A field experiment was conducted in 2004-2004, at the Research Station in Tomaszkowo near Olsztyn, owned by the University of Warmia and Mazury. It was set up on proper grey podzolic soil, good rye complex. The purpose was to evaluate the biodiversity of segetal flora in a field cropped with the spring triticale cultivar Wanad. The evaluation was based on the species composition, density and weight of weeds, depending on the weeding method (without weeding; once harrowing; twice harrowing; herbicide; harrowing + herbicide) and nitrogen fertilization (total amount 120 kg N·ha-1: 0; 60 + 60; 60 + 25 + 35; 60 + 25 foliar application + 35). Such studies are essential for cognitive reasons and useful in agricultural practice, owing to the growing interest in integrated agriculture, especially plant protection and nitrogen fertilization, which is an attempt to achieve sustainable agriculture and protect biodiversity. The weed control methods tested on triticale fields led to the reduced species richness among weeds, their lesser abundance and lower air-dry matter. The lowest biodiversity was determined for the assemblage of weeds in a field of spring triticale which had been harrowed and treated with herbicide, and where the Shannon-Wiener index was 2.18 for the richness of weeds and 1.95 for weed biomass, thus being 0.31 and 0.58 lower, respectively, than in a field of unweeded triticale. Nitrogen fertilization, irrespective of the application technology, did not have a notable effect on the diversity and species dominance among weeds.

Plantago lanceolata is one of the most common and most valuable dicotyledonous pasture herbs found on meadows and pastures. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of Plantago lanceolata on yields and quality of twice harvested semi-natural meadow swards utilized according to agri-environment programme guidelines (P10b variant), as well as on pastures established using mixtures containing Plantago lanceolata. On studied meadows, presence of Plantago lanceolata in amounts exceeding 3% of the total yield could be seen as an indicator of negative changes in humidity and tropism, causing a reduction in dry mass yields and the deterioration of sward quality after the first harvest. Meanwhile, yields from pastures containing Plantago lanceolata were almost four times higher. Furthermore, Plantago lanceolata ingested by cows contained more protein, sugars and crude ash including calcium and phosphorus while containing less fiber than Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne. Furthermore, Plantago lanceolata was more abundant than Trifolium repens, also included in the sowing mixture.

The Natura 2000 network is a fundamental element of EU policy in the field of nature protection and the example of Europe’s enormous efforts to preserve biodeversity for future generations. Detailed principles of conduct in Natura 2000 areas are determined separately for each area and recorded in the plans for protection tasks. Planning effective action, and particularly identifying specific treatment of acitve protection requires monitoring and assessment of the conservation status of the natural environment and its factors. This paper is an analysis of the application of technology of airborne and terrestrial laser scanning in this context. Research carried out on a part of Natura 2000 area, Białka Valley (PLH120024), indicated that development conducted on point clouds allows for monitoring habitat enrichment, and supports the process of creating plans for protection tasks.

The effect of some methods for the presowing improvement of seeds of amaranth of the cultivar Rawa (Amaranthus cruentus L.) on their sowing value was assessed in laboratory conditions. The results of seed soaking in solutions of commercial preparations were examined, where the active substance was synthetic growth regulators – auxin and giberelin. The experiments were conducted in 2010-2012 at the time preceding sowing seeds in the field (in April each year). It was indicated that under laboratory conditions germination energy and capacity of amaranth seeds of the cultivar Rawa depends to a much larger degree on germination temperature than on choosing the preparation in which sowing seeds are soaked, and germination capacity at 25ºC can be regarded as quite satisfactory in all the treatments. Soaking amaranth seeds in solutions of bioregulators turned up to be effective, although only in definite conditions.

The residual effect of presowing soaking seeds in solutions of commercial preparations containing GA3 and IAA on the growth, development and yield of amaranth of the cultivar Rawa (Amaranthus cruentus L.) was assessed over 2010-2012. It was found that plants grown from treated seeds showed much more abundant growth than the control plants. This activity will be continued also in later developmental phases, although it not always contributed to an increase in plant yield. It appeared that conditioning did not mobilize seeds for more numerous emergences as had been expected when taking up the study. During the growth season the field crop remained under a strong influence of unfavourable weather conditions. Difficulties in obtaining satisfactory density after emergences as well as rainy and windy weather during harvest pose a threat to success in growing amaranth in field.

The field experiment on agricultural practices in winter wheat in short-term monoculture was carried out over the years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 in Chełmce (52o61’N; 18o44’E). The experimental factors included: A – tillage systems (variants with post-harvest tillage with a grubber or without and with the use of manure and sow ploughing and single ploughing, as well as direct sowing), B – method of managing postharvest residues (four variants with the use of straw and effective microorganisms or without), C – application of a biostimulant Asahi SL (two levels). The aim of the study was determination of the effect of these factors on the yield components and grain yield of winter wheat cultivated in the 2nd and 3rd year of monoculture. The best tillage system for winter wheat yield, irrespective of the duration of monoculture and the course of weather conditions over the years of research, was grubbing the stubble field with a previous application of manure and conducting sow ploughing. Under conditions unfavorable for winter plant yield with a freezing snowless winter, double grubbing and direct sowing was also a good tillage method, leaving a large amount of post-harvest residues on the field surface. Fertilization with straw, especially with a simultaneous use of effective microorganisms, appeared to be relevant under unfavorable habitat conditions. In the year with a beneficial course of weather conditions this treatment generally did not increase the grain yield. Biostimulant Asahi SL caused increase in the quantity of yield components and grain yield in winter wheat, irrespective of the duration of monoculture or of weather conditions over the years of research.

Carex nigra Reichard is a relatively constant species typical of damp and inundated habitats. One of the species that gain the highest cover in meadow communities with common sedge is Ostericum palustre Besser. This work presented comparison of communities with predomination of C.nigra or O. palustre in phytocenotic and yieldforming aspects. In floristic terms, Pratocenoses with C. nigra or O. palustre refer to meadows from the alliance Molinion. Their sward contains small proportion of valuable meadow plants. Habitat differences of both variants determined based on the Ellenberg indices indicate more alkaline character of the subsoil of patches with O. palustre. Yields obtained from the studied areas dominated by C. nigra were on average by about 1 Mg·ha-1 lower and by C. nigra and O. palustre by about 1.5 Mg·ha-1 lower than the mean national meadow productivity. Phosphorus and potassium content was lower than that required in feeding standards. Phosphorus and potassium occurred in larger amounts in sward with O. palustre. Proportion of O. palustre improved calcium balance particularly in the second regrowth. In general agricultural evaluation studied communities should be regarded as low-value. Consequently the main reason for their maintenance is their natural values connected with protection of plant communities and natural habitats.

The area under sweet corn is increasing in Poland due to increased consumption and suitability for cultivation in all regions of the country. However, sweet corn is sown on different dates in these regions. A field experiment was carried out in the years 2006-2008 at the Experimental Station in Zawady (52º03’ N; 22º33’ E). It was conducted to examine the effect of three sowing dates (26th April, 10th May and 24th May) and covering with non-woven PP on the yields of three sweet corn cultivars (Sweet Nugget F1, Rana F1 and Sheba F1). Weather conditions in 2007 and 2008 were more favourable for sweet corn growth compared with the year 2006, when high air temperatures were accompanied by very low precipitation from mid-June to late July. In 2007 and 2008, higher early, total and marketable yields were produced (by 29 and 13%, 50 and 44%, as well as 72 and 74%, respectively), and more ears were harvested (by 40-45%), too. Moreover, with a delay in the sowing date, kernel yields harvested in these years were twice as high as in 2006, when weather conditions contributed to more rapid maturation of ears and to an increase in the percentage share of early ear yield in the total yield. What is more, over the study years, on average both the total and marketable yields of ears increased with the delayed sowing, however only in the coldest 2008 this increase was significant. Unlike in 2008, delayed sowing in 2006 caused a decline in the number of ears and kernel yield. An application of non-woven PP increased the yields, the share of early yield in the overall yield of marketable ears and the number of ears. Covering was most beneficial in cooler years for the first sowing date. The highest ear and kernel yields were obtained for ‘Sweet Nugget F1’. Differences between the cultivars were observed for the first sowing date.

Sweet corn quality is determined by such characteristics as ear length and diameter, number of kernel rows per ear, ear fill and productivity, as well as nutrient content in kernels. These traits may be influenced by environmental conditions and cultivation methods. A field experiment was conducted in 2006-2008 to examine the effect of different sowing dates (26th April, 10th and 24th May) and covering with nonwoven PP on quality traits of sweet corn ear. The experiment was carried out in eastern Poland (52º03’ N; 22º33’ E). Sweet corn formed ears characterised by better biometrical parameters in the cooler and wetter years 2007 and 2008 compared with the warm and dry 2006 in which, however, corn kernels contained more ascorbic acid, total sugars and sucrose than in other study years. As corn sowing was delayed, ear diameter, kernel weight, number of kernel rows per ear and dry matter content of kernels increased gradually. Most total sugars and sucrose were determined in the kernels of corn sown on the second date. In 2006, ears with most kernels were harvested from plots sown with corn on the first date, while in the cooler and wet weather during the 2008 growing season the best ear fill was found for the second and third sowing date. Covering corn in the initial stages of crop development increased biological productivity of ears as well as the dry matter content, total sugars and sucrose in kernels. ‘Sweet Nugget F1’ and ‘Sheba F1’ produced longer ears with heavier kernels which also contained more dry matter, total sugars and sucrose than ‘Rana F1’ which, however, had most kernel rows and kernels per ear.

Increasing scope of the potential use of goat’s rue (Galega orientalis Lam.) causes a growing interest in this plant also in research. Due to the structure of the seed coat of goat’s rue, the seeds undergo scarification before sowing, which puts them at risk of pathogen infection. One of the more effective methods of disease prevention at the early developmental stages of plants is the application of chemical seed dressings, which may cause an increase in the proportion of dead seeds. Therefore, research on the response of goat’s rue seeds to the generally applied seed dressings is advisable. An experiment was set up to establish the germination energy and germinability, as well as the proportion of goat’s rue seeds (scarified or non-scarified) infected by fungi, treated with the following fungicides: Funaben T 480 FS, Raxil Gel 206 GF, Orius 02 WS, and Topsin M 500 SC. Goat’s rue seeds were obtained from a long-term experiment (years 2008-2010 only). After harvest and seed threshing, under laboratory conditions, energy and germinability, as well as the number of infected by pathogens and non-germinating goat’s rue seeds were determined. Observations were carried out after five and 14 days from the onset of germination. Analysis demonstrated that scarification increased seed germinability. Seed dressings did not affect the germination energy of non-scarified seeds, whereas scarified seeds displayed poorer germination energy in the first study season. Higher germinability was observed for treated versus untreated seeds, the differences between fungicides being significant only in 2008. It was also found that in the case of non-scarified seeds (after five days of germination), dressings did not diversify significantly the number of seeds infected by fungus diseases. After 14 days of germination, the number of seeds infected by fungi depended on the kind of dressing, season in which the seeds were collected, and the scarification process. Seeds, particularly the scarified ones, were best protected by dressings Funaben T 480 FS, Raxil Gel 206 GF, and Orius 02 WS.

The aim of the work was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of water extracts from the above-ground parts of the seedlings of control buckwheat and buckwheat treated with methyl jasmonate vapours (JA-Me), as well as extracts enriched with 2-phenylethylamine (PEA) and its metabolites: phenylacetic acid (PAA) and 2-phenylethanol (PE), on the growth of the seedlings of dicotyledonous (tomato, radish and watercress) and monocotyledonous vegetables (maize). Also their effect on the level of phenolic compounds and flavonoids was determined, as well as the degree of lipid peroxidation in acceptor plant tissues. In all the cases, plant growth inhibition was noted, and the effect differed in relation to the applied extract, the studied species, and the duration of allelochemical stress. Application of JA-Me caused an increase in the content of phenolic compounds and, as an effect, the allelopathic potential of buckwheat tissues. Generally, the roots of the tested acceptor plants were more susceptible to the effect of the studied extracts than the above-ground parts. In the case of maize, the addition of PEA, PAA, and PE strongly inhibited the growth of both the roots and the above-ground plant parts. Different phenomenon occurred, on the other hand, in tomato roots, the growth of which was stimulated by PE. Buckwheat extracts also caused enhancement in lipid peroxidation in maize, although adding PEA, PAA, and PE limited the process. Buckwheat extracts also increased the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in tomato and maize tissues, which may be related to the activation of the adaptation mechanism to stressful conditions.

The aim of the study was evaluation of the effect of dressing seed material of spring barley with a humus preparation and foliar potassium fertilization with Drakar on its yield and content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in the grain. One-way field experiment was carried out in the years 2006-2008, in Chrząstowo (53°09’ N; 17°35’ E) near Bydgoszcz, on soil classified as mesic Typic Hapludalfs, of a granulometric composition of light sandy loam. The effect of the following was evaluated: humus preparation Humistar (12% humic acids and 3% fulvic acids), used for dressing at a rate of 1 dm3 per 50 kg of barley grain (1), foliar fertilizer Drakar (25.7% K and 3% N), applied at two doses of 2 dm3·ha-1, before flowering and after its end (2), as well as the combined application of Humistar and Drakar (3). The results of using Humistar and Drakar were compared with the control (4) where these preparations were not used. A significant increase was found in 1000 grain weight and yield of barley grain under the effect of dressing the seed material with Humistar. However, this factor’s effect on spike density per unit of area or on the grain number per spike was not indicated. Foliar fertilizer Drakar did not affect significantly the grain yield or its components. The studied preparations did not affect significantly the leaf greenness index in barley in the stage of tillering, shooting and flowering. However, a positive effect of Humistar was found on values of this index in the milk stage. The total nitrogen concentration in barley grain was independent of the used preparations. However, a significant increase in the content of phosphorus and magnesium was found in barley grain dressed with Humistar. Concentration of phosphorus and potassium in barley grain on plots with a foliar fertilization with Drakar was lower, while of magnesium higher than on the control.