Sławomir Kocira

Enhancement of yield, nutritional and nutraceutical properties of two common bean cultivars following the application of seaweed extract (Ecklonia maxima)

In the present study, application of Ecklonia maxima extract (Kelpak SL – a water soluble concentrate) was optimized and its impact on yield, nutraceutical and nutritional potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (var. Aura and Toska) was measured. The study was carried out in 2012 and 2013 in Poland. During the growing season, 0.2% and 0.4% solution of Kelpak SL was applied by single and double spraying of plants. These four treatments with Kelpak SL were compared with the control, where no biostimulator was applied. Kelpak SL treatments stimulated the yield of both cultivars studied. The application of E. maxima extract had no effect on the content of starch, free sugars or proteins in seeds of either of the tested cultivars. The highest level of phenolics was found for double sprayed Toska plants. All the tested variants of Kelpak SL application significantly increased the content of anthocyanins in the seeds. Also, both the reducing power and antiradical ability of Aura seeds were elevated in all the studied treatments. E. maxima extract is a natural, environmentally friendly and safe preparation increasing the yield and nutraceutical quality of beans without any negative effect on their nutritional quality.

EFFECT ASSESSMENT OF KELPAK SL ON THE BEAN YIELD (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.)

Biostimulators applied in the cultivation of plants stimulate the processes of life and increase their hardiness to stress conditions, contributing to greater and better quality of yield. One of them is Kelpak SL obtained from brown seaweed species Ecklonia maxima. The aim of experiment carried out was to assess a potential effect of Kelpak SL on bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar Aura yield. The trial was carried out during 2010-2011 years on the experimental field of Institute of Agricultural Sciences The State School of Higher Education in Chelm. Treatments with Kelpak were carried out in 2 different concentrations (0.2 % and 0.4%) and in two application frequencies (one application in the 2 – 3 leaves stage or two applications – first in the 2 – 3 leaves stage and second at the beginning of the bean’s blooming). Received results were compared with the control where Kelpak was not applied. The number and the weight of seeds, the number of pods and the weight of thousand seeds per 1 m2 were recorded. The beneficial effect of seaweed extract of Ecklonia maxima on the yield of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was demonstrated. The highest number and weight of seeds and number of pods were obtainment in the combination of once application with 0.2 % solution of Kelpak SL in 2010 and once application with 0.4 % solution of Kelpak SL in 2011. Application of Kelpak SL significantly increased number and weight of seeds and number of pods compared with the control where Kelpak SL was not applied.

Modeling Biometric Traits, Yield and Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Seeds of Three Soybean Cultivars Through the Application of Biostimulant Containing Seaweed and Amino Acids

In recent years, attempts have been made to use preparations that allow obtaining high and good quality yields, while reducing the application of pesticides and mineral fertilizers. These include biostimulants that are safe for the natural environment and contribute to the improvement of yield size and quality, especially after the occurrence of stressors. Their use is advisable in the case of crops sensitive to such biotic stress factors like low temperatures or drought. One of these is soybean which is a very important plant from the economic viewpoint. Field experiments were established in the years 2014-2016 in a random block design in four replicates on experimental plots of 10 m2. Three soybean cultivars: Annushka, Mavka, and Atlanta were planted in the third decade of April. Fylloton biostimulant was used at 0.7% or 1% concentrations as single spraying (BBCH 13-15) or double spraying (BBCH 13-15, BBCH 61) in the vegetation period. The number of seeds per 1 m2, seed yield, thousand seed weight, number of pods per plant, number of nodes in the main shoot, height of plants, and protein and fat contents in seeds were determined. The content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and antioxidant effect of soybean seeds were assayed as well. Foliar treatment of soybean with Fylloton stimulated the growth and yield of plants without compromising their nutritional and nutraceutical properties. The double application of the higher concentration of Fylloton was favorable for the plant height, seed number and soybean yield. Moreover, the highest number of pods was obtained after single treatment of plants with the lower biostimulant concentration. There was also a positive effect of using this biostimulant on the content and activity of some bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, and on the reducing power.

Effects of seaweed extract on yield and protein content of two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars

An experiment was conducted to investigate into the effects of Ecklonia maxima extract (Kelpak SL) on yield, protein and ash contents of two bean cultivars. The study was carried out in 2012 - 2014 in Poland. During the growing season, 0.2% and 0.4% solutions of the bio-stimulant were applied by single and double spraying of plants against a control. The highest number and weight of grains were found when the plants of ‘Toska’ cultivar were single sprayed with 0.2% seaweed extract. Double spraying the plants with the 0.4% solution of Kelpak SL increased the number, its weight and the number of pods in cultivar ‘Aura’. The application of Kelpak SL increased protein content of grains in both bean cultivars. Higher the dose the double foliar application of the bio-stimulant, more was the ash content of the grain of plants of ‘Toska’ cultivar.

Application of Moldavian dragonhead ( Dracocephalum moldavica L.) leaves addition as a functional component of nutritionally valuable corn snacks

Application of Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) leaves in extruded snacks was evaluated. Directly expanded corn snacks (crisps) were supplemented with 5–20% of dragonhead leaves. The supplemented snacks were characterized to have improved nutritional value and were a good source of dietary fibre. The presence of phenolic compounds, especially rosmarinic acid, showed a high antioxidant potential and a radical scavenging activity of tested snacks, especially if a high content of additive was used. The increasing amount of additive also had an impact on the physical properties of extrudates lowering the expansion ratio, water absorption and solubility, yet increasing bulk density, cutting force and the breaking index of the enriched snacks. The highest viscosity was observed at 5 and 10% addition level. The increasing amount of dragonhead leaves lowered the brightness of snacks and increased the greenness tint significantly. A sensory evaluation showed good acceptability of snacks enriched with up to 15% of dragonhead dried leaves. Dried leaves of the Moldavian dragonhead seem to be a prospective functional additive for extruded crisps with a high nutritional value, especially because of dietary fibre and rosmarinic acid content, a strong antioxidant potential and acceptable sensory properties.

Generalized logistic functions in modelling emergence of Brassica napus L.

The objective of this study was to determine whether generalized logistic functions (Richards model with time shift) may be used to predict emergence of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) after its seed treatment with plant extracts from Taraxacum officinale roots under controlled environment conditions. Emergence analyses were conducted for winter rape whose seeds were treated with a plant extract and for the non-treated seeds sown to the soil at the site of earlier point application of the extract. Curves were plotted for experimental data by minimizing the square sum of differences between the experimental data and the mathematical model. To evaluate model fit, the mean squared error was divided into four factors. Computing modelling efficiency coefficients were also introduced to enable complete analysis. Results of simulation research demonstrate that the determined parameters of curves (e.g. values of growth parameters, time shift or the upper limit of population) describing the number of seedlings in the function of time stayed compliant to the interpretation with regard to the biology of the analyzed processes. The proposed mathematical description based on generalized logistic functions showed extraordinary fit (r = 0.999) to the experimental data, which makes it highly useful in predictive control of rapeseed emergence. In addition, the study enabled concluding that plant extracts application to the soil allowed achieving a higher maximal emergence rate compared to the control sample. The application of the plant extracts increased the final population of rapeseed and significantly accelerated the occurrence of the maximal emergence rate.

Use of Straw as Energy Source in View of Organic Matter Balance in Family Farms

The paper presents possibilities of using straw as an energy source with reference to the organic matter balance. We carried out the survey in 30 family farms by means of calculation of the amount of the produced straw and its management trends. We determined that 7 farms were selling all produced straw for energy purposes and in the remaining ones, straw was used in animal production or ploughing up. In farms, which were selling straw for energy purposes, a negative organic matter balance was reported. Ploughing up of straw would allow obtaining a positive value of the OMB [Organic Matter Balance] in 5 out of 7 farms. The calculations enabled us to state that designation of straw for energy purposes in farms, which use it in agricultural production or ploughing up, would cause reduction of organic matter balance to negative values in majority of these farms. Therefore, straw may be designated for energy purposes only in these farms, where the organic matter balance (without straw) is at a satisfactory level or after—crops designed for ploughing up are cultivated. Statistical analysis proved that despite an additional income from selling straw, both the final production and standard gross margin do not differ significantly from those obtained in farms which use straw in agricultural production.

Foliar Application of Biostimulants and the Antioxidant Properties of Soybean Seeds

The study was carried out in 2014 2016 in Perespa, Poland. Soybean seeds Mavka cultivar were sown in the third decade of April. During the growing season four biostimulants: Kelpak SL (Eclonia maxima extract), Terra Sorb Complex (free amino acids), Atonik (phenolic compounds) and Tytanit (titanium) were used in four combinations each other, using lower or higher concentrations and single or double foliar spraying. All the results were compared to control (no biostimulant applied). After harvesting the plants, the antiradical activity of the seeds against ABTS •+cation radical was evaluated. Biostimulators enhance the yield quality without affecting the environment, thus they are recommended for use in sustainable agriculture. It was determined that the foliar application of Terra Sorb Complex had the most favorable influence on the studied property.

Changes in the Use of It Technologies by Students of Agricultural Faculties

Abstract Research on the selected population of students with a standardized questionnaire method concerning the use of IT technologies has been carried out since 2008/09. Results for the data from the first and the last year of research (2009 and 2016) for agricultural students were compared. It was reported that students use IT technologies in the process of learning. Majority of students − 94% (2009) and 98% (2016) positively assessed the usefulness of these technologies in the learning process. The Internet was used mainly for communication (respectively in the investigated years 82.5% and 99.1%). Usefulness of the Internet in the process of studying was marked very high - in 2009 it was 51% positive answers and in 2016 − 77%.