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In the last years, consumers preferences are more likely to purchase processed-meat products instead of single meat cuts. To adapt to the new demand, beef industry needs to study consumers’ sensory perception of the newly developed products to ensure their acceptability. This study aimed to examine consumers’ perception on sensory characteristics of two commercial processed-meat products (hamburger and tartare) from three different types of meat (Holstein-Italian bull, Charolaise bull, and Charolaise heifer). Sensory consumer test was conducted on a non-trained panel of 64 participants for each product to assess color, texture, odor, tenderness, juiciness, salty taste, flavor and overall satisfaction using a 1 (very low) to 7 (very high) intensity scale. Sensory data of each product was analyzed through a linear mixed model including meat type and order of presentation as fixed effects, and participant and residual as random effects. Chemical composition was determined by standard methods in 9 samples of each product (3 samples/type of meat). For hamburgers, protein ranged from 15.9 to 17.0% and fat from 9.1 to 12.9%. For tartare, protein ranged from 20.1 to 20.3%, and for fat from 3.2 to 5.2%. For hamburger, participants perceived differences (P<0.05) in color, tenderness and juiciness between meat types, being the Charolaise bull the most appreciated (P<0.05). For tartare, panelists reported differences (P<0.05) in color, texture and tenderness, being the Charolaise heifer the most appreciated (P<0.05). Our results suggested that the type of meat used related to the fat content can modify consumers’ sensory perception of processed-meat products.

The objective of this study was to analyse costs and incomes from milk/cheese and lamb production in dairy sheep flocks and to evaluate their economic efficiency by calculating the profit/loss that is expressed as the difference between these two economic indicators. Costs were calculated taking into account their individual item structure, revenues were calculated taking into account sales of milk/cheese and lamb production. The analysis included three-year period i.e. years 2017, 2018 and 2019. The object of investigations were twelve and thirteen dairy sheep flocks per year, respectively. Economic indicators were expressed in Eur per feeding day (costs) and/or in Eur per ewe and year (costs, sales, subsidies, profit/loss). Milk and lamb sales did not cover up costs spent on production and accounting for subsidy improved economic efficiency of dairy sheep only to a lower extent. Sheep farming thus produced with the loss. Across years, milk and lamb sales almost unchanged, whereas costs notably increased. No ability to cover up costs with revenues could become an obstacle for further survival of this livestock sector. The increase of both milk yield and lamb production is therefore needed.

Infant formula is the main source of nutrition for babies who cannot be fed human milk, which is the best source of feed for them. Modern trends spreading through social media are questioning the suitability of commercial infant formula for children. The growth in cow's milk protein allergies among the population and the increase in the percentage of premature infants with low birth weight are focusing attention on cow's milk-based infant formula substitutes. Recently, goat's milk-based infant formulas have become available. A comparison of the composition requirements of infant formula and premature infant formula shows the need to modify both milks for use in infant formula. Differences in milk composition and functional properties can compensate for technological and nutritional differences. The lower allergenicity of goat milk, smaller fat globules and softer curd can cause a different body reaction in goat's milk based infant formula than cow's milk based infant formula. The choice of commercial infant formula should not be made based on the reactions of other children but should be selected taking into account the individual's ability to grow and develop appropriately during the use of particular infant formula.

Sri Lanka is one of the Asian countries to support a considerable number of wild elephants mainly in the dry zone of the country. But today elephants have become one of the most seriously endangered large mammals in Sri Lanka and the world as well. Agricultural crop damage by elephants has become a most common and serious problem across the elephant range in Sri Lanka due to negative interaction of people and the elephants. Eastern province is one of such areas where severe crop damage by wild elephants could be observed. In these areas, most of the directly affected families are having low income level. For this common problem, still there is no proper mitigation plans to lower the impacts. Therefore, this study focused on the analysis of economic losses to cultivated crops, identify the most vulnerable crop species and suggest viable control measures to minimize this problem to a certain extent in the area. This study was carried out in two villages within one cropping season under two stages. Household survey including randomly selected 50 villagers from each village was conducted. Highest crop damage incidents were recorded in Dewalahinda area. Of the widely grown crop varieties, maize (Zea mays) and paddy (Oryza sativa) are subjected to heavy damage in both villages. Paddy and maize were reported as damage crop species by wild elephants in Ekgaloya and 19 households (out of 33) suffered due to that crop raiding incident. Out of 38 crop damage incidents in Dewalahinda, 28 households reported damages in maize and 26 household reported damages in paddy. Wild elephants have shown a least interest on some crop varieties such as chilli (Capsicum annum), ladies’ finger (Hibiscus esculentus) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea). But these crop fields were heavily damaged by elephants as they walk across these fields. In both villages, the harvesting period seemed to be affected more by crop damages than other times. However, the post harvesting period was also affected occasionally especially in stored paddy.

Various genetic and environmental factors influence the composition of milk. For the cheese manufacturing industry, one of the most important genes is the CSN1S1 gene, which influences the composition of several milk components as well as technological properties. Much attention has been paid to the F allele, which has been identified as undesirable for the manufacturing cheese. The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic structure of the Slovak population of the Slovak White Shorthaired goat (Capra hircus) for the CSN1S1 gene and to evaluate the influence of the CSN1S1 F allele on milk composition characteristics. Hair roots of 86 goats were collected and used as genetic material. Genotyping was performed using PCR and PIRA PCR. Phenotypic data from 101 lactations (first and/or second lactation only) with performance control were used for association studies. The occurrence of the F allele was 0.291. An association study was performed between genotypes consisting of F and non-F alleles. Significantly higher (p >.05) milk, protein, lactose and dry matter production was observed in non-F/non-F individuals than in F/non-F individuals. Genotyping of the CSN1S1 gene could be the basis for the use of marker-assisted selection in a breeding programme for the Slovak White Shorthorn goat. Further analyses involving the effect of the CSN1S1 genotype on cheese production could be performed to quantify the impact of composition on farm economics.

Aluminium is abundant in nature, food, or water and thus its exposition is part of everyday life. However, overexposure can result in cellular malfunctions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aluminium on eukaryotes, with the use of Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism. Spectrophotometry at OD600, inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and microscopy techniques were used to analyse aluminium responses on the living system. Our results revealed that exposition of increasing aluminium concentrations leads to cell growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, our results indicate that the yeast cell is able to eliminate lower aluminium concentration from the cell, while cells surrounded by higher aluminium concentrations lose this ability. Here we also show that high concentrations of aluminium have an impact on cell morphology leading to cell integrity disruption. Findings presented in this study have the ambition to bring more light in an issue of how aluminium mediates impairments of the living organism.

Aluminium is abundant in nature, food, or water and thus its exposition is part of everyday life. However, overexposure can result in cellular malfunctions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aluminium on eukaryotes, with the use of Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism. Spectrophotometry at OD600, inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and microscopy techniques were used to analyse aluminium responses on the living system. Our results revealed that exposition of increasing aluminium concentrations leads to cell growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, our results indicate that the yeast cell is able to eliminate lower aluminium concentration from the cell, while cells surrounded by higher aluminium concentrations lose this ability. Here we also show that high concentrations of aluminium have an impact on cell morphology leading to cell integrity disruption. Findings presented in this study have the ambition to bring more light in an issue of how aluminium mediates impairments of the living organism.

The research of polymorphism of the PIT-1 and beta-lactoglobulin genes has been provided on the population of Ukrainian brown dairy and Sumy intrabreed type Ukrainian black-and-white dairy cows. The study of genotypes has been carried out using polymerase chain reaction in real time. The existence of interbreed differentiation in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles of the studied genes has been proved. The influence of the studied genes genotype on individual indicators of milk productivity of cows has been established.

Attractivity of two different enrichment objects was investigated in paper. Eight piglets were housed in pen with slatted floor. Pen environment was enriched with two hanging objects – PET bottle and horseshoe. Interactions with enrichment objects were evaluated during two consecutive days. PET bottle was more attractive, total number of interactions was 600 on day 1 and 451 on day 2. Horseshoe has very low attractiveness, number of interactions on day 1 was only 64 and 74 on day 2. Exploration of more attractive object was decreasing between days. Exploration of less attractive object was increasing. We recommend use of different enrichment objects for prolonged duration of exploration and occupation by manipulation, but both objects should be attractive for piglets.

The aim of the work was to assess the effect of consumption of different types of cow‘s milk according to fat content on selected parameters of body composition. The study group consisted of 165 women aged 23 years. Based on the preference for the type of milk, the group was divided into the following three groups – skimmed (0.5%), semi-skimmed (1.5%) and full-fat (3.5%). We used the questionnaire method to obtain data and the bioelectric impedance method (InBody 720) to evaluate body composition. With the exception of visceral fat area and waist-to-hip ratio, we did not notice significant differences between the groups. In terms of body weight, we found the lowest value in the full-fat group (P >0.05), while this group also had the lowest value of fat mass (P >0.05), visceral fat area (P <0.05), waist-to-hip ratio (P <0.05), body mass index (P >0.05) and the highest value of fat-free mass (P >0.05), skeletal muscle mass (P >0.05) and basal metabolic rate (P >0.05). The results suggest that the consumption of full-fat milk is preferred mainly by physically active consumers, which is also reflected in the values of body composition parameters related to fitness, the level of basal metabolism and muscle mass. The consumption of full-fat milk was positively associated with muscle mass, but not fat mass.

The effort to achieve the sustainable farming system in arable soil led to the intensive search for a new solution but an inspiration can also be found in the application of traditional methods of soil fertility improvement as it is shown in numerous examples in history. Recently many scientific teams have focused their attention on the evaluation of biochar effects on soil properties and crop yields. Since there are a lot of knowledge gaps, especially in explanations how biochar can affect soil organic matter (SOM) and humus substances, we aimed this study at the solution of these questions. Therefore, the objective of the experiment was to evaluate the impact of two biochar substrates (B1 – biochar blended with sheep manure, and B2 – biochar blended with sheep manure and the residue from the biogas station) at two rates (10 and 20 t ha-1) applied alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers (Urea was applied in 2018, at rate 100 kg ha-1, and Urea at rate 100 kg ha-1 + AMOFOS NP 12-52 at 100 kg ha-1 were applied in 2019) on the quantity and quality of SOM and humus of sandy soil (Arenosol, Dolná Streda, Slovakia). The results showed that application of the biochar substrates together with mineral fertilizers (MF) had more pronounced effect on the organic matter mineralization in the sandy soil which resulted in low accumulation of soil organic carbon (Corg) and labile carbon compared to biochar substrates treatments without MF. The share of humic substances in Corg significantly decreased by 16, 50, 16 and 24% in B1 at 10 t ha-1, B1 at 20 t ha-1, B2 at 10 t ha-1 and B2 at 20 t ha-1 treatments, respectively, compared to the control. A similar tendency was observed for biochar substrates treatments + MF, compared to MF control. The carbon content of humic substances (CHS) was equal to 4.40 – 5.80 g kg-1 and the biochar substrates had statistically significant influence on CHS content. On average, there was a smaller decrease of CHS in B1 at rate 10 t ha-1 than at rate 20 t ha-1 and no effect of B2 compared to control. The carbon content of fulvic acid (CFA) was 9% higher in B1 at 10 t ha-1, and 20 t ha-1, 47% higher in B2 at 10 t ha-1 and 17% higher in B2 at 20 t ha-1 compared to control. As a result of biochar substrates + MF application, the reduction in CFA was observed. The results showed a decrease of CHA:CFA ratio with association to biochar substrates alone application compared to control on one hand, and a wider of CHA:CFA ratio in biochar substrates + MF treatments in comparison to MF control on the other hand. Humus stability was increased in biochar substrates alone treatments compared to control, on the other hand, compared to MF control, the application of biochar substrates + MF resulted in a lower humus stability.

In recent years, the importance of biochar application in world´s soils have increased tendency mainly due to its opposite effects. Therefore, the effort of many companies is based on the development of soil amendment which together improved properties and crop productivity in a lot of soils. In this short study, we have verified the effectiveness of biochar blended with farmyard manure named Effeco on soil properties and crop yields in different textural soils (1. sandy soil in Dolná Streda and 2. loamy soil in Veľké Uľany). Our results showed that the Effeco increased soil pH in both soils. In sandy soil, the Effeco more significantly affected sorptive parameters and soil organic carbon content than in loamy soil. Water retention in capillary pores after Effeco application in sandy and loamy soils was higher by 22% and 4%, respectively compared to control. On the other hand, more significant effect of Effeco application on soil structure was observed in loamy soil. The total crop productions in sandy and loamy soils due to the Effeco application were higher by 82% and 16%, respectively, compared to control plots. All in all, we concluded that the effects of biochar blended with farmyard manure differ mainly on soil texture.

Agricultural land is important for the biodiversity of small mammals, their modifications in the spatial structure also indicates the quality of the agroecosystem. Different methods of land management (organic and conventional) affects their heterogeneity, which also affects crop yield. The goal of our research was to determine changes in the spatial structure of small mammals under conditions of organic and conventional farming. Crops grown in organic farming were Pisum sativum, Triticum spelta, Clover grass mix and Zea mays, Triticum aestivum and Brassica napus in conventional farming. Between the years 2019 and 2023, with the help of pitfall traps, they recorded a total of 195 individuals and 6 species (Apodemus sylvaticus, Micromys minutus, Microtus arvalis, Crocidura leucodon, Sorex araneus, Sorex minutus). We confirmed 6 species and 95 small mammal individuals in organic farming; 5 species and 100 small mammal individuals in conventional farming. Multivariate analysis (PCA) confirmed the preference of small mammals for organic farming crops. A significant influence of temperature and moisture on the spatial dispersion of small mammals was found using redundancy analysis (RDA). One more species in each type of management was predicted using the rarefaction curves. From the results of our research, we can say that small mammals preferred the conditions of organic farming, which points to better topical and tropical conditions for them in this type of farming.

The fungus Cercospora beticola Sacc. belongs to the most important pathogens on sugar beet. The Cercospora leaf spot disease is important problem for growers in all growing areas of sugar beet. This study was focused on the morphological diversity of C. beticola isolates and occurrence of their fungicidal resistance in Slovakia. Isolates involved in this work were collected from sugar beet leaf during 2016-2018. Average growth rate of the tested C. beticola isolates on five different media showed the major role of cultivation temperature. The fastest growth was measured by 30°C on TE medium, followed by PDA, SBLEA, AWSBL, and V8. The colour of aerial mycelium varied from olive-green to grey with white powdery appearance, per grey colour with wrinkled texture, to black colour. There is no significant correlation among isolates origin, colony morphology parameters and growth rate. The highest sporulation rate was recorded at cultivation temperature 25°C by using of TE growth medium, the lowest one by V8 medium. The inhibition effect of azoxystrobin + cyproconazole was significantly different among the tested isolates from different localities and years. The results showed reduced sensitivity of C. beticola population in Slovakia strictly depending of the locality. The most reduced sensitivity was measured on localities Hronovce and Nové Zámky, followed by localities Mojmírovce, Senec, and Dolné Saliby with similar values. There is no positive correlation between inhibition effect and mycelial growth rate. The results showed increasing fungicidal resistance of C. beticola to azoxystrobin + cyproconazole in some localities of Slovakia.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to increase crop productivity and play a key role in the functioning and sustainability of most agroecosystems. However, limited information is available on the divervisity of AMF associated with upland rice varieties in Southwest Nigeria. Field survey was conducted to investigate colonization and diversity of AMF in 13 upland rice varieties commonly grown in Southwest Nigeria. Root and soil samples were collected from rice fields in 2012. The results showed natural root colonization of all the rice varieties by AMF with highest root colonization in ITA 157and Ofada. The spore densities retrieved from the different rhizospheres were relatively high, varying from 13 spores in UORW 111 to 174 spores in Ofada with a mean of 67.6 spores per 20 g dry soil. Glomus was observed to be the most abundant AMF genus. Funneliformis mosseae was the most frequently occurring AMF species (96.2%) with relative density (RD) of 32.2%, followed by Glomus intraradices, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, and Glomus clareium. This study showed that AMF naturally colonized the roots of these rice varieties and diversity of different AMF genera in rice rhizosphere. This study will help draw attention to natural colonization of AMF in rice producing areas of Nigeria that can influence future possibility of using inocula of the dominant AMF species in upland rice cultivation.

With climate changes, soil-pollution and degradation, organic farming is communicated much more often. That is why more research about impact of organic farming has been appearing and developing. Aim of our research was to detect if there is any impact of organic farming on small terrestrial mammals such as has been found in other soil, plant and fauna. Nine localities, at which organic agriculture was practised, were studied and two localities were used as control samples. The research sites were located in the west of Slovakia and in Eastern Iberian Peninsula. They represent a typical Continental and Mediterranean areas. Forty-six individuals of seven species (Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus musculus, Mus spicilegus, Mus spretus, Rattus sp., Crocidura russula, Crocidura suaveolens) were recorded. The highest abundance was recorded at hedgerows in biodynamic vineyards and the most species at an ecotone of biodynamic vineyard and forest. At cultivated sites, we documented the highest number of species at biodynamic vineyard and biologically managed vineyard. The observed species show affiliation to different types of habitat which indicates the need of landscape heterogeneity to maintain diversity. The results signify the obligation to pay more attention to different types of organic farming, identify particular benefits and embrace the most suitable of them.

This study initiates DNA barcoding and phylogenetic investigations of Pseudoleptonema quinquefasciatum Martynov 1935, aiming to enhance species identification, assess genetic diversity, and clarify its evolutionary relationships. By analysing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences from specimens collected in the Northwest Himalaya, we successfully generated the first DNA barcode for P. quinquefasciatum from India. Our findings establish a foundational framework for future taxonomic, ecological, and conservation studies on the genetic structure of P. quinquefasciatum. The generated DNA barcode data can facilitate precise species identification, aiding in resolving cryptic diversity and potential misidentifications in closely related taxa. Furthermore, our phylogenetic analyses shed light on the evolutionary affinities of P. quinquefasciatum within Hydropsychidae, reinforcing the significance of molecular approaches in taxonomy.

Footpad dermatitis is a multifactorial health problem that occurs in chickens that are raised in suboptimal conditions and is mainly influenced by the choice of bedding material, microclimate, gastrointestinal health and stocking density. Aim of the study was to evaluate the current level of occurrence of pododermatitis on poultry farms in Slovakia to identify the assumed factors that most negatively affect the health of footpads. A total of 4219 animals were evaluated on 14 farms, during 41 measurements. We evaluated the influence of different bedding materials (peat, straw pellets and straw) and the season of the year. Footpads were graded to 0-4 and footpad dermatitis score was calculated. 49 % of the measurements were evaluated above footpad dermatitis index of 120 points what is the limit set in several countries of Western Europe. Our analysis shows that even in Slovakia there are farms that meet welfare standards of Western and Northern Europe, but there are also farms where the health of the footpads requires improvement. The effect of the bedding material and the season was significant. The lowest incidence of lesions on footpads was recorded on peat, followed by straw pellets and the highest incidence was on wheat straw. Season of the year also had a statistical effect on the incidence of pododermatitis. The lowest average value was measured in summer and the highest in autumn. The season had the lowest effect on the peat, on which the best measurements were generally taken.

The faunistic research of dragonflies was realized during 2016 and 2017. The research was carried out under the conditions of Botanical garden's pond of Slovak University of Agriculture (SUA) in Nitra. 229 dragonfly individuals (105♂, 124♀) were trapped during the monitored period. Trapped individuals represented 10 species and 3 families of dragonflies. The aim of the research was to determine the species composition of dragonflies of the selected locality. Based on the representation of individual species for the monitored locality, its dominance was also calculated.