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Turf grasses play a crucial role in enhancing the beauty and usability of landscapes, gardens, parks, and sports facilities due to their functional and aesthetic properties. However, various unfavourable conditions, such as plant disorders and environmental pressures, can compromise their amenity value. Ongoing research aims to identify natural remedies that improve the quality and resilience of these grasses. A study was conducted at the Experimental Station of the Agricultural University of Krakow (50°07′ N, 20°05′ E) to evaluate the practical value of the turf produced by seeding of the ‘Super Lawn’ grass mixture. The experiment involved applying a spray containing oligogalacturonides at two doses: 1.0 and 2.0 dm3∙ha−1, along with a commercial fungicide. The traits were analysed using a 9-point scale. Plants in variant III (treated with the higher dose of oligogalacturonides) and variant IV (treated with the commercial fungicide) exhibited the highest aesthetic and functional values. The application of oligogalacturonides and a commercial fungicide resulted in a decrease in plant diseases. The treatment area showed a reduction in pink snow mould (Microdochium nivale) and leaf spot incidence compared to the control area. Variant II showed enhanced outcomes with the application of 1.0 dm3∙ha−1 of the preparation. In this area, the plant canopy had greater coverage, and the plants demonstrated increased resistance to pink snow mould and leaf spot compared to the plants in the control area. The use of commercial fungicide was found to be more effective than applying oligogalacturonides. Additionally, the plants that were protected with the fungicide displayed the highest values for the analysed parameters.

Treatment of plants with mineral-organic concentrates has developed intensively in recent years. Fertilizers containing, among others, humus, L-amino acids, vitamins, chelates and metal complexes, macro-, micro- and meso-elements, organic matter and humic acids from the top organic layer of leonardite coal have a positive effect on plant growth and quality and seed yield. An experiment was conducted between 2019 and 2022 at the University of Agriculture in Kraków, in which the impact of mineral-organic concentrate on the seed yield and quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) 2N Bokser (Hodowla Roślin Grunwald Ltd. Grupa IHAR, Grunwa, Poland) was determined. As part of the experiment, plants were sprayed with a mineral-organic product in three different doses: 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 L·ha−1. The following parameters were examined: the number of generative shoots, the length of the flag leaf, seed yield, germination capacity and the weight of one thousand seeds. It turned out that the application of the concentrate with 3 L·ha−1 and 2 L·ha−1 led to a significant increase in the number of generative shoots and in seed yield, compared to control. In addition, seed germination capacity of fertilized plants was higher, with the greatest increase after the application of 3 L·ha−1. Moreover, the average weight of one thousand seeds was significantly higher in fertilized plants, compared to the control, and the largest increase was recorded in response to the highest dose. The results indicated a positive effect of the organic-mineral concentrate on perennial ryegrass development parameters and seed quality.

Abstract The selection of grass mixtures with appropriate visual and functional parameters for sowing football fields is a key element in shaping the sports infrastructure, ensuring the spectacularity of a match and comfort for players. The aim of the research was to investigate the properties of lawn grass mixtures and their suitability for football pitches. The experiment was conducted at the Toya Golf & Country Club (51° 20′ E, 17° 07′ N), Wrocław, Poland, between 2007 and 2009. 12 grass mixtures were selected, mainly based on red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. The assessment was carried out using a nine-point scale, according to the Plant Variety Office methodology for crops and turf grass. Six features of sports turf were studied: appearance, density, colour, leaf fineness, overwintering, and susceptibility to disease and they significantly varied, depending on the grass mixture and the year of research. Our study showed that mixtures based on the dominance of meadow grass were characterized by higher values of the general visual aspect, colour and slenderness of the leaf blade and these based on the dominance of perennial ryegrass and co-dominance of perennial ryegrass and meadow grass were the most useful in terms of wintering, resistance to diseases and sodding.

Multi-component fertilization has been found to have effects on grass metabolism, such as the stimulation of life processes and the reduction of adverse environmental conditions and pathogens. The research aimed to determine the bonitation value (assessment of the value in use) of turfgrass under the influence of using a multi-ingredient fertilizer. The experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow (Poland). The solution was applied through foliar application at three rates: 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 L·ha−1. This fertilizer contains essential minerals and growth stimulants. An increase in the concentration of the test fertilizer used for spraying was associated with increased effectiveness. The plants with the highest dose of the multi-component fertilizer (treatment III) were characterized by the highest aesthetic values. The use of the concentrate reduced the occurrence of fungal plant diseases. Compared to control plants, 13% less snow mold infection and 25% fewer brown leaf spots were found. Satisfactory effects were also obtained on objects where mineral-organic concentrate was applied at a dose of 2.0 L·ha−1 (treatment II). Plants that received Treatment II and III resulted in 9% less snow mold and 15% less brown leaf spot compared to controls. In the object with the highest concentration dose (treatment III), the green index (NDVI) was also higher by 8% and the leaf greenness index (SPAD) by 7% compared to the plants from the control objects.

The research carried out at the Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow aimed to assess the utility value of the turf of a lawn sown with the “Super Trawnik” lawn mixture. The experimental factor was spraying the turf with an amino acid preparation in the form of the AMINO ULTRA Fe-20 fertilizer in three doses: 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 dm3·ha−1. The iron in the tested preparation is complexed with glycine, a natural plant transporter of microelements. A total of 60 g (variant I), 100 g (variant II), and 140 g (variant III) Fe·ha–1 were applied accordingly. The assessment of the examined features was performed based on a nine-point scale. The highest aesthetic and functional values were characteristic of the grass in sites with the highest dose of complexed iron (variant III). The applied fertilization reduced the occurrence of plant diseases. Compared to the plants from the control groups, infestation with snow mold was 14% lower, and the occurrence of brown leaf blotch was lower by 16%. Satisfactory results were also obtained at the sites where the preparation was applied at a dose of 0.5 dm3·ha−1 (variant II). At these sites, a higher, more favorably assessed compactness and higher resistance to snow mold and brown leaf spots were found compared to the plants from the control groups. The major finding of this work is that applying a higher dose of foliar iron fertilizer complexed with glycine allows one to obtain a high-quality lawn in terms of visual and functional features.

Soil and air pollution are main problems posing a serious threat to human health. Traditional physical and chemical soil remediation methods affect the soil ecosystem and are rather costly. Since the main purpose of soil remediation is not only to remove pollutants but also to restore soil health, the method of phytoremediation is becoming extremely relevant. Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly and natural process of removing pollutants from the environment. Cleaning up contaminated sites and enabling re-use without harming future users requires the implementation of environmentally friendly and economically attractive technologies. Phytoremediation does not adversely affect the structure and biological life of the soil. Concerning on-site cleaning in situ. Hyperaccumulator plants can accumulate heavy metals from the soil, which is the so-called phytoextraction. The ability of trees and shrubs to effectively remove solid particles from the air has also been proven. However, it is not always possible to grow large plants in polluted areas. Therefore, the main goal of the research was to explore previous studies on the phytoremediation capability of herbaceous plants, in particular, their phytoextraction capacity. Another major issue was to study the main methods of improving plant phytoextraction. The results obtained show that grass can be a good solution for natural ecosystem cleanup. It is also necessary to pay attention to the impact of phytoextraction-improving substances on soil health.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of amino acid fertilizer on yielding ability, morphological characteristics and chlorophyll index of timothy cv. Owacja grown for seed. The experiment was conducted in 2015-2017 at the Experimental Station in Prusy near Krakow, which belongs to the Institute of Plant Production of the University of Agriculture in Krakow. The field trial was set up as a randomized block design with four replications. The soil in the experimental field was a degraded chernozem formed from loess. The plots were sprayed with three doses of Microfert amino acid fertilizer: 1.8, 3.0 and 4.5 L/ha. The highest application rate of foliar fertilization with amino acids (4.5 L/ha) caused a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in seed yield and germination capacity compared with the control plot. Successive years of use also had a significant effect on timothy seed yield, which was the highest during the first year of the study. Morphological characteristics were found to improve (taller and longer inflorescences and leaf blades). Satisfactory results (seed yield higher by about 11% to the control plot) were also obtained on the plots where the fertilizer was applied at the rate of 3.0 L/ha.

As plant growth stimulants, Ti and amino acids affect physiological processes of plants, promoting their vegetative and generative development and improving their yield and its quality. An experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow on degraded black earth soil formed from loess. Its aim was to determine the effect of two products, one containing amino acids and the other with Ti, on the Poa pratensis yield and its quality. Foliar application of amino acids and Ti, used on their own and together, constituted the main factor of the experiment. It was found that the treatment with both stimulants applied together significantly affected plant parameters. Compared to control, plants treated with those growth stimulants produced higher dry matter yields and contained significantly more phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium in dry matter. The highest effect was recorded on plots where combined application of amino acids and Ti was used. Almost as good results were recorded when amino acids were applied on their own. Regarding the cuts, higher effects were noted in the first and second ones than in the third. The growth stimulants used in the present experiment had a positive effect on the chemical composition of Poa pratensis meadow plants. The results indicated that the treatment significantly increased macronutrient content, compared to control plants. The most favourable effects were recorded for plants on the plot with combined application of amino acids and Ti. Similar results were also obtained on plots where only amino acids were used. Regarding the harvests, better results were noted in the first and second ones than in the third. In view of the potential benefits, it would be advisable to extend and update research on the effects of these stimulants on other common varieties of forage grasses.

The effects of growth stimulants consist of activating plant physiological processes, which positively affects vegetative and generative growth, increasing the yield and its quality. The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of microbial and amino acid products on the quality of grassland silage; their application in different combinations was an experimental factor. According to the results, the foliar application of the amino acid and microbial products had a statistically significant effect on the chemical composition of silage. In comparison to control, silage produced from plants treated with those growth stimulants contained significantly more total protein in dry matter, while crude fiber content changed only slightly. In addition, due to higher lactic acid content, the quality of silage treated with the stimulants was higher than the quality of control plants. To sum up, the foliar treatment of plants with microorganisms in combination with amino acids resulted in a significant increase in the content of desired components, with a higher nutritional value of the silage.

The research was conducted between 2014 and 2016 at the Agricultural Experimental Station of the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław. In the experiment, Poa pratensis and Lolium perenne in pure stand and in mixtures were used as Factor A. Two substances that stimulate grass growth and development constituted Factor B. The first was a biostimulant produced from brown algae (Phaeophyceae), containing various essential chemical compounds including amino acids, vitamins, alginic acid, microelements, and other unexplored biologically active components. The other was water treated with low-pressure glow plasma (LPGP). The seeds were sown in well-mixed light, alluvial loamy sand soil. During three growing seasons, a 9-point scale was used to evaluate grass density, leaf fineness, susceptibility to disease, and lawn overwintering. The lawns were mown every 14 days at a height of 4 cm. The substances with a stimulating effect significantly affected lawn grass features, including turf density and overwintering. Additionally, the biostimulant and plasma water reduced the incidence of fungal diseases. Better transport of water in plants after its low-pressure glow plasma treatment may be due to the effect of its declustered structure, its higher oxygen concentration, and its better solubility of the biostimulant.

Field trials were conducted in the years 2017–2019 at the Małopolska Plant Breeding in the Plant Breeding Stations in Polanowice, Nieznanice and Palikije. The trials were designed to determine the yield of some timothy genotypes in the context of chemical composition under different habitat conditions. The present evaluation of the strain quality shows a high potential for breeding. The analyzed genotypes produced high dry matter yields, which differed by as much as 53%. The experimental plots also differed in the crude protein content, which varied from 104.5 to 230.1 g kg−1 d.m., depending on the crop and year of harvest. For crude fiber, these values ranged from 173.9 to 274.8 g kg−1 d.m., depending on the crop and harvest year. The analysis of the mineral composition also revealed significant large variation.

The purpose of this research was to assess the functional value of the “Super Trawnik” lawn mixture. The studies were carried out between 2017 and 2019 at the Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow (50°07′ N, 20°05′ E), and the experimental factor was the AGRO-SORB® Folium, a biostimulant containing amino acids and applied at three doses: 1, 2, and 3 L·ha−1. Lawn visual quality was assessed on a 9-point scale, with 10–11 mowings at 4 cm during the growing period. An increase in the concentration of the stimulant applied as a spray resulted in a significant increase in its effectiveness; plants in plots with the highest dose of amino acid solution (Variant III) had the highest aesthetic and functional values. The AGRO-SORB® Folium reduced the occurrence of fungal diseases; compared to control plants, there was a 16% reduction of Fusarium patch (Microdochium nivale) infection and a 20% reduction of Dreschlera leaf spot (Drechslera siccans). Satisfactory effects were also recorded on plots where the product was applied at a dose of 2 L·ha−1 (Variant II). Those plots had more favourably rated turf, with higher resistance of plants to Fusarium patch by 12% and to Dreschlera leaf spot by 20% compared to control.

The investigations were carried out in the years 2000- -2004 on permanent grassland in Czarny Potok (Beskidy Mts. - 650 a. s. l.). Botanical census was conducted by using Klapp's method on 26 plots (18 random selected plots and 8 controls). The whole floristic material was subjected to numerical classification. As a result, three main types of plots with the dominating species of: Juncus effusus (1), Cirsium arvense (2) and Deschampsia caespitosa (3), were distinguished. Poa trivialis was the dominating species of the control plots. Results of the floristic and habitat analysis confirmed that the main factors determining the formation of meadow and pasture communities are as follows: the method of use, water relations and soil nutrient availability. It was found that idle glades are characterised by degraded sward of the average (the sward patches with the domination of Deschampsia caespitosa) or low use value (the swards patches with the domination of Cirsium arvense and Juncus effusus). The deterioration of the feeding value of the fallow plots is an effect of their high weed infestation, which in turn results, in this case, from habitat changes as a consequence of the cessation of use and earlier errors made in cultivation measures. Both high and low soil moisture, with improper meadow management, accelerated the weed infestation of the sward, what in turn lowers its use value. Cutting and fertilisation positively affect the use value of plant habitats, what was confirmed by the botanical and habitat analysis of the control plots with the domination of Poa trivialis, which is known to be of good use value.

Ash disposal sites should be covered by a vegetation mantle immediately after they have been formed in order to protect them against water and wind erosion and to ensure an aesthetic view of the countryside. The vegetal cover of scarps and terraces of disposal sites and ash heaps plays a most important role in biological reclamation of disposal site. Botanical composition was affected by the kind of used waste. Utilization of municipal sludge was beneficial for tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) growth, whereas the use of ash was more advantageous for red fescue (Festuca rubra). Among all sown plants tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was the most susceptible species to biological recultivation of furnace ash fertilized with sludge. A high diversification of reclamation mixture yielding depending on sludge and ash dose was found. The yield of reclamation mixture ranged between 0.15 and 11.81 t/ha-1, depending on the object. The highest reclamation mixture yield was generated on the object where sludge was used with ash in 3/4:1/4 weight ratio, and the lowest was obtained on the object where only ash addition was applied.

The Influence of the kind of utilization and fertilization level on the flora of the mountain grasslands was determined in the study consisting of two experiments. The studies were carried out in 1999–2002 on permanent grassland in Czarny Potok near Krynica (at the altitude of 650 m). Three fertilization variants and one control were taken into account in the experiments (I – cut, II – pastured). The most varied floristic composition of the sward was observed under twofold utilization. In this sward three were more significant species than in the utilized pasture. More frequent utilization of the sward readily revealed competitive power between species, which resulted in the limited development of many grasses of low utilization value to the advantage of valuable grasses like: Festuca pratensis Huds., Dactylis glomerata L. and Poa pratensis L. Lack of utilization was the factor which caused the biggest degradation of forage value of mountain grasslands. After four years without utilization the sward was in 83% controlled by persistent weed Deschampsia caespitosa L.

Selection of the preservation method has a great influence on the quality of preserved forages from grassland. First of all it is important to choose the method which assures the smallest losses of nutrients. Fundamentally, there are two methods of preservation: drying, and silage. The aim of the study was to determine the amount of total protein and net lactation energy losses for hay and silage production using different methods. The study were conducted in two mountain farms. Two kinds of drying and silage were taken into account: drying on the area of the meadow with cocking and drying on the rickstands, silage in a temporary silo and in foil bales. In the forages made by using different technologies losses of total protein content fluctuated from 19 to 35% and losses of net location energy from 11 to 28%. Summing up, the lowest level of losses were observed for silage in foil bales. In the mountain area, characterised with high level of atmospheric falls, there are unfavourable conditions for hay production. Hence making silages in foil bales is an alternative for drying hay on the rickstands.