Background. Thrips constitute a group of common maize pests in Poland. Although in recent years their population and harmfulness in maize fields have increased, they are still not covered by chemical control due to the lack of approved insecticides. Material and methods. A study was carried out in 2010-2012 in southeastern Poland to test the potential indirect effects of non-selective seed dressings and foliar insecticides applied in the spring to control the frit fly (Oscinella frit L.) on the population of thrips without the need for separate treatments. Seed dressings containing imidacloprid (Gaucho 600 FS and Couraze 350 FS) and methiocarb (Mesurol 500 FS), as well as foliar insecticides containing lambda-cyhalothrin (Karate Zeon 050 CS) and a mixture of thiacloprid with deltamethrin (Proteus 110 OD) were used in the experiment. Results. In the study years thrips infested maize plants from mid-May to the first ten days of October. They were most abundant from the end of June to mid-August, with a single population peak between 11 and 20 July. All the tested insecticides used in spring to control O. frit had an indirect insecticidal effect on thrips. The highest effectiveness of seed dressings and foliar insecticides was observed until mid-June, which did not allow for the effective protection of maize plants against feeding thrips. Conclusion. The insecticidal effect of the tested products ended before the most abundant occurrence of thrips, and, therefore, these pests have to be controlled separately with chemical treatments on later dates.

Background. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of selected methods of weed control on the content of total and true protein in tubers of three cultivars of edible potato. Material and methods. The two-way field experiment was carried out in a split-plot design in three replications. The studied factors included: I – three potato cultivars: Cekin, Satina and Tajfun. II – five methods of weed control: (1) mechanical treatment – control plot, (2) mechanical treatment + herbicide Command 480 EC at a rate of 0.2 dm³·ha^-1, (3) Mechanical treatment + herbicidal combination Command 480 EC at a rate of 0.2 dm³·ha^-1 + Afalon Dyspersyjny 450 SC at rate of 1.0 dm³·ha^-1, (4) Mechanical treatment + herbicide Stomp 400 SC at a rate of 3.5 dm³·ha^-1, (5) mechanical treatment + herbicidal combination Stomp 400 SC at rate of 3.5 dm³·ha^-1 + Afalon Dyspersyjny 450SC at a rate of 1.0 dm³·ha^-1. Results. The highest contents of total and true protein as compared with the control plot were obtained on plots where the herbicidal combination Stomp 400 SC + Afalon Dyspersyjny 450 SC was used and the herbicide Stomp 400 SC by itself was used. The research results indicated that cv. Satina was characterized by the highest concentration of total protein, on average 12.98% d.m., and of true protein with the average being 8.60% d.m, while cv. Tajfun had the lowest content of the discussed nutrients, 12.04 and 8.08% respectively, of the dry weight of tubers. Weather conditions over the years of research varied the content of both total and true protein. The highest content of total and true protein was found in tubers in 2009, which was characterized by the most optimal rainfall total and air temperature for potato development experienced during our study. Conclusion. Herbicides applied in the experiment as well as weather conditions in particular years of research contributed to a diversified content of total and true protein in potato tubers. The content of the discussed component was also determined by varieties cultivated in the experiment.

Background. Reduced tillage systems enable a reduction in expenditure on energy and improve the economic effectiveness of production, but, among other things, they are favourable for weed infestation of a plantation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tillage systems and methods of treatment on the reduction in weed matter, and to determine the phytotoxic effect of herbicides applied on the damage of plants of yellow lupine and its yield. Material and methods. The study results come from a field experiment set up in a split-plot design in three replications. The studied factors included: I – two tillage systems – conventional and reduced: II – five methods of weed control: 1) control plot – mechanical treatment, 2) chemical treatment – spraying with preparation Afalon Dyspersyjny 450 SC (linuron) directly after sowing, 3) mechanical and chemical treatment [Metron 700 SL (metamitron)], 4) chemical treatment Afalon Dyspersyjny 450 SC + Metron 700 SL, 5) chemical treatment Afalon Dyspersyjny 450 SC + Metron 700 SL + Fusilade Forte 150 EC (fluazifop-p-butyl). Results. The assessment of weed infestation was carried out two weeks after applying the last herbicide treatment as well as directly before harvesting the yellow lupine seeds. The air dry mass of weeds was lower after conventional tillage than after reduced tillage. The lowest quantity of weeds was recorded after applying conventional tillage and three herbicides, and the highest quantity was on the control plot. The highest plant damage was observed after applying three herbicides. The seed yield of yellow lupine was significantly modified by tillage systems, methods of weed control and weather conditions occurring in particular growing seasons. Conclusion. Weed control on plots with herbicide treatment contributed to an increase in the seed yield of yellow lupine compared with the control plot. Moreover, response to herbicide damages in yellow lupine significantly depended on the applied cultivation methods, causing slight damages to disappear with the passing time.

Background. Representatives of the Nigella genus are annual plants with a short vegetation period. The best known species are Nigella damascena and Nigella sativa. N. damascena is a traditional flower species in Croatian flora that is in increasing demand due to its modest agrotechnical demands and its variety of use for ornamental purposes. N. sativa has become well known over the past several years for its oil, which is used for medicinal purposes. The increasing demand for its oil is met through import or by the processing of imported “raw material”. Both species have a high cultivation potential and the possibility of usage in the pharmaceutical industry and horticulture, but the problem is lack of seed. The objective of this research was to determine achieved yields and seed quality (1000 seed weight, energy, germination and health condition) in two sowing periods with the application of fertilizer. Material and methods. The field trial was set up in a random block design in four repetitions over two years. The first factor in the trial was the sowing period (spring, autumn), the second factor was fertilization (no fertilizer, nitrogen 30 kg· ha^-1, phosphorus 30 kg· ha^-1). Results. The spring sowing period and fertilization with nitrogen and with phosphorus achieved the highest seed yields. The seed of N. damascena cultivated in the autumn sowing period had a higher 1000 seed weight, however, the sowing period and fertilization did not significantly influence the parameters of energy and germination. The seed quality indicators of N. sativa in the spring sowing period had significantly higher values than those from the autumn sowing period, and fertilization with phosphorus influenced the 1000 seed weight. Conclusion. The results indicate that in the researched conditions it is possible to achieve a high yield of quality seed, which could satisfy the demand for the seed of the researched species and create possibilities for the domestic populations of N. damascena and for populations of N. sativa originating from countries of traditional cultivation.

Background. The increase in the area of cereal cultivation in Poland is favorable for a rise in significant damage to wheat leaves arising from an increasing activity of cereal leaf beetle larvae and pathogenic fungi. The aim of the research was an assessment of the effectiveness and economic efficiency of the applied insecticides and fungicides in the control of selected agrophages in spring wheat. Material and methods. The research on the economic efficiency of applied fungicides and insecticides in spring wheat was conducted in the years 2013-2015 in Boguchwała. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design in four replications. Spring wheat was sown on brown soil, class IIIa. Results. On the control plots, the average leaf area infected with wheat diseases was 48.1%, while damage by leaf beetle larvae was 71.1%. The effectiveness of the applied fungicides ranged from 23.1 to 71.8%, and for insecticides it was from 77.1 to 97.5%. The value of increased yield ranged from 73 to 903 PLN· ha^-1. The cost coverage index ranged from 0.3 to 10.3, while the indicator of treatment profitability ranged from 0.11 to 0.62. Percentage cost index varied from 1.9 to 19.4. Conclusion. The cost-effectiveness of chemical plant protection treatments depended mainly on the number and type of the applied plant protection treatments. Applying two treatments during the growing season caused a significant cost increase in spring wheat protection relative to the obtained yield and grain price.