105 results match your criteria: "Institute of AgroEcology[Affiliation]"

Changes in Soil Humin Macromolecular Structure Resulting from Long-Term Catch Cropping.

Molecules

October 2024

Institute of Soil Science, Plant Nutrition and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzka 53, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long-term catch crop application on the structural properties of humin, which is considered the most recalcitrant fraction of soil organic matter. Soil samples from a 30-year field experiment on triticale cultivated with and without catch crops were analysed to determine the total organic carbon content and fractional composition of humic substances. Meanwhile, humin isolated from bulk soil was analysed to determine its elemental composition and spectroscopic properties measured with UV-Vis, fluorescence, and C-CPMAS-NMR.

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This viewpoint paper emphasises the need to diversify food production methods to simultaneously combat hunger and reduce environmental problems. The recommendations of the UN Food System Summit 2021 relate primarily to (i) the conservation of natural ecosystems, (ii) the sustainable management of existing agricultural land while increasing productivity and (iii) the restoration of already degraded land. Europe in particular faces unique challenges, such as reducing pollution and promoting organic farming up to 25 percent of the agricultural land area while maintaining food production.

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Unlocking the potential of fermented beetroot ketchup: Enhancing polyphenol recovery and gut microbiota interactions.

Food Chem

January 2025

Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Institute of Human Nutrition, Nowoursynowska Str. 159C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address:

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of digestion and gut microbiota interactions on beetroot ketchup formulations, focusing on the release of polyphenols, bioaccessibility, and microbial interactions on gut microbiota with polyphenols. Tested ketchup samples were evaluated using the TNO Gastro-Intestinal Model 1 (TIM-1) simulated upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and the TNO Gastro-Intestinal Model 2 (TIM-2) simulated colon system. The results showed that fermentation of ketchup with Lactobacillus johnsonii K4, increased the release of bioactive compounds during digestion, with higher polyphenol recoveries observed in fermented samples.

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Increasing crop diversity is a way for agriculture to transition towards a more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly system. Growing buckwheat intercropped with paulownia can contribute not only to mitigating climate change but can also enrich the environment with species of agricultural importance, without causing a decline in pollinators, since buckwheat is pollinated mainly by the honeybee. In a field experiment comparing growing buckwheat with paulownia against a monoculture crop, we investigated differences in flower visitation and beekeeping value, as well as the associated impact on crop yields.

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Article Synopsis
  • The research investigates the silage quality of a specific crop harvested at different times (58, 68, and 90 days after sowing) for use as animal feed in northern Europe.
  • Results showed that harvesting at 58 days yielded poor silage, while 68 days provided decent quality but still had low dry matter, necessitating extra wilting.
  • The best silage quality was achieved at 90 days after sowing, demonstrating that this crop can produce acceptable silage even in cooler conditions when wilting is limited.
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This work aims to shed light on the key factors contributing to the development of environmental resistance and the urgent need to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance (AR) under the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The article provides an overview of the main mechanisms involved in AR development and dissemination globally and the challenges posed by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The work outlines various international initiatives to reduce AR, including the concept of "One Health" and the strategies established, which are the key to reducing the effects on public health.

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In 2005-2007, a field study was conducted into intercropping of maize with faba bean at Pawlowice research station, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences. The main aim of the multi-year field research was an investigation into the reactions of differing maize hybrid earliness to intercropping cultivation with faba bean. The field research evaluated the effect of three maize hybrids-Wilga (early-E), Blask (medium-M) and Iman (late-L)-and the sowing rate of faba bean-18 (Fb1), 27 (Fb2) and 36 (Fb3) seeds per 1 m-on growth dynamics and yield structure, and biomass, protein, and energy yield.

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Common bentgrass Agrostis capillaris L. is known as tolerant to toxic elements. A hypothesis was examined that its ecotypes growing in historically polluted sites show a limited arsenic uptake and have genetic features that distinguish them from commercially available cultivars.

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Urban grasslands (UG) are among the most common types of urban green areas. They are usually species poor, and spontaneous plant migration, which can increase biodiversity, is limited. To improve the range of ecosystem services provided by UG, various seed mixtures are applied during the establishment and restoration of UG.

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Soybean, belonging to legumes, has a specific ability to biological nitrogen fixation, which can be reinforced by seeds inoculation. However, support with a starter dose of mineral nitrogen fertilizer may be necessary to achieve high seed yields. A four-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of mineral N fertilization (0, 30, 60 kg ha), seed inoculation with two commercial inoculants and combinations of these treatments on yield components and yielding of soybean in conditions of south-western part of Poland.

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This research evaluated the usefulness of horticultural substrates prepared on the basis of compost from chipped willow without additives and with the addition of nitrogen and decomposing mycelium of the cellulose-lignin fraction of wood in the cultivation of cucumber seedlings. The produced composts were mixed in different proportions: mixture 1 (W1) - the proportion of compost without additives and compost prepared with the addition of nitrogen and mycelium was in the ratio of 50:50, mixture 2 (W2) - the proportion of compost without additives and compost prepared with the addition of nitrogen and mycelium was in the ratio of 75:25. The starting mixtures were used to prepare horticultural substrates with different components (peat - P, vermicompost - V) and additives: basaltmeal - B, biochar from deciduous wood - C.

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Given the low protein coverage by legumes in Poland, alternatives (with high protein content and high nutritional value) are being sought (with high protein content and high nutritional value of protein) that could replace these plants. Cereal cultivation dominates in Poland; hence, the search for high-value plants will also consider this group of plants. The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional value of proteins from two wheat cultivars.

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Impact of climate change on potential distribution of Dickeya zeae causal agent of stalk rot of maize in Sialkot district Pakistan.

Sci Rep

January 2024

Departamento de Ciencias Agronomicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnologico de Sonora, 85010, Ciudad Obregon, SO, Mexico.

Maize (Zea mays) is an influential crop in its production across the world. However, the invasion of many phytopathogens greatly affects the maize crop yield at various hotspot areas. Of many diseases, bacterial stalk rot of maize caused by Dickeya zeae results in severe yield reduction, thus the need for efficient management is important.

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Biological invasions degrade ecosystems, negatively affecting human well-being and biodiversity. Restoration of invaded agricultural ecosystems is among specific goals of European Union Biodiversity Strategy. Successful restoration of invaded lands is a long-term process that requires monitoring to assess the effects of interventions.

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Introduction: This paper presents comparative studies on the content and structure of organic matter (OM) and the activity of microbiological cellulose destruction in three types of Ukrainian soils intensively used in agricultural production.

Methods: The highest content of humus in the arable layer (4.9%), OM (410 t ha), and total carbon (30.

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One of the main factors considered in assessing the nutritional value of feed is its chemical composition, which can be modified by fertilization. Faced with reducing P resources, alternative sources of this element are being sought. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in soybean cultivation.

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Objective: summarizing the results of many years of research by the authors on the influence of gene polymorphisms encoding xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes (GSTТ1, GSTM1, GSTР1), antioxidant protection (С^262Т of the catalase gene), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (4a/4b VNTR polymorphism of the eNOS gene), and some environmental factors on the occurrence of broncho-obstructive disorders and the development of bronchial asthma in children, residents of radioactively contaminated areas.

Materials And Methods: The examined school-aged children were residents of radioactively RCA who had no clinical signs of respiratory pathology. Deletion polymorphism of catalase gene (CAT C^262T), polymorphism of glutathione-S-transferase gene (GSTТ1, GSTM1, GSTР1) and the polymorphism in the 4th intron (4a/4b) of the eNOS gene were studied in the molecular genetics laboratory of the State Institution «Reference Center for Molecular Diagnostics of Public Health Ministry of Ukraine».

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Anthocyanins (ACNs) have attracted considerable attention for their potential to modulate the immune system. Research has revealed their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which play a crucial role in immune regulation by influencing key immune cells, such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Moreover, ACNs contribute towards maintaining a balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus promoting immune health.

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Bonitation assessment of intensively used football turf depending on the date and area of observation.

Sci Rep

September 2023

Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Seed Production, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki 24A, 50-363, Wroclaw, Poland.

This article aimed to evaluate the visual and functional characteristics of intensively used football turf over 10 years, depending on the different areas of the game. The research was conducted on the football turf of the AZS Environmental Club in Wrocław (N: 51° 7' 31'' E:17° 4' 14''). High variability of the evaluated parameters was observed regarding seasonality, year of observation, and the area of play.

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Urban grasslands provide numerous ecosystem services, and their maintenance should be based on naturally regenerating plant populations. However, the urban environment is challenging for preserving viable populations, mostly because of their high fragmentation and small size, which can lead to genetic drift. We examined red clover () in a medium-size city in Central Europe to test the cityscape effect on within- and among-population genetic diversity.

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Recognition of species richness spatial patterns is important for nature conservation and theoretical studies. Inventorying species richness, especially at a larger spatial extent is challenging, thus different data sources are joined and harmonized to obtain a comprehensive data set. Here we present a new data set showing vascular plant species richness in Poland based on a grid of 10 × 10 km squares.

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Russian-Ukrainian war impacts on the environment. Evidence from the field on soil properties and remote sensing.

Sci Total Environ

December 2023

Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.

The Russian-Ukrainian war is having a dramatic impact on the environment. The effects are still unknown. However, it is expected that the effects will be substantial.

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Struvite is regarded as a promising phosphorus fertilizer alternative to mineral fertilizers; however before fertilizing, soil tests should be undertaken to determine fertilizer recommendations. In May 2022, soil was sampled from a pot experiment with the application of phosphorus set up at the Wroclaw University and Environmental and Life Sciences. Chemical analysis of the soil included total and available phosphorus, potassium, magnesium determined by the Egner-Riehm, Mehlich 3 and Yanai methods.

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