Jarosław Chmielewski

The effect of environmental conditions on the content of selected micronutrients in spelt grain

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the effect of application of small amounts of nitrogen to the soil together with foliar application of micronutrients on the content of copper, manganese and zinc in the grain of spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.). The study was based on a two-factor field experiment conducted in 2009–2011 on very good rye complex soil. Nitrogen was applied in the form of ammonium nitrate (34% N), and manganese and copper were applied to the leaves in the form of the fertilisers Adob Mn (1.5 l∙ha−1) and Adob Cu (1.0 l∙ha−1), respectively. The results indicated that the nitrogen fertilisation, the foliar application of micronutrients and the interaction of these factors significantly determined the contents of copper, manganese and zinc in the grain. The highest content of Cu and Mn in the material was obtained following the application of 50 kg N·ha−1, and an increase in nitrogen application (to 50 kg·ha−1) caused a decrease in the content of zinc in the grain. Foliar application of Cu, Mn and both elements together resulted in significant changes in the concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn in the plant material as compared to treatment without the application of micronutrients. The mineral fertilisers at the rates applied had a beneficial effect on the chemical composition of the grain, and thus on its quality, and this was achieved with substantially lower consumption of agrochemicals than that in the case of agrotechnical procedures for traditional cereals. It can, therefore, be concluded that this practice is environment friendly and can significantly reduce the negative impact of agricultural activity.

Evaluation of the degree of healthiness of the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) acorns in the Włoszczowa– Jędrzejów Nature Park and its neighbouring area

Abstract The aim of the study was to demonstrate the degree of healthiness of the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) acorns found in the Włoszczowa-Jędrzejów Nature Park (abbreviation: W-JOChK) and in the neighbouring area. It was dealt with by making the analysis of health of the acorns (total 3,600). The research material included the samples of fallen down acorns, collected under the pedunculate oaks in Kurzelów (W-JOChK), as well as Żelisławice. The study was conducted from late September 2014 to early October 2015. The analysis of acorns demonstrated that over 50% of the acorns were damaged by insects. The ‘perpetrators’ of the damage proved to be Curculio glandium (Coleoptera: Curculionidae - acorn weevil) and Cydia splendana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae - chestnut tortrix). It was stated that acorns from the pedunculate oak trees, which were found on the protected area, were twice less frequently inhabited by Curculio glandium than those originating from the trees in Żelisławice - near the industrial firm. The damages caused by Cydia splendana in both study sites were similar in number. The results indicate that the acorns of oaks in more polluted environment are probably more vulnerable to infestation by insects.

The significance of the European beaver (Castor fibre) activity for the process of renaturalization of river valleys in the era of increasing

Abstract Changes in the environment that are caused by the activity of beavers bring numerous advantages. They affect the increase in biodiversity, contribute to improving the condition of cleanliness of watercourses, improve local water relations and restore the natural landscape of river valleys. Rapid increase in the European beaver population in Poland in 21st century determines and accelerates the process of renaturalization of the areas that have undergone partial degradation as a result of anthropopressure. A singular example is the river valleys populated by beavers that have been adapted to people’s needs in the last centuries, which has inevitably exerted an undesirable effect.

Mineral fertilization as a factor determining technological value of grain of Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.

Abstract In Poland, in recent years, there has been a great interest in growing spelt wheat. This is dictated not only by an increasing demand for food with higher healthy properties and unique taste, but also by a possibility of attracting farmers’ attention to this cereal as an alternative crop, with smaller requirements regarding the use of fertilization, as compared with common wheat. The aim of this study was to carry out the assessment of value of some technological characters of grain and flour of spelt wheat depending on different fertilizations with nitrogen (I factor, n=3, 25 and 50 kg N∙ha−1 + control treatment) and foliar application of microelements (II factor, n=4, Mn, Cu, combined fertilization with Mn and Cu + control treatment). Based on the performed study, it was found that fertilization with nitrogen, microelements and their interaction had, on average for years, a significant effect on the values of technological characters. Introduction of 25 kg N·ha−1 caused an increase in the value of falling number, whereas total protein content, wet gluten content and sedimentation value increased as a result of increasing nitrogen rates up to a level of 50 kg·ha−1. Of the variants of fertilization with microelements, the highest values of the analysed baking indices were found in the effects of combined foliar application of copper and manganese.

Anthropogenic Impact on the Environment (Case Study)

Abstract Human activity leads to environmental transformations, frequently on a large scale. There are places where anthropogenic consequences are unprecedented and disadvantageous to the extent that can be perceived in terms of an ecocatastrophe that goes beyond the local range. The article presents three anthropogenically degraded areas that pose danger for ecosystems in various parts of the world.

Determinants of long-term home nursing care among people over 65 years of age

Introduction: With age comes increasing loss of efficiency, and thereby increasing dependence on others and increasing demand for nursing and care services Aim of the research: To determine the factors of demand for long-term home nursing care among people over 65 years old. Material and methods: The research was conducted on 504 subjects aged between 66 and 94 years. The qualified respondents for the long-term home-based nursing care scored no more than 40 points in Barthel’s Index. The following research tools were used: Barhel’s Index, IADL, GDS, AMTS, and an authorial interview questionnaire. Results: For long-term home-based nursing care 15.67% (n = 79) of subjects were qualified; there were more women (n = 61) than men (n = 18) (p < 0.05). The age of respondents qualified for long-term nursing care was higher than the age of other test subjects (p < 0.001). Among subjects qualified for long-term home-based nursing care there were more people with incomplete primary education (p < 0.01) and a higher number of multi-diseases than with the rest (p < 0.01). Moreover, people qualified for long-term nursing care had worsened agility to perform complex life activities and worsened cognitive and emotional performance (p < 0.001) than people who did not qualify for such services. Conclusions: The need for long-term nursing care was determined by progressing ageing, functional, emotional, and cognitive disorders, more frequent with women, people with low education, and multi-diseases.

Environmental and technological carrot safety conditions. Part I. Changes in the content of nitrates determined by the environment and processing

Abstract The aim of the research was to define changes in the content of NO3¯ determined by the environment and processing in products from five cultivars of carrot, orange in colour. Besides this, in the research, the human intake of toxic compounds found in processed foods was also assayed. All the processed foods were produced at laboratory scale compliant with the applicable guidelines and norms. The content of nitrates in processed foods depended significantly on the genetic conditions of material and on the processing method. Of all the cultivars under study, ‘Karotan’ was least applicable to processing since, irrespective of the processing method, the lowest decrease in nitrates was reported for that cultivar. The consumption of processed foods from the cultivars of carrot studied is not hazardous to consumer health, since the value of the ADI in adult, Acceptable Daily Intake, is not exceeded.

Environmental and technological carrot safety conditions. Part II. Changes in nitrites contents determined by the environment and processing

Abstract The aim of the present research was to determine the effect of environmental conditions (biofortification with Mg) and technological processes (freezing, preserving in jars and drying) on the content of nitrates (III) in carrot. Besides this, the amount of human intake of nitrates (III) found in the carrot products analysed was assayed. The effect on environment resulting from the changes in carrot growing technology was not so unambiguous as for nitrates (V) since most NO2¯ was contained in, for example, processed foods from non-biofortified Mg material. The consumption of products was not hazardous to the consumer since it did not exceed Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) NO2¯. Most nitrates (III) are consumed with dried carrot and least - with carrot preserved in jars. For this reason, one should run a thorough monitoring of the contents of nitrates (III), toxic to humans since new products based on dried carrot material, such as crisps, are launched in the consumer market.

Sosnowsky’s hogweed – current environmental problem

Abstract Sosnowsky’s hogweed was brought to Poland as a silage plant for cattle in the mid-20th century from the Caucasus. It was grown mainly in National Farms. However, the hogweed quickly spread across the natural environment. It is a highly invasive plant and possesses strong burning qualities. Every year many people suffer from its burns. The hogweed is also dangerous for animals. Being an invasive species, it displaces natural plant species of the native flora. It can threaten the flora and landscape of a particular area. The aim of the article is to present the problem including the frequency of occurrence of Sosnowsky’s hogweed in Poland, to show the negative effects for human health and the methods to fight it in its habitat.

The impact of brick (Agrochola circellaris Hufn.) and owlet moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the health of seeds of field elms (Ulmus minor Mill.) in the landscape parks of the Świętokrzyskie Province

Abstract In the period of 2012-2013, a research was conducted to investigate the insects damaging the seeds of field elm (Ulmus minor Mill.). The aim of the research was to specify the damages to field elm seeds caused mainly by the brick (Agrochola circellaris) and to indicate the possible dependence between the number of damaged seeds by the caterpillars of this moth and stand density. The research was conducted in the areas of Cisów-Orłowiny Landscape Park (C-OLP) and Nida Landscape Park (NLP) in the Świętokrzyskie Province. In both parks, there were two test stands situated, each of which covered the material collected from the trees. The number of field elms ranged from four to six. Furthermore, a sample of 300 seeds were randomly collected from each tree. The elms in Cisów-Orłowiny Landscape Park were observed in full density stands (fully stocked stands); however, these trees in Nida Landscape Park were growing in loose density stands (under-stocked stands). In total, there were 12,000 seeds collected from 20 trees. The analysis of the collected research material demonstrated that 436 seeds from the field elms (Ulmus minor) were damaged by the brick (Agrochola circellaris). It constituted 3.6% of the total number of collected samples (Table 1). In the seed samples collected from the test stands in Cisów-Orłowiny Landscape Park, the damages caused by the caterpillars of the brick moth ranged between 0.8% and 2.9%. In the case of seed samples collected from Nida Landscape Park, the damages caused by the caterpillars of the brick moth were greater and ranged between 4.1% and 6.5%. The percentage of undamaged seeds ranged between 94.4% in Cisów-Orłowiny Landscape Park and 84.7% in Nida Landscape Park, which constituted, on an average, 89.5% for both parks. The 6.8% of the seeds were also damaged by other insects. The results of the research showed the dependence between the number of field elm seeds damaged by the brick Agrochola circellaris and the stand density (Table 2). The seeds collected from trees growing in the Nida Landscape Park in loose density stands (under-stocked stands) were twice as frequently damaged than those collected from the trees growing in Cisów-Orłowiny Landscape Park in full density stands. Also, the damages caused by other insects were greater among the seeds collected from trees growing in loose density stands than in full density stands (Table 1).