Anna Nogalska

More efficient use of nutrients by crops and their reduced dispersion in the environment are essential elements of sustainable agriculture. The purpose of the present experiment was to determine the effects of mineral (N_min) and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) nitrogen on Festulolium braunii yield, but also on the uptake of that chemical element, use efficiency, and its accumulation in the soil. Results indicated that organic waste applied together with mineral fertilizers increased plant utilization of nutrients, their soil content and, consequently, the yield. SMS was applied once at the beginning of the experiment at three levels: SMS₁—10; SMS₂—15; SMS₃—20 Mg·ha⁻¹, supplying plants with 75, 112, and 150 kg N·ha⁻¹. Supplementary mineral nitrogen was applied at three levels as well: N₁—30; N₂—68; N₃—105. Additionally, 180 kg N·ha⁻¹ was applied without SMS (N₄). Treatment significantly affected grass yield, daily growth, and productivity of 1 kg of nitrogen. Their values were the highest on the N₂ + SMS₂ plot (68 + 112 kg N·ha⁻¹). Nitrogen content was the highest in grass treated with mineral nitrogen without SMS (N₄). When the share of SMS nitrogen was higher, its content in the biomass was lower. The absorption of nitrogen (Nup) and its use efficiency (NUE) by plants on the plots with SMS and mineral fertilizers (105 + 75 kg N·ha⁻¹, as well as 68 + 112 kg N·ha⁻¹) were similar to the values recorded on the plot with mineral nitrogen only (N4). After two years, there was no increase in total nitrogen soil accumulation as a result of applied treatment. Mushroom substrate nitrogen allowed for a reduction of nitrogen fertilizer doses by 40 to even 60%. Such fertilizer treatment fits into the closed economy model based on minimizing the consumption of raw materials and on increasing environmentally friendly waste disposal.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of increasing doses of meat and bone meal (MBM) and the year of the experiment on the feed value of maize silage. A three-year field experiment with silage maize was conducted. The following treatments were established: (1) zero-fert (no fertilization); (2) inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K); (3) 1.0 t∙ha⁻¹ MBM; (4) 1.5 t∙ha⁻¹ MBM; (5) 2.0 t∙ha⁻¹ MBM. Both N and K were applied at constant rates, while P was applied at increasing rates: 0.0, 45, 68, and 90 kg∙ha⁻¹. Replacing conventional P fertilizer and, partially, N fertilizer with MBM in silage maize cultivation had a positive influence on the ensiled herbage, compared with the zero-fert treatment. The fermentation parameters and feed value of silage made from maize fertilized with MBM were comparable with the parameters of maize fertilized with inorganic NPK fertilizers. In turn, the content of crude protein (CP) and protein digested in the small intestine when energy is limiting (PDIE) was highest in the silage made from maize supplied with mineral fertilizer. The mineral composition of maize silage, i.e., the content of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) was modified by fertilization.

The purpose of this field study was to assess the impact of meat and bone meal (MBM) on maize. The experimental procedures were as follows: (1) without fertilization; (2) inorganic nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus; (3) 1.0 Mg·ha⁻¹ MBM; (4) 1.5 Mg·ha⁻¹ MBM; and (5) 2.0 Mg·ha⁻¹ MBM. Each year, MBM was applied before sowing. Nitrogen and potassium were applied at constant rates, and phosphorus was applied at increasing rates of 0.0, 45, 68, and 90 kg·ha⁻¹. The herbage yields were significantly higher in fertilized treatments. Fertilization contributed to a significant increase in the crude protein content of maize herbage. The yield and other herbage parameters were affected by weather conditions and the amount of time that passed since the MBM application. The study demonstrated that the lowest dose of MBM (1.0 Mg·ha⁻¹), which supplied 45 kg phosphorus·ha⁻¹, fully met the phosphorus requirements of maize.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of production system and lactation stage (LS) on the yield, centesimal composition, and fatty acid profile of milk from Holstein–Friesian cows. A total of 539 milk samples were collected in winter from cows in six certified organic dairy herds (ODHs) and eight conventional dairy herds (CDHs). The samples were collected randomly from up to 30% of cows at a given stage of lactation (7–45, 46–90, 91–135, 136–180, 181–225, 226–270, 271–315, and 316–360 days after calving). Milk samples were analyzed for proximate composition and the concentrations of fatty acids. The average daily milk yield was 11.4 kg higher (p < 0.01) in CDHs than in ODHs (28.1 kg vs. 16.7 kg). The concentrations of milk fat, protein, and lactose were also higher in CDHs than in ODHs. The fatty acid profile of milk fat was more desirable in ODHs than in CDHs (higher concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including n-3 PUFAs, trans-vaccenic acid, linolenic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid, and a higher desaturase index). Milk yield decreased (the decrease was more pronounced in ODHs), the concentrations of milk constituents increased, and the proportion of short-chain fatty acids in milk fat decreased (p < 0.05) with advancing lactation.

The aim of this incubation experiment was to evaluate the effect of Tenebrio molitor L. frass on selected chemical and microbiological properties of acid peat. The optimal rate of mealworm frass in the substrate for growing ornamental trees and shrubs was determined. Acid peat was fertilized with frass or urea at five nitrogen (N) rates: 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg dm⁻³. Mineral N content and electrical conductivity increased, and calcium content decreased in peat with increasing N rates. Similarly to urea, frass increased the ammonification rate at the beginning of incubation and the nitrification rate from the second week of incubation. Higher frass rates increased the abundance of plant-available nutrients (N, P, Mg, K, and Na) in acid peat. Frass undesirably decreased the counts of bacteria with antagonistic activity against soil-borne plant pathogens. Regarding the abundance of functional genes, the optimal N rate was 100 mg dm⁻³, which promoted the growth of N-fixing and chitinolytic bacteria. Higher N rates promoted the development of aerobic spore-forming bacteria, which produce antibiotics that can be used as biocontrol agents. Moderate fertilizer rates contributed to N accumulation in bacterial biomass. These preliminary findings, which indicate that insect frass can partially replace mineral fertilizers, are promising and can be used in pot and field experiments testing various plant species.

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical applicability of maternal intrapelvic area (PA) and selected morphometric parameters that can be measured before parturition in predicting dystocia in dairy heifers. The measurements were performed in 374 late‐gestation Holstein‐Friesian heifers. Inner pelvic height and width were measured using a pelvimeter, and PA was calculated. The heifers were monitored continuously around the time of calving, and calving difficulty was categorized as: unassisted calving (UC), slight assistance (SA), considerable difficulty (CD) and veterinary assistance (VA). Calving performance was analysed with the χ² test, and the effect of body dimensions on the course of parturition was evaluated by one‐way analysis of variance. Dystocia (CD + VA) was predicted with the use of the classification tree method. Dystocia accounted for 29.14% of all deliveries. The percentages of stillbirths and retained placenta increased (p < .01) with increasing calving difficulty. Average PA immediately before parturition was smaller (p < .01) in group VA (223.2 cm²) than in group UC (253.3 cm²). According to the classification tree, dystocia may occur (74.07% odds) in heifers with PA < 254.2 cm² and a rump angle <5.68° before parturition. Measurements of heifer's cannon circumference and sire's body size improve the accuracy of dystocia prediction.

The primary use of the potato is direct consumption. The classification of potatoes into consumption type is made on the basis of the consumption evaluation of hydrothermally treated tubers. Nutrient deficiency in the soil, including Mg, contributes to the inhibition of potato growth and development and negatively affects the cooking characteristics of the tubers. Magnesium and biostimulants are responsible for plant nitrogen management. Thus, it is necessary to control the content of harmful nitrates and toxic nitrites in tubers. In potato production, it is also important to maintain appropriate conditions during storage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mineral fertilization with magnesium and a biostimulant preparation during the cultivation of edible potato and long-term storage on the traits determining utility-consumption type and the content of harmful nitrogen compounds in tubers. The study was conducted using the early potato variety Satina. In a three-year (2015–2017) three-factor experiment: evaluation date (immediately after harvest and after six months of storage), soil fertilization with mineral magnesium (0, 30, 60, 90 kg MgO ha⁻¹), the application of an amino acid biostimulant (0, 1.5, 3.0 L ha⁻¹). Five consumption traits of tubers after cooking, determining the utility-consumption type of potato, were determined. In addition, the consumer safety of the potato was determined based on the nitrate and nitrite content of the tubers. The tendency to overcook tubers significantly depended on all the factors used during potato cultivation. In contrast, the texture and structure of tuber flesh after cooking depended only on mineral fertilization with magnesium. The flesh of the tubers after cooking was most tender (1.0 pt) and firm (1.4 pt) after the application of 60 and 90 kg MgO ha⁻¹, respectively. The moisture level of the flesh after cooking was significantly influenced by the interaction of magnesium fertilization with the biostimulant preparation. The factors of the experiment did not modify the utility-consumption type (B/A), while there was a change in the type in relation to that specified by the grower—general utility (B). The applied cultivation technology and long-term storage did not deteriorate the consumer safety of tubers (−1) in terms of NO₃⁻ (max. 112.1 mg kg⁻¹) and NO₂⁻ (max. 1.08 mg kg⁻¹) contents. Organoleptic traits: mealiness, moisture, and flesh structure were significantly positively related to the nitrate and nitrite content of tubers immediately after harvesting and to nitrite concentration after long-term storage.

: The primary use of the potato is direct consumption. The classification of potatoes into consumption type is made on the basis of consumption evaluation of hydrothermally treated tubers. Nutrient deficiency in the soil, including Mg, contributes to the inhibition of potato growth and development and negatively affects the cooking characteristics of the tubers. Magnesium and biostimulants are responsible for plant nitrogen management. Thus, it is necessary to control the content of harmful nitrates and toxic nitrites in tubers. In potato production, it is also important to maintain appropriate conditions during storage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mineral fertilization with magnesium and a biostimulant preparation during cultivation of edible potato and long-term storage on the traits determining utility-consumption type and the content of harmful nitrogen compounds in tubers. The study was conducted using the early potato variety Satina. In a three-year (2015-2017) three-factor experiment: evaluation date (immediately after harvest and after six months of storage), soil fertilization with mineral magnesium (0, 30, 60, 90 kg MgO ha-1), application of an amino acid biostimulant (0, 1.5, 3.0 l ha-1), five consumption traits of tubers after cooking determining the utility-consumption type of potato were determined. In addition, the consumer safety of the potato was determined based on the nitrate and nitrite content of the tubers. The tendency to overcook tubers significantly depended on all the factors used during potato cultivation. In contrast, the texture and structure of tuber flesh after cooking depended only on mineral fertilization with magnesium. The flesh of the tubers after cooking was most tender (1.0 pt) and firm (1.4 pt) after the application of 60 and 90 kg MgO ha-1, respectively. The moisture level of the flesh after cooking was significantly influenced by the interaction of magnesium fertilization with the biostimulant preparation. The factors of the experiment did not modify the utility-consumption type (B/A), while there was a change in the type in relation to that specified by the grower - general utility (B). The applied cultivation technology and long-term storage did not deteriorate the consumer safety of tubers (<200 mg kg-1) in terms of NO3 (max. 112.1 mg kg-1) and NO2 (max. 1.08 mg kg-1) contents. Organoleptic traits: mealiness, moisture and flesh structure were significantly positively related to nitrate and nitrite content of tubers immediately after harvesting and to nitrite concentration after long-term storage.

Insect farming is growing in popularity, and in addition to insect meal, it generates waste products such as exuviae and frass, which can be recycled in agriculture. The aim of this incubation experiment was to evaluate the effect of Tenebrio molitor L. frass on selected chemical and biological properties of deacidified peat, which is widely used in horticulture. The optimal rate of frass fertilizer in peat for growing vegetables and ornamental plants was determined, with special emphasis on mineral nitrogen levels. Peat was fertilized with five nitrogen rates, 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg dm⁻³, and supplied with frass or urea. The study demonstrated that frass can be used as organic fertilizer. An increase in the nitrogen rate significantly increased mineral nitrogen content and electrical conductivity and decreased Ca content in peat. Both frass and urea increased the ammonification rate at the beginning of incubation and the nitrification rate from the second week of the experiment. Higher frass rates (5 and 10 g dm⁻³) increased the content of plant-available nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) in peat as well as the abundance of microorganisms supporting organic matter mineralization. Unlike frass, urea increased the counts of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in peat.

A two-year field experiment was conducted in Poland to determine energy efficiency (EE) in the production of winter oilseed rape (WOR) in different fertilization: (i) zero-fertilization; (ii) 158 kg N ha⁻¹, 45 kg P ha⁻¹ and 145 kg K ha⁻¹ as mineral fertilizer (NPK); (iii) 1.0 Mg ha⁻¹ meat and bone meal (MBM), 79 kg N ha⁻¹ and 145 kg K ha⁻¹ as mineral fertilizer; (iv) 1.5 Mg ha⁻¹ MBM, 40 kg N ha⁻¹ and 145 kg K ha⁻¹ as mineral fertilizer; and (v) 2.0 Mg ha⁻¹ MBM and 145 kg K ha⁻¹ as mineral fertilizer. The replacement of NPK with MBM decreased energy inputs in WOR production by 20−55%. The NPK had a greater (16–21%) effect on seed yield formation than MBM. The replacement of NPK with MBM decreased the energy output of seeds (14–21%) and total biomass (12–20). The replacement of NPK with MBM decreased (6–13%) the energy gain from seed production. The application of MBM improved the EE ratio in the production of seeds (10–81%) and total biomass (11–85%) relative to NPK. The EE ratio of WOR production increased with a rise in MBM doses.