Ewa Bakinowska

Residual tree damage is an unavoidable consequence of thinning operations and may affect future stand quality, tree health, and timber value. Despite the increasing use of mechanized harvesting systems in broadleaved forests, limited information is available on the factors controlling damage occurrence under different stand conditions. This study aimed to quantify residual tree damage following mechanized thinning, identify the main determinants of damage occurrence, and develop a model describing damage probability in broadleaved stands. The study was carried out at six locations in five European countries representing four broadleaved tree species: European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), oak (Quercus L.), birch (Betula L.), and European aspen (Populus tremula L.). A total of 288 sample plots were established and 4576 trees were inventoried. Thinning operations were performed using two harvesters, HSM 405H and UTC 150—6LS, both equipped with a brand new CTL 40 HW harvesting head, designed for broadleaved tree species. Residual tree damage was assessed immediately after harvesting and analyzed using logistic regression models. Overall, 271 out of 3230 residual trees were classified as with damage, corresponding to a damage rate of 8.4%. No significant differences in damage occurrence were found between the two experienced harvester operators. In contrast, bark thickness and distance from the strip road were identified as the only significant predictors of residual tree damage probability. Thin-barked stands (beech) exhibited significantly higher damage rates (11.8%) than thick-barked stands (oak, birch, and aspen; 5.7%). The developed logistic model provides a practical tool for estimating residual tree damage probability and may support harvesting planning and stand protection.

Air pollution with particulate matter (PM), recognized by the EU and WHO as a significant factor affecting human health, is subject to standards. Exceeding these standards on a daily or annual basis poses an increased health risk. This article presents an analysis of data from 2022 to 2024 from the administrative area of Pleszew (Poland), which, in 2023, ranked second in the country in terms of annual PM₁₀ concentration [µg/m³]. The main cause of the poor air quality is identified as so-called “low emissions” resulting from residential heating using high-emission coal-fired boilers. The methods used in this analysis not only identified the main causes of pollutant emissions but also demonstrated the seasonal impact of these sources on air quality, both on an annual and daily basis. The analysis utilized statistical tools such as a mixed linear regression model and Tukey’s post hoc tests performed after analysis of variance (ANOVA). The obtained regression model of PM₁₀ concentration on the outside air temperature (defining the intensity of operation of heating devices) clearly indicates the predicted air pollution. Dividing the day into three time intervals proved to be an effective analytical tool enabling the identification of periods with the highest risk of high PM₁₀ concentrations. The highest average PM₁₀ concentration values were recorded in the autumn and winter months between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM. The developed methods can serve as fundamental tools for local government authorities, guiding further energy policy directions for the study area to improve the identified situation. At the same time, daily and hourly air pollution analysis clearly confirmed the characteristics of inefficient heat sources, which will allow residents to protect their health by avoiding spending time outdoors during peak particulate matter concentration hours. Until the energy situation in the region changes, this will continue.

Prenatal nutrition plays a crucial role in maternal and child health. This study aims to compare nutrient intake and its adequacy to recommendations among pregnant women in Spain and Poland. The ECLIPSES study in Spain utilized a self-administered food frequency questionnaire, while the PREDISH study in Poland employed a 3-day interview method. We assessed energy and nutrient intake against recommended dietary allowances. The analysis included 583 participants in the first trimester and 465 participants in the third trimester from both countries. Our findings revealed insufficient intake of iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B9 among pregnant women in both Spain and Poland. Significant differences were observed in the intake of energy, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins D, E, C, B6, B9, and B12. Notably, 81.6% and 21.5% of participants did not meet the recommended minimum carbohydrate intake, while 99.8% and 43.8% exceeded the limit for total fat, particularly monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Tailored dietary guidance based on regional differences is crucial for pregnant women. Although variations in dietary intake were observed, both Spain and Poland faced similar risks of nutritional deficiencies, particularly for iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B9. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced efforts in preventing these deficiencies and promoting optimal prenatal nutrition.

Soil contamination with heavy metals is one of the most important threats to the environment because they are easily incorporated into the food chain, threatening the health of plants, animals, and humans. In this study, the effectiveness of the introduced substances (compost and fly ash) was assessed in terms of its influence on the content of Cu and Zn in the soil, potential accumulation of these metals in the cultivated plants (camelina and oat), and thus in food products prepared from these plants. Therefore, the following indicators were used: bioconcentration factors calculated for the total amount (BCF_T) and bioavailable amount of metals (BCF_B) as well as gender-estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI). Regardless of gender, the EDI values ranged from 0.31 µg·kg⁻¹ to 0.49 µg·kg⁻¹ for Cu and from 0.9 µg·kg⁻¹ to 1.8 µg·kg⁻¹ for Zn in oat. For camelina, the calculated values were as follows: 4.1–8.5 µg·kg⁻¹ for Cu and 7.1–12.1 µg·kg⁻¹ for Zn. The HRI values were very low (in general 0.03–0.2), indicating no health risk connected with potential consumption of oat or camelina food products. The amounts of Cu and Zn in the crops grown on the soil amended with compost or fly ash were significantly lower (by 21–37% for oat and 14–34% for camelina) compared to the content of these metals in the control plants. Moreover, the levels of bioavailable metals decreased in soil as a result of the applied immobilizing agents. The study showed that the immobilization efficiency of compost and fly ash was comparable, and therefore the choice of either of these substances for the chemical remediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals is justified.

Summary: In general, varieties of any cultivated species can differ in many aspects. One of the desirable traits in breeding new varieties is high yield, which can be significantly reduced by plant diseases. This study is an extension of previous research about the resistance of seed pea lines to downy mildew, and provides an extended analysis of this type of experiment. The probability of a degree of infection is determined based on a logistic model with a multinomial distribution. In the analysis the impact of a fixed effect of variety and random environmental effects is considered. It is shown that the environmental effects (combinations of years and location – macro-environments) significantly influence the resistance to diseases, and the differences among environments are larger than the variability of differences among genotypes over all environments. For two types of soils (light and rich) the most resistant varieties, which are significantly different from the control variety, are indicated.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of essential and toxic elements present in the amniotic fluid (AF) and fetal chromosomal abnormalities in pregnant women. A total of 156 pregnant white Polish women aged between 20 and 43 years and screened to detect high risk for chromosomal defects in the first trimester were included in the study. AF samples were collected from these women during routine diagnostic and treatment procedures at mid-gestation (15–22 weeks of their pregnancies). The concentrations of various minerals in the AF were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Genomic hybridization and cytogenetic karyotyping were performed to detect chromosomal aberrations in the fetuses. The genetic analysis revealed chromosomal aberrations in 19 fetuses (over 12% of all the evaluated women). The major abnormalities identified were trisomy 21 (N = 11), trisomy 18 (N = 2), and triploidy (N = 2). Fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities more frequently showed lower manganese concentration in the AF in the second trimester as compared to those with normal karyotype. A coincidence was observed between high iron levels in the AF and a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetuses.

Field trials were conducted in the years 2017–2019 at the Małopolska Plant Breeding in the Plant Breeding Stations in Polanowice, Nieznanice and Palikije. The trials were designed to determine the yield of some timothy genotypes in the context of chemical composition under different habitat conditions. The present evaluation of the strain quality shows a high potential for breeding. The analyzed genotypes produced high dry matter yields, which differed by as much as 53%. The experimental plots also differed in the crude protein content, which varied from 104.5 to 230.1 g kg⁻¹ d.m., depending on the crop and year of harvest. For crude fiber, these values ranged from 173.9 to 274.8 g kg⁻¹ d.m., depending on the crop and harvest year. The analysis of the mineral composition also revealed significant large variation.

Thinning is one of the most important tools of forest management, although thinning operations require the use of machines which ultimately cause damage to the remaining stand. The level of damage largely depends on the human factor, and a tired, less focused operator will create more injuries in the forest. With this in mind, the objectives of this research were to find out whether the probability of tree damage caused by an operator is also affected by: (1) the part of the day (dawn/day/dusk/night), and (2) the cumulative shift time. The research was carried out in pure pine stands of different ages, density and thinning intensities. Sample plots were selected that had an increasing number of trees per hectare and growing thinning intensities were applied. The same Komatsu 931.1 harvester was used for the thinning operations in each stand. In all the age classes combined, 5.41% of the remaining trees were wounded. There was a significant influence of the part of the day on the percentage of damaged trees, which was positively correlated with the cumulative shift time. Stand conditions, such as age class and stand density, as well as thinning characteristics—thinning intensity, number of harvested trees and productivity—have different effects on the distribution of damage intensity and on probability. The results may improve the planning of operators’ work shifts in forests of various ages and densities, allowing harvester productivity to be maintained while at the same time inflicting the lowest possible level of damage.

Biological diversity within a mixture field allows for better use of habitat and agro-technical conditions by the mixtures, which can be seen by higher and more stable yields than varieties sown separately. Our studies were conducted in the growing seasons 2011/2012–2014/2015 as field experiments with four winter barley varieties (Bombaj, Gil, Gregor, Bażant) and three, two- and three-component mixtures (Bombaj/Gil, Bombaj/Gregor, Gil/Gregor/Bażant). Seven different chemical treatments with fungicides were applied. The aim of this study was to compare the different varieties of winter barley with their mixtures for resistance to powdery mildew infection. To achieve this aim the logistic model for the analysis of data was used. Of the varieties under consideration, the best and the most resistant variety was Gregor, while the weakest and the most susceptible to diseases (powdery mildew) was Gil. This variety was also significantly weaker than any of the other mixtures taken into account. Moreover, it was so weak that when it was included in mixtures with other varieties, it weakened these mixtures as well.

Nowadays the role of organic amendments is increasing as a valuable source of nutrients. Organic fertilisation improves general soil fertility but concomitantly slow nutrient release and the risk of low efficiency of nutrient utilisation by crops is underlined. Thus the study investigates the influence of soil amendment with mineral, organic and mineral–organic fertilisation on macronutrient uptake by plants: camelina (Camelina sativa L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivated on light soils. A three-year pot experiment was conducted in PVC pots. The individual fertilisers were applied at 70 and 170 kg N ha⁻¹. The study clearly demonstrated that independently of the fertilisation type, their doses equivalent to 170 kg N ha⁻¹ caused significantly higher uptake of all analysed nutrients by plants in comparison to those grown in the soil enriched with fertilisers with lower doses of nitrogen. The performed statistical analysis (a multi-factorial analysis of variance and the Principal Component Analysis) confirmed genetic variance in macronutrient accumulation by plants cultivated in crop rotation, whereas on average white mustard absorbed the highest amounts of nutrients except for Mg. In addition, the application of the PCA analysis facilitated the determination of the interrelationships between nutrients.