourhood of mother trees and their increasing population in mixed forests is hopeful. According to macroscopic symptoms, DED was identified in 10 trees but the presence of pathogens Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi was not identified in isolations. A possible reason of this observation is overgrowing the colonies by the Phomopsis oblonga mycelium. This fungus was identified in most isolations. Thus, its role requires further research.

The separation of stillage was tested by means of the pilot plantARNO600-BIO using three-channel ceramic membranes with the pore diameter range from microfiltration to ultrafiltration (1.4 µm-5 kDa). The permeate from the last membrane step was able to be recycled as technological water. The best results were achieved in the arrangement of series using 0.2 µm membrane as the first step supplemented by ultra-filtration membranes (50 kDa and 15 kDa), predominantly, where the reduction of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) extended 80%. With this process, we try to get some advantages over the conventional process in terms of eliminating both land and energy costs for the wastewater treatment process and improving the quality of the discharge water. The main goal in this study is to analyse different separation steps and conditions to find both the best separation options for the decrease of the final volume of distillery stillage, and the way how to make the bio ethanol production more profitable.

In case that the climatic or farming conditions have changed in a region, it is possible to anticipate that the core parameters of drainage constructions will not be adequate for the current needs. Some of these constructions might be over-dimensioned, which would be inconsistent with current terms of nature and water resources protection. On the other hand, the valuable contribution the regulation of the water regime of originally waterlogged lands and swamps indisputably brought along and thus enabled the agricultural use of drained lands would be depreciated to a certain extent. In this paper, some scenarios of probable climatic changes in the Czech Republic's territory and the anticipated effect of these changes on the components of the hydrologic water discharge from drained agricultural and forest catchments are studied. The function of drainage systems on selected experimental lands is examined. However, not only probable changes in precipitation, temperature and water runoff should be taken into account, but also changes in the way of farming, i.e. changes in the agricultural conditions and data that played a decisive role in the calculation of the basic parameters of these construction projects, for instance, the spacing of parallel drains or trenches or the depth of their laying. In the Czech Republic about 1.1 million ha of total agricultural land was drained by the end of the twentieth century. In some localities of Eastern and Southern Bohemia up to 80% of agricultural land was drained. To what extent the above-mentioned climatic changes and the changes in the way of farming influence the drainage system and whether adjustments of these systems are required are the questions we tried to answer at least partly in this contribution. The effect of climatic changes on the hydrologic balance and/or on the runoff from the catchments significantly varies up to ± 150% provided that we compare average runoff. The influence of changes in the way of farming on the hydrologic balance manifests itself in a more concrete, but negative way, and that demands a concrete reaction on the part of the water management control. It is therefore vital to take such measures of regulation of the water regime of soil for the existing drainage systems that will ensure both the drainage phase and the phase of runoff retardation. Single-function and obsolete drainage systems should be converted into systems with controlled drainage and irrigation functions - the double-function control systems.

In the current study, intracellular (neutrophil and monocyte) concentrations of free and liposome encapsulated ampicillin in sheep were investigated. Free ampicillin (5 mg/kg b.w.) and liposome encapsulated ampicillin (5 mg/kg b.w.) were administered as a bolus intravenous injection to sheep. After the injections, blood samples (5 ml) were collected into tubes from v. jugularis at 10, 30, 60 minutes and 2, 4 and 8 hours. Neutrophils and monocytes were isolated, and lysed in distilled water. Ampicillin concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The results indicate that liposome encapsulated ampicillin caused the higher intracellular concentrations within neutrophil (ratio of liposome encapsulated ampicillin/free ampicillin; from 1.393 to 5.416) and monocyte (ratio of liposome encapsulated ampicillin/free ampicillin; from 0.973 to 2.906) cells than free ampicillin, and liposome encapsulated ampicillin existed a longer length of time within neutrophil (4 hours) and monocyte (4 hours) cells than free ampicillin (60 minutes), as well. This formulation may be beneficial, in that the treatment of intracellular infections are caused by sensitive bacteria.

In vitro study of the rumen fluid (RF) and hindgut content (HC) fermentation by microbiota taken from sheep grazing in an area atmospherically polluted from the non-ferrous metal industry was conducted and compared with controls from an uncontaminated area (UA). The experimental sheep were exposed to the prolonged intake of heavy metals by grazing in the contaminated area (CA) for one year. Soil and grass from that area and the rumen content of sheep were analyzed for heavy metal levels. Based on the levels of mercury (4.752 mg/kg), copper (232.9 mg/kg), cadmium (1.167 mg/kg), lead (92.509 mg/kg) and arsenic (74.59 mg/kg) the soil was categorized as profusely contaminated. Meadow hay (MH) from UA was used as a tested substrate of fermentation activity; it was incubated with buffered RF and HC inocula from CA and UA for 24 h. The gas volume in CA was significantly decreased by 50 and 36% in RF and HC, respectively. The methane production in CA was significantly decreased by 77 and 71% in RF and HC, respectively. The significantly decreased values of the fermentation parameters in CA in comparison with UA were accompanied by the reduced (P < 0.01) total concentration of rumen ciliate protozoa.

Live body measurements of weight, height, length, girth, stifle- and hip-width and a measure of muscularity (ratio of stifle to hip width) were monitored on 258 Yankasa sheep stratified into age categories of 1 to over 3 years determined mostly from records and partly by dentition. These animals are from purebred Yankasa sheep kept as a part of the open nucleus-breeding scheme of the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. The effect of sex, type of birth and age group of lambs on live measurements and muscularity were analyzed by least-squares procedures. All variables examined, except sex, had significant (P < 0.001) effects on all body measurements. At birth, male and single-born lambs were significantly heavier than female and twin-born lambs. At early age, most factors significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the body weight, body dimensions and muscularity traits with single-born lambs being 31% heavier, 10% taller and 11% bigger in girth; more highly muscled than the twin-born lambs. This advantage of male over female born lambs (except in hip-width and girth) for growth and developmental traits was maintained reasonably well to the advanced ages. All phenotypic correlations between body measurements were positive and significant (P < 0.001). The highest correlation coefficient was found between chest girth and body weight. The polynomial equation using chest girth as an independent variable predicted body weight more accurately as compared to the linear equation.

In the years 1999-2003 the effect of covering rows of early potatoes with non-woven fleece on the yield formation, dry matter content in tubers, temperature of soil and of air in ground layer was investigated. Covering of rows enhanced the market yield of tubers at early harvest 60 days after planting in average by 35.8% in comparison with the uncovered control. At harvest 67 days after planting the difference in advantage of the covered variant were 17.2% and 85 days after planting the difference in yield between variants was already non significant. The yield effect of the fleece was affected by year (higher effect in the years with cold spring) and by variety (Impala responded at 60 days after planting by yield increase under fleece 43.7%, Adora 27.9%). Higher dry matter content of tubers by 0.87% was found in covered plants 60 days after planting in comparison with control. Cover enhanced average air temperature in ground layer by 2.0°C, in soil in depth 100 mm by 1.8°C.

An extent of the damage of Austrian pine trees was evaluated in urban greenery in selected sites in Slovak Republic during the years 2004-2005. Fungi Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.: Fr.) Dyko & B. Sutton (syn. Diplodia pinea (Desm.) J. Kickx fil) and Pestalotia sp. were diagnosed on all observed trees. Symptoms of the disease were recorded. S. sapinea was isolated successfully from needles and from cone scales. The growth rate of hyphae of mycelium and the mean daily growth were evaluated on three types of cultivated media at different temperatures. The highest mean daily growth of mycelium was recorded on maltose agar at 25°C after 24 hours of cultivation (31.7 mm). Conidia of S. sapinea and Pestalotia sp. on water agar began to germinate after 3 and 2 hours, respectively. After 6 hours the mean germination rate of conidia of S. sapinea was 81.75% (from cone) and 89.3% (from needles); for Pestalotia it was 88.5%.

The article stresses the importance of analysing the inflow of foreign direct investments to the countries of the Visegrad Group. In this context, what is shown is the attractiveness of the CEE countries, including the Visegrad Group, in terms of the FDI location; and there are also other factors depicted, which determine the attractiveness of regions for foreign investors. The EU accession gave the Visegrad Group countries new opportunities to attract FDI; the point is to take advantage of these opportunities. Actions at both national and regional level are constantly needed in order to enhance the location attractiveness, since the VG countries need capital to modernize their economies. The quality of the investments attracted is also crucial, as the "modern" ones will create stable bases for the economy modernization and for building of a sustainable competitive advantage.

Holorganic layers belong among the key ecosystem components of forest soils at higher altitudes. Increased biological activity of the surface humus is very often observed after forest decline and/or forest cut and removal at these sites. The forest removal or tree layer extinction was studied in the flat, water affected terrain: its effects on the soil chemical characteristics and on the soil respiration, ammonification and nitrification activities. The standard methods of analyses were used. The study proved the increased intensity of nitrification and ammonification in stands with decreased ecological as well as environmental function potentials, further decreased concentrations of magnesium. Due to the concentration effects, the concentrations of some macroelements - nitrogen, calcium - increased in these stands (in the humus form layers), as well as the base content and base saturation.

The aim of this paper is to show the application of pine bark to indicate the level of air contamination by cement-lime dust and to determine the impact range of cement plants. The pine bark was analyzed in the forested formed around three cement plants in the Świętokrzyski administrative district (South of Poland). The test results were compared with the results gained from the controlled forested areas, free from alkali contamination. The strongly alkali areas show high pH_H2O of bark in the range of 7.2-8.5 and low coefficient of change v% = 2.2. The pine bark values of pH_H2O in the alkali areas are on average 2.5 times as high as those achieved in the controlled area (natural pH of bark shows the range of 2.8-3.5). On the basis of the measurements of pH_H2O there are five alkali-forested spheres determined. The existence of the forest spheres confirms the variable mineral composition of the bark, and first of all the variable content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, aluminium, manganese, zinc and iron as a function of the distance from the emitter and real dust fall.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) on egg production, some egg characteristics, and digestibility of nutrients in laying hens (Hy-Line) reared under a low ambient temperature (6.2°C). Two hundred and ten laying hens (32 week-old) were divided into seven groups, 30 hens per group. The treatment groups were designed in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement using two levels of vitamin C (125 and 250 mg/kg of diet) and three levels of chromium picolinate (200, 400, or 800 µg/kg of diet), and control group was fed basal diet. The highest values of performance were obtained if 250 mg/kg vitamin C was supplemented with either 400 or 800 µg Cr per kg of diet. An interaction between vitamin C and chromium for egg production (P = 0.05) and feed efficiency (P = 0.02) was detected. Similarly, egg weight, specific gravity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit improved with diet containing 250 mg vitamin C and either 400 or 800 µg Cr per kg of diet (P £ 0.05). Digestibility of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) were higher with higher dietary vitamin C (P £ 0.05) and also with higher Cr (P £ 0.05). There were no interactions between vitamin C and chromium detected for any parameters measured for egg quality in terms of egg weight, specific gravidity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit and digestibility of nutrients (P ³ 0.28). Data obtained in the present study shows that a combination of 250 mg vitamin C and 400 µg chromium per kg of diet gave the best results in laying hens reared under a low ambient temperature and a conclusion is suggested that such a diet can be considered as a protective management practice in poultry to alleviate, at least in part, the depressive effect of cold stress on poultry performance.

The aim was to determine the conversion of alimentary substances of laying hens (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) into the production of eggs and to determine the emission of nitrogen, air pollution by dust and microorganisms in accordance with different technologies of layer rearing. The studies were conducted in 6 poultry houses. The birds were kept in premises in cage batteries BKN-3, "Spech", OBN-1, OBN-3 or on littered floor. It was found out that there was 1.6 times more dust in the air of poultry house where laying hens were kept on litter and the total number of bacteria was 2.4 times higher than in the bird cages (P < 0.001). The laying hens assimilated 21.95-28.42% of nitrogen, 19.63-31.25% of phosphorus, 6.04-8.33% of potassium for egg production and weight gains when feed is balanced. If cage technologies are applied, over a year, there is a loss of 6.7 ± 1.4% of nitrogen through the excrements because of nitrogen emission. When the technologies of littered floor are used, there is a loss of 18.5 ± 4.8% of nitrogen extricated with the excrements (P < 0.025). When the birds were kept in cages, 0.059 ± 0.011 kg of nitrogen per each bird evaporated because of ammonia emission, while in the case of littered floor - 0.227 ± 0.126 kg of nitrogen.

The priority of this study was to investigate how selenium influences toxicity of Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb when the metals appear in the hydroponic solution in pairs. As a model subject mustard seedlings (Sinapis alba L.) were used. Except phytotoxicity of individual metals and Se-metal combinations determined through photosynthetic pigments content (chlorophyll a, b, total carotenoids) also metal accumulation in the roots and shoots was determined by the AAS method. Se in all metal combinations reduced the unfavourable effect of other metals tested for chlorophylls content, however, for carotenoids primarily the opposite effect occurred. For metal accumulation in the roots and shoots it was confirmed that Se stimulated only Cd (about 24%) and slightly Cu (about 9%) accumulation in the roots, while in the shoots there was inhibited accumulation of all metals tested. The strongest inhibition was observed in Pb accumulation (84.9%). This fact indicates that Se generates some barriers for metal transfer from the roots to the underground plant parts. In contrast, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd increased Se accumulation in the roots in the range of 4 (in combination with Cu) to 68% (in combination with Cd) and in the shoots in the range of 11 (in combination with Pb and Zn) to 44% (in combination with Cd). In the shoots only Cu inhibited Se accumulation (about 67%).

Fertilization with tannery materials positively influenced the soil pH and increased the content of alkaline cations in soil. After four years of investigations organic carbon content decreased most in the soil fertilized with untreated sludge, mineral salts and in the control soil. Irrespective of fertilization used and year of studies cadmium occurred mainly in most mobile fractions (mobile, exchangeable and bound to manganese oxides). Copper was mainly bound in fractions less available to plants. After four years of studies an increase in mobile copper forms was registered in all treatment soils. Lead in the soil was present mainly in the form bound to organic matter and amorphous iron oxides. Distribution of lead points to the small share of this metal in the mobile and exchangeable forms, both immediately after fertilization applied and after four years of studies. Chromium became fixed in fractions less available to plants, mainly bound to iron oxides and in residual fraction. On the other hand, an apparent effect of fertilization with materials of tannery origin on this element total forms content was registered.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of row spacing (40, 60 and 80 cm) on forage dry matter (DM) yield and quality of four hybrids grown in the years 2001 and 2002. The highest DM yield was obtained from the Arifiye (24.1 and 22.4 t/ha) while the lowest DM yield was obtained from Pioneer 3163 (19.9 and 19.8 t/ha) in the years 2001 and 2002, respectively. As row spacing increased, DM yield as an average of two years decreased from 27.2 to 16.6 t/ha. No differences were found among row spacing for DM content, harvest index (HI) and ear content. As row spacing increased, whole-plant acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content increased from 214 to 227 g/kg and from 420 to 451 g/kg during the year 2001, respectively. However, ADF content decreased from 281 to 267 g/kg and NDF contents decreased from 530 to 515 g/kg with increasing row spacing during the year 2002. In this study, hybrids showed distinct differences for crude protein, ADF and NDF contents in both years. Forage quality parameter including ADF and NDF of Pioneer 3163, TTM 8119 and Karadeniz Yildizi were higher than Arifiye hybrid.

The primary goal of our analysis is to evaluate the effects of changes in the Slovak agriculture subsidy system on the selected farms located in different production areas between the years 2003 and 2004. Our comparative analysis divides the farms into two groups: The first group represents all those farms that operate in good farming conditions i.e. primarily the land is more productive (PA). The second group of farms operates in less favorable farming conditions (LFA). The regions differ from each other in terms of geographical position, location, production and climatic conditions, as well as the quality of land. We analyzed data of 119 farms.

Rural villages are the sole subjects in rural area which integrate all elements acting in the rural area to one functional whole. They can be therefore taken as the pivotal element of rural development. The research was done in 2004 and was based on the search for rural villages' characteristics and exploration of the elements of regional differentiation. The project results from the presumption of difference between the rural villages given by their size, location in specific areas or on exposed roads, distance from civic centers etc. It is supposed that these characteristics have specific and significant connections with such phenomenon as the level of unemployment, the level of civic and technical facilities in villages, the activity of inhabitants and the village itself, etc. The challenge was to define problem characteristics of rural areas, which mirror significant regional differences, structure and interconnectedness of these differences and their importance for future regional development. Interdependence of particular indicators was explored by statistical evaluation.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change accepted in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro provides principles and framework for cooperative international action on mitigating climate change. But it soon became clear that more radical targets were needed to encourage particular countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In response, countries that have ratified the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change accepted the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. The rulebook for how the Kyoto Protocol will be implemented - the Marrakech Accord, was agreed in 2001. This paper describes political instruments and facilities of mitigating climate change by forestry proposed in those political documents.

In May 31, 2000, the Government of the Czech Republic, has adopted the Decision No. 532, assigning the minister of agriculture to realize liming and fertilizing in the Krušné hory Mts. and Orlické hory Mts. Based on the decision, in 2000-2003, liming of forest stands was done, at the area of 34,000 ha. Changes of soil and leaf chemistry two years after liming were studied in the Western Krušné hory Mts., Forest administration Horní Blatná. Slight pH increase layer was stated both in the humus layer, and in upper horizons of mineral soil. Increased contents of calcium and magnesium, same as nitrogen and potassium were also recorded. Content of basic cations, mainly of magnesium and calcium, in the sorption complex was increased, aluminium content was decreased. C/N ratio in the humus layer did not change, ratio of basic cations and aluminium in the humus layer was increased significantly. Analyses of the assimilation organs of spruce have proved increase of magnesium and calcium content. The increase was higher in the stands of originally lower values of these elements. While before liming, in about a half of the samples of second needle year class, magnesium was under the deficiency level, two years after liming no deficient values were recorded.

Certain physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the flavoured kefir drink were studied during refrigerated storage. Kefir drink batches were prepared using 2% addition of kefir grains, incubation for 18 h and subsequent filtration. The batches were then flavoured with blackberry, raspberry and strawberry aromas in the concentrations of 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15%, respectively. The samples were taken for analysis on 1^st, 4^th, 7^th, and 10^th days of storage at 4 ± 1°C. The sensory analysis of the flavoured kefir samples revealed the best acceptability level on the 4^th day of storage. Nevertheless, the samples were acceptable all throughout the storage. The percentage of the aroma addition significantly influenced the odour, flavour, texture, and mouth-feel, and the overall acceptability ratings. The higher percentage of the added aroma the more sensed, however, the lowest aroma addition was preferable. The pHs of the flavoured kefir drinks decreased throughout the storage time whereas, the titratable acidity, alcohol content and CO₂ values increased.

In 16 male dogs who suffered from perineal hernia, polypropylene mesh was used to close a defect in the pelvic diaphragm. Pelvic bone was drilled on the pelvic floor and mesh was sutured through holes by polypropylene suture. Strong pelvic diaphragm, good long-term results and time-sparing by this technique was achieved. Suture sinuses were developed in two dogs one month postoperatively. Objectives of this study were to describe a new alternative technique of perineal herniorraphy and postoperative possible complications. Weakness of internal obturator muscle flap is complication which can be observed during transposition of internal obturator muscle flap. This technique can be used when internal obturator muscle flap is weak like the operation of the first choice.

The pharmacokinetics of lidocaine deals with the measurement of lidocaine concentration in the blood and its changes over time. The toxicity of lidocaine is a function of its peak plasma concentration, which in turn depends on several factors including total dose and rates of systemic absorption and elimination. The aim of the study was to assess serum levels of lidocaine after a single shot epidural injection in dogs seen in daily practice. The study included nine dogs undergoing different types of surgery. The animals were anesthetized with a combination of diazepam and ketamine; then lidocaine was injected epidurally. Blood samples for measurement of serum lidocaine concentration were obtained before and at 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after single injection. Basic vital parameters of heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure and hemoglobin saturation were recorded before induction of general anesthesia (T₁), immediately after intubation (T₂), and then at 10, 30, 60 and 120 min of epidural lidocaine administration. Study results indicated that serum lidocaine concentration did not reach the levels of potential toxicity in dogs upon epidural injection of 4 mg/kg lidocaine at a concentration of 2% and there were no significant alterations in basic vital parameters.

The modified PAGE method (TRIS - Glycine buffer pH 8.9) was used for the characterisation of selected 25 registered potato varieties. This method enabled to identify each variety from the examined variety set. The calculation of identity indexes (proportion of common bands) helped to evaluate the similarity of varieties from these aspects. The examination of electrophoretic profiles of soluble tuber proteins, which are highly polymorphic and stable, can be considered as valuable for variety characterization and identification.

In 1995-1997, the population dynamics of the flea beetles Chaetocnema tibialis and Phyllotreta vittula, associated with Amaranthus retroflexus (wild species) and Amaranthus caudatus (cultivated species), were studied at the locality Nitra-Malanta (48°19'N, 18°09'E) in south-western Slovakia. On both plant species, the number of C. tibialis adults was usually very low until the beginning of July. During July the number of C. tibialis increased, but sooner on cultivated amaranth. An increased number of C. tibialis adults was observed on both amaranth species until the middle of September. The results showed that amaranth plants are a very important reservoir of C. tibialis during summer. P. vittula was a common flea beetle on amaranth during the whole summer, but its numbers never exceeded more than 10 adults per 25 plants. Low temperatures in winter had a negative effect on populations of C. tibialis on both amaranth species and also on populations of P. vittula on A. retroflexus. The lower the precipitation was in July, the higher were the populations of C. tibialis on both amaranth species and the populations of P. vittula on A. retroflexus.

The aim of this study was to investigate an association between aggressiveness and high level of feeding in a half-open feedlot production system. An experiment was conducted on 72 head of beef cattle of different breeds. The animals were at about 10 months of age. Medium quality silage was offered ad libitum and supplemented with high (HE) and low level (LE) of barley (2.5 and 1.5 kg/day/head, respectively) and supplemented without (nil) or with (+) extracted soybean meal (0.45 kg/day/head). Several types of animal behaviour were observed such as those parameters that are categorized to be main aggressive behaviours, butting, being butted, mounting and being mounted. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in butting, being butted behaviours between HE and LE treatment groups. Mounting and being mounted behaviours were significantly different (P < 0.05) in steers and heifers and between the seasons as well. Steers performed more incidents of mounting behaviour than heifers and it was the same for spring, during which animals had more mounting behaviours. It was concluded that there was a close relationship between high-energy diets and aggressive behaviour, which necessitates some management measures to be taken in order to ensure better animal welfare and beef production.

The apparent uptake of mineral nitrogen (N_min) from top- and subsoil layers during the growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in Prague-Ruzyne on clay loam Chernozem soil in years 1996-2003. Two (N0, N1) and three treatments, unfertilized (N0), fertilized with 100 kg (N1) and 200 kg (N2) nitrogen per hectare were observed in years 1996-2000 and 2001-2003, respectively. The apparent uptake of nitrogen from soil layers was calculated from the changes of N_min content between sampling terms. Most of available mineral N in the soil down to 90 cm was almost fully depleted between tillering and anthesis in treatment N0. The uptake from subsoil layers was delayed and it continued during the period of grain filling in fertilized treatments. Nitrogen fertilization reduced utilization of N from subsoil. The apparent uptake of N from the zone 50-120 cm ranged from 21 to 62 kg N/ha in N0 and from 15 to 60 kg N/ha in N1 in years 1996-2000. In years 2001-2003 the corresponding values (50-130 cm) were 24-104 kg, 43-130 kg and 29-94 kg N/ha in treatments N0, N1 and N2, respectively. The uptake from 120 (130)-150 cm was around zero in a half of experimental years, and it reached at maximum 12 kg/ha in N0 in 1997. There was a strong linear relation between the amount of N_min in spring and the depletion of nitrogen from the zone 50-120 (130) cm, R² = 0.94, 0.91 and 0.99 in N0, N1 and N2, respectively.

Citrus is grouped under the salt sensitive crops. Mycorrhizal fungi, a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and beneficial fungi, are supposed to impart the stress tolerance in the host plants. The stress tolerance improved due to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) colonization can be attributed to enhanced mineral nutrition. In the present study the efforts are made to evaluate the effectiveness of AM fungi with two citrus genotypes under salt stress. Three-month-old seedlings of Karna Khatta (Citrus Karna) and Troyer Citrange (Poncirus trifoliata × Citrus sinensis) were inoculated with the indigenous soil based AM inocula (mixed strains). The salinity gradient was developed by frequent irrigation with NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 mM w/v). The results indicated that all the physical parameters were affected with increasing salinity. The proline accumulation increased while the chlorophyll, calcium and magnesium contents decreased significantly with increasing salinity. In general, the decreased AM colonization did not show any significant effects under salt stress.