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Livestock farming is vital to a country's economy, and technological innovations in animal genetics and reproductive biotechnologies are key for environmental and socioeconomic development. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Coffea arabica grounds (CAG) extract on the semen parameters of Fleckvieh cattle. CAG was processed, and its antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, and total phenols assays. Semen was collected from a pedigree bull and analysed macroscopically and microscopically. Different concentrations of CAG (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/ml) were tested at 4, 12, 24, and 36 h post-refrigeration. The study used a completely randomised design with ten replications, and variables such as motility, kinetic parameters, membrane functionality, and acrosomal integrity were analysed. The normal distribution of the variables – motility, kinetic parameters, membrane functionality, and acrosomal integrity – was analysed using the Shapiro-Wilk statistical test (P > 0.05). An analysis of variance was then performed with a significance level of P < 0.05 to compare the means, using InfoStat software. Results showed that 1 mg of CAG significantly improved total motility and progressive motility at 4 h, along with kinetic parameters and membrane integrity. Overall, CAG exhibits antioxidant properties that enhance sperm characteristics, particularly at 1 mg/ml concentration after 4 h of refrigeration. However, further studies are needed to understand better the mechanisms of action and the overall efficacy of CAG as an antioxidant agent in this specific context.

Eucalyptus plantations are an important source of raw materials for the Thai forest products industry. Despite its economic value, only a few noncomprehensive papers have been published about the wood properties and fungal susceptibility of eucalyptus. Our study covered the most commonly used commercial eucalyptus clones with a wide variety of sizes from eastern Thailand. We assumed that the properties of the clones would differ based on the tree sizes. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of diameter at breast height (DBH), size, and clone type on wood properties and mould susceptibility. The optimal usage of each log characteristic based on the log quality and properties could be used to determine the maximum payoff. The wood properties and log characteristics of five eucalyptus log classes with three clones were investigated. In general, the levels of means and standard deviations were as follows: the modulus of rupture (MOR) was between 39 ± 4.9 MPa and 66 ± 5.4 MPa, and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) was between 14.5 ± 9.7 GPa and 24.0 ± 2.7 GPa. In addition, the compression parallel to the grain was between 28 ± 3.2 MPa and 43 ± 2.4 MPa, and the compression perpendicular to the grain was between 13 ± 0.7 MPa and 19 ± 1.1 MPa. The shear strength parallel to the grain was between 10 ± 0.3 MPa and 14 ± 0.6 MPa. The cleavage and hardness were from 4.7 ± 1.6 N to 7.4 ± 0.9 N and from 3.6 ± 0.3 kN to 6.2 ± 0.6 kN, respectively. The toughness and nail withdrawal were from 27.3 ± 3.5 kN·mm^–1 to 50.5 ± 1.0 kN·mm^–1 and from 28.56 ± 4.1 N·mm^–1 to 34.52 ± 2.8 N·mm^–1, respectively. Eucalyptus clone K7 had lower MOR and other mechanical properties than clones K58 and K62 except MOE. When DBH increased, the mechanical and physical property values increased as well. This happened for all clones, and especially when DBH was over 200 mm. The results of this study showed that log characteristics, such as taper, slenderness, and crookedness, should be used for log grading standards and that each fast-growing eucalyptus clone could be applied to different product classes.

Peripheral nerve sheath tumours (PNSTs) are rare in the mammary glands of dogs. Here, we report a case of a schwannoma, composed of two parts, of the mammary gland of a dog. The first part consists of clusters of uncircumscribed, alternating, more concentrated and looser regions. In the more concentrated parts, typical fascicularly arranged schwannoma intermingle in plexiform arrangement, more subtle in appearance than in neuronal tumour areas. The second part undergoes regression consisting predominantly of residual shorter rosettes of cells with the presence of a peculiar variably sized swirling of target-like formations consisting of compact, thicker, pinkish lamellae also with occasional adjacent cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells are positive for evidence of vimentin and neuro-specific enolase. They exhibit the variable expression of the S-100 protein, show mild CD56 positivity, and focally mildly accentuated proliferative activity as assessed by Ki-67. The tumour elements are negative for evidence of cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, and oestrogen receptors. Hybrid tumours may change their morphology in combination with atypical localisation and may be underdiagnosed in veterinary biopsy practice. They differ from epithelial tumours prognostically, as well as in their development and behaviour, therefore it is essential to clearly differentiate them.

Biochar plays an important role in agricultural production as it can improve soil fertility, promote nutrient adsorption and enhance plant growth. However, the distribution of biochar in the soil significantly impacts its application effect. In order to investigate the impact of non-uniform biochar distribution on soil nutrient uptake, root shape, peanut development, and the makeup of soil microbial communities, we carried out greenhouse peanut pot studies. This experiment followed a completely randomised design with four treatments, each with three replications. The four treatments were as follows: no biochar application (B0); concentrated biochar application near seeds (B1); relatively concentrated surface application of biochar (B2), and uniformly dispersed application of biochar (B3). The findings demonstrated that, compared to the no-biochar scenario, the aboveground and root nitrogen uptake was significantly (P < 0.05) improved by the B2 treatment, increasing by 42.79% and 51.39%, respectively, compared to the control group. Additionally, it reduced the concentrations of NO₃^–-N and NH₄⁺-N in the soil. The B2 treatment also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the net photosynthetic rate and aboveground dry matter weight, increasing by 196.85% and 53.96%, respectively, compared to the B0 treatment. The B1 and B3 treatments also demonstrated a higher promoting effect. The growth of the root system and the quantity of root nodules were promoted by the addition of biochar. The number of root nodules in the B2 treatment was 72.22% higher than that in the control group. In terms of microbial and bacterial communities, the addition of biochar increased the number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to a certain extent, while the relative abundance of soil bacterial communities showed no significant differences. In general, the non-uniform distribution of biochar in the soil significantly affected peanuts’ vegetative growth and developmental effects. The relatively concentrated surface application of biochar treatments contributes to improving plant nutrient uptake and root system development. This provides a more effective application method for agricultural personnel to apply biochar fertiliser in the future.

Achieving the desired level of caramelisation in a date powder requires considerable effort. Consequently, an assessment was conducted on efficacy of thin-layer infrared dehydration for date paste. Various parameters were considered, including airflow velocities of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m·s^–1, radiation intensities of 0.076, 0.1528, and 0.228 W·cm^–2, and date paste layer thicknesses of 3 mm and 5 mm. The study's findings indicated a positive correlation between drying rate and lowering airflow velocity and a negative correlation between drying time and decreasing airflow velocity, the thickness of date paste, and rising intensity of infrared. The effective moisture diffusivity (D_eff) was caculated by employing Fick's diffusion equation. For all situations under investigation, the mean values were within the range of 3.94 × 10^–11 m²·s^–1 to 6.01 × 10^–10 m²·s^–1. A relationship has been established between D_eff and moisture content. Seven distinct mathematical models were subjected to rigorous validation by applying non-linear regression analysis, aiming to accurately characterise the drying process of date paste. The modified two-term model provided the most accurate forecast of the drying process for date paste layers.

One major challenge in the continuous growth of the livestock industry is the increased emission of odorous gases, which is not just a nuisance but also a cause of serious health and environmental concerns. Several strategies which aim to: (i) reduce the formation of odorous gases; (ii) enhance dispersion of odour; (iii) capture odour and gases to prevent escape to the environment; and (iv) reduce odour and gaseous concentrations, are developed. These are achieved with the use or employment of one or more of: (i) diet manipulation techniques; (ii) additives and adsorbents; (iii) covers; (iv) shelterbelts or windbreaks; (v) ventilation systems; (vi) biofilters; and (vii) air scrubber. The advantages and limitations of each of these strategies are discussed in this review in order to guide the choice of which strategy to use in a specific livestock application. Moreover, this review also discusses potential researchable areas in the field of odour control in livestock facilities.

Herbivorous ungulate diets affect population performance and overall forest health through balanced interactions on plant-herbivore relations; therefore, understanding them is critical. Faeces are frequently used in ungulate nutritional ecology because they can provide information about animals’ digestive efficiency. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) have different morpho-physiological and ecological constraints, and these differences should be reflected in their faeces. On the other hand, the lack of information about the animal (sex, age, reproductive status, diet selection, etc.) may be challenging for such studies. This study aimed to detect species’ different susceptibility to these factors reflected in animals’ faeces. Thus, we hypothesised that near-infrared reflectance spectrometry (NIRS) could distinguish between the faecal nutrients of two cervids. We collected 94 usable faeces from both species along the forest transect in Bohemian forests in the Czech Republic, covering 2 500 ha. Roe and red deer overlap was determined using the four faecal nutritional components on two axes. No discrimination occurred, refuting our hypothesis and highlighting that out-of-control variables are critical for faecal studies in uncontrolled settings. Fibrous parts explained the most variance (48%), indicating animals’ strong reliance on nutrition quality. Apparently, uncontrolled supplementary feeding produced similar faecal nutrient outcomes during the nutrition-limiting winter, which was theoretically supported by the animal’s response to predation and hunting pressure. The inability of NIRS to identify the source of N in faeces may also explain the lack of discrimination.

This paper aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on small family farms in Visegrad countries and to provide evidence of how they have responded and coped with the crisis. We conducted our investigation using an exploratory qualitative research design based on 86 semistructured in-depth interviews with owners or responsible managers, and explored the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on different areas of their businesses, such as human resources, supplier-customer relations, production, distribution channels or strategies, price of inputs and outputs and business models. Our findings showed that small family farms have been resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several negative impacts were identified, such as a decrease in sales due to the closure of accommodation and restaurant services, delays in the supply of inputs, and minor problems with the availability of workers, but those were perceived to be moderate. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created not only difficult challenges but also opportunities for small farms. Based on our findings, three main recommendations regarding the adaptability and resilience of family farms in Visegrad countries have been formulated: i) the importance of a diversification strategy, ii) selling through short supply chains, and iii) digitalisation of agriculture.

In this study, the effects of vitamin D₃ (Vit. D) and a stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L. (UD)) extract were examined using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods in the stomach tissues of an experimentally created rat model of CD. The CD model was created using trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The animals in the study were divided into control, TNBS, TNBS+Vit. D, and TNBS+UD groups. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanised and their stomach tissues were evaluated for necrosis, degeneration, apoptosis, and inflammation. Additionally, an immunohistochemical method was applied to determine the somatostatin (SSTR), aquaporin-1 (AQP-1), caspase-3, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) immunoreactivity in the gastric tissues. In the evaluations, degenerative and necrotic changes and mononuclear cell infiltration areas were observed in the TNBS group, but such changes could be improved with Vit. D and UD applications. The results suggest that the combination of the Vit. D and UD extract may have a protective and therapeutic role in mitigating TNBS-induced damage to the gastric tissues, potentially through the regulation of SSTR, AQP-1, caspase-3, and TNF-α expression. This indicates a promising avenue for further research and the exploration of these compounds in the context of gastrointestinal health.

Multiple primary malignant tumours (MPMTs) are multiple neoplasms with independent pathogenetic origins, placing great importance on the tumorigenesis and clinical treatment. However, due to the rare occurrence and diagnostic confusion, MPMTs have rarely been investigated in veterinary medicine. In this report, a 10-year-old intact female Maltese dog had MPMTs, consisting of two malignant tumours and one benign tumour each derived from a topographically different site: tubular carcinoma in the mammary glands, leiomyosarcoma in the uterus and sebaceous epithelioma in the cheek. The unique combination of MPMTs would be the first case in veterinary research to give insight into the diagnosis, disease characteristics, and surgical treatment.

Powdery mildew (PM) is a fungus that causes disease in both the field and the greenhouse. Utilizing resistant cultivars is the most effective approach of disease management. To develop insertion-deletion (InDel) markers associated to this trait, the whole genomes of the PM resistant line M17050 (P1) and the PM-susceptible line 28-1-1 (P2) were sequenced. A total of 1 200 InDels, with an average of 100 markers per chromosome, were arbitrarily chosen from the sequencing data for experimental validation. One hundred InDel markers were ultimately selected due to their informative genetic bands. Further, an F₂ segregating population of melons generated from these two parents was inoculated by the PM pathogen. Based on bulk segregant analysis (BSA) using these 100 InDel markers, the powdery mildew resistance was associated with the genomic region LVpm12.1 on the melon chromosome 12. This region overlapped the previously described quantitative trait locus (QTL)-hotspot area carrying multiple PM-resistance QTLs. Moreover, conventional QTL mapping analysis was done, which located LVpm12.1 in the region between 22.72 and 23.34 Mb, where three highly polymorphic InDel markers MInDel89, MInDel92, and MInDel93 were detected. Therefore, these markers could be used to track this resistance locus in melon while the lines carrying this locus could be employed in PM melon resistance breeding programs after validation tests.

In recent years, the external shock represented by COVID-19 has caused significant fluctuations in global corn prices. Based on the weekly data on international corn prices from 2020 to 2023, this paper constructs autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) class and time-varying parameter – vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) models. After analysing the characteristics of corn price fluctuations, it further analyses the influence of external uncertainties such as COVID-19, international finance, the corn futures market, and international exports of corn on corn price fluctuations. The results show that international corn price fluctuations always have significant asymmetry. Nevertheless, the influence of past changes on the future will gradually disappear, and the corn market is not characterised by high risk and high return because of the phenomenon of flat or declining absolute returns during the periods of high volatility. All the selected external shocks also have a time-varying impact on corn price fluctuations, and there are differences in the impact size, impact direction, and impact duration. The external shocks led by COVID-19 had a transmission effect on other factors and then affected corn price fluctuations.

Drought stress is one of the major threats to food security in the climate change scenario. Reducing the deleterious impacts of drought stress on the productivity of cereal crops is crucial. Hence, limited information has been available about the effect of the combined use of plant growth regulators and mineral fertilisers on promoting drought tolerance in maize seedlings. In this study, a pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of sole or combined application of silicon (Si) and putrescine (Put) to mitigate the detrimental effects of drought on maize. The experimental treatments were, i.e. control (CK), water spray, 4.0 mmol Si, 0.5 mmol Put, and 4.0 mmol Si + 0.5 mmol Put on maize crop grown at two different water-holding capacity levels (80% well-water condition and 40% drought stress). The experiment was arranged in a complete randomised design with factorial arrangements having three replications. Exposure of maize plants to drought stress at the reproductive phase (VT-tasseling) reduced the photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b, relative water contents, leaf area, yield and yield attributes. However, foliar application of Si and Put individually and Si + Put dramatically reduced these negative effects by improving photosynthetic pigments, relative water contents, and activities of enzymatic antioxidant defence. Drought stress-induced lipid peroxidation in the form of more production of malondialdehyde content, hydrogen peroxide and electrolyte leakage significantly declined due to the combined application of Si and Put compared to the respective control. Drought stress boosted the activities of key enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase) irrespective of the treatment application. Moreover, it was noted that the accumulation of osmolytes (proline and soluble protein) contents was increased by the combined application of Si and Put. Under drought stress conditions, combined foliar application of Si and Put considerably improved 22.70% cob length, 12.77% number of grains per cob, and 18.30% 100-grain weight, which ultimately enhanced maize’s 10.29% grain yield. From the current study’s findings, it was concluded that a combined foliar spray of silicon and putrescine at the reproductive phase is an effective strategy to enhance the maize yield in drought-prone areas.

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a vector-borne viral disease caused by the RNA virus which belongs to the genus Ephemerovirus and the family Rhabdoviridae. To evaluate the effect of the risk factors like the breed of cattle and buffaloes, age, sex, lactation, housing and region on the bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) prevalence, ELISA and virus neutralisation (VN) tests (n = 600) were performed for the BEFV prevalence. The seroprevalence in cattle was 45.6% and 42% by ELISA and VN, respectively (P = 0.001). The breed-wise seropositive ratio was (55–64%) in cattle and (22.5–18.3%) in buffaloes by VN and ELISA. The sex-wise prevalence was (40–49.4%) in females and (35.8–46%) in males by VN and ELISA in cattle and a similar prevalence was reported in buffaloes. The age-wise prevalence in bovines by ELISA was 5.33, 22.66 and 17.66% in the age group < 1 year, 1–3 years and > 3 years, respectively. The disease prevalence was higher in the age group of 1–3 years. The prevalence was higher during the 3^rd lactation in bovines. The region-wise prevalence was higher in the 07 districts while lower (18–21%) in Rawalpindi District by VN and ELISA, respectively (P = 0.001). Commercial dairy farms of cattle showed a higher disease prevalence (52% and 44%) than non-commercial farms (38% and 36%) by ELISA and VN, respectively (P = 0.227). Exotic cows showed higher disease prevalence (76.67% and 70%) by ELISA and VN. The mortality in bovines was 5% (7.7% and 2.3%) in the cattle and buffaloes. The case fatality of BEFV in bovines was 12.25%. There was a significant effect of the risk factors like the breed, age, sex, lactation, housing and region on the BEFV prevalence. This is the first comprehensive study of BEFV in Pakistan.

This study investigated the impact of deltamethrin (DM) toxicity on brown trout (Salmo trutta fario), examining its effects on the immune system, including the white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (Lym), total immunoglobulin (T. Ig), and lysozyme levels, as well as its neurotoxic consequences on the brain tissue. The neurotoxic effects encompassed oxidative stress, the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, such as the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and DNA damage using 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The DM exposure led to elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-OHdG, while concurrently causing a reduction in the AChE activity, protein and lipid content, WBC count, Lym, lysozyme activity, T. Ig levels, as well as the SOD and CAT levels in the brain tissues of groups 2 and 3 when compared to those in group 1. In summary, the findings of this study strongly indicate that DM induces DNA damage, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity in the brain tissue of brown trout, primarily due to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the observed dose-dependent responses of DM to the environmental concentrations on all the investigated parameters suggest its potential utility in aquaculture risk assessment.

Afforestation of agriculturally used land has many benefits which are described in different publications. As stated in these publications, afforestation of agricultural land can influence soil water content because of rainfall interception and concentration, transpiration, and properties of forest floor layer and soil; also, hydraulic lift may occur. In this study, we attempted to find changes in volumetric soil water content values (at depths of 20 cm, 40 cm, and 60 cm) on agriculturally used land afforested with a mixture of forest tree species (Quercus robur L., Quercus rubra L., and Acer platanoides L.) or Pinus sylvestris L. in the year 2011 (and on agriculturally used land = control). This study was performed in the period from the end of March 2021 to the beginning of April 2022. In this study, we proved our hypothesis on the reduction of volumetric soil water content after afforestation; it is probably because of higher rainfall interception and evapotranspiration as described in different studies. Concerning the afforestation, the average volumetric water content was higher on the plot afforested with broadleaves compared with Scots pine. It was especially in the period after defoliation when the proportion of throughfall (and stemflow) increased on the plot with broadleaves. Our results indicate a higher water-storage capacity of forests compared with agriculturally used land. During the leafless period, this capacity was found to be higher after afforestation with Scots pine.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary levels of soluble and insoluble fibre on the performance and digestive development of slow-growing broilers during the starter period. A total of 400 one-day-old Isa Label^TM male chicks were used that were distributed in a completely randomized factorial design 2 × 2 + 1 (inclusion of 2% or 4% of corncobs as a source of insoluble fibre IF and citrus pulp as a source of soluble fibre (SF); and a control treatment) with eight replicates of 10 birds each. The addition of IF to diets improved the weight gain and feed conversion of broilers at 7 and 21 days of age. Both fibre sources added to diets resulted in higher relative weights of proventriculus + gizzard, liver, small and large intestine. The diets containing an SF source presented positive effects on the duodenal mucosa. In addition, positive effects on the caecal villus to crypt ratio were observed in broilers fed diets containing different types of fibre. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of IF up to 4% maintains the performance, nutrient metabolism and improves the development of the proventriculus + gizzard in slow-growing broilers. However, for improving the morphological and histomorphological parameters of slow-growing broilers in the starter phase the addition of SF sources is recommended.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are artificially synthesized substances that control growth, development, and other various physiological processes in plants. Synthesized auxins, ethylene, abscisic acid, cytokinin, and gibberellins are only a few of the key PGRs that have been studied and used for quite a long period of time. brassinosteroids, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, CPPU (N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea), putrescine, hexanal, triacontanol, melatonin, and other chemicals have been added to the list of PGRs. These PGRs can be considered the new generation of plant growth regulators. These relatively novel hormones are critical for a plant’s growth and development. They aid in the increase of not only the quantity (fruit set, length, weight, yield, volume, pulp percentage, and so on) but also the quality of fruit crops (fruit colour, firmness, total soluble solids, total sugar, ascorbic acid content, etc). They also help to prolong the shelf life of certain fruits and minimize the losses after harvesting. As a result, these new-generation PGRs can be used to boost an orchard’s productivity and income while minimizing pre and post-harvest losses to the greatest extent possible. Hence, this extensive review discusses the impact of these new-generation PGRs on fruit crops.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a superior-quality perennial legume forage crop cultivated in China. However, fertiliser applications and the environmental factors affecting alfalfa yield and quality have not been well documented. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis using a dataset from 105 studies published between 2003 and 2023 to explore the effects of fertiliser application and environmental factors on the yield and quality of alfalfa. The results showed that compared to the non-fertiliser control levels, fertiliser application increased alfalfa yield by 24.61% and improved the quality of alfalfa by increasing crude protein by 11.63% and decreasing acid detergent fibre by 7.69% and neutral detergent fibre by 6.76%. Alfalfa yield and the crude protein effect size increased with increasing altitude but decreased with increasing latitude based on fertiliser application. The acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre effect size were positively correlated with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation. In conclusion, applying fertiliser is a productive approach to enhance the yield and grade of alfalfa, but environmental factors have an effect. This study provides comprehensive information on fertiliser applications and environmental factors that affect alfalfa yield and quality. These results provide insight into further improving alfalfa yield and quality and contribute to the development of alfalfa.

Porang (Amorphophallus muelleri) is  an Indonesian parental plant tuber developed vegetatively from bulbils during dormancy and harvested through petiole detachment for the industrial production of glucomannan. Pathogenic fungi and whiteflies can cause infection during harvesting and storage, destructing plant cells as well as reducing seed quality and crop yields. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a calibration model for detecting infected and non-infected porang bulbils using a computer vision system. Image parameters such as colour (red, green, blue – RGB and hue, saturation, intensity – HSI), texture (contrast, homogeneity, correlation, energy, and entropy), and dimensions (width, area, and height) were evaluated on 90 samples in three positions. The results showed that the majority of image quality properties were significantly associated with non–infected and infected porang bulbils as showed by Pearson correlation values of 0.901 and 0.943, respectively. Discriminant analysis based on image attributes effectively classified non-infected and infected seedlings, achieving a model accuracy of 97.0% for correctly classified cross-validated grouped cases. Therefore, computer vision can be used for the preliminary detection of fungal infection in porang bulbils, as evidenced by its high accuracy and outstanding model performance.

This study aimed to examine the antifungal effects of nine monoterpenes on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum via the mycelial growth rate method. The effects of carvacrol on the morphological structures of hyphae were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oxalic acid (OA), total protein contents, and the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes, including chitinase, cellulase and β-1,3-glucanase, were assessed. The results showed that the antifungal rates of carvacrol, thymol and eugenol reached 100% at a concentration of 400 mg/L, and the EC50 values of carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol were 43.40, 56.22, and 86.63 mg/L, respectively. The treatment of S. sclerotiorum with carvacrol had no significant effect on sclerotia formation, but the mycelial surface was shrivelled, uneven and broken, with cytoplasm flowing out. The OA content of S. sclerotiorum was significantly reduced to 133.78 µg/mL after treatment with carvacrol. Additionally, the total protein content of S. sclerotiorum mycelia in the carvacrol treatment group was significantly reduced to 15.67 µg/mL compared with that of the control group, and the activity of cellulase in the carvacrol treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group.

The paper deals with a new method of innovative assessment of the supported effects and ecosystem services of forests using the actual amount of their increased costs. Among the most important research findings and significance of the new method is that it contributes to the body of knowledge on valuation and payment for ecosystem services. The focus of the research task is to help address the current difficult economic situation of forest owners resulting from the impacts of climate change. The study aims to determine what work quantifies the amount of compensation for the provision of supported ecosystem services that is sufficient for owners by using hypothesis testing. The evaluation of the supported effects was carried out in a case study in the area of the Chrudim-Podhůra Recreational Forests in the Czech Republic. The results of the evaluation were quantified in two experimental spreadsheets of the results, a comparative analysis of the evaluation results was performed, and hypothesis testing was conducted. The innovative methodological approach to the assessment of supported effects can be easily modified and used to assess the actual amount of increased costs of other ecosystem services of the forest.

Due to an increasing risk of further damage to forests, forest managers are considering introducing an alternative direction for their future development – via the cultivation of mixed forests. At middle altitudes in the Czech Republic, an oak-beech-linden stand is the most natural type, and we tried to answer three main questions: (i) How the various thinning types affect dendrometric parameters and quality of the stand; (ii) How long thinning works on this stand until it loses its effect; (iii) How the stand develops spontaneously after abandonment. This experiment was conducted at the Training Forest Enterprise in the Czech Republic in Drahanská vrchovina (highlands in central Moravia). In 1988, four plots were established in a 49-year-old stand where, in three of the plots, different types of thinning (crown, low and heavy crown) were performed, leaving one (reference plot) to develop naturally. The height, the height of the crown base and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured, and the shape and quality of the trunk and crown were estimated on each tree. Measurements were carried out in 1989, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. In the first 10 years, the DBH and height of the crown base did not show any differences, and the linden at the heavy crown plot outgrew the linden trees at the other plots in height. After these 10 years, the thickest linden, the tallest beech and linden, and the greatest height of the crown base of beech and linden were all found at the heavy crown plot. The shape and quality of the trunks and crowns of beech, oak and linden were similar in all plots (including the reference plot) during the entire experiment. After thinning, the plots were left to grow spontaneously. The heavy crown thinning removed a greater number of thicker trees at the middle level, thus supporting the trees growing in the lower part of the middle level and in the below level (i.e. the beech and linden). These trees then grew more quickly compared to the others, but their quality decreased, as did that of the others. Therefore, a forest left to grow and develop spontaneously is practically unusable for commercial purposes.

This study aimed to obtain buckwheat bread by adding whole buckwheat to the white bread formulation in groat and flour form. The addition was made in different proportions (0, 10, 20, and 30%) according to the principle of substitution. Buckwheat addition, as groat, increased the bread's hardness to a great extent. Moisture analysis results indicated that the buckwheat additive can increase the water-holding capacity and may extend the shelf life, especially in flour form. The samples' antioxidant activities and phenolic content significantly increased when the addition was made as flour. All buckwheat-added samples had lower volume values than control samples. Buckwheat addition caused an increase in volatile components such as phenylethanol and benzylalcohol. As a result of sensory analysis, using buckwheat as flour and groat positively affected breadmaking. Considering the samples' nutritional and sensory properties, the combination in which 20% buckwheat flour is added to the white bread formulation is the most appropriate use.

Drought is one of the environmental stresses that threaten food availability. It results in decreased crop yields and developments and diminishes overall plant health. Chemical solutions for alleviating drought stress may be harmful to the environment. Using an alternative, microorganisms help counter the effects of drought stress. Endophytes have a mutualistic relationship with the host as they provide protection and get nutrients. Fungal endophytes assist plants in countering the damaging results of drought stress by producing phytohormones and growth-promoting compounds that promote root and shoot growth and enhance crop productivity. Inoculating maize plants with endophytic fungi like Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium sp. have a higher chance of surviving drought stress. These organisms can increase root length, allowing moisture to reach deeper into the soil. This review explores endophytic fungi's roles in alleviating drought stress’s consequences on plants. More investigations should be carried out on the favourable effects of fungal endophytes in the mitigation of drought stress through pot and field inoculation.

Increasing the proportion of broadleaved trees in stands during regeneration raises questions about how these trees will be reflected in the economics of forest owners and whether these owners can influence certain economic aspects during stand management. In this respect, the paper focuses mainly on the revenue side of forestry and, crucially, analyses the selling prices of assortments of tree species groups as offered in public tenders of state forests under the outsourcing business model. The price level of spruce is used as a benchmark for comparisons in the analyses. It is clear that the cultivation of species-diverse forests entails an increase in the representation of a higher number of tree species and, presumably, increased stand stability. However, a concomitant consequence may be an increase in costs and a reduction in returns for forest owners. Here, the revenue from timber sales can be improved by appropriate adjustment of the species composition through educational interventions. All this is in the context of the economic viability of forestry, as declared in a number of strategic and forest policy documents, which essentially depends on the timber production function of forestry and the subsequent processing of timber.

At the soil level, earthworms are key indicators of water-related processes which help soils to accept, retain, release and transmit water by influencing the soil structure through their burrowing, casts, and drilosphere. The water repellency is an indicator of soil structure stability both for the natural soil and for the earthworm casts (bioturbated soil). The water repellency of earthworm casts is a complex property that should be approached both at ecological and functional level in earthworm categorization because this cast property influences the transport and flow processes in soil, such as those of water, nutrients, pollutants, and gas diffusion. The earthworms have been described as bioremediators of soil water repellency. Casts of the earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris collected from an urban green space have been analysed for particle size composition (texture), organic carbon (OC) content and CaCO₃ content in relation to their water repellency (the hydrophobicity). The findings of this study showed that the main drivers determining the water repellency of the casts of L. terrestris, as indicator of their structural stability, are chemical (the contents of OC and respectively CaCO₃) and physical (contents of clay, silt and fine sand). The water repellency (hydrophobicity) of the casts decreased with their content of clay and silt and increased with their content of organic matter and CaCO₃. The hydrophobicity of earthworm casts is in direct positive relation with their previous water accumulation, i.e. the current penetration time of water increases or decreases if the previous penetration time of the water increased or decreased, respectively. The water drop penetration times indicated that the analysed earthworm casts were slightly water-repellent. A small to medium degree of water repellency has been mostly reported as appropriate for the aggregate stability of the soil.

Rising CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere is a matter of global concern and poses apprehension about how plants will adapt to the changing environment. Various studies have proved that under high CO₂ levels, plant physiology alters and affects plant functioning. However, under elevated CO₂, the stomatal characters and their relation with physiological responses are still not yet clear. To find out these changes in the stomatal parameters at ambient and two elevated CO₂ (550 ppm and 700 ppm) levels, four genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) viz. DHM-117, Harsha, Varun and M-24 were grown in open-top chambers. In the study, it was observed that the stomatal density increased, stomatal size altered, stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rate (T_r) decreased under elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) while photosynthetic rate (Pn), water use efficiency (WUE), yield and biomass, of which especially the reproductive biomass increased. Under eCO₂, stomatal and physiological changes were genotypic and CO₂ concentration specific. Increased stomatal density at eCO₂ was mainly due to increased abaxial stomatal density. The improved P_n and reduced T_r at 550 ppm improved the WUE in the plants, while this response was not observed at 700 ppm. These results elucidate that this C4 crop responded positively to up to 550 ppm of CO₂ concentrations, and beyond this, the impact was minimal.

Water erosion poses a significant threat to more than 50% of agricultural land in the Czech Republic. Maize (Zea mays L.) is particularly susceptible to soil erosion, with the bare soil space between maize rows exposed to erosive agents. Intercropping has emerged as a potential solution to mitigate soil erosion risks in maize cultivation. A series of soil erosion field experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2023 using natural rainfall to investigate the influence of selected intercrop mixtures during the growing season on sediment yields and surface runoff volume. The results revealed a gradual decrease in surface runoff volume and sediment yields over the growing season. Significantly reduced surface runoff volume and soil loss were observed in two tested intercropped plots S2 – rye (Secale cereale) and incarnate clover (Trifolium incarnatum); S3 – ryegrass only (Lolium)), compared to a control plot managed conventionally with maize (S1). Surface runoff volume and soil loss from S2 and S3 reached 2.57–43.5% and 1.26–11.65% of the control plot, respectively. These findings highlight the soil conservation effect of intercrop technologies (S2 and S3) in mitigating soil erosion in maize cultivation. The importance of vegetation cover in reducing soil erosion intensified over time. Intercropping holds promise as a sustainable agricultural management strategy for sloping maize fields.

This study describes a case of poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids in a horse. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of Senecio ovatus poisoning. A six-year-old 450-kg Irish cob mare was presented to the Equine Clinic of the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno (Czechia) with symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, which progressively worsened with time despite intensive therapy and led to euthanasia. A complex diagnostic and therapeutic approach including the post-mortem patoanatomical and histopathological examination is described here. Regarding the histopathology of the liver, there was necrosis with haemorrhage, fatty changes and inflammation. A later inspection of the grazing area revealed the presence of Senecio ovatus (wood ragwort). A sensitive chromatographic method was used to determine the pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their metabolites in the plasma and the liver. In both of the samples, metabolites of pyrrolizidine alkaloids were detected. Although pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning was proven, the histopathological findings typical for this disease were absent. It is clear from our case that the histopathology in cases of poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids may not always be conclusive.