Všechny tituly 411 výsledků

The aim of this work was to identify and quantify the relationships between dry matter content and key energy nutrients (water-soluble carbohydrates and starch) in silage maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) during vegetation development in the foothills of Slovakia. This work summarises the results of 9 experiments carried out at three locations (2016 to 2021: 140 different hybrids; 1,320 measured samples). Dry matter content was determined by a combination of gravimetric determination and measurement of water content in dried samples using the NIRS method (prediction model R2 0.987). We also determined the content of water soluble carbohydrates (prediction model R2 0.994) and starch (prediction model R2 0.978) in dry matter using the NIRS method. Using 3rd and 4th degree polynomial models, we evaluated the contents of these nutrients at a dry matter content level of 300 g.kg-1, which we can consider as a basic starting point for reaching maize silage maturity. Across individual years, and across groups of hybrids grouped according to silage maturity determined by dry matter content, water soluble sugar content reached 140 g.kg-1 of dry matter and starch content reached 280 g.kg-1 of dry matter at a dry matter content of 300 g.kg-1. We found the lowest variation coefficient (7.53%) when evaluating the relationship between dry matter and the sum of water-soluble carbohydrates together with starch. We suggest using this parameter as a second criterion for determining silage maturity, and also for classifying hybrids in silage maturity groups with rounding to a ten-day period.

Currently, the prices of dairy cows feed with protein concentrates are rising and the climate change is also manifesting itself with a growing drought in animal production. These are the reasons why there is an increasing interest in growing silage from legume–cereal mixtures (L-C-M) and in increasing their share in feed rations for dairy cows. Furthermore, the L-C-Ms improve the soil fertility during the crop rotation. The effect of these feeds on milk quality was evaluated by adding L-C-M silages into feeding rations. Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein breed dairy cows (8 herds; feeding periods without and with L-C-M silages) were included in the evaluation for 3 years. There were used 126 L-C-M (experimental) and 463 control (without L-C-M) bulk tank milk samples in this dairy analysis. Lactose content, solids non fat content and total count of mesophilic bacteria in milk of L-C-M group was increased as compared to control (zero hypothesis probability varied from P ≤ 0.05 to P ≤ 0.001). On the contrary, as new knowledge, milk freezing point depression and somatic cell counts were decreased in L-C-M group as compared to control (P ≤ 0.001 and P ≤ 0.05). Other milk indicators such as contents of fat, crude protein, milk urea and thermostability (P > 0.05) were not affected by evaluated factor. The residues of inhibitory substances in bulk tank milk in the L-C-M group were not indicated, but one case was in the control group. Feeding of dairy cows with an increased proportion of L-C-M silage in the roughage component a part of the feeding ration is a safe way to replace part of the protein concentrates in animal feeding, regarding milk quality.

Recently, more evidences of epigenetic impact on the male fertility, particularly on sperm DNA methylation have been reported. Data related to this issue in livestock males is still limited. The present study analyzed the DNA methylation status of the important gene for spermatogenesis, SIRT1, in ram sperm and its correspondence with semen quality and fertilizing ability. The ejaculates of 10 rams (5 rams - 1.5 years old, and 5 rams - 4 years old) from Synthetic Population Bulgarian Milk breed were evaluated and used for the artificial insemination of 174 ewes in breeding season. Two semen samples from each animal were used for DNA extraction followed by bisulfite conversion. The DNA methylation status of SIRT1 was detected through quantitative methylation-specific PCR using two sets of primers designed specifically for bisulfite-converted DNA sequences to attach methylated and unmethylated sites. On the base of age and conception rate the rams were divided in different groups. Data of semen quality, DNA methylation status of SIRT1 and reproductive performances of each group were statistically processed. Results showed a high average value of DNA methylation of SIRT1 in ram sperm (78.5±23.9%) and wide individual variability among investigated animals, with a coefficient of variation of 34.4%. The 1.5 years old animals tended to have a higher level of SIRT1 methylation than 4 years old animals. The rams in group with high fertilizing ability had significantly higher DNA methylation of SIRT1 in sperm than those with low fertilizing ability. In conclusion, results of this study provided evidence that the alteration of sperm SIRT1 methylation is associated with fertility performances of the rams and, probably, with their age.

The article presents the results of the research on the effect of different levels and ratios of arginine and lysine in the compound feed of broiler chickens on their meat productivity. We conducted the research by the group method, on 600 heads of Cobb-500 crossbred broiler chickens, divided into six research groups according to the principle of analogs. During the experiment, chickens consumed the compound feed that differed only in the content and ratio between essential amino acids: arginine and lysine. We established the efficiency of increasing the arginine-lysine ratio in the compound feed of broiler chickens to 1.10 at the age of 1–10 days; 1.06 at the age of 11–22 days and 1.07 at the age of 23–42 days. That contributed to an increase in the pre-slaughter live weight by 0.68–0.88 % (р˂0.05), the carcass weight before evisceration – by 0.97–1.27 % (р˂0.05), the semi-eviscerated and eviscerated carcass weight – by 0.39–2.24 %, the breast muscle weight – by 8.95–11.47 % (p˂0.01), and the leg muscle weight – by 1.67–9.47 % (p˂0.05). The yield of the breast muscles increased by 1.64–2.18 % (р˂0.01), of the leg muscles – by 0.17–1.47 % (р˂0.05); the meatiness of the carcass, breast and legs increased, respectively, by 3.45 % (р˂0.05); 1.80 (р˂0.05) and 1.64 %; the yield of edible parts increased by 1.46–3.96 % (р˂0.05). Narrowing the arginine-lysine ratio, accordingly to 1.02; 0.97 and 0.98, led to a decrease in the yield of breast and leg muscles by 1.91 and 1.07 %, respectively (р˂0.05); the yield of internal fat increased by 0.40–1.10 % (р˂0.05); carcass meatiness decreased by 1.08–3.23 % (р˂0.01), breast meatiness – by 0.66–2.15 % (р˂0.05), leg meatiness – by 0.43–1.10 % (р˂0.01); the yield of edible parts decreased by 0.11 – 0.33 %.

This study was conducted to evaluate the selected fattening characteristics, carcass parameters and analysing of parameters associated with the meat quality of twenty Holstein male calves fed with different diets. Calves were after weaning divided into two groups with respect of feeding; control group fed with untreated total mixed ration (TMR) and experimental group, which received industrially dried alfalfa hay. Calves of both groups were after about 193 days slaughtered in the experimental abattoir. Subsequently, after chilling for 24 hours, detailed dissection of the right – carcass half was performed. For the nutritional characteristics, physical technological parameters and sensory properties, slices of loin (M. longissimus thoracis) and top round (M. semimembranosus) muscles were taken 24 hours post mortem. The average daily gains were higher in the experimental group of calves (P >0.05). Although calves of the control group had higher dressing percentage (50.23%; P >0.05), no significant differences were determined in the carcass weight (P >0.05). Proportions of some of intraabdominal fats were influenced by feeding concept; calves of alfalfa hay treated group had lower proportion of intestinal fat (P >0.05) and higher proportion of kidney fat (P >0.05). Differences in total amount of meat from right – half carcass were not significant (P >0.05); proportion of separable fat was higher in the experimental group of calves. In terms of individual valuable meat cuts, higher proportion of tenderloin was determined in the group fed with alfalfa hay (1.80%); however results were no significant. Statistical significant variety at the level P <0.05 were revealed in the moisture content, intramuscular fat content and energy value. The loin muscle from experimental group was lighter (CIE L*; P >0.05) 24 hours post mortem.

Size-fraction of water-stable aggregates (WSA), soil organic carbon (SOC) in soil bulk, and different sizes of WSA and their contributions to C sequestration were determined under different rates of biochar (B0: no biochar, B10: 10 t ha−1, and B20: 20 t ha10 t ha−1) at the Experimental Station of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia. The results showed that only the application of 20 t of biochar ha−1 significantly reduced the content of WSAmi compared to B0. In B10 treatment, SOC in soil bulk decreased by 7%, but in case of B20, it increased by 14% compared to B0. In B20, the higher SOC content in soil bulk was also reflected in higher SOC concentration in size-fractions of WSA than in B0 and B10 treatments. However, a higher representation of SOC in WSA from the total SOC from the soil bulk was found in the B10 than in B0 and B20 treatments. SOC contents in WSAma >3 mm and 0.25-0.5 mm polynomial increased with their proportions in B0 and B10, and opposite decreased in WSAma 3-0.5 mm and WSAmi along with all treatments. These results indicated that the rate of biochar is crucial for C sequestration in soil bulk and in WSA. Water-stable macro-aggregates have a great potential for C sequestration in soils after organic amendments.

The use of organic amendments for improving soil properties including soil structure is crucial for sustainable soil management. In this study, two organic materials (1. compost, and 2. farmyard manure) both at a rate of 44 t ha-1 as well as their combination were applied to a Hortic Calcaric Fluvisol (Slovakia) to evaluate the soil physical properties to test the potential of these amendments for soil amelioration under gardening conditions. The results showed that the addition of organic amendments did not have any significant effects on bulk density, total porosity, soil moisture and aeration, but their application influenced the total contents of dry-sieved aggregates as well as water-stable aggregates. The highest content of dry-sieved macro-aggregates was in compost > farmyard manure + compost > farmyard manure > control (unfertilized). The stability of aggregates was higher in compost and farmyard manure + compost treatments than in farmyard manure compared to control. Also, better soil structure stability evaluated by vulnerability coefficient was in farmyard manure + compost and compost than in farmyard manure. The highest contents of soil organic carbon and humic substances were found in the farmyard manure + compost treatment and then compost > farmyard manure > control. In compost, farmyard manure and farmyard manure + compost treatments, cabbage yield increased by 52, 22 and 72%, respectively compared to control treatment. Cabbage yields linear also increased as a result of increasing of soil organic carbon and humic substances.

The relationship between source and sink affects the accumulation of grain dry matter in crops such as wheat. Wheat is a plant of high economic importance. The leaves are known as the source due to the production of photosynthetic materials. Photosynthetic materials made by the leaves are stored inside the seeds and the seeds are called the sink. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to assess the impact of defoliation intensity and spikelet removal on seed yield, yield components, and germination traits of produced seeds in wheat. At the field experiment, studied factors included defoliation intensities (removal of 0, ½, and all leaves per plant) and spikelet removal (½ spikelet removal, no spikelet removal). Seeds produced under maternal plant conditions were assessed at the laboratory experiment. Results showed that wheat, Pishtaz cultivar, reacted to source and sink manipulation. Complete defoliation with ½ spikelet removal causes dramatically reduction of stem and leaf weight and spike weight. Under no leaf removal, ½ spikelet removal reduced wheat seed yield. Defoliation intensity and ½ spikelet removal had no significant effect on seed germination traits. Wheat, cv. Pishtaz had little ability in changing seed size as one of the factors of sink strength under high photosynthate so the cultivar is more sink- than source- limited.

The development of antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem which jeopardises both human and animal health. Livestock sector is generally blamed as principal contributor due to the over-use of antimicrobials to treat animals. Hence, new strategies to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU) are necessary. Little is still known on potential factors affecting AMU in beef production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the impact of farm, breed, sex and season on AMU in Charolaise and Limousine breeds. Data on body weight, breed, sex and AMU were collected from 10 specialized beef farms (543 batches) located in Veneto region (Italy). Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated and AMU data were used to calculate a treatment incidence (TI100it) through the Defined Daily Dose Animal based on Italian dosage. An ANOVA was performed to investigate sources of variation of ADG and TI100it. Overall, farms differed significantly for both ADG and TI100it. The ADG was greater for Charolaise than Limousine breed (P <0.05). Limousine had greater TI100it than Charolaise (P <0.05), and males had greater TI100it than females (P <0.05), likely due to their higher susceptibility to respiratory diseases. Differences among seasons were also observed, with the coldest periods of the year having greater TI100it compared to summer and spring (P <0.05). Findings of the present study shed a light on potential risk factors of AMU in beef cattle, which will be useful to develop new strategies for the reduction of antimicrobials.5

Chernozems are considered highly productive soils, which are strongly affected by intensive management, erosion processes, and degradation. Three different soil types were classified according to Němeček et al. (2011) along the transect in the field – Calcic Chernozem (control site); Calcaric Regosol (erosion site); and Calcic Chernozem Colluvic (accumulation site). Soil organic matter quality was evaluated using infrared and UV-VIS spectroscopic methods. Humic acids (HAs) were isolated from all three soil samples according to the standard IHSS method. DRIFT spectroscopy (diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy) was applied to evaluate HAs chemical composition and hydrophobicity. Both parameters can better characterize HAs stability against microbial degradation, reactivity, and wettability. Results showed that the humification degree was the highest in Calcic Chernozem Colluvic (accumulation site). Less humified were HAs in Calcaric Regosol (erosion site). Higher content of aliphatic labile and hydrophilic groups was in HAs from Calcaric Regosol (erosion site). The content of aromatic stable and resistant components was higher in HAs from Calcic Chernozem (control site) and Calcic Chernozem Colluvic (accumulation site). The highest hydrophobicity index was in HAs from Calcic Chernozem Colluvic (accumulation site). The HAs chemical composition and hydrophobicity are crucial in soil productivity and organic matter stability in a changing environment.

This study was conducted to assess the silage quality of Zingiber officinale fortified samples in a completely randomized design. The samples consisted of four treatments as samples: Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%)+ Ginger (0 g), Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%) + ginger (200 g), Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%) + ginger (300 g), Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%) + ginger (400 g). The physical characteristics; colour, smell, texture, pH, temperature and mould status were observed. All samples retained their original colour, had pleasant alcoholic smell with a firm texture, the pH ranged from 4.2–4.4, temperature range of 25–26 °C with sample D having the highest temperature range of 26 °C while samples A and B had the same temperature of 25.5 °C. The mould status showed absence of mould. The chemical composition revealed that dry matter ranged from 40.86% (sample B) to 54.68% (sample D). Crude protein content ranged from 13.30% to 14.88%, crude fibre content of the samples was significantly (p <0.05) different and it ranged from 14.67% to 22.14%. The mineral concentrations of the samples were higher in Zingiber officinale samples except in sample A where potassium was higher (100.40 mg 100 g-1) than in other samples. Volatile fatty acid composition showed that lactic acid (3.24–4.86%) had higher concentration than other acids. It can therefore be concluded that Zingiber officinale fortified sample showed better nutritional potential as ruminant feed.

This study is aimed at proposing mulberry sericulture as an alternative to strengthen the agricultural economy of Hooghly district of West Bengal, India. Exploration of four breeds of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758), popular in West Bengal (viz., two multivoltine breeds – Nistari Plain and Nistari Marked, One Bivoltine breed – SK6 X SK7 hybrid and one F1 Hybrid from cross between Nistari Plain and SK6 X SK7 hybrid) have been conducted in the Sericulture Research Laboratory, Post Graduate department of Zoology, Hooghly Mohsin College, Chinsurah, Hooghly, West Bengal, India, for three consecutive years (2016-2019) for various rearing parameters (viz., larval duration, matured larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio , effective rate of rearing , absolute silk content and yield) along with common meteorological data (viz., average temperature, average relative humidity, photoperiod). The study reveals Hooghly district to be very conducive for mulberry sericulture with the multivoltine breeds to be most suitable, although rearing of F1 hybrid and bivoltine breeds should also be promoted for their better economic value. Among the seasons, late Autumn (Oct.-Nov.) and early Spring (Feb.-Mar.) are found to be most suitable commercial rearing seasons for almost all the breeds, whereas the extended summer months including Spring, Summer and rainy season (Mar.-Aug.) are unfavourable, indicating deleterious effect of temperature and humidity on the rearing performance of these breeds, for which remedies such as sub-lethal heat shock can be explored.

Aging of biochar in soils can result in some changes in its surface properties. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the temporal changes in: (1): the content of film water during adsorption-desorption processes on the surfaces of aging biochars and samples from topsoil of a sandy Haplic Podzol; (2) the distribution of areas of adsorption bands for oxygen-containing functional groups (OFGs) such as hydroxyl, carboxyl and phenolic on the surfaces of aging biochars. Samples of the soil and the biochar were collected from the topsoil (0-10 cm layer) in May, June and September of 2022, six years after the initial biochar application into the 0-10 cm soil layer (20 t ha-1) in 2016. A WP4-T dewpoint potentiometer was used to measure the relationships between potentials of the adsorbed film water and its content in the soil and biochar samples. An IR Fourier FSM 2202 spectrometer was applied to determine the areas of adsorption bands of OFGs on the biochar surfaces. The obtained results showed that there were non-significant differences in the mean content of adsorbed film water between the soil with and without biochars. The mean content of adsorbed film water was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the initial biochar than in the aged biochars. The aged biochars collected at different dates of the growing season did not demonstrate any significant differences in the mean content of the adsorbed film water. According to the results obtained using IR Fourier spectroscopy, the surface of the initial biochar was characterized with the highest areas of adsorption bands of OFGs. The aged biochars showed a decrease in the areas of adsorption bands of OFGs compared to them of the initial biochar.

The first three months of life is the most critical period for the young calf, and nutrition plays an essential role for a successful weaning program. The effects of starter feed physical form have been widely investigated in the last decades, but results are variable and often inconsistent. We compared the impact of texturized and pelleted starters on growth performances during the artificial pre-weaning period on replacement female dairy calves. A total of 16 calves were divided in two independent groups, fed with pelleted or texturized starter and monitored from 2 to 44 days of life. Morphometric traits as well as health status, growth performances, feed intake and efficiency were recorded weekly. An interesting significance (p=0.013) was found for the weight increment, that starting from 5th week showed higher values in animals fed with texturized rather than pelleted feedstuff, although no differences were obtained for the feed efficiency. Despite the lack of significant differences, the trends observed for weight increment and health status, suggest some advantages in the use of texturized feedstuff during the pre-weaning period.

The aim of this study was to analyse several genetic and non-genetic factors that can affect the calving difficulty of Slovak Spotted cattle and to find out their statistical significance. A total of 417030 calving difficulty records from 174795 dams were collected during the calving parity from 2001 to 2017. The impact of factors affecting the calving difficulty was analysed by using procGLM implemented in SAS 9.3 on the basis of multifactor analysis of variance. The effects of the herd, a year of calving, the sex of a calf, a breed type, a month of calving, the parity and the sire were tested. The sex of born calf was the most statistically significant factor (R2 =25,5 %). The calving difficulty was significantly affected also by the herd, a year of calving, a month of calving, the parity and sire. Each of these effects showed high level of significance (P<0.001). The lowest level of statistical significance was found for effect of breed type. Based on obtained results we recommend continuing to use the recording of calving difficulty for the purposes of evaluation of effect of sire on inheritance

The experiment was conducted to compare the differences in the physical and technological quality of pork meat with different growth intensity. The pigs were divided in accordance with the average daily gain values as followed: a) the fast-growing group (R1> AGD + 0.5 SD), b) the medium-fast-growing group (R2= AGD ± 0.5 SD) and c) slow-growing group (R3< AGD - 0.5 SD). For group of gilts, we found a statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in the drip loss value between the fast-growing group and the medium-growing group and the fast-growing group compared to the slow-growing group of gilts. Between the fast-growing group and the medium-growing group, as well as between the fast-growing group and the slow-growing group of gilts, the differences in shear force value were statistically highly significant at the level of P ≤ 0.01. At the same time, in the colour of meat in redness (a* value) were found statistically significant differences between groups of barrows according to the growth rate at the level of P ≤ 0.05 and between fast and slow-growing gilts at the level of P ≤ 0.01 and medium and slow-growing gilts at the level of P ≤ 0.05. In addition, in the meat yellowness (b*) we also determined a statistically highly significant difference at the level of P ≤ 0.01 between the fastest-growing group and medium fast-growing barrows and a significant difference at the level of P ≤ 0.05 between the fast and slow-growing group of gilts.

High-yielding dairy cows have several critical periods during lactation. These include the drying period, parturition, postpartum period and the first 100 days of lactation. The mineral profile displays the balanced feed ration appropriate for the category. Therefore, investigation of serum mineral profile of dry cows and cows in 12th week after calving was the aim of this study. In this work 12 high producing Holstein Friesian dairy cows from dairy farm were used. The analysed elements Ca2+, P, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and chlorides (Cl-) were determined at 4th week after drying and during 12th week after calving. The data obtained were compared with the standard for dairy cows. Compared to reference interval, before calving 8 and after calving 5 cows had hypocalcaemia. Hypophosphatemia was detected for 2 cows before calving and 3 after calving. For the other elements Na, K, Mg2+ and chlorides (Cl-) no deviations from the reference intervals were found. In blood serum mineral profile between dry cows and cows in 12th week of lactation significant differences were found for Mg Cl- (increase) and K (decrease). Results shown, that main problem of dry and lactating cows was the hypocalcaemia and partly the hypophosphatemia.

The aim of this experiment was to compare find out of the changes of assimilation pigments content of turf Festuca spp. leaves after application of different nutrition forms under non–irrigated conditions. In period April 2012 – May 2015 (without June 2014 and February 2015) experiment was carried out in warm and dry conditions in area of Nitra (Slovak Republic). Concentration of assimilation pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids) was determined spectrophotometrically. The experiment was included 10 treatments: 1. Without fertilization, 2. Saltpetre with dolomite, superphosphate, potassium salt, 3. Turf fertilizer NPK 15-3-8 (+ 3MgO + 0.8 Fe + 18S), 4. Slow release fertilizer NPK 14-5-14 (+ 4CaO + 4MgO + 7S), 5. Controlled release fertilizer NPK (S) 13-9-18 (+ 6S), 6. Organic fertilizer NPK 5-1-1, 7. Organic fertilizer NPK 3-2-1 and 3 mycorrhizal preparations. The use of inorganic and organic fertilizers resulted in an increase chlorophyll a, b content and total chlorophyll in leaves Festuca spp. More pronounced increase in chlorophyll content was found by the application of the Turf fertilizer. Application of this fertilizer has a statistically significant effect on content of chlorophyll a + b than in the other evaluated treatments without turfs fertilized by Controlled release fertilizer and Organic fertilizer NPK 5-1-1. A statistically significant increase in the total carotenoids concentration was observed after the use of Saltpetre with dolomite, superphosphate, potassium salt and Turf fertilizer as compared to the non-fertilized control.

The aim of the study was to determine the growth characteristics of three rabbit breeds (Czech Solver, CSo, n = 11; Czech Spotted, CS, n = 28; Blanc de Hotot, BH, n = 24) under small-scaled stock conditions as a basis for their potential meat performance. The body morphometric characteristics live weight (LW), head length (HL), body length (BL), ear length, thoracic circumference (TC) and body compact index TC/BL were recorded in growing rabbits from 21st to 91st day of their age. At the end of the trial, the highest LW value was recorded in the BH breed (2700.0g) as compared to the CSo and CS breeds, respectively (1887.5 and 1545.4g). The values of the HL were significantly affected by a rabbit breed up to the 63rd day of their age (P <0.01). The highest values of BL and TC were found in the BH breed as compared to the CSo breed and also the CS breed (P <0.01). The BH breed showed also the longest ears (P <0.01) while the different dynamics of the ear growth among the evaluated breeds was found. Concerning the body compact index TC/BL, the growing rabbits of the BH breed showed wider body given by their musculature proportion as compared to the representatives of the CSo and CS breeds (P <0.01). Our findings suggest that the Blanc de Hotot breed possesses suitable growth and morphometric characteristics for intended meat production.