Gluten-containing flours and gluten-free flours as a source of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Wheat flour is widely used in Poland for the preparation of bread, pasta and other foods. Due to the increasing number of people diagnosed with diet-related diseases, consumer awareness of health-promoting issues and interest in gluten-free products (GFP). There is a dynamic development of the market for these foods with high quality and nutritional value and minerals that benefit human health and prevent deficiencies in patients on a gluten-free diet. The aim of this study was to determine the content of minerals: Ca, Fe, Mg and Zn in flours using the ICP-OES method. The mineral composition of selected GF flours available on the Polish market was analysed. It was tested how they supplement the mineral requirements compared to gluten-containing flours. It was found that these products can be a valuable source of essential minerals, which are often in short supply, especially in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. As our study has shown, flours from the GFP group are a good source of essential minerals, especially in the case of chia and flax flours, as well as buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa, lupin or almonds flours.

Biostimulants and herbicides a tool to reduce non-commercial yield tubers and improve potato yield structure.

The basis for the study was a field experiment conducted in 2012-2014 in the production fields of multi-branch Soleks company in Wojnów, the district of Siedlce in eastern Poland. The experiment was established in a split-plot arrangement as a two-factor experiment in three replications. The first factor were: three cultivars of edible potato-Bartek, Gawin, Honorata, and the second factor were: five objects of potato cultivation with herbicides and biostimulants: 1-Control object-without chemical protection, 2-herbicide Harrier 295 ZC, 3-herbicide Harrier 295 ZC + biostimulant Kelpak SL, 4-herbicide Sencor 70 WG, 5-herbicide Sencor 70 WG + biostimulant Asahi SL. The aim of the study was to reduce the non-commercial potato yield and improve the yield structure through the application of biostimulants and herbicides, and to determine the relationship between weed infestation and tuber yield. The least amount of weeds and the best destruction efficiency were obtained after the application of herbicide Sencor 70 WG + biostimulant Asahi SL and herbicide Harrier 295 ZC + biostimulant Kelpak SL. Effective reduction of weed infestation contributed to improvement of yield structure and reduction of potato non-commercial yield. Based on correlation coefficients, a significant relationship between weed infestation and potato non-commercial yield was shown.

Biometric characteristics of winter rape plants (Brassica napus L.) before harvest in the soil and climatic conditions of north-eastern Poland.

The research was based on a field experiment carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Station in the climatic and soil conditions of north-eastern Poland. The factors of the experiment were: I-morphotypes of winter oilseed rape: population, restored hybrid with a traditional type of growth, restored hybrid with a semi-dwarf type of growth. II-methods of using preparations: variant (1)-control-without using preparations; variant (2)-an organic preparation containing microorganisms as well as micro and macro elements (Ugmax); variant (3)-a biostimulant containing 13.0% of P205 and 5.0% of potassium oxide (K2O); variant (4)-a biostimulant containing silicon. The objectives of study was to determine the effect of preparations containing microorganisms as this well as micro and macro-elements, phosphorus and potassium and silicon on the morphometric features of plants, such as: the height of the first fruit-bearing lateral branching on the main shoot, the thickness of the stem at the base, number of productive branches and siliques on the plant, the length of the pods, plant height before harvesting. The organic preparation containing microorganisms as well as micro and macro-elements, applied in the autumn before sowing seeds and in the spring after the start of vegetation, had the most beneficial effect on the biometric characteristics of plants before harvesting.

Herbicide residues and nitrate concentration in tubers of table potatoes.

This study examined Wiking-cultivar table potato tubers in a field experiment conducted between 2002 and 2004 using a rye complex soil. The experimental factors included (a) two methods of tillage, including traditional and simplified, as well as (b) seven methods of cultivation with the use of herbicides as follows: 1, control without herbicides; 2, Plateen 41.5 WG; 3, Plateen 41.5 WG + Fusilade Forte 150 EC; 4, Plateen 41.5 WG + Fusilade Forte 150 EC + adjuvant Atpolan 80 EC; 5, Barox 460 SL; 6, Barox 460 SL + Fusilade Forte 150 EC; and 7, Barox 460 SL + Fusilade Forte 150 EC + adjuvant Atpolan 80 EC. Determination of residues was performed using high-performance liquid and gas chromatography. Only trace quantities of bentazone (Barox 460 SL) were found in potato tubers, amounts that fell below the maximum residue limit (MRL). The nitrate content of potato tubers was determined using a nitrate ion-selective electrode and silver chloride reference electrode. The nitrate content in fresh matter of unpeeled and peeled tubers depended significantly only on weather conditions in the years of study. In contrast, agrotechnical procedures such as methods of tillage and cultivation did not significantly affect potato tuber nitrate content.