Edward Pałys

Persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in biochar-amended soil

In the present study the persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) applied with biochar to acidic soil (loamy sand) was studied in two and half year field experiment. An experiment was carried out in three experimental plots (15 m(2) each). The biochar was introduced in the following doses: soil without fertilization - control (C-BC00), soil with 30 t ha(-1) (B-BC30) and soil with 45 t ha(-1) (A-BC45) of biochar. Biochar addition to soils resulted in an increase in the PAHs content from 0.239 μg g(-1) in control soil to 0.526 μg g(-1) and 1.310 μg g(-1) in 30 and 45 t ha(-1) biochar-amended soil respectively. However during the experimental period the PAHs content decreased to a level characteristic for the control soil. The highest losses of PAHs were observed during the first 105 days of the experiment. Three and four rings PAHs were the most susceptible for degradation and leaching. Migration of PAHs from 0-10 cm to 10-20 cm soil horizon was also observed.

Grinding and Nutritional Properties of Six Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.) Cultivars

ABSTRACT Some physical, technological, nutritional, and nutraceutical determinants of six spelt varieties were evaluated. The grains were characterized by similar grain hardness and gave similar breakage patterns on a hammer mill and relatively low grinding energy requirements. The highest protein content was determined for Spelt I.N.Z. and Schwabenkorn (155 mg/g db), whereas the lowest was for Ceralio (98 mg/g db). The total starch content in tested cultivars averaged about 500 mg/g db; however, significant differences were observed for resistant and potentially bioavailable starch. The highest starch digestibility was observed for Ostro, Schwabenspelz, and Spelt I.N.Z. (about 45%), whereas the lowest was for Ceralio (about 33%). Chemically extractable total phenolic compounds content did not differ between cultivars. When flavonoids contents were compared, however, significant differences were observed; their contents ranged from 0.61 to 2.12 mg/g db (Spelt I.N.Z. and Schwabenkorn, respectively). The ab...

Winter wheat fertilized with biogas residue and mining waste: yielding and the quality of grain.

BACKGROUND Environmental protection problems and efforts to increase agricultural productivity result in attempts to use various organic and mineral wastes as fertilizers. This study aimed to determine the effect of biogas residue (BR) and mining waste (MS) fertilization on wheat yield as well as the nutritional and pro-health quality of grains produced. RESULTS After the application of MS and BR wheat grain yield was increased compared to unfertilized wheat. The highest grain yield and thousand-grain weight were obtained after MS+BR fertilization. Grains of wheat fertilized with BR and MS+BR contained significantly more protein and wet gluten compared to no fertilization and conventional fertilization (NPK). The studied conditions did not statistically affect starch content. BR fertilization significantly increased the total phenolic content; however, grains of wheat fertilized with NPK were characterized by the highest content of flavonoids and syringic, p-coumaric and sinapic acids. Compared to NPK, waste fertilizations positively affect the reducing power and antiradical activity of wheat. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the wastes evaluated can be an alternative to conventional fertilization in the soil tested that without any significant deterioration and in some cases significant improvement of yield and wheat quality.

New oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) varieties – canopy development, yield components, and plant density

Full exploitation of the potential of new varieties requires research, whose aim is to adapt the technology to their needs. A two-factor experiment evaluated the effect of row spacing (33, 44, and 55 cm) of three oilseed rape (OSR) varieties (conventional, hybrid, and “semi-dwarf” hybrid variety) on canopy area index (CAI) and yield components. At higher row spacing, OSR plants were characterized by a strong increase in the CAI at successive growth stages; thereby, the incomplete use of production area was compensated at the pod development stage. The differences in the CAI between row spacings were significant until the end of flowering, whereas differences in the CAI between varieties were significant until the flower bud development stage. In the next development phases, CAI of OSR plants was at a similar level to all plots. However, the statistical analysis showed a declining trend in seed yield and yield biomass (pods and straw weight) with increasing row spacing. A positive aspect of increased row spacing was a decrease in glucosinolates content in seeds. The differences in fat content were statistically insignificant. The hybrid varieties of OSR produced the highest seed yield at a row spacing of 33 cm, while the conventional – at a row spacing of 44 cm. These relationships are confirmed by high positive correlations of seed weight and pod weight per unit area with CAI. The results have important practical aspect, because it shows that it is possible to reduce the number of OSR plants per unit area, thereby reducing demand for expensive certified seeds for sowing but to certain limits. Too small plant density binds to the risk of decreased seed yield. It may be justified, e.g., in extensive or organic farming where wide row creates the possibility of mechanical weed control.