Effect of petroleum-derived substances on life history traits of bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) and on the growth and chemical composition of winter wheat

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of various petroleum-derived substances (PDSs), namely petrol, diesel fuel, and spent engine oil, on life history traits of the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L., and on the growth and chemical composition of its host plant—winter wheat Triticum aestivum L. Each substance was tested separately, using two concentrations (9 and 18 g kg−1). Plants were cultivated in both control and contaminated soils. In early October 2013, soil was contaminated and after 1 week, winter wheat seeds, ‘Batuta’ cultivar, were sown. In early June 2014, observations of the effect of petroleum-derived substances on traits of three successive generations of aphids were conducted. Aphids were inoculated separately on leaves using cylindrical cages hermetically closed on both sides. Contamination of aphid occurred through its host plant. Results showed that all of the applied petroleum-derived substances have a generally adverse effect on the developmental parameters in aphids, resulting in the decrease of its fecundity, shortening its average life span, and most often lowering of the population intrinsic growth rate. PDSs caused the limitation of growth in wheat plants; whereas, changes in nutrient contents and heavy metals depended on the part of the plant analysed, the substance applied, and on its dose. The negative relationships between the contents of both some macro-elements (Ca, K, P) and heavy metals (Mn, Cd, Cu, and Zn) and the developmental parameters of particular generations of R. padi were observed. The high susceptibility of R. padi to the presence of PDSs in the substrate for the host plant should be emphasised—the clear-cut changes in the life span and fecundity, with relatively small changes in the chemical composition of the plant, constitute an evident indication that the developmental parameters of aphids have the potential for the use as bio-indicator to evaluate the state of the environment contaminated by PDSs

Possibilities of agritourism development in the Krakow county

Agritourism, as an off-farm activity brings numerous advantages for the rural area, agriculture, but also for the farmers. Rural tourism and agritourism have been increasingly more often offered as a product not only in the local and national scale but also on international markets. In Poland it is particularly apparent in the north and south-western regions. Each region stands out among the other by its natural values, historical monuments, regional cuisine or local customs, which favour agritourism development. Krakow county is diversified as to its geography and therefore its natural characteristics. The county occupies the area of 1231 km2, which makes up 8% of the Malopolska Province area. It is composed of 17 communes (gminas) including 5 urban and rural communes (Krzeszowice, Skała, Skawina, Słomniki, Świątniki Gorne) and 12 rural communes: (Czernichow, Igołomia-Wawrzeńczyce, Iwanowice, Jerzmanowice-Przeginia, Kocmyrzow-Luborzyca, Liszki, Michałowice, Mogilany, Sułoszowa, Wielka Wieś, Zabierzow, Zielonki). Conducted analysis demonstrated that Krakow county (poviat) is an attractive region in many respects. The Ojcow National Park, situated in its area is under the highest form of environmental protection. Not only rare plant and animal species are strictly protected in the Park, but also unusual rock formations, bearing their own names e.g. Deotyma’s Needle, Hercules Club or Krakow Gate. There are numerous caves, e.g. King Lokietek Cave or Dark Cave and historical monuments, e.g. a castle in Pieskowa Skała, or a Chapel on the Water. The Park area covers the following communes: Skała, Sułoszowa, Jerzmanowice-Przeginia and Wielka Wieś. There are 12 nature reserves in the county area. The biggest nature reserve is situated in the Krzeszowice commune. The landscape parks situated in the county area, such as Bielińsko- Tyniecki, Tenczyński and Rodniański Parks, Krakow Valleys Landscape Park and Dłubniański Park form a Complex of Jura Landscape Parks. Numerous nature monuments (479) may be encountered here as well as historical monuments dated from various historical periods (43 historical churches and 56 manor house complexes). The greatest number of nature monuments is situated in the communes of Zabierzow, Skawina and Krzeszowice. Considering the nature and landscape conditions, the best conditions for tourism development are in the counties of Skała, Czernichow, Zabierzow and Krzeszowice

The Effects of Water Extracts from Tansy on Pea Leaf Weevil and Black Bean Aphid

The purpose of the research conducted was to define the impact of the various aqueous extract concentrations, prepared from the dried (in concentrations 2%, 5% and 10%) and fresh (in concentrations 10%, 20% and 30%) tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) mass, on the feeding of pea leaf weevil (Sitona lineatus L.), and the mortality rate of black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.). The studies showed that in order to limit the feeding of pea leaf weevils considerably, it is necessary to use at least 5% extract of the dried tansy mass or 20% extract of the fresh tansy mass. The impeding effect on the feeding of pea leaf weevils was correlated positively with the extract concentration. The insecticide effect of the aqueous extract of tansy on black bean aphid was revealed not earlier than after 12 hours with the use of at least 20% extract of the fresh tansy mass and 5% extract of the dried mass (only in relation to aphid larvae). Nevertheless, the extracts of lower concentration also demonstrated the insecticide effectiveness although delayed (36–60 hours after the application). As compared to other studies conducted according to the same methodology, it was demonstrated that the tansy aqueous extracts are characteristic for a high deterrent activity in relation to the pea leaf weevil beetles (higher than the extracts of absinthe and similar to the extracts of pepper mint and sage) and a quite high aphicidal activity (higher effectiveness than in the case of the aqueous extracts of lemon balm but lower than the extracts of tarragon and absinthe)

Effect of Seed Dressing and Soil Chemical Properties on Communities of Microorganisms Associated with Pre-Emergence Damping-Off of Broad Bean Seedlings

Combating soil pathogens that disable plant emergence is among the most difficult challenges of global agriculture. Legumes, preferred in sustainable cultivation systems, are particularly sensitive to pre-emergence damping-off of seedlings. Seed dressing is therefore a very important element in the cultivation technology. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of biological (Pythium oligandrum) and chemical (carboxin + thiuram) seed dressing on the quantitative and qualitative composition of microorganisms participating in the epidemiology of this disease, under specific hydrothermal conditions and chemical properties of the soil (pH, humus, macro-, and micronutrient). Microorganism identification was done using the MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) technique. Species were assigned to frequency groups, and populations of pathogens, saprophytes, and antagonists were identified. The biodiversity of these communities was expressed with Simpson’s Reciprocal, Shannon–Wiener, and Evenness (Shannon) indices. In individual variants of seed pre-treatment, the correlations between individual edaphic factors and the suppression of pre-emergence damping-off, the number of isolates obtained from infected seedlings, and the share of individual trophic groups of fungi were assessed. The main causes of pre-emergence damping-off of broad bean seedlings are Ilyonectria destructans, Globisporangium irregulare, Fusarium equiseti, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium solani. Eliminating seed treatment results in a seedling mortality rate of 33.5–42.5%. The effectiveness of the chemical protection product is 44.2% and 25.9%. Carboxin and thiuram reduce the diversity of microorganisms involved in the pathogenesis of pre-emergence damping-off and limit the presence of antagonistic fungi. Under the influence of P. oligandrum, there was a five-fold increase in the population of antagonists. An increase in humus in the soil reduces the percentage of diseased broad bean seedlings

Influence of COD in Toxic Industrial Wastewater from a Chemical Concern on Nitrification Efficiency

COD is an arbitrary indicator of the content of organic and inorganic compounds in wastewater. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of COD of industrial wastewater on the nitrification process. This research covered wastewater from acrylonitrile and styrene–butadiene rubbers, emulsifiers, polyvinyl acetate, styrene, solvents (butyl acetate, ethyl acetate) and owipian® (self-extinguishing polystyrene intended for expansion) production. The volume of the analyzed wastewater reflected the active sludge load in the real biological treatment system. This research was carried out by the method of short-term tests. The nitrification process was inhibited to the greatest extent by wastewater from the production of acrylonitrile (approx. 51%) and styrene–butadiene (approx. 60%) rubbers. In these wastewaters, nitrification inhibition occurred due to the high COD load and the presence of inhibitors. Four-fold dilution of the samples resulted in a two-fold reduction in the inhibition of nitrification. On the other hand, in the wastewater from the production of emulsifiers and polyvinyl acetate, a two-fold reduction in COD (to the values of 226.4 mgO2·dm−3 and 329.8 mgO2·dm−3, respectively) resulted in a significant decrease in nitrification inhibition. Wastewater from the production of styrene, solvents (butyl acetate, ethyl acetate) and owipian® inhibited nitrification under the influence of strong inhibitors. Lowering the COD value of these wastewaters did not significantly reduce the inhibition of nitrification

Toxic Effect of Ammonium Nitrogen on the Nitrification Process and Acclimatisation of Nitrifying Bacteria to High Concentrations of NH4-N in Wastewater

The aim of the conducted research was to assess the effectiveness of the nitrification process, at different concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, in biologically treated wastewater in one of the largest municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants in Poland. The studies also attempted to acclimate nitrifying bacteria to the limited concentration of ammonium nitrogen and determined the efficiency of nitrification under the influence of acclimated activated sludge in the biological wastewater treatment system. The obtained results indicate that the concentration of ammonium nitrogen above 60.00 mg·dm−3 inhibits nitrification, even after increasing the biomass of nitrifiers. The increase in the efficiency of the nitrification process in the tested system can be obtained by using the activated sludge inoculated with nitrifiers. For this purpose, nitrifiers should be preacclimated, at least for a period of time, allowing them to colonize the activated sludge. The acclimated activated sludge allows reducing the amount of ammonium nitrogen in treated sewage by approx. 35.0%. The process of stable nitrification in the biological treatment system was observed nine days after introducing the acclimated activated sludge into the aeration chamber

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Activated Sludge Process in the Elimination Both ATB-Resistant and ATB-Susceptible E. coli Strains

Water reuse is now becoming a global necessity. However, one of the drawbacks in releasing wastewater into the environment is some persistent pollutants that are not completely removed in wastewater treatment plant. Residual bacteria and antibiotics in the inflowing wastewater can contribute to the antibiotic resistance spread in the aquatic environment. This study determined the effectiveness of activated sludge process for fecal coliform bacteria elimination, and also the Escherichia coli resistance to antimicrobial agents as erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and metronidazole in treated wastewater. The research was carried out using the membrane filtration technique, and the susceptibility of isolates to antimicrobial agents was tested by the disc diffusion method. The concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli differed significantly depending on the seasonal period in which it was carried out. Despite up to 99% reduction in the number of sanitary indicators in biologically treated wastewater, 89% of E. coli isolates resistant to the tested antibiotics was found, while 100% of the isolates were susceptible to metronidazole. Most of the isolates showed resistance to trimethoprim, and the fewest isolates were resistant to ofloxacin, indicating that some strains may react differently to antibiotics