This article presents the results of research on the influence of moisture on changes in the physical properties, i.e., the length, width, thickness, and weight, of dressed and untreated cereal seeds in order to improve the simulation process based on the discrete element method (DEM). The research was conducted on the seeds of three winter cereals, i.e., triticale, rye, and barley. The seeds with an initial moisture content of about 7% were moistened to five levels, ranging from 9.5% to 17.5%, at an increment of 2%. The statistical analysis showed that moisture significantly influenced the physical properties of the seeds, i.e., their length, width, thickness, and weight. As the moisture content of the seeds increased, there were greater differences in their weight. The average increase in the thousand kernel weight resulting from the increase in their moisture content ranged from 4 to 6 mg. The change in the seed moisture content from 9.5% to 17.5% significantly increased the volume of rye seeds from 3.10% to 14.99%, the volume of triticale seeds from 1.00% to 13.40%, and the volume of barley seeds from 1.00% to 15.33%. These data can be used as a parameter to improve the DEM simulation process.

The processing of meat industry waste into meat-and-bone meal (MBM) provides the opportunity to use it as fertiliser in the cultivation of agricultural crops. This study was conducted in the years 2014–2017 at the Experimental Station in Tomaszkowo, Poland to assess MBM effects on yield and quality of maize cultivated for grain. An example of the effective use of nutrients contained in MBM applied at doses of 2.0 and 3.0 t ha is the cultivation of maize in 2016, which was affected by favourable weather conditions. The effect of the accumulation of MBM doses and, consequently, the provision of a greater amount of nutrients ensure sufficient amounts to obtain yields, greater than those provided by mineral fertilisation only. The macronutrient concentration in the maize grains following the application of MBM was similar to the composition of the grains of maize fertilised with mineral N, P and K fertilisers. With the MBM, micronutrients are introduced in amounts that are able to satisfy plants with these components, yet this study failed to demonstrate any effect of increased MBM doses on the concentration of the analysed elements in the maize grains.

The present state of knowledge and biotechnological advances have allowed the potential of microorganisms to be used effectively in crop cultivation. A field study on the use of commercial bacterial preparations in the cultivation of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was carried out in the years 2017–2019 at the Educational and Experimental Station in Tomaszkowo (53°71′ N, 20°43′ E), Poland. This study analysed the effect of commercial microbial preparations containing Paenibacillus azotofixans, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis, applied during the winter wheat growing season, on the grain yield, protein content, leaf greenness index (SPAD), the course of photosynthesis and the N-NO₃, N-NH₄ and P contents in the soil. The highest grain yield was noted following the application of mineral fertilisation and the three microbial preparations in combination (Paenibacillus azotofixans, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis), as well as NPK with Paenibacillus azotofixans, in relation to mineral fertilisation alone (by 19.6% and 18.4%, respectively). The microbial preparations had a significant effect on the leaf greenness index (SPAD) at both test dates. No interaction was recorded between the years of study and the preparations applied on the SPAD values. The highest leaf photosynthetic index at both observation dates was noted for the application of NPK + P. azotofixans, as well as for NPK and all the preparations combined (P. azotofixans, B. megaterium, B. subtilis). The highest N-NO₃, N-NH₄ and P contents in the soil were obtained using NPK and all microbial preparations combined. Strong correlations were found between the SPAD index and the photosynthetic index value and the protein content in wheat grains and between the N-NO₃, N-NH₄ and P contents in the soil and the wheat grain yield.

Pneumatic separation is one of the available methods for cleaning seed mixtures. Variously shaped seeds, including spherical (vetch), elongated (wheat), and pyramid-shaped seeds (buckwheat), were analyzed in this study. A seed mixture containing 80% of main crop seeds and 20% of other crop seeds imitating impurities was separated in a pneumatic separator with the shape of an inverted cone in a stream of air. The regression equations describing the separation efficiency of the main crop seeds and other crop seeds imitating impurities (η) and the separation efficiency index (ε) were characterized by high and very high fit to empirical data. The coefficient of determination for the analyzed seed mixtures ranged from 0.71 to 0.99. The conical separator supported effective separation of seed mixture components in a stream of air.

In machines and devices used for separating and cleaning seed mixtures, the components of such mixtures can be separated in a stream of air. The efficiency of separation of a two-component (model) mixture containing wheat kernels and buckwheat nutlets was investigated. The main crop seeds and other crop seeds imitating impurities accounted for 80% and 20% (w/w), respectively. The experiment involved a pneumatic cleaning device with an immobile conical surface, designed by the authors, where mixture components are separated in a stream of air. The seed mixture was separated in a separator with the shape of an inverted cone, where the seeds were set into motion by a stream of air. The separation efficiency of the analyzed two-component mixture in the designed separator exceeded 78%. Regression equations describing the separation efficiency index of the entire seed mixture (ε) and the separation efficiency of the main crop seeds (η_p) and seeds imitating impurities (η_z) were derived. The coefficient of determination (R²) for the above regression equations describing the separation efficiency of the mixture components (main crop seeds and seeds imitating impurities) and the separation efficiency index of the entire seed mixture ranged from 0.81 to 0.94. This result indicates that the developed equations were characterized by satisfactory and highly satisfactory fit to empirical data, and that they can be applied to accurately predict the quality of the seed separation process in the cleaning device designed by the authors. The developed equations can be effectively used to model and automatically control separation processes in the proposed separator.

Entering university frequently brings about considerable changes in the students' lifestyle, which often affect negatively their health. Therefore, it seems to be of great importance to promote pro-health habits and attitudes particularly among 1st-year-students and thus, it is necessary to accurately assess their lifestyles and needs in this regard. The aim of the study was to assess the habits and attitudes towards healthy lifestyle of 762 first-year female students enrolled at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn so as to detect health risks and ultimately present the need for remedial measures. Female students were randomly selected from all the groups attending obligatory physical education classes. The students filled in an anonymous questionnaire, which contained questions referring to their physical activity, nutrition, tobacco and alcohol use, and stress. The research demonstrated a worrisome picture of the students' habits and attitudes with regard to health. It showed that the female students took keener interest in daily body care than in proper nutrition and an adequate level of physical activity. What is also alarming is the excessive amount of alcohol they consumed on a regular basis. The research findings call for a specially designed pro-health programme to be implemented during the time of the studies in order to raise the female students' awareness of leading a health-conscious lifestyle.