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An experiment with rotation systems for hard wheat was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Uhrusk in the years 2002–2004. It was set in the randomized blocks design with four replications, 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 hard wheat (25, 50, 75, 100%). The grain yield of hard wheat was affected by weather conditions in the years of study, and by the rotation systems. Hard wheat cultivation in monoculture decreased the grain yield by 23.8–28.0% in relation to the crop rotations with 25–75% of wheat. It was shown, that coefficient of LAI (leaf area index) depended on years and crop rotations. Cultivation of hard wheat in monoculture diminished value of LAI coefficient in relation to the crop rotations.

The objective of a field experiment, conducted in 2003 and 2004 was to determine response of spring wheat, quality cultivar, on varying rates of nitrogen fertilization on sites with ploughed down stubble crops. The experiment was carried out with the split-plot method in 4 replications. Three variants of cultivation of wheat with pre-sowing ploughing down of various stubble crops constituted the main plots of the experiment: 1) without stubble crops; 2) stubble crop — white mustard; 3) stubble crop as a mixture of leguminous plants with non-papilionaceous ones. Four rates of nitrogen fertiliztion: 0; 40 kg (40I); 80 kg (40I + 40II); 120 kg (40I + 40II + 40II) were used as subplots. Dates of nitrogen application: I — before sowing of wheat, II — at shooting (2 node), III — earing. Spring wheat (cultivar Torka) was sown at density of 500 plants per 1 m2. It was found that every higher nitrogen rate significantly increased yields of wheat grain. Grain yields from wheat growing without nitrogen fertilization were lower by 7.6% than after using rate of 40 kg N, by 15.1% after rate of 80 kg N and by 17.8% after application of 120 kg N per ha. Ploughing down stubble crop affected formation of spring wheat yielding to a different extent. After ploughing down the mixture, yield of grain was significantly higher than without stubble crop but after white mustard it was lower. After ploughing down the mixture of leguminous with non-papilionaceous plants before spring wheat or at cultivation of wheat without stubble crop, the sufficient rate of nitrogen was 80 kg N·ha-1, however after ploughing down white mustard the rate of 120 kg N·ha-1 significantly increased yield of wheat.

The aim of the investigation was to define the relationships between baking quality of wheat and cadmium content in grain. The grain for analysis was collected from pot experiments. Four spring wheat cultivars (Eta, Hera, Igna, Sigma) were grown. Two independent experiments were conducted: on uncontaminated soil and on the soil contaminated with 4 mg Cd×kg-1. Concentration of Cd in grain was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Protein content was analyzed by the Kjeldahl method. Wet and dry gluten and gluten index were analyzed with the Glutomatic 2200 apparatus. There were no correlations between cadmium content and grain quality features in grain of wheat obtained from the soil not contaminated by Cd. However, in the experiment conducted on soil contaminated with Cd, significant positive correlations were found between cadmium and gluten (wet and dry) and protein content in grain. Gluten index was correlated negatively with cadmium content in grain.

The response of 3 two-row and 3 six-row cultivars of winter barley to nitrogen fertilization (0, 30, 60, 90 kg N/ha) and sowing date (7–9, 17–19 and 27–29 September) was investigated in microplot experiments in the years 1998–1999. The response of 2 another two-row and 3 six-row cultivars was investigated in similar experiments in the years 2000–2001. All the cultivars responded with increase of grain yield to the increase of nitrogen fertilization up to 60 kg N per ha. The six-row cultivars (especially Bursztyn) showed higher increase than the two-row cultivars. In the years 1998–1999, interaction of the cultivars and nitrogen fertilization at the dose of 90 kg per ha was caused by higher yield increase of the six-row cultivars as compared to the two-row cultivars. High yield was reached at the early sowing time and good winter survival. Under poor survival caused by smothering and snow mould infection the yields were smaller at the early sowing date (especially for the two-row cultivars). The medium date was most suitable for winter barley. The two-row cultivars (in particular Bombay) were more sensitive to delayed sowing when compared to the six-row ones. Variability of grain yield, in dependence on the studied factors, was related to differentiation in number of ears per unit area, but the seed number per ear and weight of 1000 seeds did not vary significantly.

Barley grain is the main source for production of malt. Varietal purity is essential for production of good quality malt. Each malting barley cultivar has a description of characters prepared on the basis of micromalting tests conducted according to the criteria of the European Brewing Convention (EBC). Before sending barley grain of a certain cultivar to a brewery, both the efficiency and quality of malt are to be evaluated. Quality of a cultivar is assessed according to the Q index where Q value below 5 specifies feed cultivars and Q value near 9 specifies very good malting cultivars. Hitherto malting barley quality assessment has been conducted using laboratory methods. Digital image analysis might facilitate the barley quality assessment procedure and reduce its costs. Discriminant analysis and digital image analysis were used in classification of grain of 11 spring barley cultivars to the quality groups. Discriminant analysis was based on morphological features and color features characteristic for RGB color space. Discriminant analysis was conducted using SAS 9.1. Successive steps of the analysis and procedures syntax in the 4GL programming language have been presented.

Two series of pot experiment were carried out in the period of 2000–2002 to determine the response of 8 spring barley cultivars to three nitrogen fertilization rates: 1, 2 and 3 g N per pot. The Justina and Annabell cultivars showed significant increase of grain yield with increase of N rate to 3 g per pot. For the remaining cultivars, significant differences of yield increase were observed between the doses of 1 g N and 2 g N per pot; the yields at 2g N and 3 g N per pot were similar. The grain yield increment was related to increase of productive tillering rate. All cultivars showed great increase of protein content in grain with increase of N rate.

The research was carried on cultivars of winter triticale: Bogo, Hewo, Tornado, Kitaro, Sekundo, Kazo and one breeding line SZDB 154. It aimed at determination of the influence of 2.4 D and picloram mixture concentration on effectiveness of androgenesis in selected cultivars of winter triticale. In the experiment the medium C17 (Wang and Chen, 1983) with 2.4 D and picloram was applied at the following concentration levels: 1 mg 2.4 D + 0.5 mg picloram / 1 litre of medium; 1 mg 2.4 D + 1.0 mg picloram / 1 litre of medium;1 mg 2.4 D + 1.5 mg picloram / 1 litre of medium. Higher concentration of auxine mixture caused better callus induction. The highest effectiveness of androgenesis was observed in Kazo on the C17 medium with 1 mg of 2.4 D / 1 litre of medium. The lowest effectiveness was observed in the Kitaro cultivar. The influence of genotype on androgenesis induction was distinct. Independently on the level of the auxine concentration, embriogenic callus developed most intensely in Kazo, and least intensely in Kitaro. In the experiment, the highest number of regenerated plants was obtained in Kazo on the C17 medium with 1 mg of 2.4 D + 1.5 mg of picloram per one litre medium.

The paper presents the results of one year experiment on the relationship between heterosis effect of nine F1 hybrids and genetic distance between their parental forms. The heterosis effect was calculated for yield and its components: straw length, spike length, number of spikelets in spike, number of seeds in spike, number of seeds in spikelet, mass of seeds in spike and TKW. The genetic distance was determined basing on RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) molecular markers. All the examined hybrids showed significantly higher values of the studied features in relation to the both parents. The study of correlations between the genetic distance and the heterosis effect showed no tendency of a dependence of crop structure features on parents’ genetic distance. Generally, the calculated correlation coefficients didn’t exceed the value r = 0.67 that was critical for their testing at a = 0.05. The seed mass per spike and TKW were exceptional r = 0.86 and r = 0.85, respectively.

In the years 2000–2002, tuber infection by viruses was estimated in new registered potato cultivars after 1-year reproduction of healthy seed tubers in the high pressure zone of virus infection (southern Poland). Nine cultivars taken to the experiments: Molli, Gabi, Rumpel, Satina, Zebra, Pasja, Zeus, Skawa and Umiak were compared to the standard cultivars: Drop, Mila and Bzura. The investigations confirmed resistance to PVY infection of the cvs. Gabi, Rumpel, Skawa and Umiak higher (grade 9) than accepted during registration (grade 7.5–8). The qualified cultivars Zebra and Satina were most difficult in potato seed production, while the easiest was the cultivar Skawa. The cultivars Molli, Umiak and Zeus were classified to the second group, which required middle intensive protection against PVY or PLRV, depending on localization of seed production. The cultivars Gabi, Rumpel and Pasja were classified to the third group, where intensive protection against potato leafroll virus is recommended. The cultivar Pasja deserves attention, because of its distinct reaction to the infection by PVS in greenhouse.

An attempt to create the system of estimation of potato varieties is presented. It can be used in the process of selection of varieties for cultivation. The suggested synthetic index of valorization of table potato varieties includes 20 factors divided into 3 groups: morphology, cooking quality of tubers, technological factors that make the production easier. The most important for a purchaser (consumer) will be the quality, due to the growing competitiveness on the market. The created ranking indicates that table potato varieties cultivated in Poland are comparative to foreign varieties, as far as the estimated factors are concerned.

Our research goal is to determine whether plant oil-based adjuvants alone could be used for seed potato crop protection against virus infections. In this study the phytotoxicity effect of three adjuvants (Dedal 90 EC, Olejan 85 EC and Superam 10 Al.) on potato plants was tested in the year 2004 in greenhouse experiments. The mineral oil — Sunspray 850 EC was used as a control. In the vegetative period (VI–IX) 10 applications of the mixture of oil with water, at various concentrations (1%, 3% and 5%), were performed in the 7 days intervals. The effect of the adjuvants on phytotoxicity response was evaluated 3 days after every application. Our preliminary data showed that there were no symptoms (including chlorosis and wilting) on potato plants after application of 1% concentrated adjuvants. However, at higher concentrations induction of phytotoxic response occurred and lowered tuber yield by 25%–45% (depending on the adjuvant used).

The destruction of haulm is a conventional practice in potato cultivation. Potato haulm can be destroyed mechanically or chemically or with the combination of both means. In the presented study, the different haulm destruction techniques were compared for their efficacy in haulm desiccation and influence in potato tuber yield. The experiments were conducted on two mid early potato cultivars — Balbina and Mila in the years 2000–2002 in Bonin (zachodniopomorskie province). The mechanical haulm destruction was as efficient as the chemical treatment. However, the combination of mechanical and chemical method shortened time of haulm desiccation (for about 2 days) compared with chemical or mechanical haulm killing alone. Moreover, no haulm regrowth was observed. Early haulm destruction with all methods significantly reduced total yield of tubers only for the cultivar Mila (in average about 8%). There was no significant difference for both Balbina and Mila in the yield of seed tubers. According to our data, mechanical haulm destruction could be used as an alternative to chemical desiccation in organic farming.

The effects of pre-sprouting of seed wywanie, PVY, ziemniakpotatoes, weekly treatment with mineral oil and haulm destruction upon the incidence of Potato virus Y (PVY) infection in potato crops were evaluated. Different haulm destruction methods: mechanical, chemical, and combined, were applied. Two mid early cultivars showing different levels of resistance to PVY: Balbina (6.5) and Mila (5.5), were assessed in the years 2000–2002 in Bonin (zachodniopomorskie province). Tuber infection with PVY was examined in winter time, using double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA. No effects of pre-sprouting of seed potatoes on potato plants infectibility with PVY were observed. In contrast, treatments with mineral oil reduced the incidence of tuber infection by approximately 50%. The combined method of haulm destruction reduced tuber infection with PVY more effectively (50% and 70% in cvs Mila and Balbina, respectively) than did a chemical or mechanical method (40–65%). Treatment of potato plants with mineral oil followed by haulm destruction using the combined method decreased additionally PVY infection. Depending on the year of study, the infection rate was diminished by 68–79% in cv. Mila, and by 80–84% in cv. Balbina. Based on the results presented in this paper, as well as on those obtained in earlier investigations, an optimal system was determined to be used in seed potato production for cultivars susceptible to PVY. It includes: obligatory weekly treatments of plants with mineral oil; early haulm destruction using a combined (mechanical + chemical) method. The relatively high effectiveness of mechanical haulm destruction in reducing PVY infection indicates the usefulness of this method in seed potato production in ecological systems.

In the years 2002–2004 in IHAR, Potato Agronomy Department, Jadwisin the experiment concerning plant development of 6 potato cultivars was carried out. The cultivars were grown on two types of soil: very good rye complex and weak rye complex, and two crop production systems (organic and integrated) were applied. Significant differences between tested factors in value of all morphological features were found. The greatest influence on plant development had a crop production system. The plants grown in an integrated system were characterized by better indicators than the plants cultivated in an organic system. The effect of soil was relatively small. As regards the morphological features, the cultivars Bzura, Bila and Wolfram appeared to be the most useful genotypes in organic production.

In the years 2001–2003, the effect of nitrate fertilization on yield and some quality features of three new high-starch potato cultivars: Neptun, Pasja and Skawa was evaluated in the field experiments carried out on medium-heavy soil. The highest (48.6 t·ha-1) and the lowest (44.8 t·ha-1) tuber yields were obtained with cv. Neptun and cv. Pasja, respectively. The highest starch content (10 t·ha-1) was recorded in cv. Skawa, whereas the lowest one (8.9 t·ha-1) in cv. Pasja. There was no direct correlation between nitrogen fertilization and starch yield in the cultivars under study. In cv. Neptun, the highest starch content was obtained at an N dose of 150 kg·ha-1, while in cvs Pasja and Skawa at 100 kg·ha-1. In cvs Neptun and Skawa, the increase in an N dose up to 150 kg·ha-1 resulted in the increasing number of tubers with hollow centre and rust internal spots. In contrast, no disease effects of increasing N doses were observed with cv. Pasja. The plants of cv. Neptun appeared to be highly susceptible to common scab, especially at higher doses of N fertilization.

The aim of the presented investigation was to evaluate the influence of potassium fertilization on the culinary features of potato tubers. The field trial involved three potato varieties: Muza, Oda and Orłan, which were cultivated on the three mineral fertilization levels: N40P17, N80P34, N120P51. Potassium rates were applied proportionally to N and P in the quantitative relation: 0, 1, 2, 3. The following culinary features were evaluated: color, taste, flavor, tubers performance during boiling, flesh consistency, flesh mealiness, flesh moisture, flesh structure, and raw flesh and post cooking flesh darkening. The Muza variety was characterized by the best estimated parameters. At the 4 degree scale (4 — the worst), the taste of boiled tubers was graded as 2.0; flavor 1.2; consistency 1.9; mealiness 1.7 and flesh moisture 1.9. The Muza variety showed a high tuber performance during boiling. The darkening of raw tuber flesh, estimated on 9 degree scale was measured as 8.7 after 10 minutes and 8.2 after 4 hours, and for boiled tubers as 8.8 after 10 minutes and 8.3 after 24 hours. The Oda variety features were a bit worse (all features were scored approximately 0.4° lower) than the Muza variety. The lowest estimated variety was Orłan. Only the taste of this variety was a little better than for the Oda tubers. NP fertilization had no vital influence on most of the estimated features. Increased doses of NP improved taste, moisture, and decreased raw flesh tubers darkening after 4 hours. Increased doses of potassium improved flesh consistency, mealiness and improved tubers performance during boiling.

The paper describes the incidence and importance of main bacterial diseases of potato. The reaction of potato to infection with bacteria causing blackleg, soft rot, ring rot and brown rot is compared. Moreover control strategies against these bacterial diseases of potato are discussed.

The studies on tuber health were conducted on three table potato cultivars: very early Bard, medium-late Rybitwa and late Wawrzyn. The tubers were obtained in a precise plot trial, performed in the years 2000–2002 by the Department of Plant Production, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, in Tomaszkowo. The experimental factors were combinations with nitrogen fertilization at a rate of 30, 60 and 90 kg×ha-1, in the form of 46% urea, applied after plant emergence. Tuber health was determined after five-month storage. The symptoms of common scab and black scurf were evaluated on 100 tubers selected at random from particular fertilization combinations, according to a nine-grade scale. The results are shown as the percentage infection index. A rate of tubers infestation by soft rot, late blight and dry rot was estimated in 5 kg samples for each combination, and presented in % of mass of infected tubers. The tubers were found to be infested at the level by common scab and black scurf in plants fertilized with nitrogen at a rate of 60 kg×ha-1. Climatic conditions in the vegetation seasons of 2000 and 2001 were conducive to the development of these diseases. The mean infection indices recorded for cv. Rybitwa were as high as 20% and 24%, respectively. The lowest level of infection by Streptomyces scabies and Rhizoctonia solani was observed in tubers of cv. Bard. The infestation of tubers by soft rot did not exceed 6%, and that by late blight and dry rot 3% only. The highest level of infection by Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora was recorded for cvs Bard and Wawrzyn, and that by Phytophthora infestans — for cv. Bard. In 2002 no symptoms of late blight were found on tubers of cv. Wawrzyn, irrespective of the level of fertilization, nor on tubers of the other cultivars at the lowest nitrogen rate. The incidence of dry rot was similar in all potato cultivars. Higher nitrogen rates resulted in a higher intensity of soft rot dry rot and late blight.

Chemical protection against potato late blight can either comprise the intensive usage of fungicides starting from potato emergence or base as sustainable protection, on forecasting of pathogen occurrence and utilize decision support systems that can help to predict the date of disease outbreak to determine the timing of first treatment. Field experiments on usefulness of NegFry decision support system in potato protection against late blight in northern part of Poland were conducted at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, Bonin, in the years 2002–2004. The effectiveness of different potato protection systems was compared. Under Bonin climatic conditions, the NegFry system recommended the first spray 0–34 days before the late blight was found at the trial site. Protection performed according to the NegFry indications resulted both in control of late blight and in reduction of a number of fungicide treatments compared to the routine model.

The efficacy of different leaf fertilizers in reducing the incidence of early blight in potato plants was compared in the field investigations carried out in the years 2003–2004 in Bonin. Six variants of plant protection were assessed. The best results were obtained with the following variants: (2x) Basfoliar 12-4-6, applied at a dose of 2.0 l/ha (rate of efficacy 86%), and half-dose chemical protection (Antracol 70 WG, Unikat 75 WG) + Basfoliar 12-4-6 (2 l/ha) (rate of efficacy 85.3%).

In the years 1998–2000 in Bonin (north-western Poland) influence of meteorological conditions on the occurrence of black scurf on potato tubers was tested. Significant influence of mean air temperature in the period July-September on tuber infestation with the disease was observed. The most susceptible to black scurf appeared the varieties: Wolfram, Viking and Alicja. The lowest occurrence of Rhizoctonia solani sclerotia was recorded for varieties Danusia, Vineta, Wawrzyn and Kuba.

Climatic conditions in Poland are mostly unfavourable for development of characteristic rhizomania symptoms in sugar beet plants. In most cases, the limited growth and leaf yellowing are the only symptoms found in plants infected with BNYVV. Such symptoms are often confused with those caused by poor soil quality or water deficit. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal period for BNYVV diagnostics in plants originating from the fields suspected of rhizomania infestation. Samples were taken four times (III decade of July, II and III decade of August, II decade of September 2000) from six fields located near the sites on which the occurrence of BNYVV was recorded in earlier years. The samples for ELISA were extracts from root, plant heart, and the oldest leaves. Bio-Rad products were used in the test. It was found that a frequency of positive readings increased from 65% in the first term of sampling up to 100% in the last one.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of different doses and dates of application of IBA (indolilo-3-butyric acid) and Ekolist (multi-ingredient fertilizer with fungicide properties) on white lupin seed yielding. The strict two-factor field experiment in split-plot design with a control object was carried out in 2001–2003 at the Mochełek Experiment Station. The plants of traditional white lupin cultivar Butan were sprayed with IBA at doses of 20, 40 and 60 mg.dm-3 at the beginning of flowering, and with Ekolist (3, 6 i 9 dm3.ha-1) at the end of flowering. IBA and Ekolist significantly affected white lupin seed yield; the highest seed yield increase was obtained following plant spraying with 60 mg.dm-3 of IBA and 9 dm3.ha-1 of Ekolist. Auxine applied at the beginning of flowering, in combination with Ekolist used at the end of flowering, did not enhance seed yield significantly. There were no significant differences in the effect of IBA and Ekolist on white lupin seed yield and yield components. As compared to the control, both a number of pods and seeds and seed weight per main stem were affected significantly, especially at medium and high doses of the substances tested. The number and weight of seeds developed on branches of plants sprayed with IBA and Ekolist were also higher compared to the control. The best effects were obtained with a high dose of Ekolist and high doses of IBA and Ekolist applied together. No significant effect of the substances tested on weight of 1000 lupin seeds was found.

The investigations were carried out at the experimental station of the IUNG in GrabĂłw, Mazovia province, in the years 1998–2001. The results obtained showed that both lucerne variety and a date of the first cut had effects on the yields, a rate of dry matter increase, foliage development and persistence of plants. Cutting the spring growth at the vegetative stage caused the decrease in the whole-year yield of both dry matter and leaves. Moreover, it effected in reducing the shoots length and plants persistence. However, it resulted in the increase in proportion of leaves in the yield and shoot density in stand. The data obtained during the three-year period of production indicate that  lucerne cvs Luzelle and Legend, compared to cv. Kometa, gave higher yields in the first harvesting and showed a higher rate of dry matter increase at the vegetative and budding stages. Moreover, they produced higher plants and were characterized by a smaller proportion of leaves and a somewhat lower stand density.

The field experiment upon red clover cultivated for fodder was carried out in 1999–2001. Completely randomized blocks in four replications on good wheat complex soil (class III a) were applied. Density structure of clover plants and shoots was studied in the year of sowing. The effects of two sowing ways: pure sowing (no cover crop) and sowing into the spring barley (undersown clover), four seed quantities (212, 424, 636, 848 seeds∙1 m2) as well as of two varieties (Dajana — 2n and Etos — 4n) were examined. Field emergence, number of plants per 1 m2, plants differentiation depending on the root collar diameter, shoot density as well as a number and weight of shoots per plant, were evaluated. With increasing number of seeds in the plots the rate of plant emergence decreased, whereas the plant density and seedling share increased. No significant effect on the shoot density was observed, due to crown self-regulation determined by a variable share of plants differing in a diameter of root collar and a number of stems. Plants of cv. Dajana were characterized by significantly better emergence as well as by higher plant and shoot density per 1 m2 compared to those of cv. Etos. In plant density structure, the seedlings (plants without shoots) amounted 72.2% in the clover sown into the spring barley and 38.8% in the clover cultivated in pure sowing. The enlargement of root collar was associated with the increasing number of shoots, which were not always of greater weight.

The field experiment on diploid and tetraploid red clover cultivated for fodder was carried out in 1999–2001. Completely randomized blocks in four replications on good wheat complex soil (class III a) were applied. Yielding and chemical composition of clover in the year of sowing was determined depending on the sowing method: pure sowing (with no protection plant) and sowing into the spring barley; the amount of sown seeds (212, 424, 636, 848 seeds×1 m-2); and the variety (Dajana — 2n and Etos — 4n). Significantly higher yields of green and dry matter of red clover from the pure sowing as compared to those from the sowing into the spring barley were recorded. The yield of cv. Dajana was significantly higher than that of cv. Etos. Plant fractions “c” and “d” (about 75% in cv. Dajana) and “b” and “c” (about 70% in cv. Etos) had the largest impact on shaping the dry matter yields in the year of sowing. The yield of dry matter was characterized by high percentage of leaves (56.0%–62.8%). The plants of cv. Etos from pure sowing compared to those of cv. Dajana contained significantly more total and specific proteins as well as P, K and Mg. Moreover, they contained smaller proportions of crude fiber, Ca and dry matter. No significant effect of plant density upon the yield quality was found.

Four cultivars representing two subspecies of red fescue were sown in a field experiment conducted in 2002–2004 in RadzikĂłw. Influence of sowing rate on real field stand, plant tillering and installation, as well as on seed yield was investigated. Theoretical sowing rate of 500 plants per 1 m2 (W2) in seed production, and even of 250 plants per 1 m2 (W3) in the case of stoloniferous forms, were found to be optimal. The sowing rate used so far, ranging from 770 to 1145 plants per 1 m2 (W1) depending on varietal differences in thousand seeds weight (TSW), appeared to be excessive. The real field stand was measured as field emergence index (PWW). Depending on sowing density, this index varied from 30% to 45% of the theoretical field stand established on the basis of germination capacity and varietal TSW. In general, seed yielding was affected most considerably by field stand in the year of sowing, determined by plant installation index (WIR). The higher seed yields in spite of the lower sowing rate and lower plant density were the effects of more intensive tillering (up to 30 shoots per plant) as well as of the increased TSW, ear length and ear weight.

The paper describes the cycle of disease development, types of symptoms in lawn and presents edaphic and lectophilic fungi as causal agents of fairy rings and their harmfulness. Chemical methods and cultural practices in controlling fairy rings are reviewed. Low efficiency of these methods is emphasized. Management procedures that may limit the fungi development in lawns are recommended to reduce the occurrence of fairy rings.

In the paper, the technological grain quality of 64 winter introgressives T. aestivum L./ T. durum Desf. was analyzed. The technological evaluation contained the 4-year results regarding protein content (%), Zeleny-sedimentation indicator (ml), falling number (s), baking value (the classes E, A, B, C) and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of the high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenins. The results were compared to those obtained with quality variety Begra of T. aestivum L. The majority of the introgressives exhibited the values of the indicators which were equal (to class A) or exceeded (class E) the variety Begra. The protein content Zeleny-sedimentation indicator, falling number and the baking value of class E were recorded for 46.8, 21.8, 96.8 and 18.6% of the introgressives, respectively The SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of HMW-glutenins showed (1) the presence of homoeological alleles at the loci Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 in 85.9% of the introgressives, (2) the allelic breakages in the locus Glu- D1 with the genesis of new combination of subunits 5+12 in 6.3% and (3) the introgressions of the alien alleles at the loci Glu-1 with the unknown subunits in 7.8% of the introgressives. The results showed that the introgressive hybridization of T. aestivum L. with the tetraploid wheat of the species T. durum Desf. can result in incerasing the grain quality in winter wheat T. aestivum L., arising from the introgressions of A, B genome alleles or from the chromosome-passage effects under the alien chromosome influence.

The influence of early selection on changes of the frequences of alleles (locus Glu A1) responsible for HMW glutenin synthesis was estimated. It was found that the intuitional selection reduced the participation of genotypes with subunits Glu A1-1 and Glu A1-2 among the hybrids with the highest weight of 1000 grains, known to be one of the main criteria applied in a breeding process. To some extent, this result explains why among the Polish varieties and breeding lines there occur so many forms with Glu A1-null variant. This might be due to the linkages between genes controlling HMW glutenins and genes governing various agronomic characters which are selected for in a breeding program. Such a dependence was not found case of grain yield per ear.

Inheritance of some b-gliadin protein fractions observed in Polish winter wheat cultivars and strains was analyzed. Two cross combinations: kbh-sp1 × LAD 480 and kbh-sp2 × Flair were made. Lines kbh-sp1 and kbh-sp2 were the biotypes selected from spelt cultivar Oberkummler Rotkorn, and LAD 480 and Flair were the genotypes of common wheat. Parental forms differed from each other in b-gliadins. A frequency of different b-gliadin combinations in F2 generation was estimated, and six blocks: four coded by chromosome 6B and two coded by chromosome 6D, were identified. Results of χ2 test confirmed the hypothesis that blocks belonging to particular chromosome groups are inherited as single Mendelian units. Rm values were calculated for all electrophoretic bands belonging to the identified blocks. New blocks were included to the existent catalogue of gliadin proteins.

The leaf rust resistance gene Lr50 was introduced to the wheat variety Flair using marker-assisted selection strategy. Two backcrosses to the recurrent parent were performed. Two microsatellites gwm382 and gdm87 flanking gene Lr50 were used to select individuals with the resistance gene in offspring populations. In addition, recipient genome content was evaluated on F1BC1 population using a set of 21 microsatellite markers. Therefore, in the centromer region of each chromosome one marker was located. Unfortunately, due to the lack of DNA polymorphism or absence of expected PCR products, the information obtained was limited. Nevertheless, the marker-assisted selection strategy allowed to select lines carrying gene Lr50. The lines were transferred to the wheat breeding program focused on the resistance to leaf rust.

Winter triticale anthers were evaluated in F2 plants obtained by crossing male sterile line Salvo 15/1, with fertility restoring line Bogo 5/3. The anthers were scored using a 5 grade scale. The results showed a varying degree of anther development among plants, ears, sides of ear, spikelets in ear and flowers in spikelet. The highest variation was observed among spikelets (28.75%) and anthers in flowers (21.25%). The anthers in apical spikelets were deformed more than those in the middle and basal parts of the ear.

The aim of this work was to determine the genetic polymorphism of 15 varieties of triticale (Dagro, Moniko, Salvo, Fidelio, Lamberto, Pronto, Kitaro, Woltario, Tevo, Disco, Moreno, Presto, Prego, Chrono, Lasko) on the basis of SDS-PAGE technique. From 19 (Presto) to 27 (Salvo, Fidelio and Lambert) protein bands were observed on the electrophoregrams obtained for the abave triticale varieties. Their weight varied from 105.8 to 18.4 kDa. According to the weight they were classified in four protein fractions: HMW, ω, γ75 and γ40 with weight: > 100, 100 — 75, 75 — 40, and < 40 kDa, respectively. In the fraction including the heaviest proteins (HMW) the majority of varieties showed the presence of 2 polypeptides of 105.8 and 101 kDa. The exception were varieties Dagro, Lamberto and Kitaro because they showed the presence of 1 polypeptide of 101 kDa. In fraction ω the presence of 1 (Kitaro) to 6 (Lamberto) protein bands was observed. The bands of 99.2, 95.09, 87.9, 83.44 and 81.6 kDa appeared to be polymorphic. In this fraction, they were observed on the electrophoregrams in different arrangements. Protein fraction γ75 consisted of 7 to 9 bands of weight ranging from 74.9 to 41.9 kDa. The polypeptides 72.31, 70; 68.8; and 65.11 kDa turned out to be polymorphic. The lightest fraction of the storage proteins (γ40) contained 9 to 12 protein bands of weight ranging from 39.6 to 18.4 kDa. The analysis of the tree of the phylogenetic similarity showed that the examined varieties of triticale were similar to each other in the range from 73.7 to 93.6%. They were divided into 5 different groups of genetic similarities.

The field experiment was conducted at the Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland (420 m a.s.l.) in 1997–2000. The trial was performed in 9 plots, comprising pure sowing of winter triticale (cvs Bogo and Fidelio) and winter wheat (cv. Almari), and mixtures of these crops, in which the proportions of triticale amounted 75, 50 and 25%. Yielding and yield structure of the mixtures were compared to those in triticale and wheat grown in pure sowing. In the latter, the yield of triticale was significantly higher than the yield of wheat, cv. Fidelio yielding at the highest level. The yields of the mixtures were higher than that of wheat, but lower than the yield produced by triticale. It was found that both the number of grains per ear and the weight of 1000 grains only slightly depended on wheat proportion in the mixture. A share of triticale grain in yields of the mixtures depended both on the proportions of triticale and wheat in the sowing material and triticale cultivar. Moreover, it greatly fluctuated depending on the year of the study.

Grains of winter triticale initial cultivar Grado were treated with chemical mutagens (MNUA and SA). During the vegetation of M3 generation a great number of mutants were selected. Several mutant lines and the initial cultivar were crossed with each other. For further estimation, 11 mutant lines and a hybrid H-399/86 were chosen based on plant height and yield components. From among the above genotypes, 5 mutant lines and the hybrid were cultivated at three locations: Smolice, Szelejewo and Fundula (Romania). As compared with a standard cv. Lasko, only two mutant lines: H-399/86 and M-369/86 produced a higher grain yield. Preliminary registration trials performed with these genotypes at 9 locations showed that only the line H-399/86 yielded at a higher level than did standard cultivars Lasko and Malno.

The aim of the studies was to give a thorough analysis of the breeding procedure that had resulted in releasing a new cultivar of winter triticale at the Szelejewo Plant Breeding Company. The data obtained for grain yields in the series of experiments carried out in 1998–2002 were processed using SERGEN software. The following analyses were done: genotype × environment interaction, estimation and testing of the main effects of genotypes, and estimation of differences between breeding lines and standard cultivars. The most promising lines were selected based on the results of statistical analyses, and the outcome of a “virtual” selection was compared with the effects of selection made by breeders. It was revealed that many of the genotypes that had been eliminated by breeders should have been chosen to the next step of the breeding programme if based on the results of statistical analyses. Thus, it cannot be excluded that among the eliminated lines there were also the ones that might have been considered as new cultivars of winter triticale.

Combining ability and heterosis effect for some yield components of spring triticale in the crosses performed according to factorial mating design of three maternal and four paternal forms are reported. The F1 and F2 generations were tested in KrakĂłw and Małyszyn, respectively. Five traits were analyzed: culm length, ear length, grain number grain weight per ear, and 1000 grains weight. The analysis of variance for F1 and F2 generations and parental forms showed a significant general combining ability of female forms for ear length and grain number per ear. As regards paternal forms, general combining ability was significant for all the traits under study except ear length in F1. The specific combining ability was significant for culm length and ear length. For grain number per ear, grain weight per ear and 1000-grain weight the specific combining ability was not significant statistically. Heterosis effect was negligible for culm length and ear length, but considerably higher for grain weight per ear and 1000-grain weight.

Forty-one F1 hybrids, obtained by crossing male sterile plants (T. timopheevi cytoplasm) with Polish and foreign spring triticale varieties, were tested for male fertility. The frequency of genotypes fully maintaining sterility or fully restoring fertility was low and did not exceed 5% each. Over 40% of genotypes exhibited the restoration index of 90%-100%. As a result of backcrossing, one fully and several not fully male sterile lines were obtained in BC1 to BC7 generations. A scheme of obtaining sterility maintaining lines is proposed.

In the years 2002–2004 the investigations were conducted to evaluate a response of new varieties of spring triticale to the delay in sowing term at different sowing densities. Varieties Matejko (MAH 2601), MAH 2802 and SMH 702 yielded better when planted early, at medium sowing density (600 plants/1 m2). No significant effect on spring triticale yielding of increasing plants population at the delayed sowing was found.