Until recently, triticale was considered to be a species of low disease susceptibility. Research results indicate, however, that it is more and more frequently infected by stem-base, leaf, and spike diseases, and the loses caused by disease occurrence may reach 1/3 of yield. The aim of the study was the determination of leaf and spike disease occurrence in winter triticale protected with fungicides, in the conditions of diversified nitrogen fertilization doses. Study material was winter triticale plants cultivar Gniewko, obtained from a three-year-long (2009-2011) filed experiment at the Production and Experimental Station in Bałcyny near Ostróda. First factor was nitrogen fertilization: 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg·ha^-1. Second factor was the level of protection against fungal diseases: seed dressing, seed dressing and one on-leaf treatment, and seed dressing and two on-leaf treatments. Weather conditions in the study years significantly differentiated the intensity of disease symptoms. Nitrogen fertilization significantly affected winter triticale wholesomeness and caused a decrease in flag leaf infection by Rhynchosporium secalis only in the second research year. However, in the case of chaff septoriosis, an increase in infection was noted under the effect of increasing nitrogen doses. The applied fungicides effectively inhibited the development of flag and sub-flag leaves (leaf septoriosis, brown rust, powdery mildew) and spikes (chaff septoriosis and powdery mildew). Significant inhibition in fungal disease intensity was noted only after the application of two on-leaf treatments.

The economic analysis is determined by the applied agricultural system, the response of crops to agronomic factors and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to compare the profitability of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) production under different farming systems in north-eastern Europe. Profitability was determined mainly by the cost of farming operations and treatments. The system with the optimal sowing date (B1 - delayed by 10 days in compare to the earliest) and mechanical weed control (D0) generated the highest profits. The value of fenugreek production was determined at USD 1641.0, and the energy efficiency ratio was estimated at 0.53 to 0.60. The most profitable system was B0 – early sowing date, D1 – chemical weed control, where energy inputs reached 9814.3 MJ·ha^-1.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of water deficit on yield, leaf area and fluorescence chlorophyll parameters of forage grasses. The pot experiment was conducted in 2013 in IUNG-PIB’s greenhouse in Puławy. Nine cultivars of five species (Lolium perenne, Lolium multiflorum, Festuca pratensis, Festuca arundinacea and Festulolium braunii) were investigated in well-watered conditions (70% field water capacity) as well as in a short-term drought stress conditions (40% field water capacity). The study showed, that dry matter of yield, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters: quantum of photosynthetic yield efficiency (Fv/Fm ratio) and performance index (PI) and leaf area were significantly lower in drought stress than under well-watered conditions in all cultivars in each regrowth. The data demonstrated the highest yield decrease for F. arundunacea cv. Barolex in the first, for L. perenne cv. Melluck and Meltador in the second and for F. braunii cv. Felopa in the third regrowth. The hybrid F. braunii was characterized by the lowest yield reduction and PI parameter in first and second regrowth. Based on the yield average, short drought resistance of different species was in the following order: F. pratensis > F. braunii – L. multiflorum > F. arundinacea > L. perenne. There was a significant relationship between dry matter yield and leaf area, and also between dry matter yield and fluorescence chlorophyll parameters.

The yield and chemical composition of potato tubers is significantly diversified by fertilization with undersown crops and by the production system. The study presents research results from the years 2007-2010 whose aim is comparison of the yield and quality of potato tubers fertilized with undersown crops in an integrated and organic production system. Two factors were studied in the experiment: I – fertilization with an undersown crop: control (without fertilization with an undersown crop), manure, undersown crop – the biomassis ploughed in autumn (serradella, annual ryegrass), undersown crop – biomass left until spring in the form of mulch (serradella, annual ryegrass), II – production system: integrated and organic. Undersown crops were incorporated into spring triticale cultivated for grain. In the first year after applying undersown crops, edible potatoes were cultivated. While harvesting potato tubers, total and marketable yields were determined. In the collected tuber samples, the content of the following was determined: starch, vitamin C and true protein. Significantly, the highest yields of potato tubers were obtained from the plot fertilized with serradella in the form of mulch. Higher yields of potato tubers were obtained in an integrated than in an organic production system. Vitamin C content in potato tubers was significantly diversified by fertilization with an undersown crop, by the production system and their interaction. Significantly, the highest content of true protein was observed in potato tubers fertilized with serradella both ploughed in autumn, and left until spring in the form of mulch. Production system diversified the yield and chemical composition of potato tubers. The highest starch content was characteristic of potato tubers fertilized with annual ryegrass left until spring in the form of mulch, the highest vitamin C content was found in potato tubers fertilized with undersown crops left until spring in the form of mulch, and the highest true protein content in potato tubers fertilized with serradella both ploughed in autumn and left until spring in the form of mulch. Fertilization with serradella, both ploughed in autumn and left until spring in the form of mulch, fully substitutes manure in an integrated production system of potato.

The studies on diversity and conservation status of Molinia meadows as significantly endangered natural habitats are very important in the context of nature protection on the European scale. The collected basic data for exemplary protected objects in the Silesian Upland, whose main subject of protection is the already mentioned natural habitat, provide basis for continuing monitoring and for drawing conclusions concerning their protection. This was the main aim of the undertaken research. Occurrence of the Galio veri-Molinietum and the Selino carvifoliae-Molinietum caeruleae associations from the Molinion caeruleae alliance were observed on the analyzed areas. The most important floristic assets of these areas include occurrence of a significant number of 5 plant species under strict protection as well as occurrence of Laserpitium prutenicum regarded as critically endangered on the areas of the Silesian Voivodeship. Communities on the designated Natura 2000 areas of “Meadows in Jaworzno” above all are endangered by natural processes (plant succession), while the area of “Meadows in Sławków” by human activities connected with amelioration and development as well as devastation of the area by off-road vehicles. Significance of the areas designated for protection in preserving valuable phytocenotic structures has been highlighted, especially in the aspect of their location on urban areas.

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of winter wheat cultivar and mineral fertilization, taking into consideration the use of ash from wheat straw, on the biomass production of winter wheat. Moreover, changes in pH and the content of the assimilable forms of macro- and microelements in typical lessive soil (Luvisols) after three years of applying varied doses of ash from winter wheat straw were also evaluated. Research was carried out in years 2010-2012 at the Research Station in Mochełek (53°13’ N; 17°51’ E). Three-factor microplot experiment was carried out, in which interdependent interaction between diversified nitrogen-phosphorus fertilization NP (g·m^-2): 8 + 1.31; 8 + 2.62; 16 + 1.31; 16 + 2.62 and the impact of ash from winter wheat straw (g·m^-2): 0; 25; 50; 75; 100 on the biomass production of two cultivars of winter wheat (‘Muszelka’ and ‘Batuta’) was evaluated. Ash from winter wheat straw used in the experiment was characterized by alkaline reaction (pH in KCl 1 mol·dm^-3 = 9.8). Total content of elements in g·kg^-1 amounted to: P 5.8, K 75.0, Mg 5.3, and Ca 64.9, and in mg·kg^-1: Cu 25.6, Mn 607, Zn 64.9, and Fe 3158. The study found that grain productivity of cultivar ‘Muszelka’ was higher and straw yield lower than those of cultivar ‘Batuta’. Tested cultivars did not differ significantly, however, regarding the produced amounts of postharvest residue biomass, and therefore had a similar quality for cultivation in the conditions of straw management for non-agricultural purposes, as a potential source of soil organic matter. High nitrogen and straw ash fertilization was conducive to the biomass production of both winter wheat cultivars, excluding post-harvest residue. Ash from wheat straw used at the dose of 100 g·m^-2 after three years of application did not cause significant changes in soil richness but made it possible to keep nearly unchanged pH and the contents of available macro- and microelements.

The aim of the research based on the results of a field experiment was comparison of the effect of two nitrogen fertilizers: the traditional ammonium nitrate and SULFAMMO 30 N PRO. The analysis comprises the effect of the aforementioned fertilizers on the chemical composition of triticale grain (xTriticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus), cv. Nagano. The field experiment was carried out in the years 2013-2014 at the Experimental Agricultural Station in Lipnik (53º42′ N; 14º97′ S). The modern fertilizer SULFAMMO 30 N PRO contains 30% N (in the most effective forms: ammonium and amide), 15% SO3 3% MgO. There were no significant differences between the analyzed fertilizers (ammonium nitrate and SULFAMMO 30 N PRO) in terms of the content of the analysed macro- and microelements: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper in the grain of spring triticale, cv. Nagano. Application of nitrogen fertilization at the highest dose of 120 kg N·ha^-1 resulted in a significant increase in nitrogen and iron content in the spring triticale grain. On the whole, the results of the experiment indicate high stability in terms of macro- and microelements content in spring triticale grain of Nagano cultivar.

In the growing season 2014, yield and chemical composition of soybean cv. Merlin was studied in three localities in western Poland. Seeds dressed with Hi Stick Soybean^TM inoculant (Saatbau^®) in Fix Fertig system were sown at the sowing density of 70 germinating seeds per 1 m². Agroclimatic conditions in the growing season of soybean in particular localities were highly diversified, mainly in the amount and distribution of rainfall. In the flowering stage (BBCH 69), soybean plants in Grodziec Śląski reached the highest weight. In further development stages, plants in Kołbacz had the highest weight of vegetative and generative parts (seeds and pod shells). In this locality, in the green maturity stage (BBCH 79) and full maturity stage (BBCH 89) soybean stand reached a biomass of approx. 5 Mg·ha^-1. Diversified production potential of soybean was determined by plant height which affected weight of a single plant. Higher plants had a greater number of pods and seeds. Correlation between pod length and its weight in the full maturity stage was moderate (R² = 0.52). Chemical composition of soybean seeds indicated significant diversification between localities. Seeds in Grodziec Śląski had a higher total protein content. Seed yield in soybean depended on agroclimatic conditions, thus in Kołbacz, Pawłowice, Grodziec Śląski it was: 2.65, 1.55, 2.55 Mg·ha^-1, respectively. The lowest level of yield in soybean in Pawłowice (central part of Poland) resulted from the occurrence of flooding stress in early growth stages and long-term (June – August) drought in the summer.

Biomass of lucerne harvested at the budding stage or at the beginning of flowering is a bulky feed with a high content of protein. This plant is less often harvested at the full maturity for seeds. Nitrogen fertilization is not frequently applied in lucerne cultivation, since it lives in symbiosis with nodule bacteria that reduce atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium forms available for plants. This work presents the result of the pot experiment that aimed to determine the effect of the development stage of lucerne on the dynamics of nitrogen uptake from the atmosphere, from the mineral fertilizer and from soil. The studied plant was harvested at the beginning of flowering and at full flowering, and after reaching full maturity. In fertilization of the test plant, ammonium sulphate with ¹⁵N excess was applied and the method of isotopic dilution was used to assess the dynamics of nitrogen uptake. The control plant was spring barley. Systematic increase in the dry matter of lucerne was recorded at successive development stages. At the beginning of flowering and at full flowering of lucerne, the percentage of roots, stems and leaves in the whole plant mass was similar, whereas at the full maturity, the roots had the highest percentage in the dry matter yield (44%), and seeds (4%) and stripped pods (5%) the lowest. The average amount of nitrogen in the whole dry matter of the studied species was similar at successive harvest times. At the beginning of flowering and in full flowering, lucerne accumulated the highest amount of nitrogen in leaves, whereas after reaching the full maturity, in leaves and roots. The main source of nitrogen for the studied plant at successive developmental stages was the atmosphere. Nitrogen biologically reduced by lucerne harvested at the beginning of flowering and at full flowering accounted for 83.8 and 86.1%, respectively, and at the full maturity stage, 94.9% of the total uptake of this macroelement. The other small amount of nitrogen was taken up from the mineral fertilizer and from soil. At the beginning of flowering and at full flowering of lucerne the percentage of nitrogen taken up from the fertilizer did not exceed 10%, and from the soil was maximally 7%. At full maturity to harvest for seeds, the percentage of nitrogen taken up from the fertilizer and soil amounted to 2.4 and 2.7%, respectively.