The analysis of 142 agricultural soil samples collected in organic farms across Poland with the intent to evaluate the level of DDT contamination resulted in more than 80% of the soils containing DDT. The ΣDDT (sum of all metabolites and isomers) concentration ranged between 0.005 and 0.383 mg/kg ΣDDT, with an average value of 0.064 mg/kg ΣDDT. However, the majority of plant samples collected from the crops growing on the sampled soils did not contain detectable DDT residues. The high DDT pollution levels detected in samples from four voivodeships (regions) among those monitored have been hypothesised to be linked to horticultural productions occurring to the sampled fields and typical of those regions, particularly in big-sized farms, during the period of DDT application, as well as the number of pesticides landfills present in these voivodeships. The elaboration of the o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT and DDT/(DDE + DDD) ratios to appraise the source or the period of contamination suggested that the contamination originated from past use of DDT rather than from impurities of more recent applications of other formulated substances. Such outcome thus suggests that the risk of contamination of organic products is likely derived from general environmental pollution levels rather than from the use of unauthorised substances in organic farming productions. Data from a trial with artificial contamination of soils indicated that using the DDT/(DDE + DDD) ratio in the presence of a low level of contamination could be less reliable than in highly contaminated soils.

Farmers’ interest in producing sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), a berry species with a high nutraceutical value, has increased in Poland and several other European countries, particularly under organic management. However, the expansion of the crop area has been paralleled by a higher occurrence particularly of the sea buckthorn fruit fly (Rhagoletis batava Hering, 1958), a tephritid species potentially causing severe damage to the berries. Trials to evaluate the mass trapping efficacy of various kinds of traps were carried out for up to five years in different locations, testing several attractants known to be effective with other fruit fly species. A commercial cone trap with an attractant designed for Ceratitis capitata and a homemade plastic bottle trap containing a 4% ammonium phosphate solution were found to be the most effective in attracting the flies in a preliminary trial and were further tested in various orchards for four years. Improved attractants were also assessed, together with the ammonium phosphate solution, but resulted in a limited increase in trapping. A reduction in the share of damaged fruits was observed in all trials, but with a generally low positive correlation with the number of catches, statistically significant only for the cone and bottle traps. The outcomes are discussed in view of the various factors determining mass trapping efficacy against flies of the family Tephritidae and the potential adoption of this control measure by farmers within an integrated pest management strategy, suitable to reduce the damage of the R. batava fly in organic sea buckthorn orchards, with an approach pursuing circular economy principles.

The occurrence of leaf rollers (Tortricidae) in 2009–2012 in the Ecological Experimental Orchard at Research Institute of Horticulture, in Nowy Dwór-Parcela was studied. The observations included monitoring: bud moth (Spilonota ocellana Den. & Schiff.), summer fruit tortrix moth (Adoxophyes orana Hbn.), fruit tree tortrix moth (Archips podanus Scop.), rose tortrix moth (Archips rosanus L.) and barred fruit tree tortrix moth (Pandemis heparana Den. & Schiff.). During the observation the dominant species was bud moth and regular flight of the moths began in the first half of June or early July. Fruit tree tortrix moth was another frequently caught species of leaf-rollers. The greatest number of this species was harvested in 2010–2011. The two maxima flights were recorded, firstin the middle of June and the third week of August in 2010, and the mid-to late June and the first half of September in 2011. Summer fruit tortrix moth was the third species of leaf-rollers numerously recorded and its flight peaks were in mid-June. The other two species of leaf-rollers were observed at less intensity. Obserwacje nasilenia występowania zwójek liściowych prowadzono w latach 2009–2012, w Ekologicznym Sadzie Doświadczalnym Instytutu Ogrodnictwa, w Nowym Dworze-Parcela. Monitoringiem objęto: zwójkę różóweczkę (Archips rosanus L.), zwójkę siatkóweczkę (Adoxophyes orana Hbn.), zwójkę bukóweczkę (Pandemis heparana Den. & Schiff.), zwójkę rdzaweczkę (Archips podanus Scop.) oraz wydłubkę oczateczkę (Spilonota ocellana Den. & Schiff.). Podczas prowadzenia obserwacji dominującym gatunkiem zwójek była wydłubka oczateczka, a regularny lot motyli rozpoczynał się w połowie czerwca lub na początku lipca. Drugim licznie odławianym gatunkiem była zwójka rdzaweczka. Największą liczbę motyli tego gatunku odławiano w latach 2010–2011. Zanotowano po dwa maksima lotów: w 2010 r. w połowie czerwca i trzeciej dekadzie sierpnia, a w 2011 r. od połowy do końca czerwca oraz w pierwszej połowie września. Trzecim licznie odławianym gatunkiem zwójek była zwójka siatkóweczka, a maksima jej lotów odnotowano w połowie czerwca. Pozostałe dwa gatunki obserwowanych zwójek występowały w zdecydowanie mniejszym nasileniu.

In recent years, Polish producers have been increasingly interested in organic fruit production. In this growing system, it is very important to choose cultivars that are less susceptible to diseases and pests. In a study conducted between 2016 and 2024 in central Poland, the suitability of ten plum cultivars (‘Cacanska Lepotica’, ‘Cacanska Najbolja’, ‘Kalipso’, ‘Katinka’, ‘Jubileum’, ‘Presenta’, ‘Silvia’, ‘Tophit’, ‘Tophit Plus’, and ‘Vision’) for organic cultivation was assessed. The results demonstrated that organic plum cultivation is feasible; however, it remains challenging. Based on long-term observations and experimental data, it was found that early-ripening plum cultivars such as ‘Katinka’, ‘Kalipso’ and ‘Cacanska Lepotica’ are more suitable for organic farming than others. Fruits of these cultivars were either not infested or only occasionally affected by the plum fruit moth and exhibited only sporadic symptoms of brown rot. The medium-early-ripening ‘Cacanska Najbolja’ cultivar is also worth noting, as the trees yield well in organic orchard conditions; however, the fruit is sometimes affected by rot-causing diseases and by the plum fruit moth. Fruits of late-ripening cultivars (‘Presenta’, ‘Tophit’, ‘Tophit Plus’, and ‘Vision’) were significantly more frequently infested by plum fruit moth caterpillars and exhibited a higher incidence of rot. The highest level of plum fruit moth infestation was observed in the fruit of ‘Tophit Plus’, whereas ‘Jubileum’ was the most susceptible to brown rot. These findings provide long-term evidence supporting cultivar selection as a key non-chemical strategy for improving the reliability of organic plum production under temperate climate conditions. The results may support cultivar selection strategies aimed at improving the sustainability and reliability of organic plum production in temperate climates.

Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) are valued for their high content of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which contribute to fruit quality and potential health benefits. However, data on phytochemical differences between Morello and Amarelle cultivars remain limited. In the present study, eleven tart cherry cultivars representing both groups were evaluated over two growing seasons (2024–2025) under identical orchard conditions. Dry matter, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were quantified using HPLC methods, and the effects of cultivar, season, and their interaction were assessed by ANOVA. Significant differences were observed among cultivars and between seasons (p < 0.05). Kelleris 16 showed the greatest concentrations of total polyphenols and phenolic acids, whereas Łutówka was characterized by elevated levels of catechin, epigallocatechin, quercetin derivatives, and myricetin. Morello cultivars generally contained substantially higher flavonoid and anthocyanin concentrations than Amarelle cultivars. In contrast, selected Amarelle cultivars, particularly Szklanka Wielka, exhibited higher levels of chlorogenic and caffeic acids. Most polyphenolic compounds were more abundant in 2024 than in 2025, highlighting a strong seasonal effect, while anthocyanin levels remained comparatively stable in both seasons. Both genotype and growing season significantly influenced the phytochemical composition of tart cherries. Morello cultivars generally exhibited higher flavonoid and anthocyanin concentrations than Amarelle cultivars, whereas selected Amarelle cultivars contained higher levels of specific phenolic acids. These findings provide valuable information for cultivar selection and future studies on the nutritional and functional properties of tart cherry fruits.