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Turf experiment on 33 varieties, 6 breeding lines and 1 ecotype from 10 species was carried out from 2002 to 2005. Micro plots (1 m2) in 3 replications were managed without fertilization (from the 1st full year of exploitation). Other treatments were also reduced...

The aim of the research was an evaluation of sward thickness of renewed grassland sown with grass-clover mixtures which, according to the methodology, were utilized in a 4 cut and 6 cut manner. The field research was conducted in the Notec (village Nowe Dąbie) in the years 1999–2001. The experimental field was established on a degenerated pasture on the low quality soil...

Microtuberization is the process which leads to obtaining potato tubers under in vitro conditions. The tubers are very small (up to 10 mm in diameter and 0.7g of weight). To produce microtubers single-node cuttings are used. Several chemical and physical factors are applied to enhance microtuberization. Single-node explants produce one or more healthy tubers...

Identification of 92 potato cultivars based on the electrophoretic pattern of protease inhibitors isolated from potato tubers has been done. Protease inhibitors are proteins that display composition specific for each potato cultivar and therefore can be used as biochemical markers for potato cultivars. Electrophoretic analysis of the proteins was carried out using a fraction of inhibitors separated from other proteins by affinity chromatography...

The importance of residual effects of irrigation, haulm destruction and nitrogen fertilization for yielding of a very early potato cultivar Aster was evaluated in a 3-year experiment carried out at the Experimental Station Gorzyń. Seed-potatoes for the studies originated from the experiments conducted in 1998–2000 at the Experimental Station Złotniki...

The aim of this 3-year study was to estimate the effects of foliar application of multi-component fertilizer (Mikrochelat Gama) as well as Cu, Zn, Mn, Mo and B in the form of salts on the total nitrogen content and fraction composition in tubers of potato cv. Mila. Fertilization with copper, zinc, molybdenum and multi-component fertilizer significantly increased the total nitrogen content in dry matter of tubers...

In many European countries potato cyst nematodes (PCN) have become a major problem in potato production, mainly in starch potato cultivars. There are two species of PCN that pose a threat to potato crops, Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida. Both species are registered on the world list of quarantine pathogens. In the affected areas PCN cause big losses in quantity and quality of potato tubers. Elimination of these pathogens in ware potato production is very complex.

The occurrence of fungal and bacterial diseases was assessed in field investigations that involved 23 potato cultivars. The studies were carried out in the years 2003–2005 at the Department of Potato Protection and Seed Science in Bonin. Infection of potato plants with black leg was evaluated twice: after emergence and at the stage of full growth. A proportion of infected plants in each plot was estimated. To assess tuber infection with soft rot, dry rot, common scab, silver scurf and black scurf tuber samples 10 kg each were taken in four replications from each plot during harvesting...

The effects of spring dressing of seed-potatoes on the occurrence of Rhizoctonia solani in plants and tubers were examined in the years 2003–2005 in Bonin, north-west Poland, using a mid-late table cultivar Bryza. The following treatments were applied: dressing with Monceren 250 FS at dose 60 ml/100 kg tubers, dressing with Pencycuron + JAU 6476 258 FS, dosed 62.5 ml/100 kg tubers, and a control without dressing...

In the past, potato wart disease was a serious problem in Poland. Since 1955, in order to eradicate the pathogen, potato cultivars resistant to the pathotype 1(D1) of Synchytrium endobioticum, have only been released to be grown in Poland. No new foci caused by this pathotype have been detected since the early 1960s. In 1961 and 1965, two other pathotypes of S. endobioticum were discovered. These pathotypes, named 2(Ch1) and 3(M1), were found to be specific to Poland, and to differ from other pathotypes occurring in northwest Europe...

The efficiency of 7 different fungicides, recommended controlling early blight, in reducing the mycelial growth of Alternaria spp. was evaluated in laboratory experiments using potato-agar medium. Three contact fungicides: zoxamide + mancozeb (Unikat 75 WG), fluazynam (Altima 500 SC) and propineb (Antracol 70 WG), two translaminar fungicides: cymoxanil + famoxate (Tanos 50 WG) and fenamidon + mancozeb (Pyton 60 WG), and two systemic fungicides: metalaxyl-M + mancozeb (Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WG), and iprowalikarb + mancozeb (Melody Med 69 WG) were compared...

Reaction of 196 potato cultivars to Potato virus M (PVM) was estimated in 1973–2005 in the Department of Potato Genetics and Parental Lines, IHAR at Młochów. The analysis of the data showed that a level of field resistance to PVM of Polish and foreign cultivars registered on the Polish National List is low (2–5 on a scale 1–9, were 9 means the most resistant)...

Two laboratory tests for evaluating potato resistance to Synchytrium endobioticum were compared. The study included plants from six potato breeding lines, generally known to be susceptible to S. endobioticum pathotype 1. The Glynne-Lemmerzahl method involved plant inoculation with fresh wart with summer sporangia, whereas winter sporangia were used for plant inoculation in the method proposed by Spieckermann...

A rate of losses in potato tubers stored in bulk in a storehouse supplied with a humidification system was compared with that recorded for tubers kept in a storehouse without such a system. In both storehouses the tubers were stored for a long time at 8C, with a ventilation system working, on average, for 5 hours a day. Water vapour pressure deficit (WVPD) in the storehouse with a humidification system was smaller than that in the storehouse without humidification...

The exact 2-factor field experiment was carried out, in split-plot design, on the farm at Bodzanówek in the years 2001–2003. The first factor was four bean cultivation technologies: extensive, integrated, semi-intensive and intensive. The snap bean cultivars: Bona, Madera and Presenta constituted the second factor...

The highest absolute and relative increases of pod yields and pod yield structural components were observed when the intensity of the snap bean cultivation increased after changing from extensive to integrated technology. Pod density per 1 sq. m showed the most considerable effect on increasing fresh and dry yield of bean pods as a result of cultivation technology intensification. The more intensive snap bean technology, the greater the financial values of pod yield as well as direct costs and direct surplus...

A preliminary molecular map of common wheat was established using doubled haploid population derived from a cross between cultivars Liwilla and Begra. Parental cultivars and offspring lines were genotyped with SSRs and DArT markers. Molecular analyses resulted in identification of 269 polymorphic DArT markers. Of the 328 SSRs analyzed only 137 were polymorphic and for 103 SSRs segregation data were generated...

We present results on analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance on seedlings leaves of wheat to septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola (anamorph Septoria tritici). A population of doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from a cross between cultivars Liwilla (resistant) and Begra (susceptible) were investigated in the research. Resistance of the population was evaluated under controlled conditions using seedling detached leaves and whole seedlings methods. Individuals were inoculated with mixture of S. tritici isolates...

The overview of the experiences of Polish agriculture and rural areas during the first year of the EU membership is presented in this article. In the introductory part, the conditions of agricultural development under the system of the socialist planned economy is briefed. The Polish agriculture has been successful to survive the pressure of collectivization but entered into the period of market transformation technologically backward, with dispersed agrarian structure and suppressed by the environment of state monopoly of agricultural purchases and supplies and the lacking possibilities of self-organization of local communities. The system transformation, introduced in 1989, put challenges of rapid change from the conditions of the “economy of shortages” into the market economy. Another key factor, changing political and economic environment and the future of Polish agriculture is the European integration. In the following parts of the article, the long way of Poland towards EU membership and crucial results of the accession negotiations related to agriculture and rural development are outlined. Experiences of the first year of the membership are presented in the final part of the article. It is shown that most fears, spread in rural communities before the accession, have not been confirmed. During the first year of the membership the good performance of Polish agricultural trade has been recorded. The trade turnover has increased significantly and the trend of positive trade balance, recorded in the year preceding the accession, has been enhanced. Remarkable financial sources from the Community budget – to cover the needs of the CAP and structural policy — bring a new perspectives of rural and agricultural development of Poland. In the forthcoming new budgeting period of 2007–2013 no crucial changes of the Community policies are planned. In the long-run perspective, some basic reforms are to be expected.

In the paper development of different farming systems in Poland is discussed. In the second part of the 20th century, the conventional intensive agriculture dominated in most of developed countries. This system caused many negative consequences, i.e.: food overproduction, low food quality, natural environment deterioration and social problems on the rural areas. As alternatives, the organic and integrated systems appeared in recent years. These systems have rapidly spread world-wide, particularly in the European Union (EU). Large financial support for farmers and clear system of standards based on EU Regulation 2092/91, were the main stimuli for development of organic farming in Poland. In 2004, there has been 26.3 mln ha of organic farming area in the world. Australia with 11.3 mln ha had the highest share in this area. In Europe, Italy is the leading country with the biggest organic farming area (about 1 mln ha) and the highest number of organic farms. In Poland, in 2005, there were almost 7000 organic farms, and their area constituted about 1% of all agricultural area. However, the market of organic food is still at the beginning of its development. The integrated system in Poland has been developing intensively since 2004, thanks to first of all amend Law on Crop Protection and Regulation of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2004. Recently, this system is becoming very popular among farmers, because it creates better possibilities to sell the products. In 2005, in Poland, 7585 plantations with 22 different crops (mainly fruits and vegetables) were certified as integrated.

The aim of this study was to represent genetic distance among Polish wheat cultivars. The paper presents five methods of estimation of genetic distance based on coefficients proposed by Jaccard, Kulczynski, Sokal and Michener, Nei, Rogers. Material for the study involved 53 Polish wheat cultivars. The genetic distance of cultivars was estimated on the basis of 164 microsatellite alleles. The largest values of genetic diversity were obtained for the Jaccard’s distance. Significant positive correlation coefficients were obtained for the Jaccard’s, Kulczynski’s, Sokal and Michener’s and Nei’s distances. The results obtained for the Rogers’ distance were different from other compared distances.

Yield stability of 8 winter wheat varieties was investigated in the region of Lower Silesia (Poland) in the years 2001–2003. The yields of six environments (Jelenia Góra, Kobierzyce, Wrocław, Tomaszów Bolesławiecki, Naroczyce, Jelcz-Laskowice), diverse in regard to soil conditions, were compared in the standard and intensive variants of cultivation. The intensive variant, in comparison with the standard one, differed by 40 kg/ha higher level of nitrogen fertilization, a complete chemical protection against fungal diseases, application of anti-lodging agents, and foliar feeding of plants with a multi-component preparation. The recently registered cultivars: Jawa, Kobra, Korweta, Kris, Mewa, Sakwa, Soraja and Zyta were the objects of the study. Statistical analysis was carried out according to the computer program Sergen 3 (Caliński, 1998). Analyses of interaction G x E, joint regression and principal components were applied. The cultivars Kris and Soraja were the best yielder in the standard system, whereas cultivars Kris and Jawa gave high yields in an intensive system. The cultivar Korweta gave low yield in both systems. The considerable differences in yields in some localities suggest the need of testing new varieties in many environments, because of the significant genotype x environment interaction.

An experiment with rotation systems for spring wheat was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Uhrusk in the years 2003–2005. It was set in the split-plots design with four repetitions, on plots 10 m2. The grey-brown rendzina soil, formed from light loam, weak sandy, was classified into a very good rye-type soil utility complex. The experiment concerned four crop rotations with varying proportion of spring wheat (25, 50, 75, 100%) and two agrotechnical levels: minimalized and intensive. The grain yield of spring wheat, Opatka cultivar, was affected by weather conditions in the years of study, by the rotation systems and by the agrotechnical level. Spring wheat cultivation in monoculture decreased the grain yield by 24.7–32.4% in relation to the crop rotations with 25–75% of wheat. Intensive level (pesticides and fertilization with nitrogen) increased the grain yield by 15.6% as compared to the minimalized level. Spring wheat cultivation in monoculture decreased test weight and grain uniformity in relation to crop rotations A–C (25–75% of wheat).

The aim of the investigations carried out under laboratory conditions was to determine the influence of laser irradiation on early phases of development of spring wheat cultivar Banti. In the period preceding the experiment wheat seeds were stored for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. Then, they were treated either by a He-Ne laser or a semiconductor laser at different irradiation doses. Sowing value and morphological characters of seedlings were evaluated in a two-factorial experiment with a completely randomized design. The treatment by a semiconductor laser appeared to be more effective than that by a He-Ne laser in pre-sowing biostimulation of spring wheat.

Resistance of 40 winter wheat cultivars from the Polish National List to Fusarium head blight was studied. Experiments were conducted in the years 2002–2004 in the experimental fields of PBAI Radzików, Poland. Heads of winter wheat were inoculated with Fusarium culmorum. Head infection, number of Fusarium damaged kernels and reductions of yield components were evaluated. Winter wheat cultivars were on average medium susceptible, however the wide variability of reaction occurred. Several resistant cultivars (e.g. Turnia, Alba, Tonacja, Liwilla) and a number of highly susceptible ones (e.g. Liryka, Maltanka, Clever, Kris, Soraja) were distinguished. In spite of the high level of head infection, some susceptible cultivars (Begra, Kobra, Symfonia) showed medium resistance to kernel damage and medium tolerance to yield reduction. In contrast, some cultivars with low head infection were characterized by a relatively large number of Fusarium damaged kernels (Liwilla, Sukces, Wilga). Flowering time and straw height significantly influenced the head blight severity. Heads of the tall cultivars, as compared with those of the short ones, were usually infected with F. culmorum at the lower level. However, some short and medium cultivars (e.g. Symfonia, Izolda, Sukces, Tonacja, Alba) showed some deviations from the general tendency. This suggests the presence of resistance genes in these cultivars.

Resistance of breeding lines of winter wheat and winter triticale to Fusarium head blight was tested in 2005 within the framework of preliminary variety testing. Heads of winter wheat and winter triticale were inoculated with Fusarium culmorum isolates. Significant differentiation in the resistance of wheat lines to head blight as well as differences between lines  originated from various breeding companies (programs) were found. The triticale lines were infected at the two-fold lower level, as compared with the wheat lines. They differed significantly in the resistance to Fusarium head blight. Plant height of the wheat lines correlated significantly with Fusarium head blight severity. Such a relationship was not found in the triticale lines (normal and short stem). The lines and cultivars of triticale showed significant variability of resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis). Both immune-like reaction and high susceptibility to powdery mildew of the triticale genotypes were observed.

Sowing value and chemical components of seeds of 5 cultivars of spring barley, untreated and treated with ca mordant were tested after storage under different conditions. The studies showed that the conditions of seed storage significantly influenced the frequency of seed infection by some fungi. Saprophytes and pathogens were isolated in smaller number from the stored seeds than from seeds tested immediately after harvest. An increase of infection by species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor known as "storage fungi" was detected on the stored seeds. Microorganisms were isolated in lower numbers from the stored seeds, both in uncontrolled conditions and in the controlled temperature -15°C. Seed treatments, especially with Vitavax, caused reduction of infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium spp. It was found also that germination capacity, vigour and chemical composition of grain depended on the treatments and storage conditions.

Quantitative traits of translocation rye strains Secale cereale L. cv. Amilo x Dasypyrum villosum (L.) P. Candargy were analyzed on the basis of results obtained in 3-year investigations (2000–2002). In comparison with a standard variety Amilo, some of the strains exhibited at least one of the following characteristics: significantly shorter plants, significantly higher content of total grain protein, longer spike, higher spike density, earlier heading, earlier flowering. The analysis of correlation coefficients showed that the reduction in plant height and the increase in total protein content only slightly reduced yielding in the investigated strains. It was found that grain yield was substantially affected by the number and weight of kernels from one spike, spikelet fertility and plant height. The results indicate that the breeding problem associated with undesirable correlation between protein content and yielding as well as between protein content and plant height has been overcome in some rye strains.

Resistance of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) botanical varieties to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and diclofop methyl was investigated. Plants were collected from arable fields in south-eastern Poland, where the effectiveness of herbicides used to control wild oat had decreased. In the laboratory experiment germinated seeds were grown for 6 days on herbicide water solution. Afterwards, a number of alive seedlings and the length of their coleoptyli were determined. The response of wild oat varieties to field spraying with fenoxaprop-P-ethyl (55.2g a.i. ha-1) or diclofop methyl (720 g a.i. ha-1) was investigated in field trials in the years 2003–2004. A rate of leaves injury, number of flowering plants, and mass of seeds were assessed. Resistance to the herbicides applied was found in some varieties of wild oat. The level of resistance was different, depending on the experimental conditions. In the field conditions, the expression of resistance was modified by meteorological conditions.

Bipolaris sorokiniana is the causal agent of common root rot, leaf spot disease, seedling blight and black point of cereals, especially wheat and barley. The fungus is one of the most serious foliar disease constraints for both crops in warmer growing areas and causes significant yield losses. Therefore, in this review taxonomy, biology and economic importance of B. sorokiniana are presented.

The accession of Poland to the European Union has changed economic conditions of Polish agriculture and foreign trade in agri-food products. After the accession all duties and other measures that could affect agri-food trade on the area of the enlarged EU have been abolished. So Poland was granted with an unlimited access to the market of about 450 million of customers. At the same time Polish market was opened on the same conditions as well. The analysis is focused on the identification of basic outcomes of the enlargement as regards foreign trade in potatoes and potato products. A significant increase in imports of potato preparations, including mainly starch products can be considered as a direct outcome of the accession. Considerable increase concerned also the import of ware potatoes. Remarkable increase was reported also in exports but its scale was not as such as in the case of imports. However the export of ware potatoes significantly declined. Reflecting these changes the balance of foreign trade after the accession clearly deteriorated. Nevertheless in the long run the accession creates much more opportunities than threats, which in the coming years should result in growing exports and thus some improvement of the balance of trade.

This paper presents the prognosis of development of potato production in Poland, resulting from the opinions of seed companies concerned on potato seed industry. It is prognosed the area of potato cultivation will be reduced. The growth of potato production for consumption and relative stabilization of demand in other branches are expected. Strengthened phytosanitary regulations are considered to be the main barrier to export. The lack of positive attitude towards potato sector development both from political and administrational authorities and majority of agribusiness companies was emphasized.

The purpose of the study was determination of changes in fodder use of potatoes in Poland. The data confirmed that the country is one of the most important potato producers in the world, due to favourable climate and soil conditions. Fodder is the major way of the crop utilization, most frequently in nutrition of swine, which is highly efficient in the use of potato-stored energy. In the recent years fodder use of the crop gradually decreased, which resulted mainly from high costs of the production, as potato requires high inputs of labour and energy. It caused a decrease of the crop cultivation area in Poland. More and more frequently the farmers put into feeding only waste potatoes or the part of yield, which cannot be sold.

In experiments carried out in the years 1997–2000 the influence of irrigation, cultivation technology and nitrogen fertilization on yield and economic effects of potato cultivation was evaluated. With the increase in nitrogen fertilization up to 120 kg/ha, the tuber yields increased both in irrigated and non-irrigated field, but in the former one the increase was significantly greater. Irrigation, on the average for remaining factors, increased yield by 19.8%. The best effects both in irrigated and non-irrigated field, at average nitrogen fertilization, were obtained with the high-input technology. Irrigation resulted in the increase in the direct surplus by c. 1967 PLN/ha (with no calculation of the treatment cost).

In experiments carried out in 1997–2000 the influence of irrigation, cultivation technology and nitrogen fertilization on size and chemical composition of potato tubers was investigated. Both irrigation and cultivation technologies of the higher input increased the share of tubers exceeding 6 cm in diameter. The yields of tubers with a diameter above 4 cm and 6 cm increased with increasing nitrogen doses up to 120 kg/ha and 60 kg/ha  in the irrigated and non-irrigated fields, respectively. The highest tuber yields in these fractions were obtained when the high-input technology was applied. The factors analyzed markedly influenced the content of starch, protein, nitrogen, fibre, ash and potassium in tubers.

The paper presents biology and epidemiology of the pathogenic bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum causing brown rot in economically important plant species. Particular emphasis was put on species complexicity, broad range of plants susceptible to infection and on ways of bacterial dispersion. Symptoms of infection, risk associated with the latent infection and basic methods of detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in infected plant material are described in the paper.

The development of bacterial ring rot symptoms was observed on eggplants which were inoculated with different amounts of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (Cms) and usefulness of the bioassay in eggplant seedlings was assessed for verification of the results of indirect immunofluorescence antibody staining (IFAS). Plants infected with the suspensions of bacterial cells which contained from 10 colony forming units (cfu)•ml-1 to 4.8 × 102 cfu•ml-1 not show any disease symptoms for over 40 days. In all cases the IFAS-test confirmed the latent infection (Table 1 and 2). The symptoms were observed on plants infected with the Cms suspension in the concentration above 9.1 × 103 cfu•ml-1. The first symptoms were observed 7 days after inoculation, on 4 from 10 plants inoculated with the highest concentration inoculum (9.1 x 106 cfu•ml-1): however 13 days later the symptoms were visible on all eggplants.

A field experiment aimed at validation of forecasts performed by the decision support system SimLep 3 was carried out in the years 2003–2005. The SimLep 3 simulates the phenological dates of Colorado potato beetle population development, taking into account air temperature and the results of field inspections performed at the beginning of eggs laying period. Each year full agreement between real and forecasted maximum abundance of young larvae date was observed. Moreover the results of simulations, describing the first appearance of larvae L1 and L3, were also much reliable. However in 2003 and 2005 the real maximum abundance of eggs differed with the forecasted one. The study demonstrates also that chemical treatment recommended by SimLep 3, guarantees effective protection of potato plantations from damages caused by Colorado potato beetle. Insecticide applications carried out after these periods were less effective.

The environmental conditions in the 1996/1997 vegetation period were unfavourable to overwintering of winter oilseed rape because of the severe frost in the winter. Great effects of genetic differentiation among the strains studied upon plant density estimated in the spring were observed. Positive correlation between the yield of seed and the number of plants was found. At the density of 10-20 plants on 1 m2, the yields of seed in many of the oilseed rape strains were similar to that obtained at a normal density.

The effects of biostimulation by laser light on sowing value of seeds in soybean cv. Mazowia, lucerne cv. Radius, white cabbage cv. Kamienna Głowa, cauliflower cv. Pionier GOF, sweet paprika cv. Zorza, root parsley cv. Berlińska PNE, carrot cv. Perfekcja GOF and onion cv. Wolska, as well as on yield of carrot root and onion bulbs, were evaluated. Irradiation with divergent He-Ne laser light at wave length of 632.8 nm and a power density of 4mW/cm2 was applied in four variants: 2, 4, 6 and 8 doses. No treatment variant was a control. The numbers of seeds germinating normally and abnormally as well as the proportions of hard and dead seeds were estimated. All the irradiation doses significantly increased the yield of onion bulbs harvested from micro-plots. The effects of carrot treatment upon root yield from plot were similar at two- and four-fold doses. All variants of pre-sowing irradiation positively affected the seeds of onion and paprika, improving their germination energy and capacity. Moreover, the treatment resulted in decreased proportion of abnormal seedlings in onion. The two-fold and four-fold doses improved seed germination capacity in cauliflower and carrot. In contrast, seed vitality lowered in parsley when irradiated at the four-fold dose. The results show that the effects of biostimulation by laser light depended on plant species and irradiation dose.