„ai“ 349 výsledků

The vast area cultivated which includes a variety of environment, climate, and agricultural maintenance, can affect the quality of the crop also the literature about the export of dates shows that those produced in the municipality of Tolga offering an opportunity for a strong export. Therefore, the objective of this study is to show the impact of the physicochemical interaction of water and soil on the intraspecific variability of Deglet-Noor. So, we will try to study the quality of Deglet-Noor dates under three axes: phenotypic, physicochemical, and biochemical in five municipalities among which Tolga. Principal Component Analysis showed a wide spectrum of variation between water and soil conditions affecting date quality. Application of fertilizer in a very salty, moderately calcareous gypseous soil allowed to produce dates considered as a good whose phenotypical and physicochemical characteristics are ranked among the best (yield with 264 kg palm-1 including size 4.47 cm and weight of dates 13.69 g, and moisture content 25.99% and a good consistency 2.15); the application of fertilizer in a very salty highly calcareous, moderately gypseous soil enhanced fruit phenotypical and physicochemical characteristics (yield with 252 kg palm-1); the application of fertilizer in a very salty soil highly calcareous, loam type, of Sidi Okba make possible to present dates with improvements in physicochemical and biochemical characteristics (total soluble solids 70.95%, total sugars 71.68% including sucrose 41.44% levels); salinity in a moderately gypsum and calcareous of Ouled Djellel gave more or less a good biochemical level of dates (reducing sugars 30.62%).

Assessment of the uptake and bioaccumulation of diverse hydrocarbon compounds within internal tissues by selected food plants artificially exposed to bioremediated crude oil-contaminated soils was carried out. Three bioremediated crude-oil contaminated soils of different fallow ages (6-, 12-, and 18- months after certified remediation protocols) and an uncontaminated soil were collected and designated as 6m-AB, 12m-AB, 18m-AB and control respectively. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and intermediate metabolites of degradation in soil samples were determined in the dry and wet seasons using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrophotometer. Telfairia occidentalis, Zea mays, Cucumis sativus, and Abelmoschus esculentus were used to assess safety of crops grown on test soils by monitoring the bioaccumulation of chemical residues in their tissues. Baseline TPH contents in various soil samples were 161.25 mg Kg-1 (6m-AB), 51.72 mg Kg-1 (12m-AB), 91.50 mg Kg-1 (18m-AB) and below detectable level in the control soil. A myriad of organic compounds emanating from degradation of petroleum compounds and including toxic and carcinogenic metabolic intermediates like trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane, phthalate esters and halogenated aliphatics were detected in bioremediated soil and also in tissues of the plants grown on the bioremediated soils. Higher bioconcentration factors for accumulated organic compounds were obtained during the wet season for all plants with Telfairia occidentalis having the highest bioconcentration factor in both wet and dry seasons. Results obtained provide evidence of contaminant transfer from these bioremediated soils to plant tissues and suggest the need for adequate evaluation of chemical residues in remediated soils before utilizing such sites for farming to ensure safe crop production.

The efficiency of using ozone and plasma chemical technology to reduce the concentration of ethylene impurities to extend the shelf life of apples has been studied. The ozone concentration was measured by sensors located in the experimental box. The ethylene concentration was measured with an ICA56 meter (in the experimental box) and monitored by sampling from the circulation lines of both boxes. The ICA56 meter use electrochemical sensor with ethylene resolution 0.2 ppm. This sensor have cross sensitivities for CO (40%), ethanol (72%), CO2 (0%), H2 S (220%) and its reason use control method of measuring ethylene. Control samples were analyzed with a Thermo Scientific Trace 1310 gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector. The chromatograph was pre-calibrated with calibration gas mixtures with ethylene content of 10 and 100 ppm. It has been shown that Gala, McIntosh and Jonathan apples are stored several times better when the air in which apples are stored is treated with a plasma-chemical system. After 40 days of storage in the control box, the weight of apples acceptable for consumption (absence of rot and mold) was for varieties Gala – 3.3 kg (31%), Jonathan – 2.1 kg (15.6%), McIntosh – 2 kg (20%). In the experimental boxing varieties Gala – 12.1 kg (66.4%), Jonathan – 10.2 kg (59.3%), McIntosh – 9.3 kg (52.5%). Thus, the combined plasma-ozone method of air treatment of stored apples has shown high efficiency and has prospects for use.

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.

Milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] is a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family that is grown for its silymarin content. In the production of the silymarin complex, oil is obtained as a secondary product that must be removed from the seeds before extraction of silymarin. The oil contains a favorable ratio of fatty acids and essential phospholipids and has a high vitamin E concent. The objective of this study was to determine the quality of the harvest and the oil content in the dry matter of milkthistle fruit in three varieties (Silyb, Silma, Mirel) during growing seasons 2019 and 2020. The field experiment was conducted in a warm climatic region of western Slovakia (at the experimental site, Dolná Malanta locality). The results showed that the average yield of milk thistle fruit was 452.72 ±61.71 kg ha-1. The oiliness results wereat the level of 28.62 ±1.12%. The maximum and minimum oil content values in the dry matter were determined in the variety Silma 2019. The differences between the individual varieties were not statistically significant. The factor of the growing season had a statistically significant effect on the oil content. Based on two-year fertility and oil content results, it is recommended to continue to monitor the quantitative and qualitative potentials of the milk thistle in the following growing season.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of enriched cages and aviary housing system on egg quality. A total of 2520 eggs (180 eggs per age and housing system) were analysed. The egg quality parameters were measured in eggs from 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 and 68-week-old hens. The analysis of the technological value included the evaluation of egg weight, shape index, surface area, volume, eggshell proportion, thickness, strength, colour, index, albumen proportion and index, Haugh units, yolk proportion, index, colour and yolk to albumen ratio. The significant interactions between housing system and age of hens were found in all observed parameters except for the egg shape index. Considering the eggshell strength, 52-week-old hens from aviary and from enriched cages had the highest values (46.90 and 46.87 N cm-2, resp.), whereas the lowest values had eggs from 64-week-old hens housed in aviary (31.90 N cm-2). Moreover, Haugh units were the highest in enriched cages from 48, 52 and 56-week-old hens (90.63, 89.80 and 89.28, resp.) and the lowest in aviary system from 64-week-old hens (75.38). Bearing in mind the results, the most of the highest and lowest values in eggshell quality were observed in enriched cages, while in internal quality of eggs, the most of the highest values were seen in enriched cages. That could indicate an unbalanced quality of eggshell and relatively stable internal quality depending on housing system. Regarding to the effect of age, higher quality was found in the first half of studied laying period.

The modern lifestyle with high level of industrialization eventuates in the large quantity of environmental pollutants entering the atmosphere, soil and water. Hence, exposure of the organism to these elements occurs primarily through the ingestion of contaminated food and water or through inhalation of polluted air. Environmental contaminants such as heavy metals and other xenobiotics are able to interact with essential cellular components resulting in destabilization of the control machineries required for the normal cell behavior. The main focus of this review is thus to describe the current knowledge of the threat of the toxic environment to fundamental processes of living organisms. Although much has been investigated to date concerning the effect of environmental contamination on all aspects of the organism’s biological processes including metabolism, growth, or reproduction, still a lot remains elusive.

Pig carcass classification is based on instrumental prediction of lean meat content and application of the common SEUROP scale. Each member country uses an authorised apparatus with respective regression equation to predict the lean meat content. These equations may differ between countries since they are calculated on different populations. Differences in equations may lead to different predictions of lean meat content. In Slovakia, a significant portion of slaughtered fatteners come from abroad, especially from the Czech Republic and Hungary. Since the same apparatus is approved in neighbouring countries, our study was aimed on the Fat-O-Meater and the comparison of lean meat prediction using three equations from neighbouring countries. Overall, the Slovak equation overestimated the lean meat content by 2.1% compared to the equation from Czech Republic and 2.56% compared to the equation from Hungary. Higher differences were observed in the R, O, P classes and lower differences were observed in the S, E, U classes when individual classes were considered. Different predicted lean meat content led to different carcass distribution over the SEUROP classes. Most visible changes were in the S and E classes. These changes suggest that the inclusion of carcasses from different suppliers should be considered in the authorisation trial.

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.

Many bacterial species are currently known as etiologic agents of dairy cattle metritis. Antimicrobials for endometritis treatment are infused into the uterus, and these therapies are aimed to achieve high concentrations of antibiotics in the site of infection. The aim of this work was to verify the possibility of using a non-antibiotic active substance to prevent the emergence of postpartum infections in cows. The study was realised in 12 herds of Holstein, Simental and Pinzgau cattle (4,563 animals), where the incidence of postpartum reproductive disorders was higher than 20%. After parturition, animals (4,563) were divided into four groups: (I) 1,967 primipara cows treated, (II) 2,596 pluripara cows treated, (III) 638 primipara cows untreated and (IV) 667 pluripara cows untreated. Animals were treated 24 hours after parturition with 100 ml Lactobacillus spp. (LBC), lyophilised preparation (1 ml contained 1.0 ×109 microorganisms). Lyophilisate was diluted just before the application with a sterile solvent with pH 4.4–4.7. The most prevalent pathogens were E. coli (74.7%) and Trueperella pyogenes (17.3%). E. coli caused up to 88.2% of genital inflammation – mostly endometritis. The positive effect of the preventive application of preparation based on LBC significantly eliminated the occurrence of bacterial microflora after the parturition on the 14th and 20th day of the puerperium, respectively. The preventive application was manifested to a demonstrable extent also in the subsequent reproductive parameters of cows. The preparation appeared to be more effective in primipara, especially concerning the incidence of inflammatory conditions of the genitals (P <0.01).

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 (07° 20ʹN , 3° 23ʹE 159 m above sea level) in the forest – savannah transition agroecology of South-western Nigeria to evaluate the effect of weed control methods on weed biomass, growth and yield of mango ginger. Ten weed control methods were evaluated and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on weed biomass, crop vigour score, stand count, number of rhizomes and rhizome yield. Results on weed biomass at 8 WAP showed that plots treated with different rates of pre emergence herbicide gave lower weed biomass than plots hoe weeded plots. Also at 24 WAP, plots treated with pre emergence herbicide followed by different post emergence treatments gave lower weed biomass than plots when only pre emergence herbicide was applied. In both years, plots hoe weeded five times at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 WAP gave the highest rhizome yield. Application of only pre emergence herbicide throughout crop life cycle irrespective of the rate resulted in 60.7 to 62.0 % reduction in rhizome yield relative to the maximum across the two years. Uncontrolled weed interference resulted in 91.9 and 92.1 % rhizome yield reduction in 2016 and 2017, respectively. This study reveals that, mango ginger being a long seasoned crop should be kept weed free beyond 12 WAP for acceptable yield.

The effect of a slow pyrolisys biochar on the watercress (Lepidium sativum L) root growth, on the sandy loam Albic Luvisol water retention, leachate acidity and mineral nitrogen leaching were studied in a six-week laboratory experiment. The experiment included four treatments: control soil; soil + biochar (20 t ha-1); soil + fertiliser (120 kg N ha-1); soil + biochar (20 t ha-1) + fertiliser (120 N kg ha-1). Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L) was sown to all the experimental pots. The soil in the pots was regularly watered to keep the water content at the field capacity level. When the wheat plants were strong with well-developed root systems, mineral fertiliser was added to the soil in liquid form according to the experiment setup. On the days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 41 after the fertilizer application high rates of water (400 cm3) were applied to the soil. The leachate was collected and was tested for acidity (pH), available nitrogen in ammonium (N-NH4+) and nitrate (N-NO3−) forms. The water retention capacity of the soil samples was measured at water potentials between -5, and -300 kPa. The results have shown that the extract from the biochar had a stimulating effect on the watercress root growth. Water-holding capacity of the sandy loam Albic Luvisol was increasing after biochar application only at water potentials of –5 kPa and –10 kPa that corresponded to the soil capillary water. The studied biochar did not help in preventing N-NO3− or N-NH4+ leaching from sandy loam Albic Luvisol.

The aim of this study was to compare two methods for determining the concentration of sperm in stallion ejaculate and to evaluate the influence of different levels of concentration on the determination of sperm motility using an objective method. The total number of evaluated samples was 123. For the experiment, 14 stallions of different breeds housed in the Tlumačov Provincial Stud Farm were used. Sperm concentration was assessed by the hemocytometric method using a Bürker chamber and the automatic method using the Sperm Class Analyzer®. The SCA system was used to evaluate sperm motility. The samples were divided into 6 groups with sperm concentrations of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300·106 sperm ml-1. The results were statistically evaluated by Tukey’s HSD test. There were statistically significant differences in the determination of sperm concentrations between the hemocytometric method and the SCA system in samples with concentration exceeding 100·106 sperm ml-1. Sperm motility increased in samples with higher concentration, however the effect of sperm concentration on motility parameters has not been statistically significant. The results of this study indicate that samples with sperm concentration higher than 100·106 sperm ml-1 reduce the accuracy of the SCA system evaluation and these samples need to be diluted to concentration ≤100·106 sperm ml-1 for more accurate evaluation.

The aim of this research was to find out the changes in fermentation parameters of whole-crop rye silage after adding the biological additive. Two variants of rye silage were used in the experiment: variant C (silage without additive) and variant A (silage with the addition of additive). The wilted whole-crop rye was treated with strains of lactic acid bacteria (Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactococcus lactis 1.25x1011 CFU.g-1) in a dose of 2 g of additive + 25 ml of water per 1 ton of matter. Both silage variants were ensiled with a vacuum pack device and after 2 months of storage, average samples were taken to determine the dry matter content, fermentation products, acidity of water extract, pH and the degree of proteolysis by appropriate methods. Treatment of rye silage with a microbial silage additive affected the quality of rye silage by a statistically significant (P <0.05) higher content of lactic acid and acidity of water extract. The lower content of acetic acid, alcohols, pH value and the degree of proteolysis were also statistically significant (P <0.05). The results confirmed the positive effect of the addition of Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactococcus lactis on the quality of the fermentation process of rye silage.

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.

Congenital malformations occur in numerous pig breeding programs. Clinical symptoms, etiopathogenesis and candidate genes of the most critical congenital malformations in pigs were briefly overviewed in the study. Based on the recent literature, identifying and evaluating the genomic regions associated with defects, such as splay legs syndrome, hernias, cryptorchidism, atresia ani, kyphosis, intersexuality, and malignant melanoma, can enhance the selection response. As promising genes were published e.g. NREP, FBXO32, and HOMER1 for splay leg syndrome, SRC, OSM, COL family, and CGRP for hernias, GNRHR, GATA2, and RLF for cryptorchidism, and GLI2 for atresia ani. Potential candidate genes associated with defects were mainly detected in literature by the genome-wide association approach. Reviewing the studies and following the suggestions in some of papers it is indicated the necessity for molecular and more comprehensive evaluation in terms of the sample standardisation and accurate phenotyping of a broad spectrum of populations and breeds. Moreover, knowledge transmission among all livestock species and humans is recommended in literature to better understand malformation biology.

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.

In this work we aimed to analyse the effect of different levels of Musculaton® with selected amino acids and herbal extracts on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total 240 one-day-old broiler chickens Ross 308 of mixed sex were divided into four experimental groups (n = 60): a control and three experimental groups with addition of Musculaton® in levels 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25% in drinking water from 22 to 35 day of fattening. In nutrition, we used commercial feed mixtures, water and feed was provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period of 42 days. The body weights of all birds were recorded individually at weekly interval from 1 to 42 day. Total feed consumption and total mortality were determined to 42 day of fattening period. Carcass characteristics were detected at the end of the experiment. The addition of different levels of Musculaton® significantly increased (p <0.05) the live weight of broilers from 28 to 42 days of age compared with control. In the whole trial period, feed consumption and mortality were no affected by addition of Musculaton® to drinking water compared control group. As regards carcass parameters, the addition Musculaton® in drinking water significantly decreased (p <0.05) abdominal fat weight and significantly increased (p <0.05) breast proportion. Carcass yield and thigh proportion were not affected (p >0.05) by the application of Musculaton®. The liver, pancreas, kidney and small intestine proportions were significantly higher (p <0.05) in chickens supplemented by Musculaton®. In case of neck, crop, heart, proventriculus, gizzard, caecum and large intestine weights among control and experimental groups we observed no statistically significant differences (p >0.05).

Grape pomace is a bioactive compound rich winery by-product having antioxidant properties. However, its use in equine nutrition in this regard have been unexploited to date. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether dried grape pomace (DGP) could enhance the antioxidant mechanisms of horses. Redox status was assessed through glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in blood serum, and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Twelve horses were assigned to three groups recieving a basal diet (control group) or the basal diet supplemented with 200 g of DGP (experimental group 1), or 400 g of DGP (experimental group 2) for 30 days. Dietary DGP supplementation of horses at a level of 200 g positively affected their redox status through increased FRAP (P<0.05). However, no changes in the activity of enzymes GPx and SOD were detected neither at the level of 200 g nor 400 g of DGP. Based on the presented results, further research is required to test other levels of DGP in horse diets and its potential to affect the redox status of these animals.

This research was conducted on 147 cows of purebred Montbéliarde dairy cattle during their first to seventh lactation. On average, each dairy cow provided 161 values on live weight during lactation via the automatic milking system (AMS). The average live weight of a dairy cow of said herd was 699.94 kg, the daily milk yield was 33.67 kg on average and the average day of lactation (DIM) was 111.75. This research discovered a statistically significant decrease of live weight in dairy cattle before the 60th day of lactation in every observed lactation. On the contrary, the changes in live weight in the last 60 days of standardized lactation proved to be inconclusive. Between days 60 and 240 of the lactation, an increase of live weight of varying intensities was observed, mainly in cows who had undergone less lactation cycles in the past. Similarly, the research has proven an impact of the number of lactation cycles the cow has undergone in the past on the live weight of the cow during the first, second and third lactation (645.21 kg, 700.35 kg and 752.10 kg respectively). On the contrary, there was no conclusive difference in live weight between the third and more lactation cycles. The results have also shown that the changes in live weight during lactation were significantly different in first-calf heifers, as opposed to cows after more lactation cycles, similarly to the differences in milk yield.