MendelNet, 2017 (vol. 24)

Nitrogen fertilization cannot be used by actual needs of plants during vegetation in organic farming. The proper crop rotation and harmonic nutrition are necessary for good and quality products. The methods of treatment are mainly realized by cultivation of green manure crop and fertilizing by organic fertilizers. The aim of the long-term experiment was to evaluate the effect of different localities and different organic fertilizers on crop yield in organic farming. Variants of fertilization included in the experiment are: 1. Unfertilized control, 2. Green manure, 3. Green manure + renewable external sources, 4. Green manure + renewable external sources + auxiliary substances, 5. Green manure + farm fertilizers, 6. Green manure + farm fertilizers + auxiliary substances. Potatoes were fertilized and planted in experimental years 2015-2016. Winter wheat – spelt was sown in the experimental year 2016-2017 and there were no fertilization with organic fertilizers in this year. Average yield of potatoes was the highest after combination with green manure + renewable external sources (compost + digestate) + auxiliary substances. This variant achieved yield about 34.1 t/ha, which is increased by 9.4 t/ha compared to the control variant. The highest yield of spelt was observed on the variant with green manure + farm fertilizers. This variant achieved yield about 5.5 t/ha, which is increased by 0.7 t/ha compared to the unfertilized variant. The result from this experiment indicated that farming without livestock may be similar to the production with livestock. However, these results are obtained only from two experimental years. Statistical difference of achieved yields was observed between each experimental station in both experimental years.

Different sulphur fertilizers and influence of their foliar application on biomass yield of soybean were determined in vegetation pot experiment. Variants of fertilization included in the experiment were: 1. Control variant, 2. Thiosulphate sulphur, 3. Elemental sulphur and 4. Polysulphide sulphur. The significant highest average yield of biomass, 198 g per pot, was obtained after fertilization with thiosulphate sulphur. Thiosulphate sulphur has increased yield of biomass by 48 g per pot (almost 32%) compared to unfertilized control variant. Content of nitrogen in plants detected 20 days after fertilization was also highest on thiosulphate variant. Content of nitrogen detected in plants fertilized by thiosulphate variant was 0.92%, which is by 0.06% more compared to nitrogen content in unfertilized plants. The effect of elemental sulphur on yield of soybean biomass was not statistically different in comparison with control variant.

Vineyards create a very interesting ecosystem with very specific conditions for vegetation. The purpose of this work is to compile a list of species growing in vineyards of the wine village Žabčice and Unkovice. During the monitoring of the vineyards of the Žabčice and Unkovice wine villages, 102 plant species were found. The most occuring species were: Lolium perenne, Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Arrhenatherum elatius, Achillea millefolium, Setaria pumila, Convolvulus arvensis, Portulaca oleracea, Plantago lanceolata, Calamagrostis epigejos, Potentilla erecta a Cirsium arvense.

The aim of the paper is to establish and determine the species composition of plants that are able to sustain themselves in an active landfill in Nětčice cadastral area. Two areas were selected within the land with the actively used part of the landfill. Municipal waste is deposited in the first area, and biowaste is deposited in the second area. The evaluation of the vegetation was carried out using the phytosociological methods. The evaluation of the coverage of the species found in the selected habitats was performed using a redundancy analysis (RDA). Altogether 77 plant species were found. The plants in landfills can have an affect even on the surrounding ecosystems. Deep-rooting species, species whose seeds are spread by the wind and entomophilous plants can be problematic. The most commonly found species were Digitaria sanguinalis, Artemisia vulgaris, Medicago lupulina and Trifolium hybridum.

The circumference increment assessment of Norway spruce focused on the effect of inter-tree competition in the mature spruce stand was made at the study site of Rájec (Drahanská vrchovina Highland) over a 5-year period. Data were collected from 49 trees, which were monitored continuously with mechanical band dendrometers from 2010 to 2014. The dependency of the circumference increment on competition index, diameter at breast height, Lang’s rain factor, mean temperature of various periods and sum of precipitation of various periods was evaluated. Climatic conditions of the study site are characterised with warm and wet summers and cold-dry winters. In 5 years average around 61 % of the annual precipitation falls during growing season. There was highly significant correlation between relative increment and temperature (p=2.324^e-13) and significant correlation between relative increment and precipitation (p=0.0439). These results confirmed that inter-tree competition and diameter at breast height are sufficient variables for circumference increment estimation of unmeasured trees in the particular year. Coefficient of determination reached 0.25 – 0.63 for competition and 0.40 – 0.84 for tree diameter at breast height. The present investigation brings important results about tree growth and seasonal growth dynamics and its relation with competition and microclimatic conditions in mature spruce stand.

The article evaluates the weed species composition in selected agri-environmental measures - bio-belts. In order to determine the weed species spectrum, vegetation plots were recorded on selected land blocks located in the cadastral area of Sobůlky in the South Moravian Region. Bio-belts were founded in April 2017. The evaluation of vegetation was carried out in June 2017. Crops of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) were sown on the land blocks. Chenopodium album, Cirsium arvense, Papaver rhoeas and Helianthus tuberosus were found as the most common weeds or dominants in biobelts. The differences in weed species between plots in bio-belts and in close or distant arable land are presented.

Influence of different straw management practices (SH – straw harvested; SI – straw incorporated; SB – straw burning) onto carbon stock and humic substances quality was studied. Stationary long-term field experiment was conducted at the Mendel University School Enterprise in Žabčice (under the guidance of Dept. of Agrosystems and Bioclimatology). Object of study was Fluvi-Eutric Gleysol under spring barley monoculture carried out in the long-term field stationary experiment since autumn 1969. Oxidimetric titration method was applied for organic carbon determination (soil samples was obtained almost after 50 years of trial). Fractionation of humic substances was determined by short fractionation method. Differences in total organic carbon content under different straw management were found out. Humic substances quality was higher under straw burning and incorporated to compare with straw harvesting. Statistically significant differences were achieved at p ≤ 0.05.

Basic soil properties such as porosity, soil reaction and humic substances content and quality were evaluated in Haplic Luvisol (Uhřice, Czech Republic) after conversion of ploughing soil into permanent grassland and forest. Soil porosity was calculated from physical cores. Soil reaction was measured by potentiometric method. Humic substances content was determined by short fractionation method. Generally, Haplic Luvisol (arable soil) was assessed as a high productive agriculture soil with good porosity, good humus content and quality, loamy textured, with weakly acid reaction, and high in nutrients content. Under different management systems all of studied properties have gradually changed. Three years of permanent grassland showed increasing of total organic carbon and humic substances content, which means potential for organic carbon accumulation increased. On the other hand there are some negative consequences of intensive soil exploitation such as pedocompation, decreasing of porosity and acidification after conversion. Statistically significant differences were found between arable soil and forest three years after conversion.

This paper deals with the evaluation of changes in land use in the cadastral area of Věteřov (Hodonín district). The aim was to find out how the use of land changed in the historical period 1845–1948–1990–2000–2015. The ecological stability of the cadastral area Věteřov was also evaluated in the article. An analysis of the data obtained from the Database of Long-term Changes in land Use of the Czech Republic was carried out. Changes were observed in the development of land use. A significant decrease of meadows occurred in the cadastral area of Věteřov. The area of the meadows was 17.60 ha in 1845, whereas no meadows were recorded in the area in 1990, 2000 and 2015. In the case of permanent culture, pastures, water areas, built-up areas and other areas, there was a slight increase in their area between 1845 and 2015. Ecological stability was determined using the Miklós (1986) and Míchal (1994) method. The results showed the differences between two methodologies. The calculation of the ecological stability coefficient according to Miklós showed almost no differences. The value of the ecological stability coefficient was same (0.46) for years 1845, 1990, 2000 and 2015 only in 1948 value of the ecological stability coefficient was 0.43. The results of the Míchal calculation of the ecological stability coefficient decreased from 1845 to 1948, whereas continual increasing was found for 1948 to 2015. Based on results of Míchal calculation is this cadastral area above average mainly used large-scale agriculture. Self-regulation processes of the ecosystem are considerably weakened. It causes ecological lability and requires high energy inputs.

Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) determined by the Atmosphere-land Exchange Inverse (ALEXI) model and water balance model SoilClim was compared for selected districts of the Czech Republic. The ALEXI model uses the land surface temperature (LST) from remote sensing and provides information on ETa and subsequently the surface moisture status. The SoilClim is a dynamic model of water content in soil and represents a model based on water balance approach. The current version of the model is able to estimate the value of ETa, as well as soil moisture content in two layers of the soil profile.  Investigated period of ETa comparison were years 2014 and 2015. Especially the year 2015 had a special relevance due to the significant summer drought that occurred in CR. Model performance was compared for the period when changes in vegetation are most significant – from April to August. Week sums of ETa from both models were compared at the district level for Vysočina, Jihomoravský and Olomoucký regions. The ETa values were generally higher from ALEXI as compared to SoilClim. ALEXI values were in some cases even two or three time higher. Moreover, the seasonal dynamics showed sometimes opposite trends. As this is a pilot testing of ALEXI based ETa in the conditions of Central Europe and show large differences as compared to well established methods, more detailed testing is required prior drawing any general conclusions.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the moisture conditions in growing season in the Czech Republic for the period 1971–2010 by means of the P–E indicator. In all seasons during the monitored period 1971–2010, the growing period was evaluated across 14 localities from the 61^st to the 180^th day of the year (12 decades) using the percentile method. The ten–day indicator values were compared with acquired 2^nd, 15^th, 45^th, 55^th, 85^th, and 98^th percentiles. Both the vegetation seasons with unfavourable moisture conditions: 1976, 1993 and 2003, and the seasons with favourable moisture conditions: 1987, 1995 and 2010 were determined. Trend analysis of ten–day indicator values across all monitored localities was performed through the Mann-Kendall test. Statistically significant decreasing trend (P < 0.05) was found for the VI decade (days 111 to 120), in which important vegetative growth phases of agricultural crops take place in Central Europe. Unfavourable moisture conditions in this decade could reduce crop yields. Information about the frequency and intensity of drought contribute to the development and localization of appropriate adaptation measures.

Drought is one of the most serious abiotic stressors reducing the yield of cereal crops worldwide. Plants can defend water scarcity by „drought escape“ thanks to more vigorous seed or by „dehydration avoidance“ via development of larger and deeper root system in crucial vegetation stages. The root system size (RSS), seed vigour of 14 winter wheat genotypes were tested in a two-year field experiment RSS was evaluated by measuring its electrical capacitance in three vegetation stages. The seed vigour was tested in conditions of cold (10 °C) and drought stress (at -0.5 MPa). RSS was significantly affected by genotype in stem elongation phase (11.4%) and in the average of vegetation period (8.2%). The seed vigour was significantly affected by the interaction of the genotype
with the year (40.4%) and genotype (37.3%). Correlation analysis of seed parameters and RSS and grain yield respectively did not show a clear relationship of the monitored traits. However, the grain yield was significantly affected by the root system size, especially in the heading phase. Hence, larger root system could be responsible for improved drought tolerance of wheat.

The application of nitrogen fertilizers is a challenge both in environmental and economic terms. The solution to the issue of rational nitrogen management is the variable rate application (VRA) of nitrogen fertilizers, which respects site specific soil conditions and the nutrient status of plants. The methodology of the work was based on the collection of data from the Isaria crop sensor system (IRMI, IBI values and N rate), yield maps of winter wheat from the harvesters, Sentinel-2 NDVI image and digital elevation model of the fields. All experimental work was carried out in Zdounky (Kromeriz) during the year 2016. These data were processed and analyzed by using geographic information systems and then statistically evaluated the relationships between variables. There was found a moderate positive relationship between the Sentinel NDVI imagery and the IBI and IRMI indices in both application. Also, high correlation between crop yield and N rate in second application confirmed the influence of N doses for yield production. Furthermore, the negative effect of elevation on the crop yield was observed.

For organic growers is very important to increase yield and quality of production by using suitable bio-additives. Onion is the most economically significant member of the Asparagales. Also, it is a good source of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and a number of phytonutrients as well as carotenoids and antioxidants. The field experiment with total size of 128 m² was conducted to study the effect of three bio-additives on yield and quality of two cultivars of onion Allium cepa L, Stuttgarter riesen, and Rote Laaer during 2016 in Lednice, Czech Republic. The experiment was set according to the Latin square system in four repetitions including control. Bioaditives, B-Stimul, EkoBooster 2 and Vermifit A were used during vegetation period. Bioaditives, B-Stimul contains Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Herbaspirillum, Bacillus, Chlorella. EkoBooster 2 which contains organic matter, N, P, K stimulates, and Vermifit A composition nutrients in immediately acceptable forms, plant hormones, enzymes, coenzymes, amino acids, sugars, extract of compost of Californian earthworm. The treatment Vermifit A was applied four times during vegetation period, while B-stimul and Ekobooster 2 three times. The total and market yield as well as, the content of vitamin C and carotenoids were determined. The influence of the treatments on those parameters was evaluated. The results indicated in the cultivar Stuttgarter riesen the highest content of vitamin C (46.05 mg/kg), and carotenoids (14.60 mg/kg) found in B-stimul. In the cultivar Rote Laaer the highest content of vitamin C was found in control (17.47 mg/kg), and the highest content of carotenoids in EkoBooster 2 (7.54 mg/kg). Also, this cultivar showed the highest market yield in control (3.12 kg/m²), while cultivar Stuttgarter riesen the highest market yield in EkoBooster 2 (3.48 kg/m²). The study showed that between cultivars and treatments there were no statistically significant differences in total yield.

The most frequent technique used among the wheat (Triticum aestivum) growers, in order to fight with fungal pathogens, is treating plants with fungicides. Unfortunately, due to the developed resistance of those pathogens to some active ingredients of fungicides, this method is not always effective. The aim of this study was to detect the resistance of Zymoseptoria tritici isolates collected in the Czech Republic during the year 2017 to strobilurin, by laboratory agar dilution biotest and molecular methods as a CAPS marker and qPCR. Resistance to strobilurin fungicides was found in 54% of total 66 analysed isolates. The presence of G143A mutant allele in resistant isolates was confirmed.

Presented experiment was designed to determine the impact of using wastewater on soil hydrophobicity and availability of mineral nitrogen for soil microorganisms. This impact was studied by a pot experiment which was performed in control conditions of a greenhouse. The three types of waste water (yellow water, treated and untreated greywater) and deionized water were used for irrigation of experimental containers (4.5 kg of soil) planted with Zea mays L as an indicator. The measured results confirmed significant effect (P < 0.05) of wastewater application on formation of soil hydrophobicity and availability of mineral nitrogen for soil microorganisms due to composition of individual wastewater. The highest level of soil hydrophobicity was found in a variant where untreated greywater was applied, in comparison to control and other variants. Above all, application of yellow water significantly increased mineral nitrogen content in soil (by about 20%) and its availability for soil microorganisms in comparison with (un)treated greywater and control variant.

Introduction new methods for analysing samples is associated with comparison with standard methods. Thermogravimetry (TG) works on principle of monitoring thermal mass losses (TML) of samples in depended on temperature or on time during heating up, e.g. determination of SOC content at 550 °C in muffle furnace during several hours. More detailed analyses of TML dynamics can provide more accurate and reliable data. Here are presented results of SOC content determined by TG (TML320–330 which correspondent temperature between 320 to 330 °C) compared with results determined by standard method (Walkley-Black, WB) on the samples from field experiment with biochar addition (0, 15, 30, 45 t/ha) in combination with mineral and organic fertilizer. The soil samples were sampled in 2 depths (0–0.1 and 0.1–0.2 m) in autumn 2016. The results determined by TG show significant underestimation of SOC content comparison with WB method. Biochar addition records TG at higher temperatures (for our samples by TML around 400 to 550 °C for both fertilizer management).

The aim of this study was the determination of the effect of nitrogen and sulphur fertilization on plants height, maturation of inflorescence and seed production of milk thistle. The study was conducted as small-plot field experiment in experimental plots located in Šumperk (the Czech Republic). The following treatments influenced the experiment: 1) N₅₀S₀; 2) N₁₀₀S₀; 3) N₅₀S₂₅; 4) N₁₀₀S₅₀; 5) N₂₅S_12.5+N₂₅S_12.5 and 6) N₅₀S₂₅+N₅₀S₂₅ (dose in kg/ha). Fertilizers (calcium ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate nitrate) were applied in a single (treatments 1–4) and split doses (treatments 5 and 6). The positive effect of nitrogen fertilization on plants height was found. Significantly the highest plants height was found in the variant with application of 100 kg nitrogen before sowing. The highest number of flower heads was found in the variant with nitrogen fertilization without sulphur. Higher dose of nitrogen applied before sowing prolonged development of milk thistle maturing. Although no significant effect of nitrogen and sulphur fertilization on achenes production was found, the results of this experiment showed positive effect of application of nitrogen before sowing on growth and development of milk thistle plants.

The aim of this hydroponic experiment was the determination of the effect of deficient nutrition in combination with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato infection on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) root system. Variants with deficient nutrition (nutrition solutions without nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium) and one variant with complete nutrition (control variant) were observed. Plants were split in two groups, the first group was cultivated without inoculation, the second group was inoculated by bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato which causes bacterial speck disease on tomato. The development and growth of root system were evaluated by using root electrical capacitance (REC) method which was measured by LCR meter. The highest REC of non inoculated group had plants with magnesium deficiency (0.766 nF). Inoculated plants with highest REC were plants from K–deficiency solution (0.406 nF). The length and area of root system were evaluated by program WinRhizo. According to these parameters, the biggest root system had plants with P deficiency from non inoculated group and plant cultivated without N from inoculated group. Bacterial infection caused the reduction of all observed parameters in contrast to the plants from non inoculated group, so the infection had negative effect on root growth and development.

Drought is considered one of the most important factors influencing plant growth. The severity of drought is unpredictable because it depends on many factors (for example, occurrence and distribution of rainfall, temperature, evaporation and moisture storing capacity of soil). It is therefore important that the breeding of new crop varieties aims to achieve greater drought resistance. One of the parameters contributing to greater drought resistance is larger root system size. The root system plays an important role in nutrients uptake, which influences crop quality and yield. In this experiment, root system size was determined using an LCR meter to measure roots’ electrical capacity. The electrical capacity gradually increased over time for all genotypes of the species Trifolium vesiculosum (No. 132, 99–48, 90–113, Tifclo-1) in relation to gradual development
of the root system. Parental components which had mean root system size in all measuring intervals greater than 0.6 nF were selected within each genotype. Plants with the greatest root system electrical capacities were further crossed, and the resulting F1 generation will be similarly selected.

Barley grain yields and values of the effective drought index (EDI) in the critical period in terms of yield formation of spring barley in the Czech Republic were evaluated for the period 1975–2015. The EDI was calculated for four different experimental localities. The EDI is based on the calculation of effective precipitation using only daily precipitation. Both kind of the years with unfavourable precipitation conditions: 1976, 1984, 2004 and 2015, and the years with favourable precipitation conditions: 1975, 1979, 2006 and 2010 were determined. The historical grain yield range from the experimental localities for the barley was correlated with the values of the EDI at each locality for each decade (ten days). At most areas there were statistically significant relationships between grain yield and the EDI in different stages of vegetation; at some locations highly significant relationship. The statistically significant correlations (α = 0.01, α = 0.05) were found in 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th, and 7^th decade of vegetation.

The purpose of this work is to compile a list of species growing in vineyards of two wine villages Bratčice and Syrovice, Znojmo wine subregion. Within the wine village of Bratčice, vine line Široké klinky. Within the wine village of Syrovice there were evaluated 2 vine lines: Stará hora and Nad mlýnem. In Široké klínky (wine village of Bratčice) was the most species rich vegetation within evaluated vine lines, 46 plant species were found. Whereas 40 plant species were found in Stará hora vine line (wine village of Syrovice) and only 17 species were found in Nad mlýnem vine line (wine village of Syrovice). The most frequently occurred species were grasses as: Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, Festuca pratensis, Arrhenatherum elatius.

The vegetation at a recultivated landfill should create a continuous string of vegetation in order to prevent the erosion of the soil brought, and the roots of the vegetation must not grow into the body of the landfill itself and should form a limited amount of biomass so that it is not demanding in terms of maintenance. The aim of the thesis was to determine the species composition of plants that are able to sustain themselves in an active landfill in Nětčice (Zlín Region, Czech Republic). Three habitats were selected on the land with the recultivated part of the landfill. The landfill was recultivated in 2010 at the site of the first habitat, in 2011 at the site of the second habitat and in 2012 at the site of the third habitat. The evaluation of the vegetation was carried out using the phytocenological imaging method. The evaluation of coverage of the species found in the selected habitats was performed using a redundancy analysis (RDA). Altogether 50 plant species were found. The plant species found whose roots can grow into the body of the landfill are mainly Convolvulus arvensis, Cirsium arvensis, Melilotus albus, Melilotus officinalis and Securigera varia. The species Calamagrostis epigejos is a useful component of the recultivated habitats. It forms a continuous string of dense vegetation that prevents erosion and inhibits the growth of other plant species and is therefore a welcome component of these habitats.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is currently a sought-after plant commodity, but the problem of herbicide protection, which is a limiting factor in its cultivation, has not been solved yet. Milk thistle achenes can be used in a variety of ways (as dietary supplements, livestock feeding etc.), but above all they are an important raw material for processing in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this work was to evaluate the phytotoxicity and the suitability of selected herbicides in small-scale experiments during the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The results indicate that the preparations used in the study have selectivity for the milk thistle plants. According to the results, the preparations TARGA SUPER 5 EC and GALLANT SUPER can be recommended during the cultivation.

Milk thistle is cultivated on an area of almost 5000 hectares for the production of achenes, which are used as an important source of silymarin complex in the pharmaceutical industry. The achenes are also part of various types of dietary supplements and are used in animal feed. One of the main obstacles that hinders the expansion of its area of cultivation is the fact that in the subsequent crop, milk thistle becomes a difficult weed that is hard to dispose and has high competitiveness against other plants.

In the conditions of the Czech Republic, winter wheat is one of the most widely grown crops as well as cereals on arable land. The aim of the contribution was to find out the influence of different agronomic factors (pre-crop, soil tillage) as well as the year on the subsequent winter wheat grain yield in the conditions of dry land of Southern Moravia. The field experiment was conducted at the Field Trial Station in Žabčice in 2015–2017, located in the maize production area. The pre-crops for winter wheat included winter wheat, pea, alfalfa and silage maize. Two ways of soil tillage were used in the experiment, namely ploughing (to a depth of 0.24 m) and shallow loosening (to a depth of 0.15 m). From the results obtained in three years it was found that winter wheat grain yield was influenced especially by the year, the pre-crops and by combination of these two factors with soil tillage. On the other hand, statistical significance for the influence of soil tillage was not found. The yield difference between both methods of soil tillage amounted to negligible 0.11 t/ha. In terms of pre-crop, the highest winter wheat grain yields were achieved after alfalfa as a pre-crop (10.60 t/ha), the lowest yields were after winter wheat as a pre-crop (9.53 t/ha). Statistical significance was found among the pre-crops. The results from 2015–2017 also showed that the year is one of the generally most unpredictable factors which can cause different results and play an important role in generating yields. Statistical significance among individual interactions was also confirmed.

The aim of the experiment was to compare the change of physical soil processes in different soil tillage towards different crops. There was conducted a field experiment at the Field Trial Station in Žabčice in 2017, within a model field experiment which is focused on the management on the soil with livestock production. There were compared three different soil tillage technologies, namely ploughing (to a depth of 0.24 m), shallow loosening (to a depth of 0.15 m) and direct sowing, with winter wheat after two pre-crops (silage maize and alfalfa) and with spring barley after the pre-crop sugar beet. The evaluative physical soil properties included bulk density (g/cm³), the total porosity (%), the minimum air capacity (%) and the maximum capillary capacity (%). The modified Kopecký-Novák method of sampling of undisturbed soil samples was used for the analyses. The depth of sampling was 0–0.10 m, 0.10–0.20 m and 0.20–0.30 m in five repetitions. Based on the achieved results it was found that the traditional soil tillage, thus ploughing has a more favourable influence on the bulk density, the total porosity and minimum air capacity than soil tillage with lower intensity (shallow loosening and direct sowing).

The field experiments based on manipulating the crop environment are critical for determining the crop’s response to the climatic conditions expected in the future. An experimental site in Domanínek is located by 49°31'42"N, 16°14'13"E at an altitude of 560 m (potato production area). The field experiment using rain-out shelters for soil water availability reduction was conducted in 2015/2016. The main aim of this study was to assess the impacts of different water availability (rain-out shelters vs. control) on the performance of selected field crops (spring barley, winter wheat, winter rape and silage maize). Reduction of precipitation in treatment with rain-out shelters was confirmed by measuring soil water content. The amount of precipitation during growing period was reduced by 251 mm, 277 mm, 217 mm and 240 mm for the spring barley, winter wheat, winter rape and silage maize, respectively. As a consequence, leaf area index and yields declined, however the crop responses were not consistent.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of genotype on laying intensity and egg quality in Japanese quails Coturnix japonica L. Four genotypes were different in plumage color, twelve quails of the same age of each genotype were included in the experiment, 48 birds in total. The observation lasted 90 days. Quails were housed in individual cages. Egg number was recorded daily, egg quality was done in two weeks intervals. Laying intensity was high in all genotypes (92.2–94.4%) without significant differences, however the highest laying intensity was in quails with aguti and mahogany types of plumage. Egg weight was significantly the highest in mahogany type (13.7 g, P<0.05). Eggshell weight was significantly the lowest in quails white type plumage (P<0.05), which was associated with the lowest strength of eggshell (P>0.05). Albumen proportion was significantly the highest in mahogany type plumage (P<0.05). On the other hand Haugh units were the highest in quails with aguti type plumage. Yolk weight was the highest in gold type and the lowest in mahogany type plumage (P>0.05). Yolk colour was similar in all genotypes. The highest body weight was in mahogany type (303 g), the lowest in gold type quails (263 g).

Growth performance is affected by many different factors and this impact can be positive or negative. The presence of mycotoxins in feedstuff count among negative factors, at the same time mycotoxins damage health status, especially liver. Liver have essential importance in metabolism and detoxification of organism. Experimental design was focused on comparison of three types of diet. The first type of diet was barley monodietus intendent for control group, the second type of diet was addition of milk thistle pressing parts, that is known for its hepatoprotective effect (content of active substance – silymarin was 26.2 g/kg), and the third type of diet was addition of barley contaminated by mycotoxins (content of DON was 9634 µg/kg and ZEN was 2192 µg/kg). Groups with part of mouldy barley and milk thistle pressing parts on top of that were invited based on content. The experiment was tested by 25 pieces of laboratory rats invited into 5 groups. The rats in group 1 (G1) were classified like the control and were fed only scraped barley, in group 2 (G2) and 3 (G3) fed with addition of milk thistle pressing parts (part of milk thistle in G2 was 10% and in G3 was 20%) and in group 4 (G4) and 5 (G5) fed with part of mouldy barley (part of mouldy barley in G4 was 30% and in G5 was 60%). Will the addition of milk thistle pressing parts increase growth performance in young laboratory rats and will the presence of mycotoxins (DON, ZEN) have decreasing influence on growth performance compared among groups? Among these groups were discovered statistically significant differences. Higher average daily gains were occurred in groups fed with addition of milk thistle pressing parts and opposite lower average daily gains were occurred by groups fed with part of mouldy barley.

The aim of this study was evaluating the influence of milking period on the intensity of lying behavior of dairy cows kept in boxes. This study contains also an experimental part which has been done in the farm of dairy cows, GenAgro Říčany a.s. in Říčany near Brno. In this farm, they are breeding czech fleckvieh cattle. We had mainly observed the intensity of the average time of lying in a boxing bed after dairy cow’s arrival from a milking parlor, depending on milking time. During the annual observation, these effects were monitored, the average lying time in the individual lactation phases and in each row of boxes, then was observed, another effect was average lying time of the monitored cows and intensity of lying to the boxes. As supplementary information was monitored daytime pleasure during the year and milk composition. We have found out that influence on intensity and time of lying has year season and age of dairy cows. With regard to results, after return from the milking parlor was dairy cows from group 2 (youngest cows) searching for another activity and lain in the longest time. In warm months, dairy cows lain in largest amount (July, 122 pcs) These cows lain down in the longer time (May, 43.6 minutes) than cows in cold months. (November, 87 pcs).

This work deals with riding competitions – eventing and includes statistical evaluation of the effect of the breed, age, year of start and sex on the performance of the horses. Data were taken from the Survey of Sport Horses of 2005 and 2015. These data are issued by the Czech Equestrian Federation. Data were further processed and statistically analysed using the program STATISTICA 2012. Evaluation of the sport performance was based on the auxiliary points (AAP). The breed, age and year of start have a statistically significant effect on performance. The breed with the highest performance was the Irish sport horse with 17.4 AAP. The best results were achieved by horses of 13 to 16 years of age (AAP 11.81). The most frequently used breeds in the Czech Republic are the Czech warm-blood and the English Thoroughbred. The performance of imported breeds was better than of horses born in the Czech Republic. The performance of horses in 2015 was better than in 2005. We can see an increasing tendency in the performance. In conclusion we compared the situation in the Czech Republic over the past ten years by comparing the gradual change in their representation of the sex, breeding and country of birth.

This work is targeted on influence of various factors on biochemical blood parameters of horses, especially physical activity, or stress. The main goal is to evaluate knowledge about blood content and use of biochemical indicators in horse diagnostics. Sixteen Czech Warmblood horses were used in experiment. All of this horses were stallions in age 3 years. They were divided on the basis of their stabling and training status. Group A, free range stabled, trained only easily before the blood sampling, and group B, in a box stabled, with intensive training, jumping and dressage six times in a week. Lower glucose and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels were determined in blood of easily trained horses (group A). Differences between the observed groups were significant only for glucose. The moderate negative correlation between ALT and glucose was found in group B (r = -0.4048). This correlation was very low in group A.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth intensity on the basis of weight gains and live weight of the Suffolk and Charollais breeds. The experiment also included the assessment of the fat and muscle depth of meat breeds. All the monitored indicators were evaluated depending on the breed, sex and litter frequency. Selected meat breeds were reared in ŠZP Žabčice. The lambs were weighed 4 times and the weight was recalculated to 30, 70, 100 and 200 days of age. Measured parameters of muscle and fat depth were statistically significant (p≤0.01) in lambs divided by breed and sex. While control weighing, no statistical differences were found (p≥0.05) during evaluation of the intensity of growth using average daily increments and weights. The biggest depth of the muscle had ewe lamb of the Suffolk breed (2.94 cm), followed by the rams of the same breed (2.74 cm). The muscle and fat depth of the studied breeds was significantly (p≤0,5) higher for the Suffolk breed than for the Charollais breed.

The aim of the study was to estimate the pasture intake in different genotypes and to evaluate the effect of genotype on carcass quality and digestive tract development. Three different genotypes were involved in the experiment; fast growing Ross 308 both sexes, slower growing JA 757 both sexes and layer-type cockerels ISA Dual, fifty chickens of each genotype. From ten days of age all hybrids were fed on fresh pasture in separate feeders to accustom this feed. Since day eighteen in Ross 308 and JA 757 and since day twenty-seven in ISA Dual daily pasture intake was observed. The experiment was finished when pasture intake plateau was achieved in each hybrid. Consequently chickens were slaughtered at the age 49 in Ross 308, 64 in JA 757 and 90 in ISA Dual. The maximal daily pasture intake was significantly the highest in ISA Dual cockerels 25.8g in comparison with JA 757 and Ross 308 (16.1, 13.1 g/d respectively, P<0.05). Both length of intestine and caeca were shorter in ISA Dual in comparison with JA 757 and Ross 308 (P<0.05). The lowest weight of gizzard was found in Ross 308. Carcass quality was the best in Ross 308 including the lowest proportion and weight of abdominal fat (P<0.05). Intake of pasture improve feed conversion ratio (Ross 308 1.50, JA 757 1.86, ISA Dual 2.49).

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of pathological changes of spermatozoa in breeding boars with special focus on character of changes during the activity of boars in insemination centre. A total of 1200 semen samples from 150 boars aged 9–36 months were analysed. The experiment was carried out from January to April 2017. Abnormalities of spermatozoa were assessed microscopically on stained native semen smears on glass slides. The percentage of spermatozoa with pathological defects differed among age categories. Total proportion of spermatozoa with morphological defects decreased with age. The highest proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal size and shape of head, proximal droplet and folded tail was recorded in younger boars (bellow 18 months of age). More frequent defects of acrosome were observed in the semen of boars older than 25 months. Also positive and negative correlations were found among individual groups of morphological abnormalities.

The effect of monensin (intraruminal bolus, 32.4 g) on the copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iodine (I) contents in milk of Holstein dairy cows (10,200 liters per lactation) was observed during three experiments (E group: monensin, n = 8, C group: n = 8). Milk was examined twice between the 2^nd and 8^th week of lactation. The positive effect of monensin resulted in a lower level of beta-hydroxybutyric acid in milk and the higher Cu contents (15.8% to 28.2% higher) and Zn (1.8% to 14.4% higher) in milk. No difference was observed in the iodine (I) content in milk.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the influence of the stabling environment temperature on the successful conception of Holstein cattle cows. Cows (n = 292) were divided into two groups, cows inseminated during the natural heat period and cows included into synchronization programme Ovsynch. The experiment was performed at a school farm in Žabčice. Data were collected in the period from June 2016 to February 2017. The results of the study proved the influence of the temperature of the environment on the conception of the cows. The analysis showed that cows in the synchronization programme had the best (p<0.01) conception rates in February (45.46%). Very similar conception rates were also detected in cows with natural heat (50.00%). The further important finding was the different sensitivity of the animals to the temperature of the environment. The difference between the decrease or increase of conception rates in the group of cows with natural heat and the cows with synchronized heat was 2 months.

The target of the work was to make a database of the Best 3yo english thoroughbred horses done by the IFHA and analysed their performance by rating with the choosen efects. We´ve been analysing 1284 3yo horses with the minimum rating of 115 racing in the years 2000 to 2016.  We chose the seven main effects which were Year of racing, country of origin, country of training, sex, distance, sireline and line of the maternal sire. We´ve been analysing whole database by the analysis of variance by the UNISTAT, 6.5 and then we checked the proven differencies by the multiple analysis by Scheffe method. We found as highly influential to the performance of the horses effects country of traning, sex and distance. We found out the high differences between horses trained in Ireland and horses trained in non European countries in case of effect country of training. Then we found out the differencies between colts (with the best average rating) and fillies. Another differencies we found out between the groups of intermediares, millers and sprinters as well as between millers and long distance runners. We cannot prove the differencies in other chosen efects.

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the importance of the stud stallion Scyris in the breeding of the Czech Warmblood. To evaluate the stud horse we used his offspring born in the years 2011−2016. Two underlying databases were then created in the programme Microsoft Office Excel 2007. The first was used to assess linear regression and the second to assess correlation using the Pearson correlation coefficient. On the basis of aggregate statistics from these measurements, it can be stated that the dams are unbalanced in exterior terms, and stallion 606 Scyris (POL) did not completely succeed in balancing out this variability in his daughters. In the next step, the correlation dependence of individual body measurements was assessed in daughters and dams. It was determined that there is medium correlation dependence between the attributes TWH (tape withers height), SWH (stick withers height) and CBC (cannon bone circumference), so it can be said that the influence of dams on the bone mass and withers height of daughters is probable but is not conclusive. With the attribute ChC (chest circumference) low correlation dependence between dams and daughters was recorded. This suggests that the dams have a lesser influence on the bulkiness of daughters. When assessing the linear regression, we recorded a decreasing tendency of the regression coefficient with regard to offspring class which exhibits 16% reliability and according to our test emerges as statistically conclusive. So the assessed class of daughters of the sire 6062 Scyris (POL) does not improve – on the contrary, it decreases slightly. A high value for the downward trend was recorded with the jump index of the dams and is documented by 21.66% reliability. Our test emerged as highly statistically conclusive and we can conclude that the mares mated with stallion 6062 Scyris (POL) stallions are, in the course of years, breeders selected for lesser quality mares.

The experiment was conducted in the stud farm of our choice. In the first phase we assessed the prosperity of the foals based on the effect of the month of birth. For this purpose we selected 14 high-pregnant mares which were monitored from 1 March 2017 until 26 August 2017. After foaling the born foals were monitored individually. The foundation database was made out using the Microsoft Excel programme. The General Linear Model GLM, Unistat 6.5. programme was used to process the results. If the effect was statistically significant, the differences among the effcets were determined using multiple comparisons by means of Scheffe's test. The test was conducted at levels of significance of P < 0.05 and P < 0.01. The dependent variables were the following: body temperature, incidence of defects and weight gains of the individual foals. The sources of variability were the following: effect of the month of birth, effect of sex, effect of the outdoor temperature. We found that the outdoor temperature had a statistically significant effect on their body temperature and incidence of defects (health problems). The other effects were statistically insignificant.

This study is aimed on the effect of sum of effective temperature (SET) on the yield of Czech Fleckvieh-Simmental. The study was made on a private farm in Czech Republic (49°12'36.7"N 16°23'42.1"E) between May and July 2016. The cows were stabled in free-stall permanently open-sided barn. There were 114 cows in total present during the whole duration of experiment. Data were collected via data logger placed in the middle of the barn. For this perticular experiment, the section with a largest yield was chosen. The cows in this section were divided into three groups: A (25 and more kg of milk per day), B (20.1-24.9 kg of milk per day) and C (20 and less kg of milk per day). The results shows that there is a significant negative correlation between SET and and yield of all cows (r= -0.535). Also for groups A (r= -0.304), B (r= -0.178) and C (r= -0.355) there is a significant negative correlation. Our results could indicate, that SET is more appropriate for assesing a heat stress than a temperature itself.

The aim of the study was to determine the dry matter and protein degradability in untreated ground soybean (S) and solvent-extracted soybean meal (SSBM) using the in sacco method. The experiment was carried out on two ruminally cannulated sheep that were fed twice a day a diet consisted of hay and a supplemental mixture. The nylon bags with feed samples were incubated in the rumen for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h. The effective degradability (ED) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) was calculated at outflow rate of 0.05 h. The ED of DM in S was 79.1% and was higher than in SSBM being 73.2%. Higher ED of CP was also observed in S (79.9%) compared to SSBM (69.4%). SSBM had a lower soluble fractions and a lower rates of degradation of DM and CP than untreated soybean (S).

Current and regular, preferably everyday, knowledge of the milk composition and properties is important for controlling the dairy herd health status, prevention of the occurrence of their production disorders and promoting of milk quality. Therefore, the validation of the result reliability of milk analyzes by system of real milk analyzes (RTA) in the automated milking system (AMS) was performed.  Fat (F), crude protein (P), lactose monohydrate (L), solids non fat (SNF) contents and somatic cell count (SCC) were determined. This was done by a direct statistical comparison of the parallel measured results (RTA and relevant reference - infrared spectroscopy (MIR; F, P, L, SNF) and flow cytometry (FC; SCC)) in 30 individual cow milk samples. The results of RTA reliability in AMS as coefficients of determination (R) and correlation (r) of results between methods (RTA and reference) were as follows: - r between MIR×RTA methods for F, P, L and SNF 0.524 (P<0.01), 0.744, 0.701 and 0.731 (P<0.001); - R explains 27.5, 55.3, 49.2, and 53.5% of the RTA variability by reference method (MIR). For SCC it was 0.758 (P<0.001) and 57.4% variations in RTA values can be explained by FC variability. The reliability of the results of RTA milk analyzes in the AMS has been found to be suitable for the above mentioned purposes after appropriate comparison.

The objective of this study was to find out whether the daily supplementation of l-carnitine had an effect on the quality of the ejaculate of duroc boars. L-carnitine was supplemented for 60 days, which were divided into 3 periods (n = 30 days). For the experiment were selected 12 duroc boars and were divided into two groups. Control group (n = 6) was fed by basic feed mixture only. Experimental group (n = 6) was fed by basic feed mixture with the addition of 500 mg of L-carnitine/kg of the basic mixture. The monitored ejaculate parameters included volume of ejaculate, sperm concentration, total rate of sperm, motility and percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm. Amount of L-carnitine in ejaculate was monitored as well.
By the results we confirmed the hypothesis, that L-carnitine has a positive effect on quality of ejaculate. Statistically significant effect was determined in sperm motility and in amount of morphologically abnormal sperm. In sperm motility there was insignificant increase in experimental group, but there was statistically significant difference between groups (P < 0.05). In the amount of morphologically abnormal sperm, there was statistically significant increase in experimental group
(P < 0.05) and as well statistically significant difference between groups (P < 0.05).

The main objective of the performed experiments was to monitor acaricidal activity of selected plant essential oils against poultry red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) and the second objective was to define the lethal doses (LD₅₀ a LD₉₀) of selected essential oils. Effect of six plant essential oils as acaricides against poultry house-collected red mites was examined using direct contact method – by glass vial bioassay. All used essential oils caused mortality of poultry red mites in all their stages of development. Essential oils derived from clove buds and cinnamon have been shown to be effective acaricides against the poultry red mites at concentrations 0.5 and 0.25 µL/cm², when tested over a 24h period. The average mortality in the negative control was 2%. Clove bud, lavender and cinnamon essential oils in merit further study as potential poultry red mites control agents.

Blue wheat contain the higher content of anthocyanins than common wheat cultivars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of feeding wheat with blue aleurone on broiler chicken’s biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity and performance parameters.  The study was conducted on 60 hybrid broiler chickens Ross 308. They were fattened on deep litter system. The experimental period lasted from day 12 to day 36 of chickens ages. The broilers were randomly divided on 2 groups. The first group (n = 30) was fed experimental feed mixtures containing 38.2% of blue wheat UC66049 and second group (n = 30) was fed control feed mixtures containing 38.2% of common wheat Vánek (C). At the end of the experiment was collected the blood samples (n = 8 in the both groups). In the blood were determined the enzymes activities (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase), concentrations of albumin, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, bilirubin, uric acid, urea, and antioxidant activity. During the trial were not observed significant differences (P > 0.05) between both groups in blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity, feed intake, feed conversion, weight, and carcass indicators.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding protein-iron chelates complexes in milk replacers for cattle. Milk replacer formulation with addition of protein-mineral chelates for were used in nutrition of Holstein-Friesian calves aged between of 7 and 35 days. Preparation of the protein complex involved enzymatic hydrolysis of milk casein and binding iron chloride. There were created two experimental groups (lower and higher dose of the complex) and the control group. Addition of protein-mineral chelate admitted to higher body weight gain by lower feed conversion rates. Nevertheless the dose, the complex has not a significant impact on carbohydrate-lipid parameters. Changes of activity of enzymes resulted from the age of the cattle, not from applied supplementation.

The efficacy of low-phosphorus diets with 0.20% of available phosphorus and two levels of phytase on growth rate, feed conversion ratio and phosphorus retention was examined in broiler chickens using eight replicates per treatment. The diets contained 40% of spring barley with 201 or 305 phytase activity units per kg. Chromic oxide was included in the diets as an indigestible marker. Excreta were collected during four consecutive three-day balance periods from the 12^th to the 23^rd day of age. No difference was observed for body weight gain between the dietary treatment groups but feed conversion ratio was better (P < 0.05) when higher phytase barley was used. The contents of total phosphorus was 4.56 and 4.72 g/kg in low and high phytase diets, respectively. In spite of the higher level of phosphorus, the coefficient of apparent phosphorus retention was higher (P < 0.01) in higher than in lower phytase group. The retention of phosphorus increased (P < 0.01) with duration of feeding in both low-phosphorus dietary groups.

The goal of the study was monitoring of biochemical parameters of energy metabolism in goats in periparturient period and evaluating their correlation with biochemical parameters of liver function. The study was conducted on 10 pregnant white shorthaired goats. Blood samples were collected before parturition (3, 2 and one week), on the day of parturition (day 0) and after parturition (2^nd day and 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th week). In the blood samples selected biochemical parameters were analysed (glucose –GLU;triglycerides –TGs; cholesterol –CHOL; non-esterified fatty acids –NEFA; beta-hydroxybutyrate –BHB; total bilirubine –TBIL;aspartate aminotransferase–AST; gamma-glutamyl transferase–GGT). The results show that negative energy balance – NEB (characterized by increasing NEFA and BHB concentration and decreasing of TGs concentrations) developed in the postpartum period. The NEB was accompanied by alteration of liver function parameters (increasing of AST and GGT activity and TBIL concentration). Concentration of CHOL was not significantly changed. On the day of parturition enormous increase of glucose was observed with rapid decrease in following days. The results of correlation analysis determined the significant correlation between liver damage parameters (TBIL, AST, GGT) and the parameters of energy metabolism (TGs, NEFA, BHB) in goat’s blood plasma.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of different forms of selenium (sodium selenite, selenium nanoparticles) on the antioxidant status of laboratory rats. The male of Wistar albino rats strain were sorted into 4 groups. The first group (n = 5) served as control with no selenium (Se) administration. The second group was fed with mixture containing 1.2 mg/kg/diet of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃). The third (n = 5) and the fourth group (n = 5) were fed with different forms of selenium nanoparticles containing 1.2 mg Se/kg/diet. Selenium nanoparticles were modified by poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA 49 kDa, PVA 100 kDa). After 30 days of experiment, the rats were slaughtered and the total content of selenium in liver and blood tissue and also changes in concentration of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) form of glutathione were measured. In liver samples, a statistically significant increase in the amount of selenium was found only in the Na₂SeO₃ group (by 59%), although the increase occurred in all of the experimental groups. In the blood, the amount of selenium increased for Na₂SeO₃ and Se-100. These results were statistically significant. GSH and GSSG were statistically significant only in blood samples where GSH was decreased in all the experimental groups (Na₂SeO₃ by 60%, Se-49 by 56%, Se-100 by 83%) and increased only in the Na₂SeO₃ group (by 96%).

The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) on the antioxidant status of rats. The male of outbred Wistar albino rats were used in this experiment. The rats were divided into four groups. In each of group were stabled 5 males. The first group (Control) of rats served as control one without zinc administration. The second group (Zn-Phe) and the third group (Zn-Tyr) were administrated by zinc nanoparticles. In the fourth group of rats zinc oxide (ZnO) was dosed. After 30 days of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and the samples of blood and liver were analysed. Reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) form of glutathione was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) and total content of zinc was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In the analysis of liver, decrease of GSSG in all groups was observed. Statistically significant was decrease by 54% (P < 0.05) for ZnO group compared with control. The level of GSSG and total content of zinc in liver was without significant difference. In the whole blood, a significant decrease of GSH by 94% in the ZnO and by 65% in the Zn-Phe group was observed, compared with control group. The level of GSSG and total content of zinc in blood was without significant difference.

The aim of this study was to determinate the effect of high barn temperature on animal behaviour in Holstein dairy cows. The experiment was conducted on University's farm in Žabčice from 27^th June to 27^th July 2017 at an average outside air temperature of 25.9 °C and 25.5 °C temperature inside the barn. Two groups of dairy cows (72 animals each group) were included in the experiment. Dairy cows were housed in free stall bedded barn. Ethological manifestations (presence of dairy cows inside the stall – lying down or standing, presence of dairy cows outside the stall – in corridor or in feeding area) were recorded for each group three times a day (in the morning, at the noon, before leaving for the parlor), two consecutive days a week. The bioclimatic parameters were measured concurrently – outside and inside the barn (in the living area of both groups). Monitored dairy cows were fed during the entire monitoring period identical TMR. Results of our study demonstated the effect of high barn temperature on dairy cows behaviour. Overall, dairy cows were standing more than lying down, by 4%. However, while sections 1 and 9 did not have a more significant impact on ethological manifestations of dairy cows (dairy cows in both section acted the same way – they were lying down more than standing, except for slight variations), we found out significant differences in dairy cows behaviour in assessing the preferences of the individual rows of stalls. The highest number of dairy cows were in the middle row (B) compared to the row A (row closer to the feeding area) and the row C (row at the perimeter wall). Nevertheless, the proportion of individual dairy cow ethological manifestations in the individual rows (A, B, C) was comparable.

The aim of this study was to evaluated addition of herbal extracts on performance, quality of meat and blood parameters in broilers affected by heat stress. Both sexes (135 broilers) of COBB 500 hybrids, were used in the experiment. Broilers were divided into two groups with six replications; control group (CG) and experimental group (EG). Both groups were fed the same diets till 28 days of age. From this age CG fed control diet and EG fed the same diet only supplemented with 0.1% herbal additive based on Baical Skullcap root (Scutellaria baicalensis L.) containing glycoside baicalin. Both groups were fed ad libitum. At the age 30 days temperature was increased to 27 °C and kept the same till the end of experiment at 34 days of age. Live body gain and live body weight were higher in EG, but the difference were no significant. Feed conversion ratio was better in EG, but there was no significant difference between the groups and feed intake was almost the same in both groups. Weight of abdominal fat, liver, bursa fabricii and spleen was the same in both groups. Weight of heart was significantly higher in EG (P < 0.05). pH of meat after 1 hour and 24 hours after slaughter were almost the same in both groups. Drip loss was slightly higher in EG. Blood parameters such as alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, glucose, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glutathion peroxidase and concentration of urea were not influenced by herbal additive added to the diet.

Several field works between 2016 and 2017 were undertaken on the south of Central Slovakia. Three different types of biotopes based on their species richness and abundance (flooded quarry, fishpond and peat bog) were distinguished and compared. The most diverse locality was flooded quarry with 23 species, followed by fishpond with 13 species, while the lowest diversity had peat bog with 11 species. A total of 27 species were observed. Among them, 4 lestids, 1 platycnemid, 8 coenagrionids, 3 aeshnids, 1 cordulid and 10 libellulids were presented. At 16 of them larval stage was recorded. New additions to the Cerová vrchovina Upland´s species list were added, i.e. Coenagrion pulchellum, Anaciaeshna isoceles, Aeshna grandis and Libellula fulva. New locality of Epitheca bimaculata in the Special Protected Area Poiple is given. The most significant result is record of Sympetrum depressiusculum after almost two decades in Slovakia.

The main aim of the study was to develop and verify a methodology for the cultivation of bryozoans in laboratory conditions. For the experiment, the bryozoan of the species Plumatella emarginata was used. The colonies came from the recirculating system of circular tanks located at Mendel University. The colonies of Plumatella emarginata stocked into aquaria in specially adjusted Petri dishes after 2–3 days started to attach to the dish walls. After 14 days, 70% of colonies were attached to the base. During the first trial, the colonies were not fed; during the second trial, they were fed a mixture of green algae. Although the colonies were cultivated in optimised conditions, they did not grow any further and after one month, all colonies in both trials died off. A total of 28 adjusted Petri dishes were used in 6 tanks. We did not succeed in developing and verifying a methodology for the cultivation of bryozoans in laboratory conditions.

The aim of the study was to find whether it might be possible to discover individual lines of selected fish species, in our case the chub (Squalius cephalus), using meristic and plastic traits. The lines were detected using genetic methods; in particular, using analysis of mitochondrial (COI) as well as nuclear (RP1S7) markers. The studied fish originated from all river basins within the Czech Republic. A total of 30 plastic and 20 meristic traits were determined in 18 samples. Only in three traits, the level of significance was found to be lower than P = 0.05. In practice, however, not even these three traits can categorize particular individuals into the given lines. Therefore, no trait was found that would clearly define the morphological differences between the studied lines of the chub.

The aim of the study was to verify the effect of phytase and citric acid addition on increased phosphorus digestibility from feed mixtures in carp breeding. Feed mixtures have many purposes in carp breeding, but can also be a potential source of water pollution by phosphorus. Five diets were used in this study. Their basis was a commonly used feed mixture KP1. The first mixture was also the control, and the subsequent ones were with the addition of 500 FTU, 1000 FTU, 500 FTU and 3% of citric acid and the last one was with the additiion of 1000 FTU and 3% of citric acid. Six tanks, with seven pieces of common carp in each, were prepared for the study. The test was conducted in two repetitions. Excreta samples were collected during the test, and later analysed for phosphorus content.  The obtained result have shown a significantly high influence of phytase and citric acid addition on phosphorus digestibility (factorial ANOVA: F = 51.4, d.f. = 2, p < 0.001), where digestibility of phosphorus increased by almost 30%.Furthermore, the amount of phytase in diets had no positive effect on the quantity of the digested phosphorus.

The aim of the study was a year-on-year comparison of detailed research of aquatic invertebrates in intensive salmonid fish farming, determination of the taxonomic composition of the community, and specification of species that may be hosts to parasitic disease agents. The monitoring was done on a Danish model recirculating system near the Pravíkov municipality in the Czech-Moravian Highlands. A total of 19 series of samples were taken in the vegetation periods of the years 2015 and 2016. In between the vegetation periods, the whole system was drained and disinfected which had a major impact on the aquatic invertebrates. A total of 51 taxa of aquatic invertebrates were noted. In 2015, the mean abundance was 412 pcs/m². In 2016 after disinfection, marked changes occurred in the taxonomic composition; the mean abundance here was 515 pcs/m².

The lymphocyte transformation test is a functional immunological assay commonly used in mammals, but in fish, there are some obstacles, making the optimization necessary (including determination of optimal samples, anticoagulants, mitogens and their concentration, serum type, temperature during incubation and its length). Samples obtained from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) included organs (head kidney and spleen) and blood collected using different anticoagulants (heparin, EDTA). The highest levels of cell proliferation were observed after 6–7 days of incubation. Peripheral blood lymphocytes showed the best results with pokeweed mitogen (50 µg/ml), while head kidney lymphocytes were most stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin (100 µg/ml). Compared with trout serum, FBS provided higher proliferation levels. Best results were obtained at 15 °C with peripheral blood lymphocytes, though only small differences were measured between different incubation temperatures with head kidney lymphocytes. Heparinized blood was proven to be an optimal sample, providing the best results. Optimization of this test improves possibilities for examining the health status of salmonid fish in trials as well as in practice.

Accumulation of sediments in fishponds is a big problem in the Czech Republic. Most owners of fishponds are not able to manage this problem financially, organizationally or professionally. A product that could degrade organic depositions at the bottom and in the water column using natural unmodified bacteria could be an excellent and innovative solution to the problem of silt removal in fishponds. The aim of the project was to examine the ability of bacterial-enzymatic mixture to decompose pond sediments and the effect of these products on the quality and composition of sediments. The experiment was conducted in laboratory conditions, so the results of this experiment do not match the results that could be achieved in ponds under natural conditions. The degradation of pond sediments was not confirmed during the course of the experiment. However, the influence of the product on the change in sediment composition and the increase in oxygen content in water was confirmed.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of phytoplankton community were carried out in fishponds Bohuslavice 1, Bohuslavice 2 and Bohuslavice 3 situated in the District Prostějov, during the period from April to August 2017. In Bohuslavice 2 and 3 bacterial product PTP PLUS was applied in several repetitions in April and May with the aim of decomposing the organic sediments at the bottom and improving the oxygen regime.  At the same time, selected hydrochemical parameters were measured. The highest values of oxygen saturation were documented at the beginning of the season, after which they continuously decreased. Taxa from eight divisions were recorded in the phytoplankton community. In terms of diversity, Chlorophyta was the most diverse group, followed by Bacillariophyta and Euglenophyta in each of the studied fishponds. The highest abundance in Bohuslavice 1 and 2 was recorded in the beginning of the research period, and this was the only time when cyanobacteria were present in higher numbers. In Bohuslavice 2 the highest value of abundance was in July, with Tetrastrum triangulare as the most dominant species (48.87% of total amount of cells); and this was the highest abundance registered in all three ponds during the entire research period. The most dominant group during greater part of the season was Chlorophyta with common representatives from genera Monoraphidium, Desmodesmus, Planktosphaeria, Tetrastrum. Very numerous members of phytoplankton community were also genera Trachelomonas, from the group Euglenophyta and colonial Fragilaria from Bacillariophyta. The oxygen content, diversity and abundance of phytoplankton were probably influenced by the cover of free floating plants Lemna minor and Spirodela polyrhiza, which were present in different scales in all three ponds.

Middle Elbe region is well known for its vast network of pools, river branches and oxbow lakes with preserved stands of water macrophytes. These sites are determined by richness of stands and their morphology to evaluate its ecological potential. Ecological potential of water systems of the Middle Elbe region has been monitored in seven sites, located in the Labe floodplain area between Týnec nad Labem and Káraný. The combination of Ecological quality ratio and Trophic state index was used to evaluate this potential. The monitored sites are significantly affected by the eutrophication process. This methodology has been verified to be applicable for evaluation of ecological potential of similar sites. It has been verified that this methodology is applicable to evaluation of ecological potential of similar sites.  It has been found that ecological potential of examined localities displays status influenced by eutrophy. The monitored sites are characterized by the presence of valuable water and wetland plant communities. Some species of aquatic plants (like Nymphaea alba, Potamogeton lucens or Scutellaria hastifolia) have disappeared as a result of increasing trophy, advancing ecological succession and the destruction of stands.

This study assessed the status of urban and peri-urban forestry, evaluated the effect of population growth on urban forests landscape and designed innovative strategies that will ensure sustainability and improvement of urban living environment. It was investigated through secondary data, field investigation, enquiries to relevant stakeholders, direct assessment and observations of urban and peri-urban forest landscapes in Cameroon. These analyses highlight the extreme diversity of environmental resources from urban forests in Cameroon. Rapid urban population growth, limited land area, and poor implementation of government policies are some factors affecting urban forests development and are responsible for vicious cycle of environmental degradation in urban areas in Cameroon. The results contribute elements for strategic and operational planning. Urban forestry management is an important strategy to improve urban living and working environments. There is a need to highlight successful strategies and actions concerning the management of urban and peri-urban forests. Involvement of all stakeholders and users in reflections and in the implementation of policies concerning the management of the urban and peri-urban forests should be adopted and advocated, to ensure sustainable development and to ensure that cities, trees and forests grow together to meet the needs of urbanized societies.

The relative abundance and diversity of small terrestrial mammals (Rodentia, Soricidae) were evaluated in lowlands of south Moravia. Three larger isolated forest complexes (> 50 ha) in intensively managed landscape were assessed: seminatural forest, production forest and pheasantry. Animals were captured using snap-traps. A total of 5426 individuals belonging to 12 species were trapped. The most abundant and most dominant species were Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus and Clethrionomys glareolus, while other species were present in much lower numbers. The highest relative abundance (n = 2696, rA = 11.102), diversity (H' = 1.21) and number of species (n = 12) were found in pheasantry. The lowest abundace (n =1202, rA = 7.705) and diversity (H' = 1.04) were in seminatural forest . The lowest number of species occurred in production forest (n = 6). The differences between localities were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Larger isolated forest complexes are suitable for long-term stable populations of dominant species only (Apodemus spp., Clethrionomys glareolus).

This work deals with the current state of a social farming in the Czech Republic. It explains and defines this concept, theoretical bases, specifications and sources of funding, moreover, it ponders over the benefits for rural development and local communities. The work includes an analysis of the current state of social farming in the Czech Republic and Great Britain and, a SWOT analysis of the Czech and British care farms. The subsequent comparison results in many similarities such as the perceived strength, the benefit to society, or the common feature of the lack of salary valuation of workers who work with people with a health or social disadvantage.

In this contribution we focus on evaluating the development trends in the village of Čajkov (SW of Slovakia). Čajkov represents a village with a long tradition of vineyard cultivation. The aim of our study was to identify and evaluate the development trends in the village of Čajkov over two time periods (1949–1986 and 1986–2016), based on a comparison of secondary landscape structure changes. We discovered that Čajkov is one of the few villages in Slovakia where traditional vineyards have not disappeared over the last 70 years, but on the contrary have increased.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the ecotoxicity of sediment from Malonínský brook, sedimentation reservoir and Smolenská water reservoir, which are located on this creek. The second objective is to compare the concentration of the risk elements contained in the sediment from the Smolensk water reservoir with the limit values set out in the Decree No. 257/2009 Coll., As amended. A methodology for the collection and evaluation of sediment samples, which is based on valid legislation and valid CSS standards, was developed. The area of interest was divided into 4 parts. For each part of the territory, one single mixed sample was created. In the laboratory of the Department of Applied and Landscape Ecology, an ecotoxicity test was carried out by the method of Inhibition of Growth of Root of Higher Plants according to CSS EN ISO 11269-1. The chemical analysis of the risk elements was processed only for sediment from the Smolenská water reservoir. After comparing the measured concentrations of the individual indicators (mg/kg dry matter) for the mixed sample from the Smolenská water reservoir, it is clear that the limit values given in Annex 1 to Decree No. 257/2009 Coll. are not exceeded. From the results of the ecotoxicity test, it can be seen that the mixed sample of sediment collected from the Malonínský brook in part 4 does not reach the required values according to Decree No. 257/2009 Coll. and is ecotoxic. Mixed sediment samples from part 2 and part 3 are not ecotoxic, but the test results are closer to the limit. The sediment from part 1 – above the Smolenská reservoir is not ecotoxic. It is not advisable to build the pond sediment as a waste, but after meeting the requirements for the concentration values of the risk elements as for the fertilizer. It is necessary to mix sediment before placed on farmland. The results show that for the sediment from the site, the ratio of substrate mixing to the sample is 3:1, i.e. 75% of the substrate and 25% of the sediment volume.

This paper aims to map the state of the irrigation system in the selected area and the evaluation of its components. The area of interest is located near the Malonínský brook near the town Jevíčko. As part of the elaboration of the work methodology historical material has been obtained from the flow manager and the local government, which has been preserved to the present day. In addition, the area of interest was visited (in October 2016, March and August 2017), reconnaissance of the terrain and photo documentation of the current state of the constructions were realized. The collected information was processed and evaluated. In the area of interest there are 6 categories of constructions of surface watering system Malá Haná, which was built in the 1930s. This system is currently largely non-functional outside Smolenská Water Reservoir, which is maintained in a conditional state, and as the only one of the original irrigation system can be used for other functions or possibly incorporated in the future into a new irrigation system based on modern austerity technologies.

We have assessed the potential effect of a windbreak on the degradation of soil aggregates both on the leeward and windward sides. Soil samples were collected at the beginning and end of each winter season at a distance of 3-, 6- and 9-fold windbreak height. After collection, the samples were subjected to aggregate analysis to establish the erodible and non-erodible fractions. The analyses also included evaluation of the effect of meteorological conditions on the soil aggregate degradation. The factors that were evaluated to determine the degradation of soil aggregates were:  the action of water and subsequent freezing/thawing of the soil surface. The pressure of the freezing soil moisture followed by washing result in disintegration of soil aggregates into erodible fractions, which in case of erosion-effective winds cause erosion events. Climatic data on the soil surface temperature and soil moisture state were obtained from the nearest professional station of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (Kuchařovice). For our study we selected a windbreak in cadastral area Tasovice nad Dyjí. The assessment was performed for three winter seasons, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.

Bangladesh as a country lying in the most attackable place to climate hazards - delta of three large rivers with a high population density and high poverty, is one of the most vulnerable areas to impacts of climate change in the future. There are three main natural climate hazards which are very likely to be worse in the future: the floods, the tropical cyclone activity connected with the storm surges and the droughts. The Government of Bangladesh has published the strategic document Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2009 with six main issues to ensure decreasing the adverse impacts of climate changes. It focuses on ensuring basic needs of its inhabitants, developing infrastructure and urbanization with emphasis on low carbon emissions, improving disaster management, research and strengthening institutions. In this research there is analysed the main strategic document for adaptation plan as well as other studies and discussed strengths as well as weaknesses and limitation of the strategic plan. Some of the weaknesses may be unsuitability for entire area, disregarding local conditions and local people needs and their abilities to adapt and also unappropriate money distribution along right prioritizing of the adaptation plans.

Knowledge of the technological characteristics of municipal solid waste (mixed and segregated) such as accumulation indicators provides the necessary information indispensable, for example, in the choice of appropriate waste treatment method and is essential in the planning process of the waste management system. The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of changes in mass accumulation index of mixed and segregated municipal solid waste in selected rural (suburban) communes in Poland in order to identify trends of changes in the accumulation of waste. In addition, the objective of the study was to determine the relationship between the calculated indicators and the socio-economic factors that can impacted on them. Data on waste for the period 2013-2015 was obtained from the MIKI company in Krakow (Poland). In all analysed communes, the indicators of mixed municipal solid waste showed an upward trend; however, the efficiency of segregation in rural areas decreased which negatively reflects the ecological awareness of the inhabitants.

Social-economic transformation of Nitra city is significantly influenced by the process of commercial suburbanization. Main localization factors affecting progress of this process within the observed area are the very good traffic accessibility with good connection to the highway R1, large industrial buildings in this area as well as large available land for commercial purposes. The analysis of the development of commercial suburbanization in Čermáň district was based on comparison of the amount of commercial objects in 1998 and 2017. Commercial suburbanization marked an increase in 76 objects (starting with 11 in 1998 to 87 in 2017). The basis for this analysis was field research that provided data for real number of objects. Additionally, comparison of aerial photographs identified the growth of areas used for commercial purposes in the analyzed period as well as circumstances affecting localization of individual objects. Based on the research, it is foreseeable that the process of commercial suburbanization will continue to record steep increase in the number of objects. The presumption is associated with continuous thickening of the built-up area, with the revitalization of abandoned buildings as well as with significant change in the function of fertile agricultural land.

In the model area of intensively used agricultural landscape was realized the detailed pedologic survey. The aim of the survey was to explore the area by 37 ha, in the cadastral area of Rišňovce and Rumanová municipalities, affected by water erosion. The complication of the study area was multiplied by the heterogeneity of substrate subsoil and transition zone of the Chernozem area to the area of Haplic Luvisols. The model area was explored by 111 probes spaced at nearly regular network. By using digital elevation model were created 25 sites of elementary georelief forms. Their detailed survey was carried out in relation to the identification of soil units (soil type, soil class, variety, form). In the paper, we point out to the fact that the composition of the soil cover is different from the Complex Survey of Agricultural Soils (Němeček et al. 1966) it´s reflecting not only the development of erosion-accumulation processes, but also mapping methods in the past and today. These differences were demonstrated on the example of small model area.

Currently, introducing harmful substances into the environment forms a frequently discussed issue. This includes toxic metals that occur in the soil. In the Czech Republic, cultivating your own crops in allotment gardens is a widespread activity. This paper aims at assessing amounts of toxic metals occurring in the soil while determining the basic soil attributes in specific allotment garden areas; the soil include pH, ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) and conductivity as factors for the mobility of metals since such mobility is closely linked to the potential risk of transfer of toxic metals in food chains. The study also includes analysing the measured values against the applicable legal norm in the Czech Republic and identifying the level of soil contamination at specific gardening sites. The XRF analysis was used to determine metal levels in soil samples; the BASS DELTA device was used for this method. Out of the eight specified metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn), four metals (Cd, Cu, V, and Zn) were found to exceed the legal norms in terms of content. Cd was found to be the most hazardous element within the set with its level reaching 12.69 mg/kg whereas 0.5 mg/kg is provided by the legal norm. It should be noted, however, that considering the detected soil attributes, mobility of metals is expected to be low in the given settings.

This study focuses on mapping the occurrence of the Brigittea civica spider (Lucas 1850) in Moravia and Silesia using Google Street View. With this spider we can meet exclusively on the walls of human dwellings within the Czech Republic, where it creates characteristic circular webs, allowing it to be monitored using a computer with internet connection. The method of observation using Google Street View has not yet been applied to any species of spider. In this case, therefore, this is the first published study, where the presence of a particular spider species was monitored through this application. In total, the observations were done in 128 of faunistic squares. The presence of B. civica was recorded in 47 faunistic squares in total, with 45 new cases in the given square, and in two cases an earlier finding was confirmed. Based on the findings, we can say that B. civica is much wider in our country than we thought.

The paper analyzes the influence of counterurbanization on the contemporary face and nature of the countryside. The research was focused on identifying problems associated with the countryside. It presents several different examples of countrerurbanization in some rural areas. Average statistical indicators such as the number and age of population, highest level of education, and others were compiled and evaluated. Possibilities of transport accessibility to the nearest towns were also included and analyzed. Comparative methods were used in selected areas not only for statistical data but also for map data. The comparative methods were complemented with the results of interviews with local residents. The results show differences not only in the statistical data for the individual villages but also allow an insight into different cultural life and life quality in rural areas, and its perception by residents. Based on the obtained data, we could identify different factors influencing the process of counterurbanization/suburbanization in the individual areas.

Moisture and temperature conditions are among the crucial abiotic factors of the environment, which are fundamental for the occurrence of a particular species. The aim of this work is to assess two different protected areas, where drought has a completely different impact. With the use of water balance characteristics, a map of drought threat for the Czech Republic was created. Based on the knowledge of the moisture conditions, two contrasting localities were selected, where the impact of drought is completely different. It was a locality, for which drought represents an environmental problem – a protected landscape area the Moravian Karst, and a locality, which is not threatened by drought – a national nature preserve of the Mohelno Serpentine Steppe. Further assessment of the localities is focused on the relationship of drought (a change of moisture and temperature conditions) and the existence and function of the ecosystems.

The Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny is an organizational part of Mendel University in Brno, and it serves training as well as other purposes. This area is also heavily used by hikers, bikers, horseback riders and other target groups. This article focuses in particular on wheelchair users. From the perspective of the general use of the area and possible conflicts between users of the forest trails, we have analysed the related fundamental legal standards such as the Forest Act, the Civil Code, the Roads and Motorways Act, and others. A questionnaire was prepared in order to obtain information about the wheelchair users’ preferences. Among other things, our questionnaire survey helped identify the most significant obstacles that people in a wheelchair face in the woodlands. The obtained results have been used for preparing particular proposals concerning a selected location – the forest road from Rudice towards the Dyk Tree Nurseries and their surroundings.

Decreasing biodiversity is actual and serious problem of recent years. Protection and re- planting of non-crop vegetation is one of several ways how to support ecosystem services, which are e.g. nutrient and water cycling, soil formation, pest and disease control, pollination. Non-crop vegetation can be either permanent (woods, forest, meadows) or temporary (flowering plant strip as intercrop or in between the rows that can alternate after few years). The study was focused on monitoring of overall integration and flowering period of commercial plant mixture for greening vineyards, orchards and fields and effect of the irrigation. Chosen mixture of plants contains flowers that were continuously blooming from 23. calendar week till the end of experiment (46. calendar week). Irrigation had effect on appearance of several plants species (e.g. T. repens, P. lanceoalata) and overall integration of vegetation. Most of the taxons had higher appearance and longer flowering period on non irrigated variation (e.g. T. incarnatum, P. tanacetifolia, F. esculentum), two species had same length of flowering period on both variations and only one taxon (Onobrychis vicifolia) have one week longer flowering period on irrigated variation.

The mixed municipal solid waste collected from households is sent for processing in the mechanical-biological treatment plants (MBT). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of recirculation of leachate formed in the process of aerobic biostabilisation of undersize fraction (produced from mixed municipal solid waste in MBT process) on selected parameters of stabilised waste (end product of the process). Two variants of the system performance were analysed that is with and without recirculation of leachate into a bioreactor for which 12 and 10 test replicas were performed respectively. The analyses focused on selected technological properties of waste (undersize fraction and stabilised waste) and included morphological composition, density, dry mass, total organic carbon, loss on ignition and respiration activity AT4 (Atmungsaktivität nach 4 Tagen - eng. Respiratory activity after 4 days). The research was conducted in the waste treatment plant in Cracow (Poland) in the period from December 2016 to April 2017. The aerobic biostabilisation process on the MBT system should be based on leachate recirculation technology due to the fact that in this series of tests 83% of the samples achieved all the desired parameters of stabilised waste whereas in the second variant only 30%.

Nitrogen and phosphorus belongs among essential elements and their compounds play key role in cycles of matter. However, over-enrichment with these elements in surface water is a widespread problem resulting for example in eutrophication, methemoglobinemia caused by nitrates and fish poisoning by toxic ammonium ions. The evaluation of annual development of water pollution by nitrogen compounds in the upper part of Litava basin is the main aim of this paper. Twelve sampling profiles have been determined in the interest catchment placed east of Brno – eight directly on Litava stream and four on its main tributaries. The monitoring of selected water quality indicators (total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen) was performed since June 2016 to May 2017. Results has been compared with valid legislation – ČSN 75 7221 and Government order No. 401/2015 Coll., as amended and clearly confirmed influence the ammonium nitrogen pollution of water quality in Litava river. The limit specified in the Government order limit was exceeded in almost all profiles. This pollution is caused by point sources of pollution, especially municipality.

Denitrifying bioreactors are an innovative technology aimed at lowering high nitrate concentrations in agricultural runoff in situ. The most important component is a biodegradable filtration medium that serves as an organic carbon source for denitrifying bacteria, which reduces nitrates to nitrogen gases. However, undesirable excessive leaching of organic compounds from such bioreactor fillings can occur (especially in the start-up phase) with an adverse effect on the sensitive aquatic environment. The aim of this paper is to assess the possibility of using organics-rich water for irrigation. Static leaching tests and dynamic column tests were performed with various denitrifying bioreactor fill media to evaluate the leachability of organic substances (via the determination of chemical oxygen demand – COD, biochemical oxygen demand – BOD, and total organic carbon – TOC). The toxicities of the leachates were assessed via two terrestrial plant bioassays (Sinapis alba and Raphanus sativus). The tests with Sinapis alba indicate that some wood species (oak and acacia) exhibit higher toxicity, and that pretreatment by drying has a negative effect. A correlation was found between toxicity to Sinapis alba and COD, BOD, and TOC. As regards the dynamic tests, the concentration of organic compounds decreased with operation time, while toxicity to Sinapis alba increased. No toxic effect on Raphanus sativus was observed, and the toxic effect on Sinapis alba was slight. The results suggest that drained area irrigation using outflows from denitrifying bioreactors could be possible; however, such a decision would require more complex research involving more plant species.

The groundwater in the vicinity of the Stráž uranium deposit was vastly affected by chemical uranium extraction. After the mining ceased, more than 250 million m³ of acid solutions, containing mainly sulphuric acid, were left in the bedrock. The paper suggests a means of applying geochemical modelling in the prediction of groundwater chemistry development and the optimization of remediation. The Geochemist's Workbench programme was used to create a geochemical model based on field data gained from the Stráž deposit. Two waters were picked, both with low pH (1.1 and 3.6), and concentrations of main ions were used. The compositions were charge balanced and then gradual mixing was modelled. Synthetic waters with the same composition were prepared in a laboratory and mixed in mixing fractions 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0.95, 0.99 and 1. Redox potential, pH, and electrical conductivity were measured and compared with the geochemical model. Both of the chosen waters were undersaturated with respect to minerals, and the ionic composition of the prepared waters and during mixing was driven only by dilution. Within the comparison of the modelled and synthetic water parameters, almost identical results were obtained for pH, while redox potential and electrical conductivity were different. The difference in the redox potentials was probably caused by the presence of oxygen in the case of the synthetic water. The electrical conductivities values were similar; however, the model values were lower with higher pH. It is thus necessary to correct the model before its application to extreme waters, such as leaching field groundwaters. The presented results may be of use in efforts to improve the modelling of very acid groundwaters and help in understanding changes in parameters which affect mineral precipitation and the dissolution of uranium compounds.

Detailed analysis of the phenological data of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute was made in this paper. The analysis was carried out for spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) for Poděbrady station (177 m a.s.l.). These phenological phases were analyzed: emergence, tillering, the beginning of leaf sheath elongation, first node, second node, swelling of the sheath of the last leaf, heading, milky ripeness, yellow ripeness and full ripeness and these agrotechnical operations: sowing and harvest. It was found out that growing season has been prolonged by average of 9 days. Harvest was on average delayed by 11 days in the period 1991–2010 (according to the period 1931–1960). Analyzed data show great variability in onset of phenological phases and implementation of agrotechnical operations. The weather has significant influence on development of spring barley and onset of individual phenological phase in given year. Greatest variability in onset of phenological phases was detected at tillering. This phenophase occurs from the 96^th day to the 139^th day of the year (range of phenophases is 43 days). The greatest variability of all data was found out in agrotechnical operation sowing. Difference between analysed years is up to 58 days. Sowing of spring barley usually is going on from the 56^th day of the year to the 114^th day of the year.

The contribution consists of two parts. The first part deals with evaluation of data from phenological observations of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI). The calculation of the value of protective effect of vegetation (C factor) for years with long and short growing season was carried out in the second part. The paper deals with the onsets of phenological phases (emergence, heading and milky wax ripeness) and agrotechnical operations (sowing and harvest) of maize. Detailed analysis for particular years was carried out for Strážnice station (1991–2012). Analysis of average values shows that the longest growing season (152 days) was in the period 1991–2012. When this data was compared with the period 1931-1960, the prolongation of growing season was proved (by 6 days). Analysis of the average values shows that prolongation of interval between phenological phases of emergence and heading was proved (from 38 days to 62 days). On the average the sowing was carried out at the earliest in the period 1931–1960. And the harvest was carried out at the latest in the period 1991–2012. The analyzed data show a great variability in the onset of phenological phases and in implementation of agrotechnical operations. First of all the meteorological conditions are going to have significant influence on the progress of maize and the onset of phenological phases. The value of the protective effect of vegetation shows how certain crop protects the surface of soil from falling drops of rain. Higher values of C factor were detected in each year with short growing season. The percentage difference between years with a long or short growing season is 10% for 1968 and 1986 and 35% for 1994 and 2010.

The article focuses on the issue of agricultural soil sealing in the Modřice cadastre (South Moravian Region). Available data and map resources were used for this study (historical and up-to-date). Data was processed using manual digitalisation in GIS software. The reduction in agricultural land is analyzed in individual periods starting with the year 1824 (source of data of Stable cadastre) until present.  It is also evaluated the soil sealing of individual types of land and soil types (including the price of land) according to Evaluated Soil-Ecological Units (ESEU). The soil sealing of agricultural land is connected with the development of the municipality. For the comparison of the future development, the potential (future) soil sealing of agricultural land, which is proposed within the framework of the valid Land-use plan, is evaluated. The results show that 396 hectares of agricultural land (40% of the cadastral area) have been built since the year 1824 until the present day. In the event of this trend, a large loss of agricultural land can be expected in the future.

The paper presents the method and manner for analysing the locations of stable areas (“core areas”) - sites without any changes to the manner of land use in the period between the first half of the 19^th century until the present (in the model area of the Hustopeče region - South Moravia). Stable areas in the landscape (especially forests, meadows) are of great ecological importance - they increase biodiversity, facilitate the movement of animals. Stable areas give the landscape its typical landscape character. Areas without a change of land use – without qualitative alternation to the type of plot were identified by analysing 6 lines of historical land use development in GIS. Inputs of this analysis are historical maps, historical aerial pictures and current orthophotos. The analysis suggests some 30% of the land cover of the Hustopeče model area is without land use changes. The remaining 70% of land has undergone at least one change in the type of plot over the monitored period. The most represented area without any change in land use are arable land – 23.6%, followed by forests (3.3% of land), built-up area (1.8%). Other land use types (permanent grassland, vineyards and orchards) are represented to a negligible extent.

Climate change leads to the creation of landscape measures for its stabilization. One of the steps of sustainable land-use is the measures aimed at processing rainwater in settlements. Rain gardens represent a way of storm water treatment at settlement level. It is necessary to follow several rules – for proper functioning which include natural conditions and site parameters. The aim of study was the establishment of methodology for determining the suitable locations for rain gardens, in application to settlement – village Alekšince. Selection of potential sites is based on the attributes of soil properties, slope, land use, ownership and ground water level in the given area, that are processed in GIS software QGIS. The methodology used is based on implemented methodologies of last years. The result is raster map which shows the suitability of village location for rain garden based on the spatial analysis with the use of overlaying of the value raster of the mentioned attributes.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills constitute one of the largest sources of anthropogenic pollutions. Landfill sites act as biological reactors, in which waste undergoes physical, chemical and biological transformation. Significant problem associated to landfills is the production of leachates. Leachate is an emergent source of pollutants. Leachate handling typically involves treatment either on
site or at a wastewater treatment plants but phytoremediation, using plants is cost‑effective and sustainable remediation strategies for removing or detoxifying contaminants. The present study is a part of a larger project on assessing the potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for phytoremediation of pollutants (e.g. heavy metals) from leachate. The principal aim of this paper is to describe preliminary analysis and reaction of hemp on leachate irrigations in a real condition experiment. For the experiment were chosen two varieties of Cannabis sativa L., Bialobrzeskie and Monoica. During the measurement, the Bialobrzeskie varieties watered with rainwater were 26% taller on average, and the Monoica varieties were up to 34% taller than plants watered with leachate. The leachate does not stimulate plant growth, which is why the growth was much smaller.

Phenolic substances belong to the most important secondary metabolites of plants; they have high antioxidant activity useful for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, bacterial growth or cancer. Phenolic acids and flavonoids obtained by the means of different extraction methods were studied in  elderberry flowers, namely chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercetin, quercetin and kempferol. The plants were extracted in order to obtain three types of phenolic compounds:  free, bound and esterified ones. The compounds of interest were analyzed by the means of UHPLC liquid chromatograph with a PDA detector at the Research Institute of Brewing and Malting, PLC. The obtained results indicate that the extraction of free phenolic compounds seems to be the best method for obtaining phenolic substances. Following phenolic substances are used in the food industry: chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercetin, quercetin and kaempferol.

The impact of extraction solvents on concentration of selected polyphenols, antioxidant activity and colour parameters was evaluated for group of 10 the most popular medical plants conventionally produced in the Czech Republic. High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Ultra Violet Visible Near Infrared Spectroscopy were employed. The entire experimental characteristics were processed by multivariate statistical methods in order to assess the influence of extraction conditions on monitored characteristics and for mutual differentiation of medical plant samples according to the extraction solvent used. Results obtained clearly proved the successful differentiation of medical plant samples by means of canonical discrimination analysis, reaching 96.7% correctness, as well as by k-th nearest neighbour method reaching 100% for k = 1 and 60% for k = 2. The results unambiguously confirmed also the importance of selection of the most proper extraction conditions to obtain the highest possible yields of target compounds/molecules with health-promoting and antioxidant properties.

Walnut is known because of its high polyunsaturated fatty acids content, they reduce blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol. In the walnut oil production, it is very important to find appropriate parameters to pressing the oil from seeds. In this study, walnut oil was obtained by pressing by screw press UNO FM 3F by Farmet Company, Czech Republic. The effects of pressing frequency of 30, 50, 70, and 90 rpm and nozzle size of 6, 8, 10 mm in pressing experiments were monitored. The walnuts oil density was 876.3 kg/m and seed oil content was determined by extraction ranges 70.17% in dry basis. The results have confirmed that when the screw rotation speed is changed from 30 to 90 rpm, the press capacity increases on average from 0.71 to 2.05 kg/h but simultaneously the oil yield reduces from 41 to 12%. Finally, the optimal pressing parameters were determined to 30 rpm and nozzle size of 6 mm.

The aim of this work was the determination of variability of the essential oil content in lavender obtained from different sources. The results indicate that significant differences were found both in the essential oil content and in its composition. Only the samples of the Lavandula angustifolia P. MILL (L. officinalis CHAIX) were used to obtain the essential oils. According to the Czech Pharmacopoeia 2014, the drug (lavender flowers) should contain at least 1.3 ml of essential oil in 100 g of anhydrous drug and lavender essential oil should contain following ingredients: limonene < 1.0%, cineol < 2.5% (eucalyptol), 3-octanone < 2.5%, camphor < 1.2%, linalol 20.0% to 45.0%, linalylacetate 25.0% to 46.0%, terpinene-4-ol 1.2% to 6.0%, lavandulylacetate > 1.0%, lavandulol > 0.1%, á-terpineol < 2.0%. The average content of the essential oil found in samples from three cultivation sites in Hvar was 9.58 ml in 100 g sample. However, statistically significant differences were found between samples obtained from Hvar. The content of limonene in the analyzed samples was highest in the sample from France and the sample from Brno Královo Pole. The content of cineol also complied with the Pharmacopoeia, except for the sample Žabčice II. It is evident that the samples from Hvar and France had several times higher cineol content than required by the Pharmacopoeia.

Reducing the amount of sulphur dioxide in wine has been one of the the main subject of interest to winemakers for several years. Recent research has shown the efficacy of saturated middle chain fatty acids (MCFAs) as inhibitors of alcoholic fermentation; even in the production of wine with higher residual sugar. In this study, the effectiveness of the octanoic (C₈), decanoic (C₁₀) and dodecanoic (C₁₂) mixture of MCFAs as a complement to sulphur dioxide was monitored with a view to reducing the dosage of sulphur dioxide required to ensure effective inhibition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, which in turn halts alcoholic fermentation. The progression of alcoholic fermentation was observed across twenty-four variants and combinations of middle chain fatty acid mixtures and sulphur dioxide. The development and conclusion of alcoholic fermentation was controlled for ten days, after application of the MCFAs mixtures. The process was monitored through daily measurement of residual sugar content. The results were statistically evaluated. A mixture of the C₈, C₁₀ and C₁₂ MCFAs in the ratio 2:7:1, in concentration 10 mg/l, can reduce the required dosage of sulphur dioxide by several tens of mg/l. The results prove that the application of 10 mg/l of MCFAs mixture with 30–40 mg/l of sulphur dioxide has the same efficacy as the dosage of 60 mg/l of sulphur dioxide alone.

This study deals with the occurrence of phthalic acid esters in sausages and their packaging depending on the time. The identified phthalic acid esters were dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). DBP and DEHP are the most used plasticizers. It exist a risk of migration phthalic acid esters to the food. In sausages was found concentration of DBP from 7.01 to 18.79 mg/g of original raw material, concentration of DEHP from 7.01 to 18.79 mg/g of original raw material. But the statistically proven difference between concentration established immediately after purchase and on expiration date was not found. The concentration in packaging was detected DBP from no detected level to 83.92 μg/dm, DEHP from 0.62 to 247.91  μg/dm. Statistically prove different between concentration established immediately after purchase and on expiration date was found only for the concentration DBP per gram of plastic, and per dm² in plastic casing, then for wrap with label was found statistically significant difference for concentration DEHP per gram of plastic, and per dm².

This work deals with sensory evaluation of yoghurt with the addition of fibers and raw materials with natural high fiber content, which brings many positive effects on human health. Chia flour, quinoa flour, nopal powder, apple fiber and bamboo fiber were added to the yoghurt in the amounts of 1%, 3% and 5%. The work shows the evaluation in the first week after production of the yoghurt. Freed whey, acceptability of color, sour aroma, acceptability of aroma, viscosity, texture, stickiness, sandiness, intensity of sourness, acceptability of taste and total impression were used as the descriptors. Very badly assessed were the yoghurts with 5 % and 3 % quinoa flour and with 5% and 3% nopal powder and very well evaluated in overall impression were the yoghurts with 1% bamboo fiber and nature yoghurt. Therefore, according to this study, the addition of 1% bamboo fiber to nature yoghurt as fiber fortifier are recommendable, but the highest concentrations of quinoa flour and nopal powder to yoghurt cannot be suggested.

Entomophagia is currently only a marginal issue in the Czech Republic. It has been gaining more supporters in recent years. Thus, it is necessary to address even its health safety. For this reason, we paid attention to the microbiological quality of the flour beetle and an influence of a pre-culinary treatment on number of microorganisms. Large numbers of microorganisms were found in live larvae. Their highest values were reached by the total plate count (TPC) - 3.3 x 108 CFU/g, Enterobacteriaceae family 4.8 x 107 CFU/g. After sacrificing and drying, the number of microorganisms was reduced to 1.6 x 103 CFU/g in TPC and Enterobacteriaceae family was completely eliminated.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of long time aging on beef longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LL) and semimembranosus (SM) sensory meat quality traits. Beef LL (n = 18) and SM cuts (n = 18) from slaughtered Czech Fleckvieh animals (n=6) were assigned to storage at 2.0 degrees C for 7, 28, 42, 49 or 56 days. Increased aging time changed colour of LL and SM vacuumed beef steaks to 56 days of storage, SM became darker (L* = 41.16 to 38.02). In our case, total colour difference in SM storage exceeded the value earlier (42 days) than in LL (49 days), when the observer would find the difference between the two samples (∆E*ab = 2), although there was a bigger change at LL, although at LL it reached higher final values (4.13 versus 3.81). Meat quality traits were affected by long ageing differently. Quality characteristics of Czech Fleckvieh meat from the two different muscles were analysed and surprisingly had an acceptable sensory evaluation.

This study monitored the effect of the addition of chia flour, quinoa flour, nopal power, apple Fiber and Bamboo Fiber BAF 40 on colour stability of yogurt. It was made yogurt with 1, 3 and 5% of addition. Bovine milk was heated up to 85 °C for 5 min and cooled down to 36 °C and fermented until pH of yogurt was 4.50. The yogurt was divided into 16 groups and into each group was adding 1, 3 and 5% of chia flour, quinoa flour, nopal power, apple Fiber and Bamboo Fiber BAF 40 a one group was without additives as control. Titratable acidity was determined during the incubation period of the samples and storage time up to 15 days. Color stability was measured during the storage time. The results showed that fortified yogurt and control yogurt had significant effect to titratable acidity during storage time. There were found some significant different between colour parameters on 1, 8 and 15 days of storage. But these changes are not so bigger and not influence the colour stability of yogurt with additives.

The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of chocolate composition on its shelf life and to monitor the effect of different storage regimes on the changes in the sensory quality and texture properties of chocolate products with different contents of cocoa butter. Samples of tempered and untempered milk and bitter chocolate were made. The chocolate samples were stored for three months at various temperature regimes: -18 °C, 6 °C, 12 °C and 20 °C. Sensory analysis and texture measurements were performed before and after the samples were stored. In conclusion, the effect of the composition on the shelf life was evaluated, and a measure was proposed to improve the stability and shelf life of chocolate and chocolate products.

Wheat bran is a low-cost by-product of the milling industry. Traditionally, it is used as livestock feed, but nowadays intention of wheat flour industry is to find a new value-added applications for a wheat bran. Wheat is a good source of phenolic compounds, from which the ferulic acid is the most abundant one. Ferulic acid exhibits lots of beneficial effects so it is widely used in food, health and cosmetic industries. In this paper, the optimization of extraction process of ferulic acid from wheat bran is presented. Ferulic acid was extracted by alkaline-hydrolysis using NaOH and later purified by precipitating hemicelluloses and glucomannans with ethanol. To optimize the extraction process for laboratory conditions, three initial weights of wheat bran, four concentrations of NaOH and three hydrolysis temperatures were examined. Obtained extracts were analysed by HPLC and amount of ferulic and other phenolic acids were determined. It was found out that only initial weight of ferulic acid had statistically significant effect on ferulic acid yields, however effects of concentration of NaOH and hydrolysis temperature were not so statistically significant. Besides ferulic acid, other phenolic compounds were also found to be present in wheat bran extracts such as sinapic, caffeic and coumaric acid, but they were found only in minor amounts.

As organic farmers are searching perspective crops for growing, there is possible to choice neglected wheat species and also have a new market and sell opportunities. Concerning wheat, there are landraces so called hulled wheat species (einkorn, emmer wheat, spelt) comprising parts of collections of the world gene banks. Our paper aims at presenting the results of the study and the assessment of spring wheat forms, four einkorn cultivars, eight emmer wheat cultivars, seven spelt wheat cultivars in particular, as compared to modern bread wheat variety. Small-plot trials were established at three different localities within the Czech Republic in 2009 and 2012 in organic farming fields. The results of the trials show that the grains were characterised by a high proportion of protein in grain (up to 18.1%). However, they may be difficult to use for common baking (low Gluten index and sedimentation value). The main advantage was a high share of nutritionally valuable Albumins, Globulins and insoluble rest protein fractions in comparison with modern control varieties of bread wheat.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of selected oils addition in diet on fatty acids content in liver tissue of model animals (rats). Animals were divided into four groups and fed daily ad libidum with basic feed mixture enriched of 6% selected oils. Palm oil (control group), fish oil and Schizochytrium alga oil – DHA (test groups), safflower oil (negative control) were used. At the end of the experiment liver tissue of rats was removed. Fatty acids representation in liver tissue was determined by gas chromatography. It was concluded that composition of fatty acids in the diet correlates with their deposition in liver tissues of rats and may have an effect on regulation of chronic inflammatory diseases.

The aim of this study was to monitor the dynamics of the changes in the content of selected anthocyanins in the processing of the blue-grain Scorpion wheat variety for food. Nine selected anthocyanins were monitored by high performance liquid chromatography and their content determined in wholemeal flour, bran, and soft flour. To determine the content of individual anthocyanins and their degradation rates during grain processing to the final product, wholemeal flour was used to bake products. The dominant anthocyanin was found to be delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside in wholemeal flour (12.75 μg/g) and in bran (43.69 μg/g). The content of the most common anthocyanins in wholemeal flour, including the dominant delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, dropped quickly to 2.59 μg/g during processing to wholemeal bakery products.

Last decades microalgae are gaining much interest due to high-valued biomolecules content. Increasing number of genetic studies and modifications require quality input material and short time analysis at the same time. Appropriate DNA extraction is one of the crucial and time limiting steps. Therefore in this study we set up optimum parameters for automatic homogenizer Precellys® 24 Evolution (using bead mills technology) for DNA extraction from selected species of green microalgae. Speed parameter 4 500 rpm, 6 800 rpm and 10 000 rpm was tested to obtain the best ratio quality/quantity/purity of DNA material. There were 3 protocols set up due to different sensitivity of microalgae cell walls on bead mills power, otherwise universal protocol needs to be a compromise between quality and quantity.

Production costs of F1 seeds of Petunia hybrida can be decreased by using sterile component. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), located in mitochondria, is transferred either by back crossing or by protoplast fusion. Asymmetric protoplast fusion represents the most effective way. Protoplast nucleus of one component (donor of CMS) must be destroyed by UV radiation. Protoplast cytoplasm of the second component must by destroyed by metabolic inhibitors. Asymmetrically fused protoplast possesses CMS from donor and rest of the features of fertile component. The aim of this experiment was to determine the amount of UV radiation (in seconds) needed for destruction of protoplast nucleus. Optimal UV radiation, based on results from 3 different Petunia hybrida genotypes is 510 µW/cm² for a duration of 300 seconds.

In recent years, an increasing number of studies demonstrated that many Arabidopsis T-DNA lines might carry massive genome changes as a direct consequence of the transfer DNA (T-DNA) integration event. In this work we report an analysis of a segregating T-DNA mutant line (SAIL_218_G01), which contains such genomic rearrangements. The initial PCR analyses did not yield any homozygous plants, suggesting putative gametophyte lethality. However, this result is likely caused by chromosomal translocations, which were clearly identified in several heterozygous plants by a pollen viability assay. Surprisingly, we identified plants that carried the T-DNA and still produced 100% viable pollen. For reciprocal balanced translocations, these plants should be then homozygous for the T-DNA insertion. Yet, the offspring of some of these plants still segregated the T-DNA, suggesting more complex genome rearrangements in the studied Arabidopsis mutant line.

Petunia hybrida is one of the most important annuals. Niche of the assortment represent a group of tetraploid varieties that are interesting due to their giant flower. However, these are only old open pollinated varieties. Creation of homozygous tetraploid lines is a prerequisite for making F1 varieties. To do so, two homozygous lines used in commercial production of F1 varieties were used. 10 days old seedlings grown on MS medium with 8 g/l Agar and 20 g/l sucrose were treated with a solution of 30 μM oryzalin for 24 hours in in vitro conditions. The plants were washed and transplanted to the same medium. Later, they were grown in the greenhouse. Cytometrically, ploidy was detected. The yield of tetraploids was more than 50%. Octoploid plants were not found. Tetraploid red flowering plants with genotype GGGG and gggg were obtained. Flower size increased by at least 30% for polyploidy.

Cannabis sativa L. is a fast-growing annual herbaceous plant which is cultivated due to its multi-purpose applications. The aim of this work was to adapt the cultivation protocol for micropropagation of two industrial hemp varieties Bialobrzeskie and Monoica. Endogenously applied different concentrations of phytohormones were tested in order to observe the highest shoot proliferation and root formation. The shoot tips were taken from 10–18 days old plantlets. Hemp plants grown on the medium with thidiazuron and gibberellic acid had the longest stems, on media with 1‑naphthalene acetic acid and thidiazuron the highest fresh weight and on media enriched with 1‑naphthalene acetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine or on culture medium without phytohormones highest numbers of nodes. However, the highest vitality of the plantlets of both genotypes and the highest number of roots were observed on medium when phytohormones were not present or on medium containing meta-topolin.

The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, β-carotene, lutein and anthocyanins were measured spectrophotometrically in extracts from seeds of wheat and hemp varieties. Within varieties of wheat variety Citrus has the second highest total chlorophyll content and the highest carotenoid content, but the lowest content of anthocyanins. Other measured varieties of wheat were Novosibirskaya 67, PS Karkulka, Rebell and Skorpion. Two hemp varieties were measured: Bialobrzeskie, which had higher total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, but was lower in anthocyanins than Monoica variety. No correlation was observed between the germination rate and the content of pigments, especially chlorophylls due to low number of studied varieties, but it has been verified that this easy, quick and low cost spectrophotometric method can be used for the determination of pigments, especially chlorophylls and carotenoids in seeds.

Seed germination is a complicated phase of plant's life which ensures the propagation and survival of plants over a period of unfavorable environmental conditions. The timing of metabolism reactivation and the progress of seed germination is a result of multiple factors and, if successful, leads to the seedling establishment. These processes that contribute to seed germination are relatively flexible and can (to some extent) adapt to fluctuations in the environment. This makes the whole system extremely variable and challenging. Here, we demonstrate that the multivariate analysis is an excellent tool to rapidly assess germination homogeneity and evaluate variables in the seed omics experiments. Germination of two contrasting plant species was analyzed by shotgun LC-MS analysis resulting in an extensive amount of data. The principal component analysis (PCA) provided a fast preview of the system heterogeneity, including the level of biological variability.

The impact of zinc selenide nanoparticles (ZnSe-NPs) on plants is still unknown. The intention of this work was to compare phytotoxicity of ZnSe-NPs and selenium and zinc ions in 100, 250 and 500 μM concentrations. Young seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia (Col-0) ecotype) was used as an ecotoxicological model. 250 and 500 μM concentrations were extremely phytotoxic and inhibited the growth. Only the lowest concentrations were used for next analysis. ZnSe-NPs treatment had no visible impact on the growth but led to increased antioxidant response. More antioxidant related genes were upregulated than suppressed. Concurrently, there were higher productions of secondary metabolites which are often synthesis during abiotic stress.

Drought most affects crop productivity. The first organs of plants that respond to drought in the soil are roots. Classical approaches evaluating root traits in field conditions are still considered standard techniques. To the fore are modern and non-destructive evaluation approaches, which make use of advances in automation and computer aided analysis. The experiment focused on the gradual effect of dehydration on the structure of root, where four genotypes of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill, SA-027, SA-047, SA-072, SA-217, all originally from China] were used. In growth stage (19 BBCH), gradual dehydration was induced by interruption of substrate watering. The degree of water stress, we quantified the gravimetric method. Dehydration took 9 days. After the dehydration was complete, the roots were extracted from soil by washing method and then dried. The root structure was evaluated by automatic RGB imaging analysis using phenotyping PlantScreen^TM platform. Using the software Image-J, we evaluated the number of nodules formed on the roots. Our findings lead to the conclusion that gradual dehydration led to a decrease in the absorption area and weight of roots. On the contrary, we have seen a significant increase in the growth of roots in to length as the thickness.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of red (600-700 nm, peak 660), blue (400-500 nm, peak 450) and white light on the morphological and photosynthetic qualities of Cannabis sativa L. The two treatments were white light (WL) and blue and red (BR). Plants grown under WL were 23% taller than those grown under the BR light emitting diodes. The leaf area was also greater under WL than BR by 20%. The number of lateral branches and length of dominant lateral branch weren´t significantly different. It was concluded WL that emit a full spectrum of light affects plant growth and development better than BR light. The quantum efficiency ranged from 0.81 to 0.845 indicating the plants were not in stress.

To investigate the effects of wastewater on seed germination and phytotoxicity a laboratory experiment was designed on hemp cultivars (Cannabis sativa L.). Seeds were germinated in 100% distilled water, 100% wastewater, 50% wastewater. We analyzed the percentage of seed germination and heavy metal accumulation in the germinated seeds. The concentrations used for treatment did not negatively affect seed germination except for 100% wastewater treatment which resulted in seedling mortality. The heavy metal accumulation was greater in some varieties germinated in distilled water compared to 50% wastewater treatment.

Heavy metal contamination of soil is a persistent environmental problem. One of the solution is soil phytoremediation – the ability of several plant species to clean the soil from contaminants. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for industrial use is a good candidate for this purpose due to multiple-use and tolerance to heavy metals. This experiment is focused on examining the phytotoxic effect of landfill leachate on growth and development of two cultivars of industrial hemp in the hydroponic culture. Length of roots and shoots, number of nodes, photosynthetic efficiency and overall viability of the plants were measured. Significant differences were found between the experimental groups. Results suggest that Cannabis sativa L. is indeed a heavy metal – tolerant plant species. Variety-related sensitivity to heavy metals is to be considered.

Escherichia coli strain KMI001 (ΔrcsC, cps::lacZ) expressing the CRE1/AHK4 receptor that activates β-galactosidase expression has been previously employed to evaluate cytokinin and/or anti-cytokinin activity of synthetic cytokinin-like compounds. Here, for the first time, we evaluate its response on the transcript level. We tested and optimized mRNA extraction protocol and analyzed expression stability of eight reference genes. We show that the presence of cytokinin may alter the expression pattern of these so-called house-keeping genes of bacteria.

The increasing industrial use of nanomaterials in recent years poses a potential risk to the environment. The first organisms that come into contact with these substances include aquatic organisms, and therefore this study focuses on microalgae that are at the beginning of the food chain. In this study, the toxicity of ZnSe nanoparticles in the freshwater green microalga Scenedesmus quadricauda was investigated. The effect of zinc in the form of zinc sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄.7H₂O) and the combination of zinc and nanoparticles were also monitored. The microalgae were exposed to these nanoparticles at concentrations of 10, 50, 100 and 250 μM for 7 days. The microalgae responses were analyzed at the level of chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, carotenoids, flavonoids and total antioxidant capacity. For chlorophyll-a, -b and carotenoids, similar results were obtained. The most significant effect was found in the sample with a combination of zinc and ZnSe nanoparticles. This sample also affected the most the flavonoid content, especially at concentrations of 50, 100 and 250 μM, where increased synthesis of these compounds was observed. Similar results were obtained in the total antioxidant capacity assay, where a sample with combination of zinc and ZnSe nanoparticles showing an increasing trend, particularly at a concentration of 250 μM.

This work was aimed on the role of cytokinins in regulation of cotyledonary bud outgrowth in intact pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants. It is well known that application of cytokinins to the cotyledonary buds of intact plants activates their outgrowth. Here we show by immunolocalization rapid polarization of PIN1 proteins in the cytokinin treated buds, on contrary to untreated buds. It is therefore obvious that cytokinins directly influence polarization of PIN1 proteins and the subsequent canalization of the polar auxin transport from the buds enabling their outgrowth.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of traditionally used antibiotics (penicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin) with a selected bioactive substance (curcumin; CUR) on rabbit spermatozoa in the presence of Enterococcus faecalis. Rabbit sperm motility was analysed using the CASA (Computer-assisted sperm analysis) system. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by the chemiluminescence assay. Mitochondrial activity expressed through the mitochondrial membrane potential was analysed using the fluorimetric dye JC-1. Chromatin-dispersion (SCD) test was used to determine the DNA damage. At times of 0 and 6 hours, we observed changes in the structural integrity and functional activity of male reproductive cells. The CASA analysis showed that gentamicin was the most effective supplement, which significantly increased (P < 0.001) the motility after 6 hours. CUR increased the sperm motility with a significance level of P < 0.01. The results of the ROS analysis showed that CUR was the most capable in effectively neutralize the bacterium-induced oxidative stress (P < 0.001). At the same time, CUR was able to maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential with a significance level of P < 0.01. The results of the DNA fragmentation analysis indicate that the bacteria in combination with antibiotics significantly (P < 0.01 in case of gentamicin and kanamycin; P < 0.05 with respect to penicillin) damaged the DNA of male gametes. On the other hand, CUR significantly reduced (P < 0.05) DNA fragmentation. Among the selected experimental compounds CUR was able to preserve spermatozoa most effectively. We may conclude that CUR did not only equalize, but it also exceeded the effects achieved using antibiotics in three of the four assessments. Therefore, we may propose the use of curcumin as a supplement for semen extenders.

The concentrations of seminal elements can indicate the physiological balance in the body. Imbalance between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of antioxidant systems is called oxidative stress (OS). The objective of this study was to evaluate correlations between macroelements and microelements, which have impact to oxidative balance in seminal plasma of stallions. Fresh semen was obtained from 12 breeding stallions at National Stud Farm in Topoľčianky in age of 5 – 26 years composed of following breeds: Arab thoroughbred, Holsteiner, Hucul, Lipican, Selle francaise, Shagya-arab. Horses were stabled in boxes with bedding straw and feed with oat and hay. Semen was collected by the trained veterinarian equipped with lubricated pre-warmed artificial vagina at the start of the breeding season in February. Our results show a significant correlation between reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde production (MDA) and magnesium (each p<0.01). Furthermore, Fe correlated very significantly with total antioxidant status (TAS) (p<0.001). Also Fe correlated significantly with protein carbonyls (PC) (p<0.01). Correlation analysis indicated positive correlation between copper and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p<0.05). Finally, our results indicate that seminal chemical elements can directly or indirectly influence protection against OS. At the same time, oxidative stress and seminal abnormalities can be caused by mineral imbalance in the seminal plasma.

The aim of the study was to describe the influence of the female sex hormone levels on the numbers of mast cells in the myometrium of queens. Samples were fixed in 4% formaldehyde solution. Mast cells were detected by toluidine blue staining. The highest number of mast cells was found in the follicular phase, when the oestradiol level was at its highest. The lowest number of mast cells was described in the luteal phase, when the progesterone level was at its highest. However, the differences between the stages were not significant. Weak positive correlation was described between the oestradiol level and the number of mast cells. To conclude, the numbers of mast cells were influenced by the sex hormone levels.

The aim of the work was to evaluate genotype and allelic frequencies of selected genes affecting milk fat synthesis and to investigate possible association between gene polymorphisms and milk production traits. For this purpose, the analysis of DGAT1 (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1), FASN (fatty acid synthase) and LEP (leptin) was carried out on 754 dairy cows distributed in five farms located in the Czech Republic. The tested animals were divided into three groups: Czech Fleckvieh (CF; n=266), Holstein (H; n=329) and crossbreds (CB; n=159, with 87% of CF crossbreeds). The dominant genotypes for all observed groups were: AA genotype for DGAT1 gene (0.962, 0.973 and 0.912; p<0.01), GG genotype for FASN gene (0.770, 0.662 and 0.774; p<0.01), and MM genotype for LEP gene (0.714, 0.783 and 0.826; p>0.05). The evaluation of milk production traits in the first lactation has shown, that the highest fat yield was found out in dairy cows with genotypes AA (327 kg), AG (330 kg) and MM (328 kg). The differences were statistically significant only for DGAT1 gene. These results suggested, that milk from dairy cows with DGAT1 gene A allelic variant would be more appropriate for the production of dairy products (butter, cheeses).

Different genera of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are always detected in the large intestine of humans and animals with diseases like an ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease or even cancer. The final metabolism product of these anaerobic microorganisms is hydrogen sulfide which is known as a toxic substance and can lead to damage of epithelial cells of the bowel in high concentration. Some genera of the intestinal SRB included to the Desulfovibrionaceae family are hard to cultivate or even uncultivable. Isolation of these genera is also complicated because there are others satellite microorganisms. Up to now, Postgate’s medium and other media do still not solve the cultivation problem and are created generally for Desulfovibrio species from nature environment but not for SRB species from the intestine. The object of our research was to modify the principle of isolation of intestinal SRB and cultivation medium based on their physiological and biochemical properties. Thus, there is no selective medium for intestine SRB which would improve cultivation and isolation of these important microorganisms. New created medium can be useful for more opportunities of intestinal SRB cultivation and understanding their involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases.

The aim of this work was to study inflammatory cytokines – the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and the interleukin 10 (IL-10), which are produced by bovine mammary gland leukocytes. Eight clinically healthy heifers were selected for this study. Obtained leukocytes were incubated for 1, 2 and 18 hours with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or muramyldipeptide (MDP) under in vitro conditions. Concentration of TNF-α and IL-10 was measured by ELISA method. Production of TNF-α by leukocytes of bovine mammary gland was higher (LPS:552.57 pg/ml [±27.35]; MDP:680.20 pg/ml [±31.32]) than production of TNF-α by blood leukocytes (LPS:344.87 pg/ml [±23.12]; MDP:285.56 pg/ml [±19.87]). Concentration of TNF-α was increased after 18 hours of incubation. IL-10 production by bovine mammary gland leukocytes was higher (LPS:26.02 u/ml [±3.44] and 36.98 u/ml [±7.78]; MDP:22.33 u/ml [±3.02] and 33.45 u/ml [±8.28]) than production of IL-10 by blood leukocytes (LPS:12.67 u/ml [±2.47]; MDP:9.45 u/ml [±3.61]). IL-10 concentration of bovine mammary gland leukocytes was increased after 2 hours of incubation. Differential blood leukocyte count was determined by method of light microscopy.

Animal welfare is becoming more and more important for the customers and one of the current topics is to ban the surgical castration of piglets for reducing boar taint. It is important to find new ways of reducing boar taint, one of them is genomic selection with the need of finding candidate genes involved in the skatole and androstenone metabolism. In our study, we have investigated different expression of genes KRT8 and ATP5B in the pig´s liver among groups of surgically castrated and immunocastrated pigs compared to the control group of entire male pigs by qPCR. However, we have found no significant difference of gene expression between investigated groups.

Within the distributional areal of Lime Haw-Moth (Mimas tiliae) probably exist several subspecies, some of them are already described (M. t. kitchingi). The aim of this pilot study was to verify usability of the nuclear genes CAD and EF-1α by the DNA barcoding method to distinguish between morphologically different subpopulations and that the DNA sequence of this genes corresponds to its geographic distribution. We have demonstrated that these CAD and EF-1α gene fragments are suitable for species identification, but not for subspecies differentiation. Relation to geographical distribution was not confirmed for CAD gene, but in case of EF-1α gene such a relationship can be seen.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of diet enriched with 6 % fish oil (source of polyunsaturated fatty acids), 6% of safflower oil, 6% of oil from Schyzichytrium microalga oil and the effect of diet enriched with 6 % palm oil (source of saturated fatty acids; control) on weight of model animals. Like model animals were used 48 adult male Rattus norvegicus Wistar Albino. They were divided into 4 groups with 12 animals each and they were fed for 8.5 weeks. They were weighed every week. There were found no significant differences among all diet in feed intake and final live weight at the day of sacrifice. The only significant variety was observed in total weight gain. It was lower in SF-group in comparison with A-group, which is in contrast with our assumption. The duration of experiment was probably too short to show differences among diet interventions.

Canines may sometimes exhibit behaviors that are not acceptable for their owner. Among the most undesirable behavior for owners is dog bites. A little is known about factors that may influence the frequency of a dog bite another dog. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine whether the use of a leash and dog breed may affect a dog bite another dog. Two hundred and seven dog bites were examined in the City of Brno, Czech Republic. A dog off a leash bit another dog four times more often than a dog on a leash. A dog off a leash was bitten by another dog two times more often than a dog on a leash. Dog breeds did not affect dog bites. Further research will be necessary to fully understand a dog bite another dog.

The aim of the study was the assessment of occurrence of drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli in the poultry. In the study we used of 30 strains E. coli isolated from poultry from a private, non-industrial shed. 20 different antibiotics were applied and drug-resistance analysis was carried out by disc-diffusion method. The strains E. coli resistant to at least one antibiotic constituted 23.33%. The drug-resistance analysis showed that tetracycline (16.67%) was the most effective antimicrobial antibiotic. In addition, in the analyzed material two strains of the MDR (multi-drug resistant) were identified.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the age effect on selected biochemical parameters in young rabbits of the Dwarf Lop breed. In the experiment, a total of 16 rabbits (8 males and 8 females) were used. The blood samples were taken at 8^th and 15^th week of the age. The basic biochemical profile was determined using the blood plasma. All of the examined parameters were in physiological reference ranges. With respect to the age effect, we found increase in the concentration of total protein (P < 0.05), creatinine (P < 0.01) and activity of alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the age-related decrease was found in the level of glucose and activity of alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.01). In addition, we found a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between the live weight and values of the albumin, albumin/globulin ratio and creatinine while the negative correlation was found between the live weight and the level of glucose, alkaline phosphatase and inorganic phosphorus levels (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the age of the Dwarf Lop rabbits had a significant effect on the selected biochemical parameters. These findings can be useful for clinical examination of the dwarf rabbits.

The unusual sub social behaviour of spiders of the genus Pellenes spp. has not yet been reliably explained. In our study, we infer that relatively common gregarious wintering in one land snail shell (especially for species Pellenes tripunctatus and Pellenes nigrociliatus) can be conditioned by the collective maturing of offspring in shells which are hanging on vegetation. Observation was carried out on two steppe locations. Altogether, eight shells (Caucasotachea vindobonensis) hanging on vegetation were found. In each of these shells have been discovered one female of spider species Pellenes tripunctatus. This is an interesting finding because this way of caring for offspring has not yet been confirmed for this species (only old records of Pellenes nigrociliatus). In the course of our research, we also found the use of another species of gastropods Helicigona lapicida by spider Pellenes tripunctatus, which was never reported before.

Appropriate nutrition and feeding belong among the factors that ensure successful and beneficial animal production. The most suitable forage for the rabbits as herbivores is the feed of crop origin. It is important that the feed contains all the essential nutrients, fiber, mineral substances and vitamins. In present study, the effect of sumach addition into feeding ration of rabbits was observed with special interest in spermatozoa motility properties. Male rabbits (n=25) of New Zealand white breed were used in this experiment. The rabbits were divided into five different groups. One control group (C) and four experimental groups (S1, S2, S3, S4). Sumach (Rhus coriaria) fruit was added to the complex feeding ration in milled and parched form in four different concentrations: 0.50%; 0.75%; 1.00% and 1.50% and fed for the period of 90 days. Results of the CASA analysis show that sumach dietary supplementation affects the spermatozoa motility, however with no statistical significance. Based on the results of this study, moderate effect of sumach on male reproduction depends on additive concentration and duration of intake. The first 20 days of the experiment showed very homogeneous results. Analyses conducted at the Day 40 showed both positive and negative effect of sumac. Concentrations 0.50% and 1.00% seemed beneficial. At the Day 60 and the Day 80 of the experiment decreased values of CASA parameters in all concentrations were monitored. Evaluations carried out at the terminal collection day (Day 90) reported enhanced motility, progressive motility and velocity curved line in rabbit groups administrated with addition of sumach in concentrations of 0.75% and 1.00%.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a genome region containing genes of immune response and genes causing host and pathogen interactions. MHC class I and II genes encode antigen presenting molecules responsible for detection of antigen peptide on cell surface. This is the reason to the great selection pressure on MHC genes includes both positive and negative selection. High polymorphic repetitive sequences - microsatellites are widely used for variability study of specific genome region. The aim of this study is to detect and test some microsatellites located in MHC region and describe its variability and suitability for future testing and usability for multiplex PCR. The model organism for this study is two‒armed camel (Camelus bactrianus) for its MHC variability and specific resistance to diseases. Camel MHC region was already not study for variability of microsatellites.

The objective of the present study was to compare gene expression of selected markers depending on the type of diet with additional oil in feeding mixture. The experiment was analysed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction method (RT-PCR). As a housekeeping gene with stabile expression was selected β-actin gene (Actb) and analysed markers were peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), G-protein coupled receptor-sensor (GPR120), adiponectin receptor 1 (Adipor1) and adiponectin receptor 2 (Adipor2). Forty-eight adult male rats (Wistar Albino) were divided into four groups and were fed 10 weeks the diet containing specific oil for each group. Group R was fed by fish oil added to basic feeding mixture, group P was fed by palm oil added to basic mixture, group S was fed by safflower oil added to basic mixture and group D was fed by Schizochytrium microalga extract added to basic mixture. After 10 weeks of feeding, rats were sacrificed by isoflurane overdosing and liver samples were taken and expression of the liver genes coding four selected markers was measured. The main hypothesis of this project was if there were any differences in expression levels among groups depending on the type of diet.

The winemaking industry produces large amounts of waste products of which grape pomace, is the most important in terms of quantity. The properties and composition of grape pomace depend mainly on the technologies used in the processing of grapes, on a number of environmental factors, but also on the technologies applied in the vine growing itself, such as application of foliar and soil fertilizers, as well as phytosanitary treatment. The presence of grape pomace in various proportions in compost piles can influence the composting process and the resulting quality of the compost produced. This paper therefore focuses on the design and verification of formulas of compost piles with different proportions of grape pomace content for composting in strip piles. Simultaneously, it evaluates selected parameters influencing the course of the process and the quality of the resulting compost. The aim is to support technology for production of high-quality organic fertilizer for fertilizing agricultural land.

Detailed monitoring of input material quality is underestimated at biogas plants. However, dry matter and organic dry matter content of material are changeable and have considerable influence on organic loading rate, biogas and methane production and thus on financial balance of biogas plant. The aim of this study is to monitor dry matter and organic dry matter content of input materials, organic loading rate, biogas quality and quantity at chosen agriculture biogas plant, which processes maize silage and pig manure, over long-term period (26 weeks). Samples of raw maize silage and liquid pig manure were collected weekly. Hypothesis predicted changeability of input material characteristics and its influence on biogas quality and quantity and on organic loading rate is confirmed. Determined dry matter content of maize silage ranges from 31.58 to 41.55% and pig slurry reaches dry matter content from 0.95 to 3.49%. Determined organic dry matter content of maize silage ranged from 95.47 to 97.15% of dry matter (30.45–39.86% organic dry matter). Pig slurry reaches organic dry matter content from 60.32% to 81.87 % of dry matter (0.57–2.6% organic dry matter). Based on real organic dry matter content of input material and information from operating diaries, organic loading rate is determined. Theoretical organic loading rate is calculated with assumed organic dry matter (32% maize silage and 5.5% pig manure). Confirmation of determined and theoretical organic loading rate shows that monitored biogas plant is usually overloaded. Higher organic loading rate does not lead to an increase of biogas and methane production, but rather to its reduction. So overloading represent wasting of input material and cause lower biogas production and quality which have negative influence on cash flow. This study is unique because of long-term monitoring of input material characteristics which are compared with calculated data.

Antimicrobial preservatives (as a bronopol) are widely used in cosmetics and toiletries to prevent the spoilage of products due to microbial contamination than can be presented in wastewaters and in sewage sludge and may inhibit the process of sludge anaerobic stabilization. The aim of this study is to specify inhibitory effect of bronopol on anaerobic stabilization of sewage sludge and biogas production. Anaerobic fermentation test was carried out in 24 batch fermenters (the volume of 5 dm³) for 21 days at 38 ± 0.2 °C. Bronopol was used as toxic substance in 7 different concentrations; 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 175 mg/l.  The quantity and quality of produced biogas were monitored during hydraulic retention time. Hypothesis, which predicts presence of inhibitory effect of bronopol on anaerobic microorganisms, mainly on methanogenic Archaea, was confirmed. The lowest concentration of bronopol which causes significant inhibition of biogas production is 75 mg/l. This concentration leads to reduction of 5.8 ± 2.3% in the biogas yield. The lowest concentration of bronopol which causes significant inhibition of methane production is 75 mg/l. The reduction in biogas and methane production after addition of the highest bronopol concentration (175 mg/l) is 51.5 ± 0.9% and 76.9 ± 2.9%, respectively. Which means that methanogens are more inhibited by bronopol than other groups of anaerobic microorganism.

This paper focuses on the evaluation of penetrometer measurements carried out in the years 2015–2017, in the area of South Moravia, on the side called Popice/Gotberg with degraded black soil and different greenery. Four mixtures with varied species composition and work designation – Yearling mixture, Perlennial mixture–diverse, Perennial mixture-dry and Yearling mixture-pollinators were used for the planting of the experimental vineyard. Penetrometer measurements were conducted using a manual penetrometer EIJKELKAMP. The measurements were made in the space between the intervals at depths of 100–300 mm. The water content in the soil at time of measurement, expressed in weight percent, was determined by the gravimetric method. The obtained results show that the highest average values of soil penetrometric resistance were measured in the year when experiment began (2015) and were in the range of 2.27–2.48 MPa. Thanks to the evaluated variants of the greenery, the penetrometric soil resistance was reduced to 0.91–1.06 MPa over the next two years. The largest decrease of soil resistance was obvious at the variant A (yearling mix 58.8%) as well as the variant B (perennial mixture varied 56.7%). Based on the results obtained, these mixtures can be recommended for wine-growing practice and, at the same time, they might be used as a preventive and corrective tool for solving problems with soil compaction.

This paper deals with effect of the biodegradable hydraulic and transmission fluid (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil (UTTO) on operating of the tractor hydraulic and transmission system. This fl uid was used in the hydraulic and transmission circuit of a tractor Zetor Proxima 6321. Fluid samples were taken from a Zetor Proxima 6321 tractor at intervals of 250 engine hours. These samples were subjected to an IR spectroscopy analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The biodegradable fluid meets the requirements for the operation of agricultural tractors in terms of a low impact on the wear of hydraulic components.

Geotextiles have been extensively used as filters in drainage systems in geo-environmental and geotechnical engineering for over five decades. The main functions of the filter are to prevent the movement of the base soil fine particles allowing the liquid to flow as freely as possible. The design of a geosynthetics filter is a very complex process because of the large number of parameters involved. However, among the various properties of the nonwoven geotextiles, the hydraulic properties are of major importance. This paper reports the results obtained from the laboratory tests of water permeability characteristics normal to the plane without and under loads of 2, 20 and 200 kPa of nonwoven geotextile samples after 23 years of exploitation in the earthfill dam Białobrzegi in Poland. The results show a marked influence of clogging and loading on flow velocity and permeability coefficient of tested geosynthetic samples.

Unsaturated soil mechanics play a significant role when designing earth structures like embankments, dams, dykes and their foundations. They are commonly designed in shallow subsoil depth. Their mechanical properties are susceptible to the hydraulic status and history which is controlled by the climate events. Soil Water Retention Curves (SWRC) determination is crucial when analysing geotechnical parameters of the soil, especially when analysing rainfall triggered slope failures. The present paper focuses on analysing SWRC for reconstituted sand samples, prepared at different moisture contents and subjected to climatic cycles. To imitate changing in situ environmental conditions the analysed soil samples of sand a research stage employing modified pore pressure transducer was developed. As the soil suction has an impact on mechanical strength of the filling material for earth structures, thus it is so important to firstly determine hydraulic behaviour to be more accurate when analysing mechanical parameters of tested material. The method used for obtaining the suction curves, used in the present study was the tensiometer, attached at the bottom of the sample.. The present study was a part of wider research aiming at determination of geotechnical parameters of granular soil influenced by changing hydraulic conditions.

The CMT (Cold Metal Transfer) welding process allows to achieve optimal results when joining different kind of metals. The article deals with the mechanical properties of CMT welded joints, specifically verification of mechanical properties changes before and after heat treatment. CMT welding is a new approach that allows joining of different types of metals, creating a weldment with specific mechanical and chemical properties. A heat treatment is widely used to modify the mechanical properties of the material. In case of different kind of metals weldment, the heat treatment is difficult because of different properties of the basic welded metals. The heat treatment has to be optimized to improve the properties of all the materials used in the welded joint. A tensile strength test will be used to verify changes in the mechanical properties of the weldments.

The study contains the evaluation of technical aspects of the eradication of energy willow plantations taking into account the working widths and depth of the machines used. Also determined were the costs of the eradication procedures with the use of various machine units. The studies were performed in the plantation of energy willow in Kaniów locality situated in southern Poland. The machinery used permitted the theoretical removal of 23-100%  of horizontal roots, and 43‑60% of vertical roots. The costs of the eradication of plantation ranged from 3381 PLN/hectare to 15824 PLN/hectare.

The aim of this paper is to compare drawbar pull properties of tractors with mechanical (powershift transmission) and differential hydromechanical transmissions (continuously variable hydromechanical transmission). The tire inflation pressure was 100 kPa. The weight of tractor with the differential hydromechanical transmissions was 120 kg higher than that of tractor with mechanical transmissions. The drawbar pull properties were measured on a dry, straight section of an asphalt road. The results show a considerable difference in the highest drawbar pulling power achieved by individual tractors. Significantly lower performance was achieved by the tractor with continuously variable transmission in all measured travel speeds.

The thesis deals with the use of non-destructive testing methods (acoustic emission) for the description and identification of stages during the machining process. For this measurement, advanced machining was selected. Selected cutting speeds - 28mm / min, 40mm / min and 80mm / min, and the rotor speed was 56 rpm with a chip size of 1mm. At each cutting speed, the resulting graphs were recorded. The test material was chosen as the structural steel 12 050. In the experimental part the methodology of continuous emission signal recording, continuous processing and evaluation of the measured data and monitoring of the response of the stressed material (during the machining process) was designed in real time. The detected values were then inserted into this methodology, subsequently evaluated, it was the detection of emission signals using the acoustic emission apparatus. Acoustic emission is a fast, short release of energy in the form of elastic waves. The acoustic emission curve has several parameters that can be used to characterize the source defect. Through an appropriately designed methodology for detecting, processing, and evaluating AE signals, it is possible to track the progress of the machining process, the measured data allow you to obtain new information about the processes that accompany the machining. Thus, the emission signals can be used to indicate microcracks in the internal structure of the stressed materials.

The aims of this study were the estimation of difference in physiochemical properties and antioxidant activity of yoghurts supplemented by different natural additives. In addition, the changes in physiochemical properties and antioxidant activity during five weeks storage were performed. The change in antioxidant activities was evaluated using the ABTS radical cations decolorizing assay. The statistical analysis showed that the yoghurt samples with the natural supplement have higher antioxidant activity than the plain yoghurt. In addition, the storage period affect the yoghurt properties by increasing its acidity and antioxidant activities by increasing the storage time. Furthermore, the plain and supplemented yoghurts are still consumable until the fifth week of storage but the favourable time to consume it with its higher antioxidant capacity is the 3^rd week of storage.

Protein and/or peptide loss is an undesired but inevitable side effect of purification procedures. We compared three different containers, three different peptide standards and a representative complex proteome digest, and show that a partial drying could improve sample recovery from a glass surface and standard polypropylene tubes. Further, we show that the partial drying minimizes differences between the low-binding and standard polypropylene tubes.

The current study demonstrates design preparation and characterization of biocompatible hybrid ruthenium core-shell nanoparticles (RuNPs) coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyoxyethylene stearate (POES). The resulting RuNPs were loaded with doxorubicin, as model anticancer drug. Resulting complex has an exceptional stability in physiological conditions. The cytotoxic effects of the complex were tested using cell lines representing breast and ovarian cancers and neuroblastoma. Although bare RuNPs had only negligible cytotoxicity, RuPDox caused an enhancement of doxorubicin cytotoxicity when compared to free doxorubicin. RuPDox promoted significantly increased stability of doxorubicin in human plasma and pronounced hemocompatibility assayed on human red blood cells.  Results demonstrate that biocompatible RuNPs could have a great potential as versatile nanoplatform to enhance efficiency of anticancer therapy.

Antioxidants are very important substances that counteract the formation of free radicals. They are divided into exogenous, such as vitamin C which the body receives with food, and endogenous. One of the most important endogenous antioxidants is glutathione (γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine), which plays an important role in cellular defense against oxidative damage. Free glutathione is presented within organisms in both reduced (GSH) and oxidized forms (GSSG). Oxidative stress leads to a decrease in GSH level and therefore a GSH/GSSG ratio that can be used as an indicator of oxidative stress and an indicator of various diseases. The aim of presented study was to develop a sampling method for capillary blood testing, where we have found that this amount (15 µl) is sufficient for our testing. Another aim was to supplement group of volunteers with coffee and to determine GSH levels and levels of total thiols after 0, 48 h and 96 h of supplementation in capillary blood. HPLC with electrochemical detection was used for GSH determination and Ellman’s method for determination of total thiols. We could see the GSH slight increase as well as the levels of total thiols.

Looking for strategies against the development of antibiotic resistance is a major global object of interest for the public health. This work deals with synthesis of antimicrobial composites of graphene oxide (GO) with metal nanoparticles. GO has been prepared by modified Hummers' method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential pulse voltammetry. Composites of GO have been syntethized with silve nanoparticles, which have been characterized. Potential antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposites was tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Elemental composition of glass differs based on raw material and additives used during manufacturing process, therefore elemental analysis provides substantial information from an archaeological point of view. Major, minor and trace elements in glass samples from Moldava, Kyjov and Visegrad were determined. LA-ICP-MS was used for elemental analysis. Concentrations of Na₂O, MgO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, K₂O, CaO, TiO₂, MnO, Fe₂O₃, CoO, CuO, SnO₂, Sb₂O₃, PbO and ⁷Li, ¹¹B, ⁴⁵Sc, ⁵¹V, ⁵²Cr, ⁶⁰Ni, ⁶⁶Zn, ⁷⁵As, ⁸⁵Rb, ⁸⁸Sr, ⁸⁹Y, ⁹⁰Zr, ⁹³Nb, ⁹⁵Mo, ¹⁰⁷Ag, ¹¹¹Cd, ¹³³Cs, ¹³⁷Ba, ¹³⁹La, ¹⁴⁰Ce, ¹⁴¹Pr, ¹⁴⁶Nd, ¹⁴⁷Sm, ¹⁵³Eu, ¹⁵⁷Gd, ¹⁵⁹Tb, ¹⁶³Dy, ¹⁶⁵Ho, ¹⁶⁶Er, ¹⁶⁹Tm, ¹⁷²Yb, ¹⁷⁵Lu, ¹⁷⁸Hf, ²³²Th, ²³⁸U in 44 glass samples were determined. Samples were discriminated according to finding sites using multivariate statistical methods. Elements used for discrimination (Sc, Zr, Ti, Zn, La) were determined by the Random Forrest algorithm. For archaeological sites discrimination, Primary Component Analysis (PCA) was used.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the content of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in twelve varieties of chilli peppers (Brown Bhutlah II, Bhut Jolokia Yellow I, Pieto de Moca II, Trinidad 7 POT II, 7 POT White II, Naga Jolokia I, Habanero Orange, Naga Viper II, Bhut Jolokia II, Jalapeno, White Naga Bhut Jolokia I, Carolina Reaper II) by using high performance liquid chromatography UltiMate 3000 with UV/VIS detector. Each variety of chilli peppers was prepared without seeds and partitions (septa) and with seeds and partitions (septa) in order to compare yields of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin depending on sample preparation. From the contents of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin was calculated so-called pungency in Scoville units (SHU) in order to compare our results with previous studies.

UV spectrometry is very simple and cheap method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of compounds. Furthermore, it provides intricate information about the bonded π-electron transitions and also non-bonded n-electron transitions. The aim of this work was to identify electron transition bands in two homing peptides of the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET); namely: GASNGINAYL (978 Da) and SLWERLAYGI (1206 Da). Electron transition bands directly indicate structural conformations, particularly the ones associated with double bonds, i.e. conjugated π-bonds of aromatic and peptide bonds. The results show unusual spikes in absorbance in the far UV at low temperature for GASNGINAYL and even more at other temperatures for SLWERLAYGI peptide. The latter supports the hypothesis of a stacking between tyrosine and tryptophan resulting in helix structure. Infrared spectrometry also showed abundant helix structure in SLWERLAYGI but less abundant in GASNGINAYL peptide. Based on π-stacking, an UV spectrometry method can be developed to monitor the helicity of some peptides, such as SLWERLAYGI.

Molecular imprinting has appeared to be an effective technique for creating of selective recognition sites in synthetic polymers. This procedure comprises polymerization of monomer in a presence of target molecules (template). The subsequent template removal forms tailor-made cavities that are complementary in shape and size to the template molecules. For protein imprinting, the choice of the suitable polymers is limited and polymerization conditions need to be optimized. In our work, dopamine monomer was chosen for polymer formation due to its nontoxicity, ease of preparation and self-assembly. For the optimization of conditions, lysozyme with molecular weight 14.3 kDa was used and the functionality was evaluated by fluorimetry. Different concentration of dopamine and lysozyme for polymerization were tested. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection for lysozyme was found to be 7.8 µg/ml. Moreover, conditions for polymer formation for a purpose to reduce the overall time of analysis were investigated. The use of dopamine as a monomer in molecular imprinting shown to be beneficial in many aspects.

Chemotherapy often results in various side effects, which can negatively affect health. Neuroblastoma, one of the most common types of childhood cancer, is but one of the examples, where side effects of chemotherapeutic treatment lower the quality of patient’s life. Modern way how to fight that is to enclose cytotoxic drug into some nanocarrier and its targeting to receptors overexpressed in membranes of cancer cells. Apoferritin (Apo), a natural protein cage, is very suitable as a nanocarrier, as it has no toxicity, immune system does not react to it, and drug can easily be loaded into its cavity. We enclosed ellipticine, clinical tested anti-cancer drug, into Apo cavity (creating ApoElli). The percentage of encapsulation was 61 % and size and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the preserved Apo ~12 nm icosahedral structure after this encapsulation. Then we modified Apo outer surface with in silico-modelled peptides with hNET affinity and tested its toxicity and hemolytic activity. ApoElli modified with anti-hNET peptides was able to internalize into neuroblastoma cells and to deliver the drug. However, it proved to be safe for human RBC, unlike pure ellipticine, which caused observable hemolysis at the same concentration.

A hyphenated method consisting of transient electrokinetic dosing on-line coupled to isotachophoretic analysis was developed for the pre-concentration, pre-separation and analytical determination of a model substance – anionic herbicide glyphosate (gly) – in aqueous samples containing very low concentration of the analyte of interest. Various parameters were investigated in the framework of an optimisation study; the aim was to reach minimal concentration limit of detection decreasing in minimum time. The developed method consists of 2 phases. In the first one, a sample with addition of convenient buffer (dosing electrolyte) is electrokinetically dosed to the isotachophoretic column with proper leading electrolyte. During the dosing time, a moving-boundary electrophoresis zone of accumulated sample is created in the column and it is slowly moving through column. The accumulation of zone is proportional to the time and driving current and to the composition of dosing electrolyte. After some time of accumulation of the zone, dosing electrolyte is replaced with terminating one. Now, the regular isotachophoretic separation and analysis starts. The electrolyte composition and the dosing time were thoroughly optimized and 14 fold of accumulation was reached in 25 minutes in comparison to classical isotachophoretic analysis. The method is simple and applicable to all commercial isotachophoretic analysers.

The aim of this study is to obtain data based on an experimental procedure and check the effectiveness of some antibacterial agents against pathogenic bacteria. In the present experiment, two different nanoparticles (Cadmium Telluride Quantum dots with Lanthanides: Gadolinium and Terbium) were used to check their antibacterial properties on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Cadmium Telluride Quantum dots without the Lanthanides, Gadolinium nitrate and Terbium nitrate were also tested on those bacteria as control. In the present experiment, the following methods were employed: disc-diffusion test, the determination of the growth properties of the bacteria and comparison of absorbance after treatment with antimicrobial agent. From the results it has been found that the tested Cadmium Telluride Quantum dots with Lanthanides (Gadolinium and Terbium) have good antimicrobial effects. Additionally, GdQDs show stronger antibacterial effect than Tb QD and other tested compounds.

This work is aimed at the possibilities of targeted drug delivery into the tumour tissue. This approach can greatly reduce the otherwise serious side effects of conventional treatment – systemic toxicity. For this purpose, ubiquitous protein cage apoferritin was employed as a carrier of cytotoxic drugs. Its molecule size of 10–12 nm allows it to employ the effect of increased permeability and retention as well as to avoid renal clearance. The cellular uptake of this carrier is known to be mediated via the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), which is overexpressed on metabolically highly active cells, such as cancer cells. Therefore, apoferritin’s ability to deliver drug molecules to site-of-action was tested using cell lines with high, medium and low expression of TfR1. The optimal conditions for studying the expression of TfR1 using western blotting were as follows: lysate of 50,000 cells applied in non-reducing non-denaturing buffer and the concentration of the primary antibody of 1.0 µg/mL. The properties of encapsulated doxorubicin were not affected by apoferritin, thus preserving its toxicity for cells with high level of TfR1expression (30% growth inhibition of these cells after 24 h of treatment). The suitable usage of apoferritin as a nanocarrier for chemotherapeutic delivery was confirmed in this work.

In this study, the effect of selected phenolic and flavonoid compounds of black pepper and caraway seeds on prostate cells (PNT1A, 22RV1 and PC3) was observed. Synthetic standards of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and naringenin chalcone, identified previously by HPLC-MS in black pepper seeds extracts, and neochlorogenic acid and apigenin, identified in caraway seeds extracts, were applied. For the evaluation of the potential inhibitory effect of selected compounds on PNT1A, 22RV1 and PC3 cells, the clonogenic assay and the microscopic observation of cells were done. The results of clonogenic assay showed that phenolic compounds had the strongest inhibitory effect on 22RV1 and PC3 cells, while the flavonoid compounds had the strongest inhibitory effect on PNT1A cells.

The first aim of the experiment was an optimization of the method for determination of hydroxyproline in a pig skin using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) and ion-exchange liquid chromatography with VIS detector (IEC-VIS). On the basis of the experiments performed, it was found that HPLC-FLD method is three times more sensitive than IEC-VIS method. For IEC analysis of hydroxyproline, the limit of detection (LOD) was 4.10 μg/ml whereas the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 13.50 μg/ml.  For HPLC analysis of hydroxyproline, the limit of detection (LOD) was 1 ng/ml whereas the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 3 ng/ml. The second aim was the testing of influence of different volume of 6M HCl on extraction of sample (50 mg) for analysis using HPLC-FLD. Here it was found that the best volume was 250 µl 6M HCl.

Protein identification and quantitation is routinely based on oligopeptides longer than six amino acids. Here, we examined theoretical tryptic digests of five contrasting model proteomes and evaluated potential benefits of shorter peptide sequences for proteome analyses. Our results indicate that pentapeptides should not be excluded and shorter sequences may present valid targets in a dedicated targeted analysis.

Zinc is an important biogenic element which is able to connect with indicators such as a spiropyran. The spiropyran is known for its fluorescent character and selectivity towards zinc ions (and some other metal ions, e.g. cadmium). This complex, especially with zinc, gives a high fluorescence intensity which was analyzed by fluorescence spectra and by capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection. In addition, the influence of visible light irradiation on zinc release was tested. The spiropyran specificity to zinc was also investigated by coupling with copper and cadmium.

This study pays attention to the possibilities of using column tests in order to determine parameters of contaminant migration through soils. The column tests have been done in the Trautwein apparatus by constant head method. In this research solution of chlorides prepared on the basis of distilled water has been used as a conservative marker. Based on breakthrough curves, velocity of flow, dispersion coefficient, longitudinal dispersivity and Peclet number were calculated for each sample tested using CXTFIT-STANMOD package. Obtained Peclet numbers (Pe = 0.82, Pe = 0.57, Pe = 19.01, respectively) have indicated that advection is dominant mechanism of chloride transport in sand whereas diffusion dominates during the chlorides transport through silt loam. Velocity of chlorides flow in silt loam samples were almost equal to 5 × 10^-7 m/s. Velocity of chlorides flow in sand was equal to 3.1 × 10^-4 m/s. It was concluded that the column experiment can be used as an efficient method to provide input data for numerical modeling of non-reactive tracers transport and fate in the soil-water system for the purpose of surface and groundwater protection.

It has been shown that sarcosine suplementation stimulates the proliferation of prostate cells and also their invassiveness. In present study we show that enzymes conected with sarcosine conversion to glycine (sarcosine dehydrogenase, pipecolic acid oxidase) are stimulated due to sarcosine treatment.  Further, sarcosine treatment increases S-adenosylmethioneine-to-S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio, which indicates a release and utilization of free methyl groups from sarcosine degradation pathway. We identified the highest induction of global methylation in non-malignant PNT1A cells, but global methylation profiles were altered also in malignant (22Rv1) and metastatic (LNCaP) cells. The influence on methylation changes was further verified using hypomethylating agent 5-azacytidine (5-aza). Co-treatment of prostate cells with 5-aza and sarcosine resulted in decrease in cells invassiveness when compared to treatment with sarcosine alone. This correlates with sarcosine-related hypermethylation of genes involved in cells growth and cell cycle.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles are one of the most versatile materials, due to their diverse properties, functionalities, and applications. Their potencial in agriculture is also not negligible. The zinc in form of nanoparticles is more available for plants due to its skill to penetrate roots better. In this work we focused on the evaluation and comparison of effect of common zinc source (ZnSO₄.7H₂O), and zinc in form of nanoparticles (nanoZnO). Our pilot results show that it is very important to deal with the toxicity of zinc in the form of nanoparticles, as this form is most likely to be more toxic to plants than its equivalents in the form of simple inorganic salts.

Many researchers are developing nanocarriers in order to minimalize side effects of cytotoxic drugs during cancer treatment via chemotherapy. Nanocarriers can serve as a suitable platform for targeted drug delivery. To overcome their failure in in vivo use, the effects of surface modifications (PEGylation and PASylation) of natural nanocarriers based on apoferritin were tested in this work. Various properties of these modified apoferitin nanoparticles were studied, such as their size or degree of hemolysis. TEM characterization was also performed. The formation of hard coronas on these particles in plasma environment was evaluated using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The best biocompatibility results were obtained using apoferritin nanoparticles with PEG surface modification.

The classical hand pipetting approach can be partially substituted in several cases by sophisticated devices that are taking over the necessity of sample manipulation. The developed pipetting method can facilitate routine laboratory work, but the created method has to meet several criteria including – minimizing the possibility of contamination. In this work is briefly summarized four years experiences with the liquid handling system BioNex Nanodrop II. This device is able to pipette (using eight pipetting tips) small volumes in the range of 0.100 µl up to 500 µl into the three common microplate formats – MTP 96, MTP 384 and MTP 1536. The possibility of sample (bacteria, bacterial plasmids and DNA templates for PCR) cross-contamination was estimated in three experiments. The cross-contamination was not presented or it was detected at very low level. The main advantages – speed and accuracy – of the automatic pipetting are described in the last experiment where the enzyme activity was measured.

The aim of this study is to investigate the applicability of fluorescence imaging for monitoring of the abilities of various water-retention additives to supply water to plants protecting them against drought. Rhodamine B solution was used as a fluorophore and its transport through the plants was monitored. Mainly the fluorophore optimal concentration and image acquisition parameters were investigated.

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are a novel class of luminescent tags for applications in life and material sciences. Unlike traditional fluorophores, UCNPs exhibit emission of shorter wavelength under near-infrared excitation (typically 980 nm). In this work, we have examined these unique photophysical properties by fluorescence spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis. UCNPs co-doped with Yb(III) and Er(III) were characterized using laboratory-made fluorescence spectrometer. We have exploited and evaluated two excitation sources and the dependence of the fluorescence of UCNPs on the relative excitation power. Moreover, capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) detection was for the first time used for characterization of the nanoparticles. It was proved that CE-LIF is a valuable method to be used for investigation of upconversion luminiscence and monitoring of the interactions of UCNPs with other molecules of interest.

Platinum-based cytostatics are the metal-containing anticancer cytostatic drugs that have found application in clinical practice. Antitumor activity of platinum-based drugs is caused by the crosslinking of DNA and formation of DNA adducts with subsequent triggering the apoptosis leading to cell death. Disadvantage of this type of cytostatics is that some kind of cancer is resistant against them. This resistance can be potentially caused by metalloproteins such as metallothioneins (MTs) that bind platinum to their structure and make the interaction with DNA of cell impossible. MTs are low molecular mass, intracellular cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins and ensure a number of functions in body for example detoxification of heavy metals or maintenance cellular zinc homeostasis. In this work, the interaction between two isoforms of MTs (MT3 and MT2) and several types of platinum cytostatics (oxaliplatin, carboplatin and cisplatin) as well as platinum nanoparticles (size of 10 and 40 nm) were examined by fluorimetric analysis using a fluorescence zinc indicator (Fluozin-3). Fluorescence spectrometry with laser-induced fluorescence detection (ex-488 nm, em-520 nm) was used in the study.