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Yields and Bioactive Substances of Selected European Asparagus Cultivars Grown for Green Spear Production as Influenced by of Post-Harvest Drip Irrigation on Sandy Soil in Central Poland
Retention and Water Needs of Natural Grass Turf of Football Fields
The paper contains a detailed assessment of three full-size football fields constructed in 2019-2022 to meet the basic conditions for proper operation and maintenance. As a result of field and laboratory tests on permeability and retention capacity of the fields' base and drainage layers, they were found to meet the requirements set out in the standard DIN 18035. It ensures that rainwater and snowmelt are quickly drained from the turf's surface. The grass turfs of the football fields under study meet the conditions for properly performing one of the basic care treatments – irrigation. The base layer can retain an average of 10.3 mm of water in comfortable water availability conditions, depending on the football field. It is the value of a single dose net, which should be used for sprinkler irrigation of grass turf of football fields. However, considering the drainage layer, this dose could be increased to 12.5 mm. Considering the percentage content of generally available water and assuming less comfortable water availability conditions, the appropriate doses net are 12.5 mm on average. In comparison, for both layers together, they are 15.4 mm on average.
Water Needs of Willow (Salix L.) in Western Poland
Willows are one of the plants which can be used to produce biomass for energy purposes. Biomass production is classified as a renewable energy source. Increasing the share of renewable sources is one of the priority actions for European Union countries due to the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve the best possible growth of the willow and increase its biomass for fuel, it is crucial to provide optimal water conditions for its growth. The aim of the study was to determine the water requirements of willows under the conditions of the western Polish climate and to verify whether this area is potentially favourable for willow cultivation. The novelty of this paper lies in its multi-year climatic analysis in the context of willow water needs for the area of three voivodships: Lubusz, Lower Silesian, and West Pomeranian. This is one of the few willow water-needs analyses for this region which considers the potential for widespread willow cultivation and biomass production in western Poland. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was determined by the Blaney-Criddle equation and then, using plant coefficients, water needs for willow were determined. Calculations were carried out for the growing season lasting from 21 May to 31 October. The estimated water needs during the vegetation season amounted on average to 408 mm for the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 405 mm for the Lubusz Voivodeship, and 402 mm for the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The conducted analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that these needs do not differ significantly between the voivodeships. Therefore, it can be concluded that the water requirements of willows in western Poland do not differ significantly, and the whole region shows similar water conditions for willow cultivation. Furthermore, it was found that water needs are increasing from decade to decade, making rational water management necessary. This is particularly important in countries with limited water resources, such as Poland. Correctly determining the water requirements of willow and applying them to the cultivation of this plant should increase the biomass obtained. With appropriate management, willow cultivation in Poland can provide an alternative energy source to coal.