No abstract

A field study was performed to evaluate the effect of mineral (NPK) and organic-based fertilizers such as compost (C), manure (FYM) and meat and bone meal (MBM) on the appearance (dimensions and color) of spring wheat kernels and on the total content in grain of main its phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids and tocochromanols) and phenolic acids composition. Total phenolic compounds were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay after alkaline hydrolysis of grain and carotenoids were analyzed spectrophotometrically. Composition of tocochromanols and phenolic acids was determined using RP-HPLC techniques. Only insignificant differences in the appearance of kernels and small changes in the content and composition of grain phytochemicals were noted between the studied fertilization systems. Among the analyzed phytochemicals the greatest variation was observed in the group of polyphenol compounds, with a stated increase of their total content of 6.7 and 11.2% in grain fertilized with MBM and compost, respectively. Simultaneously the grain from organic fertilization contained significantly less phenolic acids, and the decrease in their content ranged from 10.0% for FYM to 24.8% for MBM+EM-1. Organically and conventionally fertilized grain had similar amounts of tocochromanols and carotenoids. Comparison of MBM and MBM+EM-1 variants showed that application of effective microorganisms decreased carotenoids and tocochromanols content by 8.5 and 9.7%, respectively.

The research determined crop yield, content of mineral nutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe), protein and its composition in the grain of the spelt variety 'Schwabenkorn' as affected by the foliar application of micronutrients. A field experiment was carried out during 2011-2013 at the Research Station in Tomaszkowo (53°72 N, 20°42 E), Poland. Cu, Zn and Mn and microelements together (Cu + Zn + Mn) with mineral fertilisers were applied. Nitrogen (N) was applied to all the plots in a dose of 90 kg ha -1 , triple superphosphate in a dose corresponding to 30.2 kg ha -1 P, and potassium salt in a dose of 83.1 kg ha -1 K. Copper (1.0% solution of CuSO 4 × 5H 2 O), zinc (1.0% solution of ZnSO 4 × 7H 2 O) and manganese (0.5% solution of MnSO 4 × 5H 2 O) were foliar-applied as water solutions at the stem elongation stage. The mineral fertilisation, including micronutrients (individually or in combination), changed the contents of mineral nutrients, protein and the composition of its individual fractions in the grain. It was observed that the grain had high Cu, Mn and Fe content. The application of Mn, as well as micronutrients used in combination (Cu + Zn + Mn) as an addition to NPK fertilisation, increased the content of Fe, Zn and Mn in spelt grain. The application of Zn increased Fe and Zn content, while the application of Cu increased the content of Mn in grain. The total protein content in spelt ranged from 12.4% to 13.5%. Storage proteins proved to have the highest share in the total protein. Additional application of Cu, Zn and micronutrients in combination had a positive impact on the gliadins:glutenins ratio. Foliar application of Mn increased the content of ω, α/β, γ gliadins, and reduced that of low molecular weight glutenins. Foliar spraying with Cu reduced the content of α/β and ω gliadins. Supply of Zn decreased α/β content and increased the content of the high molecular weight glutenins fractions. The application of the micronutrients in combination reduced the content gliadin γ and increased the content of high molecular weight and low molecular weight glutenins. The cultivation year was a significantly differentiating factor for the grain yield, mineral nutrient content (Fe, Zn and Mn) and the content and composition of protein fractions (with the exception of high molecular weight glutenins).

The processing of meat industry waste into meat-and-bone meal (MBM) provides the opportunity to use it as fertiliser in the cultivation of agricultural crops. This study was conducted in the years 2014–2017 at the Experimental Station in Tomaszkowo, Poland to assess MBM effects on yield and quality of maize cultivated for grain. An example of the effective use of nutrients contained in MBM applied at doses of 2.0 and 3.0 t ha is the cultivation of maize in 2016, which was affected by favourable weather conditions. The effect of the accumulation of MBM doses and, consequently, the provision of a greater amount of nutrients ensure sufficient amounts to obtain yields, greater than those provided by mineral fertilisation only. The macronutrient concentration in the maize grains following the application of MBM was similar to the composition of the grains of maize fertilised with mineral N, P and K fertilisers. With the MBM, micronutrients are introduced in amounts that are able to satisfy plants with these components, yet this study failed to demonstrate any effect of increased MBM doses on the concentration of the analysed elements in the maize grains.

No abstract

Triticale is a cereal which may compete with other species of crop plants in terms of the nutritional value. This grain crop enjoys an increasing popularity among farmers as well as food and animal feed manufacturers, hence there is a growing interest in foliar fertilisation with micronutrients in order to ensure fast and effective nutrition. This study discusses the effect of soil fertilisation or soil and foliar fertilisation with nitrogen (with or without multi-component fertilisers) on the content of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium), total protein and protein fractions in the grain of spring triticale of the Andrus cultivar grown in northeastern Poland. The fertilisation of cv. Andrus spring triticale involved a pre-sowing application of ammonium nitrate, an application of 46% urea in the period of tillering, (with and without the fertiliser Azofoska) and an application of ammonium nitrate as well as a soil and the foliar application of urea (10% solution, with and without an addition of Ekolist Z) in the period of stem shooting. Differentiation of the experimental results on the content of the analysed macronutrients as well as the protein composition was caused by differences of habitat conditions in the two experimental seasons. Higher nitrogen doses applied as a split urea dose resulted in a higher concentration of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in grain from cv. Andrus spring triticale. The dose of 120 kg N ha-1 in ammonia nitrate and urea applied to soil or as foliar spray resulted in an increase of total protein. The accumulation of glutenins in triticale grain usually increased in response to the higher dose of nitrogen (120 kg ha-1) applied both with and without the multi-component fertilisers. The foliar supplementation with urea and micronutrients in multi-component fertilisers contributed to a reduced accumulation of alpha/beta-type gliadins, regardless of the nitrogen dose.

Ecdysterone (crustecdysone; beta‐ecdysone; 20‐hydroxyecdysone) is a naturally occurring steroid hormone belonging to the ecdysteroid class. The presented study investigated the possible concentration range of ecdysterone in urine after consumption of various preparations of spinach, drinking tea (made from Rhapoiticum Carthamoides) and topical use of a cream containing Cyanotis arachnoides. It is very important to establish reference ranges reflecting concentrations compatible with dietary habits and common uses of care products. The data obtained in the research may be used in the interpretation of results of routine analyses. In addition, elimination time and observed concentrations provided by the studies conducted by the Polish Anti‐Doping Laboratory can be used by WADA. In the case of spinach, peak elimination occurred within the first few hours, followed by a rapid decline. As for the other plants, instead of clear peak concentrations, gradual elimination was observed. Individual differences were observed between volunteers depending on route of administration. Differences in ecdysterone elimination following ingestion of spinach‐based and other plant products were observed too. The highest observed ecdysterone concentration was related to the paste consumption, and it was 691 ng/ml. Finally, our findings were compared with the data collected for the samples routinely tested as part of the monitoring program. During 2.5 years, the presence of ecdysterone was confirmed in as many as 507 samples out of 11 191 total samples tested. The concentration range was very wide, from 1 ng/ml (which is the LOD for this method in the Polish Anti‐Doping Laboratory) to over 2000 ng/ml.

Nitrogen fertilization combined with microelements is an effective way to provide nutrients to plants, which are essential for obtaining high-value crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate two N fertilizer rates (150 and 200 kg ha-1) and four Mn fertilizer rates (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg Mn ha-1) on the N, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe content and composition of fatty acids in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain. An increase in the N fertilizer rate increased (12.7%) the Mn content and decreased (10%) the Cu content of wheat grain. Regardless of N fertilization, foliar application of Mn at 1.5 kg ha-1 contributed to the highest Zn (28.4 mg kg-1) and Fe (58.4 mg kg-1) content in the grain. In an analysis of lipid fractions, the highest value of the coefficient of variation was recorded for C18:0 (16.3%-low variation). Nitrogen and Mn fertilization were most strongly correlated with the Mn content of grain (r = 0.356, r = 0.391, respectively). The 200 kg N ha-1 treatments combined with 1.0 kg ha-1 Mn and 150 kg ha-1 N without Mn were correlated with the content of C:18:0, C18:1c11, C18:1c9, and monounsaturated fatty acids in the grain. The application of 200 kg ha-1 N with 1.5 kg ha-1 Mn was correlated with the Fe, Zn, and Mn content of the grain. The remaining fertilization treatments were correlated with the content of C18:3, C18:2, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and the C18:2/C18:3 ratio in the grain. Results indicated that the application of 200 kg ha-1 N beneficially affected the PUFA content in the winter wheat grain and can therefore be used to obtain raw material with increased nutritional value. The human organism does not synthesize PUFA, so they must be taken with food (or supplements); winter wheat grain can be a good source because it contains more than 60% PUFA.