The aim of this study was to determine the effect of meat and bone meal (MBM) used as an organic fertilizer on maize grown for grain. A two-factorial field experiment in a randomized block design was carried out in 2010 and 2011, in north-eastern Poland. Experimental factor I was MBM dose (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 t ha -1 year -1), and experimental factor II was the year of the study (two consecutive years). Increasing MBM doses contributed to an increase in maize grain yield and 1000-grain weight. The yield-forming effect of MBM applied at 1.5 t ha -1 year -1 was comparable with that of nitrogen and phosphorus contained in mineral fertilizers. A dose of 2.5 t ha -1 MBM led to a significant increase in maize grain yield. The P and K content of maize grain was determined by MBM dose, whereas the concentrations of N, Mg and Ca in grain were not affected by MBM dose. Significantly higher N, P, K and Mg uptake by maize plants was observed in treatments with the highest MBM dose, compared with the control treatment. Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake per 1 t MBM reached 101 kg and 26 kg, respectively. The results of a twoyear study show that the maximum MBM dose (2.5 t ha -1 year -1) met the fertilizer requirements of maize with respect to nitrogen and phosphorus.

A three-year field experiment was conducted from 2000 to 2002 in North-East Poland. Each year three sulphur fertilization rates in the form of sulphate (S-SO 4 2-) and pure (S-S 0 ) sulphur were applied: 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha. In the soil horizon at the depth of 0-40 cm the triple rate of S-SO 4 2-and S-S 0 depressed soil reaction. Acidification of soil caused by S-SO 4 2-became evident already in the first year of the study while that resulting from S-S 0 application appeared as late as in the third year. The effect of sulphur on soil in the 40-80 cm horizon was irregular. As the sulphur rates increased and the duration of the experiment progressed, sulphates accumulated in soil. In the 0-40 cm soil layer, the increasing rates of sulphur tended to increase the content of N-NH 4 + . In most objects, the NPK + S fertilization, and especially the single S-SO 4 2-treatment, caused an increase in N-NO 3 -in both soil layers compared with the NPK fertilized object. The dose of 120 kg/ha S-SO 4 2-caused a significant increase in the concentration of available phosphorus in soil in the 0-40 and 40-80 cm layers.

The aim of this paper was to review 100 years of Polish studies on sulphur fertilisation and its effects on the growth and development of plants, the chemical composition and impact of sulphur compounds on the health of plants, and its fungicidal activity. In the reviewed studies sulphur deficiency generally delayed vegetative growth, caused the dying out of the growth cone, yellow discolouration of the generative and vegetative organs and delayed maturation. Observations of plants have demonstrated that sulphur is essential for normal photosynthetic functions. Plants suffering from a lack or shortage of sulphur had pale green or yellowish, narrow, short and small leaves, and a smaller than normal root system, which was associated with reduced chlorophyll synthesis. The availability of sulphur was found to enatil an improved uptake of nitrogen by plants, thus affecting their quality and optimising the N:S ratio. Fertilisation with sulphur increased the total content of sulphur and sulphates in plants. Findings from studies on the effect of sulphur on the content of macroelements in tested plants are inconclusive. Sulphur used in excess disturbed the ionic balance in plants and indirectly affected the intensity and level of uptake of other nutrients. The results of studies investigating the impact of sulphur on changes in the content of heavy metals were ambiguous and demonstrated either synergistic or antagonistic interactions. Generally, sulphur fertilisation increased the content of glucosinolates in plants and improved their nutritional value. Most studies also showed that sulphur fertilisation improved the disease resistance of plants. Some studies have also demonstrated an increased content of glucosinolates in plants fertilised with sulphur, which stimulated natural resistance to fungal infections.

Sulfur application has a significant effect on the yield of oil bearing plants of the family Brassicaceae, especially when the sulfur content of soil is low. Sulfur fertilization also affects the value of plant raw materials, reflected by the concentrations of mineral and biologically active compounds in biomass. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sulfur application to soil on the concentrations of copper, zinc and manganese in the root residues, straw and oil cake of winter and spring rapeseed. A three-year (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Experimentation Station in Bałcyny (NE Poland).In both spring and winter rapeseed, oil cake contained the highest levels of copper and zinc, followed by root residues and straw. The highest concentrations of manganese per kg dry matter (DM) were found in the root residues of winter rapeseed and in the cake of spring rapeseed. The concentrations of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn) were slightly higher in the roots of winter rapeseed, compared with spring rapeseed. Sulfur fertilization decreased copper levels and increased manganese levels in the root residues of spring and winter rapeseed. Sulfur application to soil increased zinc concentrations in winter rapeseed roots, and it had no significant influence on the zinc content of spring rapeseed roots. Spring rapeseed straw contained considerably higher levels of zinc and manganese than winter rapeseed straw. The copper content of dr hab. Krzysztof Jankowski, Chair

A three-year field experiment was conducted in North-East Poland. Each year three sulfur fertilization rates in the form of sulphate (S-SO 4 2-) and pure (S-S 0 ) sulfur were applied: 40, 80, and 120 kg/ha. After the third year of the study, the application of sulfate and elemental sulfur decreased the zinc content of 0-40 and 40-80 cm soil layers, as compared with soil sampled before the experiment. Over the entire experimental period, sulfur fertilization had no significant effect on changes in the natural copper content of soil at a depth of 0-40 and 40-80 cm. Manganese concentrations remained at a similar level at a soil depth of 0-40 cm. The manganese content of the 40-80 cm soil layer was substantially lower than in the 0-40 cm horizon. An insignificant increase in the lead content of soil was observed. The applied doses of sulfate and elemental sulfur led to an increase in the cadmium content of soil depth of 0-40 cm. Sulfur fertilization contributed to a decrease in the nickel content of soil. The applied doses of sulfate and elemental sulfur exerted a stronger effect in the 0-40 cm soil layer than in the 40-80 cm horizon. Ke y word s: fertilizer; S-SO 4