Effect of Deep Placement Fertilization on the Distribution of Biomass, Nutrients, and Root System Development in Potato Plants

The study was carried out in designed pots-rhizoboxes. Root systems were evaluated using computer scanning to determine total length, root area, and root diameter. The study showed a favorable effect of deep placement of fertilizers on total yield, increasing biomass yield by 7-17% relative to surface fertilization. The largest biomass increase under the influence of deep fertilization was obtained in the case of tuber yield, in which a yield increase of 18-34% was obtained. Higher yields of potato tubers were obtained under depth fertilization compared to surface application of fertilizers. Under the influence of deep fertilization at a depth of 20 cm, the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by potato biomass increased by 20-21%. Increased depth of fertilization increased the proportion of nitrogen accumulated in the tubers, while in the case of phosphorus, no effect of depth on P distribution was shown. An analysis of root system parameters showed a positive effect on increases in length and total root area under deep fertilization of potato plants. Based on the study, it was found that the distribution of dry matter, nutrients, and potato root development parameters were most optimal when fertilizer granules were applied at a depth of 20 cm.

Influence of the catchment area use on the water quality in the Utrata River

The present paper discusses the impact of land use and seasons on the concentration of nutrients in the waters of the Utrata River (Pruszków Poviat, Mazowieckie Voivodeship) from April 2018 to March 2019. The pollution of rivers by nutrients is a major problem for society. Surface water is a source of drinking water, water used for industrial and agricultural purposes. With the increasing pollution of rivers, the purification process for these purposes becomes more expensive and more challenging. To assist in carrying out activities aimed at reducing the inflow of biogenic substances into large river systems and then down to the Baltic Sea, we analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of loads from the entire Utrata River catchment area. We divided the entire catchment area into three impact zones: grasslands and wastelands, urbanized areas, and agricultural land and examined changes in nutrient concentrations (total phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen) in each of the zones. The results were statistically processed using the 1-factor ANOVA method with the p-value of significance below 0.05. Research indicates an increase in the concentration of total phosphorus and nitrogen forms down the course of the river in urban and agricultural areas with persistently low concentrations of these biogenic substances in grasslands.

EPR Spectroscopy as a Tool to Characterize the Maturity Degree of Humic Acids

The major indicator of soil fertility and productivity are humic acids (HAs) arising from decomposition of organic matter. The structure and properties of HAs depend, among others climate factors, on soil and anthropogenic factors, i.e., methods of soil management. The purpose of the research undertaken in this paper is to study humic acids resulting from the decomposition of crop residues of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and plant material of thuja (Thuja plicata D.Don.ex. Lamb) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In the present paper, we report EPR studies carried out on two types of HAs extracted from forest soil and incubated samples of plant material (mixture of wheat straw and roots), both without soil and mixed with soil. EPR signals obtained from these samples were subjected to numerical analysis, which showed that the EPR spectra of each sample could be deconvoluted into Lorentzian and Gaussian components. It can be shown that the origin of HAs has a significant impact on the parameters of their EPR spectra. The parameters of EPR spectra of humic acids depend strongly on their origin. The HA samples isolated from forest soils are characterized by higher spin concentration and lower peak-to-peak width of EPR spectra in comparison to those of HAs incubated from plant material.

The influence of a dam reservoir on water quality in a small lowland river

The paper presents the effects of the dam reservoir in Komorów on the water quality in the Utrata river. The implementation of the adopted objective involved a comparison of water quality at two points, above and below the reservoir. The Utrata River is polluted with biogenic compounds throughout the whole section studied. COD content also indicates significant contamination exceeding permissible limits. A positive effect of the reservoir on water quality in the river was also observed in terms of the content of dissolved oxygen, with concentration increasing below the reservoir. The reservoir had a positive effect on reducing the concentration of total phosphorus in the water. Water in the Utrata below the reservoir showed higher values of chemical oxygen demand (COD_Mn) than above the reservoir. There were no differences in the concentration of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- ions in the water before and after the reservoir.

Discussion paper: Sustainable increase of crop production through improved technical strategies, breeding and adapted management - A European perspective

During the next decade it will be necessary to develop novel combinations of management strategies to sustainably increase crop production and soil resilience. Improving agricultural productivity, while conserving and enhancing biotic and abiotic resources, is an essential requirement to increase global food production on a sustainable basis. The role of farmers in increasing agricultural productivity growth sustainably will be crucial. Farmers are at the center of any process of change involving natural resources and for this reason they need to be encouraged and guided, through appropriate incentives and governance practices, to conserve natural ecosystems and their biodiversity, and minimize the negative impact agriculture can have on the environment. Farmers and stakeholders need to revise traditional approaches not as productive as the modern approaches but more friendly with natural and environmental ecosystems values as well as emerging novel tools and approaches addressing precise farming, organic amendments, lowered water consumption, integrated pest control and beneficial plant-microbe interactions. While practical solutions are developing, science based recommendations for crop rotations, breeding and harvest/postharvest strategies leading to environmentally sound and pollinator friendly production and better life in rural areas have to be provided.

Intensify production, transform biomass to energy and novel goods and protect soils in Europe-A vision how to mobilize marginal lands

The rapid increase of the world population constantly demands more food production from agricultural soils. This causes conflicts, since at the same time strong interest arises on novel bio-based products from agriculture, and new perspectives for rural landscapes with their valuable ecosystem services. Agriculture is in transition to fulfill these demands. In many countries, conventional farming, influenced by post-war food requirements, has largely been transformed into integrated and sustainable farming. However, since it is estimated that agricultural production systems will have to produce food for a global population that might amount to 9.1 billion by 2050 and over 10 billion by the end of the century, we will require an even smarter use of the available land, including fallow and derelict sites. One of the biggest challenges is to reverse non-sustainable management and land degradation. Innovative technologies and principles have to be applied to characterize marginal lands, explore options for remediation and re-establish productivity. With view to the heterogeneity of agricultural lands, it is more than logical to apply specific crop management and production practices according to soil conditions. Cross-fertilizing with conservation agriculture, such a novel approach will provide (1) increased resource use efficiency by producing more with less (ensuring food security), (2) improved product quality, (3) ameliorated nutritional status in food and feed products, (4) increased sustainability, (5) product traceability and (6) minimized negative environmental impacts notably on biodiversity and ecological functions. A sustainable strategy for future agriculture should concentrate on production of food and fodder, before utilizing bulk fractions for emerging bio-based products and convert residual stage products to compost, biochar and bioenergy. The present position paper discusses recent developments to indicate how to unlock the potentials of marginal land.

Content of lead and cadmium in aboveground plant organs of grasses growing on the areas adjacent to a route of big traffic

The effect of traffic on the content of lead and cadmium in grass morphological parts-leaves, shoots, and inflorescences-was studied. The samples were taken on a part of the European route E30 (Siedlce by road). The following plants were tested: Dactylis glomerata, Arrhenatherum elatius, and Alopecurus pratensis. During the flowering of grasses, the plant material was collected at distances of 1, 5, 10, and 15 m from the edge of the road, on the strip of road with a length of 9 km. In the collected plant parts, the content of lead and cadmium using the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method was determined. The effect of distance from the road on the content of lead and cadmium was evaluated using regression equations. Average lead content in the above parts of tested grass species was 3.56, while cadmium 0.307 mg kg(-1) dry matter (DM). Lead content in plants of Alopecurus pratensis (average 4.11 mg kg(-1) DM) was significantly higher than in other grasses. The lowest cadmium content, significantly different from the other species, was found in plants of Arrhenatherum elatius (0.251 mg kg(-1) DM). Distance of sampling sites from the roadway significantly affects the differences in the content of cadmium and lead in plants. Analyzed aboveground plant organs of studied grasses were significantly different in contents of lead and cadmium. There were species differences in the proportions of cadmium concentration in various organs of plants. The obtained results indicate the possibility of species composition selection of grassland sward in areas with a higher risk of heavy metals associated with dust sedimentation.

Frequently asked questions about in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence: practical issues

The aim of this educational review is to provide practical information on the hardware, methodology, and the hands on application of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence technology. We present the paper in a question and answer format like frequently asked questions. Although nearly all information on the application of Chl a fluorescence can be found in the literature, it is not always easily accessible. This paper is primarily aimed at scientists who have some experience with the application of Chl a fluorescence but are still in the process of discovering what it all means and how it can be used. Topics discussed are (among other things) the kind of information that can be obtained using different fluorescence techniques, the interpretation of Chl a fluorescence signals, specific applications of these techniques, and practical advice on different subjects, such as on the length of dark adaptation before measurement of the Chl a fluorescence transient. The paper also provides the physiological background for some of the applied procedures. It also serves as a source of reference for experienced scientists.

Acetabular wall deficiency in primary and secondary total hip replacement

Thirty-eight cases of reconstruction of acetabular wall deficiency in primary and secondary total hip replacement were evaluated according to Merle d'Aubigne-Postel and Gruen's ratings, after a follow-up of between 1 and 8 years. 16 of them were considered very good, 11 good, 7 fair and 4 poor.The reconstructions were performed by inserting cemented Weller's or cementless Parhoffer-Mönch's or Mittelmeier's cups, depending on patients age and the nature of the lesion.In dysplastic hips the bone stock deficiency of the anterior wall and the roof were reconstructed with the use of massive autogenous cortical bone graft fixed with screws.In cases of Otto-Chrobak disease and in protrusions of Austin-Moore's prostheses, cancellous auto- or allogenous bone grafts healed correctly even after implantation of cemented sockets.The reconstruction of the acetabulum in an intrapelvic protrusion of the endoprosthesis, especially cemented ones, was always technically difficult, threatening the vessels and intrapelvic organs. This operation requires good experience as well as:-thorough radiographic diagnosis (CT, angiography external iliac artery and vein),-an appropriate surgical approach,-the use of a sufficient amount of cortico-cancellous bone auto- or allograft,-implantation of cemented or cementless cups depending on the patient's age,-restriction of weight-bearing even up to 5 months. In old patients, an alternative to full reconstruction is to remove the endoprosthesis and to leave a hanging hip (Girdlestone pseudarthrosis).

The frequency of occurrence of congenital dysplasia of the hip in Poland

In Poland, the number of newborn infants suffering from congenital dysplasia of the hip (CDH) is high. Its percentage has not changed during the past 30 years. The aim of this paper was (1) to find the frequency of occurrence of CDH based on the highest possible number of cases and to obtain the most objective data from examination performed by orthopedic surgeons; (2) to gather information about methods of treatment used; (3) to establish time of treatment (depending on how advanced the dysplastic process was); and (4) to determine the number of complications. The data are based on 17,094,000 inhabitants, or 46.2% of the Polish population. During the years 1980 to 1984, about 350,000 deliveries were annually registered. On the basis of the data, the following were concluded: (1) The frequency of CDH among children in Poland comes to 6.8%. (2) Cases of dysplasia with dislocation are 1.06%. (3) Almost half the number of children (46.2%) are being treated in outpatient departments run by orthopedic surgeons. The remainder are being cared by pediatric and general surgeons, or pediatricians. (4) Necrosis of the femoral head occurred in 10.4% of patients. (5) The most satisfactory therapeutic results (almost 100% cured) are obtained when treatment begins during the first week of the child's life.

Coxa vara infantum, hip growth disturbances, etiopathogenesis, and long-term results of treatment

The literature concerning coxa vara infantum (CVI) contains only a few long-term follow-up reports of the treatment. This study was performed to define the clinical and roentgenographic features of coxa vara infantum (CVI) in children and skeletally mature patients. Special attention was given in follow-up evaluations to the growth and impairment of the hip joint (acetabulum, femoral head, and neck) before and after operative treatment in different age groups. Because in difficult cases the results of subtrochanteric osteotomy have not been satisfactory and have led to recurrences, the use of overcorrecting of the neck-shaft angle value into valgus position has been adopted. To gain further insight into etiopathogenesis of CVI, histologic investigations were carried out. These investigations revealed growth and endochondral ossification disorders. Similar changes found in the growth zone of the iliac bone seem to indicate that the ossification disturbances are multifocal. Expansion of the fibrous connective and calluslike tissues is evidence of the overload syndrome in CVI.

[Post-traumatic infections of the musculoskeletal locomotor system; prophylaxis and treatment]

An analysis of epidemiology of the post-traumatic infections of the locomotive system, prophylaxis and treatment in presented. Infections are the most severe complications of the open bone fractures and orthopedic surgery. An incident of inflammatory complications following the open bone fractures is very high (20% according to Burrie). An incidence of complications following orthopedic surgeries is somewhat lower--0.2-9.0%. Within 1976-1986, as much as 585 patients with chronic osteitis, including 222 patients with post-traumatic infections, were treated at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Academy in Warsaw. Therapy depended on the general and local health status, and the types of surgery were diversified. The treatment included, first of all, radical removal of crushed and necrotic tissues, stabilization of the fractured bone fragments with the external stabilizer, AO plate or the Polish original method of the stable internal osteosynthesis--ZESPOL, decompression of the crack with the aid of permanent flow or suction drainage, systemic or local antibiotic therapy, administration of vasodilating agents, and the primary skin plasty in some cases.

Long-term results after Colonna's operation

A long-term review of 82 patients (117 hips) who had Colonna's operation for congenital dislocation of the hip has been carried out. Although early assessments had shown a high proportion of good results these deteriorated with time. At our latest review of 61 hips, with an average follow-up of 30 years, 34% had moderate, and 66% severe, osteoarthrosis; many of these patients now need a total hip replacement. We conclude that Colonna's operation is only indicated in a small number of cases. It should never be carried out over the age of 6 years, and only in younger children when there is severe underdevelopment of the acetabulum or where procedures which preserve the articular cartilage are unlikely to be successful.