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An experiment was conducted to analyse the potential for obtaining biomass for energy purposes and tall wheatgrass (TWG) seeds grown under conditions of varying pre-sowing fertilisation with compost and mineral fertilisation with nitrogen on sandy soils. Field trials were conducted between 2012 and 2015. The study factors were compost from municipal green areas with I-doses of 0, 10 and 20 Mg∙ha−1 added before sowing and nitrogen II-doses of 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg∙ha−1 added each year in the form of ammonium nitrate. During the experiment conducted on sandy soils, a favourable effect of fertilisation on the morphological parameters of above-ground vegetative and generative parts was found. The experiment resulted in high dry matter yields (DMYs) in the range of 9.08–31.38 Mg∙ha−1 and high seed yields (SYs) (635 kg∙ha−1 to as much as 2397 kg∙ha−1), which depended on the applied fertilisation variant. The applied levels of compost fertilisation had a positive effect on the obtained dry matter yields (DMYs) and SY. Analysing the effect of the applied doses of mineral nitrogen fertilisation (40, 80 and 120 kg∙ha−1) on the dry matter yield of TWG under sandy soil conditions, it should be noted that this factor significantly increased the DMY and SY in all years of the study. At the same time, the response of plants to this factor of the study over the years varied and depended on weather conditions. The high energy yield (192.50 GJ∙ha−1–408.93 GJ∙ha−1) closely related to the high DMY indicates the high suitability of TWG as a new grass species under temperate climate conditions grown for biomass energy production and the possibility to harvest seeds when adequately cultivated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of changes in grassland was conducted on the territory of individual counties of the West Pomeranian Voivodship. Based on data collected in the Valorisation of the Agricultural Production Space of Poland and spatial data (an electronic 1:5000 soil and agricultural map) the basic information on the use of agricultural land in the 70s of the 20th century. Changes in use over time were analysed based on data the Statistics Poland (Pol.: Główny Urząd Statystyczny -- GUS), General Geographic Database and The Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture Crop Register (Pol.: Agencja Restrukturyzacji i Modernizacji Rolnictwa -- ARiMR). The studies showed that in the West Pomeranian Voivodship, a successive decrease in the share of permanent grasslands (0.9%) and arable lands (1.4%) is observed. There is a spatial variation in the share of permanent grassland in the province's counties, with a distinction between northern and southern counties. The main direction of change in grassland area is arable land, which applies to counties with the highest share of permanent grassland (PG) and counties with a high share of the best soils and forest direction. Land quality was the main factor determining the direction of grassland changes, with the best PG converted to arable land or for investment purposes. In contrast, the weakest were converted to forestry or spontaneously wooded through abandonment. The main reasons for changes in grassland areas in the West Pomeranian Voivodship were: conversion of use to arable land, afforestation of grasslands, land use for urban planning purposes, leaving land fallow and conversion for constructing fishponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents the characteristics and inferred evolution of post-bog soils developed in the Last Glacial Maximum area of northwestern Poland near the southern Baltic coast. The study involved a total of five sites near existing lakes in NW Poland. In total, 21 soil pits were described and sampled and 17 piezometers were installed. In soil samples chemical and physical properties were determined. During the hydrological year the water level was checked and chemical properties of water were determined, the floristic composition at each location was also carried out. Mineralisation of post-bog soils initiated by dehydration leads to the decomposition of organic surface layers and an increase in CaCO3 content as well as mineral non-lime components at the expense of organic matter. A sequence of five soil types occurs in this landscape: Sapric Histosols (Limnic), Drainic Histosols (Calcaric, Limnic), Histic Gleysols (Murshic), Umbric Gleysols (Hyperhumic), Gleyic Phaeozems (Hyperhumic) that represent individual stages of soil genesis. Differences between the chemical properties of soils are apparent between organic vs organic-mineral and mineral layers. Man-induced drainage of post-bog soils changes their physical parameters. Bulk density increase and water retention decrease. The fluctuation of groundwater determines the moisture content of post-bog soils and affects the species composition of vegetation. Chemistry of groundwater is shaped mainly by the construction of catchment and the nature of its use, however, it is modified as a result of the inflow of macronutrients released during organic matter mineralisation processes and leaching of exchangeable forms from the sorption complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation on meadows in the Randow river valley was conducted in 2012, 2013 and 2015 on organic soil. Grassland belongs to the Raminer Agrar GmbH&Co(Germany)was subjected to regeneration by full cultivation method. The aim of the study was to determine the suitability of selected grass mixtures for the establishment of grasslands on organic soil, considering this problem in the context of the yield level and quality of the obtained feed. Individual objects showed high Holistic stability, which indicates the usefulness of Dactylis glomerata, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, Festuloiium braunii as well as Festuca pratensis and Festuca anmdinacea, for the grasslands establishing on organic soil. The beneficial effect of multiple cut on the yield level and the quality of fodder was found. The largest yield was found on object sown with a grass mixture: Festuca anmdinacea(50%)+Dactylis glomerata (40%)+Poa pratensis(10%).There were also objects with a dominant share of Dactylis glomerata. In terms of chemical composition and in the context of organic components content, two mixtures were distinguished: Lolium perenne (71%)+Phleum pratense(18%)+Poa pratensis(11%)and Festuloiium braunii (43%)+Poa pratensis(29%)+Lolium perenne(28%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogas production and use is one of the pillars of the EU strategy for fossil fuels replacement via renewable energies. In Poland, the most commonly used crop for biogas production is maize. There are many factors limiting the cultivation of this crop, which is why alternative plants are sought. The aim of the present paper was to assess the effect of establishing a plantation using seeds, seedlings, and various harvest dates on biogas production from Silphium perfoliatum L. (Silphium) and from two phenotypes of Sida hermaphrodita L. Rusby (Sida). Harvesting was conducted in the second (2017) and third year of crop growth (2018). These crops were harvested in June and at the beginning of October as a two-cut strategy. Additionally, Silphium was harvested in early autumn as a one-cut strategy. Specific biogas yield (SBY) and specific biomethane yield (SMY) were estimated using the modified Baserga method. The biogas yield per hectare (BY) was calculated. The crop species, method of establishing a plantation, as well as the date and the number of harvests had a significant effect on the content of the selected chemical components; however, significant differences in terms of SBY were not found for the two-cut strategy. In the case of Silphium, approximately 40% more BY was produced for the two-cut strategy compared to the one-cut strategy. The BY was found to be significantly affected by the biomass yield; markedly higher BY can be obtained from Silphium and the average amount obtained in one year was 8598 m3 ha−1 while 4759 m3 ha−1 was obtained from Sida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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