Genotype (cultivar), soil and climatic conditions, the agrotechnology used, and the interaction of the factors mentioned play a key role in the yield and quality of wheat grain. Currently, the European Union recommends the balanced use of mineral fertilisers and plant protection products in agricultural production (integrated production) or the use of only natural production methods (organic production). The aim of the study was to compare the yield and grain quality of four spring common wheat cultivars Harenda, Kandela, Mandaryna, and Serenada, grown under three farming systems: organic (ORG), integrated (INT), and conventional (CONV). A three-year field experiment was conducted between 2019 and 2021 at the Osiny Experimental Station (Poland, 51°27′ N; 22°2′ E). The results showed that significantly the highest wheat grain yield (GY) was obtained at INT, while the lowest was obtained at ORG. The physicochemical and rheological characteristics of the grain were significantly influenced by the cultivar factor and, with the exception of 1000 grain weight (TGW) and ash content (AC), by the farming system. There were also numerous interactions between the cultivar and farming systems, which suggests different performances of cultivars and, in fact, that some cultivars are better or worse suited to different production systems. The exceptions were protein content (PC) and falling number (FN), which were significantly highest in grain with CONV and lowest in grain with ORG farming systems.

Some studies indicate that metal nanoparticles can be used in plant cultivation as fungicides and growth stimulators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silver (AgNPs) and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the growth parameters, on the extent of leaves infected by powdery mildew and on spontaneous ectomycorrhizal colonization of English oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings growing in containers. Nanoparticles were applied to foliage four times during one vegetation season, at four concentrations: 0, 5, 25 and 50 ppm. The adsorption of NPs to leaves was observed by microscopical imaging (TEM). The tested concentrations of AgNPs and CuNPs did not have any significant effect on the growth parameters of the oak seedlings. TEM results showed disturbances in the shape of plastids, plastoglobules and the starch content of oak leaves treated with 50 ppm Cu- and AgNPs, while no changes in the ultrastructure of stems and roots of oak plants treated with NPs were observed. No significant difference in powdery mildew disease intensity was observed after NP foliar app lication. Four ectomycorrhizal taxa were detected on oak roots (Sphaerosporella brunnea, Thelephora terrestris, Paxillus involutus and Laccaria proxima). Oak seedlings treated (foliar) with CuNPs and AgNPs at 25 ppm were characterised by the highest degree of mycorrhization (respectively, 37.1% and 37.5%) among all treatments including the control treatment. None of the tested NPs manifested phytotoxicity in the examined Q. robur seedlings under container nursery conditions.

Products derived from wheat grains are an important source of protein in the daily diet of people in many parts of the world. The biological value of protein is determined by its amino acid composition and the proportions of the individual amino acids. Synthesis of these compounds in wheat grains is influenced by genetic factors, as well as habitat conditions and the agrotechnology applied in cultivation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of production technology (integrated, intensive) on the grain yield and the content amino acid profile of protein in common and durum wheat grain. Field research was conducted at the Experimental Station IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland) in two growing seasons. It was found that grain yield significantly depended on the weather conditions in the years of harvesting and genotype, but did not depend on the production technology. On the other hand, the protein content and their amino acid composition depended significantly on the production technology and genotype. A significantly higher content of protein substances was found in durum wheat grain. Increasing the intensity of production technology had a positive effect on the total protein content and the content of individual amino acids, both exogenous and endogenous. The amino acid limiting the biological value of protein contained in grains of both wheat species was lysine, and the deficiency of this amino acid was significantly lower in grain protein from intensive than integrated cultivation technology.

Every year there are changes in the register of fungicides available for forestry. It is proactive to develop a new strategy to minimise the application of chemical methods and replace them with natural and biological fungal control options. This study compares the influence after one growing season in a bare-root forest nursery of (a) effective microorganisms (EM) consisting of mixed cultures of beneficial and naturally-occurring microorganisms, (b) the organic fertilizer Actifos (Act), and (c) the mineral fertilizer Busz Forte (BF) on the growth and mycorrhizal colonization of two common forest deciduous tree species: Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur. None of the analysed growth parameters (root collar diameter, length of shoots and roots, dry mass of shoots, and roots) of either tested tree species differed significantly among treatments. For both tree species, seedlings treated with EM exhibited partnerships with a smaller species richness of mycorrhizae than did seedlings in other treatments. Moreover, EM treatment significantly increased the abundance of non-vital root tips for both species. By contrast, BF exerted a negative effect on F. sylvatica non-vital mycorrhiza abundance. Based on morphological and molecular identification, a total of 11 ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal taxa were detected in this study; three species (Peziza ostracoderma, Scleroderma areolatum and Cenococcum-like) were shared between both plant species. Across treatments, the most abundant ECM fungal species on F. sylvatica roots were Pezizaceae sp. (51.1%) and Hebeloma sp. (38.1%), while Peziza ostracoderma (26.8%), Naucoria salicis (24.1%), and Scleroderma areolatum (16.9%) were the most abundant taxa on Q. robur seedling roots. Our data indicate a negative effect of EM on ectomycorrhizal colonisation and on species richness of ECM fungi associated with F. sylvatica and Q. robur seedlings. None of the tested products had a negative effect on seedling growth, but seedlings treated with EM were characterised by a significant higher abundance of non-vital mycorrhizae.