The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), manure and mineral fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch) yield and raw material quality. Unfertilized chamomile plots were the control treatment. This study hypothesized that due to its high content of organic matter and macro-and micronutrients, SMS could be an alternative and innovative method of fertilization of this herbal plant. Given that the possibility of using organic fertilization is very limited, we should seek new methods to increase the organic matter content in cultivated soils. A three-year field experiment with a split-block design was conducted on podzolic soil under the climatic conditions of the central Lublin region (Poland). SMS used in this experiment was richer in dry matter and total nitrogen, but less rich in total organic carbon, phosphorus and potassium than farmyard manure. In each year of the study, the highest total yield of chamomile raw material was recorded in the treatment with SMS supplemented with mineral NPK fertilization in spring. The above-mentioned treatment also proved to be most beneficial for the majority of the analyzed quality parameters of the chamomile raw material. It was proved that due to fertilization of a chamomile plantation with SMS, herbal raw material characterized by the best health-promoting parameters (a high content of natural antioxidants) can be obtained.

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of three foliar biopreparations applied once or twice (growth stimulant Bio-algeen, fertilizer Herbagreen Basic, and Effective Microorganisms in the form of EM Farming spray) on yield and quality of herbal raw material of organically grown garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris). It was proved that the Bio-algeen had an effect on increasing thyme productivity, whereas Effective Microorganisms had no impact at all on herb yield. The beneficial action of biopreparations was more evident under favorable hydrothermal conditions over the study period than under unfavorable conditions. The biopreparations stimulated an increase in the essential oil content in the thyme herb. Bio-algeen, especially when applied twice, had the greatest positive influence on the quality of raw material, Effective Microorganisms were found to have a smaller effect (positive and negative), whereas Herbagreen Basic had positive effect on thyme yield and essential oil content. The effect of Bio-algeen, and to a lesser extent that of Effective Microorganisms, on the content of natural antioxidants (phenolic acids, polyphenols) in the thyme raw material and, moreover, its impact on free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity should be considered to be a particularly valuable finding. Due to application of the Bio-algeen, herbal raw material characterized by the best health-promoting parameters can be obtained.

Effectiveness of the application of metamitron in lacy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) cropsEfektywność stosowania metamitronu w zasiewach facelii błękitnej (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) Summary.A field experiment on the application of the herbicide Lawina 700 SC (the active ingredient metamitron -under different application regimes) was carried out in Priluki near Minsk, Belarus, over the period 2011-2013. It was proved that herbicide application in lacy phacelia crops is not always justified. With intensive growth, the crop plant itself competes with weeds and the application of herbicides is not advisable. It was only in one out of the three years that the weeds delayed and disturbed the growth of phacelia, their harmfulness proved to be significant, and herbicide application had a measurable effect. It turned out that the difference in biological and economic effectiveness between a single and double application of metamitron was insignificant and the phytotoxic effect was not found to increase. The most appropriate herbicide application regime that protected lacy phacelia against annual dicotyledonous weeds was a single application of metamitron (1.4 l·ha -¹) at the 1-2 true leaf pair stage. The study also showed that the herbicide metamitron, applied both before emergence and after emergence of phacelia, may exhibit phytotoxic activity against the cultured crop, slowing down plant growth and causing a decrease in the seed yield. The effectiveness of metamitron application before emergence -both at the rate of 1.4 l·ha -¹ and at a higher rate (2.1 l·ha -¹) -proved to be very unstable, in particular in the aspect of direct phytotoxicity of the herbicide on the crop plant, but also in the aspect of periodic accumulation of the biologically active substance in the soil.

This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of different N fertilization and seeding rates on yield and some quality parameters (of seeds) of pot marigold. A field experiment was carried out during 2014–2016 under soil and climatic conditions of Belarus (Priluki Research Station near Minsk). The experiment included the following factors: N fertilization rate 40, 60, 80, 100 kg ha–1; plant density per 1 m2 (30, 50, 70, 90).  The experiment was set up as a randomized block design in five replicates, with a single plot area of 8.0 m2. The soil in Priluki was characterized by medium nutrient availability (at the level: P = 120–127, K = 164–174, Mg = 59–66 mg kg–1 soil). Regardless of the experimental factors, weather conditions had a significant impact on pot marigold productivity. The year 2016, characterized by an even distribution of rainfall during the growing season and moderate air temperatures, proved to be most beneficial for pot marigold productivity and quality. Hydrological conditions in the other years (2014 and 2015) there was a slight drought. The year 2014 should be considered to be cold, whereas the second year of the study (2015) was moderately warm. Best production effects (seed yield, fat yield) were obtained at rates of 60–80 kg N ha–1. This rate of nitrogen fertilization also modified the fatty acid composition, contributing to a higher content of linoleic acid and calendic acid (∑ α-calendic and β-calendic acids). A nitrogen rate of 100 kg N ha–1 proved to be irrational in terms of the quantity and quality of pot marigold yield. A density of 50–70 plants per 1 m2 resulted in the highest seed and fat yield per unit area. A plant density of 50 plants per 1 m2 resulted in the highest content of C18 unsaturated acids (stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid) in the oil.

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