The effectiveness of herbicides is affected by the pH of the spray liquid. The use of adjuvants can mitigate the negative effect of pH, and it also allows for a reduction in herbicide doses while maintaining high efficiency. Greenhouse studies were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the herbicide sulcotrione (HRAC F2), against barnyardgrass, at full or reduced doses with adjuvants, and a modified pH of the solutions. The contact angle and surface tension of liquid spray drops, as well as the shear viscosity of individual solutions, were also tested. Results indicated that at a low pH of the spray liquid (4), the use of a reduced dose of sulcotrione with adjuvant based on methylated rapeseed oil can increase the effectiveness of barnyardgrass control to the same level as at the full dose of herbicide. The use of adjuvants contributed to the reduction in the contact angle and the surface tension of liquid spray droplets. No significant differences in shear viscosity were observed for individual solutions.

MCPA (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) acetic acid is a common synthetic auxin used as a herbicide. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of four new forms of MCPA being the herbicidal ionic liquids (HILs) with MCPA as an anion and two previously known formulations (potassium–sodium salt and 2-ethylhexyl ester) on seed germination and seedling development of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Rape plants are susceptible to MCPA and volunteers can be a big problem in crop rotation. Seedling fresh weight and root length were quantified, mitotic activity, as well as lipid, starch, hydrogen peroxide and polyphenol contents were assessed by light and fluorescence microscopy and the computer-aided cytophotometer. In primary roots mitotic activity was almost completely inhibited under the influence of herbicides, cell elongation zones and root hair zones were significantly reduced, and a characteristic bolded root segment formed just above a meristem. In contrast to the traditional salt formulation the new HILs were weak inducers of hydrogen peroxide synthesis, but were potent stimulators of the synthesis of phenolic compounds and storage as well as emergency substances such as lipids and starch. All tested forms of MCPA caused strong phytotoxic effect on winter rape seedlings, but the tested HILs were more effective.

Agriculture is faced with the need to reduce mineral fertilizers in order to reduce costs but also to meet political goals. Resilience-enhancing climate change, especially in the face of increasingly frequent and prolonged droughts, has become another issue. The dynamically increasing production of insects for feed and food purposes has become one of the answers to this challenge. This study assesses the fertilizing efficacy effect of frass derived from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) production on lettuce (Lactuca L.) growth, including aspects such as yield, photosynthesis activity, photosystem II performance (chlorophyll fluorescence), mineral profile, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, the properties of the soil were assessed by measuring the gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. The lettuce plants grew under two water regimes—optimal irrigation and induced drought. The efficiency of frass fertilization was compared with the control and traditional cattle manure. The results indicate that H. illucens frass (HI frass) used as a fertilizer increased the content of essential nutrients in plants—such as potassium and iron. As the dosage of frass increased, the content of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) doubled. The plants that were subjected to drought and properly fertilized showed greater resistance; therefore, a reduction in the synthesis of polyphenolic compounds was observed. Fertilizer had a positive effect on the efficiency of photosynthesis. This study underscores the promising impact of unconventional organic fertilizers, such as H. illucens frass, on enhancing plant performance, especially in challenging environmental conditions. Fertilizers obtained from insect production can be green chemicals in a sustainable food production model.

Camelina is an oil plant classified as a minor crop. The small acreage is the main cause of the small amount of plant protection products that are registered for use on camelina plantations. This contributes to difficulties in the protection of this plant. In the conducted experiment, the genetic similarity of genotypes of camelina was compared. The effect of selected herbicides (propaquizafop at rate 70 g a.i. ha⁻¹, quizalofop-p-ethyl at rate 50 g a.i. ha⁻¹, clopyralid at rate 90 g a.i. ha⁻¹, and picloram at rate 24 g a.i. ha⁻¹ applied in the three-four-leaves growth stage of camelina) on six individual genotypes of the plant and plant chlorophyll fluorescence after the use of these substances was also determined. The Przybrodzka variety showed the lowest level of damage in the assessment carried out 42 days after herbicide application and the damages of plants after quizalofop-p-ethyl and propaquizafop was completely gone. The variety Przybrodzka had the lowest genetic similarity to all analyzed genotypes. In other cases, genetic similarity of analyzed genotypes could not be linked to herbicide-related damage. Picloram contributed to the greatest damage to test plants and had the greatest impact on the operation of photosystem II (PSII). However, the level of plant chlorophyll fluorescence parameter values indicates small PSII damage for all substances and the possibility of subsequent plant regeneration. The results of the presented research indicate that it is worth referring to several plant varieties in phytotoxicity studies of herbicides towards arable crops.