Fulltext search in archive

Czech Republic has experienced significant changes on the market with food in last two decades. The paper presents summary of results of conducted analyses focusing on changes in levels of most important food categories, changes in consumer preferences, and suggests what trends we can expect in the near future. The analyses were based on date from Czech Statistical Office Yearbooks, EUROSTAT, INCOMA and GfK, and data from primary researches conducted on sample of total 2522 households in the Czech Republic through questionnaire researches in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The results show that in the Czech Republic, the ratio of expenditures for food out of total consumer expenditures is slowly decreasing and advances to (still lower) level typical for traditional EU countries. We have experienced growth of demand for products with higher added value; customers put more emphasis on perceived quality, longer durability and special product characteristics. Czech consumers increase their consumption of vegetables and fruit, bottled beverages, wine and alcoholic beverages, cheese, they decreased their consumption of meat (in total), milk and potatoes, stagnation was typical for bakery products, sugar and fats and oils. Development in all social classes was very similar. For the future, we can expect growing interest for food products in smaller packages and targeted at specific needs, growing demand for food products with higher added value, consumption of food formerly unusual for the Czech, more frequent out-of-home eating, and growing differences between individual segments of social groups, mainly due to uneven income distribution.

The contribution deals with the principles as well as the economic implications of changes in the agriculture entrepreneurial environment. It denotes, that the vision of the European model of multifunctional agriculture is ever more frequently confronted with new challenges invoked by acceleration of globalization processes. Those qualitatively new requirements to agricultural enterprises behaviour as well as to the state intervention, strictly speaking the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), in the branch in a framework of the global markets development is notified there. On the basis of analyses of individual development stages and the manner, in which this sector has been legislatively and economically regulated, it is possible to document in the history of CAP EU the radical development of the European agrarian sector in general and how the CAP reacted to this development. The development concerned both the very agriculture and the agrarian sector and its economic position and changes of the social environment itself and the selection of adequate regulation tools corresponding to the environmental development and changes of situation. We can see that significant regional and structural differences are still hidden behind aggregated data about average economic performance of the agrarian sector of the EU and that different approach and priorities for solutions to individual issues can be chosen, provided that the issues have been identified and assessed in an objective manner. At the sometime these findings can be an opportunity to consider to what extent the individual member states are able to take over the existing rules and use conditions imposed by directives of the Community and to what extent we are able to actively assess the situation of the world agrarian markets and adequately respond to the development of the economic environment in broader international contexts. Amendments of the above mentioned conditions become new impulses determining the direction and dynamics of development of the economic environment; if we intend to preserve or improve our competitive strength, it is necessary to adequately respond to them.

Polders show an important water-management function in the flood-control protection of watersheds. The course of actual floods in recent decades and effects of the water works on flood flows have proved the suitability of the construction within integrated flood-control measures in particular watersheds of the Czech Republic. To determine the transformation effect of flood-control measures in watersheds mathematical modelling is an important method, which is used not only in the preparation and design of retention areas but also in dealing with the flood protection of towns and villages. Easy verification of other measures in watersheds is also useful. Their implementation can be thus prepared for the future or it is possible to back off the intentions. In our case, a fact is advantageous that the model is operated in the workplace of the Elbe Basin water-management dispatching centre, which is compatible with assessed polders in the partial Elbe watershed, namely in the Tichá Orlice watershed and its partial Třebovka watershed. The polders assessed are situated on the Třebovka stream, which is the largest tributary of the Tichá Orlice river. These dry reservoirs and the increased protective function of the Hvězda pond affect runoff from about 80 km². Within research activities, possibilities were studied to obtain necessary retention areas in existing small water reservoirs. It became evident that the only realistic solution was to increase protective functions of the pond Hvězda. Its present total retention space of 1.4 million m³ can be increased only by 0.35 million m³, however, in combination with the sophisticated lay-out of a new emergency spillway and outlet the whole retention space can be used much more effectively. To obtain other retention areas localities were found out in the whole upper watershed of the Třebovka stream, which fulfilled requirements for placing the adequate capacity of polders. Subsequent modifications of the Třebovka channel in the most endangered villages and towns and their capacity design according to transformation effects of selected reservoirs and measures, determination of their effect and comparison with profiles on the Tichá Orlice are the content of the paper.

Three methods of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) breeding for forage yield in two harvest years on locations in Bredelokke (Denmark), Hladké Životice (Czech Republic) and Les Alleuds (France) were compared.
Three types of 46 candivars¹, developed by A₎ recurrent selection in subsequent generations (37 candivars, divided into early and late group), B₎ polycross progenies (4 candivars) and C₎ geno-phenotypic selection (5 candivars) were compared. The trials were sown in 2005 and cut three times in 2006 and 2007; their evaluation is based primarily on total yield of dry matter. The candivars developed by polycross and geno-phenotypic selections gave significantly higher yields than candivars from the recurrent selection. However, the candivars developed by the methods B and C did not differ significantly. The candivars developed by these progressive methods were suitable for higher yielding and drier environment in Hladké Životice (where was the highest yield level even if averaged annual precipitation were lower by 73 and 113 mm in comparison to other locations, respectively); here was average yield higher by 19 and 13% for B and C in comparison to A method. Highly significant interaction of the candivars with locations was found. It can be concluded that varieties specifically aimed to different locations by the methods B and C should be bred; also the parental entries should be selected there.

New data on the morphology, biology and distribution are given for Stigmella irregularis Puplesis, 1994, a species described after several males from Crimea. A combination of black head, ochreous orange frontal tuft, creamy collar and scape, and hindwing black androconial scales are characteristic of the male. The female specimens collected by the present authors together with males, and described for the first time here, having the same morphological characters combined with the transversal forewing band, have been preliminarily attached to this species. Stigmella irregularis develops in the leaves of Pyrus amygdaliformis Vill., adults were collected near Pyrus elaeagrifolia Pallas, and other Pyrus species are also possible host plants. The indistinctly yellow larva forms a narrow, later only slightly dilating mine, with dropping accumulation in its first half. All other nepticulid species mining on Pyrus spp. show green or greenish white larvae. Judging from the occurrence of adults and larvae, the species either produces two or just one extended generation per year. It is known from Crimea, Croatia, Greece (incl. Crete and Rhodos), and Sicily; here it is reported from Croatia for the first time, and the first exact faunistic data are supplied for Greece.

Because of economical reasons the substitution of maize by feed corn as wheat (Sulamit) and triticale (Kitaro) was revolved in concentrate part of dairy cow feeding rations. The design of mentioned replacement in feeding rations was carried out according to results of previous research (Pozdíšek and Vaculová, 2008) for nutrition experiment. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the possible effects of corn replacement in cow feeding rations on milk composition and properties. The expressively different variants of corn were selected for experiment in comparison to maize (reference). Dairy cows were fed by total mixed ration on the basis of maize and clover silage and hay. Otherwise the identical day feeding rations among cow groups differed only in concentrate portions ((K, control group) maize 1.5 kg, wheat (P1) 2.0 kg and triticale (P2) 2.0 kg (experimental groups)). Group feeding rations 1 (K), 2 (P1) and 3 (P2) had: NEL/kg dry (DM) matter (6.524, 6.512 and 6.491); NL % in DM (17.9, 18.2 and 17.9); fibre % in DM (15.96, 15.74 and 15.72); PDIN/PDIE (1.189, 1.189 and 1.191). The experiment took six weeks, there were included 8, 9 and 9 cows (n = 26) of Czech Fleckvieh breed. Feed groups were well balanced in terms of milk yield, days in milk and number of lactation. The tie stable and pipeline milking equipment were used in experiment. Animals were milked twice a day and sampled at morning milking in intervals about seven days approximately. Cows were relatively healthy in terms of occurrence of milk secretion disorders. Within groups the individual milk samples (in total 182 in experiment) were aggregated into bulk samples (n = 21 = 3 groups × 7 sampling periods), which were analysed on 45 milk indicators, 18 of them were evaluated in this paper. The differences in milk yield were significantly advantageous for K group (15.32 > 14.07 (wheat) or 13.86 kg (triticale) at morning milking), while fat (3.27 < 3.47 or 3.44 %) was lower (P < 0.05). Lactose was not influenced. More important differences were in total dry matter, 12.09 (K) < 12.23 (P1) or 12.40 % (P2). While for wheat was not for triticale was similar effect observed in crude protein (CP) of milk (3.08 (K) or 3.05 (P1) < 3.23 % (P2)). Similar trend was also confirmed in casein (CAS; 2.43 or 2.44 < 2.55 %; from P < 0.05 to P < 0.001 for CP and CAS). There were insignificant differences between groups for casein number, pH acidity, electrical conductivity, Mg and Cu (P > 0.05). Milk specific weight was lowest in P1 (P < 0.01), but this indicator is practically less important. More expressive differences were in somatic cell count (SCC) in geometric mean 249 (P2) > 76 (K) or 72 10³/ml (P1). Because of quite typical high SCC variability in triticale P2 group (in opposite to this low variability in K and P1 groups) it could be caused by chance in animal selection for groups and all values met the standard demand for extra quality of milk. Therefore, it is not necessary to over estimate this result. Milk urea as metabolical indicator was higher in wheat group, significantly (P < 0.05) versus triticale group (23.39 (P1) > 20.80 (K) and 20.50 mg/100ml (P2), but all values lay in respected physiological range (from 20 to 30 mg/100ml). In the Ca case it was significantly hig

Grape phylloxera, Dactulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch., is one of most destructive insect pest of cultivated grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) worldwide. Phylloxera was the cause of incomparable structural changes in European viticulture. It also led to the usage of new biotechnology - rootstocks for grape varieties. The direct damage is related to phylloxera feeding of roots and leaves. Rootstocks bred solely with American Vitis spp. parentage allow little or none of phylloxera related root damage that is seen on Vitis vinifera. Rootstocks with partial Vitis vinifera parentage may also confer a high level of grape phylloxera resistance, but this resistance is not durable. Rootstock was evaluated under laboratory conditions and with pot trials. Resistance against phylloxera at roots and leaves was evaluated. Highest resistance degree was proved for variety Börner. Good resistance was found for most of tested rootstock varieties. Very good resistance have SO4 PO 0/7 and Craciunel 2 PO 0/6. It is interesting, that hybrid Kl×SO4 has also relatively good resistance. This promising franco-american needs further examination thanks to its good growing properties. After long time, this research offers new results about rootstock and phylloxera interactions under conditions of Southern Moravia. Results serve as a ground for further resistance breeding against phylloxera in Czech Republic.

The paper concerns with the experimental and numerical study of the peach (Red Haven) at underwater shock wave loading. The behaviour of the peach skin as well as peach stone can be described in terms of elasticity. Following experiments have been performed: tensile testing of the skin (exocarp) specimens at constant elongation at strain rate 0.01 s^-1, compression test of the mesocarp specimens at different strain rates corresponding to quasi - static loading, compression test of the mesocarp specimens at the high rates of strain (about 1000 s^-1), and compression test of the whole peach stone at strain rate corresponding to quasi - static loading. The model of the peach has been suggested. The model is used for the numerical simulation, which was performed on the software LS DYNA 3D finite element code. Pressure wave propagation in the water has been studied and following quantities evaluated: pressure on the peach surface, displacement, and surface velocity. Two different models (Maxwell and Kelvin) have been used. The results of this simulation show some agreement with results of the observation (undamaged peach skin). The numerical simulation also gives an insight on the details of the loading, which was recently tested as a tool of fruit treatment. It has been shown that undewater shock wave treatment of peaches can lead to their softening.

Quality traits of three broccoli cultivars, which were grown for autumn crop was determined: 'Chevalier' F₁, 'Milady' F₁ (cultivars of Dutch origin) and 'Cezar' F₁ (of Polish origin). Immediately after harvest sensory quality of broccoli was evaluated, using the quantitative descriptive analysis method (QDA). In 'brainstorming' session there were chosen 14 attributes (profiles) concerning smell, texture, taste / flavour. Overall quality impression was also scored and hedonic test of broccoli liking was performed. Other quality traits determined were: antioxidant activity, total carotenoids content, vitamin C content, colour parameters in CIE L*a*b* system. These traits were determined separately for florets and stems of broccoli plants, both of which are usable parts of this vegetable. Results showed that investigated cultivars differed in respect of quality traits concerning sensory attributes, antioxidant activity, carotenoids content, vitamin C content and colour parameters. Results showed also that florets of broccoli performed higher antioxidant activity than stems. Carotenoids content in broccoli cultivars was much higher in florets than in stems, but vitamin C content was on similar level in florets and stems of the plants. Florets and stems of all broccoli cultivars differed much in respect of colour parameters - lightness, greenness and yellowness.

The responses of six safflower varieties (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to chlormequat and paclobutrazol treatments were monitored. Although a chlormequat application did not bring about any significant differences in flowering or morphological traits, plants treated with paclobutrazol were shorter and had a higher number of flower heads. However, contrary to expectations, treatment by paclobutrazol also made flowering earlier. This does not appear to support the idea that safflower is a typical long-day plant, progressing to floral induction and stem elongation after vernalization in the winter at the leaf-rosette stage).

The qualitative and quantitative composition of macrozoobenthos of two brooks of the Svitavy region was studied. Both brooks rise in the region with formerly mines. Altogether, 61 taxa of macrozoobenthos were determined. Saprobical indices of both brooks correspond to beta-mesosaprobity class at all sampling sites.

The work deals with the evaluation of an achieved level of the basic characteristics of the demographic dynamic in the regions in 2005, dividing regions to homogenous groups always according to pairs of indicators having logical relationship between each other. As a pair characterizing population migration were selected a rate of marriages - divorces, marriages - births, births - mortalities, immigrations - emigrations, natural population growth - immigration population growth. According to a direction of the research intention a special attention was paid to South Moravia region and to Vysočina region. According to an expected reciprocal relationship of the rate of marriages - births the regression function was determined including a correlative index (I = 0,739*), confirming and quantifying the relationship.

Essential part of raw milk component measurement is indirect infraanalyse. The checking of time measurement stability is important there. The preparation of pilot samples was described. Information about deep frozen milk pilot sample stability are sporadic. Aim of this work was to verify the stability of long-term stored and deep frozen pilot samples (FPSs). Pilot samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen bath -196 °C and after that stored at -21 °C for one month (A) and more months (B) till analyse. The pilot samples were measured by CombiFoss 6000: fat F (%); protein CP (%); lactose L (%); casein C (%); solid non fat SNF (%); urea U (mg/100ml); somatic cell count SCC (ths./ml). In the short-term (A) experiment the impact of freezing on pilot milk samples was relatively small, in the framework of acceptable value of repeatability (±0.02 %) for components. The stability of values of FPSs was better according to standard deviations for important F evaluation in H (Holstein) breed samples. The repeatability of values of FPSs in the time was very good for other components. The repeatability was better for SCC in J (Jersey) breed samples (±16.5 thousands/ml). That is why the higher variability (±30.1 thousands/ml) in H sample is visible less sceptically. The apparent result trends were not observable in the repeatability development of important milk indicators in FPSs. The mild trend was only in CP, but this trend covered absolutely very small shift (variation range). There are only oscillations, which are similar between J and H samples. It is possible to attribute these oscillations rather to instrument effects than to sample effects. The oscilations were markedly higher in the long-term (B) experiment. Between J and H samples the oscilations were very similar in curves F and L. It is also possible to attribute them more to instrumental effects. The repeatability values (standard deviations sd) of FPSs were mostly lower than ±0.06 %. It is acceptable for result agreement between indirect and reference method. Relevant sd varied from ±0.025 % for L to ±0.059 % for F (in J breed) with exception CP ±0.085 % in J sample. Also B procedure was shown as applicable for instrumental sability control in half year period. In practice the one reference value for concrete FPS is valid from one to next calibration. Persistent trend in repeatability of FPSs can indicate an inadequate instrumental drift. The applied FPS procedure is usable for stability control of instrumental measurement in milk laboratories.

In 2003-2005 it was solved the issue about the nutrient balance in the permanent grasslands of Research Institute for Cattle Breeding Rapotín. In trial it was used these types of utilization: 1. Intensive - 4 cuts per year (1^st cut up to 15^th May, every next after 45 days), 2. Medium intensive - 3 cuts per year (1^st cut from 16^th to 31^st May, every next after 60 days), 3. Low intensive - 2 cuts per year (1^st cut up to 15^th June, 2^nd after 90 days), 4. Extensive - 2 cuts per year (1^st cut from 16^th to 30^th June, 2^nd after 90 days). There were following variants of the fertilization: A - no fertilization, B - P:K 30:60 kg.ha^-1, C - N:P:K 90:30:60 kg.ha^-1, D - N:P:K 180:30:60 kg.ha^-1. There was the considerable reaction of the permanent grassland on the nutrient application. The highest value of the coefficient of the neutral efficiency was by the fertilization N:P:K 90:30:60 kg of the pure nutrients. By the most of the variants we have noticed the negative nitrogen balance. The negative balance of the phosphorous was marked only by the unfertilized variants. All variants of the permanent grassland utilization had the negative potassium balance. The utilization had the significant influence (P_0.01) to all observed indicators. The year had the significant influence too. From the point of view of the rational plant nutrition and of the environment protection from the contamination (especially from the nitrates) it appears as the most advisable the medium intensive type of the utilization with nitrogen dose: N:P:K 90:30:60.

During the years 2001 and 2002 we conducted hydrochemical monitoring of intensively managed pond to evaluate the impact of high pig slurry doses on eutrophication. Pig slurry application was carried out in colder period of the year (February-April) via tube system with sludge pump from nearby piggery.
Our results showed that pig slurry application do not permanently affect the water quality of Jarohněvický pond. When the correct application is made slurry is effectively utilized by biomass for the growth, which prevents surface and underground waters to be polluted as in the case of incorrect application on agricultural land.
Critical point of this technology in terms of water management is the way of pig slurry application and the exact dose. Even extremely high slurry doses (16.1 kg.m^-2 in 2001 and 15.6 kg.m^-2 in 2002) used in Jarohněvický pond did not negatively affected pond ecosystem. Only higher amount of organisms that increased natural fish production was recorded. It is necessary to implement this ameliorative intervention in colder period of the year considering higher hazard of variations in decisive hydrochemical parameters at higher water temperature.

Global shape of the peaches of the Red Haven variety (harvested on different days during July, 2007) has been characterized by calculating the H/Ds, H/Dc and Dc/Ds ratios. There is no, or nearly no, differences between peaches harvested at the different days. The shape of the all tested peaches was very close to round one. The more detailed description of the peach shape is based on the Elliptic Fourier analysis (EFDs) of the digital photos. The knowledge of the parameters (curvature etc.) is very useful e.g. for the evaluation of the results of the strength tests. Compression tests have been also perforemd - the whole peaches have been compressed between two plates at the constant cross-head velocity 20 mm/min. The force-displacement curves are characterised by certain monotonic increase and the point called bioyield, where force exhibits a drop. The bioyield significantly decreases with the date of the harvesting. There is no evidence of the dependence of this parameter on the direction of loading. The same result is approximatively valid for apparent modulus of elasticity E. The force-displacement curves have been successfully modelled by non-linear mathematical models.

The ripened cheese is typical by taste and aroma and texture also. The object of research was the influence of ripening on sensory and texture properties of Olomouc cheese with the determination the optimum lenght of ripening for consumers. High storage temperature of curd, deficiency of air oxygen and some other factors determine the senzory characteristics of this type cheese. The samples were taken from the factory directly and stored in the same conditions in cold (7 °C) during 5 weeks. Aroma, colour, appearance, level of ripening, consistence, taste, dry matter and texture analysis by TIRA machine 27 025 were followed. Cutting test measured the resistence to the passage of a knife, penetration test involved measurement of the force required to insert a probe a given distance into cheese. The best results of the flavour have been observed in three and four weeks storing. The best ripening and consistence were evaluated in the fourth and fifth week after cheese production. There was found the decrease of the cheese firmness during the ripening.

Educated university graduates are demanded by employers. Requirements of employers on graduates are high; most required are communication skills, decision-making skills, problem solution skills. Very often demand is graduates' willingness to further education, knowledge of foreign languages. The paper describes the opinions of students of Faculty of agronomics and Faculty of business and economics MUAF in Brno on the possibilities to deepen selected skills. Students of both faculties realize the necessity of further training. More than 96% of students consider the knowledge of foreign languages to be very important and prefer teaching grammar and conversation. Students evaluated the quality of teaching foreign languages at MZLU in Brno, too. Almost 40% of students of Faculty of agronomics and 70% of students of the Faculty of business and economics consider the teaching of foreign languages as insufficient. These negative views were probably influenced by a small extent of teaching languages during their studies. Communication skills represent another significant factor, and students evaluated the possibility to develop these skills, as well. 50% of respondents from the Faculty of agronomics evaluate these skills as necessary for practice and positively evaluate the development of these skills within teaching at MUAF in Brno. Positive evaluation of communication skills development was also found nearly in three quarters of respondents from Faculty of business and economics.

The effect of known CSN3, Pit-1 and LGB genes single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on milk performance traits (milk yield, protein, fat and lactose content, count of somatic cells) at the Czech Fleckvieh and the Holstein cattle breed was estimated. For more exact results, tested cows of each breed came from one source, and were selected into two groups according to their lactation. We tested around 100 animals at the first and 25 at the high (more than five) lactation of both breeds. Our attention was aimed particularly on combined genotypes of favourable alleles. We confirmed the positive tendention of the cheese yield valuable CSN3/BB with Pit-1/AA combined genotype for high milk production. By estimation of single gene effect, we found out significant association (P ≤ 0.01) between milk yield (kg) and Pit-1 genotypes at Holstein cows with the high lactation. This dependence was observed at the Czech Fleckvieh breed too, even it didn't get conclusive value. Among all tested individuals, CSN3 genotypes significantly influenced milk yield (AA > BB, P ≤ 0.01), milk fat (BB > AA, P ≤ 0.01) and protein content (BB > AA, P ≤ 0.01). The genotypes AB and BB of the LGB gene at Holstein cows were joined with higher milk yield in selected cattle groups opposite to AA genotype (P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.05). The influence of LGB on the somatic cell count in created cattle groups was not confirmed. Estimation of allele and genotype frequency according to lactation stage didn't reveal higher differences at non of tested genes in both breeds.

Resistance to lime-induced chlorosis is very important characteristic of grapevine rootstocks. Lime-induced chlorosis influence yield and quality of grapes. Evaluation of chlorosis resistance is very important for grape growing and breeding. The aim of this work is provide results of evaluation grapevine rootstocks to chlorosis. High resistance was show in Fercal. From the viewpoint of the resistance to chlorosis, the rootstocks registered in the State Variety Book of the Czech Republic can be ranked from the most resistant to the most sensitive as follows: Craciunel 2 - SO 4 - Kober 125 AA - Kober 5 BB - Teleki 5 C - Amos - LE-K-1.

The effect of N and P fertilization on the dry matter content, concentration of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and their intake by the plant, production characteristics (achene yields, head diameter, 1000-seed weight, oil content and oil production) and the content of fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, palmitooleic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic) was evaluated in the one-year pot trial with sunflower (Helianthus annuus, L.). Nitrogen application had a positive effect on dry matter production and increased N intake by plants as early as the beginning of vegetation (4^th true leaf). The effect of P on dry matter production was not markedly evident until the later growth stage (10^th true leaf). At the end of the vegetation period the weight of plants of variants fertilised with N only and variants where P was applied evened out. Achene yields, head diameters, 1000-seed weight, oil content and oil production increased statistically significantly after N application. Of all the monitored characteristics the increased level of P in the soil affected only the 1000-seed weight. The application of both nutrients did not significantly change the content of fatty acids.

Identification of improvement areas and utilization of information and communication technologies have gained value and priority in our knowledge driven society. Rules define constraints, conditions and policies of how the business processes are to be performed but they also affect the behavior of the resource and facilitate strategic business goals achieving. They control the business and represent business knowledge. The research works about business rules show how to specify and classify business rules from the business perspective and to establish an approach to managing them that will enable faster change in business processes and other business concepts in all areas of the business. In concrete this paper deals with four approaches to business rules formalization, i. e. notation of OCL, inference rules, decision table and predicate logic and with their general evaluation. The article shows also the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches of formalization. They are the example of every mentioned approach.

One of the most important parts in a precision farming system is the crop yield mapping. The pre-processing of the point data from combine harvesters, the transfer of the yield data onto the management grid and the interpolation of the yields are discussed, as well as using of the yield data themselves. The goal of the contribution was to verify, with the help of the field measuring on two stations, the dependence of the yield obtained by processing of the measured yield data from the combine harvester (where the yield monitor is installed) on the weighted yield. This is because of yield variability, which is the basic dependent variable of majority belonging to the rest kinds of field variation that provides the basic information about the field. Afterwards it is possible to transfer the yield data as the base for the variable application of the fertilizer. By this we access yield effects for the different site - specific treatment.

Series of mechanical tests (uniaxial compression test, Brasil test, plate bending test) with cylidrical specimens made from dark chocolate have been performed. The stress-strain dependence has been ploted and modeled using data from compression test. The strain behaviour of the chocolate was found to be far from the linear elastic strain. The linear elasticity is limited for the very small strains. The Brasil test led to the development of the tensile stress in the specimen and its cracking. The dependence of the tensile stress on the strain rate has been confirmed. Also the linearity of the force vs. displacement data received during plate bending test has been limited to the very small value of the displacemnt. Impact behaviour of the chocolate has been also evaluated. Falling of the specimen from defined hight led to its fracture. This experiment has been simulated using LS DYNA 3D finite element code.

The objective of the present study is to characterize the rheological properties of peaches according to the results of puncture test force/displacement curves. The measurements were carried out on the universal testing machine. The firmness of the peaches was measured on the equatorial side of the fruit. Four measurements were carried out on each fruit by varying the orientation at intervals by about 90°. The used approach computed six texture parameters from the curves, which were supposed to be representative of skin hardness, fruit deformation before skin rupture, flesh firmness and mechanical work needed to penetrate the fruit. The data were fitted by an exponential function. The correlation is not statistically significant. Its value only support the hypothesis about decrease of the skin strength and other values. Generally, there is a decreases with time from the harvest beginning but the scatter of the data is too high. The results show that used method enables to describe the peach firmness development during the harvest period but the effective use of this method is based on the large number of experiments which are destructive in their nature. Some new approach is briefly outlined.

This paper is focused on validation of new synthetic raw cow milk quality indicator which was calculated according to previously developed algorithm. The aim was to carry out a synthesis of values of individual milk quality indicators (MQIs) into one standardized relative milk quality indicator (SQSM). This is useable for farmer milk price modification according to milk quality in dependence on its change in every case. It is a possible ground for consistent milk payment according to its quality. This work is fifth step in the row of works. It is carried out in terms of next promotion of the milk foodstuff chain safety and for the improvement of the ability of the dairy production branch for the competition. SQSM was calculated according to formula as follows: DX = (IND - x)/sx, where: IND is individual value of MQI of supplier, x is month arithmetical average of MQI of relevant milk suppliers including IND and sx its standard deviation; SQSM is the sum of logically oriented (according to milk quality growth) DXs, which come from relevant MQIs of identical raw milk delivery; SQSM as sum can be also divided by the number of MQIs. It means, there are possible two kinds of expressions of SQSM, sum (a) and/or average (p). The values of MQIs were used in original (compositional and physical MQIs) or transformed (log; hygienic MQIs) form according to previous research results. Three, five and seven MQIs and single, double and threefold values of their technological weight were included into model validation as price formula. Thirteen variants (p and a) of price formula were used, too. The behaviour of p and a model variants was similar. All SQSM averages and medians were very near zero value. The normality of SQSM files was reached (P > 0.05) sometimes in obliquenes (a₃) which is more important in this case. The normality was not reached in acuteness (a₄). The SQSM model files were quite well balanced in terms of positive and negative values. All model combination differences (p) between variants were insignificant (calculated F 1.76×10^-18, where P > 0.999; critical F 1.75 for P ≤ 0.05). The difference insignificance was independent both on number of MQIs and on their technological preference as well. The results of SQSM validation showed the suitability of indicator usage for intended purpose of consistent milk price modification according to every milk quality change.

Intensity of snowmelt erosion was computed for cadastral areas of Pohořelice, Strážnice, Kuchařovice, Holešov, Dukovany, Vizovice, Velké Meziříčí and Bystřice nad Pernštejnem on the base of 1980-2006 data for the period November to March. Mean long-term soil loss was estimated according to ZACHAR (1981) equation on the base of average rate of snowmelting, amount of melting water, outflow and infiltration characteristics, topographical factor, soil factor and vegetation factor. For the studied localities the average rate of snowmelting varied from 2.29 mm.day^-1 to 7.90 mm.day^-1. Also amount of melting water reached the maximum in Bystřice nad Pernštejnem in dependence on climatic region (6.11 cm of water column). Outflow and infiltration characteristics varied from 0.94 to 1.14. High value of topographical factor (10.5) was assessed in Vizovice. Soil factor was estimated according to main soil unit from Estimated Pedologic-Ecological Unit EPEU. Its values varied from 0.31 in Velké Meziříčí to 0.47 in Holešov. Vegetation factor varied from 0.2938 in Vizovice to 0.4881 in Kuchařovice. Average soil loss as a consequence of snow melting varied in interval from 0.61 t.ha^-1.year^-1 in Pohořelice to 30.08 t.ha^-1.year^-1 in Vizovice.

Demographic evolution in the Czech Republic is not spatially homogeneous but displays regional differences. In the set of 14 regions of the Czech Republic, numerical characteristics showing level, variability, skewness and kurtosis for 30 demographic indicators from the year 2006 are calculated and evaluated. Frequency counts for some of these have been shown using histograms. On the basis of factor analysis, five representative indicators were chosen and assigned weights, with the ranks of regions determined by normalized values. The best position was obtained by the City of Prague and Středočeský Region, with last position occupied by the Zlín Region.

In a small-plot trial with potatoes were applied increasing doses of selenium to the soil (0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 kg Se.ha^-1) and after harvest were explored the content of selenium, phosphorus and sulphur in raw tubers and in the tops. The trials were conducted in two localities - Žabčice and Valečov using the semi-early variety Ditta. Selenium was applied to the soil in the form of sodium selenite before planting the potatoes. Chemical analyses discovered that with the applied dose the level of selenium increased in both tubers and tops and that the correlation between the applied selenium dose and its content in tubers and tops was significant (α < 0.05) and positive (r = 0.885 and r = 0.908, respectively). With an increasing dose of selenium the reduction in the level of sulphur in the tops (r = -0.872, α < 0.05) was statistically significant. In both localities the range of the sulphur levels in tubers was very narrow, i.e. 0.16-0.18%, and the effect of the selenium dose was not significant. The phosphorus content in tubers and tops did not change significantly after application of a dose of up to 48 kg Se.ha^-1. With the highest dose of selenium the content of phosphorus in both tops and tubers decreased significantly.

The paper deals with problems concerning customers' satisfaction. It summarizes results of primary research focused on an analysis of fundamental factors, which shape clients' preferences, influence the level of satisfaction of transportation companies' customers in general and in transportation companies under study in particular. Altogether 49 % of respondents mentioned that the type of transportation means was the most important factor that influenced their satisfaction. As other significant factors influencing the satisfaction of respondents the following were mentioned: prices of transportation, quality of services during the transportation, respecting regular pauses during transportation, and the possibility of refreshments during the transportation. All companies that were addressed monitored the level of satisfaction of their customers (nearly 20 % did this every month). Each company that monitored satisfaction of its customers every year also developed a marketing plan of their activities. The paper also contains detailed results of conducted inquiries as well as the relevant discussion.