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To investigate a comparative evaluation of the gluten polymerization properties at different oil contents during the extrusion processing, the electrophoretic profiles of the gluten, free sulfhydryl (SH) compounds, the secondary structure of gluten, glutenin macropolymer contents and gluten network were measured. Five gluten samples were formulated by adding different oil contents. The low molecular weight contents of gluten decreased as well as the high molecular weight contents increased during the extrusion processing. The free SH of gluten at 8 or 10% oil content drops significantly to a minimum. The β-sheets contents of gluten have significantly difference between the treatments and control, except for 15 and 20% oil content treatments. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of mixed glutens correlated to the degree of oil contents with the gluten in the bi-continuous gluten network.

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 effect of spinosad on some biochemical characteristics of Xanthogaleruca luteola was investigated. LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ of spinosad for the third instar larvae were determined as 1.6 and 2.9 ppm, respectively. Biochemical tests were carried out on the 3^rd instar larvae treated with LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ of spinosad. The LC₃₀ concentration decreased carbohydrate and glycogen content and increased lipid content significantly. There was a significant decrease in carbohydrate, glycogen, and protein contents following the exposure to LC₅₀ concentration. Available energy of the larvae exposed to LC₃₀ of spinosad increased significantly, whereas it decreased significantly at LC₅₀. However, the energy consumed was increased at both concentrations significantly. Cellular energy allocation of larvae treated with LC₅₀ concentrations of spinosad decreased significantly. Glutathione-S-transferase and esterase activities were increased significantly at LC₅₀. However, lipase activity was decreased at both concentrations.

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.

The contribution of camels and their products (meat and offal) as potential reservoirs of foodborne pathogens is far from elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of camels as potential sources of different foodborne agents and to determine their antibiotic resistance profile. For this reason, one hundred apparently healthy camels admitted to the Zagazig abattoir (Sharkia province, Egypt) for slaughtering were studied. Three different specimens were collected from each camel including fresh faeces, raw meat and liver which were processed to determine the presence of different foodborne pathogens using standard bacteriological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was also performed using the disc diffusion method. The occurrence of Campylobacter in the faeces, raw meat and liver were 20%, 33% and 15%, respectively, with the most prevalent C. coli (21%) followed by C. jejuni (0.7%) and C. lari (0.7%). Enterococcus spp. was isolated at 50%, 40%, and 43% from the examined faeces, meat and liver, respectively, with E. faecalis (24%) as the most widely identified bacterial spp. The respective specimens showed typical colonies of S. aureus with 15%, 45% and 25%, respectively, with an overall prevalence 28.3%. S. aureus was found to colonise workers hands (40%; 10/25), followed by E. faecalis (20%) while Campylobacter spp. was not detected in any of the tested workers' hands. All recovered foodborne agents were found to be susceptible to enrofloxacin and resistant to rifampicin. The high loads of the pathogenic, as well as indicator bacteria in the raw camel meat, could indicate unhygienic conditions at the abattoir.

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).

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 aim of this study was to determine blood profile data in captive adult male leopard geckos. Animals were manually restrained with the head and neck extended. The right external jugular vein was punctured with a pre-heparinised needle and insulin syringe. The means and standard deviations for haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, total red blood cell count, total white blood cell count and counts for heterophils, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, azurophils and lymphocytes for 20 healthy male leopard geckos were 72.58 ± 11.03 g/l, 25.40 ± 3.68%, 0.85 ± 0.14 10¹²/l, 10.47 ± 2.58 10⁹/l, 1.83 ± 0.92 10⁹/l, 1.67 ± 1.04 10⁹/l, 0.29 ± 0.33 10⁹/l, 0.48 ± 0.40 10⁹/l, 2.03 ± 1.07 10⁹/l and 4.17 ± 2.12 10⁹/l, respectively. The means and standard deviations for total protein, albumin, globulins, glucose, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, calcium, phosphorus and potassium for 20 healthy adult captive male leopard geckos were 55.60 ± 7.52 g/l, 16.45 ± 2.37 g/l, 39.15 ± 5.74 g/l, 6.18 ± 1.35 mmol/l, 67.95 ± 42.63 µmol/l, 0.83 ± 0.42 µkat/l, 25.40 ± 29.46 µkat/l, 3.05 ± 0.18 mmol/l, 1.4 ± 0.23 mmol/l, and 5.78 ± 0.58 mmol/l, respectively. This is the first study to report blood haematology and biochemistry values for a group of captive adult male leopard geckos.

The goal of the presented research was to assess the influence of continuously administered fentanyl on the intraocular pressure, pupil size and aqueous tear production in dogs. A prospective, randomised, double "blind" clinical study was performed. Twenty-five non-painful dogs, 13 breeds, a body weight of 10.0 ± 5.4 kg (mean ± SD) and age of 6.5 ± 3.3 years, 12 males and 13 females with no ocular abnormalities were randomly allocated into two groups receiving an intravenous injection of saline (SAL) 0.3 ml/kg followed by an infusion 2 ml/kg/h or an intravenous injection of fentanyl (FEN) 0.005 mg/kg (diluted in 0.3 ml/kg) followed by an infusion 0.005 mg/kg/h (diluted in 2 ml/kg/h). The intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size (PS), pulse rate (PR), respiratory frequency (f_R) and systolic and diastolic arterial pressures (SAP, DAP) were measured before (baseline) and at 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after the premedication. The Schirmer Tear Test I (STT-I) was measured prior to and at 30 min after the premedication. The data were analysed by Bartlett's, Anderson-Darling and Dunnett's tests, the t-test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P < 0.05). Relative to the baseline, in the fentanyl group, the PS was significantly decreased at all time points, the PR was significantly decreased at T₃₀ and the f_R was significantly decreased at T₅, T₁₀, T₂₀ and T₃₀. There were no other significant changes in the IOP, STT-I, SAP and DAP relative to the baseline. Compared to the control group, in the fentanyl group, the PS was significantly smaller at T₂, T₅, T₁₀, T₂₀ and T₃₀, the PR was significantly lower at T₂, T₂₀ and T₃₀ and the f_R was significantly higher at T₂₀. Within thirty minutes of a constant rate infusion of fentanyl in the healthy non-painful dogs, the intraocular pressure and aqueous tear production were not affected. However, the fentanyl significantly decreased pupil size. This fact should be considered, when planning analgesia where miosis is undesirable.

A long-term experiment was used to evaluate the effects of different nutrient management practices on the distribution of soil organic N fractions and their contribution to N nutrition of a rice-wheat system. Continuous rice-wheat cultivation for 13 years without any fertilization was unable to maintain total soil nitrogen level to its original level and resulted in a decrease at 8.3 mg N/kg/year. Likewise, amino acid N, amino sugar N, ammonia N, hydrolysable unknown N, total hydrolysable N and non-hydrolysable N decreased by 37.2, 29.6, 33.7, 10.4, 26.6 and 20.4%, respectively over their initial status. However, application of inorganic fertilizers alone or in combination with organic manures led to a marked increase in total N and its fractions. The increase in total N with the application of farmyard manure, press mud and green manure along with inorganic fertilizer over treatment with inorganic fertilizer alone was 23.1, 34.4 and 7.0%, respectively. These results imply that integrated use of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures represent a sound practice for sustaining N reserves in soil. On average, amino acid-N, amino sugar-N, ammonia-N and hydrolysable unknown-N constituted about 27.9, 10.7, 28.7 and 32.7% of the total hydrolysable-N, respectively.

The present study was carried out in 2016-2017 to assess the effect of subsoiling depth on the soil bulk density, stability of soil structure, soil physical properties and summer maize yield based on a field experiment started in 2015. Four tillage depths were studied: conventional tillage 25 cm (CT₂₅); subsoiling tillage 30 cm (ST₃₀); subsoiling tillage 35 cm (ST₃₅) and subsoiling tillage 40 cm (ST₄₀). The results showed that at the 20-50 cm depth ST₃₀, ST₃₅ and ST₄₀ decreased the mean soil bulk by 4.59, 7.13 and 8.27%, respectively, and at the 0-40 cm depth reduced soil compactness by 17.62, 23.63 and 36.42%, respectively, as compared to CT₂₅. ST₄₀ reduced soil compactness in the 0-40 cm soil layer under conditions of relative drought (during the maize season growing season of 2016), ST₃₅ and ST₄₀ increased macroaggregates (> 0.25 mm), improved the stability of the aggregate structure (geometric mean diameter and mean weight diameter) (20-40 cm), increased soil water storage capacity at 40-60 cm and increased maize yield by 7.89% and 8.91%, respectively. Considering the improvement of soil properties and crop yield, ST₃₅ was the optimum method to increase maize yield and modulate soil physical properties in the North China Plain.

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.

The objectives of this study were to determine the immunoglobulin G concentration of colostrum in Czech dairy cows, to compare refractometer results with results achieved using the radial immunodiffusion method and to evaluate the reliability of three types of refractometers and recommend the best solution for the evaluation of colostrum quality. Colostrum samples (n = 1522) were collected from 38 herds between 2015 and 2017. The immunological quality of colostrum was estimated using Brix refractometers (optical, simple digital, digital Misco) and compared with the immunoglobulin G concentration assessed using radial immunodiffusion. We found high variability in the quality of colostrum. The minimum, maximum and median of individual measurements were the following: radial immunodiffusion immunoglobulin G - 5.2, 199.1, 76.9 g/l; optical refractometer - 9.5, 32.0, 23.1% Brix; simple digital refractometer - 5.4, 35.0, 19.1% Brix; digital refractometer Misco - 9.8, 37.4, 23.2% Brix. On the basis of immunoglobulin G concentration assessed using radial immunodiffusion, 20.9% of colostrum samples were of low quality (immunoglobulin G < 50 g/l). The Spearman correlation coefficients between radial immunodiffusion and the Brix refractometer readings were 0.62-0.67 (P < 0.001) according to the type of refractometer. The cut-off evaluation of the readings from optical and Misco digital refractometers both showed 20% Brix, with sensitivities of 89.4% and 88.2%, specificities of 73.2% and 74.5% and accuracies of 86.0% and 85.4%, respectively. The cut-off level for the simple digital refractometer showed 17% Brix with a sensitivity of 77.5%, specificity of 80.4% and an insufficient accuracy of 78.1%. For optical and Misco refractometers we recommend the use of two cut-off levels for the evaluation of colostrum: 23% Brix for the selection of good quality colostrum suitable for freezing and 19% Brix to discard poor quality colostrum. The different cut-off levels obtained by measuring with different types of refractometers indicate the need to check the quality of the instruments prior to their use in practice and, where appropriate, to determine their cut-off levels by comparison with results obtained using the reference method.

The study aimed at comparing the yield of dry biomass and energy efficiency of 22 willow cultivars depending on the harvesting frequency and variable plant density. The field experiment was established in 2010. The willow cultivars were planted in two densities; 13 300 and 32 500 plants per ha. Among the compared cultivars in the second year (2013) of full production, high yield of dry matter was obtained from cvs. Tordis (33.1 t/ha/year), Inger (30.4 t/ha/year) and Klara (29.0 t/ha/year). After six years of cultivation, the highest aboveground dry matter was given by cvs. Tora (27.4 t/ha/year) and Tordis (27.0 t/ha/year). The gross calorific value of willow biomass ranged from 15.2-20.1 GJ/t dry weight. Greater energy efficiency (329.3 GJ/ha/year) occurred in willow cultivars collected in a two-year cycle than in the one-year cycle (286.4 GJ/ha/year). In the two-year cycle collected in the third year after planting, energy efficiency was greater (379.5 GJ/ha/year) than in the two-year cycle harvested in the sixth year after planting (279.15 GJ/ha/year). The initial slower growth of biomass does not determine plant yielding.

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.

Critical-sized bone defects are a difficult problem in both human and veterinary medicine. To address this issue, synthetic graft materials have been garnering attention. Abundant in vitro studies have proven the possibilities of poly(lactic-acid) (PLA) scaffolds and poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HAp) nanofibres for treating bone defects. The present study aimed at conducting an in vivo assessment of the biological performance of a three dimensional (3D)-printed PLA scaffold filled with a PLGA/HAp nanofibrous scaffold to estimate its potential applications in bone defect reconstruction surgery. Defects were created in a 20 mm-long region of the radius bone. The defects created on the right side in six Beagle dogs (n = 6) were left untreated (Group 1). The defects on the left side (n = 6) were filled with 3D-printed PLA scaffolds incorporated with PLGA/Hap nanofibres with gelatine (Group 2). The other six Beagle dog defects were made bilaterally (n = 12) and filled with the same material as that used in Group 2 along with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) (Group 3). Both the radiological and histological examinations were performed for observing the reaction of the scaffold and the bone. Micro-computed tomography (CT) was utilised for the evaluation of the bone parameters 20 weeks after the experiment. The radiological and histological results revealed that the scaffold was biodegradable and was replaced by new bone tissue. The micro-CT revealed that the bone parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in Group 3. Based on these results, our study serves as a foundation for future studies on bone defect treatment using synthetic polymeric scaffolds.

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.

The paper presents the results of over 30-years of field experiment on soil organic carbon accumulation under different crop rotation, manure and mineral N fertilization. The experiment was conducted with two crop rotations: A - recognized as soil exhausting from humus (potatoes, winter wheat, spring barley and corn) and B enriching soil with humus (potatoes, winter wheat, spring barley, and clover with grass mixture). In each crop rotation, five rates of manure - 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 t/ha and four rates of mineral fertilizers N1, N2, N3 and N4 were applied. At the beginning of the experiment in 1979, the initial organic carbon content amounted to 0.74%, and after 33 years dropped to 0.61% in crop rotation without legumes. On the contrary, in crop rotation with clover - grass mixture, the tendency to stabilization of organic carbon quantity in soil was observed with the highest value 0.79% and the lowest one 0.72%. It was found that crop rotation enriching soil with humus produced organic matter ever more than those depleting the soil with humus, regardless of the manure fertilization. Mineral fertilization has modified soil organic carbon content.

Aiming at the problems of shallow effective soil layering and low utilization rate of precipitation in the North China Plain. The effects of different subsoiling stages on soil physical properties and water use in winter wheat/summer maize fields were studied. Three kinds of tillage treatments were studied: rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm in October and no-tillage in June (RT), rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm in October and subsoiling to 35 cm in June (ST-J), subsoiling to a depth of 35 cm in October and no-tillage in June (ST-O). Changes in soil bulk density and soil compaction were consistent over two seasons. Compared to RT, in the 10-50 cm soil layer, ST-J and ST-O decreased the average soil bulk density by 6.18% and 5.66%, respectively, and the soil compaction in the 10-60 cm layer was reduced by 17.89% and 20.50%. ST was improved soil structure and increased the water content of deep soil. The water use efficiency (WUE) of ST-J and ST-O increased by 4.73% and 14.83%, respectively, and the maize yields by 2.90% and 11.35%, respectively. Considering the WUE and maize yields, it was considered that ST-O is more suitable for tillage in the North China Plain.

The flow characteristics of three varieties of Canarium schweinfurthii Engler nuts (Canarium schweinfurthii short, Canarium schweinfurthii long and Canarium schweinfurthii large - CSHT_LRG) relevant for the design and development of handling and storage systems was studied at three different moisture levels (10.20, 17.23 and 25.06% wet basis). The flow characteristics investigated include the normal stress, the shear stress, the initial shear stress, the coefficient and angle of the internal friction, the coefficient of mobility and the size of the discharge opening. An Instron universal machine at a cross-head speed of 25 mm.min^-1 was used to obtain the shear force. The results obtained showed that all the flow properties increased with an increase in the moisture content except for the coefficient of mobility. Moreover, the variety of the C. schweinfurthii nuts had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the flow characteristics. CSHT_LRG had the best ability to flow freely than the other varieties. The hopper side wall angle for all the varieties ranged from 67-70°. Round, square and triangle shapes are all acceptable for the smooth flow of C. schweinfurthii nuts.

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of diet supplementation with linseed on the carcass characteristics, meat quality and oxidative stability as well as the composition of the fatty acids in M. longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) and the backfat of fattening gilts. A total of 40 animals were used, 20 in the experimental and 20 in the control group. The results indicate that gilts fed with the control feed mixture (C) showed a higher (P < 0.05) content of intramuscular fat and backfat as compared to the experimentaL group (L) of gilts. A higher drip loss (P < 0.001) was recorded in the L group as same as higher pH₄₅ and pH₂₄ values (P < 0.01). The fatty acid profile analysis in the MLLT showed that the content of the MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) was lower (P < 0.01) in the L group than in the C group of the animals and also showed a higher (P < 0.01) content of the PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in the L group. The content of the n-6 and n-3 PUFA was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group. The ratio of the n-6/n-3 PUFA was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the L group. The PUFA/SFA (saturated fatty acids) ratio was more favourable in the L group of gilts (P < 0.01). The results of the fatty acid profile analysis in the backfat proved the higher (P < 0.05) content of the UFA (unsaturated fatty acids) in the L group, while the content of the MUFA was lower (P < 0.001) in the L group. The total content of the SFA was lower (P < 0.05) in the L group. A higher content of the PUFA (P < 0.001) in the backfat was recorded in the L group than in the C group and the content of the n-3 PUFA was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group. The ratio of the n-6/n-3 PUFA was more favourable (P < 0.001) in the L group than in the C group. Also, the PUFA/SFA ratio was higher (P < 0.001) in the L group.

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.

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 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).

Changes of soil organic matter (SOM) parameters were investigated in a haplic Luvisol with medium-heavy texture. Soil samples were taken from several layers at minimum (MT) and conventional (CT) tillage plots of a field experiment in Sitzenhof (Germany). All cultural practices except for tillage (crop rotation, fertilizing, protection measures, etc.) were identical over the whole time of the experiment. The concentrations of oxidizable carbon C_ox and its constituents (humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA), and hot-water soluble carbon) are comparable in layers 15-20 cm in both variants. In 0-15 cm and 30-55 cm layers, these concentrations were higher in the MT variant. A similar trend was observed in the colour quotient values of humic substances Q4/6, which indicates increasing condensation of humus substances (HS) at deeper layers in both variants, and it is also confirmed by a humic to fulvic acids ratio HA:FA. Concentrations of SOM fractions were higher (except 15-20 cm layers) in the MT than CT treatment throughout the profile, especially below the 30 cm depth. The SOM did not accumulate markedly in the surface layer of long-term MT treatment.

Soil erosion is recognized as one of the major environmental problems in the hilly red soil region of Jiangxi province, southern China. An eight-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of grass cover in the sloping citrus land on water and sediment runoff. Soil moisture regimes were also analysed based on the in-situ soil moisture measurement. Four treatments were carried out in the runoff plot experiment: (1) no vegetation, bare land (BL); (2) conventional treatment, citrus without grass cover (CK); (3) citrus with strip planting of Bermuda grass (SP); (4) citrus with full cover of Bermuda grass (FC). Results showed that the annual runoff volumes were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced using SP (27.2 mm) and FC (33.0 mm) compared with CK (311.4 mm) and BL (456.7 mm) treatments. The SP and FC treatments significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the annual average sediment yield by as much as 99.38% to 99.67%, compared with CK treatment. Soil moisture variations at the four depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm) were consistent with the seasonal precipitation patterns. Within the soil profile, soil moisture content increased with depth. In 3 of the 4 depths, the soil moisture contents of SP (21.20-27.84 m³/m³, mean value) were the highest. Soil moisture contents of FC (14.92-26.30 m³/m³, mean value) were lower than in SP because of the water consumption by plant transpiration, but were still higher than those of CK (16.03-25.00 m³/m³, mean value). Based on Richards' equation numerical model, optimization tool and observed soil moisture data, actual evapotranspiration was calculated, and water balance analysis was carried out during drought and rain periods. The results indicated that planting grass in sloping citrus land can effectively reduce surface water runoff and soil erosion and increase water infiltration, but the risk of drought, resulting from planting grass, should be noticed. Compared with FC, the drought risk of SP was much lower during the drought period, and SP contributed to storage of more water in the root zone during the rain period. In conclusion, SP was a recommendable treatment.