The objective of this study was to determine the abundance and species composition of thrips collected from ears of Triticum durum Desf. in relation to plant protection intensity. The experiment was set up at the Experimental Research Station of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, at Pawłowice (51^o09’ N; 17^o06’ E), Poland, in 2006-2008. It was conducted on durum wheat plants at three different levels of plant protection intensity and on common winter wheat plants. The samples of thrips were collected from the ears of the plants at the milk maturity stage of the grain. During three years of the research, eight species of thrips were identified from Triticum durum. Most often the eudominants were Haplothrips aculeatus, Limothrips cerealium and L. denticornis. We have demonstrated that there was no statistically significant effect of the plant protection intensity on the thrips abundance. The host species, on the other hand, did not affect the species composition of the studied insects.

The objective of this study was to investigate the developmental dynamics of proteolytic and ammonification bacteria at different variants of manure application under maize (Zea mays L.). The trials were conducted at the Swadzim Experimental-Didactic Station (52^o26’ N; 16^o44’ E) which belongs to the University of Life Sciences in Poznań. The experiment was established in accordance with the random block design method and comprised 14 soil objects, each in four replications. The investigations were single-factorial and the factor levels comprised 8 methods of manure application in the case of maize grown for silage and 6 methods, when maize was grown for seeds. Proteolytic and ammonification bacteria numbers depended on the method of manuring and the date of the performed analyses. The highest numbers of proteolytic microorganisms under maize cultivated for silage were observed during the phase of emergence in the combination of winter catch crop (rye + vetch). In the case of maize cultivated for seeds, the highest number of protein-degrading microorganisms was recorded during the phase of emergence in the combination of crop rotation with wheat.

Agrotourism and organic farming have special functions in conservation areas, where both contribute to their ecologisation and multifunctional development. The aim of the study was to asses the possibility for agrotourism development in communes located in the areas of West Pomeranian Province landscape parks. Basing on the characteristics of six diagnostic features valorising agricultural space for the needs of agrotourism development, high diversity of area under water, share of farms with 5-15 ha of agricultural land, share of permanent grasslands in the total area of the agricultural land, population density, and afforestation of the communes situated in the areas of landscape parks were stated. Ward’s hierarchical clustering method used for grouping similar communes showed three clusters with different possibilities for the development of agrotourism. The most favourable conditions for agrotourism were found in communes: Cedynia, Złocieniec, Ostromice, and Węgorzyno; favourable in: Stare Czarnowo, Czaplinek, Ińsko, Widuchowa, Moryń, Trzcińsko-Zdrój, Barwice, and Dobrzany; and moderately favourable in: Połczyn-Zdrój, Borne Sulinowo, Mieszkowice, Chojna, and Chociwel.

Field experiment was carried out in the Didactic and Experimental Department in Swadzim near Poznań, in years 2004-2005 (52^o26’ N; 16^o45’ E). The experiment was established in a „split-plot” design with two factors and four field replications. The primary factor consisted in three nitrogen doses: 0, 60, and 120 kg N·ha^-1, while the secondary factor included four doses of kieserite (magnesium sulphate): 0 kg fertilizer·ha^-1, 100 kg fertilizer·ha^-1 (25 kg MgO·ha^-1 + 20 kg S·ha^-1), 200 kg fertilizer·ha^-1 (50 kg MgO·ha^-1 + 40 kg S·ha^-1), and 300 kg fertilizer·ha^-1 (75 kg MgO·ha^-1 + 60 kg S·ha^-1). An increase in the nitrogen dose increased grain yield, its moisture, and weight of 1000 grains but it decreased the yield index and the number of production ears. Under the influence of the magnesium sulphate fertilizer (kieserite), maize produced a higher yield of grains while limiting the vegetative biomass. The level of fertilization with nitrogen and kieserite differentiated the nitrogen content in the dry matter of grain and the magnesium content in the dry matter of ears. With an increased nitrogen fertilization, the content of crude fibre in the dry matter of grain increased, while the number of extraction compounds decreased. An increased dose of kieserite decreased the quantity of crude fibre in the dry matter of grain but, at the same time, it increased the amount of N-free extract. The highest yield of net energy, yield of digestible protein, and total protein were obtained for the dose of 120 kg N·ha^-1.

Field experiment was carried out in the Didactic and Experimental Department in Swadzim near Poznań, in years 2004-2005 (52^o26’ N; 16^o45’ E). The experiment was established in a „split-plot” design with two factors and four field replications. The primary factor consisted in three nitrogen doses: 0, 60, and 120 kg N·ha^-1, while the secondary factor included four doses of kieserite (magnesium sulphate): 0 kg fertilizer·ha^-1, 100 kg fertilizer·ha^-1 (25 kg MgO·ha^-1 + 20 kg S·ha^-1), 200 kg fertilizer·ha^-1 (50 kg MgO·ha^-1 + 40 kg S·ha^-1), and 300 kg fertilizer·ha^-1 (75 kg MgO·ha^-1 + 60 kg S·ha^-1). It was found that the fertilization of maize with kieserite in the dose of 300 kg of fertilizer per ha does not generate any disturbances in the correct germination of maize seeds and that such a dose level is not toxic to maize plants. The level of nitrogen fertilization differentiated the dry matter of a single plant and the dry matter yield of plants in the phase of 5-6 leaves (BBCH 15-16), as well as the yield of the dry matter of ears and of the whole plants. The size of kieserite dose differentiated the dry matter yield of stover, ears, and whole plants. Uptake of nitrogen, potassium, and calcium in the phase of 5-6 leaves (BBCH 15-16) increased with the increasing doses of nitrogen. Fertilization of maize with nitrogen in the dose of 120 kg N·ha^-1 with kieserite increased the yield of plant dry matter and nitrogen uptake in the above mentioned yield of plants in the phase of 5-6 leaves (BBCH 15-16). The level of nitrogen fertilization differentiated the chlorophyll content expressed in SPAD units in the phase of 5-6 leaves (BBCH 15-16); however, in the ear blooming phase (BBCH 67), the value of this feature was modified by the level of the doses of nitrogen and kieserite.