A two-factor field experiment using sugar beet was conducted in 2016–2018 at Sokołowo in Poland (ϕ 53°5′16.05″ N, λ 19°6′21.07″ E), in a strip-plot arrangement with four replicates. Strip-till (ST) was compared to conventional tillage (CT) using four commercial sugar beet varieties (Alegra, Armesa, Contenta, Julius). In each study year, the experiment was established on lessivé soils developed from heavy loamy sand. The soil was rich in available macronutrients, while its reaction was neutral. The plant density, sugar yield, roots quality, and technological sugar yield were determined. A significant increase was found in root yield (6.6%) and, accordingly, in technological sugar yield (8.2%) in ST treatment relative to CT. Consistently, an increasing trend was observed for the root sugar content (0.21%). For the varieties examined, no preferences were observed in respect of tillage systems applied. The direction of changes in root yield, sugar content, and technological sugar yield remained constant regardless of the variety, tillage system, or the study year. The contents of potassium, sodium, and α-amino-nitrogen responded equally to both the variety and study year; however, the direction of changes in the above parameters was ambiguous and varied among the study years.

The objective of this three-year study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of dedusted potassium sulphate and chelated forms of microelements on the contents and accumulation of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) as well as on the quality parameters of potato tubers at the stage of full maturity. Four treatments were analysed, including the control, where only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilisation was applied. Consistent with the experimental design adopted, other trials included: (I) Double foliar treatment with potassium sulphate in the combined dose of 8.6 K kg ha⁻¹ (SOP); (II) double foliar treatment with micronutrients: 12 g Zn ha⁻¹, 12 g Cu ha⁻¹, 300 g Mn ha⁻¹ and 500 g B ha⁻¹ (Micro) and (III) combined application of SOP and Micro on two scheduled terms (SOP + Micro). Two potato varieties were tested: The French fries variety Zorba and the crisps variety Hermes. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design with four replicates for each potato variety. Both the two-fold foliar spray with micronutrients and the treatment combined with the application of potassium sulphate resulted in the enhanced content and accumulation of the elements examined. The significant effect of the experimental factor was especially visible for the content and uptake of manganese and iron. Moreover, a highly significant relationship was determined between the tuber contents of protein and starch. The tuber quality parameters were most significantly conditioned by manganese and iron for the French fries variety and by zinc, copper and manganese for the crisps variety.

The need for sustainable development in the context of pesticide use has been recognized by the European Union. The “Farm to Fork Strategy” indicates a goal of 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030. To address this challenge, we used the concept of ionic liquids to modify known resistance inducers, i.e., a group of substances whose action is indicated as an alternative to fungicides. A new, patented substance developed by us, which is a choline 3,5-dichlorosalicylate, has been tested in the context of its use in sugar beet cultivation with the aim of controlling Cercospora leaf spot (CLS). The results suggest that the use of this substance in combination with one fungicide treatment reduces disease infection and produces yields very similar to the use of a standard protection program assuming the use of two fungicides. Such results provide the basis for further development of 3,5-dichlorosalicylate in terms of its use in agriculture. Thanks to its use, it was possible to resign from one fungicide treatment, while maintaining protection against CLS and yields at the same level as for the full fungicide protection program. Such an approach is in line with European Union policies.

Beet moth (Scrobipalpa ocellatella) is a major pest of sugar beet crops in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Since its first detection in Poland a few years ago S. ocellatella has spread rapidly, causing extensive damage and is now one of the most serious threats to sugar beet. This problem is linked to climate change, high pest fecundity, its polyvoltinism and ini­tially almost latent feeding. Scrobipalpa ocellatella causes crop losses directly by feeding on plants and indirectly by creating favorable conditions for the growth of pathogens causing rot diseases. Heavy contamination of the beet crown with larval excrement creates ideal conditions for secondary fungal and bacterial infections. Sugar beets with severe root rot delivered to sugar plants are in many cases unsuitable for processing.

The studies were conducted in Koniczynka near Toruń in 2008–2011. The aim of the studies was an evaluation of soil fertilizer UGmax effect on the degree of leaf infection by leaf spot disease (Cercospora beticola Sacc.), sugar beet yield and roots quality in 2, 3 and 4-year crop rotation. Three experiments with a randomized complete block experimental design with four replications were carried out, one on each crop rotation. Analyses of research results showed that the crop rotation was the main factor determining the degree of leaf infection by C. beticola, roots and yield quality. Application of the soil fertilizer UGmax did not have any significant effect. Badania przeprowadzono w Koniczynce koło Torunia w latach 2008–2011. Oceniano wpływ użyźniacza glebowego UGmax zastosowanego w nawożeniu buraka cukrowego w płodozmianie 2-, 3- i 4-letnim na stopień porażenia roślin przez chwościka buraka Cercospora beticola Sacc. oraz na plon i jakość korzeni. Wykonano trzy doświadczenia, po jednym na każdym płodozmianie, w układzie losowanych bloków w czterech powtórzeniach. Synteza wyników z czterech lat badań wykazała, że płodozmian był głównym czynnikiem determinującym stopień porażenia roślin przez chwościka buraka oraz wielkość plonu korzeni i cukru. Stosowanie użyźniacza glebowego UGmax, niezależnie od wariantu, nie miało istotnego wpływu.

The objective of a series of strict 19 field experiments conducted in 2007–2010 was to evaluate the efficiency of triazole fungicides depending on the degree of sugar beet leaf infection by Cercospora beticola Sacc. at the time of the application. The delayed treatment resulted in a significant decrease of the effectiveness of the used fungicides. The increase of infection degree by 1.0% at the time of treatment decreased effectiveness of fungicide on average by 3.0%. The infection of plants by C. beticola had a significant effect on the root and sugar yield. Serię 19 doświadczeń polowych, których celem było określenie skuteczności fungicydów triazolowych w zależności od stopnia porażenia buraka cukrowego przez chwościka (Cercospora beticola Sacc.) w momencie wykonywania zabiegu ochronnego, przeprowadzono w latach 2007–2010. Opóźnienie zabiegów skutkowało istotnym obniżeniem skuteczności fungicydów. Wzrost stopnia porażenia roślin o 1% powodował spadek skuteczności ochronnej stosowanych fungicydów o 3%. Porażenie roślin przez chwościk miało istotny wpływ na plon korzeni i cukru.