There is an ongoing interest in the production of mushrooms as food, and with their consumption on the rise, there is a need to establish different safety measures. In the present study, six mushroom species (Agrocybe cylindracea, Clitocybe maxima, Flammulina velutipes, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii) were cultivated on two commonly used substrates (A-based on alder and beech sawdust; B-based on oak sawdust and flax shives). The aims were to determine their growth and the accumulation of 70 elements in their fruiting bodies, 33 of which were detected in all analysed samples and were used for statistical evaluation. Cultivation of C. maxima, G. lucidum and L. edodes resulted in higher yield and mineral content when substrate A was used, cultivation of A. cylindracea and F. velutipes yielded better results on substrate B, P. eryngii cultivation outcomes were similar for both substrates. L. edodes was found to have a high affinity to accumulate Cd, C. maxima can bioconcentrate Al and Ni, Ganoderma lucidum-Pb, while F. velutipes-Hg. The study indicated that the chemical composition of substrates could affect both the yield and the level of various toxic and nutritional elements.

Pathogenic microorganisms are a common component of surface water reaching rivers along with sewage. If present in small quantities, they are not a threat to the health and life of humans, but in larger quantities can be a pathogenic factor causing much discomfort. The amount of pathogenic bacteria in river waters varies depending on various factors such as the size of the stream, the season, water level, degree of eutrophication of the watercourse and its tributaries, or geographical area through which the river fl ows and the ability of a watercourse to self-clean. In view of the risks that may be caused by microorganisms pathogenic to humans and animals, a constant monitoring of their quantity in surface waters has been carried out. As follows from studies conducted for the past several years (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010), the number of coliforms and thermo-tolerant coliforms in Wisłoka River water near Mielec showed a downward trend, while that of fecal enterococci (Enterococcus faecalis) a growing tendency. At that time there was no evidence of Salmonella. In almost the whole study period, pollution of human origin exerted a major impact on the sanitary conditions of tested water. Only in 2006 were they of the zoonotic nature. Analyzed sanitation parameters of surface water in the Wisłoka River collected in a water intake point for the city of Mielec showed high variability, depending on the season and water pH. Coliform bacteria showed the highest number at the lowest pH (≤7.0). There was very high, positive correlation (r x,y >0.7) between the number of microorganisms and selected physicochemical indicators of water quality.

The paper presents the results of a 3-year field experiment designed to evaluate the content of organic carbon in brown soil (Haplic Cambisol Dystric) developed from a light loamy sand under legumes cultivation. Experimental factors were: species of legume crop (colorful-blooming pea(Pisum sativum), chickling vetch(Lathyrus sativus), narrow-leafed lupin(Lupinus angustifolius), methods of legumes tillage (legumes in pure culture and in mixture with naked oats) and mineral N fertilization (0, 30, 60, 90 kg N·ha−1). Cultivation of legumes on sandy soil did not result in an increase of organic carbon content in the soil after harvest as compared to the initial situation, i.e. 7.39 vs. 7.76 g·kg−1dry matter (DM), on average, respectively. However, there was the beneficial effect of this group of plants on soil abundance in organic matter, the manifestation of which was higher content of organic carbon in soils after legume harvest as compared to soils with oats grown (7.21 g·kg−1DM, on average). Among experimental crops, cultivation of pea exerted the most positive action to organic carbon content (7.58 g·kg−1, after harvest, on average), whereas narrow-leaved lupin had the least effect on organic carbon content (7.23 g·kg−1, on average). Pure culture and greater intensity of legume cultivation associated with the use of higher doses of mineral nitrogen caused less reduction in organic carbon content in soils after harvest.

Due to a need for sustainability in agriculture, waste products ought to be utilized in the most appropriate way. A study was undertaken relating to the vermicomposting of Cameroon sheep dung (CSD) by the earthworm Dendrobaena veneta. Processing of this waste was investigated using unadulterated CSD and in a 1:1 mixture with unpalatable (waste) hay (CSDH). Results demonstrated that these materials were actively processed by D. veneta with vermicomposts obtained which can be characterized by a higher amount of total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (average, respectively, 17.0, 10.5, 13.2 g kg−1 d.m.), as well as lower total carbon and magnesium content (respectively, 340 and 3.2 g kg−1 d.m.), compared with the initial waste material. No significant differences were found between CSD and CSDH vermicomposts with respect to chemistry. Levels of selected trace elements (average: Cu 17.5–18.8, Cr 5.7–5.8, Pb 13.5–14.4, Ni < 3, Cd < 0.4 mg kg−1 d.m.) in both vermicomposts did not exclude their application to agricultural soil as a fertilizer.

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