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Interest in bioenergy, in particular the use of biomass, has increased significantly in recent years due to increasing climate and economic concerns. As one of the key renewable energy sources, biomass plays an important role in the new energy framework. The aim of this research was to estimate the mass of woody husks and to check the influence of morphological features of selected hazelnut varieties on the energy parameters of waste biomass in the form of husk. Technical and elemental analyses were carried out on the husks of four varieties: 'Kataloński', 'Olbrzymi z Halle', 'Olga', and 'Webba Cenny', taking into account their weight, moisture content, heat of combustion (HHV and LHV), and pollutant emission factors (CO, CO2, NOx, SO2, Dust). Research has shown significant differences between the varieties in terms of their energy potential and pollutant emissions. The varieties 'Olbrzymi z Halle' and 'Olga' were found to have higher calorific values, making them more energy efficient. On the other hand, the varieties 'Kataloński' and 'Webba Cenny' showed lower dust and NOx emissions, which is beneficial from an environmental point of view. The analysis of the chemical and morphological composition of hazelnut husks allowed for the identification of relationships between morphological features and energy value and emission indicators. The conclusions from the conducted research suggest that hazelnut husks have significant potential as an energy raw material. The selection of an appropriate variety for energy crops should take into account both the calorific value and emission indicators, which will allow for the optimization of production processes and the promotion of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research presents weight estimation and analysis of the energy and carbon potential of the pericarp cover of four hazelnut varieties. A technical and elementary biofuel analysis was carried out for the biomass studied, as well as a correlation and principal component analysis to demonstrate the influence of individual characteristics on the parameters achieved. In addition, emission factors and the composition and volume of flue gases from the combustion of the material studied were estimated based on stoichiometric equations. The research showed that the highest calorific value (LHV) was characterised by the pericarp cover of the 'Olga' variety (14.86 MJ·kg−1) and the lowest by the 'Kataloński' variety (14.60 MJ·kg−1). In the case of exhaust volume, the highest volume was obtained from the 'Olbrzymi z Halle' variety (250.06 Nm3·kg−1) and the lowest from the 'Kataloński' variety (12.43 Nm3·kg−1). The correlation analysis carried out showed that the HHV and LHV parameters in the covers showed a very strong positive correlation with sulphur content and SO2 emissions, and a moderate correlation with nitrogen content and its associated NOx emissions, indicating their direct influence on the higher calorific value of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Rubus encompasses over 1000 species, including raspberries and blackberries, known for their rich nutritional and health-promoting properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the nutritional values, health benefits, and potential medical and pharmaceutical applications of Rubus species. The fruits, roots, shoots, and leaves of these plants are distinguished by their high content of polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to their potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-neurodegenerative, and anti-cancer effects. The diverse phytochemical profiles of the Rubus species support their use in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. Additionally, the Rubus species are valuable as pharmaceutical raw materials due to their bioactive compounds. Despite the focus on a few widely cultivated species, numerous wild and lesser-known Rubus species offer significant untapped potential as functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Future research should explore the detailed mechanisms of their bioactivities, develop effective extraction and formulation techniques, and integrate these findings into public health strategies. The genus Rubus represents a promising resource for enhancing human health and nutrition, as well as for pharmaceutical and medical applications, justifying increased cultivation and utilization of species from this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents examples of cogeneration systems, which are standard equipment for biogas installations, based on the production of heat and electricity. It has been shown that in the case of microgeneration, ease of servicing and low installation costs are crucial. Characteristic aspects of developing concepts for mobile installations (small scale) that produce biogas, often with a simple container structure that is ready to be located in the economic infrastructure of the agricultural industry, were indicated. Recommendations for the operation of micro-biogas models are presented, which have the greatest impact on the advisability of using agricultural waste for energy purposes. A characteristic farm was selected, which has a substrate necessary for the process of methane fermentation of slurry from pig farming. The cogenerator, which constitutes a potential energy demand from the point of view of Polish agriculture in the context of renewable energy production, was analyzed. The research goal was to adapt the cogenerator to the conditions existing on a farm, which should meet the technical and technological expectations for the process of managing the produced methane with a value of 80% in agricultural biogas. The assessment of the impact of the amount of biogas on the level of CO, NO, NO2 and PM emissions was carried out at a constant engine speed for various load levels; the percentage of biogas was changed from 40 to approximately 70–80%, i.e., until significant knocking combustion was detected in the tested engines. As a result, the existing control and control system for the operation of the cogeneration unit prevents the most effective mode of operation of the research installation as a prosumer micro-installation. When the AG20P biogas unit operated in parallel with the grid with an active power of up to 11.7 kW, the electricity produced by the unit met the adopted assumptions and requirements. What is new in this article is the use of a cogeneration unit that has been adapted to its functionality, taking into account the assessment of the prospects for optimizing the cogeneration system in the context of the use of renewable energy sources as agricultural biogas. The best method was to attempt to determine the operating conditions of the cogenerator to develop the optimization of a biogas cogeneration unit producing electricity and heat in a micro-installation for the needs of an individual farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality nursery stock ensures the dynamic development of orchard crops. The most desirable by orchardists is a tree with a strongly developed crown, which makes it possible to shorten the investment period of newly planted orchards. The quality of the perianth and the degree of its branching depend on the growth strength of the rootstock, the ability of a given variety to form lateral shoots, the type and effectiveness of the treatments used to stimulate branching, soil and climatic conditions related to the location of the nursery and the course of the weather during the period of initiation and growth of young shoots. The study was conducted in 2017–2019 at a private nursery farm near Lublin. The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of mixtures based on the compounds benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellins (GA3) and (GA4+7) for chemical stimulation of lateral shoot outgrowth in apple cv. 'Alwa' and 'Najdared'. In the course of the research, significant effects of the type of growth regulations used and the variety on the height of the perianths, the number and length of lateral shoots and the degree of branching were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated physicochemical properties of bio-waste as a potential biofuel in the form of leaves from 'Regent' grapevines grown on six different rootstocks and a control grown on its own roots for three years of cultivation. An elemental analysis was carried out, determining the content of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur in the leaves tested. A technical analysis of the biofuel was also carried out to determine the content of moisture, volatile matter, and ash. The calorimetric method was used to determine the higher heating value for the material. Fixed carbon and oxygen carbon was calculated based on the elemental and technical analyses. The study showed that the type of rootstock and the year of cultivation influence the amount of leaves obtained from the cultivation area. Leaf entrustment per hectare ranged from 1,140,868.02 in rootstock 161-49 to 1,265,286.7 Mg·ha-1 in rootstock SO4. Regardless of the year of the study, shrubs grafted on 125AA rootstock and the control had the highest combustion heat of 17.5 MJ·kg-1 and 17.6 MJ·kg-1 respectively, while 5BB rootstock had the lowest combustion heat (16.4 MJ·kg-1). Statistical analysis showed no significant effect of test year on the elemental and technical parameters evaluated. It was observed that regardless of the evaluated parameter and the type of rootstock in most parameters, the values in 2022 were the highest, while in 2021 they were the lowest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the influence of physicochemical traits on yield depending on the variety and year of cultivation. Four common to Poland grape cultivars, i.e. 'Regent', 'Rondo', 'Seyval Blanc', and 'Solaris', were evaluated by analysing, among others, number of clusters per bush, their weight, number of berries, and the yield per hectare, number of woody shoots, weight of woody shoots, and the diameter of woody shoots. Energy and emission parameters were evaluated by conducting technical evaluation (lower heating value, ash content, volatile matters content, moisture content, fixed carbon) and elemental analysis (carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulphur and oxygen contents) of one-year, two-year and three-year vine shoots. In addition, emission factors for CO, CO2, NOx, SO2 and dust were estimated. The study showed that there was no significant differences between years under study (2020, 2021 and 2022) and energy and emission parameters. It was observed that the highest LHV (lower heating value) occurred in the 'Regent' cultivar while the lowest level in the 'Rondo' cultivar. As regards energy-emission parameters, a significant influence of cultivar ('Solaris', 'Rondo', 'Seyval Blanc' and 'Regent') was shown on the parameters studied except for nitrogen content and NOx emission index. The interaction of year and cultivar showed no significant differences except for the moisture content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In 2000-2003, studies were conducted in the Felin Experimental Station at the University of Agriculture in Lublin to evaluate the impact of BA + GA3 2.2% (Arbolin 036 SL) and BA + GA4+7 2.2% and 3.75% (Promalin 3.6 SL) in the form of lanolin paste on the increase of the number of lateral shoots in maiden apple trees of the ‘Šampion’ and ‘Jonica’ cultivars. The growth regulators were found to have a beneficial effect on the branching ability of the maidens of the studied cultivars. ‘Jonica’ showed weaker apical dominance than ‘Šampion’. Young ‘Jonica’ trees had more lateral shoots of greater length than the ‘Šampion’ maidens.

Biogas plants are one of the most stable sources of renewable energy. Currently, there is a noticeable increase in the amount of post-production residues from agricultural production and agri-food processing (fruit and vegetable processing, fermentation, beet pulp, or lignocellulosic waste), which, can be used for biogas production after appropriate pretreatment. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of using the biomass produced during the cultivation of grapes on a selected farm as a substrate for a biogas plant, taking into account the production process. The research was carried out in 2018-2020 in a vineyard located in the Sandomierz Upland in the south-eastern part of Poland. Own rooted vines were grown as a single continuous string with a trunk height of 40 cm and a length of one fixed arm approx. 0.9 m, on which six pivots were left every year after applying a short cut, from which 12-16 fruit shoots were derived, the so-called grapevines. Leaves were collected at random from three locations on the fruiting shoot, a total of 30 leaves in each replicate. Each sample consisted of 1/3 of the leaves collected at the bottom, 1/3 in the middle, and 1/3 at the top of the canopy. Leaf area was estimated with a model 3100 area meter on a sample of 30 leaves from each replicate. Both the quantity and quality of the obtained material as a substrate for methane fermentation were evaluated. Biogas yield tests in optimal conditions for mesophilic bacteria were conducted on three substrate samples referred to as 'Regent', 'Seyval Blanc', and 'Solaris'. The yields of the tested material ranged from 51.0 to 59.0 Nm3 biogas per Mg of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]