Simple SummaryPhytoestrogens comprise a group of substances negatively influencing the development and function of animal reproductive organs. Their appearance in forage crops can reduce feeding values, cause dietary disorders, and lead to animal health damage. This study evaluated the occurrence of individual phytoestrogens in various species of annual and perennial legumes and their levels in dry forage. It appeared that feeding large amounts of red clover presents a potential risk, but red clover can be replaced with the annual Persian clover, in which markedly lower phytoestrogen levels were detected.AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine phytoestrogen content in fresh-cut legume forage. This issue has been much discussed in recent years in connection with the health and safety of feedstuffs and thus livestock health. The experiments were carried out on two experimental plots at Troubsko and Vatín, Czech Republic during June and July in 2015. Samples were collected of the four forage legume species perennial red clover (variety “Amos”), alfalfa (variety “Holyně”), and annuals Persian clover and Alexandrian clover. Forage was sampled twice at regular three to four day intervals leading up to harvest and a third time on the day of harvest. Fresh and wilted material was analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Higher levels (p < 0.05) of isoflavones biochanin A (3.697 mg·g−1 of dry weight) and formononetin (4.315 mg·g−1 of dry weight) were found in red clover than in other species. The highest isoflavone content was detected in red clover, reaching 1.001% of dry matter (p < 0.05), representing a risk for occurrence of reproduction problems and inhibited secretion of animal estrogen. The phytoestrogen content was particularly increased in wilted forage. Significant isoflavone reduction was observed over three to four day intervals leading up to harvest.

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The highest amount of mixed infections w as determined in 2014 because of the warmest winter from all monitored years and low precipitations. Significant differences were found out.in the resistance of similar plant materials grown in different fields. Significant effect of weather conditions and supposed effect of different infectious pressure on various fields were reflected in these facts. At evaluated grasses, the highest (P < 0.05) occurence of Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola. Lolium perenne L. was observed and the infection of Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola (P < 0.05) was determined higher than in Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. B.

With the growing energy demand of the society and the increased requirements for ecological aspects of obtaining and utilizing energies, renewable energy sources have been getting to the forefront. In the conditions of Central Europe, transformation of biomass to biogas through anaerobic digestion appears to be promising. The article describes the results of a field experiment carried out in an experimental site of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (South Bohemia, Czech Republic). The goal of the article is to compare the conventionally grown corn (Zea mays L., hybrid Simao), the areas of which have increased considerably as a result of the development of biogas stations, and the alternative perennial grass called tall wheatgrass (Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus cv. Szarvasi-1), which is, according to the literature, well positioned to replace corn. The harvests of the plants took place in 2013-2015, and tall wheatgrass was cut twice per season. A number of aspects – dry phytomass yield, specific methane yield and hectare methane yield – were monitored. In addition, the long-term soil loss by water erosion was calculated through the Universal Soil Loss Equation for both species of energy crops. In terms of yield parameters and methane production, better results were achieved by corn, given the average energy gain 238 GJ·ha-1 as compared to 126 GJ·ha-1 for tall wheatgrass. The protection of the soil surface from water erosion by corn appears to be insufficient and, in this criterion, it absolutely lags behind the anti-erosion abilities of tall wheatgrass, which protects soil incomparably better.