Agriculture In Nitra Research Articles

The Effect of Foreign Language Competences and Student Mobilities on Graduates’ Employability in the European Labour Market

Abstract Foreign language competences belong to the employers’ essential requirements set for workforce. The enhancement of acquired competences and the acquisition of new ones form a part of higher education. In the paper employability of the graduates of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences in the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra on the European labour market has been analysed. The graduates completed their study in the years 2007-2011. A questionnaire was used to survey 300 graduates by the 30th June 2011, out of which 103 responded. The Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences prepares professionals in the fields of biotechnology, food technology, applied biology, hygiene and food safety. Input data have been evaluated by the methods of analysis, synthesis and comparison. In relation to the mathematical-statistical methods used, the input data have been classified according to the qualitative and statistical characteristics and evaluated by the association tables and graphs. We have come to the conclusion that foreign language competences are actively used by 43% of the respondents in different sectors of national economy, and the dominant foreign language is English. Within half a year after graduation 74% of respondents who had taken part in student mobilities, and 48% of respondents who did not participate in them, found jobs on the labour market. The time of getting the first job is influenced not only by knowledge, working skills and other competencies but also by current job vacancies.

KVALITA KUKURIČNÝCH SILÁŢÍ ZO ZÁPADOSLOVENSKÉHO REGIÓNU

The aim of this work was to determine the quality of maize silages from Western Slovak Region analyzed in 2009 and 2010 on the Department of animal nutrition, Faculty of agrobiology and food resources, Slovak university of agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia. Maize silages were evaluated on the base of nutritional value, the result of fermentation process and silage quality according to Regulation of the Government of Slovak Republic no. 439/2006, appendix no.7, part C – Silage. We found in maize silages the average dry matter content 357.87 g.kg-1 (2009) and 340.00 g.kg-1 (2010) while only in 2010 samples had got 15.4 % of dry matter content below 300 g.kg-1. Content of crude fiber was lower than 260 g.kg-1 of dry matter in all samples. Higher content of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber had maize silages from 2010. The average value of net energy of lactation was 6.32 MJ.kg-1 of dry matter (2009) and 6.27 MJ.kg-1 of dry matter (2010). Only in one sample from 2010 we found a lower lactic acid content than 10 g.kg-1 of original matter. Content of acetic acid was lower in silages from 2009 (24.33 g.kg-1 of dry matter) in comparison with silages from 2010 (28.92 g.kg-1 of dry matter). Undesirable butyric acid was not found in maize silages. The value of pH fluctuated from 3.52 to 3.80 (2009) and from 3.58 to 4.14 (2010). Only 17 % of evaluated samples satisfied the criteria for silage of I. class in 2009 and 23 % in 2010 mainly because of the higher acetic acid content.

Morphological and organoleptic nature of Ziziphus jujuba Mill.

Aim of the experiment was to determine morphological and sensory differences between selected Ziziphus jujube Mill. genotypes. For experimental study were used 19 seed grown genotypes planted in experimental garden of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. In our laboratories were analysed quantitative and qualitative traits of matured fruits. In the collection of genotypes were identified by morphological analysis the average weight in range from 4.68 to 0.66 grams, length of 21.67 to 0.77 mm, and width of 16.97 to 0.67 mm. Mass weight ratio of fresh pulp to total fruit were determined in the range 57-79%. In the group of selected genotypes were identified significant differences in the pulp and pericarp pigmentation. With stones was determined the average weight in the range 0.90-0.24 g, length from 14.35-0.58 mm and width 8.32-0.34 mm. Significant differences has ben found in stones shape and color of analyzed genotypes as well. For the evaluation of sensory analysis was applied the 9 point scale. By sensory analysis were evaluated the dried fruit pulp samples of five genotypes (A, B, C, D, E) and 8 genotypes (AV, BV, CV,DV, EV, PV , GV, HV) samples of dried flesh for 60 minutes boiled in water and then extracted. Among the samples were identified significant differences in taste too. Gained experience and results can be used for expansion of jujube specific genotypes in Slovakia with primary orientation on organic agriculture and/or for other applications in practice as well.

VPLYV FYTOADITÍV NA STRÁVITEĽNOSŤ MAKROELEMENTOV U ŠPORTOVÝCH KONÍ

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a phytogenic additive in sport horses feed rations on faecal macroelements digestibility. The experiment was realized in Riding Centre of the Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, using 6 warm blood sport horses (geldings). The control group was fed with crimped barley, meadow hay, feed mixture and mineral premix. The experimental feed rations were supplemented with a phytogenic additive containing a blend of essential oils from origanum, anise and citrus, as well as a prebiotic rich in fructooligosaccharides. Higher digestibility of calcium (Ca) (71.11% vs. 69.09%) and phosphorus (P) (52.74% vs. 47.55%) was determined in horses fed the phytogenic additives (P>0.05). In this group of horses we found significantly (P<0.05) higher digestibility of magnesium (Mg), 64.32% in comparison with the control group (43.55%). Insignificantly differences in sodium (Na) digestibility we found (75.98% in control group vs. 76.58% in experimental group). Significantly (P<0.05) higher potassium (K) digestibility we found in horses fed with phytoadditives (57.11%). In horses fed without phytoadditives we detected significantly (P<0.05) lower digestibility of K (30.55%). In conclusion, we found positive effects of a phytogenic additive on macroelements faecal digestibility in sport horses.

THE EFFECT OF AGROTECHNICAL INTERVENTIONS ON SEASONAL CHANGES OF INORGANIC NITROGEN CONTENT IN THE SOIL

We researched the influence of soil cultivation and fertilization on changes of nitrate, ammonium and inorganic nitrogen content in soil during the monitored vegetation periods (2004/2005 – 2005/2006). This experiment was realized on experimental bases of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra – Dolna Malanta on the winter/summer wheat (Triticum aestivum), variety Bonita, with red clover as its before-crop. In the field trial we used two types of tillage, B1 – conventional tillage up to the depth of 0,25 m and B2 – disc ploughing up to 0,15 m, with three variants of fertilization, 0 – unfertilized control, PH – fertilization according to its content in soil and PZ – fertilization according to its content in soil + plough down of post harvest residues. Samples of the soil were taken from the two soil depth (0,0- 0,3 m and 0,3-0,6 m) and in each vegetation period there were 8 takings of soil samples in four repetitions. During monitored vegetation period this dynamics was changeable. The content of nitrate nitrogen in the soil in autumn was about 40 % higher than content of ammonium nitrate. This tendency changed in spring, when the average content of ammonium nitrogen was higher than the content of nitrate nitrogen on average about 60 %. The cultivation had significant influence on dynamics of inorganic nitrogen. The average content of inorganic nitrogen in conventional tillage up to the depth of 0,25 m was 8,43 mg.kg-1 and in disc ploughing it was 7,60 mg.kg-1. The influence of fertilization on changes of inorganic nitrogen was significantly important. Monitored ways of fertilization within the content of nitrates in the soil had the following averages: in unfertilized soil 7,48 mg.kg-1, in fertilized soil NPK 8,20 mg.kg-1 and in the soil fertilized with plough down of post harvest residues 8,37 mg.kg-1. In the first and second variety of soil cultivation we found out a low increase of average concentration of nitrates in the fertilized soil in comparison with unfertilized one. High significant influence on dynamics of nitrate nitrogen in the soil had date of sample takings and also depth. In the first depth (0,0-0,3 m) the level of nitrate nitrogen was 9,18 mg.kg-1 and in the second depth (0,3-0,6 m) it was 6,85 mg.kg-1.

Histological structure of the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis in pigs with the same ryanodine receptor genotype (CC) in relation to carcass indicators

The aim of this study was to investigate the histological structure of the longissimus muscle in pigs in relation to carcass value indicators. A total number of 16 pigs of about 101.28 kg average live weight were used. The animals were raised at a Fattening and Carcass Value Experimental Station (FCVES) of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in equal conditions, receiving a standard diet fortified with vitamin-mineral mixture, and they were slaughtered in an experimental abattoir of FCVES. Samples from the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracisi (MLLT) for histological evaluation were taken within 30 minutes post mortem, immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at a temperature of &amp;minus;20&amp;deg;C. In the experimental abattoir of FCVES feeding indicators, and indicators of meat quality and carcass value were examined. Samples were processed histochemically and single types of muscle fibres were differentiated according to reactions on SDH on the basis of Vacek&amp;rsquo;s (1974) method. Nikon microscopic system, Pixelink digital camera and LUCIA software for image analyses for the morphometric analysis of MLLT structure were used. The highest abundance of white and the lowest abundance of intermediate muscle fibres was obtained in the analyzed musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracisi of pigs. Red muscle fibre abundance was only slightly higher than intermediate muscle fibre abundance. Concerning the average muscle fibre diameter, the highest values in white and the lowest values in red muscle fibres were found. Positive correlations of white muscle fibre abundance with loin meat weight, thigh meat weight, carcass length, ribcase length, hot right half weight, valuable meatiness parts in kilograms, thigh weight, thigh percent in the half-carcass and MLLT area weight were obtained. In the case of all fat content and weight indicators negative correlations were obtained except loin fat weight. Red muscle fibre content showed positive correlations with shoulder fat weight, neck meat weight, neck fat weight, head weight, thigh fat weight, average backfat thickness and MLLT area. Correlation coefficients between white muscle fibre diameter and shoulder meat weight, thigh meat weight, carcass length, ribcase length showed weak positive correlations. An increase in the white muscle fibre diameter corresponds with an increase in loin meat weight, valuable meatiness parts in kg, valuable meatiness parts in percents, thigh weight, thigh percent in the half-carcass weight and MLLT area. Concerning the red muscle fibre diameter weak positive correlations were obtained in relation to neck meat weight, thigh meat weight, thigh weight and moderate positive correlations to shoulder meat weight, loin meat weight, valuable meatiness parts in kilograms and percents, thigh percent in half-carcass and MLLT area.

Competitiveness in the EU: a main theme of two scientific events at the Faculty of Economics and Management of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

This article does not have an abstract.

45th anniversary of the foundation of Faculty of Economics and Management at Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

This Article does not have an abstract.

Identification and development of communicative capabilities in agromanagers

A&amp;nbsp;high level of communicative capabilities as an integral part of social skills in managers is an essential prerequisite of success in managerial position. The paper points out an opportunity of quantifying the level of communicative capabilities, as well as the way of delimiting deficiencies in communication and planning the process of development of communicative capabilities. The testing was done on a&amp;nbsp;sample of 230 students of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, i.e. in the future agromanagers.