Fulltext search in archive

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of organic acids and the prebiotic fructans on egg production and eggshell quality when added to the layer diet with different levels of calcium and phosphorus. The experiment was carried out on 168 Bovans Brown hens, allocated to 14 groups of 12 replications. Each hen (replication) was kept in an individual cage 40 cm × 40 cm in size. A 2 × 7 factorial arrangement, with two dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus (normal - 3.70% Ca, 0.65% P, and reduced - 3.25% Ca, 0.60% P) and with diets supplemented by selected additives (none, 0.75% inulin, 0.75% oligofructose, 0.50% volatile fatty acids (VFA), 0.25% medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), 0.30% VFA + 0.20% MCFA, 0.75% inulin + 0.50% VFA) was used. The experiment was carried out over 34 weeks, from the age of 26 to 70 weeks. There were no statistically confirmed effects of the factors studied in this experiment on egg performance, i.e. laying rate, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion. Reducing the dietary levels of Ca and P significantly decreased eggshell percent, thickness, density and breaking strength. The additives used had a considerable effect on eggshell quality at 46, 58 and 70 weeks of age, and these positive effects were most pronounced in the case of inulin and MCFA. There was no significant interaction between Ca and P dietary levels and the additives used. It was thus concluded that selected feed additives which lower the pH of the diet and intestinal content can beneficially influence eggshell quality in older high-producing laying hens.

There are limited data available in the literature about the frequency and distribution of endocarditis in suckling and weaned piglets. The goal of this study was to investigate the frequency and distribution of lesions from cases of spontaneous valvular endocarditis in young piglets and to determine the bacterial agents involved in those lesions. Valvular endocarditis lesions in suckling piglets were detected in 21/454 cases (4.62%) and in 20/306 cases (6.53%) in weaned piglets. Streptococci were the dominant bacterial species isolated in 68% of the cases; S. suis was identified in 48.7% of the cases, S. pyogenes in 7.3% and S. spp., which could not be further identified, were cultured in 12.1% of the cases. E. rhusiopathiae was identified as the causal agent of endocarditis in four cases in the weaned piglets. In three cases, A. suis and S. aureus were isolated, and, in two cases, A. pleuropneumoniae was identified. Y. enterocolitica was isolated form one case of valvular endocarditis in a weaned pig. The finding of valvular endocarditis caused by Y. enterocolitica is an uncommon finding in pigs, and to the authors' knowledge, there are no other reports of this agent being the cause of endocarditis in pigs. The involvement of Y. enterocolitica in endocarditis might have been assisted by the predisposing role of immunosuppressive viruses, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.

The three-year field experiment (2015-2017) with graded doses of magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S) was carried out at the Humpolec experimental station (49.5546239N, 15.3485489E; Czech Republic). The interactions between boron (B), Mg and S in the soil were studied. No boron was applied into soils. Contents of B, S and Mg in the soil were determined by the Mehlich 3 and NH₄ acetate methods. The crop rotation was: spring barley-oilseed rape-winter wheat. Three Kieserite doses (S and Mg fertiliser) were applied. Sulphur treatments were 10-20-40 kg S/ha to cereals and 20-40-80 kg S/ha to oilseed rape. The doses of Mg were: 13-26-52 kg Mg/ha to cereals and 26-52-104 kg Mg/ha to oilseed rape. A significant gradual decrease of B-Mehlich 3 was observed under Kieserite treatments during the experiment (from 1.24 mg B/kg in control in the 1^st year to 0.92 mg B/kg in the 3^rd year). On the contrary, B-NH₄ acetate contents in soils remained similar during 2015-2017 in control soils (0.33-0.39 mg B/kg) and significantly decreased under Kieserite treatments, namely by 55-57% in 2016 and by 43-48% in 2017. A significant decrease of B content in soils was noted since the second year of experiment after oilseed rape. The boron contents in soils were affected in several ways - by adsorption of B on magnesium oxides and other substances, exchange with SO₄^2- anions and possible leaching, and also by the uptake by grown crops, mainly oilseed rape.

The effect of pre-processing conditions such as speed, die sizes and moisture content on durability of cassava flour was investigated. Densification of cassava flour was done by pelletizing the flour through die and it is necessary to determine optimum conditions for designing and constructing a suitable processing plant. The flour was mixed with water at different blend ratios to form cassava mash of different moisture contents. The pellet quality was evaluated in terms of the durability of the pellets against the moisture content of the mash (18, 20 and 22% w.b.), die size (4, 6 and 8 mm) and the screw speed (90, 100 and 120 rpm). Test results showed that maximum durability of 84.437% was recorded at 20% (w.b.) moisture content using 4 mm die and low durability of 61.26% with using 8 mm die at 18% (w.b.) moisture content. The durability result shows that it decreased with increase in die size. Statistical analysis revealed that the die size had significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on the durability.

In the Czech Republic, most mycobacterial infections in pigs are caused by the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and potentially pathogenic mycobacteria (PPM) derived from the environment. This study was undertaken after the isolation of PPM from various components of the environment of pig herds between 1996 and 2002 (Matlova et al., Veterinarni Medicina, 48, 2003, 343-357). Between 2003 and 2007, a total of 1114 environmentally-derived samples from 24 farms were examined. After staining according to Ziehl-Neelsen, acid-fast rods were found in 42 (3.8%) samples by direct microscopy, and PPM were isolated from 223 (20.0%) samples by culture. PPM occurred primarily in soil from the paddocks (53.8%), peat (53.2%), bedding (28.4%) and biofilm from the pipeline (21.0%). From MAC, M. avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) genotype IS901- and IS1245+ was most frequent; M. avium subsp. avium (MAA) genotype IS901+ and IS1245+ and M. intracellulare genotype IS901- and IS1245- were isolated from one (0.4%) and three (1.3%) samples, respectively. The remaining isolates were identified as 19 other mycobacterial species: M. gordonae (n = 8), M. triviale (n = 6), M. flavescens (n = 3), M. nonchromogenicum (n = 3), M. terrae (n = 3), M. xenopi (n = 3), M. fortuitum (n = 2), M. chelonae (n = 2), M. chitae (n = 2), M. abscessus (n = 1), M. gastri (n = 1), M. kumamotonense (n = 1), M. marinum (n = 1), M. parafortuitum (n = 1), M. peregrinum (n = 1), M. porcinum (n = 1), M. scrofulaceum (n = 1), M. smegmatis (n = 1) and M. simiae (n = 1). The remaining 41 isolates of unidentified mycobacterial species did not contain the sequences IS901 and/or IS1245, specific for medically important members of MAC (MAA and MAH); a further 44 isolates were not tested due to their contamination or loss of ability to grow in vitro. A farm where MAH was often detected in the lymph nodes of pigs and in the environment between 1996 and 2002 (Period I), was selected for further investigation between 2003 and 2007 (Period II). A comparison of the findings of mycobacteria on the investigated farm in Period I and in the following Period II showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the occurrence of mycobacteria other than MAH, especially in peat samples.

A total of 120 weanling pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc], 21 days of age with an average initial body weight (BW) of 6.52 ± 0.22 (SE) kg were selected to investigate the effects of extruded rice product as a replacement for dried whey on growth performance, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CATTD), blood profiles, faecal shedding of Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli (the microbial counts of digesta were expressed as log₁₀ colony forming units per gram), and faecal scores of weanling pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments, with six replicates per treatment and five pigs per pen. Pigs in the control group were fed a diet based on corn, soybean, and 20% dried whey. Experimental groups received the same diet as the control group, but dried whey was replaced by 3%, 6%, and 9% extruded rice. Throughout the experimental period (six weeks), no differences were observed in the average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain/feed ratio. Pigs fed 6% and 9% extruded rice had a lower (P < 0.05) CATTD than pigs fed the control diet on Day 14. The blood creatinine concentration of pigs fed 9% extruded rice was higher (P < 0.05) than that of pigs in the control group on Day 14. Pigs fed the diets containing 6% and 9% extruded rice had decreased (P < 0.05) faecal E. coli counts on Day 14 compared with pigs fed the control diet. The current results indicate that feeding extruded rice can decrease faecal E. coli counts without negative effects on growth performance in weanling pigs.

The present study was conducted to compare the stemness and morphobiometry of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from the Doom pig on different days of culture (9^th, 30^th and 65^th day) for the development of long-term culture method. The testes from 7-15-day old piglets were collected and two-step enzymatic digestion was used to isolate SSCs. Before in vitro culture of SSC-like cells on the Sertoli cell feeder layer, the cells were enriched by differential plating and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The isolated SSCs were characterised by alkaline phosphatase and immunofluorescence staining and qPCR analysis of SSC specific marker genes. Stemness was compared based on the expression of different SSC specific marker genes. The putative spermatogonial stem cells (PSSCs) from all the days of culture were found to be positive for alkaline phosphatase and immunofluorescence staining. The results from qPCR analysis showed that PSSCs were positive for SSC marker genes, though their expression decreased gradually from day 9 to day 65 of culture. The shape of the cells was found to change from compact round or oval to amorphous shape on day 65 of culture. Colony diameter ranged from 68.92 ± 1.20 µm (day 9) to 213.53 ± 12.52 µm (day 65) and differed significantly from each other. The number of colonies on day 65 of culture was significantly lower than on days 9 and 30. These results suggest that the enriched SSCs from Doom pigs can be maintained up to two months in vitro in the present culture system.

In sustainable agriculture crop residues management should consider the interactions between soil and residue properties, which can affect the decomposition and global greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission. Through a laboratory experiment, we investigated the effect of the management (incorporation and surface placement) of wheat and faba bean residues on their decomposition and CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions from two soils, a Chromic Vertisol and an Eutric Cambisol. In the Vertisol, wheat residues increased the CO₂ emission more than faba bean when left on the surface whereas no differences among residues were observed when incorporated. In the Cambisol, faba bean emitted more than wheat when left in the surface and less when incorporated. Total CH₄ emissions were higher in faba bean in Cambisol for both management and only when applied in the surface in Vertisol. Total N₂O emission in the Vertisol was higher when faba bean was incorporated, and wheat was left on the surface. In the Cambisol, wheat addition increased total N₂O emissions by 20% compared to faba bean, with no differences between managements. Our study confirmed that contrasting properties among tested soils resulted in significant interactions with residues own degradability and their placement affecting residue decomposition, soil C and N dynamics, and GHGs emission.

The experiment aimed to obtain a quadratic regression mathematical model of the comprehensive evaluation score of yield, quality, and four macroelements (N, K, P and Ca). The suitable nutrient solution was chosen and verified via computer simulation of the model and the highest comprehensive score in all treatments. Results showed that P, K and Ca had a positive effect on the comprehensive evaluation value of tomato, whereas N showed a negative effect. The optimal formula calculated using the regression equation could promote high-yield and high-quality tomato. The single-plant yield, soluble protein, vitamin C, total sugar, lycopene, and elemental utilisation of K and Ca in the tomato were 13.93, 78.95, 3.29, 20.98, 51.91, 16.69 and 24.14% higher than those in the special formula treatment of Japanese Yamazaki tomato, respectively. In summary, the optimal nutrient solution formula of tomato cultivation was obtained, in which the N, P, K and Ca levels were 24.83, 4.50, 9.49 and 5.73 mmol/L, respectively.

A method for the rapid and nondestructive determination of total nitrogen content in soy sauce was explored. Prediction models were established using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with each of the following techniques: partial least squares (PLS), interval PLS, synergy interval PLS (siPLS), and backward interval PLS. Results showed that each improved forecast model was better than the PLS model. The siPLS method exhibited the best performance. The full spectrum of light soy sauce was divided into 20 subintervals. The combination of four subintervals, namely, 6, 11, 13, and 18, showed the best effect, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9977 and an RMSECV of 0.0198. The full spectrum of dark soy sauce was divided into 20 subintervals. The combination of three subintervals, namely, 14, 17, and 19, showed the best effect, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9818 and an RMSECV of 0.0640. Therefore, the siPLS method can realise a rapid and accurate detection of total nitrogen content in soy sauce.

The paper deals with assessment of biogas yield from mixtures of Reynoutria substrates and livestock manure. The aim was to perform laboratory experiments and suggest suitable fermenter operating conditions (dry matter content, pH, share of substrate components, thermic regime) for metanogenic digestion, then to determine its quality and assess the usability of such produced biogas.

Forest gaps remain the optimal forest management practice in modern forestry. Upon all the physical properties of forest gaps, the 'gap size' feature stands out as an essential property. The effect of gap size on tree species composition and diversity of natural regeneration in forest gaps of different sizes was investigated. Eight research forest gaps were selected from the Training Forest School Enterprise, also called Masaryk Forest in Křtiny, a temperate mixed forest in the Czech Republic. By given gap sizes, small (< 700 m²) and large gaps (≥ 700 m²) were defined. Forty-one (41) regeneration microsites (RSs) of 1 m² circular area at 2 m intervals were demarcated within each forest gap. These RSs served as data collection points. From the total of eleven (11) species enumerated, large gaps obtained higher species composition (10) and diversity (Simpson = 0.5 1-D; Shannon = 1.0 H and Pielou's evenness = 0.5 J indices) records, yet, small gaps presented favourable conditions for prolific natural regeneration significantly. Light-adapted species demonstrated no significant difference (P > 0.05) between small and large gaps, however, intermediate and shade-tolerant species were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in small gaps. There were progressive declines in height growth of natural regeneration from 0-20 cm to 21-50 cm and 51+ cm in small and large gaps at R² = 99% and 88%, respectively. The development of herbaceous vegetation in small and large gaps had positive and negative effects on the natural regeneration of Fagus sylvatica and Abies alba species, respectively.

The effect of CO₂ concentrations on the preservation of sweet cherries in modified atmosphere packaging was greatly different. In the present paper, an accurate gas-regulating storage device was used to set the concentrations of CO₂ at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%, respectively (O₂ was set at 5% and the remaining parts were filled with N2) to store sweet cherries. Then the quality change of sweet cherries was determined aproximately from -1 to +1 °C and from 80 to 85% relative humidity. The results showed that all six air treatments had a certain inhibitory effect on deterioration of sweet cherries. In particular, the 10% CO₂ group could reduce rotting rate, maintain firmness, delay the change of soluble solids and vitamin C, reduce the activity of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. This group always had good firmness, nutrition and taste after 120 days of storage. So the 10% CO₂ concentration provides suitable gas storage conditions of sweet cherries in modified atmosphere packaging.

We investigated the anther culture (AC) efficiency of thirteen F₄ combinations of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The genotype dependency was assessed during the induction of the androgenic entities, i.e. embryo-like structures (ELS), regenerated-, green-, albino-, and transplanted plantlets. The number of green plantlets per 100 anthers (GP/100A) varied from 0.36 to 24.74 GP/100A with a mean of 8.31 GP/100A. Albino plantlets (AP) occurred in each combination, ranging from 0.20 to 22.80 AP/100A with an average value of 5.59 AP/100A. Between 25-87.76 doubled haploid (DH) plants per 100 acclimatised plantlets (DH/100ADP), depending on the combination, with a mean of 59.74% were recovered. We have found the highest DH production in the combinations Béres/Midas, Kalász/Tacitus, Béres/Pamier, and Premio/5009. This improves remarkably the choice of basic genetic material in subsequent crossing programmes. These observations emphasise the usability and efficiency of in vitro AC in producing a large number of DH lines for breeding and the applied researches of winter wheat. Although albinism was found in each combination, it was mitigated by the in vitro AC application.

Toxicity is a major limitation to successful spermatozoa cryopreservation of fish. Due to this problem, it is critical to find potential cryoprotectants which are more environmental-friendly, non-toxic, easily prepared, and available at affordable prices. Hence, the objective of the present study was to investigate several natural cryoprotectants for optimal cryopreservation of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822 (Pisces: Clariidae) spermatozoa. Three natural cryoprotectants were tested - egg yolk, glucose, and honey, while DMSO was used as a control at different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%). Sperms were diluted with coconut water at a dilution level of 1 : 20 sperm to extender (v/v). Diluted sperms were kept at 4°C for 5 min, then at 0, -4, and -79°C for 5 min respectively, and stored in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) for 45 days. The cryopreserved sperms were thawed in a water bath (37°C) for 5 min and evaluated for fertilization and hatching rates. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by comparison of means using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The fertilization and hatching rates of African catfish in all cryoprotectants improved with concentration increasing from 5 to 10% but then decreased when concentration was increased to 15%. The ANOVA test showed that the differences in cryoprotectants used significantly affected fertilization and hatching rates of African catfish. Overall, the fertilization and hatching rates were higher in DMSO for all concentrations compared to other cryoprotectants. However, 10% egg yolk resulted in higher fertilization and hatching rates compared to other natural cryoprotectants. It was concluded that 10% egg yolk was the most suitable concentration for African catfish spermatozoa cryopreservation compared to other natural cryoprotectants tested.

From soapstock, which is a waste product of sunflower oil production, the fatty component was isolated using isopropyl alcohol, toluene, fusel oil and a mixture of common salt and nonionic surfactants. With the help of the Langmuir film balance the molecular areas of isolated fats were found and the degree of hydrophobization in comparison with the original soapstock was evaluated. It was found that the strongest compression of the monolayer is observed when using fusel oil. The surface active properties of emulsifiers, synthesized by alkaline hydrolysis method on the basis of the obtained fat extracts and original soapstock, were studied. These results are consistent with measurements on the Langmuir balance.

The reductions of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are an essential objective of the European Union (EU) to achieving the reduction target by 20% by 2020. Along with energy consumption and agriculture, trade has a diverse impact on climate change. International trade usually negatively affects the environment, while the influence of intra-industry trade is more favourable. The paper investigates the impact of energy use, agriculture, and intra-industry trade on environmental pollution in EU countries using panel data for the period 2000-2014. The research frames the theoretical hypothesis that describing the relationship between agricultural intra-industry trade and climate change. The assumptions are confirmed by panel fixed effects, and Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) estimations, and the panel cointegration test. The empirical results have supported by the literature, and all variables used in this study are stationary applying panel unit root test. Results show that agricultural intra-industry trade, renewable energy is negatively correlated with climate change, confirming the less pollutant hypothesis, while economic growth and agricultural productivity induce environmental problems. This study confirms the theoretical hypotheses explaining the effect of intra-industry trade for agricultural products as well as the impacts of renewable energy use, agricultural land productivity, and economic growth on CO2 emissions.

This study was aimed to determine the impact of risk element content on the prevalence of the selected microbial groups in industrial soils of one of the steelworks in Poland. The concentration of heavy metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn along with soil pH and the number of mesophilic bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and Azotobacter was assessed in 20 soil samples. The limit concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were exceeded in five sites. However, even in these strongly contaminates sites, the studied microorganisms were abundant. The correlation between the concentration of heavy metals and microbial numbers was very weak and statistically insignificant. High numbers of fungi were observed in the contaminated sites, which was particularly interesting in one of the sites, strongly contaminated with Cd, Pb and Zn.

The using possibilities of secondary raw materials produced during the liquid biofuels production such as bioethanol and biodiesel, and also those produced during solid fuel production was determined. The study presents combustion of distiller's dried grain with solubles (DDGS) and pressing refuse of rapeseed methyl ester (RME). The combustion was done in gravimetric oven, according to the standards, under the laboratory conditions. Combustion heat of samples was measured with calorimeter IKA C5000. The results show the average combustion heat of 20.91 MJ/kg for DDGS and 18.996 MJ/kg for RME. Results are chronologically presented in tables and figures.

Both yogurt and dates are functional foods known for their valuable nutrients and health benefits. Therefore, this study was conducted to produce two types of date-enriched yogurts (20% wt/wt) to enhance their nutritive value and health benefits. While yogurt A was made with dates blended with milk, yogurt B was produced using small pieces of dates that were added to milk before fermentation. Both date-enriched yogurts were assessed for their physicochemical composition, total polyphenol content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA). The results showed that the addition of dates significantly enhanced carbohydrate, mineral and total solids contents of yogurts A and B (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dates significantly enhanced the TPC (34 and 37 mg GAE 100 g-1 for yogurt A and B, respectively) and the RSA (51% for yogurt A versus 57% for yogurt B) of date-enriched yogurts especially when dates were added as small pieces. During cold storage, both TPC and RSA decreased in all yogurt samples; however, they were maintained higher in date-enriched yogurts.

The yield of soybeans, an economically important crop worldwide, is substantially reduced by different abiotic and biotic factors, including insect pests. Different insecticides are applied to control soybean insect pests. The application of insecticides may also affect the plants along with the pests. The effects of four insecticides (fenitrothion, etofenprox, thiamethoxam, and lambda-cyhalothrin-cum-thiamethoxam; LT) on the growth and yield of two soybean cultivars over two years were investigated. The plant height (PH), pod number, shoot dry matter without seed (SDWS), total shoot dry matter, seed yield per plant (SYP), harvest index (HI), and hundred-seed weight significantly varied with the insecticides. However, the primary branch number was not significantly affected by the insecticides. Significant interactions between the year and insecticide, except for the SDWS and HI, indicated that the growing environment also affected the influence of the insecticides. The PH was significantly tall in the thiamethoxam (50.07 cm) and short for the LT (46.66 cm) application. The SYP was significantly high for the LT (20.51 g) and low for the fenitrothion (11.51 g). This study showed that the type of insecticide could significantly affect the plant growth and yield of the soybean.

This study aimed to determine the associative effects (AEs) of 28 feed combinations of concentrate/soybean pod/alfalfa at different concentrate-roughage ratios that were incubated for 72 h in single tubes (120 ml) which were added 30 ml rumen buffered fluid. The gas production (GP) at 0, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 h was recorded. A single exponential equation was applied to calculate the GP parameters a (rapid GP), b (slow GP), a + b (GP potential) and c (rate constant of slow GP that can reflect the specific process of GP, rapid and slow GP and GP rate). The AEs were calculated by 72 h GP and weighted estimation value of each combination. After 72 h incubation, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD) were determined the incubation fluid and residues. The single-factor AE index (SFAEI) and multiple-factor AE index (MFAEI) were computed. The results showed that the groups 50 : 50 : 0, 40 : 60 : 0, 60 : 20 : 20, 60 : 10 : 30, 50 : 30 : 20, 50 : 20 : 30, 40 : 50 : 10, 30 : 55 : 15, 30 : 40 : 30, 20 : 65 : 15, 20 : 50 : 30 had higher GP_{72 h}, a, b, DMD, OMD, NH₃-N, in addition, higher AE of GP, DMD, OMD, total VFA and NH₃-N than those of the other groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), especially the group 30 : 55 : 15 was optimal. In conclusion, in vitro data reveal reliable fermentability and the highest SFAEI and MFAEI occurred when concentrate, soybean pod and alfalfa were combined at the ratios of 50 : 50 : 0, 40 : 60 : 0, 60 : 20 : 20, 60 : 10 : 30, 50 : 30 : 20, 50 : 20 : 30, 40 : 50 : 10, 30 : 55 : 15, 30 : 40 : 30, 20 : 65 : 15, 20 : 50 : 30.

The present study examined the efficiency of thyme in improving the productive and reproductive performances in male rabbits living in hot climates with the further lowering of the faecal ammonia and adverse heat stress. One hundred and twenty-five Zealand-White male rabbits were assigned to five dietary treatments [age: 60-day-old; body weight (b.w.): 1 362 ± 20 g] (n = 25). The basal diet was supplemented with either 0 (control), 4, 8, 12 or 16 g/kg of thyme leaves. The experiment lasted for 90 days. The feed and water were provided ad libitum. The animals were housed in an open system (39 °C ambient-temperature and 30-35% relative-humidity). The dietary thyme leaf levels significantly improved the appetite, body weight gain and growth performance compared to the control (P < 0.001). The weight gain and feed conversion ratio were directly proportional to the thyme leaves intake. The faecal ammonia was markedly lowered in response to the feeding with thyme leaves. The thyme leaves significantly improved the liver and kidney functions as indicated by their biomarkers. The testosterone concentrations and semen characteristics were also significantly improved in the thyme leaves-treated groups compared to the control (P < 0.01). In conclusion, thyme leaves, at an optimum dose of 16 g/kg of the diet, could be an efficient feed additive for rabbits surviving under hot climatic conditions.

Thermal weed control performed by weeders working on physical principles is already commonly used on farms dealing with bioproducts. It helps to reduce strenuous human labour and to effectively control weeds and, to some extent, pests and diseases threatening the crops. It also prevents other weeds from spreading by destroying them in the early growth stage. In addition, development of weeds is inhibited when the soil is not being ploughed. Effective deployment of these machines in practice is currently addressed by experts in the field, as well as the possibility of rational use of heat energy while achieving the maximum effect on weeds. This method in particular helps to reduce costs of thermal treatment, which are the key factor limiting widespread deployment of weeders. The paper introduces long-term research based on laboratory and field experiments, which is intended to broaden the knowledge regarding this issue.

Bee pollen is used as a food supplement by humans as it is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Bee pollen has many biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor and antioxidant. Fresh bee pollen is not suitable for long-term storage because of its moisture content. In order to protect the nutrient content and freshness, the bee pollen can be dried by using different drying techniques. In this study, the biochemical characterization of the bee pollen samples dried by different techniques and drying effects on the biochemical properties of bee pollen were determined. Moisture, total lipid and protein, pH and total phenolic content of pollen samples were determined. The results ranged 6.23-20.62%, 4.98-5.57%, 16.812-1.477%, 4.08-4.33 and 15.2-22.73 mg GAE g^-1, respectively. All samples are rich in squalene and methyl octadecanoate. It is clear that bee pollen bioactive components will be less damaged by using drying methods performed under more moderate conditions like lyophilization than when the traditional method is used.

The overall objective of this study was to improve the reproductive efficiency of lactating dairy cows and to improve the resulting total farm profit. The hypothesis is that a dairy farm can substantially improve its economic and environmental performance through increasing pregnancy rate, i.e. increasing the number of eligible cows that become pregnant for a given breeding period. This paper presents a tool which was designed with a view to comparing the reproductive efficiency. The tool was developed using dynamic programming in R (Shiny) and shows the changes in costs, revenues and net return projected for a given change in pregnancy rate. The model calculates from the first day in milk and stops when the last calf was born after successful insemination of each cow. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the economic return associated with reproductive performance is greatly affected by the input parameters and therefore real farm and market values are crucial. The average economic gain per percentage point of 21-d (21-day) pregnancy rate (PR) was 14.6 EUR per cow/year. The milk price showed the largest impact on the overall net return. A 10% increase in milk price increased the net return on average by 268 EUR (10% 21-d PR), 292 EUR (20% 21-d PR) and 299 EUR per cow/year (30% 21-d PR). Our study had the same set values of milk yield during lactations for all four evaluated farms and it was found that the milk income over feed cost increased with the reproductive performance in all evaluated farms on an individual cow level. Poor fertility means that cows spend longer producing lower amounts of less efficiently produced milk.

A 300 kg, 11-month-old quarter horse filly was presented with a joint dislocation in the right anterior limb. The animal was attended at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) Veterinary Hospital in September 2016, where it was reported that the horse was injured on a fence. On clinical examination, the dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint with a rupture of the joint capsule and exposure of bone surfaces was observed, however, with no rupture of the extensor and flexor tendons. Surgery was recommended and the patient was anaesthetised with detomidine (Dormiun V; Agener União, São Paulo, Brazil; 0.04 mg/kg), ketamine (Cetamin; Syntec, São Paulo, Brazil; 0.03 mg/kg/h) and guaiacol glyceryl ether (JA Saúde Animal, São Paulo, Brasil, 0.5 ml/kg/h) i.v. The reconstitution of the joint capsule, lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and the other soft tissues around the injury was performed. A chemical arthrodesis was performed, then the tissue approximation and finally the skin suture. Bandages were applied on the wound with hydrophobic cotton and a Robert-Jones dressing. Systemic treatment was performed with enrofloxacin (Zelotril 10%; Agener União, São Paulo, Brazil; 5 mg/kg) i.m., meloxicam (Maxicam 2%; São Paulo, Brasil; 0.6 mg/kg) i.v. during 10 and 20 days, respectively, then replacing the antibiotic with ceftiofur (Cef 50; Agener União, São Paulo, Brasil; 2.2 mg/kg) i.m. for another 22 days. An iodine solution was applied to the joint optimising arthrodesis. After three and a half months, the lesion was entirely healed and with good movement, so the patient was discharged. This case demonstrates that, with adequate treatment and attention, it is possible to recover the patient's quality of life.

Three-year strict experiments with winter rapeseed were conducted in three experimental stations. In the research, winter rape fertilization with elemental sulphur (S) in the doses: 20, 40 and 60 kg S/ha, boron (B) - in the dose of 2 kg B/ha and copper (Cu) - 5 kg Cu/ha were applied. Microelements were introduced separately, in treatments B and Cu, as well as in combination B + Cu. The experimental soils featured low content of sulphate sulphur SO₄^2--S and boron, medium and low copper content. Rapeseed fertilization with sulphur, boron and copper resulted in their increased concentration in plants. Sulphur at 40 and 60 kg S/ha doses affected the increase in oilseed rape grain yield by 11-12% compared to the not fertilized treatment. The dose of 20 kg S/ha did not show any significant influence on yield. The yield increased by more than 10% in the comparison to the treatment without B and Cu, was obtained due to boron, as well as combination of boron and copper fertilization. A significant increase in fat content, in relation to not fertilized treatment, ranking from 1.0-1.4% dry matter, was recorded after fertilization with the highest sulphur dose - 60 kg S/ha, as well as after application of boron and copper fertilization.

In North America, Gremmeniella abietina, European race (GaEU), was reported in 1975. Our objective was to follow the spread of GaEU on red pines growing on flat land and on slope. Annual height infection varied significantly on flat land, ranging from 60 to 110 cm in 1991 to 0 to 50 cm in 1992. On the slope, pines in the bottom were killed by the disease, but survived on the top. Favorable conditions follow a horizontal line about 10 m over the lower elevation and are probably related to fog or mist. The horizontal disease spread over a 3-year period was only 20 m and this is mainly explained by the absence of ascospores in North America.

The effect of short duration thermal treatments (60 and 65°C for 1 min) and low intensity high pressure treatments (15 and 30 MPa for 10 min) on the sprouting of potato tubers was applied individually and sequentially, as an attempt to achieve higher inhibitory effects. Thermal treatments only slightly reduced sprouting, evaluated by the number of sprouted tubers, number of sprouts per sprouted tuber, sprout elongation rate, and sprout length. The pressure treatments alone resulted in a slightly higher inhibitory effect compared to the thermal treatments alone. However, it was for the combined treatments when the highest inhibitory effect on sprouting was observed, particularly when potatoes were stored under controlled temperature and humidity conditions that promoted faster sprouting. The combined treatments versus the control led to a much lower number of sprouted tubers (50% vs 100%), number of sprouts per sprouted tuber (4 vs 20), sprout elongation rate (1.48 ± 0.24 mm/day vs 38.5 ± 2.80mm/day), and sprout length (71 mm vs 1542 mm). These inhibitory effects on sprouting can be of interest and potential for industrial application.