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Results 5401 to 5430 of 5716:

Importance of ownership and lease of agricultural land in Slovakia in the pre-accession period

A. Bandlerová, E. Marišová

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(5):213-216 | DOI: 10.17221/5393-AGRICECON

A vast majority of agricultural land is leased, only a few owners manage their own land. The market with agricultural land falls behind and, together with land lease, it depends on the prosperity of Slovak agriculture. In comparison with the EU countries, the prices of land and land lease in Slovakia are disproportionately low. At present, the Slovak legislation is focused on legal regulation of long-term, i.e. lasting more than ten years, leasing. However, this raises a question whether we should not rather concentrate on the support of the developing market with agricultural land instead.

Innovation management as a tool of qualitative changes in the food processing industry

E. Horská, I. Ubrežiová

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(8):361-364 | DOI: 10.17221/5414-AGRICECON

The paper deals with theoretical and practical aspects of the innovation process as well as its final results and impact on qualitative level of the supply in the market with food products. From this point of view, we consider an innovation process as an alternative approach how to reach competitive advantage. The paper also points at several possibilities how to manage innovation process in order to create a new product with certain features of competitiveness. There follows from the research that the innovation process is not only the question of new product development but it is also the question of technological approach, new markets entering as well as organization changes in the company.

Root decays as a potential predisposition factor of a bark beetle disaster in the Šumava Mts.

L. Jankovský, P. Cudlín, I. Moravec

J. For. Sci., 2003, 49(3):125-132 | DOI: 10.17221/4687-JFS

Root decay infection and potential relations to Ips typographus L. outbreaks in the Šumava Mts. (Bohemian Forest) were monitored in 3 permanent sample plots. As an originator of root decays honey fungus predominated, in particular cases Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. was also recorded. As for honey fungus species, Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink predominated, however, A. cepistipes Velenovský and A. borealis Marxmüller et Korhonen were also determined. Other wood-destroying fungi were also recorded, e.g. Stereum sanguinolentum (ALB. & SCHW.: FR.) FR. and Climacocystis borealis (FR.) KOTL. Although Armillaria foci were localized directly in a forest edge after bark beetle disaster, it is not possible to state definite relationships between Ips typographus L. invasion and root system infection by Armillaria. The found out rate of infection is, with respect to an altitude over 1,100 m, extremely high not corresponding to existing knowledge on the behaviour of Armillaria in the region of Central Europe. The extent of Norway spruce infection by Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink can give evidence of the chronic stress load of spruce trees in the area.

Induced wound response of Norway spruce Picea abies P. Karst. after artificial inoculation by imagoes of Ips typographus

L. Jankovský, D. Novotný, R. Mrkva

J. For. Sci., 2003, 49(9):403-411 | DOI: 10.17221/4713-JFS

Inoculation experiments were carried out on a set of trees with imagoes of Ips typographus L. which origin from the Šumava Mts. and the Křtiny Training Enterprise. The objective of back inoculations was to determine whether species found on the surface of Ips typographus imagoes spread after the inoculation also through host tissues. It the vicinity of inoculation by Ips typographus imagoes, marked necrotic zones are evident including symptoms of the penetration of vascular pathogens through phloem and sapwood. The most marked reactions were observed in case of inoculation by an untreated Ips typographus imago. Treatment of Ips typographus imagoes by Ibefungin and Fundazol preparations did not demonstrate expected effects in full scale. The spores of several ophiostomoid fungi like Ceratocystis polonica (Siem.) C. Moreau were observed on the surface of bark beetles and at the same time were re-isolated from wounds inoculated by Ips typographus imagoes. The other fungi like Ophiostoma bicolor Davidson & Wells, Leptographium cf. lundbergii Lagerberg & Melin., Pezicula eucrita Karst., Phomopsis sp. and other were found in wounds with the imagoes artificial infection.

Evaluation of sanitary status of grapevines in the Czech Republic

P. Komínek, V. Holleinová

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(2):63-66 | DOI: 10.17221/4091-PSE

A survey was made to evaluate sanitary status of grapevines in the Czech Republic with regard to occurrence of economically important viruses. Propagation material of 109 grapevine clones was tested for presence of Grapevine fanleaf virus, Arabis mosaic virus, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3, Grapevine virus A, Grapevine virus B and Grapevine fleck virus. Dormant canes were collected and cortical scrappings were analyzed by DAS-ELISA. All seven viruses tested were found to be widely spread in Czech propagation material of grapevine. From 330 individual vines tested, 148 vines were found to be infected with at least one virus. From 109 clones tested, in 98 clones at least one vine negative for tested pathogens was found. Such vines were promoted as candidate plants into screenhouse in Faculty of Horticulture Lednice and will be further tested by other methods. Sanitation of infected grapevine clones is needed in near future.

Distribution of soil fractions of zinc and its uptake by potatoes, maize, wheat and barley after soil amendment by sludge and inorganic Zn salt

P. Dvořák, P. Tlustoš, J. Száková, J. Černý, J. Balík

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(5):203-212 | DOI: 10.17221/4114-PSE

Zinc distribution in the main soil fractions and zinc accumulation in potatoes, maize, wheat and barley after different soil treatments (basic sludge rate, triple sludge rate, NPK, NPK + inorganic Zn) were investigated in a field experiment conducted at five localities of the Czech Republic (Červený Újezd, Hněvčeves, Humpolec, Lukavec, Suchdol) with different soil and climatic conditions. Three soil types were investigated in the experiment: clay-loamy Chernozems, loamy Luvisols, clay-loamy Luvisols and two loamy Cambisols. Sequential analyses provided an overview of soil Zn distribution in the following fractions: exchangeable, Fe-Mn oxide, organic and residual ones. The sludge and inorganic Zn addition supported Zn mobility growth and higher Zn retention in Fe-Mn oxides in all tested soils. The influence of the above-mentioned treatments on higher Zn association with soil organic compounds was not explicitly found. Potatoes, wheat and barley accumulated more Zn after its addition into the soils by sludge and inorganic salt. By contrast, Zn content in maize decreased with higher input of Zn into the soil. The highest Zn concentrations were usually observed in plants grown on both Cambisols.

Effects of zeolite amendment on microbial biomass and respiratory activity in heavy metal contaminated soils

G. Mühlbachová, T. Šimon

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(12):536-541 | DOI: 10.17221/4190-PSE

A laboratory incubation experiment with zeolite and glucose was performed to evaluate the effects of zeolite amendment in heavy metal contaminated soils from two smelter areas on some microbial characteristics [Kremikovtzi (K1, K2) in Bulgariaand Příbram (P1, P2) in the CzechRepublic]. The content of microbial biomass showed a tendency to decrease in Kremikovtzi soils whereas in Příbram soils no significant effects were found after zeolite amendment. Respiratory activity and metabolic quotient (qCO2) decreased on the second and third day in Kremikovtzi soils amended with zeolite, no effects were observed in Příbram soils. Heavy metals decreased the content of microbial biomass in Kremikovtzi soils whereas the contaminated soil from Příbram area had the highest microbial biomass compared to non-contaminated soil during incubation, probably due to lower mineralization of carbon. The respiratory activity did not show any significant effects of zeolites on the evolution of CO2 and qCO2 in heavy metal contaminated Příbram soil. The respiratory activity in non-contaminated Příbram soil remained during the experiment lower in comparison to contaminated one, however the addition of zeolite increased qCO2.

Changes in professions and wages in the farms

S. Buchta

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(7):323-328 | DOI: 10.17221/5405-AGRICECON

ICT in agrarian sector of the CR

J. Vaněk, J. Jarolímek

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(11):540-542 | DOI: 10.17221/5444-AGRICECON

The fact that the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) is a key factor of development of individuals, regions, sectors and whole countries is well known at the beginning of the 21st century. The real situation of ICT utilization is very different in particular sections and it fails to reach standards that we would expect. The sphere of the agrarian sector of the Czech Republic is a very good example. The Information and Consulting Centre FEM at the University of Agriculture in Prague (IPC) has been participating on research of the utilization ICT in agriculture for three years. According to the latest data from July 2002, 55% of agrarian enterprises are connected to the Internet, which is much less than in other sectors.

Hop yield evaluation depending on experimental plot area under different nitrogen management

F. Bavec, B. Čeh Brežnik, M. Brežnik

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(4):163-167 | DOI: 10.17221/4108-PSE

Numerous agricultural and associated ecological effects such as mineral nitrogen fertilising influence the yield of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) cones and its quality. Using a wide spacing of plants (in our case 2.6 × 0.8 m) we want to answer a hypothetical question about an appropriate number of test plants per plot vs. experimental plot area. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different rates of mineral nitrogen, fertiliser combinations and their nitrogen split application on hop yield evaluated from different plot areas (micro trial: 30 plants per plot; macro trial: 320 plants per plot). Hop yield varied significantly between treatments, plot areas, years and interactions (year × treatment, plot area × treatment) (all at P £ 0.01). Cone yield in a micro trial was higher in all treatments in comparison with yield in a macro trial. In spite of common intensive fertilisation the appropriate fertilising combination and mineral N rate can influence the yield. Target nitrogen rate of160 kg mineral N/ha (at the level from 40.0 to62.5 kg nitrate N/ha in soil depth to0.3 m) and cheaper combination of calcium-ammonium nitrate (50 kg N/ha) at the beginning of vegetation plus urea (110 kg N/ha) for top dressing can be recommended. On plot areas of each size and each year all treatments showed similar trends of fertilising effect on yield. In spite of higher yield in the micro trial and lower coefficient of variation in comparison with the macro trial, the results proved that a risk of incorrect yield analysing in macro trials is very low for field experiments.

The dry nitrogen yields nitrogen uptake, and the efficacy on nitrogen fertilisation in long-term experiment in Prague

J. Kubát, J. Klír, D. Pova

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(8):337-345 | DOI: 10.17221/4134-PSE

Long-term field experiments conducted under different soil and climate conditions and their databases provide invaluable information and are indispensable means in the study of the productivity and sustainability of the soil management systems. We evaluated the results of the dry matter yields of the main products obtained with four variants of organic and mineral fertilisation in three long-term field experiments established in 1955. The experiments differed in the cultivated crops. The period of evaluation was 12 and 16 years (1985-2000), respectively. The productivity of nine-year crop rotation was lower with the fertilised variants than that with the alternative growing of spring wheat and sugar beets. The dry matter yields on the Nil variants, however, were higher in the crop rotation than in the alternate sugar beet and spring wheat growing, apparently due to the symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The dry matter yields of sugar beet and mainly of spring wheat declined in almost all variants of fertilisation in the alternate sugar beet and spring wheat growing, over the evaluated time period. In spite of the relatively high dry matter production, the declining yields indicated a lower sustainability of the alternate cropping system. Both organic and mineral fertilisation increased the production of the cultivated crops. The differences in the average dry matter yields were statistically significant. Both organic and mineral fertilisation enhanced significantly the N-uptake by the cultivated crops. The effectivity of nitrogen input was the highest with the alternate cropping of sugar beet and spring wheat indicating that it was more demanding for the external N-input and thus less sustainable than nine-year crop rotation.

Suitability of oat-seed storage-protein markers for identification of cultivars in grain and mixed flour samples

V. Dvořáček, V. Čurn, J. Moudrý

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(11):486-491 | DOI: 10.17221/4182-PSE

The objective of this study was an improvement on oat identification procedure for laboratory applications, and the comparison of albumin-globulin and avenin protein patterns in five hulled and naked oat cultivars: Abel (CZ) and Izák (CZ) - naked oats, Auron (CZ), Edmund (D) and Expander (D) - hulled oats. The last object of this study was the authenticity verification of standardly prepared meal samples with various proportions of admixture. It was confirmed that avenins, characterised under SDS-PAGE conditions, are reliable implements for the identification of oat cultivars. It was found that oat grain contains, on the basis of Osborne fractionation, another significant protein fraction - glutelins. The question of the protein fraction analysis that was used for the admixture identification stays still open. In sufficiently different cultivars, the certainty of the admixture detection in meal samples may be high. Nevertheless, in other cases (higher cultivar similarity) it will be necessary to use some other, more sensitive techniques.

Agriculture finance and credit infrastructure - conditions, policies and channels

A. Trzeciak-Duval

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(3):106-112 | DOI: 10.17221/5273-AGRICECON

Agriculture, like all sectors of the economy, needs credit for its development. Experience in OECD countries demonstrates that in a competitive financial environment, profitable agriculture can obtain the credit it needs. Due to the difficulties faced by farmers in transition economies in obtaining access to credit, the OECD has periodically called upon member and transition experts to reflect upon the issues at stake and to share relevant lessons and best practices in the field of agricultural finance and credit infrastructure. This paper reviews the key messages from past work on this subject, including some observations from the Czech experience. These messages pertain to: the essential framework conditions for access to credit; the role of government policy-making, and possible channels for financing the agriculture and rural sectors. The paper then briefly suggests some linkages and implications that may be drawn between the EU enlargement and these three themes.

Utilisation of the GPS information technology for the control of providing the EU support oriented on less favoured areas (LFA)

Z. Trávníček, M. Kavka

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(9):432-438 | DOI: 10.17221/5428-AGRICECON

In all partial aspects, subsidies can be effectively realised only if the adequate system of information is set up and used both on the level of subsidy suppliers (government) and on the level of subsidy recipients (agricultural organisations). It is essential to control and evaluate the usefulness of providing the support. The GPS technologies are ones of many options how to contribute to this effort. The proceeding rapid progress and upgrade of these technologies, miniaturisation of the apparatus along with the decreasing price and increasing technological efficiency, accuracy and reliability are together granting significant preconditions for their practical utilisation in agriculture. GPS is practically being used in agriculture in the system of precise agriculture and our experts belong among the world-wide recognized specialists in this direction. The GPS utilisation is additionally offered at the allocation of LFAs as well as at marking the places suitable for agro-environmental measures. In combination with the IACS system and its databases and registers, it is functionally and operatively useful at the land control of fulfilling the conditions of support programmes.

Cultivation of Brassica pekinensis under different forms of nitrogen nutrition

L. Ducsay, L. Varga

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2003, 30(3):112-115 | DOI: 10.17221/3871-HORTSCI

A pot trial was aimed to investigate the effect of different forms of nitrogen fertilizer on the aboveground phytomass yield, vitamin C content and uptake of some macroelements by Brassica pekinensis. The trial was conducted in 2000 and 2001 in pots containing 10 kg of loamy brown soil. Optimized NPK nutrition with the rate of 90.9 kg/ha N increased phytomass yields of Chinese cabbage in all treatments compared to the unfertilized control. The most marked increase (by 55.6%) of yield was obtained when N was applied in the form of (NH4)2 SO4. The yields in the other treatments declined as follows: NH4NO3 > Mg (NO3)2 > KNO3 > DAM-390. Positive effects of full NPK nutrition on vitamin C content were determined. Depending on the forms of N fertilizer, the content of vitamin C in fresh mass of cabbage decreased in the following order: DAM-390 (629.0 mg/kg of fresh mass) >Mg(NO3)2 > KNO3 > NH4NO3 > (NH4)2SO4. Optimization of NPK rates contributed to the increase in N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S uptake by the yield of final product in comparison with unfertilized control. The highest uptake of nutrients was determined in the treatment with N applied in the form of (NH4)2SO4.

Effect of desiccation on the root system of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings and a possibility of using hydrogel STOCKOSORB® for its protection

M. Sarvaš

J. For. Sci., 2003, 49(11):531-536 | DOI: 10.17221/4796-JFS

The aims of this study were: 1. to determine the effect of dexiccation treatment on the physiological quality of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings by measurements of electrolyte leakage from the root system; b) to test the use of hydrogl STOCKOSORB® for protection of the root system of spruce seedlings during their transplanting. The results showed that desiccation treatment significantly affected the rate of electrolyte leakage (34% leakage for control seedlings and 53% in contrast with seedlings after 5 hours of desiccation). Likewise, significant differences were found in height and root collar increments after the first vegetation period that decreased with the duration of desiccation treatment. The values of electrolyte leakage also increased with the duration of desiccation treatment for seedlings treated with hydrogel. On the other hand, the rate of electrolyte leakage was lower after 5 hours of stress factor than in untreated seedlings. The height and root collar increments were higher in seedlings treated with hydrogel for all variants. The obtained results showed a possibility of using the measurement of electrolyte leakage from the root system to determine the physiological quality of Norway spruce seedlings. The rate of electrolyte leakage over 40% signals the physiological damage to the root system of spruce seedlings. Next, the results confirmed the need of protection of seedling roots during handling. The seedlings without hydrogel had 35% height and 26% root collar diameter increment after two-hour desiccation stress. On the other hand, the same seedlings with STOCKOSORB had 42% height and 48% root collar increment.

Determination of essential oil content in caraway (Carum carvi L.) species by means of supercritical fluid extraction

J. Sedláková, B. Kocourková, L. Lojková, V. Kubáň

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(6):277-282 | DOI: 10.17221/4125-PSE

Dependently on planting conditions caraway fruits contain 1-9% of essential oils consisting of about 30 compounds. Carvone and limonene account for the main portion, about 95%. To evaluate the quality of various registered caraway (Carum carvi L.) cultivars (Kepron, Prochan and Rekord) planted during 1998-2000, regarding the effect of sample grinding and preparation, plant treatment and time of harvest, the amounts of essential oil and the carvone/limonene ratio were determined. Both whole and ground caraway seeds were extracted. As obvious from the results, SFE is not suitable for the determination of essential oils in whole seeds since the results are lower in comparison with those of ground caraway. The way of grinding was also examined. Of the three mills used, a splintery mill VIPO seemed to be the most suitable. Further, the amount of essential oil was studied in caraway gathered at the beginning of maturation (sample A) and at full ripeness (sample B) of caraway seeds. It was found that the samples gathered at full ripeness (samples B) had more essential oil. It was also concluded that the use of the regulator Roundup Bioaktiv during caraway maturation to unite the ripening of achenes in the main umbel and the first-order umbels, and the use of fungicides (Alert S and Prelude 10) affected positively the amount of essential oil in caraway. Possibilities of SFE application for the essential oil determination in small samples gathered during breeding were investigated. The results were used as a one of the criteria during breeding. Classical way of the essential oil determination does not allow this option. An alternative method for the isolation and determination of essential oils - supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) - was investigated in this study.

Development of powdery mildew and leaf rust epidemics in winter wheat cultivars

L. Věchet

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(10):439-442 | DOI: 10.17221/4154-PSE

Development of powdery mildew and leaf rust epidemics was examined on three winter wheat cultivars with different predispositions to powdery mildew in three-year experiments. The progress of powdery mildew and leaf rust on the same cultivar was conditioned by its dissimilar susceptibility to the respective disease. Fit temperature played an important role at the beginning of the particular disease and during its progress. Significant differences in the disease severity of powdery mildew and leaf rust were recorded on single leaves. Disease severity of leaf rust was higher on upper leaves while disease severity of powdery mildew was higher on lower leaves.

The outer quality loss during grain post-harvest treatment and handling

P. Kroupa

Res. Agr. Eng., 2003, 49(3):91-102 | DOI: 10.17221/4958-RAE

In the paper are presented results of grain outer quality loss investigation during its post-harvest treatment. Objective was to determine the grain damage during its transport by bucket elevators of type "SANFON" at bucket peripheral velocity 2.0 m/s and 2.8 m/sof capacity 40 t/hand 80 t/h, respectively. The damage was investigated at counter-flow and parallel-flow bucket filling. From the measured results resulted the conclusion, that the bucket elevators tend rather to grain crushing, i.e. fraction creation than to smaller damage. On basis of partial knowledge chain elevators have no significant tendency to fraction generation, but incline considerably to the transported grain total mechanical damage at performance significantly lower than is the nominal one. In that case total mechanical damage ranged from 1.78 to 1.98%. Auger conveyers tend rather to total mechanical damage of transported grain than to the fraction creation. This is caused mainly by the friction between the transported grain and transporting "trough". Total mechanical damage is in range from 1.36 to 1.73%. Belt elevators are friendly to transported grain and therefore are evitable for grain horizontal transport in lines for reception, treatment and storage of food grain crops.

Policy analysis for globalized agriculture

S. Offutt

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(2):67-70 | DOI: 10.17221/5267-AGRICECON

Farms, farmers, farm families, and even farm policies have changed in the United States and Europe over the decades since World War II. Now it is time to bring the methods of farm policy analysis and the scope of data collection up to date. Agricultural economics, by tradition an empirical discipline, can offer important insights into the design, implementation, and effectiveness of policy. To succeed in this century, though, requires an emphasis on understanding micro-economic behavior at the level of the farm household. The paper presents fundamental aspects on methodology for micro-level farm policy analysis and data requirements for application of its intruments.

Chances and factors of economical farming

J. Homolka

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(5):239-241 | DOI: 10.17221/5398-AGRICECON

The contribution is focused on an analysis of the existing forms of farming in Czech agriculture which are characterised by an economical way of farming on agricultural land. Forms, an extent and economic connection of these farming ways are included. Above all, it deals with the programs of extensive use of land in worse natural conditions, principles of organic agriculture, farming in areas with a special water regime and so on. These ways of farming have to be a part of the state agrarian policy and the connected financial participation of the state in their supporting.

Economic software - information support of product cost management

A. Látečková, E. Škorecová

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(8):365-368 | DOI: 10.17221/5415-AGRICECON

Adequate product cost economic management is not possible at present without economic software application. Based on the analysis of the current state of enterprise information systems in agriculture, we define basic methods of automatic processing of economic trials and this on the enterprise management level and in-plant level. For product cost management enhancement, we recommend managerial information system application, which introduces extension of enterprise information system and allow real time cost analyse with multidimensional disintegration. We also introduce requirements that economic software suitable for information management needs should ensure.

Precocious beginning of blossoming and tree decline in apricot cultivar Bergeron

Z. Vachún

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2003, 30(2):59-66 | DOI: 10.17221/3816-HORTSCI

Tree mortality was recorded in a selection orchard of maintenance breeding of cv. Bergeron LE-2 in 1993-2002. The beginning of blossoming was examined in individual trees in the same orchard in 1999-2002. Considering the effect of year, a maximum difference in the average beginning of blossoming was 10 days in the whole set of trees. The beginning of blossoming of individual trees was not identical in the same year. A difference in the onset of phenophase "beginning of blossoming" between early and late blossoming trees was 1-4 days in the particular years. The trees maintained their early or late blossoming for the whole period of evaluation. No tree died in the orchard by 1998. From 1999 to 2002 50% of early blossoming trees died and only 2.38% of late blossoming ones (average of three replications). Two thirds of early blossoming trees died during vegetation, a third died during vegetation rest. No commercially important viroses were proved to be present. It is the reason why viruses could not be a potential cause of the above-mentioned facts. The presence of phytoplasm (ESFY) was confirmed by the method NESTED PCR in one case in a randomly selected early blossoming tree. The test was negative in two randomly selected late blossoming trees from underplanting. The early beginning of blossoming did not influence productivity. Correlations between the beginning of tree blossoming and blossom abundance, or between the beginning of blossoming and productivity, were insignificant (r = 0.12 or r = -0.13). Even though the causative agent of higher mortality in early blossoming trees was not confirmed unambiguously, it is desirable to select the best individuals only from the group of late blossoming ones during maintenance breeding of cv. Bergeron. These individuals should be used as prebasic material in a certification process and as basic material after prescribed repeated testing.

Biological and chemical amelioration effects on the localities degraded by bulldozer site preparation in the Ore Mts. - Czech Republic

V.V. Podrázský, J. Remeš, I. Ulbrichová

J. For. Sci., 2003, 49(4):141-147 | DOI: 10.17221/4689-JFS

Biological and chemical (fertilising, liming) amelioration are among the principal tools used to restore degraded sites. These techniques were also used on the Ore Mts. plateau on plots prepared by bulldozing. We evaluated the impact of these amelioration techniques by measuring tree species primary production and humus form restoration. Begun in 1983-1985, this project studied growth reaction of forest stands by measuring height and diameter increment, for the following species (blue spruce Picea pungens Engelm., European larch Larix decidua Mill., lodgepole pine Pinus contorta Dougl., Eastern white pine Pinus strobus L., alder Alnus incana Moench., European beech Fagus sylvatica L.) during the period 1994-2000. The growth potential by species decreases in the following order: larch, alder, lodgepole pine, white pine, blue spruce. Beech was almost exterminated by red deer browsing and the harsh climate; pines suffered heavily from browsing and bark stripping. Holorganic horizons were measured and basic soil chemical and mechanical characteristics were determined - pH, soil adsorption complex characteristics (using Kappen's methodology), content of the humus and total nitrogen, exchangeable acidity and plant available macronutrients, granulometric composition of mineral soil horizons. Our results confirmed the relatively long-lasting effects of soil amendments, as well as the amelioration effects of alder, and the relatively inhibiting effects of larch and blue spruce.

Analysis of cambial activity and formation of wood in Quercus robur L. under conditions of a floodplain forest

P. Horáček, J. Šlezingerová, L. Gandelová

J. For. Sci., 2003, 49(9):412-418 | DOI: 10.17221/4714-JFS

The analyses of the activity of cambium and the study of the increment of wood during one growing season of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) under conditions of a floodplain forest is provided. The following parameters were studied: the beginning and end of the cambial activity, differentiation of wood fibres (libriform) and vessels and analysis of the total increment of wood during vegetation in dominant (D), co-dominant (CD) and subdominant (SD) trees in relation to ecological factors of the environment. The course of wood formation corresponds to typical growth curves which are modified by factors of the environment (mean daily temperature, precipitation, soil water supply). The rate of growth is limited by factors of the environment and under the lack of some of them it is reduced resulting in the decrease in the total production of cells. Oak is a species sensitively responding to the period of drought which is particularly manifested in wood increment in subdominant trees. Sufficient supplies of water during spring months accelerate the formation of early wood including differentiation of spring vessels as corroborated by the results. The total formation of wood is dependent not only on the characteristics of the respective growing season but particularly on the social position of trees in the stand.

Comparison of the value added development in the agricultural and food sectors and the efficiency of its creation

M. Ševčíková

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(1):22-29 | DOI: 10.17221/5260-AGRICECON

The article summarises the results of the analysis of value added (VA) in agriculture and food industry and the share of intermediate consumption in the value added. The results show that during 1993-2000, the Slovak agricultural sector (farming, hunting, forestry and fisheries), where farming is clearly dominant, together with the construction sector, reported the most significant decline in their relative contribution to the overall value added created in the national economy, whereas the contribution of market services increased. The moderate increase (1998, 1999) in the contribution of the food sector to the total value added in the national economy, as well as to industrial production (2000), has been brought to a halt and, eventually, began deflating. The tendency of declining participation of the agricultural sector in value added was also typical for the EU member states and for the CEFTA countries. Agriculture remains dominant in terms of its contribution to value added in the agri-food sector (54.5% in the year 2000). In the category of land-farming holdings, the share of intermediate consumption in value added increased (both in co-operatives and business companies, whether loss-making or profitable). The farmers in mountainous areas spent per 1 SKK of value added 0.65-1.42 SKK more of intermediate consumption than farmers in the maize production area and 0.54-1.32 SKK more than farmers in the sugar-beet production area. In the production of foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco processing, which is more demanding in terms of consumed inputs than agricultural production (the same is true for developed economies), the ratio between intermediate consumption and value added differed depending on the branch concerned. Agriculture was one of the most demanding sectors in terms of fixed asset investments necessary to generate value added. The initial decline was brought to stop in 1998 and the relative share of fixed assets (FA) in value added (VA) started to increase, particularly in the year 2000, mainly under the influence of increased support to farmers' capital investments. Although the creation of value added in agricultural co-operatives initially demanded more investments in fixed assets than it was the case in farming business companies, the difference narrowed over the time. The group of loss-making entities reported the FA/VA ratios twice as high as the group of profitable entities, which sends a signal to the former to revise the structure of their production and to improve management practices. Similarly as in the case of intermediate consumption, also the FA/VA ratio increased as the production conditions deteriorated. The ratios in the production of foodstuffs and beverages (without tobacco processing) were significantly lower than those in the farming sector. In 1999, the lowest FA/VA ratio occurred in the production of durable bakery products and the highest in the production of fruit and vegetable juices.

Development of structure and exploitation of agriculture land fund in Latvia

V. Mičurová

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(4):179-183 | DOI: 10.17221/5376-AGRICECON

Agriculture is a sector in Latvia which plays an important role in the country's economy and the same time performs a significant social, environmental and ethno-cultural function. Latvia has favourable conditions for the development of organic agriculture. The aim of land reform is to reorganise legal, social and economic relationships of land property and land use to facilitate the development of infrastructure, land protection and rational land use according to the interests of society. In Latvia, the land reform is practically carried out in three directions - restitution of real estate rights, privatisation of real property and compensation for previous real estate. At the moment, the main and urgent goal concerns strengthening of the results of land reform. It means that all the information on real estates (land and buildings), uses and area of lease obtained during the previous course of land reform must be reflected into the real property cadastre.

To-and-fro migration of rural population

L. Kříž

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(7):329-333 | DOI: 10.17221/5406-AGRICECON

Integrated projects of rural microregions: Experiences in the Central Bohemia region

V. Mlejnecká, L. Kříž

Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2003, 49(12):557-563 | DOI: 10.17221/5448-AGRICECON

The article brings the empiric reflection and results-based analysis of the "Programme of Rural Revival" realization in the territory of the Central Bohemia Region (NUTS II/III) in the time of regional self-governing organization in the Czech Republic. The primary interest of the authors was focused on the participation of microregions in the Programme activities, resp. on the item and object spectrum. The scope of the grant title 7 of the " Programme of Rural Revival" is assigned specifically for microregions. The successful request-analysis indicates varying spheres of activity and themes that microregions prefer in their demands for the Programme subsidy. It is, among others, observed through the interest for preparation of projects in the LEADER+ programme intention because the grant title 7 is also available for the LEADER+ preparation purposes. The preferences of microregions reflected in the requests indicate a further trend of territory-development supported activities. Unsuccessful requests analysis points towards broad relations of the Programme realization at the institutional-legislative level. Further evaluation concerned the fundamental Programme aims and their fulfilment presents the failure of agricultural undertaking in the grant requests. As the paper concludes, the authors suggest partial recommendations, in their opinion, for improving the "Programme of Rural Revival" application in the Central Bohemia Region.

Economic analysis of forest joint-stock companies in the Czech Republic in 1992-2000

V. Kupčák

J. For. Sci., 2003, 49(1):27-36 | DOI: 10.17221/4675-JFS

The basic principle of the economic reform of state forests of the CzechRepublic after 1990 was to separate ma­nagement in forests from the implementation of production activities. A state enterprise Forests of the Czech Republic with its headquarters in Hradec Králové was charged to manage state forests. From the former 7 enterprises of state forests 78 joint-stock companies have been established that carry out silvicultural and logging activities in state forests and in forests of other owners under the conditions of competition environment and on the basis of contracts. The paper deals with the exact evaluation of partial and present results of the development of forestry economic reform, aimed at the study of the behaviour of transformed and privatised forest joint-stock companies.

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