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Effect of UVA radiation on interactions of infusions obtained from teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.) with free radicals
The Use of a New Ionic Derivative of Salicylic Acid in Sugar Beet Cultivation
The need for sustainable development in the context of pesticide use has been recognized by the European Union. The “Farm to Fork Strategy” indicates a goal of 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030. To address this challenge, we used the concept of ionic liquids to modify known resistance inducers, i.e., a group of substances whose action is indicated as an alternative to fungicides. A new, patented substance developed by us, which is a choline 3,5-dichlorosalicylate, has been tested in the context of its use in sugar beet cultivation with the aim of controlling Cercospora leaf spot (CLS). The results suggest that the use of this substance in combination with one fungicide treatment reduces disease infection and produces yields very similar to the use of a standard protection program assuming the use of two fungicides. Such results provide the basis for further development of 3,5-dichlorosalicylate in terms of its use in agriculture. Thanks to its use, it was possible to resign from one fungicide treatment, while maintaining protection against CLS and yields at the same level as for the full fungicide protection program. Such an approach is in line with European Union policies.
A Case Study on the Effect of Foliar Nitrogen Fertilization on the Microbiological and Biochemical State of the Soil and the Uptake of Macro- and Microelements by Winter Triticale (Triticosecale)
Due to the increasing demand for food, the agricultural sector is facing a huge challenge related to its production without having a negative impact on the environment. The above issues are regulated by the current EU policy, indicating the need to conduct plant production by the European Green Deal strategy (2020), based on reducing the use of chemical plant-protection products by 50% and reducing the level of mineral fertilization by 20% by 2030. Using appropriate techniques of applying mineral fertilizers, which have a positive effect on the development and activity of soil microorganisms, the availability of nutrients in the soil can be increased while reducing fertilizer applications. This study aims to show whether the use of foliar nitrogen fertilizers in combination with sulfur in a two-year field experiment with triticale stimulates the multiplication of selected groups of microorganisms and the level of soil enzymatic activity. In addition, effects on the content of available forms of nutrients in the soil, triticale yield, and total nutrient uptake were analyzed. It is shown that the applied foliar fertilizers enriched with sulfur, compared to fertilization with ammonium nitrate, contributed to a 100% increase in the number of analyzed groups of microorganisms, urease, and alkaline phosphatase activity; a 44% increase in dehydrogenase activity; and a 15% increase in acid phosphatase activity. The hybrid application technique, with reduced doses of nitrogen fertilizers enriched with sulfur by 20 and 25%, resulted in grain yields exceeding 8 t/ha. Moreover, compared to conventional fertilization based on ammonium nitrate, an increase in the grain yield of triticale was obtained in the range of 16 to 24%, as well as an increase in the accumulation of nutrients in the plant. It is shown that foliar fertilization is a promising alternative to standard fertilization techniques.
Neutralization of free radicals by an infusion obtained from a mixture of plant raw materials suitable for supporting lactation
Porównanie właściwości antyoksydacyjnych ekstraktów roślinnych z surowców leczniczych pozyskanych z siedlisk zaburzonych na przykładzie gatunków z rodziny Ericaceae
Niniejsza praca przedstawia wstępny kierunek badań nad możliwością wykorzystania siedlisk zaburzonych, jakimi są nasypy i strefy przeciwpożarowe linii kolejowych na siedliska zastępcze dla cennych gatunków leczniczych flory naczyniowej oraz jako potencjalnego źródła surowca leczniczego o działaniu antyoksydacyjnym. Właściwości przeciwutleniające wodnych ekstraktów z liści mącznicy lekarskiej Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, borówki brusznicy Vaccinium vitis-idaea i borówki czarnej Vaccinium myrtillus zbadano za pomocą wolnych rodników DPPH, spektroskopii EPR i spektrofotometrii UV-Vis. Potwierdzono silniejsze właściwości przeciwutleniające ekstraktów wodnych uzyskanych z surowców roślinnych pozyskanych z siedlisk zaburzonych w pasie przeciwpożarowym linii kolejowej. Napary uzyskane z surowców roślinnych pozyskanych z siedlisk zaburzonych neutralizowały wolne rodniki silniej niż napary z odpowiednich aptecznych surowców kontrolnych. Najsilniejsze właściwości przeciwutleniające stwierdzono w przypadku naparu z Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, a najsłabsze w przypadku naparu z Vaccinium myrtillus. Wykazano także, że w przypadku siedlisk zaburzonych napar z Arctostaphylos uva-ursi najszybciej wygasza wolne rodniki, natomiast najwolniej oddziałuje z wolnymi rodnikami napar z Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Uzyskane wyniki spektroskopowe wskazują na potencjalne możliwości wykorzystania naturalnych surowców pochodzących z siedlisk zaburzonych, o zwiększonej ekspozycji na promieniowanie UV, do produkcji ekstraktów leczniczych o silnych właściwościach przeciwutleniających.
The Biostimulation Activity of Two Novel Benzothiadiazole Derivatives in the Tomato Cultivation
Biostimulants are gaining more and more attention in modern agriculture. As follows from the definition, their role is aimed at influencing the plant’s metabolism, which results in increasing the quantitative and qualitative parameters describing the yield. Significant attention should be paid to biostimulants increasing the content of health-promoting substances contained in plants. Treatments with biostimulants should be properly incorporated into existing plant protection schemes, which, of course, requires detailed research in this area. However, reliable research on active substances contained in biostimulants should be made first, and the activity of a given biostimulant must be proven. This work presents the results of a field experiment in tomato cultivation for two new active substances belonging to the group of benzothiadiazoles. The results indicate a positive effect on plant yield and, above all, on the lycopene content in tomato fruits. Increasing the lycopene content in fruit is of key significance, as it opens up opportunities for these active substances to be incorporated into new plant protection programs.
Effect of Strip-Till and Variety on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet against Conventional Tillage
A two-factor field experiment using sugar beet was conducted in 2016–2018 at Sokołowo in Poland (ϕ 53°5′16.05″ N, λ 19°6′21.07″ E), in a strip-plot arrangement with four replicates. Strip-till (ST) was compared to conventional tillage (CT) using four commercial sugar beet varieties (Alegra, Armesa, Contenta, Julius). In each study year, the experiment was established on lessivé soils developed from heavy loamy sand. The soil was rich in available macronutrients, while its reaction was neutral. The plant density, sugar yield, roots quality, and technological sugar yield were determined. A significant increase was found in root yield (6.6%) and, accordingly, in technological sugar yield (8.2%) in ST treatment relative to CT. Consistently, an increasing trend was observed for the root sugar content (0.21%). For the varieties examined, no preferences were observed in respect of tillage systems applied. The direction of changes in root yield, sugar content, and technological sugar yield remained constant regardless of the variety, tillage system, or the study year. The contents of potassium, sodium, and α-amino-nitrogen responded equally to both the variety and study year; however, the direction of changes in the above parameters was ambiguous and varied among the study years.
