We explain environmental and genetic factors determining male genetic conditions and infertility and evaluate the significance of environmental stressors in shaping defensive responses, which is used in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. This is done through the impact of external and internal stressors and their instability on sperm parameters and their contribution to immunogenetic disorders and hazardous DNA mutations. As chemical compounds and physical factors play an important role in the induction of immunogenetic disorders and affect the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic responses, causing oxidative stress, and leading to apoptosis, they downgrade semen quality. These factors are closely connected with male reproductive potential since genetic polymorphisms and mutations in chromosomes 7, X, and Y critically impact on spermatogenesis. Microdeletions in the Azoospermic Factor AZF region directly cause defective sperm production. Among mutations in chromosome 7, impairments in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator CFTR gene are destructive for fertility in cystic fibrosis, when spermatic ducts undergo complete obstruction. This problem was not previously analyzed in such a form. Alongside karyotype abnormalities AZF microdeletions are the reason of spermatogenic failure. Amongst AZF genes, the deleted in azoospermia DAZ gene family is reported as most frequently deleted AZF. Screening of AZF microdeletions is useful in explaining idiopathic cases of male infertility as well as in genetic consulting prior to assisted reproduction. Based on the current state of research we answer the following questions: (1) How do environmental stressors lessen the quality of sperm and reduce male fertility; (2) which chemical elements induce oxidative stress and immunogenetic changes in the male reproductive system; (3) how do polymorphisms correlate with changes in reproductive potential and pro-antioxidative mechanisms as markers of pathophysiological disturbances of the male reproductive condition; (4) how do environmental stressors of immunogenetic disorders accompany male infertility and responses; and (5) what is the distribution and prevalence of environmental and genetic risk factors.

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 nutritional quality of potato tubers is cultivar-specific and depends on climate-soil conditions and agrotechnical practices, as well as the conditions during long-term storage. Studies were performed from 2009–2011 to determine the effects of magnesium fertilisation and storage duration on the contents of the anti-nutritive compound nitrates, nitrites and total glycoalkaloids (TGA) in potato tubers of mid-early cultivar “Bila” (Solanum tuberosum L.). Magnesium (Mg) was applied in doses of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg MgO ha⁻¹, respectively, in the form of kieserite–magnesium sulphate (26% MgO). Potato quality after harvest and after three and six months of storage was determined. The content of nitrates in tubers after harvest ranged from 303 to 356 mg kg⁻¹ FW and nitrites from 1.59 to 1.67 mg kg⁻¹ FW. Increasing magnesium fertilisation reduced the nitrate and nitrite content of tubers but increased TGA content. Possible explanations for the TGA increase after Mg supply are discussed. Tubers that contained less TGA after harvest also had less glycoalkaloids after storage. However, physical damage during harvest or transportation, exposure to light and bad storage conditions increase the concentrations of glycoalkaloids in tubers. The consumption of cultivar “Bila” would not exceed the acceptable daily intake of harmful substances.

Broccoli is a short-term fresh storage vegetable; it most often goes to the processing plant where it is frozen or cold-stored. 1-methylcyclopropene gas (1-MCP) can be used to extend broccoli’s shelf life. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the genetic cultivar determinants, the use of 1-MCP and the storage time on the weight loss as well as the content of nutrients and harmful compounds in cultivars: ‘Bay Meadows’, ‘Monaco’, ‘Naxos’ and ‘Vicario’. The cultivars selected for the study differed significantly in terms of the traits after harvest and storage, and the differences were also conditioned by the interaction of the genetic factor and 1-MCP used, especially within 30 days after harvest. Of the broccoli cultivars, ‘Monaco’ demonstrated the lowest weight loss during storage, the highest content of dry weight, total sugars, vitamin C, both after harvest and after storage, in the samples treated with 1-methylcycloprepene after harvest. In turn, ‘Vicario’ lost most weight after storage and broccoli florets treated with 1-MCP have lost less weight. The highest amounts of nitrates and nitrites, both after harvest and after storage, were found in ‘Monaco’; however, the differences, as compared with the other cultivars, were significant, yet relatively low. The lowest compactness of the florets was recorded, and hence the lowest commercial value (basically unmarketable), for ‘Naxos’, ‘Monaco’ and ‘Vicario’ cultivars after 30 days of storage without the use of 1-MCP. However, due to the use of 1-MCP and low temperature (4 °C), the commercial value of those broccoli cultivars was satisfactory.

A study was carried out in 2013-2014 on caraway (Carum carvi L.), which is a biennial plant grown alone or together with a spring crop. The aim of the study was an agrotechnical and economic assessment of technologies for intercropping of caraway with selected three species of spring crops. The study showed that the highest caraway fruit yields in the second year were obtained in the variant in which the species was grown together with field pea. The profitability of this variant was increased by area-based subsidies for legumes and reduced outlays for mineral fertilizers. The highest value for pea as a species intercropped with caraway was confirmed by economic indicators such as soil productivity, net farm income, and production profitability. The second most suitable crop for intercropping with caraway was dill. It has similar agrotechnical requirements as caraway, but has the disadvantage of a very late harvest time, which slows the development of the main crop and reduces the yield of caraway the following year. In this variant lower values were obtained for the economic indicators than in the case of caraway grown with pea. The least suitable species for intercropping with caraway proved to be white mustard, whose intensive growth and accompanying high demand for water, nutrients and light substantially limited the development and yield of caraway. Due to the relatively low caraway yield and high cost of mustard cultivation, this variant resulted in the lowest economic indicators.