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The main objective of this study was to determinate the occurrence and intensity of attack by the more important fungal diseases on soybean in Eastern Croatia. Four-year investigation (1998-2001) was undertaken on 10 domestic soybean cultivars with different level of disease resistance. The investigation was set in two planting date (optimal and delayed) on experimental fields of the Agricultural Institute Osijek. Following more important diseases were established: Downy mildew, Pod and stem blight and Stem canker. Significant differences in disease incidence were caused by genetic diversity of tested materials as well as different climatic conditions among growing seasons. According to planting date, significantly higher incidence of Downy mildew and Pod and stem blight was in optimal planting date.

In 1999-2001 in field trials two different apple scab control strategies were compared: (i) the current strategy - conventional disease management (CDM) and (ii) integrated disease management (IDM), according to scab infection periods. A new scab warning equipment METOS^R-D was used for detection of infection periods and forecast of disease intensity at three levels: light, moderate and severe. According to CDM apple-trees were sprayed 9 times a season. Scab warning equipment gave a possibility to optimize the use of fungicides against scab and to reduce the total spray applications per season in average till 6.3 in very susceptible cultivars and 5 in moderately susceptible ones. This is 30 and 44% less spray applications comparing with CDM. Annual spray program ranged from 5 till 8 spray applications of very susceptible cultivars. CDM and IDM gave high scab control in apple-trees and there was not found any essential difference in scab incidence between two control strategies.

Trace elements with a low mobility and with a low transfer are Cu, As, Be, V, Cr, Hg. Copper has at low mobility an increased transfer quotient (content plant/soil). The lowest mobility and transfer show Cr and Hg. Only at the very high contents or increased mobilities of trace elements, which accompany the anthropogenic contamination, soil critical loading for crops can be attained. Because of the amount of the examined extremes, it was not possible to derive the proper critical values. Therefore we were able to assess only critical protective values. They represent minimum total contents of trace elements or their mobile forms, which eliminate risks.

Traditional way of growing buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) in Slovenia is stubble-crop production, but grown as a full-season crop it yields more. Genotypes that are adapted to stubble-crop system may not necessarily be the best adapted for the full-season crop. The objective of this study was to determine yield performance of two buckwheat genotypes under stubble-crop and full-season production system. The experiments (randomised block design) were conducted in Podravje region with two common determinant buckwheat genotypes (land race population and cultivar Darja) in 1997 and 1998. Buckwheat grown as a full-season crop had a greater leaf area index, more flower clusters, more developed seeds and 42% higher yield than the stubble-crop buckwheat. Although cultivar Darja had 10% less flower clusters than the land race population, the number of flowers and the number of developed grains were higher. The 35% higher grain yield of cultivar Darja was associated with larger leaf area index than land race population (4.0 vs. 2.3). Cultivar Darja outperformed the land race population under full-season crop production, whereas the yield difference between the two varieties was not significant under the stubble-crop production. These results suggest that the best yielding buckwheat genotypes should be determined separately for stubble-crop and/or full-season production system.

Agricultural co-operatives play an important role in the European Union, as can be proved by their numbers in the individual EU countries. However, they have diversified during the last decades and developed from the "classical" co-operative of the Rochdale type into several forms, which do not always fully observe all the recognised co-operative principles. These are namely the share co-operatives, daughter co-operatives, "New Generation Co-operatives" and limited liability co-operatives. Among the individual EU countries, there are also considerable differences with regard to the co-operative legal frame. For the future, co-operatives can play important role both in the economic field and in the social field.

The paper is a part of the solution of the research plan of the FBE MUAF in Brno, No. GAMSM 431100007, and it is focused on the analysis of factors influencing competitiveness of the wine-growing and viniculture. This paper is based on the hypothesis that the competitiveness of the viniculture and wine sector could be influenced, amongst other things, by specific national conditions as defined by "Porter's diamond". This essay deals with factor conditions like the total area of vineyards, the average per hectare yield of grapes, the total wine production and wine consumption including the foreign trade with this commodity. The comparison of the chosen national conditions is made within the EU member states and also within six candidate countries - Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

Evaluation of 12 Swiss chard varieties (Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla L.) in field experiments was focused on the observation of morphological characteristics, yield and nutritional quality of leaves and stalks. The following mean parameters of all varieties were found: 86% field germination, plant weight 346 g, plant height 506 mm, stalk width 23 mm, 10 leaves per plant, and yield 35 t/ha. Mean content of vitamin C was 307 and 72 mg/kg of fresh matter (f.m.) in leaves and stalks, respectively. Potassium content was 4,198 and 4,848 mg, sodium amount was 2,101 and 966 mg, calcium content was 481 and 310 mg and finally magnesium content represented the levels of 361 and 113 mg/kg of f.m., always in leaves and stalks. Significant effects of plant height and plant leaf number on total plant weight were found. Plants with the mean weight of 400 g formed the widest stalks. In addition, a negative effect of higher yield on vitamin C and Ca stalk content was detected. An opposite effect was determined in Na and partially in Mg stalk content that simultaneously increased with higher yield levels. The variety Lucullus is still comparable with newer varieties such as Gator, Zürcher Gelber andCharlotte, which achieved good results among all tested varieties.

This paper evaluates the development of growing stock, number of trees and diameter distribution of the standing volume in the Opuky locality where conversion to a selection forest has been the aim of management over a long period of time. With respect to species composition, the stand is divided into two plots. The initial condition and development of both plots differed. The favourable initial composition of the stand has gradually deteriorated due to delay in natural regeneration and therefore recruitment of young trees over a long period. The total number of trees on both plots has been low for target diameter of 51 cm. On the other hand, the growing stock has exceeded the model condition. The proportion of broadleaved species in the stand gradually increases, reducing the possibility of conversion to a selection forest in future.

Two-year, bare-rooted seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) were used in this study. The seedlings were exposed to artificial desiccation and frost stress after spring lifting. After exposure to these factors, electrolyte leakage from the root system was measured. The results showed that artificial desiccation significantly affected the rate of electrolyte leakage. The effect of desiccation was confirmed by the survival of plants and height increment (100% survival and 49% height increment of control seedlings in contrast with plants after 6 hours of desiccation: 9% survival and 2% height increment). On the other hand, frost stress did not affect the rate of electrolyte leakage (the rate of REL did not correlate with the intensity of stress treatment).

The hypothesis, that hypoiodemia of goats causes such a compromise of the immune system, which during subsequent Toxoplasma gondii infections results in clinically more pronounced signs of toxoplasmosis, was verifying in laboratory mouse. Hypoiodemic mice (fed by wheat and supplied by water), normoiodemic mice (fed by wheat and supplied by water containing 1.25 mg KI/l) and the majority of standard mice (fed by commercial grain mixture containing 0.83 mg I/kg) were experimentally infected with T. gondii oocysts or tachyzoites. The susceptibility to acute T. gondii infection was evaluated according to mortality rate. As a criterion of cell-mediated immune function has been chosen the spleen-lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). We observed no difference in LTT between hypoiodemic and normoiodemic mice infected with T. gondii oocysts or tachyzoites and no difference in mortality of both infected groups. Four days after the exposure to 100 tachyzoites of T. gondii (K24 strain), all experimentally infected groups of mice showed statistically significant decrease (P = 0.004) in spleen cells responsiveness to stimulation by all mitogens used - as compared to non-infected standard mice group. Reduced responsiveness of cells was probably caused by T. gondii infection itself - the relation to iodine deficiency has not been found.

Effects of sodium humate (HuNa), containing 61.9% of humic acids in dry matter, on utilisation and retention of dietary iodine were investigated in balance experiments carried out in pigs. A control group was fed a commercial diet containing 0.1 mg of iodine per kg. The daily intake of iodine was 129.2 µg per animal or 4.08 µg per kg live weight. The recommended intake of dietary iodine is 0.25 to 0.30 mg per kg at 88% dry matter. The experimental group (HuNa) was fed the same diet supplemented with 3% of sodium humate which contained 0.5 mg of iodine per kg at 90.04% dry matter. The supplementation increased the daily intake to 141.4 µg per animal, or 4.45 µg per kg live weight. The supplementation of HuNa increased significantly the amount of iodine excreted in faeces (53.2 ± 11.0 vs. 43.0 ± 6.47 µg per animal per day; P < 0.05) and nonsignificantly the urinary iodine excretion (31.8 ± 8.93 vs. 29.0 ± 11.3 µg per animal per day). Differences between the HuNa and the control groups in blood serum iodine concentrations (18.8 vs. 18.1 µg per litre) and urinary iodine concentrations (32.5 vs. 34.4 µg per litre) were nonsignificant. It is evident from the concentrations that the pigs suffered from a serious iodine deficiency. Compared with controls, the HuNa group showed significantly higher triiodothyronine concentration (P < 0.05) and nonsignificantly lower thyroxine and iodine concentrations in blood serum. Dietary iodine utilisation was lower in the HuNa than in the control group (62.3 vs. 66.6%). The results show that utilisation of dietary iodine was limited and that sodium humate (humic acids) reduced iodine utilisation and retention and affected also other parameters indicating their goitrogenic effects.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin E and selenium administration on glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and selected parameters of cellular immunity (metabolic activity, phagocytic activity, lymphocyte blastogenic response). Nine pregnant sheep with body weight of 42 to 66 kg were divided into two groups. Before lambing, the first group (n = 5) was given subcutaneously 5 mg vitamin E and 0.4 mg selenium per kg body weight while the second group (n = 4) was given no treatment and served as control. Blood samples from all sheep were collected before the treatment, 14 days after lambing and 30 days after lambing. Whole blood GSH-Px activities were significantly higher in the vitamin E and selenium treated sheep than in the control in the samples taken 14 days after lambing and 30 days after lambing (P < 0.01; P < 0.001, respectively). The evaluation of immunological parameters showed declines in immunological parameters measured on days 14 and 30 after lambing. The administered preparation led to significant effects (P < 0.001; P < 0.05) on phagocytic activity index of leukocytes and phagocytic activity index of neutrophils, respectively.

Several ways are recommended how to avoid iodine deficiency in food of many countries' population. In addition to the common use of salt fortified with KI, KJO₃ can also be used in bakery products. It is also a strong oxidizer improving rheological properties of dough. In this paper the effect of KJO₃ on rheological properties of wheat dough and baked products was studied using farinograph and extensograph data and the baking test. The effect of KJO₃ was tested in combination with a commercial complex improver. Loaf volume was increased by the addition of 2 or 3 ppm of iodate to flour. The dose of iodine improving bread volume showed satisfactory correspondence to 50% of recommended daily intake that is allowed for bakery products by the Czech law.

The content of ferulic acid in sugar beet pulp was determined by reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV/VIS-spectroscopy. The acid extracts of pectin carrying feruloyl groups were prepared for analysis. To release ferulic acid from pectin the hydrolysis in alkaline medium (pH = 12.5) was performed. Both non-hydrolysed and hydrolysed extracts were measured by UV/VIS-spectroscopy after pH adjustment to the value of 10. The absorbance maximum was observed at 372 nm (ester of ferulic acid) for non-hydrolysed extracts and at 345 nm (sodium ferulate) for hydrolysed extracts. The HPLC estimation of ferulic acid was made in hydrolysed extracts only. The content of ferulic acid in sugar beet pulp was in the range of 0.3-0.9% (m/m). The data obtained by application of the particular methods to one set of samples were statistically compared. The results of all methods were in good agreement with each other\

: During the 18-year period (1974-1991), the lymphocytic thyroiditis with the finding of serum autoantibodies against thyroglobulin was diagnosed in 180 Beagle dogs (92 males and 88 females). In 107 of them (56 males and 51 females), hyperplasia of parafollicular cells was concurrently encountered. In further 11 cases (3 males and 8 females), solid cellular structures were found in the thyroid parenchyma, in 4 females combined with unilocular or multilocular lymphoepithelial cysts. Grimelius stain revealed the presence of parafollicular cells even at the periphery of cellular nests. Using the lectin histochemistry with Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA),Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) and Tritrichomonas mobilensis lectin (TML), the presence of sialylated molecules was demonstrated in the cell membranes and perinuclear cytoplasmic regions of parafollicular cells that formed hyperplastic nodules or were interspersed in "solid cell nests".

Contamination of cell cultures and sera used for animal virus propagation with mycoplasmas represents a serious problem, especially in virology. Therefore specific control measures must be used. To achieve this we introduced PCR for the detection of mycoplasma species in cell cultures and compared its results with ELISA and microbiological culture. Seven mycoplasma species which are the most common contaminants of cell lines (Mycoplasma arginini, M. fermentans, M. hyorhinis, M. bovis, M. orale, M. hominis, and Acholeplasma laidlawii) were used to verify the method. Then we assessed five selected cell lines and three bovine sera by the PCR, ELISA and culture methods and compared the results. PCR was positive for all of the mycoplasma species tested. ELISA kit used (Mycoplasma detection kit, Roche, Germany) allowed detection of only four species of contaminating mycoplasmas (Acholeplasma laidlawii, Mycoplasma arginini, M. hyorhinis, and M. orale). All the methods detected contamination of the VERO and RK13 cell lines. The agents of contamination were determined by the species-specific ELISA kit as Mycoplasma arginini and M. orale, respectively. Other cell lines and sera tested were not contaminated with mycoplasma. The results confirmed that the PCR method used in the present study is a sensitive, fast and specific detection method of mycoplasma contaminations and is suitable for routine mycoplasma detection in cell cultures and bovine sera.

The storage of lipid foods is mostly affected by the oxidation of lipid fraction. Dry foods are particularly sensitive because lipids are not protected by hydrated proteins against oxidation. A method suitable for testing dry foods was studied in model mixtures of rapeseed oil with albumin or cellulose. Oxipres apparatus was used, where the course of oxidation is monitored by changes of oxygen pressure. The end of induction period was more evident than in bulk oils as the contact of lipids with oxygen is better. The induction period was longer in mixtures of edible oil with albumin than in mixtures with cellulose. The induction period moderately decreased with increasing oxygen pressure, while the effect of sample weight was nearly negligible. The induction period length was a semilogarithmic function of reaction temperature. Variation coefficients and differences between the duplicates showed good reproducibility; they were lower in mixtures with albumin than in mixtures with cellulose, but both were of the same order as the respective values in bulk oils. At 120°C and 0.5 MPa oxygen, the induction periods could be usually measured within a working day.

We have examined 35 samples of fine cottage cheese, 14 samples of whole winter "bryndza", 29 samples of Ondava cheese, 18 samples of skim kephir milk, 18 samples of whole acidophilous milk, 5 samples of yoghurt milk with strawberry flavour and 50 samples of fresh butter (Rajo) for the presence of staphylococci focusing onStaphylococcus aureus. All samples intended for microbiological analysis were taken directly from market establishments. None of the examined samples of yoghurt milk complied with the Codex Alimentarius because they contained Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the level of 100, 65, 5, 75, and 60 CFU/ml. The other analysed food products satisfied the current standards with regard to the presence of staphylococci.

In the Slovak Republic during the years 1996-2000, total 30 278 blood samples from sheep and 4 756 from goats were examined serologically by the method of a complement fixation. The IgG antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci in sheep and goats according to individual years were as follows: 1996 - 6.37% sheep/3.94% goats, 1997 - 9.25%/10.02%, 1998 - 9.57%/2.96%, 1999 - 7.91%/3.69%, 2000 - 10.99%/6.08%, respectively. In most clinically healthy animals, the low levels of IgG antibodies in dilution of 1 : 16 to 1 : 32 were detected. In sheep during the years of 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 the high levels of IgG antibodies 1 : 256 to 1 : 1 024 were caught unambiguously testify to the chlamydial abortion in sheep. In goats, the high titres were caught in 1997 and 2000 - 1 : 256 to 1 : 512, also confirm the chlamydial aetiology of the infectious process.

The studies were performed involving qualitative and quantitative cytometric analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes in healthy carps at various stages of their ontogeny, i.e., in 3- to 29-month old carps. Three populations of leukocyte line cells were distinguished, which differed in forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (90o, SSC) of laser light. The most abundant leukocyte pool was present in the eldest (23- to 29-month old) fish. Lower numbers of the cells were observed in the youngest (3- to 9-month old) carps while the lowest levels of the cells were detected in carps of the moderate age (11- to 21-month old). The leukocyte populations, distinguished on grounds of FSC/SSC characteristics, were suggested to correspond to lymphocytes/thrombocytes (low FSC, low SSC), granulocytes (high FSC, high SSC) and monocytes (high FSC, low SSC).

In August 1999 there were netted and ringed passerines in the Naděje fishpond system in Třeboň area. 14 individuals of blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) of both sexes and various age were caught. All individuals of this species had expressive pathological changes on feet. Histological investigations proved bird-pox (variola avium). No symptoms of this disease were found in other caught 11 species.

Total content and composition of essential oils in caraway seed (Carum carvi L.) from a selection of caraway varieties grown in different production areas were determined after supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and steam distillation. Different procedures of sample pretreatment (homogenization) and methods of isolation were compared from the point of view of efficiency, reproducibility and accuracy. The effect of storage period was also examined.

A programme for evaluating the strict morphological analysis of sperm was developed. The programme was verified by conducting 552 morphological analyses of bull, stallion, boar and human ejaculates. The method was evaluated by comparing the results obtained by routinely used morphological examinations with the results received by the automatic method SASMO. The following advantages of the programme were demonstrated: it is possible to obtain information on the proportion of normal and pathological spermatozoa, to determine the frequency of the respective characteristics analysed, to express detected alterations per pathological spermatozoon (teratosperm index), to express frequency of respective alterations per total number of spermatozoa examined, to display alterations according to their frequency and differentiate between developmental and acquired alterations. It was proved that using the detailed morphological evaluation of sperm by the survival test, it is possible to get statistically significant information on the prediction of sperm survival. The programme represents an important aid for making the morphological evaluation of sperm quality more objective both in veterinary and human medicine and in all insemination stations and assisted reproduction centres.

The aim of this work was to find out how repeated low doses of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and T-2 toxin would influence the Chinese hamster and if the amplifying of these effects would occur with the application of both toxins together. The animals were treated with 10 ml/kg of 7% dimethylsulfoxid (DMSO) in the control group (C), 1.0 mg/kg of AFB1 in group A, 1.0 mg/kg of T-2 toxin in group T2, and 1.0 mg/kg of AFB1 + 1.0 mg/kg of T-2 toxin in group T2/A. All mycotoxins were dissolved in 10 ml/kg of 7% DMSO. These doses were administered intragastrically twice a week for a period of three weeks. General health condition, histological picture of some internal organs, some biochemical blood serum indicators of liver and kidney functions, and leucogram were monitored. No differences in prosperity or weight gains appeared during the course of the experiment. The histological examination did not show any changes in the investigated organs in any experimental group. On the contrary, differences were found in the biochemical blood serum profile. ALT and AST activities decreased significantly in T2/A group animals compared with the other medicated groups (T2 - 24.46 µkat/l; 45.18 µkat/l; A - 18.17; 41.84; T2/A - 4.74; 14.21). A similar decrease appeared in GMT activity as well, but it was significant only in comparison with the T2 group (T2 - 0.6 µkat/l; T2/A - 0.25). ALP activity was increased in the experimental groups compared with the control, significantly in the T2 group (C - 5.0 µkat/l; T2 - 6.92). LDH activity was lower in the T2 and T2/A groups, significantly when the T2/A group was compared with the A group (A - 94.05 µkat/l; T2/A - 37.48). The cholesterol level was significantly increased in group A compared with the C and T2 groups. A smaller increase in the T2/A group was significant when compared with the T2 group as well (C - 3.05 mmol/l; T2 - 2.85; A - 3.59; T2/A - 3.27). Total and conjugated bilirubin concentrations decreased in group order A - C - T2 - T2/A, when differences among the A, T2 and T2/A groups were significant (T2 - 1.0 mmol/l; 0.36 mmol/l; A - 2.36; 0.85; T2/A - 0.69; 0.21). A glycemia decrease in medicated groups was significant in the T2/A group, while it approached a significant level in the T2 group (C - 10.46 mmol/l; T2 - 9.01; T2/A - 8.91). The main liver condition indicators seemed to be influenced by the T-2 toxin and AFB1 combination more than by individually applied toxins. We assume the amplification of the mycotoxin effects on proteosynthesis. The ALT activity especially was probably influenced more than in the additive manner. All the medicated groups showed a significant increase in the monocyte percent count (T2 - 9.8%; A - 9.62; T2/A - 8.85; C - 6.65). The differences observed in other leucocyte types were not significant. There were no differences in the effects of individual mycotoxins and their combination on the leucogram level.

Experimental groups of pigs were treated orally with 120 mg (Group O 120), or 480 mg (Group O 480) of iodine per animal, or intramuscularly with 240 mg (Group I 240) of iodine per animal. Iodine was administered in the form of iodised fatty acid esters (IFAE). The treatment resulted in significantly increased iodine concentrations in tissues and a single dose was sufficient to meet the requirement for the whole fattening period (180 days). Urinary iodine concentrations in all the experimental groups were higher than in the control group C receiving iodine only from conventional feed. Urinary excretion of iodine between days 2 and 5 was more distinctive in orally treated than in intramuscularly treated animals (Figure 1). Iodine concentrations at the end of the fattening period (day 180) were higher in the treated than in the control groups. The treatment effect was more marked in Groups O 480 and I 240 than in Group O 120. The dynamics of blood serum iodine concentrations was similar to urinary concentrations (Figure 2). Mean thyroid gland weights in the groups O 120, O 480, I 240, and C were 9.19, 8.51, 7.10, and 12.01 g, respectively. An opposite tendency was observed for iodine concentrations in thyroid gland dry matter (Figure 3). No effects of any of the treatments on total protein, albumin, total lipids, or cholesterol concentrations in blood serum were observed. Group C showed lower tissue iodine concentrations than any of the experimental groups. The only exception was hepatic tissue in which approximately the same iodine concentrations were found in all the groups. Data obtained in Groups O 120, O 480, and I 240 indicate that decisive for tissue concentrations was rather the dose of iodine than the route of administration. Iodine is stored above all in the thyroid gland and adipose tissue. As can be seen in Figure 4, its concentration was higher in muscles with a higher proportion of fat (neck) than in lean muscles (ham).

The bread-making quality of forty commercial winter wheat samples, grown in the western region of the CzechRepublic, and their flours (white flours with ash content of about 0.5%) prepared in a commercial mill was studied. Standard analytical methods (ash and protein content, wet gluten), amylolytic activity measurement (falling number), rheological investigation (alveograph, gluten index), sedimentation test and laboratory baking test were used for characterization of wheats and flours. In addition NIR method was used to calculate ash, wet gluten, sedimentation value and protein content. Statistically significant correlations were found practically between all tested quality parameters of wheat and corresponding flour samples. However, the strongest correlation (r = 0.69-0.70) significant at 0.01 level exists between specific bread volume and protein and wet gluten content, determined both by standard or by NIR methods.

The task of applied research is not only to acquire new knowledge, through which it contributes to the development of economy, to the consumer protection or to the training of qualified experts. For state-supported veterinary research, this means striving to protect people's health against diseases transmitted from animals, food-born diseases, contamination of feed and foodstuffs by toxic xenobiotics, a reduction in food quality through the use of low-grade raw materials and an adverse effect of environmental pollution. The territory of the state must be protected against the infectious diseases and animals against the negative effects of environment and technologies which often strive irresponsibly for the highest profits without regard for the consequences. The contributions of the Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, and other Czech research facilities to increasing knowledge on cattle health and reproduction are documented by the list of 105 references of papers published in peer reviewed journals since 1992. This article is available on http://www.vri.cz/vetmed.asp and the reprints of cited references can be requested by e-mail to <vri@vri.cz>