Všechny tituly 398 výsledků

The study is focused on the evaluation of the changes in locomotion activity and rumination time in heifers and dairy cows of Holstein breed during estrus. We analysed the locomotion activity and rumination time using the Heatime RuminAct device on 110 dams (78 dairy cows and 32 heifers). We evaluated a total of 298 estrus cycles during the reference period of 3 days before estrus, 3 days after estrus and on the day of the estrus occurrence. The locomotion of cows was expressed in units of locomotion activity in 24 hours (u.24h-1). Rumination time was expressed in minutes in 24 hours (min.24h-1). Based on the results of the study, we established that during estrus, the locomotion activity of dams increases to 888 u 24 h-1 (P <0.001), which represents an increase of +305 u.24 h-1 (+38%). Rumination time of dams was considerably affected by estrus as well and decreased from 582 min.24 h-1 (1 day before estrus) to 482 min.24-1 in estrus time (-43 min.24 h-1).

During their career, horses are affected by a large number of direct and indirect factors. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of indirect factors, such as year of start, sex, breed, number of starts, age and proportion of genes of Slovak Warmblood horse breed. For determination of indirect factors on performance level, results from test efficiency and final placement in showjumping category 4, 5 and 6 years old young horses were used. 540 horses of Slovak Warmblood breed were analysed between 2015 - 2019 and 1155 data samples were collected. Based on the results of the linear model, parameters – the effect of gender and the influence of the gene proportion of Slovak Warmblood horse had statistically significant influence (p<0.05). High significant effect (p<0.001) on performance of Slovak Warmblood horse was observed in parameters – year of start, age during start and breed.

The initial slow growth of mango ginger makes them highly vulnerable to weed interference with high yield losses. Timely weeding and adequate fertilization therefore is a necessity for enhanced productivity of mango ginger. Field trials were conducted in the early cropping seasons of 2016 and 2017 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of weeding frequency under different application rates of organo-mineral fertilizer on growth and productivity of mango ginger. Treatments were laid out in split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plot treatments were three levels of organo-mineral fertilizer at 0 t ha-1, 2.4 t ha-1 and 3.6 t ha-1 while sub plots treatments consisted of six weeding frequencies viz: weeding at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 weeks after planting (WAP); Weeding at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 WAP; Weeding at 3, 6, 9, 12 WAP; Weeding at 4, 8, 12, 16 WAP; Weed free and Weedy check as control. Results showed that application of 3.6 t ha-1 organo-mineral fertilizer gave the highest rhizome yield and return on investment in both years. Although plot kept weed free throughout crop life cycle produced the highest rhizome yield, plot weeded at 4, 8, 12 and 20 WAP gave the highest return on investment in both years. This study reveals that application of 3.6 t ha-1 of organo-mineral fertilizer and weeding at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 WAP resulted in optimum yield with highest return on investment.

The research of the influence of crops on the species diversity of oribatid mites in garden within the small farmer conditions was carried out in four different microhabitats - carrots, beans (broad beans), onions and tomatoes. Soil samples on each crop were analysed and compared - determined the soil nutrient content and specific elements, continuously recorded the soil temperature, humidity, climate and microclimate relations were also followed within the research, as well as X-ray spectrometric analysis of the soil was done. Chemical elements have no significant impact on soil fauna. Annual average of 563 ind. per square metres and was reported in the microhabitat of beans, while 167 ind. per square metres in carrots, only. Under the broad bean, the highest abundance and species richness and highest species diversity of oribatids was confirmed and seemed to closely connect with the microclimate conditions of this crop. Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis Trägårdh, 1910, Zetomimus furcatus Pearce & Warburton, 1905, Steganacarus striculus C.L.Koch, 1836 and Protoribates capucinus Berlese, 1908 seem to be tolerant oribatids, which were confirmed in every microhabitats of the garden. On the contrary, some oribatids occurred in one crop only and specify it. Differences in soil temperature and humidity under plants as well as the type of crops affected occurrence of species spectrum and their abundance. In farm garden, we found two rare species of oribatids; the second records for the fauna of Slovakia - Corynoppia kosarovi (Jeleva, 1962) and Mesoplophora pulchra Sellnick, 1928.

Soil is the main reservoir of water and nutrients, and thus controls the availability of most essential plant nutrients for crop growth and establishment. Therefore, a study was conducted at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria to investigate the effects of soil texture and compost on early growth of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera). The experiment was a split plot laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main treatment comprises of three soil texture; sand, loamy sand, and clay while the sub-plot treatment was compost at four rates of 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 tha-1 per 10 kg of soil and NPK 15:15:15 at the rate of 90 kg Nha-1. Data on plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter were measured at 2 week interval for 10 weeks. Results showed that Moringa plant produced in loamy sand was superior in plant height, number of leaves and stem girth irrespective of compost applied. At 10 weeks after sowing, fresh shoot weights/pot was 73.3, 31.7, 30.3 g respectively for loamy sand, clay and sand. M. oleifera N uptake in loamy sand was significantly (p<0.05) greater by 57 and 50%, respectively, than sand and clay. P uptake was significantly higher at 5 ton ha-1 than the control and other treatments. The study concluded that, combination of loamy sand and 5 ton ha-1 of compost was suitable for the early growth of M. oleifera.

A prerequisite for the successful pig breeding isthe achievement of high reproductive performance, which can be influenced by several environmental factors. Therefore, the aim of our research was to assess the impact of the season, microclimatic indicators and technology of housing of the lactating sows on the number of the weaned piglets in the litter. The experiment was performed on a production farm in Slovakia and a total of 800 litters were evaluated. The results have shown that the season had a statistically significant effect on the number of the weaned piglets (p<0.01), least in the summer and most of them in the fall. The highest number of the weaned piglets was found at the temperatures from 18 to 22 °C (p<0.05), temperatures outside the stated range had a negative impact on the number of the weaned piglets. An increase of the relative humidity - above 70% (p<0.05) and an increase in the flow - above 0,4 m.s-1 (p<0.05) led to a decrease in the number of the weaned piglets. In the housing with a freemovement of the lactating sows, the number of the weaned piglets was higher than with the restricted movement (p<0.05).

The purpose of the research is to study the duration of the effective action of various forms of absorbents in the vegetable crop rotation in conditions of unstable moistening of the forest-steppe of Ukraine. Research on the productivity of vegetable crops under the influence of different forms of absorbents showed varying results on different crops. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase yield from 12.7 t ha-1 in the Badyoryi cultivar to 16.4 t ha-1, and from 9.9 t ha-1in the Rutan cultivar up to 12.5 t ha-1 following the application of the gel in both varieties of basil. Pumpkin productivity also increased under the influence of absorbents. Yield increased by 16.4 % in the Siryi Ukrainskyi cultivar and 14.8 % in the Yuvilei cultivar under the influence of the powder. The yield of leafy vegetables (head lettuce, leaf lettuce and spinach) increased by 8.0–11.9 grown on the background of absorbent in powder form. The increase in productive moisture reserves depending on the form of the absorbent, the year of use and the weather conditions of vegetation when using the powder min.-max. was 7.2–8.1 % in May; 9.8–17.1 % in June; 13.2–15.4 % in July. Conclusions. The absorbent in gel form is highly effective in the first year of use, but subsequently its effectiveness declined dramatically, while the powder was less effective in the first year but became more stable in subsequent years.

A two year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different tillage practices on soil physical properties and agronomic properties of three varieties of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons. The study was a split plot in randomized complete block design (RCBD). Tillage was the main treatment having three types; manual clearing (MC), ploughed twice (PT) followed by ridged (RT) while the sub plot was sesame varieties; 03L+ Tithonia, Ex-Sudan and E8. The result showed that soil physical properties and sesame varieties were not generally affected by tillage practices during the two years of the experiment. However, there was significant interaction of tillage and sesame varieties on soil microporosity and available water content (AWC) in 2013. RT increased AWC in 2013 and 2014 compared to MC and PT although, the treatments were statistically similar. RT significantly increased stem girth, number of leaves, and number of branches of sesame in 2013. Ex- Sudan variety produced significantly higher number of leaves and branches in 2013. However, E8 produced higher number of capsules per plant and seed yield. In 2013, interaction between tillage practices and sesame variety were significant on microporosity, available water content and plant height. Ridge tillage and E8 variety gave the best result in terms of improved soil physical properties and yield, therefore it is recommended in this study area.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in nutrition of most plants as well improving soil fertility. The present study investigated the effects of different AMF isolates (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices and Claroideoglomus etunicatum) and control on soil chemical properties, growth and nitrogen (N2 ) fixation in two soybean cultivars (TGx 1448-2E and TGx 1440-1E) in phosphorus (P)-deficient soil. The study was laid in split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed increased root colonization (up to 76%) with AMF inoculation compared to uninoculated control. The inoculation of the AMF isolates enhanced the growth parameters, nodulation and dry weights, which resulted in increased number of pods, 100-seed weight and seed yield. More pronounced effects were observed with F. mosseae and R. intraradices inoculation compared to C. etunicatum. In addition, similar trend was observed for P and N content in the plants as well the N2 fixation activities, which resulted in increased total N fixed in both cultivars (up to 27.9 and 27.4 kg ha-1 respectively). After harvest, the results showed improved soil fertility in terms of soil N, available P, soil pH, organic carbon as well as exchangeable cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium) with AMF inoculation. TGx 1448-2E inoculated with F. mosseae gave the highest seed yield (1,773 kg ha-1). The findings from this study suggest that R. intraradices or F. mosseae could be used to enhance N2 -fixation, soil fertility and productivity of soybean in phosphorus-deficient soils.

Post-harvest losses of agricultural produce due to storage food grain pests lead to detrimental effects on the economic growth of any nation. However, a solution to this is to rely on adapting necessary cultural operations and effective traditional remedies that are locally available, which are inexpensive for the control of pests. Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray is an invasive weed that grows along the roadside and wasteland in rural and urban areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pesticidal efficacy of powder and extracts of T. diversifolia flower by using different solvents such as aqueous, methanol, chloroform, hexane, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate against rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica. The dry powder and extracts of T. diversifolia flower were tested to check the mortality of C. cephalonica eggs, larvae, and adults under the laboratory conditions (28 ±2 °C and relative humidity 65 ±5%). The mortality of the insect increased with an increase in the concentration of extracts. The results showed that the different solvent extracts of T. diversifolia flower were significantly more effective than the dry powder and control against different developmental stages of C. cephalonica. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed an almost equitoxic lethal effect on all three stages of the life cycle of C. cephalonica. The present work suggests that the T. diversifolia flower possesses insecticidal properties against C. cephalonica eggs, larvae and adults. Thus, it can be recommended for use by the farmers as a potential pesticidal plant.

Insects are one of the proposed responses to the increasing request of alternative feed/food productions with high production yield and low environmental impact. Insect production offers a new sustainable alternative for unexploited or underexploited resources, in accordance with the waste hierarchy principles. Insects constitute a reliable alternative or addition to feed due to their nutritional characteristics (e.g. protein content, amino acid profile and/or digestibility levels). Edible insects may be part of human foods mostly as ingredients in already well-known products or integration of insect-based foods into existing diets. In the near future research is needed to increase knowledges and support the insect industry to a considerably scale up to reach competitive price and high-quality products.

Feline Atopic Skin Syndrome (FASS) is a common dermatological condition in cats, linked to oxidative stress and variable skin lesions. While glucocorticoids and antihistamines are standard treatments, the inconsistent feasibility of allergen avoidance and immunotherapies necessitates the use of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents like prednisolone or cyclosporine. However, their side effects can limit long-term use, driving research into alternative therapies to mitigate these drawbacks.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of quercetin on oxidative stress parameters and clinical findings in cats with FASS. Thirty-six cats were included in the study and divided into two groups: cats diagnosed with FASS (n = 27) and healthy cats (n = 9). Additionally, cats diagnosed with FASS were grouped according to their clinical presentations, which included Head-and-Neck Pruritus (HNP), Self-Induced Alopecia (SIA), Miliary Dermatitis (MD), Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex (EGC), and Dermatitis. Quercetin treatment (3 mg.kg-1) was administered orally for 14 days in both groups. Clinical findings were assessed on days 0, 7, and 14 using SCORFAD, FEDESI, and VAS scoring systems, alongside blood analyses for thiol-disulfide balance. Significant reductions in clinical scores (FEDESI, SCORFAD, VAS) were observed in the HNP and MD groups, while improvement was limited to one cat in the SIA group. Although no significant differences in thiol-disulfide balance were detected between groups, slight reductions in total thiol and disulfide levels were noted. These results indicate that quercetin may alleviate oxidative stress and improve clinical outcomes in FASS treatment.

A behavioural study of Mangalitsa swines was carried out by recording on ethogram forms, as well as remote monitoring by an unmanned aerial vehicle, which allowed to shorten the time between readings. The animals were divided into two age categories, up to 12 months of age, and fattening pigs over 1 year old. The monitoring period covered the months of March, April, and May 2024 from 08:00h to 20:00h. As a result of this first study using a drone of this breed in Bulgaria, it was found that the frequency of eating, rooting and resting was 14.74%, 12.08% and 58.31%, respectively. The measured frequency of eating was 16.9% and 12.6%, and of rooting 14.3% and 9.9%, respectively, in animals up to 12 months of age and the fattened pigs. In both groups, resting frequency was a major part of the day with a difference of 14% between the groups in favour of the older animals.

The aim of the study was to assess iodine concentration in raw sheep milk from chosen farms in Slovakia and to evaluate the factors that are involved. The assessed factors were as follows: effect of farm, iodine supplementation, farming system (conventional/ organic). The bulk milk samples were collected (June-August 2020) from seven sheep farms located in various districts of Slovakia. The analyses were carried out using the spectrophotometric method of Sandell-Kolthoff. The average milk iodine concentration of analysed bulk milk (26 samples) was 121.4±24.4 μg.l-1. The concentration of iodine in milk was significantly affected by the farm (P <0.05). There was observed large variability among the average milk iodine concentrations of samples ranging from 52.4±9.5 μg.l-1 to 511.6±48 μg.l-1. Similarly, iodine supplementation via mineral licks in farms significantly affected milk iodine concentration (P <0.01). This might be demonstrated by the lowest values in milk from the unsupplemented farm, ranging from 23.0 to 74.6 μg I.l-1, which indicate iodine deficiency. The farming system did not significantly affect the concentration of iodine in raw sheep milk. However, we observed lower milk iodine concentrations in organic farms as compared with conventional (94.4±25.9 μg.l-1 vs 131.4±32.0 μg.l-1, respectively.). To conclude, our results might suggest the important role of iodine supplementation on milk iodine concentration, as well as the significant impact of the farm as an important source of milk iodine concentration variability, which deserves attention regarding milk products and human nutrition.

Four horse gram Rhizobium (HGR) strains HGR-4, 6, 13 and 25 grown under different concentrations of Iron (Fe) were inoculated individually to horse gram plants. These plant sets were screened for their net photosynthetic rate (PN), pod formation and symbiotic efficiency. Horse gram plants inoculated with the strain HGR-4 have shown high PN values at 100 µg g-1 of Fe. The number of pods formed were maximum upon inoculation with HGR-4 at 300 µg g-1 of Fe. Nodulation was maximum with the prior inoculation of the strains HGR-6, 13 and 25 at 500 µg g-1 of Fe. Leghaemoglobin content was maximum on inoculation with HGR-6, 13 and 25 at 300 µg g-1 of Fe. This study demonstrated that the horse gram plants associated with rhizobia, besides having nitrogen fixing capacity also have shown Fe stress tolerance and the ability to remove Fe from soils. Hence, the study confirms the ability of HGR-4, HGR-6, HGR-13 and HGR-25 isolates of Rhizobium to have tolerance of the metal Fe at the plant nodule during pot experiments. Therefore these isolates could be suggested for cultivation of horse gram plants in Fe contaminated soils. These findings imply that horse gram-rhizobia symbiosis is an essential element of plant adaptation to metal stress.

In stressful situations, maintaining ionome homeostasis in the intracellular space is a key prerequisite for cell survival. This study investigates the role of ionome alteration due to acrylamide-induced oxidative stress in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. With the use of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) we have evaluated changes in the intracellular concentration of eight mineral elements (calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, copper). In this study, the deleterious effect of acrylamide (1 and 10 mM) on the uptake and utilization of mineral elements and the disruption of ionome homeostasis has been revealed. We confirmed that the toxicity of acrylamide (mainly 10 mM concentration) for cells and their biological activity is associated with oxidative stress due to enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The addition of acrylamide into cultivation media in a final concentration of 10 mM led to 72.3% increase in total ROS production. At the same time, this resulted in statistically significant changes in the ionome, accompanied by an increase in the concentrations of monovalent ions K+ and Na+, divalent ions Ca2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, and trivalent Fe3+. These findings shed light on the complexity of the acrylamide-induced metabolic disorders that lead to the imbalance of ion homeostasis.

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is one of the new pests from the Lepidoptera class, which causes huge losses for farmers, especially in corn plantations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cigarette butt waste and soursop leaf (Annona muricata L.) extracts as biopesticides against fall armyworms by observing the mortality and analyzing their LC50. Extraction of cigarette butts waste and soursop leaves by ethanol 96% as solvent was carried out using Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) method. As the comparison, the maceration and soxhletation extraction of soursop leaves were conducted and analyzed their chemical content by using LC-MS/MS instrument. The insecticide study used a completely randomized design (CRD) method to treat larvae instar III with cigarette butt waste and soursop leaf extracts with various concentrations in three repetitions. Data analysis was performed using probit analysis. The results showed that soursop leaf extract contained four major acetogenin compounds, namely muricatalicin, annohexocin, robustocin, and epoxymurin, with a total percentage of 31.41% by using MAE method, which is higher than the acetogenin content of the maceration and soxhletation extracts (23.73% and 17.78%, respectively). Both cigarette butt waste and soursop leaf extracts were effective as biopesticides with an LC50 value of 4.900% and 4.114%, respectively, in 12 hours of observation.

Yield performance and external and internal quality traits of eggs laid by two Italian purebreds, Ermellinata di Rovigo (ER) and Pepoi (PP) were studied at 36 and 50 weeks of age. Daily egg production and egg traits were evaluated by a factorial model (2 x 2) with genotype and age as main effects and their interaction. The daily laying rate was similar between the breeds and the hen-day egg mass was higher (p<0.01) for ER than for PP. The ER eggs differed (p<0.01) from PP eggs with higher egg weight, yolk and albumen weight, and a more coloured eggshell with lower L, higher a* and b*, and lower eggshell thickness. PP showed more (p<0.05) inclusion of albumen than yolk in comparison to ER. With increased hen age, egg weight, eggshell lenght, width, lightness and thickness increased (p<0.01), whereas shape index and a* and b* did not change. Throughout the laying period, the eggs were classified as small (PP) and medium size (ER). With increased hen age, PP eggs were more spherical, ER eggs were more ovoid; yolk and albumen weight increased (p<0.01) in ER, whereas yolk and eggshell weight increased (p<0.01) in PP. The yolk:albumen ratio increased (p<0.01) along with hen‘s age and the Haugh Units and egg inclusions decreased (p<0.01). The ER and PP eggs differed for many egg external traits, which allow to distinguish the eggs by weight, shape, and eggshell colour and for the eggshell thickness and the albumen traits.

The objective of this study was to assess egg quality parameters for the whole laying period depending on oviposition time and breed of Czech and Slovak native breeds of laying hens. Besides, to determine the differences between selected breeds in laying pattern, related to the oviposition place. Furthermore, biochemical blood parameters were measured at the end of the study. A total of 60 pullets at the age of 20 weeks were divided according to the breed. Each treatment consisted of 3 replications of 10 laying hens. The eggs were collected every day, at 6:00, 10:00 and 14:00 and the amount of eggs was recorded for each oviposition time interval (from 14:00 to 5:59, from 6:00 to 9:59 and from 10:00 to 13:59). Moreover, the oviposition place (inside and outside the nest) and the amount of eggs in particular place were recorded. In addition, blood samples were collected. Significantly heavier eggs were laid between 10:00 and 13:59 than between 6:00 and 9:59 h (52.44 vs. 51.39 g, resp.). Haugh units were highest in eggs from Czech golden spotted hens that were laid between 6:00 and 9:59 h and in eggs from Oravka hens that were laid between 6:00 and 9:59 h and between 10:00 and 13:59 h. Significantly lower content of yolk cholesterol was found in Czech golden spotted hens compared to Oravka hens (10.64 vs. 11.22 mg/g, resp.). The Czech golden spotted hens had significantly higher level of glucose in blood serum than Oravka hens (16.47 vs. 14.03 mmol/l, resp.). The Czech golden spotted hens, gene reserve of the Czech Republic, are not yet sufficiently described in scientific literature, which highlights the importance of this study.

The objective of this study was to analyse eight milk yield and longevity traits in dependence on feeding (grazing) system. Data of purebred Slovak Spotted dairy cows (35,812 heads) culled in the period between 2006 and 2019 were evaluated. Only herds those feeding (grazing) system was known were taken into account. Dairy cows were assigned to four groups: (1) heifers not grazed, cows not grazed (17,628 heads), (2) heifers grazed, cows not grazed (13,056 heads), (3) heifers not grazed, cows grazed (156 heads) and (4) heifers grazed, cows grazed (4,972 heads). The highest average 305-day milk yield (6,139.22 kg) and lifetime milk yield (18,606.78 kg) were found in animals of group (1). Contrariwise, longevity traits were found more favourable in animals of group (4). Their productive life was by 102.78 days longer and average parity was by 0.14 higher in comparison to group (1). The differences between groups were found significant.