This paper aimed at evaluating the level of sustainability in agriculture in 28 member states of the European Union. The surveys were carried out based on a synthetic technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS)-based measure. This method synthesizes factors of various nature and assigns them a synthetic aggregate measure. The analysis made it possible to develop a ranking of EU member states according to a differentiated level of measures and assign them to one of four groups characterized by different levels of sustainability in agriculture. The group of member states representing the highest level of sustainability in agriculture included two countries from Central and Eastern Europe, i.e., Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The group of countries with a greater than average level of sustainability comprised 14 member states of the European Union, including seven countries admitted to the community after 2004. The group with a low level of sustainability consisted of eight EU member states, six of them from the group of old EU member states, i.e., Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Denmark and the United Kingdom, and two new members, i.e., Romania and Slovenia. On the other hand, the lowest level of sustainability was characteristic of two “old EU” member states, i.e., The Netherlands and Belgium, and two “new EU” member states, i.e., Cyprus and Malta. The differentiated synthetic measure values showed disparities in the level of sustainability in agriculture among the member states of the European Union. They are a result of the varied level of development of this sector, production intensity and the resulting environmental impact.

Agriculture in the European Union is highly differentiated, and one of the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy is to improve agricultural competitiveness. Therefore, surveys regarding the competitiveness of agriculture and grouping countries of the European Union (EU) according to similar characteristics of agriculture are very valuable. They help make strategic decisions concerning the agricultural sector. This paper aims to evaluate the agricultural competitiveness of EU member states in 2010–2019. Data used is derived from the Eurostat and FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). The study employed a competitiveness pyramid model based on two groups of factors–competitiveness sources (bottom of the pyramid) and competitiveness effects. Partial components allocated to the groups mentioned above of factors were used to calculate a synthetic measure to determine the level of agricultural competitiveness in respective countries. The studies revealed that EU agriculture varies both in terms of resources and relationships between production factors, as well as the efficiency of their utilization. A clear difference in the level of competitiveness occurred between old and new member states, although some new countries ranked relatively high in terms of competitiveness sources (Czechia and Poland). Belgium scored highest for the synthetic measure of agricultural competitiveness in 2010–2019, and Cyprus had the lowest. It was demonstrated that human resources were of utmost importance in the structure of competitiveness sources. In turn, the average holding area determined the management conditions to the highest extent.

One of the goals of adding adjuvants to agricultural spray solutions is to enhance the droplet size characteristics of this spray. Droplet size, in turn, has an influence in the deposited spray quality, in addition to the drift and losses of spray to off-target places. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of adding adjuvants to two types of water from different sources on the droplet size characteristics. Two types of adjuvants were employed in the tests: the active substance content of the first adjuvant was a 50% aqueous solution of sodium salt of alkylbenzenesulfonic acid—10% (HY), whereas the second was from rapeseed oil (natural origin)—85% (OL). Both adjuvants were tested in two concentrations: the first was with the concentration recommended by the manufacturer (100%), whereas the second concentration was 50% of the recommended dose. Two types of water from different sources were used in the tests: the first was from a village in the eastern part of Poland (WS), whereas the second was tap water from the city of Lublin, Poland (WUP). D_v0.1, D_v0.5, or volume median diameter (VMD), D_v0.9, Sauter mean diameter (SMD), relative span (RS), and the droplet size distribution were measured and calculated as characteristics of the droplet size. Results showed that the source of water affected the influence of adding adjuvant to the spray solution. Water from the WS source with adjuvant resulted in a numerical decrease in the D_v0.5 values in the percentage of droplet size range below 150 µm, whereas water from the WUP source resulted in an increase in these values (except when adding the HY adjuvant at 50% concentration). Adjuvant concentration significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the features of D_v0.9, SMD, and RS. Adding the OL adjuvant type numerically decreased the percentage of droplet size below 150 µm, and the D_v0.5 values, but only when the WS water source was used.

Differentiation in the production potential and efficiency of farms in the member states of the European Union | Anna Nowak, Monika Różańska-Boczula | Agricultural Journals

This study presents research on the possibility of using lake macrophytes to create diagnostic and classification tools for trophically and morphologically diverse lakes. The diagnostic role of macrophytes was determined on the basis of the spatial and functional interrelationships of the various macrophyte groups, which include emergent, submerged, and floating species. In addition, an effort was made to reveal the morphometric features of the lakes that significantly affect the development of the distinguished macrophyte groups. The research was carried out comprehensively in the lakes of the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District, a unique natural area due to the richness of hydrogenic areas. The lakes in the area are undergoing constant and rapid changes (despite the introduction of various forms of protection), which is reflected in the decreasing number of lakes and their eutrophication. Moreover, stoneworts, which are indicators of clean water, are disappearing from the lakes. The presence of specific groups of macrophytes led to the classification of these lakes as ecologically stable, meaning they are resistant to change and sustainable over time. The depth and surface area of the lakes were identified as the key morphometric features that most significantly influence the growth of macrophytes in eutrophic lakes, which were the most abundant in the study area. By analysing the consistent characteristics of macrophytes and lakes, four distinct classes were identified: emergent macrophyte dominated lakes, submerged macrophyte dominated lakes, low macrophyte density lakes, high macrophyte density lakes. The proposed classification can serve as a diagnostic framework for lakes, helping to identify them and improve our understanding of the changes occurring within these ecosystems.