Emilia Rzążewska

The aim of this study was to assess nitrate content and residues of the herbicide Avatar 293 ZC (clomazone and metribuzin) in table potato tubers under conditions involving an application of biostimulants and a herbicide. Tubers were sourced from a three-year field experiment. The experiment examined two factors: (I) cultivar (Oberon and Malaga) and (II) five treatments comprising herbicide and/or biostimulants: (1) untreated control (mechanical weeding only), (2) Avatar 293 ZC alone, (clomazone + metribuzin), (3) Avatar 293 ZC + PlonoStart, (4) Avatar 293 ZC + Aminoplant, and (5) Avatar 293 ZC + Agro-Sorb Folium. Nitrate content in tubers was significantly influenced by cultivar, the cultivar × year interaction, and the treatment × year interaction. However, neither the herbicide nor the biostimulants affected nitrate accumulation. Residues of Avatar 293 ZC were present only at trace levels, with clomazone and metribuzin concentrations well below the maximum residue limits (MRL).

The aim of this study was to evaluate selected morphological traits of potato tubers in relation to cultivar and hydrothermal conditions during the 2021–2023 growing seasons. A field experiment was conducted at the Zawady Experimental Farm (Poland) using a randomized complete block design with three replications and eight cultivars differing in flesh color. The following traits were assessed: tuber shape expressed as length-to-width ratio (L/W), shape regularity, skin characteristics, eye depth, and tuber size (1–9 scale). Weather conditions were characterized using the Sielianinov hydrothermal coefficient (K). The results showed that both cultivar and weather conditions significantly affected most of the evaluated morphological traits. The highest L/W ratio was recorded for ‘Rote Emmalie’, while the lowest values were observed for ‘Provita’ and ‘Bora Valley’. The most regular tuber shape was found in ‘Eurostar’ and ‘Blaue Annelise’, whereas ‘Rote Emmalie’ exhibited the lowest regularity. The most favorable (shallow) eye depth was observed in ‘Rote Emmalie’ and ‘Eurostar’. The largest tubers were produced by ‘Eurostar’, while ‘Vitelotte Noire’ had the smallest tubers. Adverse hydrothermal conditions, particularly drought in 2023, negatively affected tuber elongation, shape regularity, and tuber size. These findings are consistent with previous studies indicating that environmental stress, especially water deficit, significantly modifies the expression of tuber morphological traits. The results confirm the predominant role of genetic factors, with a significant contribution of environmental conditions in shaping tuber morphology. Since the cultivation of colored-flesh potatoes is still not widespread in Poland, the aim of this study was to identify cultivars best adapted to local growing conditions. The novelty of this study lies in the evaluation of the morphological traits of colored-flesh potato cultivars, including cultivars that have not previously been cultivated or have been only rarely cultivated in Poland, and whose suitability for Polish climatic conditions has not been comprehensively evaluated to date.

Potato yield structure is strongly influenced by climatic variability, which complicates agronomic recommendations for cultivars differing in flesh colour. A three-year field experiment evaluated associations between two foliar biostimulant treatments, GumiSil-C and Terra Sorb Complex ^® , and yield structure in five potato cultivars under contrasting hydrothermal conditions. Growing season and cultivar significantly affected all yield traits, whereas treatment-associated responses were conditional. The highest total and marketable yields occurred in 2022, while the severe precipitation deficit in 2023 coincided with lower total, marketable, and large-tuber yields. Terra Sorb Complex ^® was associated with the highest total, marketable-size, and marketable yields in 2022, whereas higher large-tuber yields were more frequently recorded following GumiSil-C application. Neither treatment was consistently associated with higher marketable yield across seasons. Significant three-way interactions for by-product yield and defective tuber mass indicated cultivar- and season-specific responses. Cultivar selection and adaptation to local hydrothermal conditions remained the principal determinants of commercially valuable yield.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important cultivated crops in Po- land, and its yield and quality are strongly influenced by agrotechnical factors, including effective weed control. The effectiveness of herbicide application depends not only on the active substance but also on spraying technology, particularly the type of nozzles used. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different sprayer nozzles on the total yield and yield structure of two table potato cultivars (Jurek and Finezja). Field experiments were carried out in 2018–2020 at the Experimental Station in Zawady, on slightly acidic soil belonging to the very good rye complex. The trial was established in a split-plot design with three replications. The following treatments were included: (1) control – mechanical cultivation, (2) flat fan nozzles AP12003, (3) hollow cone nozzles HCI8003, and (4) 3D Hypro nozzles. Spraying was performed at 4 bar pressure and a capacity of 1.39 l·min−1. The results demonstrated that the type of nozzles significantly affected the yield and its structure. The findings indicate that appropriate nozzle selection may improve potato yield and its quality parameters, which has practical implications for optimizing crop production.

A three-year field study (2018–2020) was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Station in Zawady, University of Siedlce, to assess the influence of sprayer nozzle type on weed control effica- cy and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with three replications, on slightly acidic soil classified as very good rye complex. Two experimental factors were evaluated: (1) edible potato cultivars (‘Jurek’ and ‘Finezja’) and (2) herbicide application methods using different nozzle types. The following treatments were included: (1) control – mechanical cultivation (four hilling operations combined with pre-emergence harrowing and one post-emergence hilling); (2) herbicide application with AP12003 flat-fan nozzles; (3) herbicide application with HCI8003 hollow-cone nozzles; and (4) herbicide application with Hypro 3D nozzles FC-3D100-03. Spraying in all chemical treatments was performed at 4 bar pressure with a flow rate of 1.39 L min⁻¹. The study demonstrated that herbicide application using hollow-cone nozzles resulted in the highest potato yield, significantly exceeding that of the control treatment. Furthermore, the highest weed control efficacy was achieved with the hollow-cone nozzles. The findings underscore the critical role of appropriate nozzle selection in enhancing herbicide performance, reducing weed infestation, and improving potato productivity.

The field experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2019 in Borki-Wyrki, located in the Zbuczyn municipality. The objective of the study was to assess the content of trace elements – iron, zinc, and manganese – in the grain of two spring triticale varieties, depending on fertilizer dosages, using Polifoska 6 and Polifoska Krzem fertilizers. The experiment considered three research factors: the first factor was the spring triticale variety (Milewo, Dublet); the second factor was the type of mineral fertilizer (Polifoska 6, Polifoska Silicon); the third factor was the fertilizer dosage (0 kg∙ha−¹, 140 kg∙ha−¹, 280 kg∙ha−¹, 420 kg∙ha−¹). The content of iron and zinc in the grain was significantly influenced by weather conditions during the study years. The applied fertilizer dosages increased the micronutrient content in the grain of the tested varieties. The chemical composition analysis of the spring triticale grain demonstrated that the type of fertilizer did not have a significant impact on grain quality. The study results hold practical and scientific importance as they enable the development of precise fertilization strategies that improve crop quality and nutritional value. Understanding the impact of mineral fertilizers on the trace element content in spring triticale grain can enhance agricultural production efficiency, especially under changing climatic conditions.

A field experiment was conducted in the years 2017–2019 at Borki-Wyrki, Zbuczyn Gmina (commune). Three experimental factors were examined in the trial: factor one was spring triticale cultivar (Milewo, Dublet), factor two was mineral fertiliser type (Polifoska 6, Polifoska Krzem) and factor three was mineral fertiliser rate (0, 140, 280 and 420 kg ha–1). Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium contents in grain varied in study years as affected by weather patterns. The highest phosphorus, magnesium and sodium contents were determined in the grain of spring triticale cv. Dublet whereas the highest potassium and calcium contents in cv. Milewo grain. The applied fertiliser rates increased mineral contents, excluding magnesium and sodium, in the grain of test cultivars. Chemical composition analysis of grain of the spring triticale cultivars demonstrated that there was no significant effect of fertiliser type on grain quality.