Wybrane aspekty chemicznej ochrony upraw rolnych w północno-wschodniej Polsce

In the years 2008-2010, 64 samples of plant material derived from farms in the north-eastern Poland were tested towards proper application of plant protection products (PPP) and food safety. It was found that 28% of pesticide treatments were carried out against recommendations of pesticide producers. The average consumption of pesticides, calculated in kg of active substance·ha-1, ranged from 0.12-2.57. The costs of conducted treatments based on the prices of PPPs ranged from 67-574 PLN·ha-1. Cultivation of winter rape was characterized by the highest level of pesticide use and the highest price of treatments. In the tested samples no risk of pesticide residues to human and animal health was found.W latach 2008-2010 przebadano, pod względem poprawności aplikacji środków ochrony roślin (ś.o.r.) i bezpieczeństwa żywności, 64 próbki materiału roślinnego, pochodzącego z gospodarstw rolnych północno-wschodniej Polski. Stwierdzono, że 28% chemicznych zabiegów ochronnych wykonano niezgodnie z zaleceniami producentów ś.o.r. Średnie zużycie preparatów, liczone w kg substancji aktywnej na ha, wahało się w granicach 0,12-2,57. Koszty przeprowadzonych zabiegów oszacowane na podstawie aktualnych cen ś.o.r. mieściły się w przedziale 67-574 zł·ha-1. Uprawa rzepaku ozimego charakteryzowała się najwyższym poziomem wykorzystania ś.o.r. i najwyższą ceną zabiegów ochronnych. W przebadanych próbkach nie stwierdzono zagrożenia pozostałościami ś.o.r. dla zdrowia ludzi i zwierząt

Comparison of the effects of water and thermal processing on pesticide removal in selected fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are a valuable and essential component of a human diet. Unfortunately, the widespread and increasingly popular use of pesticides has largely magnified quantities of pesticide residues in these plant products. Among the best methods for removal of these contaminants from food of plant origin are food processing technologies, which affect the levels of pesticide residues to various degrees. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different water and thermal processing treatments on pesticide residue concentrations in selected fruit and vegetables obtained from controlled field and tunnel trials. Black currants, broccoli, strawberries and tomatoes sprayed with plant protection products were analyzed. Washing by immersion in chlorine and in ozonated water as well as boiling were used to assess the removal of eleven pesticides in blackcurrants, broccoli, strawberries and tomatoes. Processing factors, which were determined for each combination of a pesticide, commodity and processing method, ranged between 0.03 and 1.66. Washing in ozonated water was more effective than washing in chlorinated water. However, high temperature at boiling caused a significant decrease in the concentration of most compounds (up to 97%), although there were some exceptions. The thermal treatment proved to be the most effective technological process removing pesticide residues from different commodities. The water and thermal processing technologgies tested in this experiment are promising methods for fast and simple removal of pesticide residues from broccoli, black currants, strawberries, tomatoes and possibly other commodities

Vermikom feed additive effects on dairy cows' blood and milk parameters

Background and Aim: Dairy cattle breeding plays a significant role in providing the population with high-quality, reasonably priced goods. The development of this industry and its effectiveness depends on the proper use of available feed products. Feed additives (FAs), as a rule, should compensate for missing elements in the diet. This study aimed to determine the effect of the FA Vermikom on blood parameters, as well as milk physicochemical and mineral composition and yield in lactating dairy cows. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 Holstein cows, with an average weight of 650±5 kg, were randomly divided into three groups of 10. Over a period of 5 months, each group was fed one of three diets: Mixed main diet without supplements (control), main diet supplemented with 2% Vermikom, and main diet supplemented with 4% Vermikom. Results: Hematological parameters, productivity, and physicochemical and mineral composition of milk from animals provided the FA Vermikom were higher than those of the control group. In the Vermikom groups, the hemoglobin content was higher by 5.75%, calcium by an average of 10.8%, and total protein by 2.5%. The average daily milk yield was also higher by 8.4% than the control group. Regarding the mineral composition of the milk, the content of calcium, phosphorus, and iron exceeded that of the control on average by 2.9%, 3.4%, and 14.8%, respectively. Conclusion: We propose introducing 4% Vermikom into the diet of dairy cows based on the study results. Future research will expand our knowledge regarding cows' needs for all recommended nutrients, thereby improving animal productivity and milk quality. The results obtained contribute to further expanding the food base of animal husbandry in the Republic of Kazakhstan.</jats:p

Occurrence of pesticide residues in fruit from Podlasie (Poland) in 2012

Extensive use of pesticides in agriculture can lead to contamination of fruit harvests and an increased risk of toxic effects on humans. A total of 123 fruit samples harvested in 2012 in the north-eastern region of Poland were analysed for pesticide residues as part of the national monitoring programme, and as part of research commissioned by private customers. Pesticide residues were found in 64.2% of the samples. There were pesticide residues below the maximum residue level (MRL) in 63 (51.2%) of the samples, while 16 (13%) exceeded MRLs set by Regulation (EC) 396/2005. The gooseberry, currant, and strawberry samples showed the most contamination. The most frequently detected pesticides were dithiocarbamates (54) followed by difenoconazole (22), boscalid (17), and alpha-cypermethrin (15). More than half of analysed samples had multiple residues (up to 8 residues), with multiple residues most common in gooseberry and currant samples. This study shows cases of non-authorised pesticide use by farmers who are trying to protect certain fruit

Determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere over central Siberian forest and southern part of European Taiga in Russia

Our knowledge about emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from Siberian forest and southern European taiga is still insufficient. Thus, in the frames of Terrestrial Carbon Observation System project we have performed a series of measurements during summer 2004. The aim of our research was to understand biogenic fluxes, vertical exchange, and atmospheric transport of VOCs. In this paper we have described the measurement of the atmospheric mixing ratio of different VOCs above the forest canopy and at different altitudes in Fyodorovskoje (southern part of European taiga, 400 km from Moscow) and near Zotino (central Siberia, 700 km to the north of Krasnoyarsk). In both probing sites, isoprene and alpha-pinene were the main components measured above the forest canopy. In Fyodorovskoje and Zotino, the most abundant monoterpenes found at higher altitudes (> 300 m above sea level) were alpha-pinene and p-cymene, respectively. Concentration of isoprene in both probing sites was about 1 ppb. In determinations of VOCs, GC-MS and GC-FID with thermal desorption were utilised. These belong to the most widespread method for analysis of VOCs. The data obtained in these studies will be used for modeling atmospheric distribution of VOC species over central Siberian forest and the southern part of European taiga. [References: 22