Multivariate analysis of mineral constituents of edible Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and soils beneath fruiting bodies collected from Northern Poland

Caps and stipes of 141 fruiting bodies of Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and surface layer of soils collected from 11 spatially distant and background (pristine) areas in Northern Poland were analyzed for Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, and Zn by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. In terms of bioconcentration and bioexclusion concept, K, Ag, Cu, Rb, and P were highly bioconcentrated in caps, and their bioconcentration factor values varied for the 11 sites between 120 and 500—67–420, 70–220, 10–170, and 45–100, respectively. Cd, Zn, Mg, and Na showed bioconcentration factors (BCFs) between 3.3 and 36, 3.7–15, 0.92–6.3, and 1.4–44 while Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Sr were excluded (BCF < 1). The Parasol Mushroom is a species harvested in the wild, and its caps are of unique taste and can contain a spectrum of essential and hazardous mineral compounds accumulated at elevated concentrations, even if collected at the background (pristine) areas. These elevated mineral concentrations of the caps are due to the efficient bioconcentration potential of the species (K, Ag, Cu, Rb, P, Cd, Zn, Mg, and Na) and abundance in the soil substrates (Al, Ca, Fe, Mn). The estimated intake rates of Cd, Hg, and Pb contained in Parasol Mushroom’s caps show a cause for concern associated with these metals resulting from the consumption of between 300- and 500-g caps daily, on a frequent basis in the mushrooming season

Przydatność węgla brunatnego z kopalń Turów i Konin jako ściółki w uprawie hydroponicznej [Utility of brown coal from Turów and Konin mines as the seedbed in hydroponic cultures]

In experiments with 5 vegetables and 5 decorative species – coal from both mines proved to be appropriate as the seedbed. Both types of coal stimulated root growth and maintained iron in soluble form. In general, better and earlier crops were obtained in hydroponic cultures than in pots filled either with soil or with coal watered with nutrient solution

Wpływ niektórych detergentów i humianu oraz rodzaju ściółek na plon pomidorów w uprawie hydroponicznej [Effects of some detergents, humate and composition of the seedbed on the crop of tomato plants in hydroponics]

It has been found that in the initial stage, single doses of detergents have distinctly stimulated the vegetative development of plants when humates are available. When detergents were applied every four weeks in the hydroponic culture in which the seedbed does not contain active humates, the crop decreases by 50%. This negative effect does not appear when the seedbed is a mixture of brown coal with peat

Przydatność węgla brunatnego z kopalń Turów i Konin jako ściółki w uprawie hydroponicznej [Utility of brown coal from Turów and Konin mines as the seedbed in hydroponic cultures]

In experiments with 5 vegetables and 5 decorative species – coal from both mines proved to be appropriate as the seedbed. Both types of coal stimulated root growth and maintained iron in soluble form. In general, better and earlier crops were obtained in hydroponic cultures than in pots filled either with soil or with coal watered with nutrient solution

Wpływ humianu sodowego z węgla brunatnego na rozwój roślin [Effect of sodium humate from lignite on plants grown under various culture conditions]

The effect of humate on the uptake of Fe-ions has already been proved. In the present paper other advantages of humate are indicated. If plants are grown in optimum conditions humate has no effect. In more concentrated solutions humate acts as a preventive factor and provides for more economical use of the solution (yield increase 40%). When high doses of P and Cu are used, humate weakens their harmful effect on plants; with pH too low or too high, it acts protectively. Humate was tested also in the transplantation of vegetatively propagated young orchid plants from sterile conditions into a natural medium; in that case it also showed a protective effect