No abstract

A field study was performed to evaluate the effect of mineral (NPK) and organic-based fertilizers such as compost (C), manure (FYM) and meat and bone meal (MBM) on the appearance (dimensions and color) of spring wheat kernels and on the total content in grain of main its phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids and tocochromanols) and phenolic acids composition. Total phenolic compounds were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay after alkaline hydrolysis of grain and carotenoids were analyzed spectrophotometrically. Composition of tocochromanols and phenolic acids was determined using RP-HPLC techniques. Only insignificant differences in the appearance of kernels and small changes in the content and composition of grain phytochemicals were noted between the studied fertilization systems. Among the analyzed phytochemicals the greatest variation was observed in the group of polyphenol compounds, with a stated increase of their total content of 6.7 and 11.2% in grain fertilized with MBM and compost, respectively. Simultaneously the grain from organic fertilization contained significantly less phenolic acids, and the decrease in their content ranged from 10.0% for FYM to 24.8% for MBM+EM-1. Organically and conventionally fertilized grain had similar amounts of tocochromanols and carotenoids. Comparison of MBM and MBM+EM-1 variants showed that application of effective microorganisms decreased carotenoids and tocochromanols content by 8.5 and 9.7%, respectively.

The research determined crop yield, content of mineral nutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe), protein and its composition in the grain of the spelt variety 'Schwabenkorn' as affected by the foliar application of micronutrients. A field experiment was carried out during 2011-2013 at the Research Station in Tomaszkowo (53°72 N, 20°42 E), Poland. Cu, Zn and Mn and microelements together (Cu + Zn + Mn) with mineral fertilisers were applied. Nitrogen (N) was applied to all the plots in a dose of 90 kg ha -1 , triple superphosphate in a dose corresponding to 30.2 kg ha -1 P, and potassium salt in a dose of 83.1 kg ha -1 K. Copper (1.0% solution of CuSO 4 × 5H 2 O), zinc (1.0% solution of ZnSO 4 × 7H 2 O) and manganese (0.5% solution of MnSO 4 × 5H 2 O) were foliar-applied as water solutions at the stem elongation stage. The mineral fertilisation, including micronutrients (individually or in combination), changed the contents of mineral nutrients, protein and the composition of its individual fractions in the grain. It was observed that the grain had high Cu, Mn and Fe content. The application of Mn, as well as micronutrients used in combination (Cu + Zn + Mn) as an addition to NPK fertilisation, increased the content of Fe, Zn and Mn in spelt grain. The application of Zn increased Fe and Zn content, while the application of Cu increased the content of Mn in grain. The total protein content in spelt ranged from 12.4% to 13.5%. Storage proteins proved to have the highest share in the total protein. Additional application of Cu, Zn and micronutrients in combination had a positive impact on the gliadins:glutenins ratio. Foliar application of Mn increased the content of ω, α/β, γ gliadins, and reduced that of low molecular weight glutenins. Foliar spraying with Cu reduced the content of α/β and ω gliadins. Supply of Zn decreased α/β content and increased the content of the high molecular weight glutenins fractions. The application of the micronutrients in combination reduced the content gliadin γ and increased the content of high molecular weight and low molecular weight glutenins. The cultivation year was a significantly differentiating factor for the grain yield, mineral nutrient content (Fe, Zn and Mn) and the content and composition of protein fractions (with the exception of high molecular weight glutenins).

The processing of meat industry waste into meat-and-bone meal (MBM) provides the opportunity to use it as fertiliser in the cultivation of agricultural crops. This study was conducted in the years 2014–2017 at the Experimental Station in Tomaszkowo, Poland to assess MBM effects on yield and quality of maize cultivated for grain. An example of the effective use of nutrients contained in MBM applied at doses of 2.0 and 3.0 t ha is the cultivation of maize in 2016, which was affected by favourable weather conditions. The effect of the accumulation of MBM doses and, consequently, the provision of a greater amount of nutrients ensure sufficient amounts to obtain yields, greater than those provided by mineral fertilisation only. The macronutrient concentration in the maize grains following the application of MBM was similar to the composition of the grains of maize fertilised with mineral N, P and K fertilisers. With the MBM, micronutrients are introduced in amounts that are able to satisfy plants with these components, yet this study failed to demonstrate any effect of increased MBM doses on the concentration of the analysed elements in the maize grains.

No abstract