The nutrient content in leaves of spelt wheat at late heading is crucial for the development of its yield components, and in consequence, grain yield. This hypothesis was verified based on data from long-term field experiments with four potassium (K) treatments based on the progressive K supply potential to plants from soil and fertilizer and two magnesium treatments (−Mg, +Mg). The number of ears (NE) and the number of grains per ear (NGE) responded significantly to the increased K and Mg supply. The grain yield was positively correlated with NGE. A shortage of N and Mg resulted in a lower NGE, whereas a shortage of N and Zn, concomitant with an excess of Ca, resulted in a significant decrease in NGE and thousand-grain weight. This effect can be diminished by the increased content of Mg. It has been revealed that the content of Zn in leaves of spelt wheat at heading is an important nutritional factor effectively controlling N, P and Fe contents in grain, and consequently, grain yield. This study showed that the content of nutrients in spelt leaves measured just before anthesis can be used for reliable prediction of the grain yield.

ABSTRACT. Geobotanical studies conducted in spring in 2011-2012 in the Zagórów polder washland, covered by the ecological restoration programme, provided assessment of current nature value of plant communities and indicated potential directions of their further transformations as a result of changes in habitat water content levels. Based on the analyses of 77 relevés of 50-100 m 2 each, prepared following the Braun-Blanquet method, water levels were assessed by phytoindication using moisture indicator values (F) according to ellenBerg et al. (1992). Moreover, nature value of vegetation was assessed based on the botanical structure, geo-historical spectrum, life form structure as well as the nature valuation index in the 10-point scale according to oświt (2000). Based on relevés the area was valuated using the point score method according to Mahon & Miller (2003). An attempt was made to indicate potential directions of changes in vegetation, based on the determination of dependencies between certain parameters assessing its current condition and habitat conditions. Habitat water content connected with the supply of water through a network of culverts, geomorphology of the area and land use, affects the distribution of phytocenoses in the polder and their considerable diversity, which was confirmed by the identification of 19 plant communities from six phytosociological classes. Further maintenance of water relations and land use results in the transformation of plant communities: in the vicinity of culverts -towards the class Phragmitetea, in swamps and around small water bodies -towards communities of the classes Salicetea purpurea or Alnetea glutinosae, at longer distances from culverts in leveled and agriculturally utilised areas -towards the orders Trifolio fragiferae-Agrostietalia stoloniferae and Molinietalia, while in areas at valley margins the succession progresses towards communities of the class Nardo-Callunetea.

No abstract

Abstract. The floristic composition of anthropogenic meadow communities undergoes transformations dependent on utilisation and habitat conditions. One of their consequences includes encroachment into and maintenance in the sward of some expansive plant species e.g. Taraxacum officinale. The objective of the study was to analyse the impact of the occurrence of Taraxacum officinale on the floristic diversity of meadow-pasture communities at varying levels of utilisation and habitat conditions. The effect of Taraxacum officinale presence on changes in the floristic composition of meadow communities was assessed on the basis of results of geobotanical studies carried out by Braun-Blanquet's method. The studies assumed evaluation of plant species proportions in the sward of meadow communities based on the share of Taraxacum officinale, floristic diversity and the natural value index of the sward. The highest share of analysed plant species was determined in extensively utilised meadows and pastures found on periodically dry habitats. Simultaneously, the high numbers of examined plant species exert a negative influence on the floristic diversity index and the natural value of plant communities.

The study presents the findings of research into the effect of the variability of site conditions on their floristic composition providinga basis for the identification of lower phytosociological units. Patches of Arrhenatheretum elatioris described with the assistance ofphytosociological surveys conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method were subjected to multi-criteria evaluation. On their basis, thefollowing parameters were determined: ecological and botanical structure, geographic-historical distribution, the structure of the lifegroupsof the floristic types identified, as well as natural values by the Oświt method and sward fodder value according to Filipek. In orderto determine the causes of the floristic variability observed, the following soil conditions were assessed: moisture content, soil reactionand nitrogen content by Ellenberg’s indicator method, as well as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus content by the appropriatelaboratory methods. Typical forms of Arrhenatheretum elatioris phytocenoses were found to develop on mucky soils in moderately moistsites. Patches of ryegrass occurring in sites with a periodically higher moisture content on organic soils refer to the Alopecuretum pratensisassociation. On the other hand, the sward of ryegrass meadows developed on dryer, mineral soils was characterised by increased numbersof species characteristic for xerothermic swards from the Festuco-Brometea class and sandy plant communities from the Koelerio glauca-Corynephoretea canescentis. More intensive utilization, primarily-fertilisation, was among the causes of the development of species-poorphytocenoses of low natural value but sward of a good fodder value.