Browsing by Author "Kocira, Anna"
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Item Biostimulants in soya cultivation as a factor which determines biometric properties, yield and chemical composition of seeds(Instytut Uprawy Nawożenia i Gleboznawstwa – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy w Puławach, 2017) Kocira, AnnaItem Cold Stress during Flowering Alters Plant Structure, Yield and Seed Quality of Different Soybean Genotypes(MDPI, 2021) Staniak, Mariola; Czopek, Katarzyna; Stępień-Warda, Anna; Kocira, Anna; Przybyś, MarcinThe objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of cold stress at flowering stage on plant structure, yield and chemical composition of seeds of 15 soybean cultivars. The study was conducted in 2019–2020, using the complete randomization method, in three replications. Fifteen soybean cultivars belonging to three maturity groups: early (EC), middle-early (MC) and late (LC) cultivars were included. Weekly cold stress (17/13 °C day/night) was applied at plant flowering stage. In the control treatment, plants were kept under natural conditions (24/17 °C day/night). Our research showed that cold stress negatively influenced the elements of plant structure: height, number of nodes, stem dry mass, number and weight of pods, number and weight of seeds per plant, as well as yield of soybean seeds, reducing it on average by 24%, as compared to the control treatment. The highest yield decrease was found in LC cultivars (31.2%), while a smaller and similar one in EC and MC cultivars (by 19.7 and 20.1%, respectively). Significant varietal differences were found for plant biometric traits and seed yield. EC cultivars had the lowest set first pod, as well as the lowest number of nodes, number of pods and seeds, pod and seed weight per plant, and seed yield. MC cultivars had the highest set first pod, and the smallest stem DM and seed yield average by 29.2% higher compared to EC cultivars. LC cultivars had the highest stem DM, number of pods and seeds, and pod and seed weight per plant compared to the other cultivar groups, and yield by 22.8% higher compared to EC cultivars. The experimental factors significantly affected crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash content, while they did not differentiate water-soluble carbohydrate and crude fiber content. Cold stress at the flowering stage caused a significant increase in protein content (by 4.1% on average) and ash content (by 3.8%) and a decrease in fat concentration (by 6.9%) in soybean seeds. Differences in nutrient content among cultivars were a genetic trait not related to cultivar maturity.Item Legume Cover Crops as One of the Elements of StrategicWeed Management and Soil Quality Improvement. A Review(MDPI, 2020) Kocira, Anna; Staniak, Mariola; Tomaszewska, Marzena; Kornas, Rafał; Cymerman, Jacek; Panasiewicz, Katarzyna; Lipińska, HalinaThe benefits of conservation practices increased the interest of farmers in the cultivation of cover crops (CCs). This review aims to present and analyze the state of the art on the cultivation of legume CCs, including their importance in protecting crops against weeds, as well as their e ects on organic matter and nitrogen content in the soil, physical and biological properties of the soil, and its erosion. The multi-purpose character of legume CCs is visible in their positive effect on reducing weed infestation, but also on the soil: reducing its compaction and erosion, improving its structural and hydraulic properties, increasing the content of organic matter and activity of soil microorganisms, or increasing its nitrogen content due to symbiotic N2 fixing. This review demonstrates that a wider use of legume CCs in organic farming is needed. The benefits of legume CCs for successive crops in these cultivation conditions, both in terms of inhibiting weed populations and improving fertility and soil properties, also need to be identified. Further research is also needed to determine the potential impact of legume CCs on the improvement of the quality of degraded soils, or those with less favorable physicochemical properties.Item Organic but Also Low-Input Conventional Farming Systems Support High Biodiversity of Weed Species in Winter Cereals(MDPI, 2020) Berbeć, Adam Kleofas; Staniak, Mariola; Feledyn-Szewczyk, Beata; Kocira, Anna; Stalenga, JarosławIn recent years, the European Union has been paying particular attention to the problem of biodiversity loss. The possibilities of its assessment and conservation are included in the latest European Union (EU) policies and reflected in the European Biodiversity Strategy. The biodiversity of weeds in winter cereals in organic and conventional low-input farms in Eastern Poland was investigated during a 3-year period. Significantly more species and larger abundance were found in organic than in conventional farming systems. The biodiversity of these communities was described by Shannon’s diversity and Simpson’s dominance indices, which showed diversity to be well maintained in both farming systems; however, significantly higher Shannon’s index and significantly lower Simpson’s index values were observed in organic farms. Both farming systems were the mainstay of endangered and rare species, as well as some invasive weed species. Weed communities of organic farms were dominated mostly by Setaria pumila and Elymus repens, while conventional farms were dominated by Juncus bufonius and Setaria pumila. The study showed the importance of organic farming systems for biodiversity conservation. It was also shown that low-input (traditional) conventional farms are also beneficial for biodiversity conservation.Item Polysaccharides as Edible Films and Coatings: Characteristics and Influence on Fruit and Vegetable Quality—A Review(MDPI, 2021) Kocira, Anna; Kozłowicz, Katarzyna; Panasiewicz, Katarzyna; Staniak, Mariola; Szpunar-Krok, Ewa; Hortyńska, PaulinaThere has been a significant increase in the development of edible films and coatings in recent times, and this is expected to have a significant impact on the quality of fruit and vegetables in the coming years. Consumers expect fresh fruit and vegetables free from pesticide residues, with high quality, nutritional value and an extended shelf life. The application of coatings and edible films to fruits and vegetables represents an environmentally friendly approach to an innovative solution to this problem. Coatings and edible films can act as ecological and biodegradable packaging. The coating strategy involves a combination of natural biopolymers and appropriate preservation methods. The article presents the applicability, trends and perspectives of polysaccharide coatings and edible films and their impact on the quality of fruit and vegetables, providing an understanding of their main functions and benefits. Numerous studies show that natural polysaccharides are well suited for use as packaging material for fresh fruit and vegetables and can often be an important alternative to synthetic compounds. Natural polymer materials are a good barrier to oxygen and carbon dioxide; however, they are characterised by excessive solubility in the water environment, water vapour permeability and low extensibility. The properties of edible coatings can be modified by the addition of plasticisers, surfactants, cross-linkers, antimicrobial agents, functional additives, nanosilver particles or fruit and vegetable residues. The use of an electric field is also a promising technology here. The use of polysaccharides for the preparation of edible films and coatings is justified not only by the possibility of reducing the consumption of packaging made of synthetic polymer materials but also by the fact that the production of some natural polymers can be made using waste products generated during the processing of food raw materials.Item Responses of Soybean to Selected Abiotic Stresses—Photoperiod, Temperature and Water(MDPI, 2023) Staniak, Mariola; Szpunar-Krok, Ewa; Kocira, AnnaThe sharp increase in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) acreage in the late 20th century and early 21st century is due to the demand for edible oil and feed protein. However, a limiting factor in the extent of soybean cultivation is its high heat requirements and response to photoperiod. Most varieties are short-day plants and are generally the best-yielding genotypes. At higher latitudes (longer day length), there is a delay in the occurrence of subsequent developmental stages and problems with plant maturation before the onset of autumn frost. Global warming allows the cultivation range of warm-season species (including soya) to be shifted; however, periodic droughts and very high temperatures limit crop production. Adverse weather events result in a reduction in soybean seed yield of around 30%. Environmental stresses related to day length, high and low temperatures and water shortage or excess have the greatest impact on soybean yields, as we have no influence on them and can only, to a very limited extent, offset their negative effects. This paper reviews the recent world literature on how soybean responds to these stress factors. The results of our own research were also used.Item Role of Agriculture in Implementing the Concept of Sustainable Food System(MDPI, 2025) Kocira, Anna; Staniak, MariolaItem Seeds Quality and Quantity of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Cultivars in Response to Cold Stress(MDPI, 2021) Staniak, Mariola; Stępień-Warda, Anna; Czopek, Katarzyna; Kocira, Anna; Baca, EdytaThe aim of the study was to identify the response to cold stress of 16 soybean cultivars by evaluating their emergence, yield level, and seed chemical composition. Studies were conducted in 2018–2019. A total of sixteen soybean cultivars belonging to three earliness groups (early, medium-early and late) were included. Short-term (3-day) cold stress (12/6 °C day/night) was applied immediately after sowing (A), 3 days (B) and 6 days (C) after sowing seeds, while long (9-day) cold stress (D) was applied immediately after sowing seeds. In the control plot (K), plants were grown under optimum conditions (20/15 °C day/night). The study showed that cold stress, reduced plant emergence by 5–10%, depending on the treatment. Long stress (D) had a beneficial effect on the yield of all soybean cultivars (average yield increase of 21.5%), with statistically significant differences in 12 cultivars and a trend in four cultivars. Short stress also caused a significant increase in yield on treatments B and C (by 6.8 and 11.6%, respectively). Cold stress did not significantly affect the nutrient content of seed yield. Varietal differentiation was found with respect to yield and chemical composition of seeds.Item The function of macronutrients in helping soybeans to overcome the negative effects of drought stress(MDPI, 2024) Staniak, Mariola; Szpunar-Krok, Ewa; Wilczewski, Edward; Kocira, Anna; Podleśny, JanuszNutrient deficiencies are a major cause of yield loss under abiotic stress conditions, so proper nutrient management can reduce the negative effects of stress to some extent. Nutrients can alleviate stress by activating resistance genes, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, creating osmoprotectants in cells, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, increasing cell membrane stability, synthesizing proteins associated with stress tolerance, and increasing chlorophyll content in leaves. The current review highlights changes in soybean metabolic activity caused by drought stress and changes in vital functions caused by the deficiency of primary (N, K, P) and secondary macronutrients (Ca, Mg, S). The role of macronutrients in reducing the adverse effects of water deficit stress is highlighted. Under stressed conditions, appropriate nutrient management options can be implemented to minimize the effects of drought and ensure good yields. Balanced nutrient fertilization helps activate various plant mechanisms to mitigate the effects of abiotic stresses and improve soybean drought resistance/tolerance. Nutrient management is therefore a viable technique for reducing environmental stress and increasing crop productivity.Item Weed Ecology and New Approaches for Management(MDPI, 2021) Kocira, Anna; Staniak, Mariola