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The main aim of the work is to evaluate the breeding progress of winter oilseed rape based on multiannual field experiments and results obtained by Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht (NPZ) — Lembke breeding company in Poland. After analyzing the results of research, significant progress has been found regarding the yielding of open pollinated and hybrid varieties. The estimated yield potential of hybrid varieties in relation to open pollinated varieties is 10% higher. It is worth emphasizing that both types are characterized by good quality seeds in terms of low aliphatic glucosinolate content, particularly harmful progoitrin, while preserving desirable indol glucosinolates, which protect from cancer. Thanks to such a significant reduction of glucosinolate content, the seeds as well as postextraction rapeseed meal can be used as valuable high protein fodder. The problem of glucosinolates in rapeseed seeds, despite their low content (0.4%), is still a current breeding problem. Therefore it is still necessary to continue work towards the reduction of glucosinolate content in seeds and to promote rapeseed meal with extremely low glucosinolates as competitive for soybean meal.

Over the last two decades a significant increase has been observed in the pace of development of diverse systems of molecular markers and the corresponding advanced detection platforms. Owing to their ubiquity in genomes, markers based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) promptly gained recognition within research on molecular breeding of plants. Amongst the most widely used genotyping techniques of a single nucleotide polymorphisms are the TaqMan® probes, DNA microarrays and the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology. Techniques based on standard polymerase chain reaction with the use of modified primers, including the tetra-primer ARMS-PCR technique, have also been devised with in order to decrease the costs of genotyping. The current work identifies five SNP markers associated with genetic determinants of the shape of carrot taproot and converts them into markers detectable by the TaqMan® and tetra-primer ARMS-PCR technologies. The usefulness of the above techniques has been verified by genotyping 40 selected cultivars of Western-type carrot. The present authors have also analysed the convergence of the results obtained through the mentioned techniques and a GBS reference method. The techniques have been evaluated in terms of their usefulness for designing reliable specific markers associated with genetic determinants of the shape of the carrot root.

The paper presents the results of studies on resistance of interspecies hybrids from the Brassiceae caused by Leptosphaeriasp. and Alternariasp. pathogens. 159 intercross hybrid genomes were obtained, of which 52 genotypes were cloned in vitro and in vivo. The genotypes were searched from the Brassiceaeless resistant to infestation by Leptosphaeriasp. and Alternariasp. 49 oilseed rape lines were tested, of which a small proportion showed increased resistance to both pathogens. DNA analyses of ten pathogens used for inoculation were also performed. The resistance of seedlings (infection index for the 12 objects) obtained from interspecific hybrids and also control and donor plants of oilseed rape were tested for infection caused by pathogens of the genus Leptosphaeriaand Alternaria. Selected genotypes with low infection indices were transferred to resistance breeding.

In sustainable agricultural production systems, the agricultural production should be environmentfriendly, economically justified and socially accepted. Biological progress constitutes the key factor enabling introduction of environment-friendly, sustainable, low-input and ecological production systems in agriculture. In order to improve effectiveness of variety in agriculture. the integration of plant breeding programmes with varietal testing and plant growing is needed. It is necessary to increase biodiversity in the fields by an adequate management of varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses grown in monocultures. Another possibility to increase biodiversity is growing as many as possible species on the farm as well as growing of mixtures (varietal mixtures, species mixtures) and other heterogeneous plant materials (composite cross populations, local varieties). Biodiversity in the production field can be potentially increased by wider post-registration variety testing and recommendation of diverse varieties in different environments and growing conditions.

Polish plant breeding stations introduce significant biological progress into agriculture. In most important agricultural crops national breeding units compete successfully on domestic seed market with foreign breeding companies. In this paper the achievements of national breeding are characterized by showing the number of varieties listed in the National Register during the last ten years. Newly bred varieties are adapted to growing conditions in different agro-climatic regions of the country. Presently, several modifications of breeding programs and variety recommendation, aimed at selection of varieties suitable for different agricultural production systems as well as varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses connected with climate change, are performed.

Keeping the growth rate of food production proportional to the increase in the number of people in the world is a challenge for breeding. The development of modern methods and computerization of data processing can increase the capacity of breeding programs. However, due to the fact that the phenotype, that means a genotype determined by an environment, prevails about the final utility value of new cultivars, phenotypic assessment in a manner consistent with numerical data processing begins to determine the speed of breeding programs. Therefore, under the EU Framework Program, HORIZON 2020 the European Plant Phenotyping (EPPN 2020) project is funded, to provide access to state-of-the-art facilities, techniques and methods as well as knowledge about the data collection and processing needed in modern breeding. The article discusses the EPPN 2020 conference held in Estonia in November 2017 and presents the centers of the EPPN network, to which outsiders of that network can apply in order to carry out the experiments on own materials, with the help of local staff. Calls to the program will be announced six times, every six months, starting on December 11th 2017.

Genetic resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) in collection of 17 winter barley cultivars and 22 spring barley cultivars included in the registration trials in Poland in the year 2012 was investigated. To postulate a specific resistance gene a set of differentiating isolates of known virulence genes was used. Two winter barley cultivars are susceptible to all used isolates of B. graminis f. sp. hordei. Resistance of five cultivars is determined by genes Mla7 + MlLG2, Mla7 + ? and Mla7 + Mla7 + Ml(Ab) + ?. In four cultivars the presence of Mla6 + Mla14 genes is postulated. Resistance of two other cultivars is determined by gene Mlh or Mlh + ?. Three cultivars possess resistance determined by unknown genes. One cultivar shows heterogenic resistance reaction to infection by B. graminis f. sp. hordei. Cultivar BKH 5735 has mlo gene and unidentified genes. In the group of spring cultivars the resistance to powdery mildew is determined mainly by mlo gene with different combinations with unknown genes. In one cultivar the presence of gene Mla12 + ? is postulated.

The aim of this study was to analyze virulence and to identify the pathotypes of Puccinia triticina collected from wheat in Poland in years 2013–2015. A total of 58 isolates of P. triticina were tested. The isolates were tested for virulence on seedlings of 32 near isogenic lines (NILs) of Thatcher cultivar comprising different Lr resistance genes. High frequency (70–100%) of isolates virulent towards the majority of Lr genes was recorded. Low frequency of virulence (1–30%) against the lines carrying Lr2b, Lr2c, Lr23, Lr28, Lr38 and Lr52 genes was observed. All investigated isolates were avirulent to plants with genes: Lr2a, Lr9, Lr19 and Lr25. 21 pathotypes of P. triticina were identified with the use of 15 NILs possessing the resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr11, Lr15, Lr17, Lr19, Lr21, Lr23, Lr24, Lr26, Lr28. Pathotypes 12722 and 12723 appeared to be most frequent in the group of isolates tested. Pathotypes with virulence to plants with 6 and 7 resistance genes prevailed.

The aim of the study was to identify the response of potato clones (4x) to inoculation with two different strains of the Potato virus M (PVM). The resistance of the evaluated 15 tetraploid clones is derived from S. megistacrolobum and is connected to necrotic reaction governed by the gene Rm. For evaluation of resistance to the PVM, the mechanical inoculation and inoculation by grafting were applied. For the inoculation of potato plants, two strains of PVM were used, namely strain from potato cv. Uran (M-U) and strain from cv. Giewont (M55a). The tested clones and standard cultivars were checked for the presence of molecular markers GP 283 and GP 250, which are linked with the resistance gene Rm. The reaction of plants after inoculation with PVM was variable and depended on the plant genotype and the strain of the virus. The examined clones were divided into groups depending on the observed response to infection with PVM. The diversity and variability of this response indicate very complex conditioning of resistance to PVM and the "hypothetical” factor associated with gene Rm should be still sought.

Results of research carried out in 2008–2011 are presented in this paper. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of undersown catch crops, which were either autumn-incorporated or left on the soil surface as mulch for spring incorporation, on the chemical composition of potato tubers grown in the integrated and organic production system. The following two factors were studied: I — organic fertilization, including undersown catch crop: control (no undersown catch crop or farmyard manure application), farmyard manure, fertilization with serradella and Westerwolds ryegrass incorporated in autumn, serradella — mulch, Westerwolds ryegrass — mulch; II — production system — integrated and organic. Table potato followed undersown catch crops in the first year after their application. Dry matter, starch, vitamin C, reducing sugars and total sugars were determined in potato tubers. Dry matter, starch and vitamin C contents were higher whereas reducing sugars and total sugars were lower in the tubers of potato fertilized with undersown catch crops. Tubers of potato fertilized with serradella, either autumn or spring-incorporated as mulch in the integrated production system, contained more dry matter and vitamin C whereas their reducing sugars and total sugars were significantly lower compared with potato plants following farmyard manure. The tuber chemical composition of potato following farmyard manure did not differ significantly from potato manured with Westerwolds ryegrass, regardless of how the undersown catch crop had been applied.

The paper presents results of research conducted from 2008 to 2011 which aimed at determining the effect of fertilization with undersown catch crop biomass, and production system on consumption-related characteristics of potato tubers. An experiment was set up to examine the following two factors: I — organic fertilization, including undersown catch crop: control (no undersown catch crop), farmyard manure, serradella, Westerwolds ryegrass, serradella — mulch, Westerwolds ryegrass — mulch; II — production system — integrated and organic. Table potatoes were cultivated in the first year after undersown catch crop application. During potato harvest, tuber samples were collected from each plot to determine consumption-related characteristics, that is raw flesh darkening, after-cooking darkening as well as the flavor of potato tubers. The study demonstrated for the best consumption-related characteristics of potato tubers, the crop ought to be fertilized with serradella which can be either autumn-incorporated or left on the soil surface as mulch for spring incorporation. Raw flesh darkening and after cooking darkening of potato cultivated in the organic production system was significantly lower compared with the integrated system. Potato fertilization with serradella (both autumn-and spring-incorporated) in the integrated production system, and with serradella mulch in the organic system resulted in the tastiest tubers.

The objective of the work was to assess the deficits and excesses of rainfall during the growing seasons of medium early potato cultivars grown in light soil in Poland. Data for analysis, that is monthly precipitation sums during the growing seasons of medium early potato cultivars (May-September), was obtained from fourteen COBORU (Research Centre for Cultivar Testing) experimental stations (1971–2013). Differences between monthly precipitation sums in the study years and optimum values were used to demonstrate how water needs of potato crop were met. Throughout Poland, rainfall deficits occurred at a frequency of over 50% in May and August whereas precipitation excesses were recorded in June only. Rainfall amounts were most frequently insufficient in Kawęczyn, Szczecin Dąbie and Chrząstowo. Precipitation excesses were recorded in Karżniczka and Jelenia Góra. The highest average precipitation deficit was noted in August, the highest excess precipitation — in June. It fluctuated between 6 mm in Kawęczyn and 24 mm in Jelenia Góra. The precipitation deficit, during the growing season of medium early potato in Poland, was found to be the greatest over the last decade (2000–2010).

The evaluation of chlorophyll content index of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) ecotypes and varieties in the diverse conditions of fertilization was conducted in years 2013–2015. Chlorophyll content index (CCI) was determined in three phases of plant development: heading, flowering and seed filling. A single fertilization with Polifoska M mineral fertilizer was used, in the following doses: block I — without fertilization, block II — 20 kg Mg/ha, block III — 40 kg Mg/ha. The chemical analyses of composition of soil samples that were conducted in period 2013–2015 showed a very low magnesium content (28–30 mg/l of soil). 5 measurements of chlorophyll content index on underflag leaf were performed for the objects in each fertilization block in particular developmental phases. The differences in the rate of chlorophyll content for the selected ecotypes and varieties of switchgrass were observed, regardless of the dose of fertilizer. The highest values of chlorophyll content index (CCI) were observed in the phases of heading and flowering. Ecotypes 1, 2, 3 of switchgrass and Dacotah variety were characterized by the highest content of chlorophyll. The effect of fertilization on the CCI was observed both in the heading and in the flowering phase for objects 2 and 4, and for Dacotah variety; whereas in the case of object 3 and variety Summer only in the heading phase; and in the case of object 1 only in the flowering stage. The results indicated a positive effect of magnesium fertilization on the chlorophyll content in the tested objects of switchgrass.

The aim of the study was to compare the contents of the active compounds in the extracts obtained from the grasses from the collection of the Botanical Garden of National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources in Bydgoszcz. The study was conducted in cooperation with Pharmacognosy Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz. For 15 species (Andropogon distachyos, A. gerardi, A. hallii, A. saccharoides, A. scoparius, Dichanthium caucasicum, HierochloĂŤ odorata, H. repens, Melica ciliata, M. persica, M. transsilvanica, Miscanthus giganteus, M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis, Spodiopogon sibiricus), the contents of phenols and antioxidant activities were examined, in period 2008-2015. The percentage value of phenols was determined by the colorimetric method of Folin-Ciocalteau described in the Pharmacopoeia Polonica VI. The results are expressed with the use of the pyrogallol. The highest content of phenolic compounds was observed for the herb of Spodiopogon sibiricus (2.74%). HierochloĂŤ repens was characterized by the lowest percentage value of polyphenols (0.72%). The antioxidant activity expressed as the degree of inhibition of DPPH• radical was investigated. The highest value was shown by a methanol extract of rhizoms Miscanthus giganteus (81.76%). The weakest effect was observed in the case of an extract of herb M. persica (12.66% inhibition of radical DPPH•).

The paper includes the results of suitability assessment of 18 cultivars for sowing in paths of grass surface. In the experiment conducted in years 2010–2016, the tussock varieties belonging to 4 species of lawn grasses were used: red fescue (Festuca rubra), sheep's fescue (F. ovina), tall fescue (F. arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The aim of the study was to examine the quality of the lawn varieties exploited in the extensive conditions of use. The varieties of red fescue Dorosa and Mirena, and the variety of perennial ryegrass Boxer were the best ones in terms of the state of the turf after the winter. The varieties of narrow-leaf fescue were characterized by the best sodding. The varieties of narrow-leaf fescue were characterized by the best compactness of paths in the habitats collection with the modified subsoil (hardened layer), whereas in the collection of leguminous plants (subsoil unchanged) it was the quality of the varieties of tall fescue. All varieties of tall fescue, sheep's fescue variety Noni, and the varieties of red fescue Dorosa and Rapsodia were characterized by the most favorable general aspect of autumn. The use of mixtures composed of lawn tussock varieties would allow to reduce the workload on the nurturing of borders of the lawn finished as so-called "sharp edge" and to reduce the overgrowth of lawn inside the flower bed between the materials used to make the shoreline.

The paper presents the results of the evaluation of plant objects collected by the National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources in Radzików and by the Botanical Garden in Bydgoszcz in the meadow and pasture collection. The collection includes 305 objects (from 161 species) occurring in meadow and pasture communities, with the exception of the plant species of legumes (Fabaceae), grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). The majority of the collected materials (41%) comes from regions Świętokrzyskie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie, where 56% of the samples were collected from the meadows and pastures, 23% from the xerothermic sites, and the rest from the wastelands and forest communities. From among the collected objects 48 (20%) are the species occurring in a very small (from a few to a dozen) and a small (up to 100) numbers of sites in the country. About 30% are the species that are characterized by the decrease in the number of sites or a clear loss of individuals in sites in natural habitats. 20 among the collected species represent the various categories of risk: 13 species at risk of extinction, 4 — rare species, and 3 — taxa especially endangered.

Before placing on the EU market all genetically modified (GM) products must be assessed in terms of safety for human and animal health and, in the case of crop cultivation in terms of safety for the environment. An essential component of the authorization of GMOs in the EU as a food and feed is also the development of reliable methods of detection and quantification of genetic modification. These methods allow to identify each authorized GMO and are applied by the Member States for control of the EU market. In accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission for the qualitative and quantitative GMO analysis molecular methods based on the PCR and Real Time PCR techniques are developed. Validation of these methods, by checking if they meet specific requirements is a prerequisite to produce reliable, reproducible and comparable results which allow control of GMOs on the European market.

Advances in modern genotyping methods make it necessary to present them and their value for plant research. Thus, the review is dedicated to describing technologies allowing evaluation of high throughput markers such as DArTs or SNPs based on new generation sequencing approach. Various applications of these markers in plant research are discussed. Particular emphasis was put on the possibilities of using them for the identification of markers for agronomical traits using either QTL or association mapping methods. The opportunity of using them in genomic selection was also discussed.

Eleven cultivars of spring barley were evaluated in post-registration trials at an experimental station in Pawłowice (Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science). In the years 2013–2015 field experiments ware conducted on good wheat complex soil. The recently registered cultivars: Basic, Ella, Fariba, Iron, KWS Atrika, KWS Olof, Nokia, Oberek, Olympic, Soldo, Suweren, were grown at two variants of cultivation: standard and intensive. The intensive variant, in comparison with the standard one, differed by 40 kg·ha-1 higher level of nitrogen fertilization, application of antilodging chemicals, foliar feeding of plants with microelements and complete control of fungal diseases. The highest yield stability was demonstrated for cultivars of barley — Soldo and Nokia. Cultivar Soldo is recommended for growing on the soils belonging to the good wheat soil complex with standard agricultural technology. The yields obtained in two cultivation variants did not differ significantly indicating that the additional nitrogen fertilization and fungicidal protection do not bring an increase of grain yield.

The comparison of primary adventitious roots structure was done in a survey study of 17 Solanum tuberosum cultivars differently tolerant to drought by means of microscopic methods. Cell wall autofluorescence combined with aniline blue treatment of handmade sections was shown to be a convenient method for fast examination of large amount of plant material. Secondary structure limited to the formation of vascular cambium and its derivative tissues was found in all the cultivars examined. Anatomical differences were found between cultivars, individual plants and individual roots, and they were most evident in regard to the extent of secondary structure formation and number of primary vascular tissues strands. By means of image-analysis method, cross-section areas of the root and xylem were measured in 16 cultivars, and by means of statistical analysis significant differences were found between cultivars in regard to these traits.

Forecasts of global warming and periods of high temperature and drought occurring more frequent in Central Europe prompt us to study the physiological reaction of potato plants to these abiotic stresses. The purpose of the presented work was to assess the response of selected potato cultivars to high temperature and drought during the growing season under field conditions. The experiment was carried out with cultivars: Viviana (very early), Bohun (early), Bogatka, Honorata, Laskara, Lavinia, Malaga, Otolia (medium early). The field trial was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The high maximum temperatures during the day from June to August and higher level of rainfall in July contributed to secondary vegetation which lasted throughout August until mid-September. Summing up all the physiological defects of tubers and the evaluation of their share in the total yield allowed assessment of the tolerance of tested cultivars to heat and drought stresses during the growing season. It was found that the most tolerant cultivars were: Otolia, Honorata and Bohun.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of long-term storage on the quality of fried and frozen potato products. The 21 frozen potato products: French fries (14), potato wedges and potato slices (5), potato balls (2) were purchased from three different manufacturers and were stored at -21°C for 15 months. The samples for analysis were taken after 6, 12 and 15 months of storage. Storage was carried out for two different product packages representing two replicates of the same sample (package I and II). In the analyzed products the changes of peroxide and anisidine values were determined. Both peroxide and anisidine values of the samples analyzed immediately after the purchase varied within a very wide range from 2.54 to 11.56 mEq O2/1 kg and from 17.09 to 89.15, respectively. It was most commonly associated with the type of oil used for industrial frying of products (sunflower or palm oil). During 15-month storage the increase of the peroxide and anisidine values in all analyzed samples was observed. The final levels of peroxide and anisidine values varied from 4.56 to 18.06 mEq O2/1 kg and from 28.36 to 122.84, respectively.

The aim of this review is to discuss the possibility of using different strategies of plant resistance in breeding work. From a physiological point of view, the plant resistance to soil drought is a result of dehydration avoidance or tolerance or both strategies. Plants usually developed one dominating strategy, the second one works supplementary. Plant sensitivity to drought may change with the developmental phase and may be modified by various environmental factors (acclimatization). Using different methods to assess the resistance of potato to soil drought, it is possible to choose genotypes resistant or susceptible to water shortages and assess their genetic variation. This paper describes a number of methods for assessment of the plants response to soil drought. It was found that the most commonly used parameters are based on the yield. Nevertheless the highest correlation between the physiological and agronomic indicators occurs at a time when a physiological marker is used during drought and will cover the most sensitive development stage of the plant.

The paper presents the results of both: own research and literature survey about the quality of potato tubers from organic production compared to other production systems, mainly the conventional one. Our study was conducted at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute — NRI, Branch Jadwisin. The results show a better quality of tubers from organic production: on the one hand a lower content of undesirable components such as: residual pesticides, nitrates, nitrites and heavy metals and on the other hand a higher content of components beneficial for health, such as vitamin C, polyphenols, carotenoids and minerals. Efforts were also made to show that those differences between organic and conventional product important from the nutritional composition point of view should have an positive impact on human health.

We investigated samples of potato juice, protein precipitate and supernatant after protein precipitation taken from the line of fodder potato protein in starch factory. We determined the effect of the lowering of the temperature of potato protein coagulation in a juice of native pH on chemical composition of analyzed samples. The temperature of 90°C allowed for the obtaining of potato protein precipitate after centrifuge. The resulting preparation contained over 70% of the protein and about 30% of pectins. Glycoalkaloids content balanced on the similar level in potato juice, protein preparation and in the supernatant obtained after coagulation process.

The aim of the study was to examine the influence of the source of origin of raw material on the nutritional and sensory quality of Suwałki regional dishes made with potatoes. The research material consisted of 6 kg of raw potatoes cultivar Vineta. Potatoes were classified as an AB consumer type. Raw material came from two different sources. The first was a farm in the Wigry National Park in the village Burdeniszki applying ecological cultivation (Certificate of conformity No. PL-EKO 05-004005/14/1). The second was a trade network store in Suwałki. From the raw material from both sources, the same dishes were prepared, modifying their recipes only when necessary. These were: potato cake, grapeshot and Lithuanian pancakes. These dishes are on the List of Traditional Products of Podlaskie Province. Research was conducted in two stages. The first involved the physico-chemical analysis of raw materials, including water content, content of the sodium chloride and vitamin C. A spectrophotometric color measurement was also carried out using a Konica Minolta CR-400 colorimeter. In the second stage selected dishes were prepared, their nutritional value was estimated, using ‘Dieta 5’program, and then they were subjected to organoleptic assessment using scaling and even methods. The results were analyzed in the Statistica PL 12.0 using analysis of variance (ANOVA straight sections).The differences were considered to be statistically significant when p < 0.05. Potatoes from the farm applying organic production were characterized by a higher content of dry matter and vitamin C and lower water content. Potato dishes from organic farming had a darker, less attractive color, but in terms of other features, that is, smell, texture and taste were more desirable and assessed higher. A statistically significant effect of origin of the raw material on the organoleptic quality of food was only observed in the analysis of grapeshot. Among the examined dishes potato cake had the highest energy value (three times), much more cholesterol (twice more in comparison with grapeshot, and three times in comparison with Lithuanian pancakes) and a higher fat content — due to the large amount of bacon in this dish. It also contains more protein and carbohydrates in general as well as niacin. Lithuanian pancakes had the lowest energy value and the lowest content of potassium and phosphorus. In all dishes too much sodium gave cause for concern. The obtained results suggest that the origin has an impact on the chemical composition of the raw material and its nutritional value, and partially also on the taste of food prepared from it.

The main purpose of crop production is to achieve the highest possible yield while minimizing use of pesticides. Growing varieties with beneficial traits, also with a high potential of yield is closely connected with their resistance. At present, many tools of classical and molecular genetics, which can be successfully used to improve plant disease resistance, are available. The aim of this study was to present the gene pyramids, obtained through various research projects conducted by the Laboratory of Applied Genetics (Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute — National Research Institute, Radzików). Since 1st of February 2016 this research will be continued in the Laboratory of Plant Collection and Evaluation (National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute — National Research Institute, Radzików). Profile of the work involves improving winter wheat resistance to powdery mildew and leaf rust.

The aim of the study was to show the effect of winter wheat genotype and harvest year on alkylresorcinols content and variability. Material for the study comprised of 20 varieties and 4 lines of winter wheat obtained from Plant Breeding Strzelce, harvested in years 2005–2007. Alkylresorcinols content was measured with a colorimetric method with the use of diazonium salt, Fast Blue B. All data were submitted to statistical analysis. The average content of alkylresorcinols in 2005–2007 was 552 mg/kg, with coefficient of variation 14%. The results indicated that variability of alkylresorcinols content during three harvest years was significantly affected by the environmental conditions (51%).

General combining ability (GCA) of various rye female components (CMS-SC) and male components (Syn-R) and specific combining ability (SCA) of parental pairs were determined. Parental components were created in three plant breeding companies: Danko Plant Breeding Ltd., Poznan Plant Breeding Ltd. and Smolice Plant Breeding Ltd. 87 F1 rye hybrids (CMS-SC×Syn-R) were produced by crossing 29 female components (single male sterile hybrids) to three male components (restorer synthetics) in spatially isolated fields. In the season 2012/2013, rye hybrids were evaluated in three field trials (3 locations, 3 replicates, plot size — 5 m2, sowing density — 250 viable kernels/m2). The following traits were assessed: grain yield, 1000 grain weight, plant height, heading date, pollen shedding, resistance to brown rust and lodging. Statistical analyses were made with the SERGEN and the EKSPLAN computer packages. Significant variation was found among experimental hybrids for all traits studied. General combining ability of both females and males was significant for majority traits in the experiments. Significant specific combining ability was detected mainly for the plant height, pollen shedding and 1000 grain weight. The GCA effects of female and male components for agronomic traits were estimated. Moreover, GCA effects × environment interactions were tested. Several female and male components with significant favourable and stable GCA effects for grain yield and other agronomic traits were selected for utilization in rye hybrid breeding.

The test results were based on a field experiment conducted in 2007–2009 in IHAR — PIB in Jadwisin on lessive soil with granulometric composition of the loamy sand. Experiment was planned according to the method of drawn subblocks in the dependent arrangement, split-plot, in three replications. The first tested factor were cultivars of potato, Irga and Fianna, factor II, row weed control methods were: 1. object control — without chemical protection and mechanical treatments; 2. extensive mechanical treatments (every 2 weeks) after planting until row closure; 3. Sencor 70 WG — 1 kg·ha-1 pre-emergence of the potatoes; 4. Sencor 70 WG — 1 kg·ha-1 + Titus 25 WG — 40 g·ha-1 + Trend 90 EC — 0.1% pre-emergence of the potatoes; 5. Sencor 70 WG — 0.5 kg∙ha-1 after emergence of the potatoes; 6. Sencor 70 WG — 0.3 kg·ha-1 + Titus 25 WG — 30 g·ha-1 + Trend 90 EC — 0.1% after emergence of the potatoes; 7. Sencor 70 WG — 0.3 kg∙ha-1+ Fusilade Forte 150 EC — 2 dm·ha-1 after emergence of the potatoes; 8. Sencor 70 WG — 0.3 kg·ha-1 + Apyros 75 WG 26.5 g·ha-1 + Atpolan 80 SC — 1 dm·ha-1 after emergence of the potatoes. Spraying og the plants with herbicides was consuming 300 dm·ha-1 of water. Harvests of tubers were performed when technical maturity of the potato was reached. Vitamin C content measurements were performed according to the Tillmans’s method. Genetic factor decided largely about the value of this trait. Higher content of vitamin C was found in medium late cultivar Fianna than in medium early Irga. The influence of weed control systems on the content of vitamin C was dependent on weather conditions during the years of research

In the paper a construction method of an incomplete split-split-plot (SSP) design for a non-orthogonal experiment is presented. Incompleteness of the SSP design concerns sub-subplot treatments. Balanced incomplete block (BIB) design is used as generating design in the construction method. Statistical properties of the final SSP design with respect to general balance are given. Multistratum analysis and the analysis of contrasts are proposed as adequate statistical analysis. Considerations are illustrated using data generated from some orthogonal experiment with lupine.

The effect of the use of municipal waste sludge on the initiation and the intensity of soil-forming processes on soilless of post-flotation lime ground depending on the species of plants growing on them was examined. It was found that sludge with vegetation growing on it initiates biological life in the lifeless soilless subsoil and the resulting organic matter allows the storage of water and nutrients. Application of sludge to fertilize flotation lime resulted in significant repeated increase of TOC content and forms of phosphorus and potassium available for plants, and smaller increase of magnesium content. Assessing the soil-forming impact of vegetation on the limy soilless subsoil it was found that samples taken from under tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) contain most of TOC, from under Sida hermaphrodita Rusby — more forms of phosphorus available for plants, and from under various forms of willow (Salix sp.) — more potassium and magnesium. The contents of phosphorus, potassium and calcium were too high while magnesium content was low in the sprouts of all test plants, which was related the contents of these components in the subsoil and sewage sludge. The contents of all evaluated components in Jerusalem artichoke bulbs were lower than in the sprouts of all test plants.

Alkylresorcinols (AR) are a group of phenolics lipids, found in substantial amounts in whole grain of cereals. Rye grain is characterised with the greatest content of these compounds (360–2180 mg/kg), while lower content has been found in triticale (294–1145 mg/kg) and wheat (268–943 mg/kg), and much lower in barley (32–152 mg/kg). In general, alkylresorcinols are not present in oat. In years of the sixties and seventies of the previous century, AR have been assigned a role of antinutrients in animal feeding, which was related to their high content and poor feeding quality of rye grain. The studies of many scientific groups, conducted later on, have shown that low digestibility and availability of all nutrients and in particular the energetic compounds in the intestinal tract of monogastric animals, in diets based on rye grain is a result of very high content of water-soluble fraction of arabinoxylans, that are characterized by a great water holding capacity and high viscosity in the aquatic environment. Nowadays, AR have been arousing again a great interest, as an important bioactive component of food and potential biomarker for consumption of wholegrain products. Due to the differences in the homologue composition between wheat and rye, AR are considered to be used to identify the type of grain consumed. As a group of phenolic compounds the AR are a strong antioxidant, but they have also antibacterial and antimutagenic properties.

The aim of the study was to show the effect of genotype and harvest year on the content and variability of dietary fibre and its viscous properties. Material for the study comprised of 20 varieties and 4 lines of winter wheat obtained from Plant Breeding Strzelce, harvested in years 2005–2007. Dietary fibre content was estimated with an indirect method and calculated from the difference of basic grain components (protein, ash, lipids, starch, free sugars). All data were submitted to statistical analysis. The results indicated that the variability of dietary fibre content and viscosity during three harvest years was significantly affected by the environmental conditions (45%) and genotypeenvironment interaction (30%). A wide range of genotype diversity gives possibility to identify wheat varieties with high content of dietary fibre, which should be recommended for use in the production of wheat bakery products that are in majority among the consumed bakery products.

Resistance to initial infection (type I) and to the spread of Fusarium within the spike (type II) of 146 cultivars and lines of winter wheat and 30 lines of winter triticale was determined. Spikes were inoculated by spraying or injection into the middle spikelet of the spore suspension of Fusarium culmorum. The average resistance of type I amounted to 2.4 points of infection for wheat and 2.9 for triticale. The difference in resistance type I between wheat and triticale was statistically significant. The average resistance of type II amounted to 2.4 infested spikelets for wheat and 2.1 for triticale. The difference in type II resistance between wheat and triticale was statistically significant. There was no relationship between both types of resistance. Wheat resistance to Fusarium blight in field conditions significantly correlated with resistances of the type I and type II. In the case of triticale field resistance correlated significantly only with type II resistance.

The paper contains a proposal of calculation procedure to enable an assessment of breeding hybrids and their parental forms (male-sterile lines (MS lines) and restorers) on the basis of the analysis of these hybrids, obtained from incomplete crossing scheme and observed in series of unreplicated experiments with standards. The proposed approach is a generalization of the method presented in the paper of Woś et al. (2010) on the evaluation of combining ability effects of parental lines on the basis of the analysis of hybrids obtained from a complete crossing scheme line × tester. The methodology presented in the above cited paper is based on the general theory for the analysis of series of experiments with the same genotypes conducted in incomplete block design, given by Kaczmarek (1986). To illustrate the approach used in the paper a statistical analysis of the data from series of winter oilseed rape experiments with 96 unreplicated hybrids and 2 replicated standards was performed. Analysis of variance and evaluation of the main effects of hybrids, male-sterile lines and testers and their interaction with environments was carried out using the computer programs EKSPLAN (Krajewski et al., 2003) and SERGEN (Caliński et al., 1998).

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the breeding value of 17 (10 dent and 7 flint) inbred lines of maize based on yield performance of 70 hybrids produced according to North Carolina II design “dent × flint”. Material consisted of lines used in a breeding program 40 years ago and nowadays. Except the line F2, which have been developed in the INRA in France, other lines have been bred in Smolice. Two separate series of comparative trials were carried out: for 70 experimental hybrids and the 17 parental inbred lines in two growing seasons (2005; 2006), and three locations. It has been shown that 40-year-old elite lines have proved to be unsuitable for direct use in the currently run maize breeding program. The values per se of inbred lines are not sufficient to predict the value of quantitative traits of their hybrid offspring. The flint line S61328 obtained the highest score of breeding value, measured by general combining ability, grain yield of the line itself and its earliness per se. The breeding progress of elite inbred lines used in formulas of Smolice’s hybrid varieties registered between 1971–2006 has been estimated on 59.4 kg/year.

The study rated the cannabinoid content in hemp varieties of Cannabis sativa L. that have been obtained from Gene Bank of Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poznań. The experiment with hemp was conducted in 2014 at the Experimental Farm in Pętkowo (Wielkopolska Region). After collecting the plant material analysis of the content of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) was performed in the six varieties of hemp of European and Asian origins. For these parameters correlation coefficients were calculated and analysis of variance was performed using the software STATISTICA 12. The results showed significant differences in the contents of THC and CBD, and the relationship between the two cannabinoid contents in the hemp varieties.

The work presents results of research conducted in 2008–2011 to determine the effect of biomass of undersown catch crops, either winter-incorporated or left as mulch on the soil surface for spring incorporation, on chemical composition of potato tubers grown in the integrated and organic production system. The following two factors were examined in the study: 1. manuring with undersown catch crops: control (no undersown catch crop), farmyard manure, Persian clover, Persian clover + Westerwolds ryegrass, Westerwolds ryegrass, Persian clover — mulch, Persian clover + Westerwolds ryegrass — mulch, Westerwolds ryegrass — mulch; 2. production system: integrated and organic. Incorporated undersown catch crops were followed by table potato. The following contents were determined in potato tubers: dry matter, starch, vitamin C, reducing sugars and total sugars. Manuring with the biomass of undersown catch crops increased the potato tuber contents of dry matter, starch and vitamin C. By contrast, reducing sugars and total sugars declined. A mixture of Persian clover and Westerwolds ryegrass, whether winter or spring-incorporated, in the integrated production system contributed to the most favorable chemical composition of potato tubers.