The article presents the analysis of quality properties of briquettes produced of blends of chosen plant raw materials in the plumbing piston of a briquetting machine. The moisture of the raw materials, the length, diameter and mass of the produced briquettes as well as their specific density and mechanical strength were determined. The produced briquettes of blends of agglomerated plant raw materials were characterized by diversified parameters of the studied physical properties. With the increase of camomile waste rate in the briquettes made from applied blends of plant raw materials, their length were reduced about 5–31% and mass about 2–26%, however the specific density increased about 1–8% and mechanical strength about 4–6%. Better parameters of the analysed properties were obtained for the briquettes from sylphium perfoliatum and camomile waste when compared to the briquettes from giant miscanthus and camomile waste.

In the investigations rated the antimicrobial activity of aqueous plant extracts (decoction, infusion, macerate) for inhibition of growth of colonies of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Activity of the tested extracts depended on the species of plants, extracts preparatio methotds and the sensitivity of bacteria and fungi selected for testing. Inhibitory activity against bacteria showed extracts of Artemisia absinthium L. Additionally amoung all extracts the most active were macerates, and the pathogen, which most strongly reacted was Listeria monocytogenes. The growth of fungal pathogens inhibited extract of Allium sativum L. The weakest of the tested extracts proved to be macerate, infusion and decoction from Lavandula vera L. On the other hand the growth of fungi was the most limited by macerates. Among all investigated fungi the most sensitive to used extracts were: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Cladosporium zielearum.

The paper presents the results of germination of seeds of Thuringian Mallow stimulated with an alternating magnetic field, constant or variable electric field and magnetically treated water. The research was conducted for ongoing measurement series of 21 days on the parent seeds and crop seeds of the 1^st generation. Each sample consisted of 100 seeds. After 10 days, germination energy of tested seeds was determined in accordance with the standards of germination. The results demonstrate a clear positive effects of alternating electric field, a small positive impact of a constant electric field and magnetically treated water and the negative impact of alternating magnetic field on the germination of parent seeds of Thuringian Mallow for both: germination energy and germination capacity. In the case of the 1^st generation seeds, a substantial positive effect of the alternating electric field (about 26%) on parent seeds was observed as well as on the 1^st generation seeds. In that case, the positive impact of all the applied physical methods on germination energy as well as germination capacity was observed. Statistically significant differences at P ≥ 0.05 were observed only for the treatment with the alternating electric field.

Organochlorine compounds are very persistent compounds. Considering the harmfulness of these substances, the goal of the study presented in this article was to evaluate the content of organochlorine compounds in selected vegetables. The highest content of lindane were detected in carrot. Accumulation of γ-HCH in cauliflower was more than five times lower. The presence of ΣDDT was detected in all tested vegetables at quantities not exceeding the MRL value. The lowest mean content of ΣDDT was observed in broccoli and spinach, while a three times higher quantity of this compound was detected in carrot. Chlorinated hydrocarbons were detected in all the tested vegetable samples. It was observed that vegetables raised in north-eastern Poland persistently contain numerous foreign chemicals and, as such, should be included in a programme to monitor the levels of harmful chemicals. Contamination of environment and food by artificial isotopes cause receiving radiation doses by people, that can be taken by inhalation of isotopes from the air or the oral route. From the point of view of radioactive contamination of the environment, the most dangerous are the isotopes ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs, which concentrations are used as an indicator of environmental pollution. In accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Health of 15.01.2003 year, ¹³⁷Cs may be present in various products, seeing that is used for irradiating vegetables to inhibit sprouting (in potatoes, onions, garlic), the elimination or reduction of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, mold, fungi) and parasites. Radiation also helps to extend the storage life of fresh fruit and vegetables The necessity to monitor the content of radiocesium results from its toxicity, therefore the aim of the study was to analyze the content of radiocesium in chosen vegetables [carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green peas, green beans, spinach] from area of Warmia and Mazury. The content of ¹³⁷Cs in investigated vegetables show that the aboveground parts of plants accumulate considerably more radiocesium compared to the root vegetables.

In a laboratory experiment germination viability and germination capacity of seeds after application of aqueous extracts prepared from the 40 medicinal plants were determined. The seeds colonization by microorganisms was also investigated. According to the obtained results it was found that the viability of the seeds (germination viability and capacity) and its infestation by microorganisms differed significantly depending on the oily plant species, herbal plant species and method of extracts preparation. Germination viability increased by +4.37%, the germination capacity of +38.44% and the infestation was reduced by –43.23%. In both research terms significantly most preferably on the vitality of seeds influenced extract from Z. mays, while the germination capacity in both terms was the strongest limited by extracts prepared from S. alba and S. purpurea. The seed infestation by microorganisms was limited by 75% of investigated herbs, especially extracts prepared from L. officinalis, P. sylvestris and C. sativum.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of the Gompertz equation to describe the process of germination of tomato seeds (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Promyk). Germination tests were carried out at five temperatures (15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C) under laboratory conditions. In all cases an excellent fit of the model equation to the experimental data was obtained, the worst fit (R² = 0.997) was achieved for seeds germinated at 35°C, for all other cases R² reached 0,999. Analysis of the parameters of Gompertz equation allowed for a detailed evaluation of kinetics of tomato seed germination.