Origin and production of silver in early medieval Poland

Modern archaeology makes use of analytical methods in order to answer questions about deposit and technological provenience of artefacts. This paper discusses selected and the most interesting, results obtained during the completion of a research project which focuses on silver from the 10th and 11th centuries in Poland. In total, 200 silver artefacts known from Polish hoards (found in Kalisz-Dobrzec, Nowa Obra, Wolsztyn District, Zalesie, Olsztyn District, Słuszków and Jastrzębniki, Kalisz District, Kalisz-Rajsków and Stojkowo, Kołobrzeg District and Naruszewo, Płońsk District) were studied. A micro-invasion LA-ICP-MS (Laser Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) was used for determinining lead isotope ratios in silver. The data obtained were evaluated using statistical methods which allowed reliable isotopic ratios in inhomogeneous alloy to be obtained. In order to study the provenance of silver, the obtained lead isotope ratios in the artefacts were compared with those of silver deposits. The use of SEM-EDX allowed the tracing of morphological changes and the measurement of quantitative elemental composition of coins, raw silver and jewellery according to technological traits

Root system architecture in winter varieties of spelt (Triticumspelta L.)

The objective of the study was determination of the variability of morphometry and comparison of the morphological structure of the root system in winter cultivars of spelt. Four spelt cultivars were used in the study: Frankencorn, Oberkulmer Rotkorn, Schwabenkorn and Ostro. The material for the study originated from a field experiment. The roots were collected using the soil core method to the depth of 30 cm, from the rows and inter-rows, then the roots were separated using a semi-automatic hydropneumatic scrubber. The cleaned roots were manually separated and scanned, obtaining their digital images. Image analysis was performed using the Aphelion computer software. In order to characterize the root system of the spelt cultivars included in the study, values of the following indexes were determined: root dry mass (RDM), root length density (RLD), specific root length (SRL), mean root diameter (MD). Based on the obtained results it was determined that the RDM, MD and RLD indexes in all spelt cultivars attain the highest values in the row, at the depth 0–5 cm.The highest value of the RDM and MD indexes characterized the root system of the Ostro cultivar at the depth 0–5 cm. The Oberkulmerrotkorn spelt cultivar was distinguished among the tested objects by the highest value of the SRL index

Root system architecture in winter varieties of spelt (

The objective of the study was determination of the variability of morphometry and comparison of the morphological structure of the root system in winter cultivars of spelt. Four spelt cultivars were used in the study: Frankencorn, Oberkulmer Rotkorn, Schwabenkorn and Ostro. The material for the study originated from a field experiment. The roots were collected using the soil core method to the depth of 30 cm, from the rows and inter-rows, then the roots were separated using a semi-automatic hydropneumatic scrubber. The cleaned roots were manually separated and scanned, obtaining their digital images. Image analysis was performed using the Aphelion computer software. In order to characterize the root system of the spelt cultivars included in the study, values of the following indexes were determined: root dry mass (RDM), root length density (RLD), specific root length (SRL), mean root diameter (MD). Based on the obtained results it was determined that the RDM, MD and RLD indexes in all spelt cultivars attain the highest values in the row, at the depth 0–5 cm.The highest value of the RDM and MD indexes characterized the root system of the Ostro cultivar at the depth 0–5 cm. The Oberkulmerrotkorn spelt cultivar was distinguished among the tested objects by the highest value of the SRL index

Influence of fineness level and applied agglomeration pressure of peppermint herb (Mentha piperita L.) on the mechanical properties of the obtained product

The objective of the conducted study was to evaluate the impact of the pressure agglomeration process of peppermint herb on the mechanical properties of the obtained product. The separated fractions of peppermint with 0.5-2.5 and 2.5-5 mm particles were compacted using a hydraulic press Fritz Heckert EU 20, with pressure 50, 100, 150 and 200 MPa. A closed matrix with the compression chamber diameter of 15.6 mm was used. Every time, a 2-g herb sample (corresponding to the weight of tea used for the production of tea bags) was poured into the matrix. Thus, compacted herb in the form of a straight cylinder was obtained. When producing the agglomerate compaction work was determined. Strength tests of the obtained agglomerate were conducted using the MTS Insight 2 testing machine. The density of the produced agglomerate, its compaction level and strength in the Brazilian test was calculated. The obtained results indicate that the values of the tested parameters increase with the increase of pressure in the tested range, yet differences occur between the tested herb fractions. Typically, the agglomerate produced from 0.5-2.5 mm fraction is characterized by a greater density, and the higher level of agglomerate compaction is obtained using 2.5-5 mm herb fraction. The highest strength determined using Brazilian test was determined for agglomerate produced from 0.5-5 mm peppermint herb fraction at 200 MPa pressure and 0.5-2.5 mm fraction using 150 and 200 MPa pressure

Influence of fineness level and applied agglomeration pressure of peppermint herb (

The objective of the conducted study was to evaluate the impact of the pressure agglomeration process of peppermint herb on the mechanical properties of the obtained product. The separated fractions of peppermint with 0.5-2.5 and 2.5-5 mm particles were compacted using a hydraulic press Fritz Heckert EU 20, with pressure 50, 100, 150 and 200 MPa. A closed matrix with the compression chamber diameter of 15.6 mm was used. Every time, a 2-g herb sample (corresponding to the weight of tea used for the production of tea bags) was poured into the matrix. Thus, compacted herb in the form of a straight cylinder was obtained. When producing the agglomerate compaction work was determined. Strength tests of the obtained agglomerate were conducted using the MTS Insight 2 testing machine. The density of the produced agglomerate, its compaction level and strength in the Brazilian test was calculated. The obtained results indicate that the values of the tested parameters increase with the increase of pressure in the tested range, yet differences occur between the tested herb fractions. Typically, the agglomerate produced from 0.5-2.5 mm fraction is characterized by a greater density, and the higher level of agglomerate compaction is obtained using 2.5-5 mm herb fraction. The highest strength determined using Brazilian test was determined for agglomerate produced from 0.5-5 mm peppermint herb fraction at 200 MPa pressure and 0.5-2.5 mm fraction using 150 and 200 MPa pressure

Biochar and Its Effects on Plant–Soil Macronutrient Cycling during a Three-Year Field Trial on Sandy Soil with Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). Part I: Yield and Macro Element Content in Soil and Plant Biomass

Pyrolyzed organic residues can be incorporated as a soil additive to improve their properties, crop productivity, or to increase retention or absorption of different compounds. However, in agronomy, the practice of biochar application is still under examination. The interactions between plant, soil, and biochar can be complex, and determines the agronomic effects obtained. A three-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of biochar addition and nitrogen (N) fertilization on biomass productivity and nutrient uptake of Mentha piperita L. The experiment was conducted with a three-factorial design in triplicate at N fertilizer rates of 75, 100, and 125 kg N ha−1 and biochar rates of 0, 5, 15, and 45 t ha−1. Commercial wood-based biochar produced at 650 °C was incorporated into sandy soil in 2017. Generally, our results demonstrated potential for treating a sandy soil, since biochar improved the nutrient availability for peppermint. However, on average, during a three-year mint-yielding period, no significant effect of the applied dose of biochar on this parameter was found. Significantly more soluble Ca, K, and SO4-S was found in the soil amended with biochar as compared with the control soil. Biochar, in doses of 15 and 45 t ha−1, increased the NH4-N concentration in the soil in the second and third year of the study, as well as NO3-N in 2018. The greatest amount of N and P was contained in the peppermint biomass after using 15 and 45 t biochar ha−1. The highest dose of biochar (45 t ha−1) also increased the contents of K and S in plants. Nitrogen fertilization increased the dry matter yield of peppermint on the harvest sampling dates. The N content in the mint increased proportionally to the nitrogen dose in fertilization, regardless of the biochar dose applied. The use of biochar in doses of 15 and 45 t ha−1 in coarse-textured soil contributed to increased use of nitrogen by plants after nitrogen fertilization at doses of 100 and 125 kg N ha−1. These findings suggest that the time-dependent responses of soil to biochar amendment are strongly influenced by plant, microbial, and soil feedback; if so, then practical long-term biochar effectiveness requires further study