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The article summarises the main results of the analysis of the perception of selected meat products in theCzechRepublic (i.e. the following types of salami: Gothai, Famer´s, Tourist, Poličan, chicken ham salami, Hunter´s, pork ham salami and turkey roll). Two factors have been defined on the basis of a composition approach, which influence the evaluation of meat products by Czech consumers during their purchase. The first factor was the perceived quality of the product and the second one was the healthiness factor. It has been found out that the perceived quality of the product has a decisive influence on forming of the preferences of Czech consumers in all analysed meat products. This finding has resulted from both direct and indirect acquisition of preference data. The healthiness factor is also important even though it has a relatively higher importance mainly in the meat products made from poultry and lean parts of other slaughter animals. Further, the analysis has confirmed the hypotheses of the influence of the consumers´ perception on forming their preferences.

This contribution deals with the differentiation of agricultural enterprises, with focus on the declining enterprises as the most troublesome. In 2000, these businesses generated about 47% of the total loss in agriculture. In this respect, the methodological procedure was also used for the purpose of tipping out the highly unprofitable enterprises. The economic and financial analysis is focused on evaluation of the achieved results expressed in basic economic indicators. The analysis refers to the cause of agricultural enterprises decline. The different dynamics of restructuring process of agricultural production confirm the marked difference of results characteristic for declining enterprises with growing year-on-year loss, increasing costs, decrease of own capital, high indebtness and dependence on the foreign sources.

The paper studies the effect of a single use of a textural fraction of dolomitic limestone (5.1 t per ha) on soil reaction (pH/KCl and pH/H2O) and the content of exchangeable Ca and Mg (in the soil layer of 0-30 cm or in F, H and A horizons) during a 6-year experiment under a mature Norway spruce stand and a 4-year experiment on a clear-felled area. The increase in pH culminated in the 3rd or in the 3rd-6th year of the experiment. Maximum effects were achieved applying the fine fraction of a particle size £ 1 mm. The coarse fraction of a particle size > 1 mm showed virtually negligible effects. The increase in Ca and Mg content culminated in the last 6th year of the experiment. Maximum effects were achieved applying fine fractions again. The effect of the coarse fraction was also virtually negligible. After 6 years, ma-ximum increase in all values under study occurred in the upper narrow F horizon while the increase rapidly dropped downwards.

A grown-up specimen of Juglans ×intermedia Carr. walnut was accidentally found in the stand of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) in the Židlochovice Forest Enterprise in the forest district Velký Dvůr, Stand No. 224 D10. The tree was photographed, leafy shoots and fruits were sampled for later analyses. The paper brings a description of growth habit, rough bark, morphology of leaves, current year shoots and fruits. Discussed are dissimilarities from the parental species (J. nigra and J. regia L.).

Among natural resistance mechanisms to plant pathogens, cultivar resistance has been extensively used in plant breeding to introduce what can be defined as "conventional" resistance to a number of them, including viruses. The necessity of overcoming the constraints of genetic incompatibility, so as to widen the range of possibile use of genetic control of infectious agents, has propitiated the utilization of biotechnological procedures, whereby "non conventional" or transgenic resistance was developed. Transgenic resistance to plant viruses encompasses the identification, cloning and tranferring into the recipient host of single viral genes, which gives rise to what is known as "pathogen-derived resistance" (PDR). Of the hypothesized mechanisms underlying expression of PDR, post-transcriptional gene silencing has been most extensively investigated in recent years. Despite of the success that virus-resistant cropping of transgenic plants begins to enjoy, in Europe there is still a widespread sentiment against agricultural biotechnologies and the use of genetically modified plants in particular. Yet, experimental evidence is accumulating that, in the case of PDR, the feared risks associated with genetic trasformation are minimal, if not negligible

A survey of nepoviruses in small fruits and fruit trees in thirteen localities of Slovakia was undertaken during the last three years. The samples of spontaneously infected small fruits and fruit trees with symptoms such as leaf yellowing, mottling, chlorotic spotting, vein clearing, chlorosis, dwarfing, and in some cases even plant dying, were analysed. Virus identification in collected samples from affected crops was performed by ELISA using polyclonal antibodies. The following quarantine nepoviruses were detected: Tobacco ringspot nepovirus, Tomato ringspot nepovirus, Tomato black ring nepovirus, Raspberry ringspot nepovirus, Cherry leafroll nepovirus and Arabis mosaic nepovirus. Screening of virus vector nematodes in the rhizosphere of infected plants was also undertaken. Three Longidorus (L. elongatus, L. picenus and L. leptocephalus) and four Xiphinema phytonematode species (X. vuittenezi, X. diversicaudatum, X. taylori and X. pachtaicum) were recorded in localities tested.

The mechanical inoculation of the plum leaves of the trees in the nursery, in the first year of growth, has stimulated the activation of the plants' defensive system, fact that lead to their resistance to natural Plum pox virus (PPV) infections. The inoculum was prepared in buffer solution phosphate + Dieca of De Bistrita plum leaves infested by the PPV. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has shown significant differences in the quantity and quality composition of the volatile compounds in the treated and untreated plants, as well as in the infected trees.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana is often attacked by other pathogens (from genera: Phytophthora, Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia) both when the quicksets are taken root and later, when the young plants are planted. The aim of the study was to determine an effect of saprobiotic fungi isolated from soil with quicksets Chamaecyparis lawsoniana on the growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi and Rhizoctonia solani. In our experiment, method series biotic was used (MAŃKA 1974). This method allowed to determine index of impendence for plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi and Rhizoctonia solani with the help of summary biotic effect. The results of observation on the biotic interaction of saprobiotic fungi isolated from soil with quicksets Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, analysed as biotic series and Phytophthora cinnamomi and Rhizoctonia solani showed, that this of fungal community did not limited growth of these pathogens. Summary biotic effects were negative. Environment of saprobiotic fungi more promoted growth of Rhizoctonia solani than Phytophthora cinnamomi. It means, that in the soil under Chamaecyparis lawsoniana crop, Rhizoctonia solani could have a better of conditions for growth than Phytophthora cinnamomi.

The conception of these investigations is based on the premise that a way should be found to eliminate, or at least mitigate, the harmful effect of excessive soil acidity without resorting to the massive and costly measures of liming. The main issue addressed in this study is how to increase crop yield by increasing nutrient availability rather than how to neutralize the soil. This as well as our earlier investigations, conducted on pseudogley of mesoelevations, indicate that this can be achieved by the application of special natural amendments (SNA) based on zeolite tuff, under the name Agrarvital (AV), in which clinoptilolite prevails while the remaining part is a mixture of soft lithothamnian limestone and dolomite (SLL+D). These amendments enhance ion exchange in the soil and their activation at a considerably lower pH than it is the case after liming. Fertilizing value of Agrarvital (AV) and lime materials (LM) was evaluated according to the yields achieved and some yield components of the crops grown. The results point to the good fertilizing effect of AV upon yields of winter wheat, maize, soybean and winter barley, equal to or better than the effect of conventional LM applied at several times higher rates.

In field trials in 1998-2000, ten varieties of the world collection of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) were evaluated for herbage and hay yields. In all the years of testing yields from three cuttings and total annual production were evaluated. In 1999, seed yield was also recorded. As a control, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) variety was included in the experiment. The test varieties showed good productivity in the first and especially in the second year of testing, most of them exceeded alfalfa in herbage yield in individual cuttings and in total productions. As for hay yield, the differences were not so great. Local varieties showed very good productivity, predominantly in herbage yields. Of foreign varieties, the best herbage, hay and seed yielder was the Hungarian variety Puszta. There were no statistical differences in seed yield between the varieties. The yields were, however, relatively low.

The focus of this article is on the emerging private farming in Slovakia, mainly on newly re-established class of private farms. The aim is to analyse the wants and the needs and the current situation of farming entities represented through the sample of 412 farmers spread in two production areas in South and Northwest Slovakia. In the questionnaires, farmers were asked not only about the objectives but as well about their subjective feelings of their current situation in terms of economy, their life standard and their planes to the future.

This paper analyses assets and liability structure on the selected data set from the primary agricultural production in Slovakia. Accounting is presented as a complex foundation, information system, which provides information for decision-making and company management. The source of input data are accounting records generating statements of finances. The theme of the paper is selected issues of balance sheet analysis. The results of the research show unfavorable total assets development. The index 2000/1999 has the value 96.7. There are long-term problems in liabilities volume and structure. Equity capital stagnates. Borrowed capital decrease because of the decreas in loans. Loans were 2 741 SKK/ha in 2000. Most of the companies are in primary insolvency position, when payables after maturity are twice higher than receivables after maturity.

The development of rural areas is solved by the regional policy from a great part. Since every country implicating and applying this support system is identified by its geographical and political specifics, many problems rise also in the Czech Republic and they complicate the implementation of the regional policy principles in the final result. The possibility of improving this situation is given through identification of the relevant problems and the realization suggested actions. The problem areas in rural municipalities development requiring solution are as follows: poor transport services, non-existing cooperation inside the transport and mutual losses compensation, poor technical equipment of municipalities, securing a constant support of rural development, establishing functioning ties to the community center areas in the micro- regions, establishment of foundations, decomposition of rural development aims, public administration. Respecting of the proposed solution areas in municipalities would help to decrease regional disparities in rural areas.

Dwarf apple rootstocks M 9, M 27, Pajam 1, Pajam 2, Jork 9, J-TE-E, J-TE-F, J-TE-G and J-OH-A were evaluated in a trial conducted in an experimental orchard with cultivars Golden Delicious, Gloster and Melrose. The experimental plantation was established in 1990. Data on: yield (kg/tree), yield efficiency (kg/cm2), trunk cross-section area and suckering were recorded during the period 1991-2000. The cumulative yield per tree was highest on Jork 9 and Pajam 2. Trees on Pajam 1 and M 9 also had good productivity. Yield efficiency was highest on Jork 9, followed by M 27 and J-TE-G. Trees on Pajam 2 were most vigorous. The tree size on M 9 was similar like on Pajam 1. Trees on J-TE-E and J-TE-F grew less than those on M 9. The weakest growth was observed on rootstocks M 27 and J-TE-G. Among the tested rootstocks, J-OH-A produced the highest number of suckers. Suckering was more intensive with Melrose followed by Gloster and Golden Delicious.

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.

The fungus Gymnosporangium sabinae (Dicks.) Winter was found only at three locations during the years 1965 to 1990 in Slovakia, they were the Arboretum at Mlyňany, Topoľčianky and Gbely (JUHÁSOVÁ 1973, 1975, 1998). We noticed a more frequent occurrence of this fungus during recent years. The life cycle, range of woody host plants and degree of damage on pear leaves at selected locations inSlovakia are described.

The objective of this study was to establish the genetic relationship among cultivars commonly used as donors for resistance to Plum pox virus (PPV) in order to identify the putative sources of resistance to PPV. The plant material tested represented the European, Central Asian and Chinese ecogeographical groups of cultivated apricots as well as the wild Dzhungar-Zailij population of Prunus armeniaca L. Forty-eight native accessions as well as the resistant (or tolerant) cultivars Harlayne, Stark Early Orange (SEO), Goldrich, Vestar and two hybrid forms Vestar × SEO (LE 3276) and Velkopavlovická × SEO (LE 2904) were screened by means of SSR analysis. To elucidate genetic relationships among apricot germplasm, a dendrogram was produced using neighbor joining (NJ) analysis of Nei's pair-wise genetic distances over 14 polymorphic SSR markers. On the dendrogram, resistant cultivars were separated into two different clusters suggesting two different sources of resistance to PPV. As was expected from pedigrees, SEO, Vestar, LE 2904 and LE 3276 were grouped together in a cluster adjacent to the European cultivars. Resistant cultivars Harlayne and Goldrich were within another group containing Central Asian apricots and Dzhungar-Zailij form.

Viroids as the smallest pathogenic circular single-stranded pathogenic RNAs form populations of quasi-species, whichhas been recently identified by thermodynamic methods like TGGE pre-selection and heteroduplex analysis. It was foundthat replication under thermal stress led to enormously high level of viroid mutagenesis. Mostly multiple mutants havingnon-random distribution of base changes were found. A specific "hot spots" were identified in the regions, wherea characteristic "pathogenicity domains" are localised in different viroids of the pospiviroidae family. Specific viroidmicroevolution was observed upon artificial inoculation of non-host plant species. Our results suggest that viroid propagationunder physiological stress can be assumed as important factor, which is among others, responsible for an appearanceof viroid quasi-species in the nature. Evolution and new viroid patotypes could accumulate due to environmental stressincluding various pollutants may be a potential danger for cultured plants.

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to evaluate both genetic diversity among 19 soybean accessions included in the Czech National Collection of Soybean Genotypes and their potential as a new source of genetic variations for soybean breeding programs. Only 22 of all the 40 random primers used in RAPD reactions showed polymorphism acceptable for an effective characterisation of these accessions. Altogether 122 highly reproducible RAPD fragments were generated, 55 of them were polymorphic (46%). However, because of the previously observed low degree of RAPD polymorphism in the case of Glycine max, fragments with low level of informativeness were evaluated, too. Presented results enable the selection of genetically distinct individuals. Such information may be useful to breeders willing to use genetically diverse introductions in soybean improvement process.

On one-year-old and two-year-old plantations of lemon balm observations on the occurrence of plants showing symptoms of fungal diseases were made in 1998-2001. Many fungi were isolated from roots, stem bases and leaves separately on mineral medium. Species of Fusarium, Phoma and Rhizoctonia solani were obtained from the roots and stem bases whereas Alternaria alternata, Phoma spp., Septoria melissae and Botrytis cinerea were most often isolated from the leaves showing symptoms of necrosis.

The fungal population colonizing the seeds of fodder galega cultivated in pure stand was greater than that cultivated in mixed stand. No significant differences were observed in the species composition of the obtained fungal colonies. In all analyzed combinations, Alternaria alternata was predominantly isolated from the seeds. Other saprophytic fungi were represented by the following species: Epicoccum purpurascens, Cladosporium cladosporioides as well as fungi representing genera Mucorales: Mucor hiemalis and Rhizopus nigricans. Among the pathogens, Botrytis cinerea was most often isolated. The mineral and SNA medium as well as the process of superficial disinfecting of seeds reduced the number of isolated fungi.

Apple cultivars were crossed according to the half-diallel and topcross mating design. Apple scab resistance of seedlings was estimated by using a 0-5 scale: 0 - no infection on leaves, 5 - more than 75% of leaf area infected. Percentage of scab resistant seedlings in crosses involving cultivars Prima varied from 35.8% to 67.6%, involving cultivars Florina and Arbat - 51.9-59.5% and 53.5-72.5%, respectively. Significant differences for resistance to scab were found among the crosses. Both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant. The significance of GCA for scab resistance shows that genetic variability exists for this trait and selection should result in genetic progress, because the mean square for GCA was larger than that calculated for SCA. Therefore, selection of parents on its phenotype should be effective for development of resistant apple cultivars. The significant SCA estimates indicate that a large number of resistant seedlings from particular crosses should be selected.

Within the EU project DREAM there is a programme of work investigating the molecular basis of virulence and avirulence in Meloidogyne chitwoodi and which involves partners from the Netherlands, France and Scotland. In Wageningen AFLPs are being used to examine genetic diversity between populations of M. chitwoodi. Partners in Wageningen and INRA are using M. javanica and M. incognita as model systems to isolate genes producing secreted proteins that could be implicated in the host pathogen interaction. They will search for homologous sequences in M. chitwoodi. At Rennes two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) studies are being conducted. The PCR based suppressive subtractive hybridisation (SSH), has been used at PRI and SCRI to compare avirulent and virulent nematodes and infected plant material (resistant and susceptible) at different times after infection.

The monitoring was carried on in the years 1996-2000 in the polyfactorial P-A field trial in Lukavec, Pelhřimov district. The given locality is characterized by low fertility sandy-loamy cambisoils, by long-term average annual rainfall of 653 mm, by average annual temperature of 7°C and its altitude is 620 m. The field trial included different organic fertilizations; graduate N-doses, different soil tillage as well as different forecrops. It manifested in this group of field trials that the forecrop value of red clover and dung manured potatoes before winter wheat was practically the same in the given locality. The optimal N dose for potato yields was about 80 kg N.ha^-1. In oats the yields after red clover with using the Horsch system in spring were significantly lower than after embedding of red clover in autumn. In cereals, graduated N doses increased the numbers of ears (panicles) per m2, but the mass of 1000 grains often decreased. In addition, N content in grain and straw increased with N doses, while pH annually decreased by 0.1 to 0.4.

Present study focuses on making best possible use of male gametophytic generation in carnation breeding program. Exploration of pollen population revealed the existence of variability in terms of pollen morphology and histochemical content among as well as within varieties and species of Dianthus caryophyllus and D. chinensis sufficient to make selection. Pollen grain size and histochemical content were found to be associated with germination capacity and pollen tube growth rate. In addition, pollen germination capacity and elongation of pollen tube in response to presence of culture filtrate from F. oxysporum. f.sp. dianthi causal organism of fusarium wilt in carnation was found to be governed by pollen grain size and histochemical content of pollen grains. Entire result suggests the possibility of selecting the desired pollen grains from a pollen population and possibility of attempting selective pollination in carnation breeding program.