Yield and some quality traits of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain as influenced by the application of different rates of nitrogen

A field study was conducted in the period 2004–2007 at the Czesławice Experimental Farm, belonging to the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, on loess-derived grey brown podzolic soil (good wheat soil complex). This study determined the effect of two levels of nitrogen fertilization on yield and the basic quality traits of grain of the winter wheat cultivar ‘Muza’. The study results show the dependence of the grain quality characters mainly on variable weather conditions throughout the study period and to a lesser extent on the level of nitrogen fertilization. Good technological parameters were obtained in the seasons with low rainfall and high air temperature. The study also demonstrated that the higher rate of nitrogen tended to have a positive effect on total protein and wet gluten content, falling number, sedimentation value, and grain test weight. In spite of the lack of significant differences, the quality of gluten was found to decrease with the increasing rate of nitrogen

The effect of herbicides on Chenopodium album L. phenology in fodder beet, spring wheat and faba bean crops

The objective of the study was to determine the time of occurrence of the emergence, budding, fruiting and seed shedding stages, as well as the degree of advancement of the white goosefoot fruiting and diaspores shedding stages in fodder beet, spring wheat and faba bean crops under mechanical and chemical weed control. Phenological observations were conducted in the years 2000-2002 at 10-day intervals, starting from the day of crop sowing on alluvial soil made of light loam. Chemically weed controlled objects were treated with herbicides: fodder beet - lenacil 80%; spring wheat - MCPA 30% + dicamba 4%; faba bean - linuron 50%. It was proven that the times of occurrence and the scale of the studied phenological stages of white goosefoot depended on the crop species, the in-crop weed control method and the pattern of weather conditions in the study years. White goosefoot had the most favourable conditions of growth in the fodder beet crop. The herbicides in the fodder beet and faba bean crops delayed the emergence and the time of occurrence of successive white goosefoot growth stages. These agents also decreased the degree of diaspores shedding by the weed species studied. The most white goosefoot specimens shed fruits on the mechanically weed controlled plots. The diaspores dissemination was promoted by a warm and moist growing season

Weed infestations of winter wheat depend on the forecrop and the tillage system

In-crop weed infestation is affected by both habitat conditions and agronomic practices, including the forecrop and tillage treatments used. This study evaluated the effect of the forecrop and the tillage system on species composition, number and dry weight of weeds in a winter wheat ‘Astoria’. A field study was carried out over the period 2014–2017 at the Uhrusk Experimental Farm (SE Poland), on a mixed rendzina soil with a grain-size distribution of sandy loam. Wheat was grown in a four-course crop rotation: soybean – winter wheat – rapeseed – winter wheat. The experimental factors were as follows: a forecrop of winter wheat (soybean and winter rapeseed) and a tillage system (ploughing and no-tillage). Avena fatua was the most frequently occurring weed in the wheat crop sown after soybean, whereas after winter rapeseed it was Viola arvensis. Viola arvensis was the dominant weed under both tillage systems. In all experimental treatments, the species Viola arvensis and Cirsium arvense were characterized by the highest constancy (Constancy Class V and IV), and also Veronica arvensis after the previous winter rapeseed crop. In the wheat crop sown after winter rapeseed, the number of weeds was found to be higher by 62.1% and the weed dry weight higher by 27.3% compared to these parameters after the previous soybean crop. A richer floristic composition of weeds was also observed in the stand after winter rapeseed. Under conventional tillage conditions, compared to no-tillage, the number of weeds was found to be lower by 39.7% and their dry weight by 50.0%. An increase in the numbers of the dominant weed species was also noted in the untilled plots

Diversity of weed communities in soybean [Glycine max (L.)] crop growing under direct sowing depending on cover crops and different herbicide doses

Despite being harmful for agricultural production, weeds are an essential component of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. A field study was conducted during the period 2007–2009 on grey-brown podzolic soil (sandy), designated as PWsp, with the granulometric composition of silt and classified Class 2 in agricultural land suitability. The study evaluated the structure of weed communities based on selected indicators of diversity of a soybean crop grown under no-tillage with mulch from winter rye, winter oilseed rape, and white mustard as well as using herbicide rates reduced by 25% and 50% in relation to the standard rate (2 L ha−1). The studied factors were as follows: (i) mulch plant species and mulch management method; (ii) rates of the foliar herbicide Basagran 600 SL (a.i. bentazon; 600 g L−1). The results of this study confirm that no-tillage with mulch significantly changes the diversity of weed flora in a soybean crop. Among the mulches used, the mowed rye and winter oilseed rape in particular increased the values of the general diversity (H'), species richness (d), and evenness (J') indices relative to the control treatment. On the other hand, the study found a strong decrease in the value of the dominance index (c). Reduced herbicide rates modified only the species richness index, in the case of which the 75% rate resulted in its significantly higher values compared to the full rate

Pregorexia – anorexia of pregnant women

Eating disorders represent a serious and complex health and social problem which is encountered by many medical professionals in their practice, including by family doctors. An increasing number of individuals are affected by these disorders. The media, which promote slim figure as fashionable or perfect, are a contributing factor. Pregnant women are a group which is especially vulnerable to eating disorders. Their bodies are subject to dynamic changes; as a result, these are often far from the widely promoted ideal. Malnutrition in women planning to conceive a child and in pregnant women is a risk factor for abnormal course of pregnancy and poor health status of the newborn child. Therefore, it is important for women who are planning pregnancy to change their lifestyle and follow the rules of appropriate, balanced diet. The aim of the paper was to review the available publications on pregorexia, i.e. an eating disorder which involves self-starvation and/or inducing vomiting during pregnancy. The article presents the current recommendations concerning body mass of a woman during pregnancy and the consequences of pregorexia for the mother and the unborn child as well as discussing the role of medical professionals regarding this non-specific eating disorder. Based on the available sources it may be concluded that there is a need for wider education concerning diet and physical activity provided by medical professionals to higher-risk groups. Early intervention by an interdisciplinary therapeutic team contributes to better treatment results with appropriate health education being of key importance

Diversity of weed communities in soybean [Glycine max (L.)] crop growing under direct sowing depending on cover crops and different herbicide doses

Despite being harmful for agricultural production, weeds are an essential component of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. A field study was conducted during the period 2007–2009 on grey-brown podzolic soil (sandy), designated as PWsp, with the granulometric composition of silt and classified Class 2 in agricultural land suitability. The study evaluated the structure of weed communities based on selected indicators of diversity of a soybean crop grown under no-tillage with mulch from winter rye, winter oilseed rape, and white mustard as well as using herbicide rates reduced by 25% and 50% in relation to the standard rate (2 L ha−1). The studied factors were as follows: (i) mulch plant species and mulch management method; (ii) rates of the foliar herbicide Basagran 600 SL (a.i. bentazon; 600 g L−1). The results of this study confirm that no-tillage with mulch significantly changes the diversity of weed flora in a soybean crop. Among the mulches used, the mowed rye and winter oilseed rape in particular increased the values of the general diversity (H'), species richness (d), and evenness (J') indices relative to the control treatment. On the other hand, the study found a strong decrease in the value of the dominance index (c). Reduced herbicide rates modified only the species richness index, in the case of which the 75% rate resulted in its significantly higher values compared to the full rate

The effect of reduced rates of crop protection agents and adjuvants on productivity, weed infestation and health of spring barley (Hordeum sativum L.)

A field experiment on the cultivation of spring barley was carried out in the period 2009–2011 at the Experimental Farm in Czesławice (central Lublin region) on grey-brown podzolic soil derived from loess (soil quality class II). The study included 3 rates of herbicides, growth retardant and fungicides (100%, 75% and 50%) as well as different types of adjuvant (oil, surface-active, mineral). Plots without adjuvant were the control treatment. A hypothesis was made that the reduction in rates of crop protection agents by 25–50%, with the simultaneous addition of adjuvants, would allow spring barley productivity to be maintained at a level similar to that obtained under the conditions when recommended rates are applied without adjuvant. It was also assumed that particular types of adjuvant would show different interactions with specific groups of crop protection agents. It has been proved that a rational reduction in rates of crop protection agents is up to a limit of 25%, especially when an adjuvant is added to such reduced rates. This allows spring barley productivity to be maintained at the level obtained after the application of full rates (without adjuvant). But a further reduction in rates of crop protection agents by 50%, in spite of the interaction of adjuvants, results in a significant deterioration of all spring barley yield components, since such conditions lead to increased occurrence of agricultural pests (weeds, fungal diseases) as well as increased crop lodging. Among the group of adjuvants tested in the present experiment, the oil adjuvant Atpolan 80 EC showed the best interaction with crop protection agents used

Chemical Properties of Soil in Four-Field Crop Rotations under Organic and Conventional Farming Systems

In agriculture, the farming system significantly affects chemical soil properties. The organic system, which is based among others on the use of natural (organic) fertilizers, promotes increased soil contents of humus, organic C, and micronutrients. The conventional system, in turn, may cause soil acidification if high rates of mineral (particularly nitrogen) fertilization are used. The crop plant species also modifies soil chemistry by providing different (quantitatively and qualitatively) crop residues. The study was conducted over the period 2013–2016 in Czesławice (Lublin Region, Poland). The aim of this study was to determine the content of some chemical components determining the quality of loess soil on which four plant species were grown under organic and conventional farming systems. This research involved the determination of some parameters of the chemical composition of the soil: soil pH, total sorption capacity, humus content, macronutrient (P, K, Mg) and micronutrient (B, Cu, Mn, Zn) content, organic carbon, and total nitrogen content. The content of different forms of nitrogen, N-NO3 and N-NH4, was also determined. The experimental design included two crop rotations (organic and conventional) in which identical plant species were grown: potato—winter wheat—field bean—spring barley. The experiment was established on loess soil with the grain size distribution of silt loam and classified as good wheat soil complex (soil class II). It was carried out as a split-plot design in three replicates, and the area of a single plot was 80 m2. Soil samples were taken using a soil sampling tube from an area of 0.20 m2 (from the 0–25 cm layer) in each plot at the end of the growing season of the specific crops grown. Over the four year study period, it was found that the organic system contributed to an increased soil content of magnesium, boron, copper, manganese, zinc, organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Moreover, organic cropping promoted more favorable soil pH and higher soil humus content. Organic cropping significantly improved the total sorption capacity of the soil compared to conventional cultivation. Moreover, the organic system contributed to a higher soil content of nitrogen in the form of N-NH4 and its lower content in the form of N-NO3. Under the conventional system, in turn, a higher soil phosphorus and potassium content was observed. To sum up, the study confirmed the assumed hypothesis that the organic farming system would contribute to an improvement in the chemical quality indicators of loess soil. Regardless of the cropping system, potato and field bean had the most beneficial effect on soil chemistry, whereas cereal crops showed the weakest effect. Winter wheat and spring barley had an effect on significantly lower total sorption capacity of the soil and a significantly lower soil content of N-NO3 and N-NH4

Economic efficiency of the production of spring wheat fertilized with sulfur against the background of various nitrogen doses

The research was carried out on a farm located in Mal- ice (Werbkowice municipality), in the years 2014–2016. The aim of the study was to evaluate the profitability and marginal eco- nomic efficiency of sulfur fertilization of spring wheat at vari- ous levels of nitrogen fertilization. Production value, direct costs and production profitability were assessed, as well as the mar- ginal economic efficiency. On average, the highest grain yield was achieved on the object fertilized with nitrogen at a dose of 150 kg. ha-1 and sulfur in the amount of 40 kg S ha-1. The highest value of direct surplus and, at the same time, the highest profit- ability of production was obtained after nitrogen application in the dose of 100 kg N ha-1. Increasing the nitrogen dose from 50 to 100 kg ha-1 resulted in a significant increase in the grain yield and the achievement of the most favourable marginal economic efficiency index. Among the objects fertilized with nitrogen, the most advantageous in terms of production profitability and mar- ginal economic efficiency was the use of this element in the dose of 100 kg N ha-1. The use of sulfur in the fertilization of spring wheat in the dose of 40 kg S ha-1 slightly improved the fertiliza- tion efficiency in the objects with 50 and 150 kg ha-1. Among the objects fertilized with nitrogen, the most advantageous in terms of production profitability and marginal economic efficiency was the use of this element in the dose of 100 kg N ha-1

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROCESS IN ENTERPRISES OF THE AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRY IN PODKARPACIE

One of the elements of creating a competitive advantage of modern enterprises is the development of supply chains, in which logistic processes are essential. Managing such a supply chain allows the integration of key business processes from the end user through suppliers delivering products, services and information, which provides added value for customers and other stakeholders. The main purpose of the study is to assess the degree of implementation of logistic business processes within the supply chain in enterprises operating in the agri-food industry. The source material on the basis of which the analysis was carried out and conclusions were formulated were surveys conducted among agribusiness entrepreneurs from Podkarpacie. The conducted research shows that the level of advancement of logistics processes in supply chains depends on the type of industry in which a specific company operates and its size. Larger economic entities, due to the possibilities and capital they have, use advanced and integrated IT systems supporting production planning, supply, distribution and sales. The implementation of such tools allows for the standardization of many business processes within the network of connections of entities participating in a common supply chain