The purpose of this research was to determine the water needs and results of drip irrigation of mid-early potato cultivar Courage. Studies were carried out in central Poland in 2011–2013 on very light soil. The experiment was designed as two-factorial trials with four replications. The first factor was drip irrigation: O = control (without irrigation), D = drip irrigation. The second factor was the nitrogen fertilization method: P = broadcasting, F = drip fertigation. Nitrogen fertilization was 120 kg N ha−1 on each plot. Crop coefficients for irrigation period were 0.4 in June and 0.6 in July and August. According to calculations based on the crop coefficients and correction coefficients acc. HargreavesDA model the water requirement of potato for June–August was 202 mm. Drip irrigation increased the marketable tuber yield by 55%. Irrigation water use efficiency increased from 257 kg ha−1 mm−1 in D + P to 264 kg ha−1 mm−1 in D + F. The productivity of 1 kg of nitrogen fertilization was 189 kg ha−1 in control non-irrigated plots and 321 kg ha−1 in drip-irrigated plots, and it rose up to 337 kg ha−1 when fertilization was applied by fertigation.

Abstract. Elderberry (Sambucusnigra L.) is a common species belonging to the Adoxaceae family native to most of Europe and North America. For centuries, elderberry has been used as a medicinal plant. This species is also a popular ornamental plant often grown in the gardens and city parks. However, the seedling survival rate of elderberry depends mainly on the suitable soil water conditions that can be controlled using a properly designed and operated microirrigation system. Firstly, it is necessary to determine the water needs of Sambucusnigra L., especially in the first period of growth, which determines the seedling survival rate of the plants introduced into the gardens or parks. A commonly accepted measure of the plant water requirements is the potential evapotranspiration of this plant. The purpose of the research was to assess the water needs of Sambucusnigra L. during the first three years of its growing in five different regions of Poland. Potential evapotranspiration of the elderberry was calculated using modified by Żakowicz for Polish conditions the Blaney-Criddle's method, to which the crop coefficients were adjusted. The study was carried out for thirty years, from 1981 to 2010, in five different agro-climatic regions of Poland.The largest water needs in the period of increased demand for water in elderberry (June-July) occurred in the central-north-western (232 mm) and central-eastern (230 mm) regions. The lowest water needs were found in the south-eastern region (214 mm). The highest rainfall deficit in the central-north-west region (102 mm), smaller rainfall deficit in the central-eastern and south-western regions, amounted to 82 mm and 72 mm, respectively. The lowest rainfall deficit (40 mm) was found in the south-eastern region.In the central-north-west and central-eastern regions, precipitation deficiency occurred in 28 out of 30 considered years (93 % years). In the south-eastern region, precipitation deficiency occurred in 21 years (70 % of years).Keywords : irrigation, evapotranspiration, reclamation, seedling survival, water requirements. IntroductionElderberry (also called medicinal lilac) is a popular plant used for centuries for medicinal purposes [1; 2]. Sometimes it is cultivated -as an ornamental shrub -also in parks and home gardens. High Elderberry planting -on the surface of the park or within a given garden -depends primarily on optimal water conditions that can be effectively shaped using properly programmed and operated microirrigation. However, this requires the necessary prior determination of the needs of water plants, especially in the first -decisive for the success of the plantings carried out -the period of growth of plants introduced into the area of a given park or garden.The objective of the present research was to estimate of the water needs of elderberry (Sambucusnigra L.) at the first three years of growing on reclaimed land in different regions of Poland.

Summary Introduction: The high concentration of some trace elements in medicinal plants may lowering the value of herbal material, and may cause poisoning effects. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the content of trace elements in the organs of: sandy everlasting, yarrow and stinging nettle. Methods: In the soil samples, the grain size composition, pH, the content of carbon and nitrogen were determined. In the plant material and for the soil samples, the total contents of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb were assayed. The values of the bioconcentration factor and translocation factor were also calculated. Results: The concentration of metals in plant tissues followed in order: Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu>Hg. The studied species of medicinal plants accumulated mainly Zn, Pb and Hg. It was also shown a high Hg mobility and a low Pb mobility which mainly accumulated in the roots. Conclusions: As our research shows the plants used in phytotherapy, should come from plantations monitored for toxic heavy metals in soil.