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Verbascoside, the main component of Lippia citriodora extract, is one of the most powerful free radical scavengers exhibiting a wide biological activity. In in vivo study 20 adult New Zealand white rabbit bucks were divided into two homogeneous groups, one control (CON) and one verbascoside-supplemented (0.1%) in feed mixture (EXP) and later in vitro effects of verbascoside on the motility aspects of rabbit spermatozoa were analysed. The spermatozoa concentration, ejaculate volume, spermatozoa motility, progressive motility, distance parameters, velocity parameters and type of spermatozoa movement were negatively affected by Lippia citriodora leaves extract after the first 4 weeks of dietary treatment, till the end of experiment (8 weeks). Four weeks after the suspension of feed additive supplementation, all spermatozoa traits values returned to the normality, and in line with CON group. For in vitro findings, ejaculates from 10 male New Zealand white bucks were collected using an artificial vagina. Then it was diluted in physiological saline solution containing different concentrations of verbascoside at the concentration of 0, 0.0024, 0.0219, 0.157, 120.0 mg/ml (Ctrl, VB1, VB2, VB3, VB4 groups, respectively), using a dilution ratio of 1 : 4. The obtained data proved that verbascoside at the concentration of 0.0024 and 0.0219 mg/ml had no adverse effect on spermatozoa. Additionally, we found that verbascoside at higher concentrations (0.157 and 120.0 mg/ml) significantly altered all the motility parameters analysed in the experiment. In conclusion a possible negative effect of verbascoside supplementation into feed mixture (0.1%) on semen quality parameters in rabbit bucks as well as in vitro can be stated, obviously considering that target organs of antioxidant activities of phenylpropanoid glycosides are various. In addition it has to be emphasized that the extract showed a reversible action, since the semen traits of treated animals returned to the normality after the dietary administration period.

The transportation of fruits over longer distances could lead to damage fruits such as apricots. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of transportation factors including the vibration frequencies (17 and 20 Hz), the vibration time (15 and 30 minutes), the fruit cultivar (Shahroudi and Urdoobad), and the package type (2 types) on the apricot damage. An electro-dynamic lab vibration simulator was used to simulate the road transportation and a fruit damage index (FDI) was used as a criterion to evaluate the damage based on the classifying bruises into five different categories. The statistical analysis indicated that, except for the package type, the other factors (apricot cultivar, frequency, and vibration duration) had a significant effect on the FDI (P < 0.01). The vibration damages considerably changed by the apricot cultivar and increased by the frequency and duration. The results indicated that the Urdoobad cultivar was more resistant to the damage and could be used for export purposes to transport in distances more than 1,000 km. The maximum damages occurred at a frequency and duration of 17 Hz and 30 min in the Shahroudi cultivar, respectively.

The influence of pulsed electric field (PEF) on freeze-drying of apple tissue was investigated. The freeze-drying was performed with different parameters of PEF treatment, and PEF treatment on the drying characters, microstructure, rehydration ratio, effective diffusion coefficient and hardness of apple tissue were discussed separately. The results indicated that PEF utilization as a pretreatment of apples enhances the drying process. The drying time was shortened by 17.73% at most, specific energy consumption decreased by 24.74% at most, and the rehydration ratio was improved by 65.22% at most for PEF treatment samples respectively, compared with the untreated samples. The effective diffusion coefficients varied from 2.60 × 10-8 m2/s to 4.20 × 10-8 m2/s for PEF pretreated samples, and was 2.40 × 10-8 m2/s for untreated samples drying at 75°C, the hardness of the untreated apple tissue was about 144.4 N which was decreased to 39.5-115.0 N after PEF treatment.

In the present study, genetic diversity and population structure of Holstein Friesian and three native cattle breeds of Turkey including Turkish Grey Steppe, Eastern Anatolian Red and Anatolian Black were assessed. Totally 120 individuals of 4 breeds were genotyped using 20 microsatellite markers and 204 different alleles, of which 31 were private alleles, were detected. The average observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.63 and 0.74, respectively. Observed heterozygosity at the marker level ranged from 0.30 (DRBP1) to 0.88 (ILSTS011), while expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.51 (INRABERN172) to 0.88 (SPS113). Inbreeding coefficient values for Turkish Grey Steppe, Eastern Anatolian Red, Anatolian Black and Holstein Friesian were 0.216, 0.202, 0.128 and 0.069, respectively. The lowest pairwise F_ST value (0.030) was detected between Turkish Grey Steppe and Anatolian Black breeds, while the highest value (0.070) was detected between Turkish Grey Steppe and Holstein Friesian. Results of structure and factorial correspondence analysis revealed that Turkish native cattle breeds and Holstein Friesian were genetically different enough to separate the two breeds. Results of bottleneck analysis indicated heterozygosity deficiency in Turkish Grey Steppe (P < 0.05).

We investigated sulphate application, different statuses of soil microbial activity and their joint effects as variables associated with changes in potentially plant-available selenium (Se_ppa) and soil Se fractionation during the course of an incubation study. The time-resolved behaviour of added selenate (400 µg Se/kg as Na₂SeO₄) in two agricultural soils was elucidated by means of single extraction (50 mmol/L NH₄H₂PO₄), sequential extraction procedure (SEP) and chemical speciation analysis in phosphate extracts. The decrease in phosphate-extractable Se, a consequence of soil aging, was inhibited by sulphate (by 34% and 29% in Chernozem and Cambisol, respectively) and by gamma-irradiation (by 46% and 20% in Chernozem and Cambisol, respectively) after 72 days of incubation as compared to the control treatments. Glucose amendment dramatically decreased Se_ppa only in the Chernozem. After 1 year, the initial soil treatment with respect to inhibited or stimulated microbially-mediated processes substantially controlled the distribution pattern of exogenous Se as observed using the SEP. Application of sulphur fertilisers and sources of labile organic matter is thus an essential agronomic practice to correct unfavourable amounts of Se_ppa.

In Ethiopia, soil salinity has become a challenge for agricultural production in irrigated arid and semi-arid areas. This research investigates the effectiveness of leaching salt remediation under different soil textures and groundwater tables. Leaching was conducted in the bare parts of three abandoned saline fields. Soil texture of Field 1 (F1) is sandy loam while Field 2 (F2) and Field 3 (F3) are clay loam. The F1, F2, and F3 groundwater was located at 1.8, 1.5 and > 3 m, respectively. The leaching requirement water levels were 15, 20, 25, and 30% higher than the evaporation of the bare field needed for four consecutive weeks, respectively. The results of this study show that, after four days of leaching, the salinity of F1 with sandy loam texture was significantly (P < 0.05) and more strongly reduced than for the other fields exhibiting clay loam texture. For F1, salinity was reduced from 16.3 to 6.2 dS/m and from 12.4 to 5.5 dS/m at depths of 0-30 and 30-60 cm, respectively. In head parts of F1 and F3, the salinity level was reduced to 2.0 dS/m. However, in F2 with shallow groundwater and clay loam texture, the salinity levels were slightly higher after leaching, i.e. from 11.2 to 12.0 dS/m and from 8.1 to 11.6 dS/m at 0-30 and 30-60 cm depths, respectively. In our experiment, effective leaching was achieved only in the field with sandy soil and deeper groundwater table. We saw that the application of leaching with surface drainage at shallow groundwater levels may further exacerbate salinity problems. For such situations, the use of subsurface drainage could sustain the groundwater depth and prevent additional salinization. On clay-textured fields with shallow groundwater table, a prolonged leaching application is necessary to reduce the salt contents.

The use of bone marrow-derived immunostimulants is a promising direction in poultry production. The objective of this research was to study the effect of introducing a bone marrow cell protein formulation on the immunity of chickens vaccinated against salmonellosis. According to the principle of analogues, a control and two experimental groups of chickens were formed with 20 heads each (in total 60 individuals). To Group 1 birds, a protein preparation from bovine bone marrow cells was administered with feed by irrigation with 10% suspension in physiological saline at a rate of 0.2 ml per head once per day from the first day of life for three days. In Group 2, the drug was administered once, on day 1, at a rate of 0.2 ml per head. Control chickens were injected with saline in the same volumes. All chickens were vaccinated against salmonellosis. Blood for analysis of cellular, biochemical and humoral indicators was taken on days 7 and 14 of bird life. The use of the bone marrow cell-derived protein preparation resulted in higher values in the blood of chickens of Groups 1 and 2, respectively, by day 14 of age in comparison with controls as follows: erythrocytes (15.51% and 22.28%) and leukocytes (3.93% and 3.70%), T- and B- lymphocytes (67.5% and 69.16%; 23.24% and 23.75%), neutrophil phagocytic activity (10.14% and 25.36%) and phagocytic index (17.25% and 18.74%), bactericidal (13.32% and 20.25%) and lysozyme activity (23.88% and 24.41%), total protein (13.23% and 14.21%), immunoglobulins (19.59% and 20.76%), specific antibody titre (47.50% and 51.25%). Our study confirms the suitability of using bone marrow-derived protein preparations in poultry production. In practical terms, our study has particular importance for the development and implementation of preparations based on proteins of bone marrow cells.

Intercropping of grain legumes and cereals is a promising theme in organic farming for its potential for increasing and stabilizing yields, reducing weed pressure and sustaining plant health. On animal husbandry farms, pea-cereal mixtures may be an interesting crop harvested for green fodder as well as for feed concentrates. Increasing self-sufficiency with fodder is in agreement with the principles of organic agriculture, and it reduces the risks related to the import of soy protein that may be admixed with GM soya. In 2008-2011, plot trials (PT) with intercropped peas and spring cereals (wheat, barley) were conducted. Varieties and pea-cereal combinations were examined to find suitable varieties for intercropping, and the best pea to cereal ratio in the seed intercrop (pea to cereal ratios 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80). Results show that intercropping peas and spring cereals may be advantageous compared to monocultures. Pea-cereal intercrops produce high yields of green matter and concentrates especially when intercropped at the pea to cereal ratio of 60:40 and 40:60. In 2009, on five certified organic farms, controlled field trials (FT) were conducted with field pea (leaf type), spring barley and spring wheat in monocultures and intercrops (pea to cereal ratio 60:40). Forage yields were evaluated at pea growth phases BBCH-scale 79 and 83. Fresh yields of monocultures and intercrops were evaluated at grain harvest.

The study covered 6 sites located in the Vistula glaciation area in north-western Poland, where the Holocene calcareous (gyttja) deposits occur. Three types of such calcareous deposits were isolated: marly (groundwater calcretes) (CaCO₃ > 80%, loss of ignition < 20%, non-carbonate fractions < 20%), calcareous gyttja (CaCO₃ 50-80%, loss of ignition < 40%, non-carbonate fractions < 40%), and clay calcareous gyttja (CaCO₃ 20-50%, loss of ignition < 30%, non-carbonate fractions < 60%). The content of major and trace elements was determined in different horizons. Several parameters of Holocene calcareous deposits were determined, namely carbonate status, total organic carbon, non-carbonate mineral fractions and several major and minor components. Close correlations between CaCO₃ and Ca, Mg contents, between non-carbonate fraction and K, Zn and Cu contents, as well as between ignition loss and Zn and Cu contents were observed in the sediments. The sediments exhibit vertical variability which relates to the genesis of sediments and soils. The highest content of macroelements was recorded in the uppermost layers for Ca, Mg, Na, and Mn and for microelements (trace elements) in bottom layers for S, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni.

Because the image fire smoke segmentation algorithm can not extract white, gray and black smoke at the same time, a smoke image segmentation algorithm is proposed by combining rough set and region growth method. The R component of the image is extracted in the RGB colour space, the roughness histogram is constructed according to the statistical histogram of the R component, and the appropriate valley value in the roughness histogram is selected as the segmentation threshold, the image is roughly segmented. Relative to the background image, the smoke belongs to the motion information, and the motion region is extracted by the interframe difference method to eliminate static interference. Smoke has a unique colour feature, a smoke colour model is created in the RGB colour space, the motion disturbances of similar colour are removed and the suspected smoke areas are obtained. The seed point is selected in the region, and the region is grown on the result of rough segmentation, the smoke region is extracted. The experimental results show that the algorithm can segment white, gray and black smoke at the same time, and the irregular information of smoke edges is relatively complete. Compared with the existing algorithms, the average segmentation accuracy, recall rate and F-value are increased by 19%, 21.5% and 20%, respectively.

A 22-year (1990-2012) field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of different fertilization and cropping regimes on the quantitative changes of total N and organic N forms in the topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil(20-40 cm) of a Mollisol in Northeast China. This study included nine fertilizer treatments on maize monoculture [no fertilizer (CK), N, NP, NK, PK, NPK, NPK combined with maize straw (NPKS), NPK combined with pig manure (NPKM), and 1.5' the rate of NPKM (1.5NPKM)] and one fertilizer treatment with maize-maize-soybean rotation (NPKMR). Compared with the CK treatment, the application of mineral fertilizers alone or in combination with straw generally had no significant effect on the contents of total N and organic N forms, whereas the combined application of mineral fertilizers with manure significantly increased their contents. Manure levels and cropping regimes had no significant effect on the total N content in the topsoil. By contrast, the hydrolysable unknown N content significantly increased with the increasing manure levels, and the amino sugar N content was significantly lower in rotation than in monoculture treatment. Our results imply that manure application integrated with continuous maize cropping can be considered as an optimized strategy for improving soil fertility.

Phosphorus (P) stratification in no-tillage (NT) systems has important implications for crop growth and potential P loss, but little is known about P forms and their distribution when mineral P fertilizers are placed to the depth of 5 cm in NT soil. A 10-year field experiment was used to study the effect of NT and mouldboard plough (MP) on soil P forms at three depths (0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm) and their relationship with Fe and Al oxides. The results indicated that stratification of organic P forms occurred under NT treatment, and Fe oxides may have a stronger capacity for adsorbing the P forms. When mineral P fertilizers were placed to the depth of 5 cm under NT treatment, there was no significant difference in P forms or crop yield between NT and MP treatment, and orthophosphate did not show any significant difference under NT treatment between 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm depth. Overall, the agricultural management practice that mineral P fertilizers are placed to the depth of 5 cm under NT treatment could result in stratification of P forms, while the changes in the distribution of P forms in soil profiles might help reduce potential P loss in surface runoff and do not make any difference to crop growth.

Currently, the hybrid cultivars are predominant in the cultivation of winter oilseed rape in Europe. Cultivation of hybrid cultivars instead of the traditional line can affect the visitation of pollinators. Beekeepers and farmers claim that hybrid cultivars are not visited by pollinators as much as the line. Ten yellow and one white flowering oilseed rape cultivars were used to compare the visitation rates of pollinators (Apis mellifera L. and Bombus sp.) during flowering in the years 2015-2017. At the same time, the visitation of hybrid and line cultivars by pollinators was evaluated. Visitation of pollinators on each cultivar was calculated from observed visitations to flowering oilseed rape plants in an area 2.1 m² from the edge of single plots for 20 s. The results from this study clearly show that the individual cultivars, whether hybrids or lines, did not have a major influence on the pollinators' visitation, either by honey bees or bumble bees. It is thus proved that hybrid cultivars do not affect the pollinator visitation and there is no need to worry about the prevalence of these cultivars in the Czech fields. However, a more significant effect for both pollinator groups appears to have been the color of the flower.

This article reports some physical properties and strength characteristics of two kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) varieties in Nigeria at critical stages of harvest with a view of understanding the plant material reaction to the load and deformation. The kenaf samples were subjected to a uniaxial compression test between two parallel plates at a loading rate of 20 mm.min^-1 and a uniaxial bending test between two supports on each end at a loading rate of 50 mm.min^-1 using a Universal Instron Testing Machine (Instron, USA). The results of the parameters studied revealed that Tianung 1 gave the higher stem height, stem diameter, compressive stress, bending stress, rupture load, rupture energy, Young's modulus, and toughness, which were 293.10 cm, 18.45 mm, 8.70 MPa, 44.86 MPa, 191.51 N, 3.43 J.mm^-2, 350.81 MPa, and 6.85 N.mm^-1, respectively, at four months after planting. The parameters studied significantly increased with maturity for the two kenaf varieties. However, the moisture content significantly reduced with maturity.

119 strains of lactic acid bacteria from Chinese pickle were tested for production of antimicrobial compounds (bacteriocins). Among them, strain C8 showed strongly antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739. Strain C8 was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum based on phenotypical, physiological tests and 16S rDNA identification. The antibacterial substance produced by strain C8 was sensitive to protease but not affected by lipase and amylase and designated as bacteriocin C8. Bacteriocin was purified by salting-out, dialysis and Sephadex G50 column chromatography. Based on SDS-PAGE, bacteriocin C8 was 16.5 kDa in size, which was different from that of other bacteriocins and it might be a novel bacteriocin. Bacteriocin C8 showed a wide range of antimicrobial activity especially as it inhibited some Gram-negative bacteria. This bacteriocin was heat resistant (20 min at 121°C) and stable in the pH range of 3 to 6.

The purpose of this work was to monitor the effects of the environmental factors include temperature, precipitation and sun radiation on some physiological aspects of Q. brantii trees in the forest stand involved with the oak charcoal disease during a growing season. We designed a systematic random sampling and all trees were examined for disease status. Our result showed that 70.96% of the trees with different intensities are affected by the charcoal disease. Accordingly, values of predawn leaf water potential (PWP), midday leaf water potential (MWP) and chlorophyll variables showed significant difference in classes of oak charcoal disease. Linear regression analysis showed that the values of PWP, MWP and chlorophyll are changing at the high temperature. Mean of canker length are 20.5 cm and 51.7 cm in class 2 and 3 respectively and there is a great relation between PWP value and canker length (r² = 0.914). Canker length also has a linear relation with MWP values (r² = 0.627). Drought stress affected the physiological functions of oak trees and considerably reduced their defense potential against pathogen agents.

In 2012-2017, the occurrence of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and T-2 toxin in 592 samples of malting barley from different regions of the Czech Republic was studied using the ELISA immunochemical method. On average, the total content of positive samples was 18.6% for deoxynivalenol (DON), 9.5% for zearalenone (ZEN) and 20.5% for T-2 toxin. The highest values measured were 917 μg/kg for DON (2012), 42 μg/kg for ZEN (2017) and 199 μg/kg for T-2 toxin (2013). The maximal DON and ZEN contents in cereals intended for food production are limited by the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, the EU limit from 2013 applies for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins. Concentrations of any of the mycotoxins studied did not exceed the EU limit in any barley samples.

This study was aimed at analysing single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) genes in a hyperprolific line of Landrace × Large White (Topigs 20) cross sows (n = 101). The following litter size traits were analysed: total number born, number of born alive and number of weaned piglets. ESR1 and RBP4 genotypes determined on the basis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analysed using the least square method with the GLM procedure in SAS with eight effects. The REG procedure was used to calculate the effects of the additive and dominance components. The second parity sows with ESR1 BB genotype had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) number of weaned piglets compared to AB, with a tendency towards difference (P < 0.1) between homozygotes for number of born alive and number of weaned piglets. In the case of the RBP4 gene, the first parity sows of the AA genotype had a significantly higher total number born (P < 0.05) compared with the BB genotype, with a tendency towards difference (P < 0.1) between AA and heterozygotes for total number born, and homozygotes for number of born alive. The BB genotype showed a tendency for higher number of weaned piglets (P < 0.1) as compared with the AA genotype in the third parity sows for the RBP4 gene. In all parities, significant effects (P < 0.05) of parity were recorded for total number born, number of born alive and number of weaned piglets, season of farrowing for total number born, and the ESR1 and RBP4 interaction for number of born alive. In the first parity sows, significant effects (P < 0.05) on total number born were determined for gene interaction and gestation length, the latter also being recorded in the second parity sows. The additive (a) effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in RBP4 was significant (P < 0.05) for total number born in all parities as well as in the first parity sows, and dominance effect (d) (P < 0.05) of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ESR1 for number of weaned piglets in the third parity sows. The obtained results regarding the investigated genes could help to provide a better understanding of the effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on litter size and thus promote genetic progress in pig reproduction management.

A field experiment was established in 1972 on Luvisol. Three types of fertilizers - cattle manure (CM), cattle slurry (CS) and mineral fertilizers were used. CS was applied in the following doses: I - balanced with CM in terms of the amount of introduced total nitrogen and II - balanced with CM in terms of the amount of introduced total organic carbon (C_tot). 39 years after the experiment was established, half of each experimental plot was limed and since then the experiment was carried in two series - non-limed and limed soils. The paper presents the results of soil analyses 41 years after the experiment was started. It was found that each fertilization system increased the C_tot content in soil in relation to the unfertilized control plot. The increase of C_tot fluctuated between 0.35-6.22 g/kg of dry matter. In both series, the highest C_tot content was observed in the soil fertilized with CM and CM + PK. Limed compared to non-limed soil contained nearly 25% more carbon of humic acids than fulvic acids and nearly 20% lower content of low molecular humic bonds. Liming considerably widened the humic acids carbon:fulvic acids carbon (C_HA:C_FA) ratio of the fertilized soils, up to 1.32-1.87, while the corresponding objects of the non-limed series showed the C_HA:C_FA ratio between 0.75-0.97.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of copper (Cu) sources and levels on mineral utilization, tissue copper residues, and lipid metabolism in Arbor Acres broilers. A total of 640 male broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 replicates per group and 16 broilers per replicate. The experiment was used in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial experiment design. Broilers in the control group were fed a basal diet, and animals in the other four groups were fed basal diets supplemented with Cu from copper sulphate and copper methionine. Copper concentrations of the experimental diets were 20 and 40 mg Cu/kg dry matter. A metabolism trial of 4 days was conducted during the last week of experimental feeding. Neither Cu source nor Cu level affected average daily gain, average daily feed intake or feed gain ratio (P > 0.05). Broilers fed 40 mg Cu/kg diets had lower plasma cholesterol than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Copper supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but did not alter plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations or plasma triglyceride concentrations. Copper sulphate supplementation increased (P < 0.05) liver Cu but did not alter pectorals Cu, heart Cu, tibia Cu and tibia P. Broilers fed 40 mg/kg Cu from copper sulphate had a lower (P < 0.05) tibia Ca level. The concentration of liver Cu in the broilers fed copper methionine diets was higher (P < 0.05) than that in those fed copper sulphate. Compared with copper sulphate (100%), the relative bioavailability value of copper methionine was 117%. In conclusion, the relative bioavailability of copper methionine obtained in this study was greater than that of copper sulphate. Copper plays an important role in plasma lipids and in the digestion of dietary Ca in broiler chickens.

Soil water dynamic is considered an important process for water resource and plantation management in Horqin Sand Land, northern China. In this study, soil water content simulated by the SWMS-2D model was used to systematically analyse soil water dynamics and explore the relationship between soil water and rainfall among micro-landforms (i.e., top, upslope, midslope, toeslope, and bottomland) and 0-200 cm soil depths during the growing season of 2013 and 2015. The results showed that soil water dynamics in 0-20 cm depths were closely linked to rainfall patterns, whereas soil water content in 20-80 cm depths illustrated a slight decline in addition to fluctuations caused by rainfall. At the top position, the soil water content in different ranges of depths (20-40 and 80-200 cm) was near the wilting point, and hence some branches, and even entire plants exhibited diebacks. At the upslope or midslope positions, the soil water content in 20-80 or 80-200 cm depths was higher than at the top position. Soil water content was higher at the toeslope and bottomland positions than at other micro-landforms, and deep caliche layers had a positive feedback effect on shrub establishment. Soil water recharge by rainfall was closely related to rainfall intensity and micro-landforms. Only rainfalls > 20 mm significantly increased water content in > 40 cm soil depths, but deeper water recharge occurred at the toeslope position. A linear equation was fitted to the relationship between soil water and antecedent rainfall, and the slopes and R² of the equations were different among micro-landforms and soil depths. The linear equations generally fitted well in 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths at the top, upslope, midslope, and toeslope positions (R² value of about 0.60), with soil water in 0-20 cm depths showing greater responses to rainfall (average slope of 0.189). In 20-40 cm depths, the response was larger at the toeslope position, with a slope of 0.137. In 40-80 cm depths, a good linear fit with a slope of 0.041 was only recorded at the toeslope position. This study provides a soil water basis for ecological restoration in similar regions.

In field experiments over three vegetation periods (2010-2012) we studied impact of the CULTAN (controlled uptake long term ammonium nutrition) method on yield and yield parameters of kernel maize. The field experiments were conducted at three sites with different soil-climatic conditions. CULTAN treatments were fertilized once with the total amount of nitrogen using an injection machine (at the canopy height of 20 cm) and compared to conventional fertilization with calcium ammonium nitrate application at pre-sowing preparations. In all treatments the amount of nitrogen was the same, 140 kg N/ha. In 2010 at Humpolec site, CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate + inhibitor of nitrification treatment gave by 20.5% higher number of ears compared to CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate treatment. In 2011 at Ivanovice all CULTAN treatments reached statistically significantly higher number of kernels per ear. The higher 1000 kernel weight at CULTAN treatments was observed in 2012 at the Ivanovice site; a statistically significant difference between conventional and CULTAN urea ammonium nitrate + inhibitor of nitrification treatment was observed. Fertilization of maize with nitrogen using the CULTAN method under the conditions of the Czech Republic provides the same yield certainty as the conventional surface application and the CULTAN method of fertilization increases the yield certainty at delayed sowing. Harvest index was statistically significantly influenced by year, fertilization treatment and site.

The migration and transformation of soil phosphorus (P) are essential for agricultural productivity and environmental security but have not been thoroughly elucidated to date. A 10-year field study was conducted to explore the effects of conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage with maize residue management (NT-0, NT-33%, NT-67% and NT-100%) on P contents and phosphatase activities in soil layers (0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm). The results showed that soil available P content and phosphatase activities were higher in no-tillage with maize residue than CT. Soil moisture and pH were significantly positively correlated with soil available P. Higher organic P contents and lower inorganic P contents in the 0-5 cm soil layer were found in the treatment NT-67% compared with other treatments. According to the structure equation model, the source of available P was inorganic P in NT-33%, while organic P in NT-67%. This study demonstrated that the variation of dominant mechanisms involved in soil P migration and transformation were dependent on residue input amounts, and NT-67% might play an important role in the maintenance and transformation of soil organic P.

Protocols for the in vitro propagation of two endangered plant species in the Czech Republic, Gentiana verna L. and Jurinea cyanoides (L.) Rchb., were established. In G. verna, the induction of organogenesis on vegetative shoots was successful on the basal 6% agar WPM medium with 200 mg.l^-1of glutamine, 200 mg.l^-1 of casein hydrolysate, 30 g.l^-1 of sucrose, 0.2 mg.l^-1 of BAP, and 0.1 mg.l^-1 of IBA. The multiplication of primary explants was achieved on 6% agar basal MS medium with the same concentrations of substances mentioned above. In J. cyanoides, the induction of organogenesis and multiplication of its vegetative shoots were successful on MS medium with the same concentration of added substances used in G. verna. On the basal MS medium of 1/3 concentration with 3 mg.l^-1 of IBA 70-75% rooting efficiency of G. verna microcuttings and 40% rooting efficiency of J. cyanoides microcuttings were reached. The mortality during acclimatization did not exceed 20% for G. verna and 25% for J. cyanoides.

The issue of afforestation of non-forest land (e.g. agricultural land use) is currently a significant trend in land management. Sustainable development and maintenance of its ecological stability are among the reasons. The paper compares the 30-year development of the beech stand originated from artificial regeneration on former agricultural land in the area where the Ipeľ River rises in central Slovakia. Two methods of tending were used on three long-term research plots (LTPs) established at the age of 20 years: negative crown thinning, free crown thinning and the third LTP was left to its spontaneous development. The results confirmed the positive impact of tending on the development of these stands. Compared to naturally regenerated stands under comparable site conditions, their higher quantitative production was found. Regarding the qualitative production expressed by the number of trees of selective quality, the worst results were obtained on the control plot. Based on these results, it is recommended to pay more attention to the planting stock quality used for afforestation.

The chemical stability of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) in the presence of prochloraz manganese (prochloraz-Mn) as biologically active substances used in agrochemical treatments in the cultivation of mushrooms are presented. For model mixtures of the tested components, a relative decrease in ClO₂ content over time was measured in the proportions applied during the mushroom cultivation cycle. Within 20 min after preparing a mixture of 1 500 ppm prochloraz-Mn and 100 ppm ClO₂ in water, the relative decrease in the concentration of ClO₂ was 20%. The obtained results indicate a possibility of simultaneously introducing the working mixture of ClO₂ and prochloraz-Mn salt into the champignon peat casing, assuming its use directly after preparation.

The impact of non-treated and primed seeds on molasses components, sugar content and technological white sugar yield of the same cultivar of sugar beet root was investigated. The study was conducted in 2012-2014 at the Experiment Field Station of Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW in Skierniewice (51°97'N, 20°19'E) in the central region of Poland. The use of primed seeds resulted in a higher technological white sugar yield with higher sugar content and lower content of α-amino nitrogen in the roots. Also, seed priming increased the technological value of the roots by a lower share in the root yield fractions of the root weight less than 300 g, characterized by lower sugar content and a higher content of α-amino nitrogen.

The aims of this study are the quantitative characterisation of the coat colour in the black variety of the Old Kladruber Horse breed, the estimation of the coat colour genetic parameters, and the determination of the factors that influence coat colour intensity. A total of 252 horses aged 1-24 years were included in the study. The colour parameters were taken using a Konica Minolta spectrophotometer CM-2500d at four different body parts during the summer and winter seasons, resulting in 1748 phenotypic records. The possible effects of sex, season, housing system, age and body part on the spectrophotometric parameters were analysed. The results confirmed that the intensity of the black coat colour can be influenced by a number of factors (sex, season, housing system, and age). The mares showed more red and yellow colour compared to the stallions. In the winter season, the horses had a lighter colour with a lower proportion of reddish-brown hairs. Horses kept outdoors, especially in the summer months, had a lighter colour with a higher proportion of red and yellow. Although the age was statistically significant, no specific trend was observed. The differences in colour found between body parts (neck, shoulder, belly, and croup) are in line with current knowledge - reddish fading in the blacks primarily occurs in the belly region. The estimated heritability values suggest possible multifactorial inheritance, especially with regards to the reddish tinge in hairs (h² = 0.20 to 0.29 according to body part).

Within a pilot study, after pedological and mineralogical characterization, various kinetic models were tested to fit lead (Pb)-mobilization kinetics from soils at historic mining and smelting sites. Pb mobilization was obtained by modified electro-ultrafiltration (EUF) after addition of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) at variable conditions of extraction. 10 fractions were sequentially produced, under mild conditions at 20°C/200 V (to simulate an initial release) for fractions 1-5, and subsequently harder conditions at 80°C/400 V (to simulate a long-term release) for fractions 6-10. The special samples treated within this work yielded higher extraction rates within the first runs. Closest fits in terms of the coefficient of determination (R²) were obtained from the 2^nd order polynomial model y = a + bt + ct², and in terms of re-calculated results by the parabolic equation y = a + b √t. The fitted constants obtained by the modified EUF method correlated better with soil pH than with organic carbon and clay contents. From this, it remains open, whether the dissolution of the Pb-minerals in the electric field or concentration resp. diffusion of the DTPA is rate-determining.

Solid phase of digestate (SD) of agricultural biogas plants, containing undecomposed fibrous fractions of organic matter, is usable as a constituent of growing substrates. The content of soluble salts and available nutrients is limiting for SD addition into growing substrates. For addition of SD with initial 80% moisture its content of ammonium nitrogen and available potassium is limiting. The SD with natural moistness can be used in peat based substrates up to 10% volume. The content of ammonium nitrogen during the drying of SD with the use of waste heat from biogas plants is decreased. Optimal proportion of dry SD (dSD) in peat based substrates ranged from 20 to 40% volume. Peat based substrates with 20% volume of dSD had suitable physical and chemical (e.g. content of available potassium < 300 mg/l) properties. These dSD-peat growing substrates have been successfully tested in greenhouse experiments with pot plants (Petunia, Impatiens, and Pelargonium). The addition of dSD to peat based substrates increased air capacity and decreased easily available water content. However, the basic fertilization of the dSD-peat growing substrates is necessary to optimize the content of nutrients.