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The aim of the study was to assess the susceptibility of selected cultivars of potato, to artificial inoculation with the suspension of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. Sepedonicus (Cms) depending on soil conditions. Medium late starch cultivars: Bosman and Ikar were used as the material. Tubers inoculated with bacterial suspension and non-inoculated tubers (negative control) were planted into soil at microplots. Microplots were built on the basis of three different soil profiles in terms of grain size composition. A much lower number of progeny tubers and a higher level of Cms infection in stems and tubers were found in a cultivar Bosman. The number of progeny tubers of plants inoculated with Cms was significantly smaller than the number of progeny tubers of control plants. The influence of the soil profile on the number of progeny tubers was proven. There was a trend of faster growth of plants, longer growing period and higher yield for a cultivar Ikar — less susceptible to Cms infection.

Bioeconomy and agrobiotechnology are strictly connected. Many products available on the consumer’s market support this observation. Recent status of legislation in Poland (President Bronisław Komorowski signed on 6th Feb. 2015 the amendment of Polish Statute “About GMO”) in significant degree slows down the development of commercial application of the scientific achievements. Simultaneously the international agreements, like “Nagoya Protocol”, make the international cooperation more difficult.

The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content of the grain extracts of 30 varieties of winter wheat. This aim was achieved by analyzing samples naturally infected and non-treated with fungicides, described as control and samples inoculated with fungi of the genus Fusarium. It was found that the polyphenol extracts obtained from 30 wheat cultivars had an antioxidant activity. Statistical analysis of the results showed a higher activity in the inoculated samples as measured by the ability to quench free radical ABTS· compared to the controls. In contrast the total polyphenol content in the control and inoculated samples was not significantly different. There was no significant correlation between the content of polyphenols in the extracts and antioxidant activity.

The resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) of 224 lines and 10 check cultivars/lines of winter wheat was evaluated in the field experiments in Radzików and Poznań/Cerekwica. These lines originated from breeding programs of winter wheat and from the collection established based on the results of studies on the resistance to FHB in the years 2008-2013. Spikes of wheat were inoculated with Fusarium culmorum. Spike infection and Fusarium kernel damage were scored. In grain of selected 61 lines accumulation of ergosterol, trichothecenes of group B, and zearalenone was analyzed. Wheat genotypes varied significantly in resistance to FHB. The average FHB index amounted to 23.7%. A significant effect of plant height on the FHB index value (r = -0.528) was found. The tested lines showed varied resistance to Fusarium kernel damage (on average:48.4%) and ergosterol content in grain (on average: 30.9 mg·kg-1). The severity of spike infection significantly correlated with Fusarium kernel damage (r = 0.768). Wheat genotypes showed varied resistance to accumulation of Fusarium toxins. Average contents of deoxynivalenol (+ acetyl derivatives) amounted to 20.515 mg·kg-1, while zearalenone to 932 mg·kg-1. The spike infection, resistance of type II and Fusarium kernel damage correlated significantly with the contents of ergosterol, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in the grain. Genotypes integrating the various types of resistance to FHB were identified.

Thirty five lines of winter triticale with different genetic background and three cultivars were studied for resistance to the Fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium culmorum and for the accumulation of toxins in the grain. Genotypes were sown in two locations: Cerekwica near Poznań and Radzików near Warsaw. At the time of full anthesis triticale heads were inoculated with the spore suspension of three strains of F. culmorum. Fusarium head blight index (FHBi), the percentage of kernels with visible symptoms of Fusarium damage and the levels of Fusarium toxins were evaluated. FHBi in Cerekwica (19.2 %) was higher than that in Radzików (11.0%). The correlation coefficient of head infection in both locations was r = 0.429. Fusarium kernel damage varied in both locations. In Cerekwica it was higher (38,7%) than in Radzików (23.3%). The content of the trichothecenes of group B in the grain was very high and average for both locations was 23.541mg/kg. Similarly, a very large amount of zearalenone was found and on average amounted to 1179 mg/kg. The contents of ergosterol (on average 41.0 mg/kg) significantly correlated with kernel damage and Fusarium toxins concentrations. The tested genotypes of winter triticale were grouped on the basis of resistance to head and kernel infection and ergosterol and toxins concentrations in the grain. As a result of the principal component analysis, five triticale genotypes combining high levels of resistance of different types were identified.

The aim of this work was to increase the efficiency of doubled haploids production in anther cultures of 6 winter and 6 spring triticale hybrids. The colchicine concentration and the time of its use (0.1 mg/l or 1.0 mg/l colchicine, for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively) in androgenesis inducing C17 liquid medium were modified. It was found that the optimal parameters of colchicine treatment were 1.0 mg/l for 24 hours, and 0.1 mg/l for 48 hours. Based on flow cytometry analysis, in those conditions an increase in a number of doubled haploids was observed. The increase was observed in 6 forms of winter (average 66.2%) and 2 forms of spring triticale (average of 52.7%), as compared to control conditions (the C17 medium without colchicine), producing of about 30.0% of doubled haploids

The aim of this study is to present the possibilities of using a new method for genetic variability analysis of organisms, including organisms of industrial use. The proposed method works at two levels — at the amino-acid comparison level and at the amino-acid codon comparison level, i.e. at the genetic code level. The paper presents analysis of proteinase inhibitors from squash seeds and analysis of cytochrome c of selected crops. Moreover, the results obtained using the new method of genetic variability two-level analysis, have been used to interpret the phylogenetic trees constructed for the analyzed sequences.

The present study assessed the phenotypes of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) population in terms of quantitative traits such as: average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and marketable yield. Winter squash mapping population, developed by crossing two inbred lines of different origins and extremely diverse in terms of the studied traits, consisting of 112 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) F6 was used. The field experiments were established in a random arrangement with three replications in the years 2013 and 2014. Parental lines showed statistically significant differences in relation to the value of all the studied traits. Range of variability of all studied traits in the mapping population exceeded the values of parental lines. In case of average fruit weight the range of variation was 0.6–9.0 kg, for the average number of fruits per plant 1.0–7.5 (2013) and 1.0– 11.5 (2014). In case of marketable yield, the variation range was 1.7–11.8 kg/plant (2013) and 1.26– 30.0 kg/plant (2014). Heritability of the traits was: 71% for marketable yield, 70% for the average fruit weight and 82% for the average number of fruits per plant.

The aim of this study was identification of SSR markers useful for construction of genetic map of cucumber population that consists of 110 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). RILs population segregating for angular leaf spot (ALS) resistance was developed by crossing two inbred lines, an American line Gy14 showing tolerance for angular leaf spot and a Polish line B10, susceptible to this disease. A set of SSR markers was preliminary examined for polymorphism using bioinformatic analysis. There were 222 selected SSR markers and 160 of them were further tested on parental lines and chosen RILs. The polymorphism was confirmed for 103 (64.4%) SSR markers. Fifty two SSR markers were found to be useful for construction of genetic map of cucumber population Gy14 × B10 and further mapping of angular leaf spot resistance genes. Preliminary results suggest that SSR00398 located on chromosome 5 may be linked to angular leaf spot resistance gene.

The work presents results of a study carried out in 2006-2009 whose objective was to determine the influence of undersown catch crops, which were incorporated in autumn or left on the soil surface as mulch for spring incorporation, on the quality of table potato grown in the integrated and organic production systems. Two factors were examined in the study: 1. fertilization with undersown catch crops: control (no undersown catch crop), farmyard manure (FYM), 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. The aforementioned tuber characteristics of table potato fertilized with the biomass of undersown catch crops were similar to the traits of FYM-fertilized potato. The best quality, flavour in particular, was determined for tubers of potato fertilized with autumn-and spring-incorporated Persian clover. Raw flesh darkening and after cooking darkening of organic potato was significantly lower compared with the integrated production, but the tuber flavour was better in the integrated production system.

The aim of the experiments was to determine the impact of different levels of nitrogen fertilization and the characteristics of the cultivars on the potato tuber yield, share of tubers with deformations, greening, infection with common scab as well as starch, nitrate and dry matter contents in tubers. Optimal nitrogen doses and their efficiency were established for the particular cultivars. The experiment was carried on a light soil, on which straw and aftercrop of white mustard were ploughed in. In these experiments 5 levels of mineral nitrogen fertilization were applied: 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N·ha-1, at the constant levels of phosphorus — 17.5 kg P·ha-1 and potassium — 99.6 kg K·ha-1. Three medium early, table cultivars: Bursztyn, Etiuda and Zenia were tested. Studied cultivars were characterized by medium requirements for mineral nitrogen. The agronomical efficiencies of nitrogen doses for cultivars of Bursztyn and Etiuda were similar (96 kg of tubers per 1 kg of N) and for cultivar Zenia the efficiency was higher (119 kg of tubers per 1 kg of N). Mineral nitrogen fertilization from 0 to 200 kg N·ha-1 had a significant effect on the starch content, dry matter and nitrate contents in tubers but did not influence the share of deformed tubers, tuber greening and scab infections. The largest tuber yield and the smallest nitrate concentration in tubers were obtained for the cultivar Zenia, but cultivars Bursztyn and Etiuda had significantly higher contents of starch and dry matter in tubers and smaller share of tubers with flaws.

Advances in plant breeding depend on technologies that allow the identification of markers linked to agronomical traits that could be achieved via genotyping and phenotyping. There is a growing interest in the application of statistical methods developed for association mapping and genomic selection. In the last few years, a change in attitude towards plant selection is being observed. Instead of the tendency of identifying single markers for some traits the attention is focused on the evaluation of numerous markers from the QTL regions or the whole available pool of markers is utilized in a selection process. Most of the modern approaches are based on the efficient marker technologies whereas phenotyping on a large scale, is still a problem. This paper is devoted to the aspects affecting efficiency of numerous stages of selection used in plant breeding and involving advances in molecular biology.

Advances in molecular biology, including the new marker technologies and statistical tools allow analysis of large data sets evaluated for different types of mapping populations and change approaches to selection of breeding materials. The emphasis is put on selecting many traits simultaneously based on elite, usually non-related but genetically uniform, plant materials. Currently available methods for selecting forms via DNA-based marker technologies using complex mapping populations are well known to a limited number of specialists whilst applications involving defined mendelian populations (due to their numerous limitations) are being neglected. Thus, the review is dedicated to describing wide range of selection approaches that could be applied to different breeding programs depending on experimental requirements.

The objective of this work is presenting the statistical procedures and method of inference about varieties’ responses to different environmental conditions in tested locations based on balanced dataset from annual pre-registration trials. Considered data set consisted of two-way genotype × environments classification. The two factor mixed model approaches included in Sergen 4 and Eksplan 2 softwares were used for analysis of the grain yield data. The evaluated winter wheat varieties were classified to groups with similar responses to the environments using Ward’s method for cluster analysis. Proposed statistical methods may be supporting tools in the breeding processes to differentiate the types of adaptive response to the environments in winter wheat varieties and enabling an effective search for genotypes with wide and narrow adaptation.

In this paper the results of the analysis of three year breeding trial cycle with lines of spring barley is presented. Single replication, pre-preliminary and preliminary trials were conducted in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. The analyzed trials were conducted at the plant breeding station in Polanowice (Małopolska Hodowla Roślin). The presented conception of description of the results of the trial series with breeding lines and controls is based on an extensive use of the statistical methods. This approach enables a holistic view on the results of the conducted trials for the spring barley lines both from given breeding station and from different experimental stations. The analysis made it possible to show a small variation between the yields of breeding lines in a the not replicated trial. Variation between lines can be demonstrated when more advanced statistical methods, such as analysis of variance of augmented designs, analysis of variance of hierarchical designs or analysis of many years of trials, are used. On the basis of the three year synthetic evaluation of genotypes, which were bred in Polanowice, the interaction genotype × year has been shown by the revealed instability in yielding. A separate analysis of each year of the trials may result in the loss of valuable genotypes.

In performed studies on the use of mutagenesis in DH system, the seeds of malting barley cultivar Rudzik were treated with laser light and chemomutagen — N-methyl-N-nitroso urea (MNU). The plants grown from the treated plants were crossed with Hordeum bulbosum. The effectiveness of haploid production was measured by proportion of the obtained seeds to the number of pollinated florets and number of haploids to number of pollinated florets and immature embryos transferred to in vitro culture. The obtained results as compared to control (non-treated seeds) indicates that the applied dose of MNU decreased the effectiveness of haploid production. In result of diploidization, a numerous DH plants were obtained which were propagated and used for estimation of quantitative traits variability in a field trial. The use of multivariate statistical method indicates that DH lines were characterized by a broader range of traits variability in comparison with their initial cultivar Rudzik.

The field experiment with artificial infection of panicles of 15 oat genotypes was performed in 2014, in southeastern Poland. Panicles were inoculated with conidial suspension of Fusarium equiseti no. 20. The mean reduction in the number of kernels per panicle was 45.7% (from 15.8 to 66.7%), in kernel yield — 47.7% (from 20.3 to 69.3%), and 1000 kernel weight — 7.3% (from 0.5 to 22.8%). Trichothecenes of group A and B were detected in oat kernels. The concentration of T-2 toxin ranged from 0.001 to 0.044 mg·kg^(-1), HT- 2 toxin from 0.001 to 0.081 mg·kg^(-1), scirpentriol (STO) from 0.002 to 0.056 mg·kg^(-1), T-2 tetraol from 0.001 to 0.152 mg·kg^(-1). In kernels of 14 oat genotypes diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) and T-2 triol were found and concentration of these metabolites ranged from 0.001 to 0.005 mg·kg^(-1) and from 0.001 to 0.008 mg·kg^(-1), respectively. Additionally in the infected kernels the following trichothecenes of group B were detected: DON (0.000-0.233 mg·kg^(-1)), 3-Ac - DON (0.023-0.026mg·kg^-(1)), and NIV (0.000-0.218 mg·kg^(-1)).

The incidence of panicles with scab symptoms was assessed in 12 oat cultivars in the fields of Strzelce Plant Breeding Company IHAR group in 2013. The mycological analysis of grain and chaff separated from panicles with disease symptoms was made in the laboratory using a mineral medium. The percentage of panicles with scab symptoms ranged from 0.25% to 2.0%. The species Fusarium culmorum and F. poae were the main causal agents of Fusarium oat scab. Fusarium sporotrichioides and F. oxysporum were also isolated from infected kernels. A study of pathogenicity of F. sporotrichioides to oat was carried out in the experimental plots in Zamość region (southeastern Poland). Oat panicles were inoculated during flowering. The infectious material was a suspension of conidia of F. sporotrichioides no. 88 with a density of 5 × 105 spores per 1 ml. The pathogenicity of F. sporotrichioides to analyzed oat genotypes was determined on the basis of the reduction in the number of kernels per panicle, kernels yield from 40 panicles (4 × 10 panicles) and 1000 kernels weight. The reduction in the number of kernels in panicle as a result of inoculation of panicles with F. sporotrichioides ranged from 0.5% (Arden) to 75.1% (Contender). In the case of cv. Arden the reduction in kernels yield was not detected and in the case of other cultivars it ranged from 24.0% (Komfort) to 79.5% (Contender). The reduction in 1000 kernels weight ranged from 0.1% (Arden) to 22.6% (Flämingsgold).

The aim of investigation conducted in the years 2007–2014 was to estimate the chemical properties of a light soil (soil pH, content of organic carbon, total nitrogen, available forms of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese, zinc, copper, boron and iron) in organic crop rotation. The crop rotation included following agricultural plant species: potato, oat, buckwheat, legume-cereal mixture (yellow lupine with oat), rye. The source of nutrient components were: manure in dose of 25 t·ha-1 applied before the potato cultivation and manure in dose of 12.5 t·ha-1 applied before the oat cultivation, straw, biomass of intercrop plants (field pea, white mustard, serradella) and carbonate lime. The samples were taken from soil layer 0–20 cm in autumn every year. The analysis of soil chemical properties in laboratory of Agricultural Chemical Station was used. The improvement of soil reaction, stable levels of total nitrogen and organic carbon in the soil were stated. The content of magnesium and phosphorus increased in the course of eight years and is high, but potassium decreased and is low. The content of available forms of microelements: manganese, copper, boron and iron in the course of eight tested years increased while zinc decreased. The level of manganese and copper is medium but boron and iron is low.

The purpose of this work was to assess the variability of morphology of the root systems of 17 potato cultivars and to consider a possible connection with their tolerance to high temperature and drought during growing season. The study was carried out in a greenhouse in 2014. Among the cultivars selected for the study ‘Tetyda’ was tolerant and ‘Aruba’ susceptible to these abiotic stresses. A device for the production of potato minitubers in aeroponics was used in the study. Measurements of root system properties were conducted at flowering period and at the beginning of tuberization. Significant differences were found among cultivars in terms of the maximum rooting depth, their fresh and dry matter and dry matter content in roots. Maximum rooting depth reached 109 cm. It was significantly positively correlated with the fresh matter of roots. A measure of the size of the potato plant root system used by most researchers is the dry matter of roots. In our study, it was from 0.93 to 4.78 g per plant depending on the cultivar and was highly correlated with the length of the stems and the fresh matter of above-ground part of plants. The dry matter content in roots ranged from 4.4% in the cultivar Miłek to 7.6% in the cultivar Tetyda with high tolerance to heat and drought stresses during the growing season. However, the demonstration of the relationship between tolerance of cultivars to these abiotic stresses during the growing season and the dry matter content in the roots will require further research.

In the years 2010–2013 some species which can play a pioneering role in natural succession were investigated on soilless ground of post-flotation lime cowering the post-mining area of Jeziórko sulfur mine. Dynamics of species changes occurring in successive years was also evaluated. Research was carried out in two experiments. In the first one, established on the field of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), we defined botanical composition of plants and the scale of covering and sociability according to Braun-Blanquet procedure and also their phytosociological value in order to determine their durability in green growth and dynamics of the species changes. In the second experiment, overgrown with herbaceous and ligneous plants, further changes were observed in species composition and the number of specimen resulting from a fire in the area under investigation in autumn 2006. The results of our research showed that in the field overgrown by tall fescue, postflotation lime increases the share of grasses: couch grass (Agropyron repens (L.) P.B.), bush grass (Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth.) and soft brome (Bromus mollis L.), but the share of orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) decreases. Increase of the share of the following species can be also noticed: field sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L.), field pansy (Viola arvensis Murr.), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.), narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and perennial legume i.e. white clover (Trifolium repens L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). In the area which undergoes a spontaneous succession the share of bush grass, tall fescue and couch grass undergoes reduction in favor of many species of dicot plants such as: canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), European goldenrod (Solidago virga-aurea L.) and tall goldenrod (Solidago serotina Ait.), bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculus L.), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.). Among trees willow (Salix sp.) and poplar (Populus sp.) species dominate and decreases the share of photophilic birch trees (Betula sp.). Some other species appear sporadically. Every year the number of taxa of herbal flora grows and the number of specimen among the species of ligneous plants. Waste sediments introduced to soilless ground initiated a biological life and activated soil-forming processes, which together with spontaneous germination of flora affected the creation of organic and humus level gathering water and available nutrients. We noted an increase of available P, K, Mg nutrients and organic matter in the ground taken from below the flora overgrowing both experimental fields and a small but distinct pH decrease both on organic and humus level and bedrock, that could have lead to specific changes of flora in successive years of the research.

Material for the study consisted of 27 breeding lines and three check varieties, Blask, Olympic, Suweren, of malt barley originated from preliminary field trials located at Bąków, Strzelce, Radzików in 2013. The malting quality was estimated on the basis of 1000 grain weight, grain plumpness, total and soluble malt protein, Kolbach index, malt friability, extractability and diastatic power, content of high molecular weight β-glucan in wort, wort viscosity and fermentability. For these parameters coefficients of variation (CV%) and coefficients of correlation (r) were calculated. Moreover, for total malt protein, extractability, wort viscosity, diastatic power and content of HM-β-glucan, two-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test were carried out, together with estimation of homogeny groups. Among the material tested the most discriminating parameter was the content of HM-β-glucan in wort, with coefficient of variation for this feature above 44%. The results show that genetic factor influenced the technological value in the highest degree of malt barley lines originated from the 2013 harvest year.

Collection of 50 isolates of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici obtained from infected wheat leaves represented the population of this pathogen occurring in Poland in 2012–2013. Isolates were characterized by different level of virulence to the resistance genes present in the differential set of varieties and lines. All isolates were avirulent to the resistance genes Pm21, Pm36 and Pm37. Only one isolate was virulent to the gene Pm29 and 2 isolates to the combination of genes Pm1+2+4b+9. More than 90% of the isolates were virulent to the genes Pm2 and Pm5 and gene combinations Pm2+4b+8+6 and Pm2 Pm4b+5. All isolates were virulent to the susceptible variety Nimbus, genes Pm6 and Pm8 and gene combinations Pm5+8, Pm4b+8. In total, 16 isolates were virulent to 16 genes or their combinations or to 17 resistance genes or a combination. None of them was avirulent only to one resistance gene, and none of them to less than 8 genes and to more than 20 genes, or their combinations. Moreover, none of the all isolates were avirulent to more than 20 resistance genes or their combination.

Red and pink ear rots caused by Fusarium spp. are important factors affecting the grain yield and quality, mainly because of contamination of the grain with mycotoxins produced by the fungi. In Poland, ear rot is commonly caused by F. graminearum producing deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone and also by F. verticillioides, producing fumonisins. It was observed that during the last years contamination with those toxins increased also in Poland. The aim of this study was to determine differences among maize inbred lines for ear rot resistance based on the kinetics of the disease progress as well as on the kinetics of DON accumulation in the grain. Seven inbred lines were included into this study. Their resistance levels after inoculation using F. graminearum and under natural infection were scored every 10 days from the plants at milk stage till harvesting time using 1–7 scale. DON content was determined in the grain samples collected from the most resistant and the most susceptible lines using ELISA test. The differences in the level of ear rot resistance and the DON contamination in the grain sampled in different times were significant. Also, differences among lines in their level of resistance and the ability to accumulate DON in the grain was determined. After inoculation, severity of the disease was on average about 3 degrees higher than under natural infection and it increased over time. Resistance levels after inoculation ranged from 3.3 to 5.9. On average, it was possible to observe that the first symptoms of the disease occurred 20 days after flowering time, and the largest disease progress was observed 50 days after flowering time. Kernel samples collected from the most resistant inbred line were not contaminated with DON even after inoculation. Kinetics of DON accumulation was described using grain samples collected from the most susceptible line. Samples collected already 20 days after flowering were contaminated with the mycotoxin and the largest increase of contamination was observed 50 days after flowering time.

The aim of this paper is to present a method of constructing incomplete split-split-plot type designs for non-orthogonal experiments with at least three factors. Many methods of constructing incomplete designs are known from the literature, often drawing on the rich theory of block designs. When choosing one or more such designs to generate, for example, an incomplete split-split-plot design, special attention must be paid, inter alia, to the optimal use of the experimental material. Consideration should also be given to the possibility of using control or standard treatments for one or more factors, and the possibility of planning the experiment so that the treatment contrasts most interesting to the researcher are estimated with the greatest precision (efficiency). In this paper, the above considerations are illustrated with reference to a new incomplete split-split-plot design for an experiment with winter wheat. The statistical consequences of planning an experiment with such a design are described. The statistical analysis uses techniques appropriate to multi-stratum experiments, as well as the theory of basic contrasts

The paper deals with the methodology of inference from non-replicated breeding experiments using standard treatments (check plots). The selection of genotypes for further breeding is one of the important problems of this methodology. In the literature, there are many proposals of genotype selection methods. It is impossible to compare analytically those methods. Hence, we propose to compare six selection methods known from a literature with the method proposed by the authors. The last method is based on the theory of response surface. We compare the rankings of genotypes obtained by the all methods on the basis of the experiment with spring barley. We can see that the rankings are completely different. In the paper we recommend the selection methods based on the response surface methodology with proper using check plots.

The impact of meteorological conditions on the level of black scurf was examined for 29 selected potato varieties, coming from three groups of earliness: 1 — very early and early; 2 — medium early and 3 — medium late and late. Field experiments were conducted during growing seasons between 2011–2013 in Bonin (IHAR — PIB, Department of Potato Protection and Seed Sciences).A great diversity of black scurf infection level was observed between the groups of earliness for tested cultivars. The lowest infection level for each earliness group occurred in 2011 (very early and early 3.6%, on average, medium early — 15.5%, medium late and late — 5.9%).

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the storage losses and increase of after damaged necrosis on stored tubers subjected to compression forces. Before storing the tubers of 3 varieties: Flaming, Eland and Almera were placed in tubes with a diameter of 6 cm and a height of 60 cm in the following combinations: damaged, no healing, without compression; damaged without healing, compression force of 60 N; damaged, with healing, compression force of 60 N. Tubes were placed in storage at 8°C. After 6 months of storage following parameters were evaluated: surface of pressure-bruise, natural losses, the length and number of sprouts, the size of the external and internal damages. Pressure-bruises were observed on tubers of all tested varieties. The average area of pressure-bruise was 382 mm2.Thermal and moisture conditions effected on the amount of pressure — bruise. The pressure — bruise occurred on tubers were significantly different between studied cultivars. Way of tuber healing had no effect on the pressure — bruise. Tuber necroses, caused by internal and external damaged have increased in all varieties after storage. Necrosis area significantly differed between varieties — in the variety Almera was 31.8 mm2, in variety Flaming 73.4 mm2. The thickness of necrosis caused of crushing of tubers after storage was from 1.2 mm in a cultivar Almera to 4.1 mm in cultivar Flaming. The thickness of necrosis did not depend on compression force but only on the way of wound healing. The level of natural losses was higher in potatoes not compressed, which were not subjected to the healing period. Compression force had an effect on tuber sprouting. After storing more sprouts were observed in potatoes not healed and compressed than in compressed but healed.

O/W emulsions are dispersed systems composed of an oil phase in an aqueous phase. Dispersions of this type are thermodynamically instable. Therefore, in order to counteract this instability, solutions of hydrocolloids such as maltodextrins are used as a dispersed phase. These substances affect not only the stability of systems, but also their rheological properties. The aim of this study was to analyze selected rheological properties of model emulsions o/w based on solutions of potato maltodextrins with three degrees of saccharification and at different concentrations. The emulsions with maltodextrin solutions were prepared using homogenization. Rheological analysis included measurement of viscoelastic properties of the emulsions and determination of viscosity curves by use of an oscillatory rheometer. A significant effect of the degree of maltodextrin saccharification and maltodextrin concentration on the apparent viscosity and viscoelastic properties of model o/w emulsions based on potato maltodextrins was found. Apparent viscosity of the emulsions was decreasing with increasing degree of maltodextrins saccharification. However, within the same degree of maltodextrin saccharification, the value of apparent viscosity increased with increasing concentration of the hydrolyzate in the aqueous phase of system. The analyzed emulsions behaved like viscoelastic body with dominance of the elastic or viscous characteristics for maltodextrin with DE 6, and maltodextrin with DE 11 or 16, respectively.

Experimental data were obtained in the field experiment conducted in years 2009–2010 in IHAR Radzików. The aim of this study was a multivariate evaluation of 7 advanced lines and cultivars of Festuca rubra and 5 of Poa pratensis according to traits important in seed production. On the basis of multivariate analyses, i.e. hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) groups of genotypes were distinguished and characterized. The traits which had the biggest influence on multivariate diversity of tested examined genotypes were the ones correlated with the first principal component which was sodding and resistance to helmintosporiose. These traits were strongly correlated with aspect of the lawn general appearance.

The limited information available on many important and frequently basic aspects of neglected and underutilized crops hinders their development. In many cases this neglected species are very well adapted to various marginal growing conditions, contribute considerably to food supply in certain periods of year or are important for a nutritionally well-balanced diet. Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and red pea (Lathyrus cicera L.) belong to such species in the genus Lathyrus. In Polish agriculture only grass pea is cultivated on a marginal scale and it is represented by two original cultivars and small number of local ecotypes grown since over 200 years in isolate area of Podlasie region. Considering a very narrow gene pool of local varieties of grass pea, the breeding progress depends on enrichment of existing gene pool by an inflow of new genes represented by genetic resources of various geographical origin. The attempt was made at estimation of variation of quantitative traits as well as chemical composition of seeds using genetic resources well represented by accessions derived from different countries of Europe, Asia and Africa and collected in Institute of Plant Genetics in Poznań. In result of three year field trials a broad variability of quantitative traits, particularly yield contributing traits was observed. The biggest differences were noticed in comparisons between L. sativus and L. cicera. Among grass pea materials originated from various countries the groups of Aaccessions with highest and smallest similarity level for quantitative traits were distinguished. It was particularly true for Polish accessions characterized by high number of pods per plant, seed number per pod, seed weight per plant and low weight of 1000 seeds, more similar to small-seeded accessions of Asia origin in opposite to large-seeded material derived from Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary. This large-seeded accession may constitute a valuable initial material for seed size and yield improvement (without reduction of seed number per pod) of more primitive Polish small-seeded local varieties. On basis of performed chemical analysis of seeds the groups of accessions with high protein and fat content and valuable fatty acid profile were identified.

Phenotypic correlation coefficients of the characters controlling seed yield of birdsfoot trefoil local population K 5 were determined. The following characters were investigated: plant height, main stem number per plant, node number per stem, umbel number per stem, pod number per umbel, seed number per umbel, seed number per pod, seed yield per plant, 1000 seed weight. The characters which had the highest variability were: seed yield per plant, seed number per umbel, umbel number per stem and main stem number per plant. The character which had smallest variability was 1000 seed weight. It was found that seed yield per plant which was positively correlated with the main stem number per plant, umbel number per stem, pod number per umbel, seed number per umbel and seed number per pod, depended upon the main stem number per plant and the umbel number per stem. Variability of these characters determined about 90% of the variability of seed yield. Multiple regression and phenotypic correlations showed that simultaneous selection for increased main stem number per plant and umbel number per stem and seed number per umbel resulted in enhanced seed yield potential.

The aim of the study was to find the best phase for seed harvest for obtaining high germination capacity of seeds and evaluation of the influence of decontamination on the birdsfoot trefoil seed quality. Seeds of 2 forms of birdsfoot trefoil, variety Skrzeszowicka — S and a new population — K were studied. Seeds were harvested on four dates (T1–T4). The optimal dates were T3 and T4 in which the seeds of both forms of birdsfoot trefoil reached the highest average germination (nearly 30% and 22%). Decontamination was done using Topsin M 500 SC and sodium hypochlorite. It was found that in the case of a variety Skrzeszowicka disinfection gave the desired effect: the germination rate significantly increased regardless of the disinfection variant and in addition, the proportion of hard seeds was decreased. Hypochlorite disinfection of seeds from population K resulted in an increase of germination compared to decontamination by Topsin M. The effect of hypochlorite disinfection of seeds increased germination for the population K in comparison to seeds decontaminated by Topsin M (by 6%).

Due to limited fossil fuels resources and rising greenhouse gas emissions there is an urgent need to seek alternative energy sources. According to the European Union Directive 2009/28/WE, Poland, as a Member State, is obligated to increase the share of renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy by 15% till 2020. Biomass has the largest share among the renewables in European and Polish energy consumption. Because of above mentioned reasons, dedicated energy crops are becoming more and more significant. Perennial grasses from the Miscanthus genus are perceived as a potential biomass energy crop. This article presents the history of Miscanthus × giganteus introduction to Europe and Poland, description of the currently available gene pool as well as the agricultural and breeding experience and the features requiring improvement.

The possibility of the cultivation of spring oil plants on reclaimed ground of post-flotation lime fertilized with sewage sediments was examined. Five species of oilseed plants were evaluated: spring rape variety Heros, white mustard variety Borowska, oilseed flax varieties Oliwin, Szafir and Jantarol, oilseed sunflower varieties Lech and Wielkopolski and spring false flax variety Borowska. Both varieties of sunflower developed best of all tested species and varieties on soilless ground of post flotation lime and thanks to the strong root system were resistant to drought and crusting of the ground. All varieties of flax developed also very well on the substrate, each year they showed very good emergence, formed a compact aligned field, showed little susceptible to lodging and yielded satisfactory. Of Brassicaeae plants, the most useful for the reclamation of the land was a spring rape because of very good and aligned emergence, low tendency to lodging, high exuberance of plants and proper yield of seeds. white mustard and false flax showed slightly less suitability for rehabilitation of these areas and in terms of the evaluated features developed similarly. Sewage sludge, together with growing vegetation affected the accumulation of organic matter of nutrients in the ground, increasing its water holding capacity and lowering the pH. Sedimentary fertilization of soilless ground of post flotation lime affected differentially the content of heavy metals in reclaimed soil and in the plants grown on it.

The paper contains a proposal for a new method of evaluation of breeding progress delivered by each individual cultivar. The assessment consists of progress indicators, based on data from many years of experiments. Following indicators are calculated: PHO — breeding progress delivered by individual cultivar in terms of the trait; UPHO — useful breeding progress delivered by cultivar in terms of the trait; UTO — useful durability of the cultivar; WOC — usefulness of cultivar. It is assumed that the cultivar delivers breeding progress if its given trait, during the first 4 years of the research, is higher (more beneficial) than the best of the older cultivar among the tested cultivars, in the same years. Cultivar delivers useful breeding progress of trait if, in the first 4 years of the research, its value is better than the average value of the trait for the older cultivars, in the same years. Cultivar is usefully durable if, in the years of its use (research), it is better with regard to a given trait than the average value of the trait of all cultivars (older and newer), in the comparable period. UTO indicator also allows to estimate the number of years of the cultivar durability. Index of usefulness of cultivar (WOC) is calculated as the average of the indicators PHO, UPHO and UTO. Indicators can be calculated for each trait, if its values are measurable and this trait has farming importance. Indicators calculated for the different traits of the crop are comparable if the data come from the same experiments and years.

Evaluation of the breeding progress of winter triticale in Poland, performed in years 1982–2012, used the data from experiments carried out by the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing in Słupia Wielka. The assessment of progress (correlation and regression), after prior transformation of data was used in statistical analyses. These transformations let to exclude the effects of breeding and environmental impacts from the total of estimated progress. Moreover, the breeding progress of each cultivar of winter triticale was calculated based on the indicator method proposed by Rudnicki (2014). It was found that, in years 1982–2012, yielding of winter triticale increased as a result of the breeding and agronomical progress. Average increase per year was about 1.04 dt∙ha-1, mainly (90.4%) due to gradual breeding progress. Dynamics of the grain yield increase was great (1.95 dt∙ha-1∙year-1) in initial years of the winter triticale breeding in Poland (1982-1990) and decreased in subsequent years. Out of 58 assessed varieties 22 brought the breeding progress in yielding, but as many as 57 varieties brought the useful breeding progress. The useful durability of 48% of assessed varieties was above 5 years. In terms of grain yield, varieties that demonstrated the greatest utility were: ‘Sorento’, ‘Ugo’, ‘Pawo’, ‘Bogo’, ‘Witon’, ‘Presto’, ‘Tewo’, ‘Kazo’, ‘Lamberto’, ‘Tornado’, ‘Moderato’, as well as Tulus’, ‘Algoso’, ‘Fredro’, ‘Pizarro’, ‘Grenado’, ‘Borwo’. The lack of trends in years were discovered in case of grain plumpness of winter triticale over the 30 years of breeding, hence the progress in this feature was slight. The falling number of the flour made from triticale also revealed the lack of progress. The content of total protein in grain showed a little, but significant progress through 1982–2012 and negative correlation with the grain yield in these years (r = -0.71).

The evaluations of breeding progress of winter triticale with regards to the resistance to 10 stress factors have been presented in the paper. The cultivars of triticale in the Polish Registration list between 1982–2012 have been used to assess the progress. Analogous methods were applied as in the first part of the work (Rudnicki, 2014 a, 2014 b). It was found that the resistance of the standard cultivars of winter triticale to most rated stressors decreased over the years. Few cultivars the among registered ones brought the breeding progress in resistance to various diseases. Spectacular success in resistance breeding was in case of cv. ‘Fidelio’, that entered to the register of varieties in 1997, and brought a large and sustained progress in resistance to almost all stresses. With the passage of years of research many cultivars, registered since 1996, lost their initial resistance to pathogens, especially to powdery mildew and leaf rust. The loss of resistance usually happened faster for the varieties registered later. Before 2001 diseases, with the exception of brown rust, had no significant effect on the yield of winter triticale, while in the later period their impact became significant.

The increasing food demand and economic conditions force constant increase of crop yield. Green revolution introduced dwarf forms and for five decades determined mechanisms of yield growth by increasing harvest index (HI) which, combined with advances in agricultural practices, resulted in wheat grain yield greater than 10 t/ha. The optimal HI level was reached (≈ 0.64 for wheat) thus exhausting yield potential related to this parameter. This initiated a search for new crop phenotypes which would guarantee continuing yield increase in the future decades in the prospect of increasing soil drought. In this article, the results of wheat ideotypes simulation generated by mechanistic Sirius model enhanced by evolutionary algorithm (GA-SA) and climate scenarios (HadCM3) are presented. They are discussed in the context of selection priorities in crop breeding in Poland. The biochemical and physiological factors determining plant drought resistance and efficient water use by cereal crops are also presented.

The work presents results of studies conducted in 2006–2009 to determine the effect of fertilization with undersown catch crops on the cooking quality characteristics of potato tubers in integrated and organic production systems. Two factors were examined in the experiment: fertilization with the following undersown catch crops (control without undersown catch crop, farmyard manure, white melilot, white melilot + westerwolds ryegrass, westerwolds ryegrass, white melilot applied as mulch, westerwolds ryegrass + white melilot applied as mulch, westerwolds ryegrass applied as mulch) as well as production system (integrated, organic). Table potatoes were cultivated immediately after fertilization with the undersown catch crops. Tuber samples were taken to determine raw flesh, after-cooking darkening and flavour. The effect of undersown catch crops on the aforementioned table potato characteristics was similar to the impact of farmyard manure. The flesh of raw and boiled organic tubers darkened significantly less than the flesh of tubers produced in the integrated system. On the contrary, the potato tubers produced in the integrated production system had better flavour in comparison with organic potatoes.