Growing acreage and changing consumer preferences cause increasing interest in the cereal products originating from organic farming. Lack of results of objective test, however, does not allow drawing conclusions about the effects of cultivation in the organic system and comparison to currently preferred conventional system. Field experiment was conducted in organic and conventional fields. Thirty modern cultivars of winter wheat were sown. They were characterized for disease infection including Fusarium head blight, seed sowing value, the amount of DNA of the six species of Fusarium fungi as well as concentration of ergosterol and trichothecenes in grain. The intensity Fusarium head blight was at a similar level in both systems. However, Fusarium colonization of kernels expressed as ergosterol level or DNA concentration was higher for the organic system. It did not reflect in an increased accumulation of trichothecenes in grain, which was similar in both systems, but sowing value of organically produced seeds was lower. Significant differences between analyzed cropping systems and experimental variants were found. The selection of the individual cultivars for organic growing in terms of resistance to diseases and contamination of grain with Fusarium toxins was possible. Effects of organic growing differ significantly from the conventional and grain obtained such way can be recommended to consumers. There are indications for use of particular cultivars bred for conventional agriculture in the case of organic farming, and the growing organic decreases plant stress resulting from intense fertilization and chemical plant protection.

The current conservation status of semi-natural grassland habitats in Poland indicates that actions for their restoration are necessary. Many of the degraded sites require the introduction of diaspores of representative species because other methods of improving their condition are not sufficiently effective. Meanwhile, little is known about the diaspores of native wild-flower species and the biology of their seeds. The aim of the present study was to find an answer to the question of which features of the seed material can guarantee the success of the introduction. The study covered 28 plant species of 4 non-forest natural habitats (codes: 6440, 6410, 6510, 6210) occurring in river valleys. Diaspores were collected in 2015–2017. Morphometric measurements of diaspores were performed, the weight of 1000 diaspores was determined and the germination capacity analysis was carried out in accordance with ISTA Rules. The analysis was made with the division into normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings, dead seeds and fresh ungerminated seeds. Species with similar parameters of seed material were selected using the method of hierarchical clustering and PCA analysis. Three groups of species were distinguished: (1) with good seed germination capacity (above 65%), which, regardless of weather conditions during the generative development, and despite the small size of diaspores, can guarantee successful introductions (Verbascum thapsus, Veronica longifolia, Daucus carota, Plantago lanceolata); (2) species of little suitability for introduction, due to the large proportion (over 50%) of dead seeds (Armeria maritima, Linaria vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Centaurea stoebe, Sanguisorba officinalis, Cnidium dubium); (3) species with relatively large size of diaspores and low seed germination capacity, due to the high proportion of fresh ungerminated seeds which means dormant seeds (Lathyrus pratensis, Geranium pratense).

Storage conditions have a strong influence on the germination of seeds of Avena fatua L, especially at variable conditions, the germination decreased. Seeds stored at a constant low temperature maintained the germination capability for 5 years. Under greenhouse conditions, seeds matured and germinated more rapidly comparing to field conditions, but individuals from these seeds were weaker and produced fewer seeds. The higher temperature in the greenhouse accelerated the development and maturing of plants. Field emergence varied depending on seed storage conditions, sample, further reproduction, and weather conditions. It was observed that individual specimens of A. fatua were able to form ripe seeds with high thousand grain mass (TGM), regardless of the occurrence of fungal diseases. The knowledge of the biology of A. fatua is very important due to its status as a restricted weed in certified seed of crop plants.

The principle of the market competitiveness of breeding companies implicates a fast production of new varieties. One way to achieve this goal brings single seed descent (SSD) methodology, which requires kernels collection (18-23 days after pollination), fast drying amd germination. Seed drying conditions influence the germination. In present work the influence of lightings: Sanyo LED and incandescent lamp vs. dark control during drying were studied. Kernels were harvested 18 and 23 days after pollination of wheat, triticale and barley cultivars grown in the same field experiment in 2015. It was found that: the germination ability of non-mature kernels depends on all studied factors: lighting during drying, terms of harvesting and the interaction light * term; non mature kernelsare more sensitive to drying conditions; lighting during seeds drying can have a positive effect on ability to germination; for breeding practice it would be better to harvest kernels at 23 DAF and dry them at room conditions under incandescent lamp.

The aim of this study was to evaluate germination capacity after seed treatment with three formulations containing effective microorganisms: EM-Farming, Ema Plus, ISD. The experimental material were the seeds of spring wheat, barley, oats, phacelia, serradella, yellow lupine and blue lupine from organic farming. Germination capacity was evaluated in accordance with the ISTA Rules (2010). Seed treatment with effective microorganisms had no effect on germination capacity of wheat and barley. Only for one variety of oat, (Polar), from four tested, germination capacity was improved after seed treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant. After soaking in the solution of Ema Plus and ISD germination capacity of serradella seed was higher, but the difference was also not statistically significant. After application of each seed treatment the blue lupine germinated slightly better than the control seeds. Seeds of lacy phacelia showed higher germination after application the solution of the ISD. The three formulations with effective microorganisms did not cause significant increase in seed germination, but there were less abnormal seedlings and dead seeds. Celem pracy była ocena zdolności kiełkowania nasion po traktowaniu trzema preparatami zawierającymi efektywne mikroorganizmy: EM-Farming, Ema Plus, ISD. Materiałem do badań były nasiona pszenicy jarej, jęczmienia jarego, czterech odmian owsa, facelii błękitnej, seradeli, łubinu żółtego i łubinu wąskolistnego pochodzące z uprawy ekologicznej. Ocenę zdolności kiełkowania nasion przeprowadzono zgodnie z metodyką ISTA (2010). Zaprawianie nasion preparatami z efektywnymi mikroorganizmami nie miało wpływu na kiełkowanie pszenicy i jęczmienia. U owsa wpłynęło pozytywnie na kiełkowanie tylko jednej odmiany Polar, spośród czterech badanych, ale różnica nie była istotna statystycznie. Nasiona łubinu wąskolistnego po zastosowaniu preparatów kiełkowały nieco lepiej niż nasiona kontrolne. Zdolność kiełkowania nasion seradeli wzrosła po moczeniu w roztworze Ema Plus i ISD, jednak nieistotnie statystycznie. Nasiona facelii błękitnej wykazywały wyższe kiełkowanie po zastosowaniu roztworu ISD. Użyte preparaty nie spowodowały istotnego statystycznie zwiększenia zdolności kiełkowania nasion, ale stwierdzono mniej siewek nienormalnych oraz nasion martwych.