Analyses were conducted on 10 grass species from permanent grasslands in the Noteć Leniwa and Noteć Bystra valley. Their chemical composition was assayed, and their heat of combustion and heating value were determined. The cellulose content ranged from 33.38% to 38.68%, while the content of lignin ranged from 15.42% to 21.99%, and that of hemicellulose from 30.27% to 34.31%. The heating value of grasses was comparable to that of wood from 2- to 3-year-old willows and other fast-growing energy crops. However, the calorific value of naturally dried grasses may be slightly lower. The quantities of minerals in these grasses, exceeding those in wood, did not result in a lowering of their heat of combustion. The analyses clearly showed that the investigated grass species may be successfully used for energy generation purposes.

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Fertilization is an essential element in plant cultivation. Supplying the right amounts of nutrients allows plants to grow and develop. Due to the rising price of mineral fertilizers, other fertilizers and soil conditioners are growing in importance. One of these is the digestate produced in agricultural biogas plants. Due to its properties, the digestate can be used directly as a fertilizer. In this case, the effects of application can both change the soil environment and directly affect plant growth. Physical, biological, and thermal transformations can also produce products based on the digestate or its fractions, which can be successfully used for fertilizer purposes. Among other things, this paper discusses the production and use of composts, biocarbon, and/or fertilizer granules from the solid fraction of the digestate. Numerous scientific studies, including the authors’ own research in this article, indicate that digestate can be successfully used as fertilizer, both without processing and with selected methods of treatment. However, further research is needed—especially on the diversity of raw materials used for biogas production and their effects on the composition and performance of the digestate. In addition, research should continue on the processing of digestate into specific products, depending on the needs of soils and plants.

one of the supplements that can replace antibiotic growth promoters is a protein xanthophyll extract from the leaves of alfalfa. Green matter of alfalfa contains 17-22% of total protein, rich in non-essential (exogenous) amino acids, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and organic acids. The crude fibre content in green matter of alfalfa is relatively high (about 23.0-30.0% dry weight). however, protein-xanthophyll extract (efl) contains about 1-2% of crude fibre. like the whole plants of alfalfa, the protein-xanthophyll extract contains secondary metabolites such as plant phytoestrogens (isoflavones and coumestrol) and antinutritional components (phytates, l-canavanine and saponins). protein-xanthophyll concentrate (px) as a natural feed supplement has a positive effect on animal organisms. when supplemented to animals, this extract enhanced production results, increased feed efficiency, and improved the quality of meat, milk and eggs. also, px reduced methane emissions and soil pollution with nitrogen compounds when used in animal nutrition. The aim of this review was to gather the current literature describing the effects of using protein-xanthophyll extract in animal nutrition.

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